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Colección de artículos publicados por investigadores de la Universidad Austral de Chile en diferentes fuentes, acorde a las políticas de los editores.
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Item Evolution in chronic cold: varied loss of cellular response to heat in antarctic notothenioid fish(BMC Campus, 2018-09-19) Bilyk, Kevin T.; Vargas-Chacoff, Luis; Cheng, Chi - Hing ChristinaBackground: Confined within the freezing Southern Ocean, the Antarctic notothenioids have evolved to become both cold adapted and cold specialized. A marked signature of cold specialization is an apparent loss of the cellular heat shock response (HSR). As the HSR has been examined in very few notothenioid species to-date, it remains unknown whether HSR loss pervades the Antarctic radiation, or whether the broader cellular responses to heat stress has sustained similar loss. Understanding the evolutionary status of these responses in this stenothermal taxon is crucial for evaluating its adaptive potential to ocean warming under climate change. Results: In this study, we used an acute heat stress protocol followed by RNA-Seq analyses to study the evolution of cellular-wide transcriptional responses to heat stress across three select notothenioid lineages - the basal temperate and nearest non-Antarctic sister species Eleginops maclovinus serving as ancestral proxy, the cryopelagic Pagothenia borchgrevinki and the icefish Chionodraco rastrospinosus representing cold-adapted red-blooded and hemoglobinless Antarctic notothenioids respectively. E maclovinus displayed robust cellular stress responses including the ER Unfolded Protein Response and the cytosolic HSR, cementing the HSR as a plesiomorphy that preceded Antarctic notothenioid radiation. While the transcriptional response to heat stress was minimal in P. borchgrevinki, C rastrospinosus exhibited robust responses in the broader cellular networks especially in inflammatory responses despite lacking the classic HSR and UPR. Conclusion: The disparate patterns observed in these two archetypal Antarctic species indicate the evolutionary status in cellular ability to mitigate acute heat stress varies even among Antarctic lineages, which may affect their adaptive potential in coping with a warming world.Item Occasional acoustic presence of antarctic blue whales on a feeding ground in southern Chile(Wiley & Sons, 2018-01) Buchan, Susannah J.; Hucke-Gaete, Rodrigo; Stafford, Kathleen M.; Clark, Christopher W.Item Low spring primary production and microplankton carbon biomass in sub- antarctic patagonian channels and fjords (50–53°S)(Inst. Arctic Alpine Res., 2018-10-15) Iriarte, José Luis; Cuevas, Luis Antonio; Cornejo, Fernanda; Silva, Nelson; González, Humberto E.; Castro, Leonardo; Montero, Paulina; Vargas, Cristian A.; Daneri, GiovanniIt is relevant to understand the processes and factors that modulate the efficiency of the carbon pump throughout the ecosystem of Patagonian fjords. Spatial variability of primary productivity and bacteria-microplankton biomass was assessed in relation to inorganic nutrients and stratification across nearshore zones of southern Patagonia (50-53 degrees S) in austral spring 2009. Estimates of primary productivity (300-500 mg C m(-2) d(-1)) and phytoplankton biomass (9-180 mg chlorophylla m(-2)) were low at offshore and inshore waters. Synergistic effects of low silicic acid concentrations and poor light penetration because of salinity-driven stratification of glacier meltwater in springtime appeared to negatively affect phytoplankton carbon biomass and primary production in this sub-Antarctic region. The knowledge of the relative importance of nutrient sources and light is especially significant for Patagonian glacier-fjord systems that are expected to receive higher freshwater inputs and will be more stratified in the future.Item Predicting the cover and richness of intertidal macroalgae in remote areas: a case study in the antarctic peninsula(Wiley & Sons, 2018-09) Kotta, Jonne; Valdivia, Nelson; Kutser, Tiit; Toming, Kaire; Rätsep, Merli; Orav - Kotta, HelenAntarctica is an iconic region for scientific explorations as it is remote and a critical component of the global climate system. Recent climate change causes a dramatic retreat of ice in Antarctica with associated impacts to its coastal ecosystem. These anthropogenic impacts have a potential to increase habitat availability for Antarctic intertidal assemblages. Assessing the extent and ecological consequences of these changes requires us to develop accurate biotic baselines and quantitative predictive tools. In this study, we demonstrated that satellite-based remote sensing, when used jointly with in situ ground-truthing and machine learning algorithms, provides a powerful tool to predict the cover and richness of intertidal macroalgae. The salient finding was that the Sentinel-based remote sensing described a significant