Anthropogenic Causes Research Articles

Climate change and its impact on asthma.

Earth's climate is changing at an unprecedented pace, primarily due to anthropogenic causes including greenhouse gas emissions. Evidence shows a strong link between climate change and its effects on asthma. Healthcare professionals must be educated to advocate for and lead effective strategies to reduce the health risks of climate change.

Assessment of the current status of soil quality and types of land degradation in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam

This study focused on providing practical information to assess the current status of soil quality and land degradation in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam to provide more evidence on land degradation status and factors affecting land degradation in this area. The soil samples were collected and analyzed in 2020 and compared to the available data of soil analysis data collected at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ninh Province in 2010. The percentage of degraded land ranges from 51.70 to 90.36%. Forest land is the type with the highest percentage of degraded land with 90.36% of total forestry land area; Unused hilly land ranks second with degraded land at 87.15%; the percentage of degraded land in agriculture production land stays at 80.59%. The types of land degradation such as Condensation, Acidification, and Salinization only take place on a small area of land in the province. The cause of land degradation in Quang Ninh comes from both natural and anthropogenic causes. The main reasons can be mentioned as the terrain has a steep slope; the climate is hot and rainy; the climate change situation is complicated; and inappropriate agricultural practices. To solve the above situation, it is necessary to have solutions and integrated strategies for the rational exploitation and use of land resources. Especially environmentally friendly agricultural farming methods that are highly adaptive to climate change such as organic agriculture, circular agriculture, and sustainable agriculture.

COASTAL PROTECTION OF THE CITY OF BEIRA IN MOZAMBIQUE: EVALUATION AND MITIGATION PROPOSALS

The present research is the result of a quantitative research that aims to propose sustainable ways of protecting the coastal zone to reduce the negative effects of coastal erosion in the City of Beira, starting from a previous evaluation. For the perception of the research data, the methodology consisted of bibliographical research, documentary research, direct observation and inquiry with employees of the Municipal Council and residents of the neighborhood of Praia Nova, Ponta - Gêa, Palmeiras and Macuti, with a sample of 215 participants . From the statistical analysis, the research found that the natural cause of coastal erosion is rain, global warming and the rise in sea level, while the anthropogenic causes were found to be the destruction of coastal vegetation and dunes; sustainable natural measures include the planting of mangroves and casuarinas, while artificial measures include the construction of breakwaters, walls and spurs. Given the relevance of the study, it is suggested that the municipality make efforts with the government and cooperation partners in order to obtain funding for the construction of a wall from Praia Nova to the area of the Wedding Palace; The city council must make efforts to rehabilitate breakwaters close to water outlets in particular, and train its employees in coastal protection and disaster risk management. It should also develop lectures involving the community, on matters about the causes and consequences of climate change, global warming and erosion.

Employing machine learning to predict the occurrence and spatial variability of high fluoride groundwater in intensively irrigated areas

Groundwater serves as a vital source of drinking water in the Hetao Basin of northwestern China. However, the occurrence and intense spatial variability of high fluoride (F−>1.5 mg/L) groundwater poses a significant health threat to local residents. In this study, the Random Forest (RF) machine learning algorithm was employed to develop two prediction models for high fluoride groundwater in Qiantao and Houtao plain, northwestern China, based on 650 groundwater samples. The models incorporated hydrochemical and geospatial datasets (climatic factors, topographic factors, and soil properties) to predict the probability of fluoride in groundwater exceeding 1.5 mg/L at a 250 m spatial resolution. The results show that the high-risk areas of the Qiantao Plain and Houtao Plain cover 33.0 % and 6.7 % of the total area of the plains, respectively. The ratio of high risk (F > 1.5 mg/L) samples correctly detected in Qiantao plain and Houtao plain were 86.7% and 94.5%, indicated an increased sensitivity to high fluoride category. Hydrochemical parameters were proven to be the most effective predictors. The spatial variability of high fluoride groundwater in two plains was dominated by the lithology, tectonic evolution, and hydrogeologic settings. Hyper-parameter optimized RF models demonstrate an outstanding performance in predicting the risk of high fluoride groundwater. This research presents a cooperative and successful effort to integrate hydrochemical and geospatial variables for prediction model, which can enhance the understanding of the geological origin and anthropogenic causes, and facilitate decision-making to identify potential risks in the areas affected by high levels of fluoride in groundwater.

