Implementation Of Management Plans Research Articles

Reviewing the status and demise of the Endangered Eld’s deer and identifying priority sites and conservation actions in Cambodia

AbstractEld’s deer (Rucervus eldi) was once widely distributed across Southeast Asia, however the species is now listed as Endangered, having suffered severe population declines and range contractions. Cambodia has been considered a strong hold for the Eld’s deer subspeciesR. e. siamensis, however there is limited population data available for this species within Cambodia, making its status unclear. Here, we collated all records of Eld’s deer presence between 2000 and 2020 to provide an insight into the current status of the species in Cambodia. Data was sourced through literature review as well as the internal databases of conservation organisations and biodiversity surveys. Our findings reveal that very small, spatially isolated populations of Eld’s deer are now largely restricted to nine areas in the eastern and northern parts of the country and that urgent conservation action is required to secure the future of this species in Cambodia. Effective law enforcement and anti-hunting strategies, implementation of management plans within protected areas as well as investigation into the potential of captive populations to support the conservation of Eld’s deer in the wild are essential for preserving this species.

A biological condition gradient for coral reefs in the US Caribbean Territories: Part I. Coral narrative rules

As coral reef condition and sustainability continue to decline worldwide, losses of critical habitat and their ecosystem services have generated an urgency to understand and communicate reef response to management actions, environmental contamination, and natural disasters. Increasingly, coral reef protection and restoration programs emphasize the need for robust assessment tools for protecting high-quality waters and establishing conservation goals. Of equal importance is the need to communicate assessment results to stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the public so that environmental consequences of decisions are understood. The Biological Condition (BCG) model provides a structure to evaluate the condition of a coral reef in increments of change along a gradient of human disturbance. Communication of incremental change, regardless of direction, is important for decision makers and the public to better understand what is gained or lost depending on what actions are taken. We developed a narrative (qualitative) Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) from the consensus of a diverse expert panel to provide a framework for coral reefs in US Caribbean Territories. The model uses narrative descriptions of biological attributes for benthic organisms to evaluate reefs relative to undisturbed or minimally disturbed conditions. Using expert elicitation, narrative decision rules were proposed and deliberated to discriminate among six levels of change along a gradient of increasing anthropogenic stress. Narrative rules for each of the BCG levels are presented to facilitate the evaluation of benthic communities in coral reefs and provide specific narrative features to detect changes in coral reef condition and biological integrity. The BCG model can be used in the absence of numeric, or quantitative metrics, to evaluate actions that may encroach on coral reef ecosystems, manage endangered species habitat, and develop and implement management plans for marine protected areas, watersheds, and coastal zones. The narrative BCG model is a defensible model and communication tool that translates scientific results so the nontechnical person can understand and support both regulatory and non-regulatory water quality and natural resource programs.

CONSERVATION OF LONG-LIVED MARINE SPECIES: SOME HINTS FOR ADOPTING A POPULATION APPROACH

Long-lived species, whose life-span can amply exceed one century, play a fundamental role within marine communities. However, due to the short time windows covered by most research our knowledge of their demography is quite limited, consequently severely limiting the possibility of understanding their complex dynamics over the long run. Moreover, several aspects of the life-history of long-lived populations are largely unknown. This short review describes some examples of demographic analyses in terrestrial ecology, which are then applied to long-lived marine species. The ultimate aim is to suggest that wider application of demographic concepts and models could improve our ability to understand how these populations might respond to unusual increases in mortality rates due to Global Climate Changes and other sources of anthropogenic disturbance. In this framework, close, continuous, reciprocal and dialectic interaction between population mathematicians and field marine ecologists could greatly help to both design the necessary research and set out improved population dynamic models for such species. Such models would constitute an important first step in increasing our knowledge, and thereby implementing management plans for fostering the conservation of long-lived marine species, which too frequently have been defined by international conservation authorities.
 Keywords: demography, mortality tables, life-tables, gorgonian corals, cetaceans.

