Ecosystem Services of UHE Carlos Botelho (Lobo/Broa): a new approach for management and planning of dams multiple-uses / Servicos ecossistemicos do reservatorio da UHE Carlos Botelho (Lobo-Broa): uma nova abordagem para o gerenciamento e planejamento dos multiplos usos de represas

The aim of this study was to identify and make an initial accounting of the ecosystem services of the hydroelectric power generation plant, UHE Carlos Botelho (Itirapina Municipality, São Paulo State, Brazil), and its most extensive wetlands - total of 2,640 ha - and also identify the drivers of change of these services. Twenty (20) ecosystem services were identified and the estimated quantitative total value obtained was USD 120,445,657.87. year−1 or USD 45,623.35 ha−1.year−1. Investments on restoration of spatial heterogeneity along Tietê-Jacaré hydrographic basin and new technologies for regional economic activities must maintain ecological functions as well as increase marginal values of ecosystem services and the potential annual economic return of ecological functions.

Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar e valorar os serviços ecossistêmicos da UHE Carlos Botelho (Itirapina, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil) e suas áreas alagadas mais extensas e também identificar as forçantes de alterações nestes serviços. Vinte (20) serviços ecossistêmicos foram identificados e o valor quantitativo total estimado obtido resultou em USD 120.445.657,87. ano−1 ou USD 45.623,35 ha−1.ano−1. Investimentos na restauração da heterogeneidade espacial da bacia hidrográfica do Tietê-Jacaré e em novas tecnologias para as atividades econômicas regionais devem contribuir para a manutenção das funções ecológicas e para o aumento dos valores marginais e do valor potencial anual de retorno dos serviços ecossistêmicos.

Efficacy of a low cost protocol in reducing noise levels in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Objective. To examine the effectiveness and cost of implementing a noise reduction protocol in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods. A prospective longitudinal study was done in a level III NICU, wherein a noise reduction protocol that included behavioral and environmental modification was implemented. The noise levels were measured sequentially every hour for 15 days before and after this intervention. The statistical significance of the reduction in noise levels after implementation of the protocol was tested by paired sample student's t-test. Cost was calculated using the generalized cost effectiveness model of the World Health Organisation. The present study has 80 % power with 95 % confidence to measure 2 dB differences between groups for the maximum recommended of 50 dB. Results. The protocol in the present study reduced noise levels in all the rooms of the NICU to within 60 dB with high statistical significance (p< 0.001). The extent of noise reduction in the rooms of the NICU was as follows : ventilator room by 9.58 dB (95 % confidence interval: 6.73 – 12.42, p < 0.001) , stable room by 6.54 dB (95 % confidence interval: 2.92 – 4.16 , p < 0.001), isolation room by 2.26 dB (95 % confidence interval: 1.21 – 3.30, p < 0.001) , pre-term room by 2.37 dB(95 % confidence interval: 1.22 – 3.51, p < 0.001)and extreme preterm room by 2.09 dB (95 % confidence interval: 1.14 – 3.02, p < 0.001). The intervention was most cost-effective in the ventilator room, requiring Rs. 81.09 to reduce 1 dB and least effective in the extreme pre-term room requiring Rs. 371.61 to reduce 1 dB. Conclusion. The high efficacy and affordability of noise reduction protocols justify the need for implementation of these measures as a standard of care in neonatal intensive care units.

Servicios ambientales del bosque: ensayo en una cuenca atlántica europea con base en la experiencia de Centroamérica

Environmental services of the forest: an essay in an European Atlantic river basin based on a Central American experience. A Conservation Interest Index (CI) was designed to numerically assess the natural quality or value of a given terrestrial area. This CI has been applied along the Golako River Watershed (Biosphere Reserve, Basque Country, Spain). The area, although benefiting from some protection, is strongly influenced by human activities (forestry and cattle breeding). The CI is based on both available cartographic information about vegetation and fieldwork, the later needed to provide estimations for the various descriptors included in this index: in this way, a particular vegetation fragment received a final score on a scale from 0 to 1 000. A set of 9 Vegetation Units has been defined to analyze the current vegetation profile and, a ten plot (500 x 500 m) uniformly distributed sampling design has been implemented. Landscape homogenization is high where main land use relies on timbering, contrasting with the more heterogeneous and fragmented profile related to rural activities. At a height of more than 150 m forest appears to be dominant while human occupation becomes patchy, whereas abruptness restraints farms to locations below 100 m. Concerning the index performance, gradual differences have been displayed by the forest, which appears as the only vegetation unit attaining values above 500 (50% in the index scale), mature forest ranking highest (860), followed closely by the riparian forest. We have developed a formula to translate environmental value into economic benefit to promote conservation work at private property level, imitating the initial work undergone in Central American countries, where environmental services are rewarded irrespective of their conservation status. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (4): 2087-2098. Epub 2008 December 12.