proportion of variability in the cover and richness of Antarctic macroalgae. The highest performing models were for macroalgal richness and the cover of green algae as opposed to the model of brown and red algal cover. When expanding the geographical range of the ground-truthing, even involving only a few sample points, it becomes possible to potentially map other Antarctic intertidal macroalgal habitats and monitor their dynamics. This is a significant milestone as logistical constraints are an integral part of the Antarctic expeditions. The method has also a potential in other remote coastal areas where extensive in situ mapping is not feasible.Item Facing the climate change conundrum at the south pole: actors’ perspectives on the implications of global warming for chilean antarctic governance(Taylor & Francis, 2018-05-23) Gladkova, Ekaterina; Blanco - Wells, Gustavo; Nahuelhual, LauraAntarctica is recognized as being geopolitically and scientifically important, and as one of the regions with the greatest potential to affect and be affected by global climate change. Still, little is known in practice about how climate change will be handled within the main governance framework of the continent: the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). Using qualitative interviews, participant observations and policy document analysis, this paper explores the perspectives of Chilean scientific, political and non-governmental actors regarding the implications of climate change for the current Antarctic governance framework. Results corroborate a misalignment of the climate change agenda and the ATS, stemming from the divergent views displayed by a wide network of actors. From the interviews, two predominant visions emerge: (i) climate change as an opportunity, where actors recognize the role of Antarctica in regulating global climate and stress greater opportunities to conduct Antarctic-based climate change research, the need for strategic international collaboration, and the reinforcement of Chile's position in Antarctica through science; (ii) climate change as a burden where actors acknowledge climate change as a global problem, largely external to Antarctica, express disbelief regarding the effectiveness of local actions to tackle climate change and do not associate with climate change governance. The study concludes that climate change may become a dividing, rather than a unifying, field of action in Chilean Antarctic governance, reinforcing previously existing geopolitical tendencies.Item Up, down, and all around: scale-dependent spatial variation in rocky-shore communities of Fildes peninsula, King George island, antarctica(Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2014-06-23) Valdivia, Nelson; Díaz, María José; Holtheuer, Jorge; Garrido, Ignacio; Huovinen, Pirjo; Gómez, IvánUnderstanding the variation of biodiversity along environmental gradients and multiple spatial scales is relevant for theoretical and management purposes. Hereby, we analysed the spatial variability in diversity and structure of intertidal and subtidal macrobenthic Antarctic communities along vertical environmental stress gradients and across multiple horizontal spatial scales. Since biotic interactions and local topographic features are likely major factors for coastal assemblages, we tested the hypothesis that fine-scale processes influence the effects of the vertical environmental stress gradients on the macrobenthic diversity and structure. We used nested sampling designs in the intertidal and subtidal habitats, including horizontal spatial scales ranging from few centimetres to 1000s of metres along the rocky shore of Fildes Peninsula, King George Island. In both intertidal and subtidal habitats, univariate and multivariate analyses showed a marked vertical zonation in taxon richness and community structure. These patterns depended on the horizontal spatial scale of observation, as all analyses showed a significant interaction between height (or depth) and the finer spatial scale analysed. Variance and pseudo-variance components supported our prediction for taxon richness, community structure, and the abundance of dominant species such as the filamentous green alga Urospora penicilliformis (intertidal), the herbivore Nacella concinna (intertidal), the large kelp-like Himantothallus grandifolius (subtidal), and the red crustose red alga Lithothamnion spp. (subtidal). We suggest that in coastal ecosystems strongly governed by physical factors, fine-scale processes (e. g. biotic interactions and refugia availability) are still relevant for the structuring and maintenance of the local communities. The spatial patterns found in this study serve as a necessary benchmark to understand the dynamics and adaptation of natural assemblages in response to observed and predicted environmental changes in Antarctica.Item Consistent richness-biomass relationship across environmental gradients in a marine macroalgal-dominated