Norka Fuentes - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Norka Fuentes

˜El œhornero, Jun 15, 2024

In this work, an ornitholimnological approach was used to determine the structure of bird assembl... more In this work, an ornitholimnological approach was used to determine the structure of bird assemblages in wetlands of Northern Chilean Patagonia. A greater richness of species was obtained for those wetlands with a greater perimeter (a proxy of the water mirror) and enhanced environmental conditions. Bird counts were made bimonthly, from May to November 2021 and in the winter of that year, nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorous) at the two largest wetlands as well as physicochemical parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen) were determined. When compared with other studies carried out in Chile, a high bird species richness was observed (>70), especially during the counts carried out during high tide. The perimeter of the wetlands was positively related to the abundance of individuals. Wetlands located in the extremes of the study area, with smaller surfaces and irregular shapes exhibited lower abundances and species richness. The opposite occurred with the two largest wetlands, despite them having high loads of nitrogenous and phosphorous nutrients. Further research is needed to explain the importance of other covariables at the landscape level.

The Temu-Pitra swamp forests in Chile support great biodiversity, however, they are highly threat... more The Temu-Pitra swamp forests in Chile support great biodiversity, however, they are highly threatened by anthropic disturbances that increase the dragging of sediments. Between 2020 and 2021 we recorded vertebrates in a swamp forest fragment in southern Chile, and identified 41 species of birds and eight mammals. Nine species of birds and two species of mammals are strictly aquatic and have greater dependence for their survival on the remnant of swamp forest studied. This swamp forest fragment provides critical habitat for strictly aquatic birds and mammals, but also for terrestrial species (birds and carnivores) with extensive home ranges. The swamp forest is inserted in a sub-basin forest matrix that threatens its conservation, through the dragging and deposition of sediment in the bodies of water. Although the swamp forest fragment studied presented a less diverse vertebrate community compared to other local wetlands, we suggest that it plays an important role in the conservation...

Oryx, Jun 23, 2022

The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthro... more The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthropogenic disturbances. As a result of the modification and destruction of its habitat, caused by loss of riparian vegetation, and other threats, the species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. We monitored the river otter and its diet during September -January  in a swamp forest fragment in southern Chile. We obtained evidence of river otter presence from the upper part of the wetland to the confluence with the Bueno River, suggesting inter-population connectivity of the species in an extensive hydrographic basin. Faeces and food remains showed a predominance of native macrocrustaceans, with introduced fish present at lower levels. The detection of the southern river otter in a fragment of threatened swamp forest suggests a low abundance in environmentally degraded freshwater environments. The identification of subpopulations such as the one reported here provides valuable data to support the conservation of the species in threatened wetlands.

Gayana Botanica, Dec 31, 2020

Although planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, th... more Although planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, their assemblages have not been used to determine the environmental health of these ecosystems. Studies of ecosystem environmental health have been based on other taxonomic groups; we propose that diatom genera diversity represents a viable alternative for this purpose. Thus, our aim was to determine the alpha and beta diversities of the planktonic diatom assemblage present in Caulín Bay, Chiloé Island (41° 49'S; 73° 38'W), southern Chile, during the austral winter and spring of the years 2012 and 2014. Caulín Bay is an important site for aquatic bird observation and conservation, hunting is prohibited on a national scale and, internationally, the site has been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Our results indicate different diversities between sampling stations, but not between the years studied. In total, we recorded 53 diatom genera, of which the most abundant were Coscinodiscus (21.99%) and Cocconeis (16.23%). The study area presented high genera diversity (i.e., H' (log2) >3.74) and beta diversity indicated that Caulín presents a low level of heterogeneity and is a low genera replacement environment. Consequently, we infer that Caulín Bay is a productive and environmentally stable ecosystem. This leads us to conclude that diatom diversity determination is a viable alternative to establish aquatic ecosystem environmental health and we recommend that future conservation strategies be established for Caulín Bay.

Science of The Total Environment

Oryx

The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthro... more The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthropogenic disturbances. As a result of the modification and destruction of its habitat, caused by loss of riparian vegetation, and other threats, the species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. We monitored the river otter and its diet during September 2020–January 2021 in a swamp forest fragment in southern Chile. We obtained evidence of river otter presence from the upper part of the wetland to the confluence with the Bueno River, suggesting inter-population connectivity of the species in an extensive hydrographic basin. Faeces and food remains showed a predominance of native macrocrustaceans, with introduced fish present at lower levels. The detection of the southern river otter in a fragment of threatened swamp forest suggests a low abundance in environmentally degraded freshwater environments. The identification of subpopulations such as the one reported here provides v...