Sustainable futures: from causes of environmental degradation to solutions

The impacts of climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution influence the living experiences of the various members of communities that rely on agriculture, shaping the adaptation responses to those phenomena and actions towards sustainable development. This study aims to understand how members of rural communities in Morocco perceive the causes of environmental degradation and the solutions meant to support the reduction of the vulnerabilities by applying a sustainable development lens. To achieve those objectives, this empirical study collects qualitative data by conducting semi-structured interviews on the local population's perceptions of environmental degradation causes and impacts, vulnerabilities, and solutions to adapt or cope with those impacts. The study includes a critical analysis of the proposals presented by the community members by addressing the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of their implications for development. The most common issue identified was water management, underscoring the water stress affecting several regions. However, several solutions presented would lead to further depletion of non-renewable water sources, which endangers the pursuit of genuinely sustainable development. The study's conclusions highlight the importance of contextualising the communication and adaptation responses that address local perceptions, namely the low prevalence of perceptions attributing anthropogenic causes to environmental degradation, leading to sentiments of helplessness among members of the rural communities.

Investigation of ground movements induced by underground gas storages via unsupervised ML methodology applied to InSAR data

The research explores the definition, formalization, and validation of a sound and rigorous methodology for analyzing a vast amount of satellite-based measures to geo-localize and quantify the ground movements induced by the storage of natural gas in underground formations. Time series decomposition analysis and unsupervised machine learning algorithms (partitive and hierarchical clustering) are adopted for processing, categorizing, and interpreting ground vertical movements from InSAR acquisitions. At the surface level, storage operations induce characteristic seasonal and cyclical movements, showing uplift during the injection period and subsidence during the withdrawal one. Consequently, the analysis of the solely sinusoidal component of the vertical movements (obtained via the time-series decomposition) turns out to be the key aspect of the proposed approach for handling the superposition of different ground movement sources, and consequently for clearly and reliably identifying the effects of underground gas storage (UGS) only.The proposed methodology was validated using two independent case studies in the Po Plain (northern Italy), a highly urbanized area affected by ground movements induced by several natural and anthropogenic causes, including underground gas storage facilities. For each case study, the methodology localizes one well-defined and confined area as the most affected by storage operations: this area corresponds to a cluster characterized by a high cohesion and by a seasonality phase coherent with the storage injection/withdrawal periods. The other clusters group areally wide-spread measurement points; the phase of their sinusoidal curves shows no time-coherency (or even phase opposition) with the seasonal storage operations. The results were verified via available independent information about the storage locations and were compared with the findings of previous research.

Effects of Climatic Variations and Changing Land Use/Land Cover on Flooding in Southern Nigeria

The prevalence of flooding in Nigeria in the past few years (with its devastating consequences) has become a source of concern for policymakers and researchers alike. Scholars have attributed the high frequency of flooding, particularly in the southern region of Nigeria, to several factors; climatic variation and land use/land cover changes are themes that fall under the domain of natural and anthropogenic causes of flooding, respectively. This study examined climatic variations and changing land use/land cover in southern Nigeria with the view of determining their synergistic effects on flooding. We adopted a mixed approach for data collection with the use of Geographic Information System (GIS), retrieval of primary data from meteorological stations in the region, and field surveys. Findings show a significant decrease in rural land uses like arable lands, wetlands, and undisturbed forests; while there was a corresponding increase in urban/peri-urban land uses like settlements and tree-crop plantations over the period from 1999 to 2019. The land use/land cover changes have manifested in the destabilization of the microclimate, distortion of the carbon circle, loss of biodiversity, reduction of ecosystem services of the natural areas, and flooding. The decadal rainfall trends over the past three decades show consistent extremities with mean rainfall duration decreasing while the mean intensity increases; aggravating soil erosion, urban runoff challenges, and flooding. Climatic variations (mainly extreme rainfall patterns) synergize with inefficient land use management to exacerbate flooding in southern Nigeria. While policymakers in this region may not have the standalone capacity to significantly control climate change and the consequential variations in the local microclimate, they can re engineer land use policies to eliminate or substantially degrade anthropogenic factors that exacerbate flooding.

