Densidad y estructura poblacional de Cebus capucinus curtus (Primates: Cebidae) y Bradypus variegatus gorgon (Pilosa: Bradypodidae), en Isla Gorgona, Colombia / Density and structure of populations of Cebus capucinus curtus (Primates: Cebidae) and Bradypus variegatus gorgon (Pilosa:Bradypodidae) in Gorgona Island, ColombiaGorgona

is a continental island in the Pacific of Colombia. Two subspecies of arboreal mammals inhabit the island: the White-throated Capuchin (Cebus capucinus curtus) and the Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus gorgon). These organisms are important for conservation since they are endemic and perform an essential role as seed dispersers in the National Park. This paper presents information on the population ecology of these two subspecies by using the transects-of-variable-width method, based on perpendicular detection distance, to establish density and age structure. The density of C. capucinus curtus in Gorgona Island was 170.6ind/km2 (95% CI=122-238.4), while that of B. variegatus gorgon was 2.6ind/km² (IC 95%= 1.3 to 4.9ind/km²). The density of C. capucinus curtus in Isla Gorgona is the highest recorded for this species throughout its geographic range, while that of B. variegatus gorgon is the lowest reported for the species. The high density of C. curtus capucinus could be related to a synergistic effect between low predation and continuous availability of food, while the low density of B. variegates gorgon could be related to past hunting pressure, to the low reproductive rate of the species, and to a pandemic occurred in 2005. We recommend constant monitoring of populations of both subspecies, and population health studies for B. variegatus gorgon. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 447-456. Epub 2014 February 01.

En Isla Gorgona se registran dos subespecies endémicas de mamíferos arbóreos, el Mono capuchino de pecho blanco (Cebus capucinus curtus) y el Perezoso de tres dedos de garganta marrón (Bradypus variegatus gorgon), especies importante para la conservación debido a su carácter endémico y papel ecológico como dispersores de semillas en el PNN Gorgona. En este trabajo se presenta información sobre la ecología poblacional de estas dos subespecies, utilizando el método de muestreo por distancia con transectos lineales para establecer la densidad, además se describió la estructura etaria general de cada población con base en los muestreos y observaciones directas. La densidad de C. capucinus curtus en isla Gorgona fue de 170,6 ind/km² (IC 95%=122,0-238,4 ind/km²) mientras que para B. variegatus gorgon fue de 2,6 ind/km² (IC 95%=1,3-4,9 ind/km²). El registro de densidad de C. capucinus curtus en isla Gorgona es el más alto para la especie en todo su rango de distribución geográfica, mientras que el de B. variegatus gorgon es el más bajo reportado para la especie. La alta densidad de C. capucinus curtus estaría relacionada con un efecto sinérgico entre la baja depredación natural y la continua disponibilidad de alimento, mientras que la baja densidad de B. variegatus gorgon estaría relacionada con la presión de caza realizada en el pasado, la baja tasa reproductiva de la especie y una pandemia ocurrida en el año 2005. Se recomienda el monitoreo constante de las poblaciones y estudios de salud poblacional para B. variegatus gorgon.

A Green Roof Test Bed for Stormwater Management and Reduction of Urban Heat Island Effect in Singapore.

A green roof test bed, established at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, was used to investigate its benefit for storm water management and urban heat island effect mitigation. The system comprised 3 units, 2 in the form of vegetated roofs and the other a bare roof. The system was equipped with automatic monitoring devices for measuring the hydrological data. Continuous data monitoring on the roofs was conducted to evaluate the thermal and hydrological effects. The study shows that the green roof test bed can significantly reduce the roof surface temperature (by an average of 7.3ºC) and lower the ambient air temperature (by an average of 0.5ºC) when compared with a bare roof during day time hours (from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm). The ability to reduce and delay the peak runoff was demonstrated by using a typical rainfall event with 18 mm depth. The designed system is useful in evaluating both thermal and hydrological benefits of a green roof system in tropical areas and can offer guidance to local managers in mitigating the urban heat island effect and designing storm water management strategies.