Prozesse im pelagischen und benthischen Ökosystem. In den Bodensee münden mehr als 200 Flüsse, Bä... more Prozesse im pelagischen und benthischen Ökosystem. In den Bodensee münden mehr als 200 Flüsse, Bäche und Gräben. Der größte Zufluss ist der Alpen-Rhein, dessen Einzugsgebiet bei einem Flächenanteil von 56,1 % (= 6.119 Km 2) knapp zwei Drittel des dem Bodensee zufließenden Wassers liefert (IGKB 2004). Räumliche und/oder funktionelle Kompartimente des Sees Als Seekompartiment wird eine räumliche oder funktionelle Untereinheit des Sees bezeichnet. Sie dient dazu, die vielfältigen im See ablaufenden Prozesse zu gliedern. So unterscheidet man räumliche Kompartimente des Bodensees über ihre Lebensraumfunktionen. Beispiele verschiedener Kompartimente sind der Uferbereich, der Flachwasserbereich (Litoral), der Freiwasserbereich (Pelagial) oder der tiefe Seeboden (Profundal). Verbunden sind diese wiederum über räumliche oder funktionale Beziehungen. Fische durchwandern in ihrem Lebenszyklus verschiedene räumliche Kompartimente, Sedimente können bei Stürmen durch Resuspension im Litoral freigesetzt und zum Beispiel im Profundal wieder sedimentieren, nach dem sie das Pelagial durchlaufen haben. Dagegen bleiben z.B. die festsitzenden höheren Wasserpflanzen, die Makrophyten, oder viele wirbellose Bodenbewohner räumlich überwiegend an ihren Lebensraum gebunden (IGKB 2004).

Journal Of Plankton Research, 2021

Hydroclimatic and anthropogenic factors in climate change scenarios contribute to ecological chan... more Hydroclimatic and anthropogenic factors in climate change scenarios contribute to ecological changes of harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms in lakes. This study describes the variability of the bathymetric and temporal distribution of cyanobacterial communities in a deep oligotrophic lake. An increase of two to nine in the detection of CyanoHABs potential was observed, likely linked to nitrogen contributions to Lake Rupanco during the last 36 years related to changes in land use and the cultivation of salmonids. We recorded an unusual bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa in winter, 2017 at 30 m during the total mixing period of the lake, associated with the highest N/P index (16.24), the increase of total nitrogen (75 μg/L) and climatic conditions that favored the availability of nitrogen of this cyanobacterium. This study provides information on the causes of increased cyanobacteria in a deep oligotrophic lake. Long-term information on the composition of cyanobacterial communities is ve...

Revista De Biologia Marina Y Oceanografia, 2017

espanolEl flamenco chileno (Phoenicopterus chilensis) es un ave acuatica endemica de America del ... more espanolEl flamenco chileno (Phoenicopterus chilensis) es un ave acuatica endemica de America del Sur. En Chile habita tanto en lagunas altiplanicas como en humedales marinos. Sin embargo, los estudios dietarios en ambientes marinos son escasos. En este trabajo se caracterizo la variacion interanual en la dieta invernal del flamenco en el humedal marino de Bahia Caulin, sur de Chile. Para ello, se determino el tamano de las presas entre junio a septiembre del 2011, 2014 y 2015. Se analizo un total de 157 heces (77 heces en 2011 y 80 heces entre 2014 y 2015). La dieta del flamenco chileno durante el 2011 fue carnivora y estuvo conformada solo por tres presas: el foraminifero Ammonia beccarii, el copepodo Harpacticus sp. y poliquetos. Durante 2014-2015 su dieta fue omnivora, incluyendo la presencia de 15 categorias de presas, entre las que destaco el consumo de algas y fibras vegetales. En lo que respecta a los tamanos de las presas consumidas por el flamenco, el diametro de los forami...

Water

While access to drinking water has expanded worldwide, safely managed provision is still a challe... more While access to drinking water has expanded worldwide, safely managed provision is still a challenge, and rural areas are specially underserved. To provide safe drinking water for these areas, water scholars and international organizations have advocated for community-based organizations or coproduction schemes. The literature often mentions that institutions and people play a key role in the provision of drinking water although the specific mechanisms through which they may affect the process of maintaining good quality water have not been reported yet. The article aims to fill this gap by providing a complex, local view on this process. In Chile, from 1960 onwards, the State has implemented cooperatives to provide for drinking water in rural and small-town areas under a coproduction scheme. In this scheme, the State provides the infrastructure, and the community is responsible for service provision. We analysed the water quality of six of these cooperatives and conducted interview...