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Fire on Saipan, CNMI

Sediment core studies from Saipan suggest that fires did not play a prominent role in the disturbance regime of the Mariana Islands and have increased in frequency since human settlement around 4,000 years ago. On Saipan fires are understood to interrupt the pattern of succession leading to the degradation of native limestone forests, the proliferation of grasslands and the eventual creation of badlands. Little baseline data regarding the spatial and temporal patterns of fire on Saipan exist to create effective Fire Management Plans. This project uses Landsat 8 images from April 2013 to July 2020 and the Normalized Burn Ratio to identify historic fires to evaluate patterns that will inform on effective fire management policies. Over the study period we detected 1,608 ha of burnt land, in four specific hotspots. Of the area burned, 40% were in grasslands, 31% in evergreen forests, and 21% in scrub-shrub. 41% of all hectares that burned more than once throughout the study period were grasslands, indicating that this was the landcover type most vulnerable to repeat burn events. We also found a strong seasonal trend, with the average amount of burnt land detected in the dry season 280% higher than the average amount of burnt land detected in the wet season. Finally, both total precipitation and the absence of precipitation were highly correlated to the amount of burn area identified (P < .05). The information elucidated through this study will be used by local agencies to implement management plans geared toward controlling wildfires.

Traffic Impact Assessment, Diversion and Management Plan for Surat Metro Line 1, Package –CS3, Surat

Abstract: Package CS3 of Metro Line 1 in Surat City includes 3 stations i.e. Surat railway station, Maskati Hospital and Chowk Bazar. As per proposed Metro plan of Surat city, this line will originate from Sarthana station and will terminate at Dream City. The length of Line 1 is 21.61KM of which 14.59km is elevated whereas 7.02km is Underground and consists of 20 Stations. This metro line envisages use of public transport system in Surat city and shall cater the present and future travel demand of the catchment area and shall also reduce load from road based transport system of the corridor. During the construction phase of any Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) running along the Right of Way (ROW) of existing roadway system, Traffic diversion and management plan implementation becomes absolute mandatory to reduce congestion, conflicts increase level of safety and ease construction process. Similarly, for package CS3 of Surat Metro line 1, there is need of preparing an implementing Traffic Diversion and Management plan to create a synergy amongst construction activities, traffic flow, safety of pedestrian and construction worker with minimal impact on surrounding catchment. This study shall provide Traffic diversion and management plan which may help to cater the existing traffic and stir them in a smooth and non-congested flow with the help of signage’s, road markings, etc.

Eleventh Periodic Monitoring Report on The Status of Management Implementation Plans In Response To Board-Endorsed IEO Recommendations

"Volume 2021 (2021): Issue 070 (Nov 2021): Eleventh Periodic Monitoring Report on The Status of Management Implementation Plans In Response To Board-Endorsed IEO Recommendations" published on 30 Nov 2021 by International Monetary Fund.

Implementation Plan in Response To The Board-Endorsed Recommendations From The IEO Evaluation Report On IMF Collaboration With The World Bank On Macro-Structural Issues

This Management Implementation Plan (MIP) focuses on further strengthening collaboration between the IMF and the World Bank on strategic macro-structural issues. In macro-structural areas, the Fund and the Bank have complementary roles. The Bank provides structural and development-focused assessments and recommendations, while the Fund focuses on integrating macro relevant structural issues in the macroeconomic frameworks and policies. In some areas, including financial sector and public debt sustainability assessments, Bank-Fund collaboration modalities are well established. In other areas, such as climate change, Fund staff is developing comprehensive strategies on how the IMF can step up its engagement and collaboration with external partners, including with the World Bank, to better serve its membership. This MIP proposes concrete steps aimed at further enhancing: • Bank-Fund collaboration on strategic macro-structural issues, with an initial focus on the climate workstream; • Fund staff’s incentives for collaboration with external partners, including the Bank • Access to and exchange of information and knowledge between Bank and Fund staff.

