Repositorio Digital Ikiam (Univ. Regional Amazónica)
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Future oil extraction in Ecuador using a Hubbert approach
Get PDFHubbert based models to project future oil extraction in Ecuador were developed. Two values of ultimaterecoverable resources (URR) (7860e10,700 million barrels (MMbbl)) are applied to 16 models, consid-ering symmetric and asymmetric Hubbert models and one and two cycles under top-down and bottom-up approaches. Models are discussed based on the bestfit to historical data, and year and value ofmaximum extraction. The peak oil extraction obtained ranges between 196 and 215 MMbbl and wouldbe reached in the years 2014e2025. An analysis of the implications of extraction models in a Business asUsual and Alternative oil demand scenarios up to 2035 was performed. Ecuador could become a net oilimporter between 2024 and 2035, depending on the model and demand scenario. Economic oil tradebalance could be seriously affected, decreasing from a current positive value of around 2 billion USD toincur deficits of 0.6e16.7 billion USD in 2035. Current and future oil dependence for Ecuador wouldincrease vulnerability and compromise the country in terms of energy security and trade balance. It iscritical for Ecuador to consider more ambitious policies focused on energy efficiency, renewables anddiversification of the productive structure over the next few years
Could coastal plants in western Amazonia be relicts of past marine incursions?
Get PDFThe rainforests of Amazonia comprise some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on Earth. Despite this high biodiversity, little is known about how landscape changes that took place in deep history have affected the assembly of its species, and whether the impact of such changes on biodiversity can still be observed. Here, we present a hypothesis to explain our observation that plants typical of Neotropical coastal habitats also occur in western Amazonia, in some cases thousands of kilometres away from the coast. Evidence on their current distribution, dispersal biology and divergence times estimated from molecular phylogenies suggest that these plants may be the legacy of the large marine‐influenced embayment that dominated the area for millions of years in the Neogene. We hypothesize that coastal plants dispersed along the shores of this embayment and persisted as inland relicts after the marine incursion(s) retreated, probably with the aid of changes in soil conditions caused by the deposition of marine sediments. This dispersal corridor may also have facilitated the colonization of coastal environments by Amazonian lineages. These scenarios could imply an unexpected coastal source that has contributed to Amazonia's high floristic diversity and led to disjunct distributions across the Neotropics. We highlight the need for future studies and additional evidence to validate and shed further light on this potentially important pattern.Blackwell Publishing Inc
Asociación palma-animal: mamíferos dispersores de semillas asociados a Socratea spp. e Iriartea deltoidea en el piedemonte de la Reserva Biológica Colonso-Chalupas, Napo, Ecuador
Get PDFLas palmas son consideradas especies clave desde una perspectiva ecológica y económica, con múltiples usos para las comunidades locales. Muchas especies de mamíferos, tales como agutíes, primates y pecaríes, son considerados importantes dispersores de semillas de tamaño grande. Sin embargo, poco se conoce sobre la asociación específica palma-animal. Este estudio se centra en la asociación de dos especies de palmas, Socratea spp. e Iriartea deltoidea con mamíferos, a través de observaciones indirectas con cámaras trampa colocadas frente a estas especies de palmas durante el periodo de fructificación. Se utilizaron 21 estaciones de trampeo entre el 26 de septiembre de 2016 y el 7 de diciembre de 2017, localizadas en tres transectos de tres kilómetros cada uno, en la Reserva Biológica Colonso-Chalupas, Amazonía de Ecuador, con un esfuerzo de muestreo de 2307 trampas/noche (1569 para I. deltoidea y 738 para Socratea spp.). Se registraron 46 visitas de 11 especies de mamíferos asociados a Socratea spp. y 130 visitas de 12 especies en I. deltoidea. Las dos palmas compartieron nueve especies de mamíferos; las más abundantes para ambas especies fueron Cuniculus paca, Dasypus novemcinctus y Hadrosciurus igniventris, con más de cinco observaciones, seguidas de Myoprocta pratti, Dasyprocta fuliginosa y Eira barbara, aunque estas tres últimas especies fueron más frecuentes en I. deltoidea. Se observaron más visitas en I. deltoidea que en Socratea spp.; sin embargo, esto podría estar relacionado con la disponibilidad de frutos, ya que I. deltoidea ofrece más frutos durante el año y por palma. La asociación encontrada con Socratea spp. es un nuevo aporte y los resultados del estudio ofrecen información relevante para el desarrollo de planes de manejo y conservación para áreas protegidas
Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Hedyosmum (Chlorantaceae): A review
Get PDFEthnopharmacological relevance: The genus Hedyosmum (family: Chloranthaceae) represents an interesting source
of natural active compounds, and the 45 species of this genus are widespread in Central and South America and
to a lesser extent Southeast Asia (southern China and western Malaysia). Several species are traditionally used in
folk medicine. However, the data made available in recent years have not been organized and compared.