ABSTRACTAlthough planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetl... more ABSTRACTAlthough planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, their assemblages have not been used to determine the environmental health of these ecosystems. Studies of ecosystem environmental health have been based on other taxonomic groups; we propose that diatom genera diversity represents a viable alternative for this purpose. Thus, our aim was to determine the alpha and beta diversities of the planktonic diatom assemblage present in Caulín Bay, Chiloé Island (41° 49’S; 73° 38’O), southern Chile, during the austral winter and spring of the years 2012 and 2014. Inasmuch Caulín Bay is an important site for aquatic bird observation and conservation, hunting is prohibited on a national scale and, internationally, the site has been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Our results indicate different diversities between sampling stations, but not between the years studied. In total, we recorded 53 diatom genera, of which the m...

Ecosphere

Although explosive volcanic eruptions are natural disturbances that cause significant environment... more Although explosive volcanic eruptions are natural disturbances that cause significant environmental repercussions and impose multiple changes on ecosystems, post-eruption studies of rivers and streams are not common. The most recent eruption of the Puyehue-Cord on Caulle volcanic complex (PCCVC) began on 4 June 2011 with a large explosion and the emission of a column of gas and volcanic ash (particle size <0.001-2 mm) followed by the release of silica magma, and lasted approximately until June 2012. The wind-dispersed volcanic ash affected the area surrounding the PCCVC in southern Chile and, subsequently, most of South America, but local effects on streams and rivers in the vicinity were more drastic. We collected water, ash, and benthic macroinvertebrate samples four months after the eruption from four rivers: Two were visibly impacted (Gol-Gol and Nilahue) in areas where volcanic ash thickness ranged between 1 and 5 cm, in the vicinity of the PCCVC fissure (8-15 km), and two adjacent rivers (Cal-currupe and Chanleufu) were located 20-40 km from the PCCVC fissure where ash thickness was <1 cm and did not present visible impacts. Results were then compared with data obtained from previous research projects. This study reports that this natural disaster induced an increase in concentrations of total suspended solids and of phosphorous in the rivers Gol-Gol and Nilahue, as well as habitat destruction, deterioration of environmental quality, and the consequent devastation of macroinvertebrate assemblages inhabiting these rivers directly following the eruption. We conclude that volcanic eruptions can generate local extinctions of benthic macroinvertebrates in the short term, compared with rivers that were not affected by volcanic ash.

Heliyon

Increased pollution and degradation of water resources and their associated ecosystems has stimul... more Increased pollution and degradation of water resources and their associated ecosystems has stimulated the development of tools and methodologies to characterize, estimate, predict, and reverse the environmental impact of anthropic effects on water bodies. The Secondary Water Quality Standards (NSCA) adopted in Chile have incorporated the use of bioindicators complementary to physicochemical analyses, in order to determine the ecological condition of lotic and lentic environments. Our research used the "Lake Biotic Index" (LBI) to establish the ecological condition of Lake Rupanco using benthic macroinvertebrates. The results indicated an Oligo-Eubiotic condition for this lake given the high concentration of oxygen and low organic matter content in sediments, in addition to low biogenic potential and good taxa preservation in both the autumn and spring surveys. Features of the ecological condition obtained through the application of the LBI (benthic subsystem) conform to the results of physicochemical and microalgae analyses undertaken previously in Lake Rupanco (pelagic subsystem). Based on these results, we support application of the LBI index as a complementary tool for the integrated management of lentic ecosystems.

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research

Laguna de los Cisnes (53°15'S) is a remote and unusual salty lagoon located in the Chilean Patago... more Laguna de los Cisnes (53°15'S) is a remote and unusual salty lagoon located in the Chilean Patagonia, declared natural monument to protect bird diversity in the area, which could also serve as a natural laboratory to monitor climate change. This study reports basic water, sediment and plankton characteristics observed during a summer (December) sampling, when the lagoon was hypersaline (51 g L-1), cold (9°C) and eutrophic, according to the high concentrations of phosphorous (0.30 ± 0.73 mg L-1), nitrate (0.66 ± 0.14 mg L-1) and chlorophyll-a (44.25 ± 2.52 µg L-1). The microalgae Spirogyra sp. and the micro-crustacean Artemia are predominating plankton. Results are discussed in the context of the climatic conditions affecting this lagoon year-round.