Identifying Priorities, Targets, and Actions for the Long-term Social and Ecological Management of Invasive Non-Native Species

Formulating effective management plans for addressing the impacts of invasive non-native species (INNS) requires the definition of clear priorities and tangible targets, and the recognition of the plurality of societal values assigned to these species. These tasks require a multi-disciplinary approach and the involvement of stakeholders. Here, we describe procedures to integrate multiple sources of information to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for the management of INNS. We follow five good-practice criteria: justified, evidence-informed, actionable, quantifiable, and flexible. We used expert knowledge methods to compile 17 lists of ecological, social, and economic impacts of lodgepole pines (Pinus contorta) and American mink (Neovison vison) in Chile and Argentina, the privet (Ligustrum lucidum) in Argentina, the yellow-jacket wasp (Vespula germanica) in Chile, and grasses (Urochloa brizantha and Urochloa decumbens) in Brazil. INNS plants caused a greater number of impacts than INNS animals, although more socio-economic impacts were listed for INNS animals than for plants. These impacts were ranked according to their magnitude and level of confidence on the information used for the ranking to prioritise impacts and assign them one of four high-level actions—do nothing, monitor, research, and immediate active management. We showed that it is possible to formulate management priorities, targets, and high-level actions for a variety of INNS and with variable levels of available information. This is vital in a world where the problems caused by INNS continue to increase, and there is a parallel growth in the implementation of management plans to deal with them.

Counselling-in-continuum-modern solution to ‘Google’ patients?

Aim of the study was to highlight the benefits, barriers and methodology pertaining to effective patient counselling. The modern-day patient is well informed and well aware of patient rights. The need of the hour is to implement management plans jointly agreed upon based on both scientific evidence and patient preference by proper patient counselling. The process of counselling represents a well-founded intervention made of a quality interaction between the counsellor and the patient. Effective communication is advantageous for both healthcare professionals in the form of a comprehensive medico legal document, as well as for the patient as it tends to allay fear of treatment, dissipate misconceptions garnered from half-baked knowledge off the internet, cementing a bond of trust between the two. Counselling forms should carry information pertaining to the details regarding the patient’s disease, treatment options, pros and cons with aids in the form of pictures, models and videos. Ample time should be spent on the patient’s doubts, without the use of medical jargons. Barriers to effective communication include physical, psychological, administrative or time conflicts. Upliftment from the quick sands of barriers to patient communication requires the introduction of a curriculum laying emphasis on sound communication skills right from the undergraduate stage. Furthermore, internet can be used to aid counselling in the form of legit informative portals wherein patients are able to gather correct information about their disease and prognosis as is the case with online healthcare communities.

A Participatory and Spatial Multicriteria Decision Approach to Prioritize the Allocation of Ecosystem Services to Management Units

Forest management planning can be challenging when allocating multiple ecosystem services (ESs) to management units (MUs), given the potentially conflicting management priorities of actors. We developed a methodology to spatially allocate ESs to MUs, according to the objectives of four interest groups—civil society, forest owners, market agents, and public administration. We applied a Group Multicriteria Spatial Decision Support System approach, combining (a) Multicriteria Decision Analysis to weight the decision models; (b) a focus group and a multicriteria Pareto frontier method to negotiate a consensual solution for seven ESs; and (c) the Ecosystem Management Decision Support (EMDS) system to prioritize the allocation of ESs to MUs. We report findings from an application to a joint collaborative management area (ZIF of Vale do Sousa) in northwestern Portugal. The forest owners selected wood production as the first ES allocation priority, with lower priorities for other ESs. In opposition, the civil society assigned the highest allocation priorities to biodiversity, cork, and carbon stock, with the lowest priority being assigned to wood production. The civil society had the highest mean rank of allocation priority scores. We found significant differences in priority scores between the civil society and the other three groups, highlighting the civil society and market agents as the most discordant groups. We spatially evaluated potential for conflicts among group ESs allocation priorities. The findings suggest that this approach can be helpful to decision makers, increasing the effectiveness of forest management plan implementation.

Development of a Methodology for Maintenance of Medicinal Plant Genetic Reserve Sites: A Case Study for Lithuania.

In the context of climate change, in situ conservation of plant genetic resources is becoming increasingly important as it supports natural (ecological and evolutionary) adaptations of plants to the changing environment. The aim of this study was to synthesize a comprehensive general methodology for the maintenance of genetic reserve sites of medicinal plants based on the analysis of relevant legal documents, literature sources, databases, and authors’ own experience. A methodology was developed for the application of various maintenance measures for target species populations in genetic reserve sites to ensure their long-term sustainability. It uses a systematic approach to the intervention measures by grouping them into habitat-specific and factor-specific ones, and follows the specific principles of biodiversity conservation, such as the concept of ecosystem, priority of in situ conservation, caution and validity of decision-making, and regional approach. An extensive discussion on major intervention measures is provided. The methodology is intended to be used as a tool for the preparation and implementation of management plans of individual medicinal plant genetic reserve sites by the responsible agencies and protected area managers and is directly linked to the implementation of the EU (European Union) Biodiversity Strategy to 2030 at the national level.