subtidal community on the western antarctic peninsula(Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2015-09-18) Valdivia, Nelson; Díaz, María José; Garrido, Ignacio; Gómez, Iván; Mahon, Andrew R.Biodiversity loss has spurred the biodiversity-ecosystem functioning research over a range of ecosystems. In Antarctica, however, the relationship of taxonomic and functional diversity with ecosystem properties (e.g., community biomass) has received less attention, despite the presence of sharp and dynamic environmental stress gradients that might modulate these properties. Here, we investigated whether the richness-biomass relationship in macrobenthic subtidal communities is still apparent after accounting for environmental stress gradients in Fildes Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. Measurements of biomass of mobile and sessile macrobenthic taxa were conducted in the austral summer 2013/4 across two environmental stress gradients: distance from nearest glaciers and subtidal depth (from 5 to 30 m). In general, community biomass increased with distance from glaciers and water depth. However, generalised additive models showed that distance from glaciers and depth accounted for negligible proportions of variation in the number of functional groups (i.e., functional richness) and community biomass when compared to taxonomic richness. Functional richness and community biomass were positive and saturating functions of taxonomic richness. Large endemic, canopy-forming brown algae of the order Desmarestiales dominated the community biomass across both gradients. Accordingly, differences in the composition of taxa accounted for a significant and large proportion (51%) of variation in community biomass in comparison with functional richness (10%). Our results suggest that the environmental factors here analysed may be less important than biodiversity in shaping mesoscale (several km) biomass patterns in this Antarctic system. We suggest that further manipulative, hypothesis-driven research should address the role of biodiversity and species' functional traits in the responses of Antarctic subtidal communities to environmental variation.Item Blue whale population structure along the eastern south pacific ocean: evidence of more than one population(Wiley & Sons, 2014-12) Torres - Florez, JP; Hucke - Gaete, R.; LeDuc, R.; Lang, A.; Taylor, B.; Pimper, L.E.; Bedrinana - Romano, L.; Rosenbaum, H.C.; Figueroa, C.C.Blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) were among the most intensively exploited species of whales in the world. As a consequence of this intense exploitation, blue whale sightings off the coast of Chile were uncommon by the end of the 20th century. In 2004, a feeding and nursing ground was reported in southern Chile (SCh). With the aim to investigate the genetic identity and relationship of these Chilean blue whales to those in other Southern Hemisphere areas, 60 biopsy samples were collected from blue whales in SCh between 2003 and 2009. These samples were genotyped at seven microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial control region was sequenced, allowing us to identify 52 individuals. To investigate the genetic identity of this suspected remnant population, we compared these 52 individuals to blue whales from Antarctica (ANT, n = 96), Northern Chile (NCh, n = 19) and the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP, n = 31). No significant differentiation in haplotype frequencies (mtDNA) or among genotypes (nDNA) was found between SCh, NCh and ETP, while significant differences were found between those three areas and Antarctica for both the mitochondrial and microsatellite analyses. Our results suggest at least two breeding population units or subspecies exist, which is also supported by other lines of evidence such as morphometrics and acoustics. The lack of differences detected between SCh/NCh/ETP areas supports the hypothesis that eastern South Pacific blue whales are using the ETP area as a possible breeding area. Considering the small population sizes previously reported for the SCh area, additional conservation measures and monitoring of this population should be developed and prioritized.Item Independent effects of grazing and tide pool habitats on the early colonisation of an intertidal community on western antarctic peninsula(Sociedad de Biología de Chile, 2016-03-10) Segovia - Rivera, V.; Valdivia, N.Background: Prevailing environmental conditions can modulate the structuring role of biotic interactions. In intertidal habitats, less stressful environmental conditions and/or higher grazer densities may allow grazing effects to be stronger in tide pools than on emergent rocks. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a manipulative experiment on an intertidal rocky shore in Fildes Bay, King George Island, in which the effect of the dominant grazer Nacella polaris on the structure of benthic periphyton communities was compared between emergent rock and tide pool habitats. Also, we determined the spatial variation in density, weight, and maximum length of individuals of N. polaris in both habitats. Results: The density of N. polaris was significantly larger in tide pools than on emergent rocks. Contrarily, we observed no significant differences in morphological parameters of N. polaris between both habitats or between intertidal elevations. In the manipulative study, we observed a greater taxonomic richness, diversity, and abundance of periphyton on emergent rocks than in tide pools. These variables also showed, in comparison with control areas, significantly higher values in experimental areas where herbivores were excluded by means of stainless-steel fences. The effects of habitat and grazer exclusion treatments were independent of each other, as no statistically significant interaction between both factors was observed. Conclusions: Our results showed significant, but independent, effects of tide pool habitats and grazing on the early colonisation of these assemblages. Albeit the grazing effects of other herbivores such as amphipods and small gastropods cannot be ruled out, we suggest that traits of N. polaris, such as high mobility and circadian activity, allow this species to exert a firm control on the intertidal Antarctic assemblages across local environmental conditions.Item Macroalgas en arrecifes rocosos de Bahía Fildes y Collins, Isla Rey Jorge, Antártica(Universidad de Valparaíso, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, 2015-08) Palacios, Mauricio; Cárdenas, César A.; Newcombe, Emma M.The aim of this work was to carry out a qualitative assessment of the subtidal algal assemblages occurring at Fildes and Collins Bays. We conducted subtidal sampling of seaweeds between 1 and 10 m in Collins and Fildes Bay during late summer 2009. Our results showed that Rhodophyta was the most diverse group (63% of species) followed by Phaeophyceae (33.3%) and Chlorophyta (3.7%). Differences in species richness and structure of algal assemblages were recorded between sites. Depth significantly influenced algal assemblages; however there was a significant interaction between site and depth, suggesting that the effect of depth varied among sites. Observed differences between sites may be explained by differences in ice-scour disturbance, habitat heterogeneity (availability of refugia) and identity of canopy-forming species.Item Enzyme activities of phytoplankton in the South Shetland Islands (Antarctica) in relation to nutrients and primary production(Sociedad de Biología de Chile, 2016) Iriarte, José L.; González, Rodrigo R.; Quiñones, Renato A.; Kang, Sun-Ho; Shim, Jae H.; Valenzuela, Cynthia P.Given the potential significance of enzyme activities as a link between internal metabolic pathways and environmental nutrients, we investigated the relationships of nitrate reductase (NR) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) with primary production and inorganic nutrients in South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Enzymatic activities of the phytoplankton (0.7-210 mu m), primary productivity, autotrophic biomass and inorganic nutrients were studied in the upper 100 m depth at nine stations during a cruise in the northwestern area of South Shetland Islands (Antarctica), during late austral spring (December 2000). NR activities fluctuated between 0 and 42.8 nmol L(-1) h(-1) (mean 10.08 nmol L(-1) h(-1), SD = 10.42 nmol L(-1) h(-1)), AP activities between 0.81 and 5.67 nmol L(-1) h(-1) (mean 2.68 nmol L(-1) h(-1), SD = 0.95 nmol L(-1) h(-1)). Stations with primary productivity (PP) and chlorophyll a greater than 2 mg C m(-3) h(-1) and 0.75 mu g chlorophyll a L(-1), respectively, presented higher enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase, alkaline phosphatase than those stations characterized by primary productivity and chlorophyll a less than 2 mg C m(-3) h(-1) and 0.17 mu g chlorophyll a L(-1), respectively. The AP specific activity was negatively correlated with orthophosphate concentrations lower than 2.0 mu M, which indicates that the microplankton were under phosphate deficient environment condition. Our results indicated that NR specific activity was positively associated with autotrophic biomass and primary productivity estimates, giving evidence of the use of nitrate by phytoplankton as external nitrogen source in surface waters. In addition, high NR activities were positively correlated with NO(3)(-), suggesting the occurrence of nitrate respiration in the well oxygenated surface waters of Antarctica.Item Underwater optics in sub-antarctic and antarctic coastal ecosystems(Public Library of Science (PLOS), 2016-05-04) Huovinen, Pirjo; Ramírez, Jaime; Gómez, Iván; Ban, SyuheiUnderstanding underwater optics in natural waters is essential in evaluating aquatic primary production and risk of UV exposure in aquatic habitats. Changing environmental