Ziel der Arbeit war ein Vergleich der Bedeutung von allochthoner und autochthoner Nahrungsversorg... more Ziel der Arbeit war ein Vergleich der Bedeutung von allochthoner und autochthoner Nahrungsversorgung für benthische litorale und profundale Lebensgemeinschaften des Bodensees (Obersee) auf der Grundlage der Gehalte an stabilen Isotopen (13C, 15N). Hierzu wurden während einer Vegetationsperiode die Isotopensignaturen von potentiellen Nahrungssquellen und Konsumenten an je zwei litoralen und profundalen Probestellen erfasst, die sich vor allem im Beitrag allochthoner Zufuhr (zuflussnah – zuflussfern) stark unterschieden. Für die litoralen benthischen Konsumenten wurde aufgrund der erhaltenen 13C-Werte (im Bereich von -28 ‰) an beiden litoralen Probestellen auf eine Dominanz von Epiphyten und/ oder terrestrischen Quellen geschlossen. Demgegenüber ergaben sich wenig Hinweise auf eine große Bedeutung der Makrophyten als Nahrungsquelle. Die 15N-Werte (Anreicherung um ca. 3-4 ‰ gegenüber den Quellen) der benthischen Konsumenten sprechen für eine überwiegende Verwertung der Quellen in nur e...

Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 2014

Background: The geographical distribution of the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) incl... more Background: The geographical distribution of the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) includes the southern-central Neotropics. Despite its wide distribution, currently there is no dietary information on its southern distribution range. From June to September 2011, we quantified the diet and prey availability of the Chilean flamingo in the marine wetland of Caulín (41°48' S, 73°37' W), southern Chile. Results: The prey availability related to both plankton and benthos were four species of copepods, four polychaetes, one foraminifera, and two amphipods. The diet of the Chilean flamingo was composed of foraminifera (Ammonia beccarii), copepods (Harpacticus sp.) and polychaetes. The most abundant prey items from feces of flamingos were Ammonia beccarii and Harpacticus sp. The diameter of A. beccarii consumed by flamingos ranged between 400 and 900 μm, while its width varied between 100 and 300 μm. The width of Harpacticus sp. consumed ranged between 160 and 260 μm. The similarity between flamingo diet and prey availability was 0.553. The diversity of prey organisms in the benthos was higher than that observed from plankton and feces of birds. A. beccarii was preferred over other prey consumed by flamingos. This preference is not related to the size of Harpacticus sp. but to their ability to swim and escape from flamingos. Conclusions: The dietary similarity of the Chilean flamingo versus the availability of prey in the environment (plankton and benthos) was 55%, indicating that the Chilean flamingo is a partially selective predator.

Revista de biología marina y oceanografía, 2013

Resumen.-La macroinfauna de playas arenosas expuestas en la costa chilena está dominada por crust... more Resumen.-La macroinfauna de playas arenosas expuestas en la costa chilena está dominada por crustáceos, los cuales muestran una zonación transversal; el anfípodo talítrido Orchestoidea tuberculata es el taxón dominante en los niveles superiores, el isópodo cirolánido Excirolana hirsuticauda lo es en la parte media del intermareal y el anomuro Emerita analoga es dominante en los niveles bajos. Este estudio examinó la variabilidad morfométrica de estas 3 especies de crustáceos en relación a los tipos morfodinámicos de playas. Las muestras fueron recolectadas durant e la primavera de 2001 y se examinaron 7 caracteres morfológicos medidos en 30 adultos de cada especie: longitud del cuerpo, alto del cuerpo, ancho de cuerpo, longitud de las antenas y longitud de los urópodos. Los sitios de estudio se localizaron cerca de los 42°S, un área donde los diferentes tipos de playa (i.e., reflectivo, intermedio y disipativo) se producen a lo largo de las costas septentrionales de los archipiélagos chilenos. La variabilidad morfométrica de O. tuberculata, E. hirsuticauda y E. analoga se analizó mediante análisis de cluster y de componentes principales. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que, independientemente del tipo de playa, los individuos de O. tuberculata que habitan playas próximas presentan una mayor similitud que con aquellas que habitan playas lejanas. Los individuos de E. analoga que habitan en el mismo tipo de playa mostraron una mayor similitud que con aquellas que habitan en diferentes tipos de playas. Estos resultados se discuten en relación con la zonificación a través del intermareal y la historia natural de estas especies.