“If You Know the Enemy and Know Yourself”: Addressing the Problem of Biological Invasions in Ports Through a New NIS Invasion Threat Score, Routine Monitoring, and Preventive Action Plans

Invasive alien species (IAS) are currently considered one of the greatest threats to global marine ecosystems. Thus, ships and maritime activity have been identified as the main factors responsible for the vast majority of accidental species translocations around the world, implying that prevention should be the core of environmental port policies. Preventive port strategies should include analyzing risks based on traffic origins and volumes, revising port policies for inspections, estimating probabilities of non-indigenous species (NIS) appearance, monitoring routine species within ports, and finally implementing management plans and focused actions. Here, we conducted a comprehensive NIS prediction analysis for the port of Gijon (northern Spain), one of the largest ports in the south Bay of Biscay, as a case study that can be extrapolated to other international seaports. An extensive bibliographic search (1953–2020) was conducted and we identified 380 species that have been transported through hull fouling and ballast water around the world. We evaluated their likelihood of arriving (from 14 years of traffic data) and becoming established (from habitat suitability and demonstrated impacts and invasion ability) within the Gijon port, creating a new NIS Invasion Threat Score (NIS-ITS). This new index could help to identify target species that are likely invaders for early detection and prevention policies within the port. The results showed that 15 NIS had &amp;gt;90% likelihood of becoming a biological invasion problem in Gijon Port. At the same time, we reported morphological and genetic analysis of biota found in two successive annual monitoring surveys of Gijon port and ships (n = 612 individuals) revealing 18 NIS, including 6 of the NIS predicted from high NIS-ITS. Actually, 80% (12 NIS) of those potentially most dangerous species (NIS-ITS &amp;gt; 90%) have already been detected in the Bay of Biscay area. We propose the use of this new tool for a risk-reduction strategy in ports, based on accurate predictions that help in promoting specific early detection tests and specific monitoring for NIS that have a high chance of establishment. All international seaports can adopt this strategy to address the problem of biological invasions and become “blueports” in line with EU policy.

Urban sprawl into Natura 2000 network over Europe.

Urban growth is a major threat to biodiversity conservation at the global scale. Its impacts are expected to be especially detrimental when it sprawls into the landscape and reaches sites of high conservation value due to the species and ecosystems they host, such as protected areas. I analyzed the degree of urbanization (i.e., urban cover and growth rate) from 2006 to 2015 in protected sites in the Natura 2000 network, which, according to the Habitats and Birds Directives, harbor species and habitats of high conservation concern in Europe. I used data on the degree of land imperviousness from COPERNICUS to calculate and compare urban covers and growth rates inside and outside Natura 2000. I also analyzed the relationships of urban cover and growth rates with a set of characteristics of Natura sites. Urban cover inside Natura 2000 was 10 times lower than outside (0.4% vs. 4%) throughout the European Union. However, the rates of urban growth were slightly higher inside than outside Natura 2000 (4.8% vs. 3.9%), which indicates an incipient urban sprawl inside the network. In general, Natura sites affected most by urbanization were those surrounded by densely populated areas (i.e., urban clusters) that had a low number of species or habitats of conservation concern, albeit some member states had high urban cover or growth rate or both in protected sites with a large number of species or habitats of high conservation value. Small Natura sites had more urban cover than large sites, but urban growth rates were highest in large Natura sites. Natura 2000 is protected against urbanization to some extent, but there is room for improvement. Member states must enact stricter legal protection and control law enforcement to halt urban sprawl into protected areas under the greatest pressure from urban sprawl (i.e., close to urban clusters). Such actions are particularly needed in Natura sites with high urban cover and growth rates and areas where urbanization is affecting small Natura sites of high conservation value, which are especially vulnerable and concentrated in the Mediterranean region.