Se presenta la síntesis de un estudio piloto llevado a cabo en la Reserva de la biosfera de Urdaibai (España atlántica), en la cuenca del río Golako, donde se estudió 250 hectáreas durante 8 meses. El objetivo fue definir un índice cuantitativo de conservación del territorio (IC), basado en la evaluación individual de 9 unidades de paisaje (UP) que sintetizan las características de la zona. Luego, se formuló un método de compensación económica (PSA = euros), que permite la conservación de las áreas naturales de calidad que son propiedad privada. Dicho planteamiento se basa en la premisa de que el bosque natural, como todos los ecosistemas naturales, posee un valor social que puede ser cuantificado. Los resultados del estudio indican que el 60% del territorio está representado por plantaciones de Pinus radiata, y que la superficie ocupada por el bosque natural en estados variables de conservación, está extraordinariamente fragmentada (82% por debajo de 1 ha). En este contexto, se desarrolla un concepto de Pago por Servicios Ambientales (PSA) propio, diseñado tomando en cuenta: las características específicas del territorio; los estudios de Costa Rica; los planes estratégicos y jurídicos vascos; el estudio del impacto de la actividad forestal; y las funciones del bosque natural como estabilizador de sistema.

An economical non-destructive method for estimating eelgrass, Zostera marina (Potamogetonaceae) leaf growth rates: formal development and use in northwestern Baja California

Seagrass beds provide much of the primary production in estuaries; host many fishes and fish larvae, and abate erosion. The present study presents original analytical methods for estimating mean leaf-growth rates of eelgrass (Zostera marina). The method was calibrated by using data collected in a Z. marina meadow at Punta Banda estuary in Baja California, Mexico. The analytical assessments were based on measurements of leaf length and standard regression procedures. We present a detailed explanation of the formal procedures involved in the derivation of these analytical methods. The measured daily leaf-growth rate was 10.9 mm d-1 leaf-1. The corresponding value projected by our method was 10.2 mm d-1 leaf-1. The associated standard errors were of 0.53 and 0.56 mm d-1 leaf-1 respectively. The method was validated by projecting leaf-growth rates from an independent data set, which gave consistent results. The use of the method to obtain the mean leaf growth rate of a transplanted plot is also illustrated. Comparison of our leaf-growth data with previously reported assessments show the significant forcing of sea-surface temperature on eelgrass leaf dynamics. The formal constructs provided here are of general scope and can be applied to equivalent eelgrass data sets in a straightforward manner. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (3): 1003-1013. Epub 2008 September 30.

Las praderas de pastos marinos abaten la erosión y aportan gran parte de la productividad primaria de los esteros y son refugio de muchos peces y sus larvas. El presente trabajo introduce métodos analíticos para estimar las tasas medias de crecimiento foliar de Zostera marina L. y sus varianzas. La calibración del método se llevó a cabo utilizando datos de una pradera de esta fanerógama en el Estero de Punta Banda Baja California, México. Las referidas estimaciones analíticas, se basan en medias de longitud foliar y en procedimientos estandarizados de regresión. Dichas determinaciones son por ende no-destructivas. Se proporciona una explicación detallada de los aspectos formales de la derivación del método. El valor promedio observado de la tasa media diaria de crecimiento foliar fue de 10.9 mm d-1 leaf-1. El valor correspondiente proyectado mediante nuestro método fue de 10.2 mm d-1 leaf-1. Los errores estándar asociados fueron 0.53 y 0.56 mm d-1 leaf-1 respectivamente. Valores proyectados de la tasa media de crecimiento foliar diario utilizando datos de longitudes foliares publicadas por otros autores dieron también resultados consistentes. Se ilustra también el uso del método para proyectar la media de crecimiento foliar de una parcela transplantada de Zostera marina. La comparación de los resultados de este estudio con equivalentes reportados previamente nos permite concluir que las diferencias observadas pueden ser explicadas en función de la variabilidad de la temperatura superficial del mar en virtud del control de esta variable sobre la dinámica foliar de Z. marina. Las herramientas de estimación indirecta presentadas en este trabajo pueden aplicarse fácilmente a datos equivalentes de Z. marina.