Aim of this review: The present study is a critical assessment of the state-of-the-art concerning the traditional
uses, the phytochemistry and the pharmacology of species belonging to the genus Hedyosmum to suggest further
research strategies and to facilitate the exploitation of the therapeutic potential of Hedyosmum species for the
treatment of human disorders.
Materials and methods: The present review consists of a systematic overview of scientific literature concerning
the genus Hedyosmum published between 1965 and 2018. Moreover, an older text, dated from 1843, concerning
the traditional uses of H. bonplandianum Kunth has also been considered. Several databases (Francis & Taylor,
Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, SciFinder, Springer, Wiley, and The Plant List Database) have been used to
perform this work.
Results: Sixteen species of the genus Hedyosmum have been mentioned as traditional remedies, and a large
number of ethnomedicinal uses, including for the treatment of pain, depression, migraine, stomach-ache and
ovary diseases, have been reported. Five species have been used as flavouring agents, tea substitutes or foods.
Sesterterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, monoterpenes, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and neolignans
have been reported as the most important compounds in these species. Studies concerning their biological
activities have shown that members of the Hedyosmum genus possesses promising biological properties,
such as analgesic, antinociceptive, antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative, and hypnotic effects. Preliminary studies
concerning the antibacterial, antioxidant, antiplasmodial, and antifungal activities of these plants as well as their
cytotoxic activities against different tumour cell lines have been reported. Some active compounds from the
Hedyosmum genus have been used as starting points for the innovative and bioinspired development of synthetic
molecules. A critical assessment of these papers has been performed, and some conceptual and methodological
problems have been identified regarding the materials and methods and the experimental design used in these
studies, including a lack of ethnopharmacological research.
Conclusions: The present review partially confirms the basis for some of the traditional uses of Hedyosmum
species (mainly H. brasiliense) through preclinical studies that demonstrated their antinociceptive and neuroprotective
effects. Due to promising preliminary results, further studies should be conducted on 13-hydroxy-8,9-
dehydroshizukanolide and podoandin. Moreover, several essential oils (EOs) from this genus have been preliminarily investigated, and the cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of H. brasiliense and H. sprucei EOs certainly deserve further investigation. From the promising findings of the present analysis, we can affirm that this genus deserves further research from ethnopharmacological and toxicological perspectives
Letter from the new Editor-in-Chief - Linking global priorities: biodiversity and scientific equity
Get PDFIn 2015, Neotropical Biodiversity began offering an
invaluable publishing opportunity to authors specializing on the outstanding biological diversity we see
today in the American tropics and the Caribbean [1].
By providing a space where top-quality research could
be freely published and accessed by scientists around
the world, our journal took a strong stand on creating
equitable opportunities in the scientific community
while advancing biodiversity knowledg
Energy use of Jatropha oil extraction wastes: Pellets from biochar and Jatropha shell blends
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to evaluate the use of biochar (SCB) produced through the pyrolysis of Jatropha seed cake in combination with Jatropha shell waste (JSh) to form pellet combustion fuel. Mixtures using different proportions of SCB and JSh (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% each), were prepared, with each proportion tested using two particle sizes and two different quantities of water added. Combustion characteristics and mechanical durability were analyzed to identify the best blend, for which a thermogravimetric analysis was made. Pellets composed of 50% JSh and 50% SCB, with 25% of additional water and 4 mm particle size, presented the greatest mechanical durability (96.83%), and higher heating value (22.14 MJ kg−1). Combustion of pellets made with these characteristics in an industrial burner showed average temperatures ranging from 300 to 350 °C, with a maximum temperature of 460 °C. The production cost of the selected pellet is estimated at 0.11 USD kg−1, making the energy cost of the pellet [0.005 USD MJ−1] approximately 28% of the energy cost of LPG, demonstrating the commercial viability of the selected pellet as feasible
Editorial
Get PDFThis issue of the Journal of Biogeography is dedicated to Friedrich
Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt, who was born 250
years ago, on 14 September 1769.
Alexander von Humboldt is often regarded as the “Father of
Biogeography”. Although the very concept that any discipline has a
founder may be disputed, von Humboldt´s contributions are, without a doubt, enormous, integrative and global. His lucid writing
was widely read, he built up a huge network of correspondents, he
assisted many young researchers, and engaged the general public
generating curiosity and enthusiasm about the natural world. By
the end of his long life, he had stimulated a new kind of research,
similar to what we now call biogeography. Maybe as important, he
also encouraged, inspired and helped many young researchers, thus
ensuring that there were many people exploring the questions that
fascinated him, and many people with his inclusive and humanistic
world-view
Identifying indigenous practices forcultivation of wild saprophytic mushrooms:responding to the need for sustainableutilization of natural resources
Get PDFBackground: Due to increasing pressure on natural resources, subsistence agriculture communities in Uganda and
Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing increasingly restricted access to diminishing natural resources that are a critical
requirement of their livelihoods. Previously, common-pool resources like forests and grasslands have been either
gazetted for conservation or leased for agriculture, the latter in particular for large-scale sugarcane production.