The Society of Information and the European Citizens' Perception of Climate Change: Natural or Anthropological Causes.

The scientific community has reached a consensus on humans' important role as causative agents of climate change; however, branches of society are still sceptical about this. Climate change is a key issue for humanity and only the commitment to change human attitudes and lifestyles, at the global level, can be effective in its mitigation. With this purpose, it is important to convey the right message and prevent misinformation to manipulate people's minds. The present study aims to understand the factors shaping European citizens' thoughts on the causes of climate change. Using data from the European Social Survey 10 collected in 2022, we fitted statistical models using the people's thoughts on causes of climate change (natural, anthropogenic or both) as dependent variables. As independent variables, we used the impact of the media through time spent on news and time spent on the internet, level of education, level of trust in scientists, awareness of online or mobile misinformation and gender. We concluded that the typical European citizen who believes in anthropogenic causes of climate change is a female, is more literate, trusts more in scientists, is younger, spends more time reading the news and has more awareness of misinformation presence in online and mobile communications.

Consequences of Climate Change at World Level: a Theoretical Review

IPCC defines climate change as any “change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g., using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. It refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or because of human activity” (IPCC, 2007a, p. 30). Climate change phenomena is very threating which impacts the lifeforms and our livelihoods on this earth. The world has been experiencing frequent extreme environmental conditions. This phenomenon is not a frequent/instant event, it is a consolidated outcome of so many years due to anthropogenic and natural causes. The present paper reported the various causes and consequences of climate change at the world level. In fact, many organisation/committees/conferences were established to overcome the adverse effects of climate change and for the survival of the living organisms, respectively. Secondary data is used to identify variability of climatic features and the same information from various reports, research articles, and other sources. This review is an assessment of climate change phenomena at the worldwide level. It is found that the government participation is necessary for the development processes. There should be some rules and regulations for developed and developing countries to overcome the variability of climate change. To sum up, mitigating the impacts of climate change must be of the utmost importance, and hence, this global threat requires global pledge to report its horrible consequences to safeguard global sustenance.

Late-Holocene stability and recent changes in small mammal communities in north-central Andean forests of Patagonia

Past and current climatic and environmental changes have contributed to configure actual species distributions and abundances. Knowing their evolution over time allows discrimination between natural and anthropogenic causes in current composition of faunal communities. We evaluate the changes in small mammal assemblages from the north-central Patagonian Andean forests since the Late-Holocene to recent times and their relationship with the environmental modifications driven by human activities. A bone sequence from Población Anticura archaeological site (lower Manso river valley, Río Negro province, Argentina) was studied, which encompasses a time span from the early Late-Holocene (3350 ± 100–2270 ±80 years BP) to final Late-Holocene (1420 ± 70–530 ±50 years BP) and Historical times (480 ± 70–280 ±40 years BP). The species composition indicates that forest environment established in the area from at least the Late-Holocene (dominance of Loxodontomys micropus, with subordinate frequencies of Abrothrix olivacea, A. hirta, Geoxus valdivianus, Irenomys tarsalis, and Paynomys macronyx), with patches of (or near to) open environments (presence of Reithrodon auritus and cavids). It is remarkable the presence of cavids, which increased their abundance in the sequence towards Historical times but disappeared nowadays. The low frequencies (<10%) of the rodent Oligoryzomys longicaudatus along the entire sequence is also relevant, since this rodent is the reservoir of the Andes strain of the Hantavirus (ANDV), which causes pulmonary syndrome. This mouse dominates the small mammal assemblages from forests and ecotonal shrublands of northwestern Patagonia (abundances exceed 50% in owl pellets recently collected from the study area). Current configuration of forest and ecotonal assemblages, particularly the high abundance of O. longicaudatus, should be mainly linked to anthropogenic causes, including the introduction of cattle, land clearing, and the advance of introduced plant species such as the sweet briar ( Rosa eglanteria). Particularly, this exotic shrub offers shelter and additional food for O. longicaudatus, turning their shrublands into spaces of high epidemiological risk.