Limnologica - Ecology and Management of Inland Waters, 2013

˜El œhornero, Jun 15, 2024

In this work, an ornitholimnological approach was used to determine the structure of bird assembl... more In this work, an ornitholimnological approach was used to determine the structure of bird assemblages in wetlands of Northern Chilean Patagonia. A greater richness of species was obtained for those wetlands with a greater perimeter (a proxy of the water mirror) and enhanced environmental conditions. Bird counts were made bimonthly, from May to November 2021 and in the winter of that year, nutrients (e.g., nitrogen and phosphorous) at the two largest wetlands as well as physicochemical parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen) were determined. When compared with other studies carried out in Chile, a high bird species richness was observed (>70), especially during the counts carried out during high tide. The perimeter of the wetlands was positively related to the abundance of individuals. Wetlands located in the extremes of the study area, with smaller surfaces and irregular shapes exhibited lower abundances and species richness. The opposite occurred with the two largest wetlands, despite them having high loads of nitrogenous and phosphorous nutrients. Further research is needed to explain the importance of other covariables at the landscape level.

The Temu-Pitra swamp forests in Chile support great biodiversity, however, they are highly threat... more The Temu-Pitra swamp forests in Chile support great biodiversity, however, they are highly threatened by anthropic disturbances that increase the dragging of sediments. Between 2020 and 2021 we recorded vertebrates in a swamp forest fragment in southern Chile, and identified 41 species of birds and eight mammals. Nine species of birds and two species of mammals are strictly aquatic and have greater dependence for their survival on the remnant of swamp forest studied. This swamp forest fragment provides critical habitat for strictly aquatic birds and mammals, but also for terrestrial species (birds and carnivores) with extensive home ranges. The swamp forest is inserted in a sub-basin forest matrix that threatens its conservation, through the dragging and deposition of sediment in the bodies of water. Although the swamp forest fragment studied presented a less diverse vertebrate community compared to other local wetlands, we suggest that it plays an important role in the conservation...

Oryx, Jun 23, 2022

The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthro... more The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthropogenic disturbances. As a result of the modification and destruction of its habitat, caused by loss of riparian vegetation, and other threats, the species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. We monitored the river otter and its diet during September -January  in a swamp forest fragment in southern Chile. We obtained evidence of river otter presence from the upper part of the wetland to the confluence with the Bueno River, suggesting inter-population connectivity of the species in an extensive hydrographic basin. Faeces and food remains showed a predominance of native macrocrustaceans, with introduced fish present at lower levels. The detection of the southern river otter in a fragment of threatened swamp forest suggests a low abundance in environmentally degraded freshwater environments. The identification of subpopulations such as the one reported here provides valuable data to support the conservation of the species in threatened wetlands.

Gayana Botanica, Dec 31, 2020

Although planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, th... more Although planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, their assemblages have not been used to determine the environmental health of these ecosystems. Studies of ecosystem environmental health have been based on other taxonomic groups; we propose that diatom genera diversity represents a viable alternative for this purpose. Thus, our aim was to determine the alpha and beta diversities of the planktonic diatom assemblage present in Caulín Bay, Chiloé Island (41° 49'S; 73° 38'W), southern Chile, during the austral winter and spring of the years 2012 and 2014. Caulín Bay is an important site for aquatic bird observation and conservation, hunting is prohibited on a national scale and, internationally, the site has been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Our results indicate different diversities between sampling stations, but not between the years studied. In total, we recorded 53 diatom genera, of which the most abundant were Coscinodiscus (21.99%) and Cocconeis (16.23%). The study area presented high genera diversity (i.e., H' (log2) >3.74) and beta diversity indicated that Caulín presents a low level of heterogeneity and is a low genera replacement environment. Consequently, we infer that Caulín Bay is a productive and environmentally stable ecosystem. This leads us to conclude that diatom diversity determination is a viable alternative to establish aquatic ecosystem environmental health and we recommend that future conservation strategies be established for Caulín Bay.

Science of The Total Environment

Oryx

The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthro... more The wetlands inhabited by the southern river otter Lontra provocax in Chile are subject to anthropogenic disturbances. As a result of the modification and destruction of its habitat, caused by loss of riparian vegetation, and other threats, the species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. We monitored the river otter and its diet during September 2020–January 2021 in a swamp forest fragment in southern Chile. We obtained evidence of river otter presence from the upper part of the wetland to the confluence with the Bueno River, suggesting inter-population connectivity of the species in an extensive hydrographic basin. Faeces and food remains showed a predominance of native macrocrustaceans, with introduced fish present at lower levels. The detection of the southern river otter in a fragment of threatened swamp forest suggests a low abundance in environmentally degraded freshwater environments. The identification of subpopulations such as the one reported here provides v...

