scholarly journals La etología como herramienta para la conservación de fauna silvestre

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 391
Author(s):  
ALCIDES SAMPEDRO MARÍN

The origins of ethology as a discipline are explained and is a proof of the Darwinian theory of the action of natural selection leading to the adaptive strategies that allow survival of living organisms. The emergence of behavioral ecology stands out as an important tool for the conservation of biological diversity. Its premises are explained, as well as several examples of behavior that affect the effective size of populations and anthropogenic impacts on various behaviors.Finally, the use of behavioral ecology as an indicator of the state of ecosystems and species and to develop environmental education is exemplified.

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (104) ◽  
pp. 20141226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Marletto

Neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory explains how the appearance of purposive design in the adaptations of living organisms can have come about without their intentionally being designed. The explanation relies crucially on the possibility of certain physical processes : mainly, gene replication and natural selection . In this paper, I show that for those processes to be possible without the design of biological adaptations being encoded in the laws of physics, those laws must have certain other properties. The theory of what these properties are is not part of evolution theory proper, yet without it the neo-Darwinian theory does not fully achieve its purpose of explaining the appearance of design. To this end, I apply constructor theory's new mode of explanation to express exactly within physics the appearance of design, no-design laws, and the logic of self-reproduction and natural selection. I conclude that self-reproduction, replication and natural selection are possible under no-design laws, the only non-trivial condition being that they allow digital information to be physically instantiated. This has an exact characterization in the constructor theory of information. I also show that under no-design laws an accurate replicator requires the existence of a ‘vehicle’ constituting, together with the replicator, a self-reproducer.


Author(s):  
Jéssica Maia Alves Pimenta ◽  
Raphael Luis Matheus Batista ◽  
Mineia Moimáz ◽  
Afrânio José Soriano Soares

The system of Conservation Units (UCs) is one of the most important public policies for the protection of biodiversity, even considering the lack of management and handling that affects some UCs in Brazil. Despite this situation, it is important to register and know the UCs (municipal, state and federal) created within the scope of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. To this end, consultations on legislation and surveys were made through available bibliographies. The analysis of the data obtained until March 2020 indicated a total of 136 UCs, distributed among those of Sustainable Use (72.06%) and Integral Protection (27.94%), which represent 16.5% of the State’s territory. In all spheres, the largest proportion of UCs created refers to sustainable use UCs. The situation of the Conservation Units in Mato Grosso do Sul points to the urgent need for a concrete public policy, which makes it possible to meet the objectives of the different categories, in order to contribute to the conservation of nature with regard to maintenance biological diversity and diversity representative existing ecosystems in the state. Requiring for that the preparation of management plans, the consolidation of councils, the facilitation of public visitation, ecotourism, research and environmental education


2018 ◽  
Vol 322 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.N. Tikhodeyev

One of the key aims of current biology is to describe adequately the tremendous multiplicity of living organisms. This aim requires clear terminological apparatus. However, many terms traditionally used in such descriptions are rather vague and ambiguous. In particular, this relates to ‘variability’ and ‘variation’. In the present review, we carried out a critical analysis of these terms. We demonstrate that the widely accepted tradition to consider them as almost synonymous is incorrect. Moreover, both terms are initially ambiguous and thus are poorly suitable for biologists. To avoid this ambiguity, we clearly delineate three phenomena: 1) biological changeability, 2) certain biological changes, and 3) biological diversity. There is an obvious three-component relation between them: changeability realizes in certain biological changes (metamorphoses, mutations, modifications, etc.) which in turn result in biological diversity. Herein, the first component is entirely dynamic (the ability of living organisms to undergo various changes), the second aggregates both dynamic and static aspects (a certain event leads to a specific state), and the third is represented by some static ‘cadaster’, which describes the state of a given biological unity at some point of time. We classified different types of changeability. To create such classification, autonomous aspects of changeability should be distinguished and each of them should be considered separately. This approach (we name it ‘the differential concept of changeability’) allows successful resolution of multiple terminological problems in current biology.