Satisfying the increasing consumer demand for grassland or forestry products like wild mushrooms as food or
medicine, requires innovative ethno-biological and industry development strategies to improve production
capacity, while easing the pressure on diminishing natural resources and averting ecosystems degradation.
Methods: This case study addresses traditional knowledge systems for artisanal mycoculture to identify cultivation
practices that enhance sustainable utilization of natural resources. Multi-scalar stakeholder engagement across
government and community sectors identified artisanal mushroom producers across five districts in Uganda. Focus
groups and semi-structured interviews characterized artisanal production methods and identified locally used
substrates for cultivation of different mushroom species.
Results: Artisanal practices were characterized for the cultivation of six wild saprophytic mushroom species
including Volvariella speciosa (akasukusuku), two Termitomyces sp. (obunegyere and another locally unnamed
species), Agaricus sp. (ensyabire) and Agrocybe sp. (emponzira), and one exotic Pleurotus sp. (oyster) that are used as
food or medicine. The substrates used for each species differed according to the mushroom’s mode of
decomposition, those being the following: tertiary decomposers such as those growing under rotting tree stumps
or logs from forestry activity like the Agrocybe sp. known as emponzira which grows in forests, thickets, or near
homesteads where big logs of hardwood have been left to rot. Also pieces of firewood are chipped off whenever
need arises thus providing fuel; secondary decomposers growing on naturally composted grass associated with
termites like the Termitomyces sp. known as obunegyere growing in protected sites in gardens, composted cattle
manure for Agaricus sp. known as ensyabire in the kraal area where cattle manure is plenty, composted maize cobs
for a locally unnamed Agaricus sp. on heaped cobs placed near homesteads; and primary decomposers growing on
waste sorghum from brewing the traditional alcoholic drink, muramba for Pleurotus sp. (oyster), and banana and
spear grass residue from banana juice processing like the Volvariella speciosa known as akasukusuku because it is
associated with the banana plantation locally known in the Luganda language as olusuku and is usually heaped..
Potential Role of Extremophilic Hydrocarbonoclastic Fungi for ExtraHeavy Crude Oil Bioconversion and the Sustainable Development of the Petroleum Industry
No full textThis book chapter contributes to identifying some core areas inside the oil industry as potential targets for biotechnology, motivated by the increasing global demand of fuels in addition to the reduction of conventional crude oil reserves that have produced a greater interest on the exploitation of unconventional crude reserves. In parallel with enlarged global environmental concerns, it is mandatory the developing and improving clean-alternative fuel technologies with enhanced bioremediation strategies for unconventional crude. These efforts include the application of petroleum biotechnology with promissory microorganisms, especially extremophilic hydrocarbonoclastic fungi, a broad group of cultivable fungi which live optimally under extreme conditions and are characterized by having a high ability to grow using hydrocarbons as sole carbon source and energy. Few publications are focused on petroleum biotechnology and applications of fungal degradation or bioconversion of extra-heavy crude oil (EHCO), a type of crude that contains elevated amounts of asphaltenes, high-molecular-weight compounds with low bioavailability, and limited susceptibility to being biotransformed. We have included an enriching discussion on the biotechnological strategies applied to the study of cultivable fungal biodiversity inhabiting extreme environments to obtain powerful biocatalysts, following a simple and fast screening to determine both their hydrocarbonoclastic abilities and tolerance of growing in the presence of high concentrations of EHCO and hydrocarbons polycyclic aromatics compounds (HPAs). The potential applications of these promissory extremophilic hydrocarbonoclastic fungal strains in mycoremediation and EHCO-bioupgrading processes to promote the sustainable development of the petroleum industry will be discussed
The palm Mauritia flexuosa, a keystone plant resource on multiple fronts
Get PDFKeystone species are organisms, usually animals of higher trophic levels, that have large
ecological impacts relative to their abundance. A recent extension of this concept recognizes
hyperkeystone species, such as humans, which affect other keystone species and often
play a key role in multiple ecosystem dynamics. Following a systematic review, we propose
that the Neotropical palm species Mauritia flexuosa, though abundant locally, plays
a role resembling that of a hyperkeystone species. First, it provides multiple types of key
plant resources (food, nest sites, habitat) to a wide variety of species (at least 940 vertebrate
species). Of vertebrates that directly use this palm as a food or nest resource (at least
74), at least 8 highly dependent on it for survival, 28 are threatened species, and at least 19
are keystone species themselves. This implies that a change in the abundance or distribution
of Mauritia flexuosa is likely to have multiple cascading effects on Neotropical ecosystems.
In addition, we highlight that this palm is also important for many invertebrates and
other organisms and provides multiple ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration.
This vast ecological role of M. flexuosa, combined with its provision of a host of products
to people, makes the species unique and worth prioritizing in conservation and plans for
sustainable management across the Neotropic