Pluvial Flood Susceptibility in the Local Community of the City of Gospić (Croatia)

Pluvial flooding (PF), resulting from intense short-duration rainfall events, is challenging in urban areas amidst climate change and rapid urbanization. Identifying flood-prone zones and implementing collaborative mitigation strategies with the local population are crucial aspects of PF management. This study aims to enhance the understanding of urban PF in Croatia by collecting historical PF data, creating the GIS-MCDA susceptibility model, and conducting a risk perception survey for the study area of Gospić. Susceptibility zones were generated utilizing topographical, environmental, and hydrological criteria using the AHP method. To examine the risk perception, a face-to-face survey was conducted among 5% of the city’s population (N = 64). Five factors were defined: (F1) risk awareness, (F2) anthropogenic and (F3) natural causes of PF, (F4) potential consequences, and (F5) preparedness. The reliability of the questionnaire was very high (>0.71). Most respondents believe they are ill-equipped to defend against flooding independently and express a lack of confidence in the measures taken by local authorities. The highly susceptible zones encompass not only agricultural areas but also residential zones of city. Among all respondents, 36% live in a flood-prone area and half of them have no flood insurance or other mitigation measures. Incorporating locals’ suggestions and problems, mitigation measures were proposed. Results from this research can be a starting point for further research in Croatia and can provide guidelines for decision-makers in implementing a risk mitigation strategy.

Climate Change and Environmental Knowledge: Τhe study case of Preschool Teachers

The most pressing concern in recent years, according to a recent study, is climate change, which is considered the most critical issue facing humanity. The aim of this study is to explore environmental knowledge on Climate Change and the possibility for teachers to take action to protect the Environment. For this reason, a quantitative survey was carried out among preschool teachers of the Primary Education of Eastern Thessaloniki, through a structured questionnaire. The results of the research pointed out that the environmental knowledge of the Educators regarding the anthropogenic causes of climate change and the harmful effects of the phenomenon is a motivation for taking actions and at the same time encouraging sustainable practices among students for the protection of the environment.

Warm Arctic–Cold Eurasia pattern driven by atmospheric blocking in models and observations

In recent decades, Arctic-amplified warming and sea-ice loss coincided with a prolonged wintertime Eurasian cooling trend. This observed Warm Arctic–Cold Eurasia pattern has occasionally been attributed to sea-ice forced changes in the midlatitude atmospheric circulation, implying an anthropogenic cause. However, comprehensive climate change simulations do not produce Eurasian cooling, instead suggesting a role for unforced atmospheric variability. This study seeks to clarify the source of this model-observation discrepancy by developing a statistical approach that enables direct comparison of Arctic-midlatitude interactions. In both historical simulations and observations, we first identify Ural blocking as the primary causal driver of sea ice, temperature, and circulation anomalies consistent with the Warm Arctic–Cold Eurasia pattern. Next, we quantify distinct transient responses to this Ural blocking, which explain the model-observation discrepancy in historical Eurasian temperature. Observed 1988–2012 Eurasian cooling occurs in response to a pronounced positive trend in Ural sea-level pressure, temporarily masking long-term midlatitude warming. This observed sea-level pressure trend lies at the outer edge of simulated variability in a fully coupled large ensemble, where smaller sea-level pressure trends have little impact on the ensemble mean temperature trend over Eurasia. Accounting for these differences bring observed and simulated trends into remarkable agreement. Finally, we quantify the influence of sea-ice loss on the magnitude of the observed Ural sea-level pressure trend, an effect that is absent in historical simulations. These results illustrate that sea-ice loss and tropospheric variability can both play a role in producing Eurasian cooling. Furthermore, by conducting a direct model-observation comparison, we reveal a key difference in the causal structures characterizing the Warm Arctic–Cold Eurasia Pattern, which will guide ongoing efforts to explain the lack of Eurasian cooling in climate change simulations.

