Ecological quality of a forest in a state of succession based on structural parameters: A case study in an evergreen Amazonian-Andean forest, Ecuador.

The evergreen forests of the Ecuadorian Amazon Region are altered by anthropogenic and natural factors. This provokes the need to look for tools that facilitate decision-making in support of restoration. We characterized the ecological structure and distribution of an evergreen Amazonian-Andean forest in the upper Puyo River micro-basin as a base for establishing an ecological quality index. The inventory was assessed using transects 0.1 ha (10 m × 100 m), registering the species with diameters at 1.30 m height ≥10 cm. We encountered a high degree of richness (30 families, 65 species and 322 individuals). The structural parameters indicated the predominance of a heterogeneous forest, with characteristics belonging to disturbed forests. A non-continuous vertical distribution pattern was found, determined by 78% of the species in a single stratum. The mixing ratio resulted in a higher proportion (1:5) for the lower class. The species Wettinia maynensis, Alchornea glandulosa, Miconia splendens, Piptocoma discolor and Inga velutina had the highest ecological value. The principal components analysis distinguished the abundance of species that had a high correlation with the sites and a distinct pattern was found in transect three. We developed the Structural Ecological Quality Index, which considers the social position of various species as well as their ecological importance, to reflect alterations in structural parameters. Abundance was concentrated in the 10-20 m strata (10-20 cm diameter class), which showed the presence of disturbance indicator species and a low ecological value. This indicated the real value of the historical succession of the forest, thus we recommend carrying out a restoration of this important reservoir.

Optimisation of ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic antioxidants from Ilex guayusa Loes. leaves using response surface methodology.

The present study carried out the optimisation of the total polyphenol content (TPC) extraction assisted by ultrasound in Ilex guayusa leaves applying response surface methodology (RSM). Also, the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of the extract obtained under the optimal extraction conditions was performed. The effect of the variables like, time of sonication, temperature, ethanol/water ratio and solid/liquid relationship and the interactions between them were analysed through the use of a factorial design 2ˆ4. The significant factors were considered for the optimisation, employing a Box-Behnken Design, and the TPC as response variables. It was found that a quadratic model was adequate, with an adjusted R2 value of 0.9367. The optimal conditions proposed, by the response surface model were: an extraction temperature of 60 °C, sonication time of 29.9 min and ethanol/water ratio of 76.8/23.2. The optimised leaves extract of I. guayusa show a TPC of 3.46 (±0.17) g gallic acid equivalents/100 g d.w. Radical scavenger activity of the obtained extract at optimum conditions, was performed through the FRAP and ABTS methods, given as result: 0.080 mmol TROLOX equivalents/100 g d.w. and 40.71 µmol TROLOX equivalents/g d.w., respectively. Due to the present findings, I. guayusa extracts can be proposed as a promising component for functional beverages, cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulation.

Relación entre atributos ecofisiológicos de la especie vulnerable Pinus caribaea Morelet var. caribaea y características ambientales de ocho localidades en pinar del río, Cuba / Relationship between ecophysiological attributes of the vulnerable species pinus caribaea morelet var. caribaea and environmental characteristics of eight localities in pinar del río, Cuba / Relação entre atributos ecofisiológicos da espécie vulnerável pinus caribaea morelet var. caribaea e características ambientais de oito localidades em pinar del río, Cuba

Pinus caribaea Morelet var. caribaea Barret & Golfari es una especie vulnerable, debido a la fragmentación de su hábitat y a su extracción. En Pinar del Río, Cuba, las poblaciones naturales de esta especie se encuentran localizadas en distintos tipos de suelo y diferentes condiciones climáticas. Se realizó un estudio en ocho poblaciones (Cajálbana, Marbajita, La Güira, La Jagua, Galalón, Viñales, Pinar del Río y Sabanalamar) con el fin de caracterizar atributos ecofisiológicos y relacionarlos con características de clima y suelo. Para cada población se evaluó el potencial hídrico y la transpiración y 17 características físico-químicas del suelo. Además, se evaluó la tasa de fotosíntesis en una localidad. Los resultados indican que Pinus caribaea var. caribaea se desarrolla en una gran diversidad de ambientes. Se detectó un mejor control estomático a las 16:00 hs. Se clasificaron las localidades de acuerdo a su capacidad para el desarrollo de esta especie. En la localidad menos adecuada, con suelos arenosos, escasos nutrientes y baja capacidad de almacenamiento de agua se presentó mayor estrés hídrico y menor transpiración. Estos resultados podrían tomarse en cuenta para realizar planes de manejo de esta especie y ayudar así a su conservación.

Pinus caribaea Morelet var. caribaea Barret & Golfari is a vulnerable species due to extraction and habitat fragmentation. In Pinar del Río, Cuba, natural populations occur in different soil types and climatic conditions. A study of eight populations (Cajálbana, Marbajita, La Güira, La Jagua, Galalón, Viñales, Pinar del Río and Sabanalamar) was conducted to characterize ecophysiology traits in relation with climate and soil. For each population, water potential and transpiration, as well as 17 soil variables were measured. Photosynthesis rate was also evaluated in one locality. Results showed that Pinus caribaea var. caribaea grows in a broad spectrum of environments. A better stomatal control was detected at 16:00 hs. Localities were classified according to their suitability for the growth of the species. In the least adequate locality, with sandy soils, low nutrients and water availability more water stress and less transpiration was detected. These results could be considered in management plans for this species, and thus help its conservation.

Pinus caribaea Morelet var. caribaea Barret & Golfari é uma espécie vulnerável, devido à fragmentação de seu hábitat e à sua extração. Em Pinar del Río, Cuba, as populações naturais desta espécie se encontram localizadas em distintos tipos de solo e diferentes condições climáticas. Realizou-se um estudo em oito populações (Cajálbana, Marbajita, La Güira, La Jagua, Galalón, Viñales, Pinar del Río e Sabanalamar) com o fim de caracterizar atributos ecofisiológicos e relacioná-los com características de clima e solo. Para cada população foram avaliados o potencial hídrico, a transpiração e 17 características físico-químicas do solo. Também foi avaliada a taxa de fotossíntese em uma das localidades. Os resultados indicam que Pinus caribaea var. caribaea se desenvolve em uma grande diversidade de ambientes. Detectou-se um melhor controle estomático às 16:00 hs. Classificaram-se as localidades de acordo com sua capacidade para o desenvolvimento desta espécie. A localidade menos adequada, com solos arenosos, escasos nutrientes e baixa capacidade de armazenamento de agua, apresentou maior estresse hídrico e menor transpiração. Estes resultados poderiam levar-se em consideração para realizar planos de manejo desta espécie e ajudar assim à sua conservação.