Methods for a composite ecological suitability measure to inform cumulative restoration assessments in Gulf of Mexico estuaries.

Ecosystem management requires a systematic, holistic approach that considers ecological and social outcomes. Effective restoration practices promote a balance of ecological and social goals by addressing ecological integrity, efficiently maximizing benefits while minimizing investment, and encompassing collaborative stakeholder engagement. Socio-ecological assessments can inform adaptive management and be utilized to prioritize restoration activities and monitor restoration effectiveness. In estuarine systems, socio-ecological assessments should evaluate the ability of habitats to support both ecologically and locally important species. The composite measure presented utilizes a combination of ecological and social measures to characterize ecological suitability for individual and multiple Gulf of Mexico estuarine species. The ecological suitability value (ES) for a given spatial unit is based on a suite of biophysical measures of the quality and extent of suitable habitat for each species, the species' trophic importance in a food web context, and the importance of each species in relation to stakeholder values and benefits. ES values for individual spatial units can be aggregated to estimate the distribution of ecological suitability at the estuarine scale. The ES values are calculated using examples for each step in the process. The information provided by ecological suitability characterizations can support restoration prioritization decisions for Gulf of Mexico estuaries and can provide a baseline measure to gauge restoration effectiveness over time to inform cumulative restoration assessments.

A case study of ileal metaplasia and neoplasia in a patient with an ileal-rectal anatomosis / Um caso de estudo de metaplasia ileal e neoplasia em paciente com anastomose ileal-retal

ABSTRACT A clear link between ulcerative colitis and the formation of dysplasia and neoplasia has been described. This increased risk remains even after subtotal colectomy and ileo-rectal anastomosis, necessitating life-long surveillance of the remaining ano-rectum. This case study highlights the importance in long-term follow up in this population, including proximal to the anastomosis as dysplastic changes can occur in the distal ileum.

RESUMO Uma ligação clara entre colite ulcerativa e a formação de displasia e neoplasia tem sido descrita. Ese risco aumentado permanece mesmo após colectomia subtotal e ileo-retal, necesitando de uma vigilância ao longo da vida do ano-recto restante. Este caso de estudo realça a importância no acompanhamento a longo prado dessa população, incluindo áqueles próximos à anastomose já que podem ocorrer alteraçoes displásicas no íleo distal.

The ecological condition of Gulf of Mexico resources from Perdido Key to Port St. Joe, Florida: Part II near-shelf coastal resources.

In 1999, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Gulf Ecology Division initiated a pilot study to assess the condition of nearshore coastal resources. Near-shelf areas associated with coastal beaches are susceptible to land based activities, but are not consistently monitored. Additionally, few or no marine water quality criteria exist for evaluating these waters. The goal of this pilot study was to assess the ecological condition of Gulf of Mexico near-shelf resources using a probability-based survey design. Data are used to generate a baseline assessment of condition in coastal nearshore areas and provide a comparative tool for evaluating future trends in condition. Water quality, sediment quality and benthic diversity data can provide a baseline assessment for managers to evaluate the potential for future problems such as nutrient over-enrichment, sediment contamination and degraded biological condition. We present results from a probability-based survey demonstration assessing near-shelf resources along the Florida panhandle.