Monitoring the movement, habitat use and mortality of captive‐bred reintroduced gharials in the Mahanadi River, India

Abstract Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) are endemic to the Indian subcontinent and meet IUCN Red List criteria for critically endangered. The Mahanadi River, located in the southernmost part of the gharial range, currently has a few individuals survived although historically had many more. Between 2019 and 2021, the movement, habitat use and survival rate of 13 captive‐bred (juvenile = 6, subadult = 5, adult = 2) reintroduced gharials were monitored using very high frequency (VHF) radio transmitters tracked manually from the river banks. Kernel density estimates and generalized linear model (GLM) were used to investigate the home range and habitat use of individuals. Tagged gharials travelled throughout the river system, with the highest movement during summer and the least in winter. Females moved further and established larger linear home ranges than males. Kernel home ranges were established in and around the Satkosia Gorge wildlife sanctuary, which has favourable ecological conditions for gharials, namely, deep water, sandbars, abundant fish and low human disturbance. Gharial mortality was detected during the study, and post‐mortem examination indicated anthropogenic causes. The use of explosives for fishing, entanglement in fishing nets and a lack of ecological awareness within local communities were identified as key factors that need to be addressed if gharials are to survive the Mahanadi River.

Spatial assessment and chemical characterization of degraded (salt-affected) soils at post-reclamation stage of the Indo-Gangetic Plain in Haryana State.

Dynamics of soil salinity and sodicity is a common feature driven by anthropogenic causes such as soil reclamation, the effect of extreme climate events, disturbed salt, and water balance in irrigated areas that are devoid of any good quality groundwater source and adequate natural surface drainage condition in a semiarid climatic region. Periodic soil salinity assessment is therefore vital to know the current soil salinity status, plan reclamation, and/or management strategies for sustained agricultural growth and livelihood security. Temporal studies using Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) LISS III data, at pre- (1997) and post-reclamation (2017) stages have indicated spatial changes as reclaimed areas (~ 35%) and dynamics of soil salinity as increased areas (~ 61%) under irrigation across the Gangetic plain of Haryana State. The prominent areas of reclaimed sodic soil soils were located in the old alluvial plain which covered Panipat (12.32%), Karnal (6.01%), and Jind (5.9%) districts. Based on pH, ECe, and ESP values, these were classified as slight (Sso1, 8.75%), moderate (Sso2, 24.73%), and strong (Sso3, 18.20%) sodic soils, respectively. Significant salinity-inflictions (emerging areas) were identified at low-lying, poorly drained, irrigated soils in south and central Haryana that cover Jhajjar (13.99%), Sirsa (11.06%), Hisar (10.15%), Rohtak (8.73%), Bhiwani (6.43%), Palwal (4.31%), and Rewari (3.01%) districts. Slight (Ssa1, 16.82%), and moderate (Ssa2, 22.13%), categories are dominant soils, respectively. Among the landforms, significant areas (28.24%) were identified in the old alluvial plain with sand dunes (OAPSD), aeo-fluvial plain (AFP, 8.6%), and fluvio-aeolian plain (FAP, 6.0%), respectively. Dominant areas of reclaimed soils (14.4%) were identified in OAPSD. The soil analysis data indicated that these soil are moderate to strongly sodic (pH 8.7-11.0) and saline (ECe 4-26 dS m-1). The reclaimed sodic soils showed prominent improvement in soil pH and sodicity levels (pH 8.3-9.2) at 0-15cm depth and are commonly located in the Ghaggar and Yamuna river plains. Poor quality groundwater with high Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) was dominant at selected locations under the arid and semiarid climate. The database can also be used as a reference database for further monitoring of soil salinity status particularly in the irrigated regions. Currently, it is also used as a primary database for harmonization, monitoring, and reconciling of similar soils of the world under the Global Soil Partnership projects.