conditions related with global climate change, which imply potential contrasting changes in underwater light climate further emphasize the need to gain insights into patterns related with underwater optics for more accurate future predictions. The present study evaluated penetration of solar radiation in six sub-Antarctic estuaries and fjords in Chilean North Patagonian region (39-44 degrees S) and in an Antarctic bay (62 degrees S). Based on vertical diffuse attenuation coefficients (K-d), derived from measurements with a submersible multichannel radiometer, average summer UV penetration depth (z(1%)) in these water bodies ranged 2-11 m for UV-B (313 nm), 4-27 m for UV-A (395 nm), and 7-30 m for PAR (euphotic zone). UV attenuation was strongest in the shallow Quempillen estuary, while Fildes Bay (Antarctica) exhibited the highest transparency. Optically non-homogeneous water layers and seasonal variation in transparency (lower in winter) characterized Comau Fjord and Puyuhuapi Channel. In general, multivariate analysis based on K-d values of UV and PAR wavelengths discriminated strongly Quempillen estuary and Puyuhuapi Channel from other study sites. Spatial (horizontal) variation within the estuary of Valdivia river reflected stronger attenuation in zones receiving river impact, while within Fildes Bay a lower spatial variation in water transparency could in general be related to closeness of glaciers, likely due to increased turbidity through ice-driven processes. Higher transparency and deeper UV-B penetration in proportion to UV-A/visible wavelengths observed in Fildes Bay suggests a higher risk for Antarctic ecosystems reflected by e.g. altered UV-B damage vs. photorepair under UV-A/PAR. Considering that damage repair processes often slow down under cool temperatures, adverse UV impact could be further exacerbated by cold temperatures in this location, together with episodes of ozone depletion. Overall, the results emphasize the marked spatial (horizontal and vertical) and temporal heterogeneity of optical characteristics, and challenges that these imply for estimations of underwater optics.Item Ecophysiology of antarctic macroalgae: effects on environmental light conditions on photosynthetic metabolism(Sociedad de Biología de Chile, 2001) Gómez, I.Item Successional patterns along soil development gradients formed by glacier retreat in the maritime antarctic, King George Island(Sociedad de Biología de Chile, 2016) Boy, Jens; Godoy, Roberto; Shibistova, Olga; Boy, Diana; McCulloch, Robert; Andrino de la Fuente, Alberto; Aguirre Morales, Mauricio; Mikutta, Robert; Guggenberger, GeorgBackground: Maritime Antarctica is severely affected by climate change and accelerating glacier retreat forming temporal gradients of soil development. Successional patterns of soil development and plant succession in the region are largely unknown, as are the feedback mechanisms between both processes. Here we identify three temporal gradients representing horizontal and vertical glacier retreat, as well as formation of raised beaches due to isostatic uplift, and describe soil formation and plant succession along them. Our hypotheses are (i) plants in Antarctica are able to modulate the two base parameters in soil development, organic C content and pH, along the temporal gradients, leading to an increase in organic carbon and soil acidity at relatively short time scales, (ii) the soil development induces succession along these gradients, and (iii) with increasing soil development, bryophytes and Deschampsia antarctica develop mycorrhiza in maritime Antarctica in order to foster interaction with soil. Results: All temporal gradients showed soil development leading to differentiation of soil horizons, carbon accumulation and increasing pH with age. Photoautptroph succession occurred rapidly after glacier retreat, but occurrences of mosses and lichens interacting with soils by rhizoids or rhizines were only observed in the later stages. The community of ground dwelling mosses and lichens is the climax community of soil succession, as the Antarctic hairgrass D. antarctica was restricted to ornithic soils. Neither D. antarctica nor mosses at the best developed soils showed any sign of mycorrhization. Conclusion: Temporal gradients formed by glacier retreat can be identified in maritime Antarctic, where soil development and plant succession of a remarkable pace can be observed, although pseudo-succession occurs by fertilization gradients caused by bird feces. Thus, the majority of ice-free surface in Antarctica is colonized by plant communities which interact with soil by litter input rather than by direct transfer of photoassimilates to soil.Item Ecophysiology of Antarctic vascular plants(Wiley & Sons and Scandinavian Society for Plant Physiology, 2002) Alberdi, Miren; Bravo, León A.; Gutiérrez, Ana; Gidekel, Manuel; Corcuera, Luis J.Most of the ice and snow-free land in the Antarctic summer is found along