Trophic and symbiotic links between obligate-glacier water bears (Tardigrada) and cryoconite microorganisms

Insights into biodiversity and trophic webs are important for understanding ecosystem functions. Although the surfaces of glaciers are one of the most productive and biologically diverse parts of the cryosphere, the links between top consumers, their diet and microbial communities are poorly understood. In this study, for the first time we investigated the relationships between bacteria, fungi and other microeukaryotes as they relate to tardigrades, microscopic metazoans that are top consumers in cryoconite, a biologically rich and productive biogenic sediment found on glacier surfaces. Using metabarcoding (16S rDNA for bacteria, ITS1 for fungi, and 18S rDNA for other microeukaryotes), we analyzed the microbial community structures of cryoconite and compared them with the community found in both fully fed and starved tardigrades. The community structure of each microbial group (bacteria, fungi, microeukaryotes) were similar within each host group (cryoconite, fully fed tardigrades and starved tardigrades), and differed significantly between groups, as indicated by redundancy analyses. The relative number of operational taxonomic units (ZOTUs, OTUs) and the Shannon index differed significantly between cryoconite and tardigrades. Species indicator analysis highlighted a group of microbial taxa typical of both fully fed and starved tardigrades (potential commensals), like the bacteria of the genera Staphylococcus and Stenotrophomonas, as well as a group of taxa typical of both cryoconite and fully fed tardigrades (likely part of the tardigrade diet; bacteria Flavobacterium sp., fungi Preussia sp., algae Trebouxiophyceae sp.). Tardigrades are consumers of bacteria, fungi and other microeukaryotes in cryoconite and, being hosts for diverse microbes, their presence can enrich the microbiome of glaciers.

USE OF QUANTITATIVE RATIOS FROM THE SYSTEM OF NATIONAL ACCOUNTS IN PREDICTING PRICE BUBBLES ON THE HOUSING MARKET

One of the main causes of the economic and sovereign debt crisis in 2010 – 2012 in some European countries like the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland was the bursting of the residential market price bubble that was formed in the previous period. In this paper, a specific methodology of indicator analysis of the System of National Accounts and other data has been analyzed if it can help identify and prevent forming of some possible future price bubbles at the residential market, and therefore negative macroeconomic consequences of their bursting. Comparative indicator analysis and critical values suggest measurements of excessive construction activity that led to forming of price bubbles on the residential market. Econometric analysis has shown that it is not possible to establish critical values as variable of interest is not statistically significant.

INDICATOR ANALYSIS OF SMART CITY STANDARD SNI ISO 37122 PLAYS A ROLE IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

A smart city is a city development concept based on the principles of information technology so that the management of all resources runs effectively and efficiently. One of the concepts of implementing smart cities that have been developed is through the application of the SNI ISO 37122: 2019 standard. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the smart city concept is expected to play a role in increasing the effectiveness of implementing health protocols in urban environments. The purpose of this preliminary research is to analyze smart city indicators in the SNI ISO 37122 standard which are directly related to preventing the spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods and literature study. To link the smart city indicator and the Covid-19 pandemic health protocol, the Cause-and-Effect Analysis (CEA) method and brainstorming using expert judgment were used. Based on the results of the analysis of 19 sectors contained in the standard, there are 11 sectors and 21 indicators that have roles in limiting the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia.

Beta Diversity along an Elevational Gradient at the Pico da Neblina (Brazil): Is Spider (Arachnida-Araneae) Community Composition Congruent with the Guayana Region Elevational Zonation?

Beta diversity is usually high along elevational gradients. We studied a spider community at the Pico da Neblina (Brazil), an Amazonian mountain which is one of the southern components of the Guayana region. We sampled six elevations and investigated if beta diversity patterns correspond to the elevational division proposed for the region, between lowlands (up to 500 m), uplands (500 m to 1500 m), and highlands (>1500 m). Patterns of dominance increased with elevation along the gradient, especially at the two highest elevations, indicating that changes in composition may be accompanied by changes in species abundance distribution. Beta diversity recorded was very high, but the pattern observed was not in accordance with the elevationaldivision proposed for the region. While the highlands indeed harbored different fauna, the three lowest elevationshad similar species compositions, indicating that the lowlands spider community extends into the uplands zone. Other measures of compositional change, such as similarity indices and species indicator analysis, also support this pattern. Our results, in addition to a revision of the literature, confirm the high diversity and endemism rates of montane spider communities, and we stress the importance of protecting those environments, especially considering the climate crisis.

Dampak Program Upaya Khusus Padi, Jagung, dan Kedelai (UPSUS PAJALE) terhadap Tingkat Ketahanan Pangan di Kabupaten Malang

Food security in some area can be measured by Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas (FSVA). FSVA is measured with three aspects which are food availability, accessibility, and utilization aspects. Based on FSVA of East Java 2018, there are 3 sub-districts in Malang Regency in insecurity condition. Food security problems in Malang Regency are low rice land area, poverty, and low clean water availability. One of efforts to solve these problems are with Special Efforts Rice, Corn, and Soybean Program. To determine the impact of this program on levels food security by using FSVA and the differences between sub-districts participating in the UPSUS PAJALE activity and sub-districts that did not participate. This study is aim to describe food security level in Malang Regency and analyze impact of Special Efforts Rice, Corn, and Soybean Program on food security level in Malang Regency. The data analysis method used is the analysis of the Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas (FSVA) in the form of individual indicator analysis, composite analysis, spatial analysis, and descriptive analysis. Overall, the condition of food security in Malang Regency in 2018 and 2019 is included in priority 4 (resistant condition), so there is no significant change, but there are no sub-districts included in priority 1 or very food vulnerable. The UPSUS PAJALE program is also able to maintain the level of food security in 2018-2019 which is included in priority 4 (somewhat resistant), but has not increased the level of food security.