Monospecific mangrove reforestation changes relationship between benthic mollusc diversity and biomass: Implication for coastal wetland management

Anthropogenic causes are overtaking natural factors to reshape patterns of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Mangrove reforestation aimed at reversing losses of mangroves has been conducted worldwide for several decades. However, how reforestation influences the link between ecological processes that shape community diversity and the consequent effects on ecosystem functions such as biomass production is less well known. Here we used data collected before and after mangrove planting to examine the effects of reforestation on molluscan species richness and biomass production by testing the changes in species richness, compositional similarities, distance-decay effects (community similarity decreases with increasing geographical distance) in metacommunity across a regional scale of 480 km (23–27 °N) in southeast Chinese coasts. Additionally, we further detected the impact of landscape configuration caused by different intensities of reforestation on the mollusc community. After the mangrove reforestation, mollusc species richness and biomass increased significantly. The increases in species richness and biomass of mollusc community were mediated by reducing distance-decay effect, indicating an increase in relationship strength between species richness and biomass might be associated with a decrease in distance-decay effect with rising mangrove habitat. We highlight the importance of considering the effects of anthropogenic changes on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Quantifying the distance-decay effect of these influences enables management decisions about coastal restoration to be based upon ecological mechanisms rather than wishful thinking or superficial appearance.

Anthropogenic mortality threatens the survival of Canarian houbara bustards

Anthropogenic mortality is a major cause of global mortality in terrestrial vertebrates. Quantifying its impact on the dynamics of threatened species is essential to improve their conservation. We investigated cause-specific mortality in Canarian houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae), an endangered subspecies endemic to the Canary Islands. We monitored 51 individuals tagged with solar-powered GSM/GPRS loggers for an average of 3.15 years, and recorded 7 casualties at aerial lines (13.73% of the sample; 5 at power lines, 2 at telephone lines), 1 (1.96%) at a wire fence, 4 road kills (7.84%) and 1 case of predation by cat (1.96%). Cox proportional hazards models showed that anthropogenic and natural annual mortality rates were similar (respectively, 6.20% and 6.36% of the individuals). We estimate that 33–35 houbaras die each year in the Canary Islands due to anthropogenic causes. Population viability models using these data and juvenile productivity values obtained over seven years predicted the extinction of the species in 50 years. Eliminating anthropogenic mortality, the population could be recovered, but would still require management actions to improve habitat quality. Conservation measures to reduce anthropogenic mortality due to power line fatalities, roadkills and predation by cats, as well as to increase productivity, are urgently needed, particularly on Fuerteventura, where houbaras are on the brink of extinction.

Temporal phytoplankton dynamics and environmental variables in four Ethiopian soda lakes

We investigated the spatio-temporal dynamics of phytoplankton composition, chlorophyll-a as a proxy for algal biomass, and abundance in relation to environmental parameters in four Ethiopian soda lakes: Arenguade, Beseka, Chittu, and Shala. Triplicate water samples were collected from each lake from January to December 2020, four times in different seasons. Lake Chittu had the highest chlorophyll-a concentration, followed by Lake Arenguade, Beseka and Shala. Chlorophyll-a concentrations generally increased during the post rainy and dry season. The results of LR models are high for lakes Arengude, Beseka and Chittu. Lakes Shala and Beseka had the highest number of phytoplankton taxa, with both taxa composition and abundance dominated by Bacillariophyceae. Cyanoprokaryota, particularly Limnospira fusiformis, predominated in the abundance of Lakes Arenguade and Chittu. Water temperature, Secchi depth, turbidity, electrical conductivity, soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate and silica significantly influenced the phytoplankton community structure. Long-term trend analysis revealed changes in phytoplankton biomass and lake taxonomic composition. The alteration in phytoplankton biomass and species composition of the lakes could be attributed to three factors: (1) frequent high-velocity explosions conducted for seismological studies in the past. This impact caused a dramatic increase in lake level in the case of Lake Beseka leading to a drop in nutrient concentration; (2) climate change and (3) salt content. Overall, our findings suggest that phytoplankton composition, biomass, and abundance varied according to seasonal fluctuations, emphasizing the possible effects of anthropogenic and natural causes on their community structure.