Author(s):  
Letícia Ramires Corrêa ◽  
Adriano Severo Figueiró

OO presente trabalho tem como objetivo propor uma estratégia de leitura da paisagem por meio de uma trilha interpretativa na RPPN Estadual MO’Ã, que se localiza no município de Itaara (RS). Por meio desta proposta, pretende-se ressaltar a valorização e preservação do patrimônio natural presente na RPPN, por meio da Interpretação Ambiental, cuja o objetivo principal é a tradução de informações relacionadas a natureza partindo do contato direto com o meio ambiente. Instituída em 15 de junho de 2015, a RPPN Estadual MO’Ã, busca promover a proteção dos recursos ambientais e a conservação da diversidade biológica, permitindo visitação e atividades que envolvam Educação Ambiental. Sendo assim a presença de uma Unidade de Conservação no município de Itaara abre espaço para práticas de Interpretação Ambiental (IA), que permitam uma maior aproximação da sociedade com a natureza. Para isso buscou-se utilizar a metodologia sistêmica, pois para haver IA tem-se que compreender todos os elementos e suas relações entre si, para traduzi-las ao visitante. Portanto, os resultados obtidos após três saídas de campo, permitiram que se elegesse como eixo principal da interpretação a mata ciliar, localizado ao sul da propriedade, justamente pela sua dinâmica peculiar, transformadora da paisagem em períodos de elevada pluviosidade. Optou-se por abordar o tema sobre a importância da mata ciliar, assim como a energia do rio. Foram elencados 6 pontos a partir do método do IAPI para uma trilha autoguiada de 1,5Km no entorno do rio que faz a divisa da RPPN Estadual MO’Ã com outra propriedade. O meio interpretativo escolhido foi o folder e um Guia prático, a fim de atribuir autonomia ao visitante em escolher os pontos de seu interesse e possibilidade de guardar as informações e interpretá-las. Proposal for an Interpretative Trail in The Particular Reservation of The Natural Heritage State Mo'ã, Itaara (RS, Brazil) ABSTRACT The present work aims to propose a strategy of reading the landscape by means of an interpretative trail in the RPPN Estadual MO'Ã, which is located in the municipality of Itaara (RS, Brazil). Through this proposal, it is intended to highlight the valuation and preservation of the natural heritage present in the RPPN, through the Environmental Interpretation, whose main objective is the translation of information related to nature starting from direct contact with the environment. Established on June 15, 2015, the State MOH RPPN seeks to promote the protection of environmental resources and the conservation of biological diversity, allowing for visitation and activities that involve Environmental Education. Thus, the presence of a Conservation Unit in the municipality of Itaara opens up space for Environmental Interpretation (IA) practices, which allow a closer relationship between society and nature. For this, we tried to use the systemic methodology, because in order to have AI we have to understand all the elements and their relationships with each other, to translate them to the visitor. Therefore, the results obtained after three field trips allowed the selection of the riparian forest, located south of the property, due to its peculiar dynamics, transforming the landscape into periods of high rainfall. It was decided to approach the theme about the importance of the riparian forest, as well as the energy of the river. Six points were listed from the IAPI method for a self-guided trail of 1.5Km in the vicinity of the river that makes the boundary of the State RPPN MO'Ã with another property. The interpretive medium chosen was the folder and a practical guide, in order to give the visitor autonomy in choosing the points of their interest and possibility to store the information and interpret them. KEYWORDS: Environmental Interpretation; State RPPN MO'Ã; Interpretive Trail; Natural Patrimony.


Author(s):  
M. I. Dzhalalova ◽  
A. B. Biarslanov ◽  
D. B. Asgerova

The state of plant communities in areas located in the Tersko-Sulak lowland was studied by assessing phytocenotic indicators: the structure of vegetation cover, projective cover, species diversity, species abundance and elevated production, as well as automated decoding methods. There are almost no virgin soils and natural phytocenoses here; all of them have been transformed into agrocenoses (irrigated arable lands and hayfields, rice-trees and pastures). The long-term impact on pasture ecosystems of natural and anthropogenic factors leads to significant changes in the indigenous communities of this region. Phytocenoses are formed mainly by dry-steppe types of cereals with the participation of feather grass, forbs and ephemera, a semi-desert haloxerophytic shrub - Taurida wormwood. At the base of the grass stand is common coastal wormwood and Taurida wormwood - species resistant to anthropogenic influences. Anthropogenic impacts have led to a decrease in the number of species of feed-rich grain crops and a decrease in the overall productivity of pastures. Plant communities in all areas are littered with ruderal species. The seasonal dynamics of the land cover of the sites was estimated by the methods of automatic decoding of satellite images of the Landsat8 OLI series satellite for 2015, dated by the periods: spring - May 20, summer - July 23, autumn - October 20. Satellite imagery data obtained by Landsat satellite with a resolution in the multispectral image of 30 m per pixel, and in the panchromatic image - 10 m per pixel, which correspond to the requirements for satellite imagery to assess the dynamics of soil and vegetation cover. Lower resolution data, for example, NDVI MODIS, does not provide a reliable reflection of the state of soil and vegetation cover under arid conditions. In this regard, remote sensing data obtained from the Internet resource https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/ was used.