the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands and coastal areas of the continent. This is the area where most of the Antarctic vegetation is found. Mean air temperature tends to be above zero during the summer in parts of the Maritime Antarctic. The most commonly found photosynthetic organisms in the Maritime Antarctic and continental edge are lichens (around 380 species) and bryophytes (130 species). Only two vascular plants, Deschampsia antarctica Desv. and Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl., have been able to colonize some of the coastal areas. This low species diversity, compared with the Arctic, may be due to permanent low temperature and isolation from continental sources of propagules. The existence of these plants in such a permanent harsh environment makes them of particular interest for the study of adaptations to cold environments and mechanisms of cold resistance in plants. Among these adaptations are high freezing resistance, high resistance to light stress and high photosynthetic capacity at low temperature. In this paper, the ecophysiology of the two vascular plants is reviewed, including habitat characteristics, photosynthetic properties, cold resistance, and biochemical adaptations to cold.Item What can possibly go wrong? The risks of introducing soil microorganisms from Antarctica into South America(Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2015) Nuñez, Martin; Dimarco, Romina; Dickie, Ian; Pauchard, AníbalEndophytic fungi form mutualistic associations with plant roots which can increase plant survival and resistance to stress. Recently, it has been proposed that endophytic fungi from Antarctica should be used to facilitate reintroduction and establishment of native plants in xeric environments of northern Chile. In this note, we suggest this is a risky proposition and may lead to biological invasions. It is difficult to predict which endophytic fungi will become invasive, where they will invade, or what their impacts will be. Organisms that move across continents may or may not become invasive depending on the interaction between the species and the invaded community; unexpected outcomes may occur due to adaptation and novel interactions of the introduced species in the new environment. The fact that these endophytes are mutualistic does not imply that they will not have negative effects on the recipient community, since they might promote invasion of other non-native species or may change the competitive relationships among native species. Further, taxonomically uncharacterized fungal isolates from plant roots are likely to contain non-beneficial species. The fact that these endophytic fungi species are from Antarctica does not ensure that they cannot invade elsewhere. It should be recognized that invasive microorganisms are extremely difficult to control. We strongly suggest that the further translocation, use and spread of endophytes from Antarctica should be halted until a risk assessment is undertaken. Biosecurity measures must be taken when considering transcontinental experiments. Based on previous experiences, it is likely that the risk and potential costs of introducing these new species significantly exceed any potential benefits of their introductions.Item Detección de anticuerpos Anti-brucella en focas de Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) de Cabo Shirref, Antártica(Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2002) Blank, Olivia; Retamal, Patricio; Abalos, P.; Torres, DanielAfter the finding of anti-Brucella antibodies in samples of Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella), the serological study on Antarctic Pinniped was continued in order to determine the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies in other species. Blood and extra vascular fluid samples were taken from 12 Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) at the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Nº 32 and CCAMLR* Ecosystem Monitoring Program (CEMP) site N° 2 "Cape Shirreff and San Telmo Islets" (62º 47' S; 60º 27' W), located on the Norwest coast Livingston Island (South Shetland Islands), Antarctica. The samples were tested by the conventional Rose Bengal test (RB) and two competitive enzymatic immunoassay: Compelisa, and c-ELISA. In five of the samples studied, anti-Brucella antibodies were detected and the enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were the most sensible tests. These results strongly suggest the presence of infections by bacteria of the genus Brucella in L. weddellii and point out the necessity of complementary studies to know the etiology and their epidemiology in this region of the world.Item Filosofía ambiental de campo: ecología y ética en las redes LTER - Chile e ILTER(Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2014) Rozzi, Ricardo; Massardo, Francisca; Contador, Tamara; Crego, Ramiro; Méndez, Manuela; Rijal, Rajan; Cavieres, Lohengrin; Jiménez, JaimeThe