Prozesse im pelagischen und benthischen Ökosystem. In den Bodensee münden mehr als 200 Flüsse, Bä... more Prozesse im pelagischen und benthischen Ökosystem. In den Bodensee münden mehr als 200 Flüsse, Bäche und Gräben. Der größte Zufluss ist der Alpen-Rhein, dessen Einzugsgebiet bei einem Flächenanteil von 56,1 % (= 6.119 Km 2) knapp zwei Drittel des dem Bodensee zufließenden Wassers liefert (IGKB 2004). Räumliche und/oder funktionelle Kompartimente des Sees Als Seekompartiment wird eine räumliche oder funktionelle Untereinheit des Sees bezeichnet. Sie dient dazu, die vielfältigen im See ablaufenden Prozesse zu gliedern. So unterscheidet man räumliche Kompartimente des Bodensees über ihre Lebensraumfunktionen. Beispiele verschiedener Kompartimente sind der Uferbereich, der Flachwasserbereich (Litoral), der Freiwasserbereich (Pelagial) oder der tiefe Seeboden (Profundal). Verbunden sind diese wiederum über räumliche oder funktionale Beziehungen. Fische durchwandern in ihrem Lebenszyklus verschiedene räumliche Kompartimente, Sedimente können bei Stürmen durch Resuspension im Litoral freigesetzt und zum Beispiel im Profundal wieder sedimentieren, nach dem sie das Pelagial durchlaufen haben. Dagegen bleiben z.B. die festsitzenden höheren Wasserpflanzen, die Makrophyten, oder viele wirbellose Bodenbewohner räumlich überwiegend an ihren Lebensraum gebunden (IGKB 2004).

Journal Of Plankton Research, 2021

Hydroclimatic and anthropogenic factors in climate change scenarios contribute to ecological chan... more Hydroclimatic and anthropogenic factors in climate change scenarios contribute to ecological changes of harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms in lakes. This study describes the variability of the bathymetric and temporal distribution of cyanobacterial communities in a deep oligotrophic lake. An increase of two to nine in the detection of CyanoHABs potential was observed, likely linked to nitrogen contributions to Lake Rupanco during the last 36 years related to changes in land use and the cultivation of salmonids. We recorded an unusual bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa in winter, 2017 at 30 m during the total mixing period of the lake, associated with the highest N/P index (16.24), the increase of total nitrogen (75 μg/L) and climatic conditions that favored the availability of nitrogen of this cyanobacterium. This study provides information on the causes of increased cyanobacteria in a deep oligotrophic lake. Long-term information on the composition of cyanobacterial communities is ve...

Revista De Biologia Marina Y Oceanografia, 2017

espanolEl flamenco chileno (Phoenicopterus chilensis) es un ave acuatica endemica de America del ... more espanolEl flamenco chileno (Phoenicopterus chilensis) es un ave acuatica endemica de America del Sur. En Chile habita tanto en lagunas altiplanicas como en humedales marinos. Sin embargo, los estudios dietarios en ambientes marinos son escasos. En este trabajo se caracterizo la variacion interanual en la dieta invernal del flamenco en el humedal marino de Bahia Caulin, sur de Chile. Para ello, se determino el tamano de las presas entre junio a septiembre del 2011, 2014 y 2015. Se analizo un total de 157 heces (77 heces en 2011 y 80 heces entre 2014 y 2015). La dieta del flamenco chileno durante el 2011 fue carnivora y estuvo conformada solo por tres presas: el foraminifero Ammonia beccarii, el copepodo Harpacticus sp. y poliquetos. Durante 2014-2015 su dieta fue omnivora, incluyendo la presencia de 15 categorias de presas, entre las que destaco el consumo de algas y fibras vegetales. En lo que respecta a los tamanos de las presas consumidas por el flamenco, el diametro de los forami...

Water

While access to drinking water has expanded worldwide, safely managed provision is still a challe... more While access to drinking water has expanded worldwide, safely managed provision is still a challenge, and rural areas are specially underserved. To provide safe drinking water for these areas, water scholars and international organizations have advocated for community-based organizations or coproduction schemes. The literature often mentions that institutions and people play a key role in the provision of drinking water although the specific mechanisms through which they may affect the process of maintaining good quality water have not been reported yet. The article aims to fill this gap by providing a complex, local view on this process. In Chile, from 1960 onwards, the State has implemented cooperatives to provide for drinking water in rural and small-town areas under a coproduction scheme. In this scheme, the State provides the infrastructure, and the community is responsible for service provision. We analysed the water quality of six of these cooperatives and conducted interview...