2009 ◽  
Vol 160 (8) ◽  
pp. 232-234
Author(s):  
Patrik Fouvy

The history of the forests in canton Geneva, having led to these being disconnected from productive functions, provides a symptomatic demonstration that the services provided by the forest eco-system are common goods. Having no hope of financial returns in the near future and faced with increasing social demands, the state has invested in the purchase of forest land, financed projects for forest regeneration and improvement of biological diversity and developed infrastructures for visitors. In doing this the state as a public body takes on the provision of services in the public interest. But the further funding for this and for expenses for the private forests, which must be taken into account, are not secured for the future.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 760
Author(s):  
Tatyana V. Butina ◽  
Yurij S. Bukin ◽  
Ivan S. Petrushin ◽  
Alexey E. Tupikin ◽  
Marsel R. Kabilov ◽  
...  

Lake Baikal is a unique oligotrophic freshwater lake with unusually cold conditions and amazing biological diversity. Studies of the lake’s viral communities have begun recently, and their full diversity is not elucidated yet. Here, we performed DNA viral metagenomic analysis on integral samples from four different deep-water and shallow stations of the southern and central basins of the lake. There was a strict distinction of viral communities in areas with different environmental conditions. Comparative analysis with other freshwater lakes revealed the highest similarity of Baikal viromes with those of the Asian lakes Soyang and Biwa. Analysis of new data, together with previously published data allowed us to get a deeper insight into the diversity and functional potential of Baikal viruses; however, the true diversity of Baikal viruses in the lake ecosystem remains still unknown. The new metaviromic data will be useful for future studies of viral composition, distribution, and the dynamics associated with global climatic and anthropogenic impacts on this ecosystem.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Helmut Thissen ◽  
Richard A. Evans ◽  
Vincent Ball

In recent years major advances in surface chemistry and surface functionalization have been performed through the development, most often inspired by living organisms, of versatile methodologies. Among those, the contact of substrates with aminomalononitrile (AMN) containing solutions at pH = 8.5 allows a conformal coating to be deposited on the surface of all known classes of material. Since AMN is a molecule probably formed in the early atmosphere of our planet and since HCN-based compounds have been detected on many comets and Titan (Saturn’s largest moon) it is likely that such molecules will open a large avenue in surface functionalization mostly for bio-applications. This mini review describes the state of the art of AMN-based coatings from their deposition kinetics, composition, chemical reactivity, hypothetical structure to their first applications as biomaterials. Finally, the AMN-based versatile coatings are compared to other kinds of versatile coating based on catecholamines and polyphenols.


1984 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 84-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Broadhead ◽  
Johnny A. Waters

Critics of the concept of organic change through time have demanded proof not only of “transitional forms” but of specific transitions among higher taxonomic groups. Transitional forms among species and between a species of one genus and a species of another genus have been criticized because most demonstrated ancestor-descendant transitions are considered to occur within one “kind” of organism; the “kind” concept is bereft of biological meaning.Natural selection acts upon organisms at all stages of ontogeny, and especially at larval-juvenile stages. Large shifts in the morphology of one or more features are common in groups of organisms that evolve by heterochrony. Because heterochrony involves a change in timing of the appearance or development of a particular feature, recognition of heterochrony requires a confident knowledge of ontogeny. The resulting increase in complexity (e.g. recapitulation) or decrease in complexity (e.g. paedomorphosis), well documented among living organisms, commonly excludes morphologic intermediates. Paedomorphosis is especially important in the evolution of progressively simplifying lineages and has been well documented from living plants and animals and fossil representatives of echinoderms (blastoids, crinoids), conodonts, arthropods, mollusks and vertebrates. Heterochrony characterizes the evolution of most metazoan organisms, occurs at all taxonomic levels and was probably responsible for major innovations by which higher taxonomic groups are recognized.


Sociobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 508
Author(s):  
Ederson Tadeu Bueno ◽  
Marcos Magalhães de Souza ◽  
Mateus Aparecido Clemente

The forest fragmentation is caused by natural or anthropic actions, which affect negatively the biota and the environmental services rendered by biological diversity. However, there is little information on the reflex of these actions in many different groups of animals, such as social wasps, which are abundant and significantly present in neotropical environments, causing a major impact in the communities they live due to their role in food webs. As their natural enemies, wasps are important in the control of agricultural plagues; in the natural environment, they are nectar collectors, frequent flower visitors, and potential pollinators of many species of plants. These factors justify studies which would evaluate in what way the forest fragmentation acts on these insects biodiversity. This study was carried out in four fragments, each of a different size, located in the municipalities of Inconfidentes and Ouro Fino, in the south of the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil), where the phytophysiognomy is the Montane Semideciduous Seasonal Forest. The research was carried out between December 2016 and March 2018, with the same sampling collection for each fragment, totalizing 104 sampling days. In total, 28 species and 51 colonies were recorded in the four areas and a greater richness for the greatest fragment (F4). The conclusion reached was that the size and heterogeneity of the fragment have an important role in maintaining the richness of social wasps. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document