long-term socio-ecological research (LTSER) study sites should integrate theoretical and applied research to effectively confront global socio-environmental change. For a socio-ecological integration beyond the socio-economic approach that prevails today in LTSER networks worldwide, in the southernmost site of the LTSER-Chile network (Omora Park, 55° S) we have developed the Field Environmental Philosophy (FEP) methodological approach. This paper presents a methodological framework and applications of FEP at Omora Park that combine ecological and philosophical research in education and biocultural conservation programs, including ecotourism. Through in situ and in tempo work with educators, policy makers and other stakeholders, researchers not only investigate the relations between society and ecosystems, but also transform them. This ecological and ethical understanding orient educational and governance processes toward ecological, socio-cultural and economic sustainability. The experiences of FEP demonstrate how this methodology transforms socio-ecological relationships by: (i) changes in language that generate in society a “change of lenses” to appreciate values and the symbolic-linguistic reality, usually studied by philosophers; this change determines, in turn, (ii) transformations in the ways in which society understands and value the biophysical reality of ecosystems, usually studied by ecologists. Globally, the FEP provides a methodology that contributes to orient global society towards ways that better understand and value biodiversity, favoring the sustainability of life.Item Hongos endófitos antárticos como herramienta para la reintroducción de especies nativas en zonas áridas(Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2014) Fardella, Cristian; Oses, Rómulo; Torres-Díaz, Cristian; Molina-Montenegro, MarcoEcological restoration is the deliberate action that speeds recovery from a degraded system by direct or indirect human intervention. Xerophytic formations are among the most degraded ecosystems where low water availability makes reintroduction plans unsuccessful and extremely expensive. Roots inoculation with endophytic fungi has been reported as a successful strategy to maintain or improve the ecophysiological performance and survival in different species of shrubs and trees. In harsh environments, endophytes have been shown to provide benefits in terms of survival and growth for their associated vegetation. In this study, we showed that inoculation with endophytes isolated from plants growing in Antarctica improve survival and water use efficiency for irrigation on native species of xerophytic formations: Flourensia thurifera, Senna cumingii and Puya berteroniana. Overall, the presence of endophytes improved survival of all native species. Furthermore, the presence of endophytes improved water use efficiency for irrigation, reaching higher percentages of survival in plants with a reduction in the added water. The application of Antarctic endophytes could be considered a successful strategy for future projects and reintroduction programs in arid and semi-arid zones of Chile.Item Ciclos de vida de insectos dulceacuícolas y cambio climático global en la ecorregión subantártica de Magallanes: investigaciones ecológicas a largo plazo en el Parque Etnobotánico Omora, Reserva de la Biosfera Cabo de Hornos (55°S)(Facultad de Ciencias Forestales y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Austral de Chile, 2014) Contador, Tamara; Kennedy, James; Ojeda, Jaime; Feinsinger, Peter; Rozzi, RicardoEl Parque Etnobotánico Omora, ubicado en la ecorregión subantártica y en la Reserva de Biosfera Cabo de Hornos (55° S) es el sitio más austral de la red LTSER-Chile. El Parque protege la cuenca hidrográfica del río Róbalo, que provee de agua a Puerto Williams, la capital de la Provincia Antártica Chilena. El año 2008, se inició un estudio a largo plazo sobre la diversidad, historias de vida y distribución de insectos acuáticos asociados al río Róbalo, y otros cursos de agua en la isla Navarino. Estos estudios son de gran interés para la red LTSER-Chile y la ciencia mundial por tres razones: 1) las características climáticas únicas de los ecosistemas dulceacuícolas de la ecorregión subantártica de Magallanes, que contrastan con aquellas del Hemisferio Norte; 2) las respuestas de los insectos dulceacuícolas y sus ciclos de vida son muy sensibles a la temperatura, y bajo condiciones de gradientes térmicos del gradiente altitudinal del río Róbalo se pueden hacer predicciones bajo distintos escenarios de Cambio Climático Global; y 3) los ciclos de vida de insectos dulceacuícolas han sido muy poco estudiados en el suroeste de Sudamérica, e incorporando el gradiente latitudinal con estudios similares de respuestas fenológicas de los insectos dulceacuícolas incorporando otros sitios de la Red LTSER-Chile permitiría evaluar señales tempranas de esta biota al cambio climático global.