ABSTRACTAlthough planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetl... more ABSTRACTAlthough planktonic diatoms are one of the most abundant taxonomic groups in coastal wetlands, their assemblages have not been used to determine the environmental health of these ecosystems. Studies of ecosystem environmental health have been based on other taxonomic groups; we propose that diatom genera diversity represents a viable alternative for this purpose. Thus, our aim was to determine the alpha and beta diversities of the planktonic diatom assemblage present in Caulín Bay, Chiloé Island (41° 49’S; 73° 38’O), southern Chile, during the austral winter and spring of the years 2012 and 2014. Inasmuch Caulín Bay is an important site for aquatic bird observation and conservation, hunting is prohibited on a national scale and, internationally, the site has been declared an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Our results indicate different diversities between sampling stations, but not between the years studied. In total, we recorded 53 diatom genera, of which the m...

Ecosphere

Although explosive volcanic eruptions are natural disturbances that cause significant environment... more Although explosive volcanic eruptions are natural disturbances that cause significant environmental repercussions and impose multiple changes on ecosystems, post-eruption studies of rivers and streams are not common. The most recent eruption of the Puyehue-Cord on Caulle volcanic complex (PCCVC) began on 4 June 2011 with a large explosion and the emission of a column of gas and volcanic ash (particle size <0.001-2 mm) followed by the release of silica magma, and lasted approximately until June 2012. The wind-dispersed volcanic ash affected the area surrounding the PCCVC in southern Chile and, subsequently, most of South America, but local effects on streams and rivers in the vicinity were more drastic. We collected water, ash, and benthic macroinvertebrate samples four months after the eruption from four rivers: Two were visibly impacted (Gol-Gol and Nilahue) in areas where volcanic ash thickness ranged between 1 and 5 cm, in the vicinity of the PCCVC fissure (8-15 km), and two adjacent rivers (Cal-currupe and Chanleufu) were located 20-40 km from the PCCVC fissure where ash thickness was <1 cm and did not present visible impacts. Results were then compared with data obtained from previous research projects. This study reports that this natural disaster induced an increase in concentrations of total suspended solids and of phosphorous in the rivers Gol-Gol and Nilahue, as well as habitat destruction, deterioration of environmental quality, and the consequent devastation of macroinvertebrate assemblages inhabiting these rivers directly following the eruption. We conclude that volcanic eruptions can generate local extinctions of benthic macroinvertebrates in the short term, compared with rivers that were not affected by volcanic ash.

Heliyon

Increased pollution and degradation of water resources and their associated ecosystems has stimul... more Increased pollution and degradation of water resources and their associated ecosystems has stimulated the development of tools and methodologies to characterize, estimate, predict, and reverse the environmental impact of anthropic effects on water bodies. The Secondary Water Quality Standards (NSCA) adopted in Chile have incorporated the use of bioindicators complementary to physicochemical analyses, in order to determine the ecological condition of lotic and lentic environments. Our research used the "Lake Biotic Index" (LBI) to establish the ecological condition of Lake Rupanco using benthic macroinvertebrates. The results indicated an Oligo-Eubiotic condition for this lake given the high concentration of oxygen and low organic matter content in sediments, in addition to low biogenic potential and good taxa preservation in both the autumn and spring surveys. Features of the ecological condition obtained through the application of the LBI (benthic subsystem) conform to the results of physicochemical and microalgae analyses undertaken previously in Lake Rupanco (pelagic subsystem). Based on these results, we support application of the LBI index as a complementary tool for the integrated management of lentic ecosystems.

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research

Laguna de los Cisnes (53°15'S) is a remote and unusual salty lagoon located in the Chilean Patago... more Laguna de los Cisnes (53°15'S) is a remote and unusual salty lagoon located in the Chilean Patagonia, declared natural monument to protect bird diversity in the area, which could also serve as a natural laboratory to monitor climate change. This study reports basic water, sediment and plankton characteristics observed during a summer (December) sampling, when the lagoon was hypersaline (51 g L-1), cold (9°C) and eutrophic, according to the high concentrations of phosphorous (0.30 ± 0.73 mg L-1), nitrate (0.66 ± 0.14 mg L-1) and chlorophyll-a (44.25 ± 2.52 µg L-1). The microalgae Spirogyra sp. and the micro-crustacean Artemia are predominating plankton. Results are discussed in the context of the climatic conditions affecting this lagoon year-round.