Seventeen-year study reveals fluctuations in key ecological indicators on two reef crests in Cuba.

Reef crests in the Caribbean have lost approximately 80% of the foundational habitat-forming coral Acropora palmata (Lamarck, 1816), with declines registered as early as the 1950s mainly from anthropogenic causes. We studied two reef crests in the northwestern region of Cuba over 17 years (2005 to 2021) to evaluate temporal changes in coral cover, dominated by A. palmata, and their potential drivers. The density of A. palmata generally showed a negative trend at both reefs, with the lowest density recorded in 2021 at 0.2±0.05 col. m-2 at Playa Baracoa and 1.0±0.1 col. m-2 at Rincon de Guanabo. The mean size of the colonies in the two reefs also decreased over time. In Playa Baracoa, the mean diameter of A. palmata colonies decreased from 2012 at 67±5.9 cm to 2013 at 34±2.2 cm, whereas in Rincon de Guanabo, a change in diameter was evident from 2015 at 44.3±2.3 to 2021 at 21.6±0.9 cm. Adult colonies (10 cm-50 cm diameter) predominated in most years on both reefs. The populations of A. palmata on both reefs were healthy, with an average of 70% colonies in good condition during the study period. However, A. palmata cover decreased by almost half by 2021, to 8.6% in Playa Baracoa and 16.8% in Rincon de Guanabo. By contrast, macroalgal cover increased two-fold to 87.1% in Playa Baracoa and four-fold to 77.2% in Rincon de Guanabo. The density of the sea urchin Diadema antillarum was higher in Playa Baracoa than in Rincon de Guanabo. The highest densities were 2.8±0.2 ind. m-2 in Playa Baracoa in 2005 and 0.1±0.03 ind. m-2in Rincon de Guanabo in 2008. Although our results show an overall decline of A. palmata (density and percent cover) and an increase in macroalgae, these two reef crests are in better condition than most reefs in the Caribbean in terms of the density and health of A. palmata populations, and the density of D. antillarum at Playa Baracoa. Our results are important in establishing a management plan to ensure the condition of these reef crests does not degrade further.

Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species

Southern pudu (Pudu puda) is a threatened endemic deer of the temperate forests of Chile. In recent years pudu populations rates have decreased mainly due to anthropogenic causes including forest loss and landscape fragmentation. In this context, the parasitic fauna of Chilean pudu has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the parasitic status of rescued pudu n = 13 from its natural habitat in Central Chile (Maule region) during March 2022 and June 2023 by applying morphological, histopathological, and molecular analyses. As result, we report the presence of transmission of parasites from dogs to pudus as showed by the presence of metacestodes of the parasite Taenia hydatigena on omentum, liver, and pleura of pudus during postmortem examinations, being the first molecular report on the presence of this parasite on Chilean pudu. Meanwhile, ectoparasite examinations determined the presence of chewing and sucking lice on pudu exemplars here analysed. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of lice revealed new insights on Bovicola and Anoplura lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile, equally being the first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing pudu exemplars in Chile. In addition, parasite loads of lice and metacestodes were analysed. However, no statistically significance was observed when comparing environmental and individual traits influence on parasite load variation. Overall, the study area is the northern limit of habitat distribution of this specie in Chile and we here provide novel information on pudu deer parasites, thus making a useful and valuable contribution to the parasitological knowledge on this threatened species.