Ziel der Arbeit war ein Vergleich der Bedeutung von allochthoner und autochthoner Nahrungsversorg... more Ziel der Arbeit war ein Vergleich der Bedeutung von allochthoner und autochthoner Nahrungsversorgung für benthische litorale und profundale Lebensgemeinschaften des Bodensees (Obersee) auf der Grundlage der Gehalte an stabilen Isotopen (13C, 15N). Hierzu wurden während einer Vegetationsperiode die Isotopensignaturen von potentiellen Nahrungssquellen und Konsumenten an je zwei litoralen und profundalen Probestellen erfasst, die sich vor allem im Beitrag allochthoner Zufuhr (zuflussnah – zuflussfern) stark unterschieden. Für die litoralen benthischen Konsumenten wurde aufgrund der erhaltenen 13C-Werte (im Bereich von -28 ‰) an beiden litoralen Probestellen auf eine Dominanz von Epiphyten und/ oder terrestrischen Quellen geschlossen. Demgegenüber ergaben sich wenig Hinweise auf eine große Bedeutung der Makrophyten als Nahrungsquelle. Die 15N-Werte (Anreicherung um ca. 3-4 ‰ gegenüber den Quellen) der benthischen Konsumenten sprechen für eine überwiegende Verwertung der Quellen in nur e...

Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 2014

Background: The geographical distribution of the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) incl... more Background: The geographical distribution of the Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) includes the southern-central Neotropics. Despite its wide distribution, currently there is no dietary information on its southern distribution range. From June to September 2011, we quantified the diet and prey availability of the Chilean flamingo in the marine wetland of Caulín (41°48' S, 73°37' W), southern Chile. Results: The prey availability related to both plankton and benthos were four species of copepods, four polychaetes, one foraminifera, and two amphipods. The diet of the Chilean flamingo was composed of foraminifera (Ammonia beccarii), copepods (Harpacticus sp.) and polychaetes. The most abundant prey items from feces of flamingos were Ammonia beccarii and Harpacticus sp. The diameter of A. beccarii consumed by flamingos ranged between 400 and 900 μm, while its width varied between 100 and 300 μm. The width of Harpacticus sp. consumed ranged between 160 and 260 μm. The similarity between flamingo diet and prey availability was 0.553. The diversity of prey organisms in the benthos was higher than that observed from plankton and feces of birds. A. beccarii was preferred over other prey consumed by flamingos. This preference is not related to the size of Harpacticus sp. but to their ability to swim and escape from flamingos. Conclusions: The dietary similarity of the Chilean flamingo versus the availability of prey in the environment (plankton and benthos) was 55%, indicating that the Chilean flamingo is a partially selective predator.

Revista de biología marina y oceanografía, 2013

Resumen.-La macroinfauna de playas arenosas expuestas en la costa chilena está dominada por crust... more Resumen.-La macroinfauna de playas arenosas expuestas en la costa chilena está dominada por crustáceos, los cuales muestran una zonación transversal; el anfípodo talítrido Orchestoidea tuberculata es el taxón dominante en los niveles superiores, el isópodo cirolánido Excirolana hirsuticauda lo es en la parte media del intermareal y el anomuro Emerita analoga es dominante en los niveles bajos. Este estudio examinó la variabilidad morfométrica de estas 3 especies de crustáceos en relación a los tipos morfodinámicos de playas. Las muestras fueron recolectadas durant e la primavera de 2001 y se examinaron 7 caracteres morfológicos medidos en 30 adultos de cada especie: longitud del cuerpo, alto del cuerpo, ancho de cuerpo, longitud de las antenas y longitud de los urópodos. Los sitios de estudio se localizaron cerca de los 42°S, un área donde los diferentes tipos de playa (i.e., reflectivo, intermedio y disipativo) se producen a lo largo de las costas septentrionales de los archipiélagos chilenos. La variabilidad morfométrica de O. tuberculata, E. hirsuticauda y E. analoga se analizó mediante análisis de cluster y de componentes principales. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que, independientemente del tipo de playa, los individuos de O. tuberculata que habitan playas próximas presentan una mayor similitud que con aquellas que habitan playas lejanas. Los individuos de E. analoga que habitan en el mismo tipo de playa mostraron una mayor similitud que con aquellas que habitan en diferentes tipos de playas. Estos resultados se discuten en relación con la zonificación a través del intermareal y la historia natural de estas especies.

Limnologica - Ecology and Management of Inland Waters, 2013