A foundation interim year 1 sequential simulation experience and analysis of preparedness to practice early

This project involved the implementation of a simulation session followed by interviews to assess and improve foundation interim year 1 (FiY1) preparedness. The session focused on the interpretation of investigations, clinical examinations, the implementation of management plans and appropriate escalation. Preparedness was measured quantitatively using Likert-type scales and qualitatively using interviews. Following the simulation, there was a significant increase in median preparedness for giving treatment (3 vs 4; p=0.04), paperwork (2 vs 4; p=0.03) and independent, responsible working (3 vs 4.5; p=0.03), before and after, respectively. Following the FiY1 period, participants demonstrated significant improvement in median preparedness for giving treatment (3 vs 4.5; p=0.01), paperwork (2 vs 5; p=0.01), independent, responsible working (3 vs 4.5; p=0.02), and communication and teamworking (4 vs 5; p=0.01), before and after, respectively. This simulation and the FiY1 period increased preparedness. This study suggests that future medical apprenticeships should provide the same opportunities and responsibilities as the FiY1 programme.

DIVERSIDAD DE AVES EN EL INTERFLUVIO NAPO-PUTUMAYO-AMAZONAS, AL NORTE DE LA AMAZONÍA PERUANA

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; El estudio de los hábitats de la avifauna es fundamental para comprende los patrones de abundancia, diversidad y distribución de las especies. Por ello, se revisó bibliografía y bases de datos generadas en estudios donde se usaron transectos y redes de neblina para conocer la riqueza ornitológica en el interfluvio Napo-Putumayo-Amazonas, su composición por tipos de hábitats, especies amenazadas y principales amenazas. Se analizó la riqueza observada y esperada, así como la similitud entre los hábitats inundables (varillal pantanoso y aguajal mixto) y de tierra firme (colina baja, terraza alta y terraza media). Se compiló el registro de 558 especies, que representan más del 50 % de las especies estimadas para Loreto, siendo los bosques de colina baja los que presentan la mayor riqueza de especies. La composición de especies varía por tipo de hábitat inundable y de tierra firme, pero comparten especies, siendo la terraza media la que alberga especies de bosque inundable y tierra firme. Las familias Thamnophilidae, Tyrannidae y Furnariidae son las que están mejor representadas en todos los hábitats. La avifauna es muy diversa y alberga especies únicas, amenazadas y potenciales para el aviturismo. Lamentablemente, la zona también tiene amenazas que ponen en peligro la supervivencia de las aves, como la pérdida de hábitats por la deforestación, por la agricultura migratoria, cultivo de Erythroxylum coca y/o industria maderera, tráfico de especies y sobrecaza, por lo que es importante implementar planes de manejo de especies, planes de conservación de hábitats prioritarios o planes turísticos que garanticen la conservación de la avifauna.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Раритетна компонента флори лісових екосистем Галицького Національного природного парку (Івано-Франківська область)

Представлено конспект раритетної компоненти флори лісових екосистем Галицького національного природного парку, оцінено характер поширення раритетних видів судинних рослин та стан їх популяцій. Галицький національний природний парк розташований в Галицькому районі Івано-Франківської області, створений у 2004 році й займає площу 14684,8 га. Більша частина парку (81,1 %) припадає на ліси, серед яких переважають чисті та змішані дубові (Querceta roboris), букові (Fageta sylvaticae) й грабові угруповання (Carpineta betuli). Інвентаризацію рослинного покриву лісових екосистем парку проводили впродовж 2008–2019 років, за результатами якої у лісових угрупованнях і на узліссях виявлено 303 види судинних рослин, з яких 63 види (20,8 %) – раритетні. До переліку раритетних видів віднесли види, включені до Червоної книги України та офіційних міжнародних охоронних переліків, а також види, які перебувають під загрозою зникнення у регіоні дослідження, оскільки представлені малою кількістю локалітетів, або їх популяції мають малу чисельність. Регіонально рідкісні види відібрані на підставі аналізу результатів наших польових досліджень, матеріалів гербарних фондів. Встановлено, що третина раритетних видів (33,3 %) відзначається широкою ценотичною амплітудою, дещо менше їх приналежні до рослинності узлісь (26,2 %). Більшість раритетних видів з вузькою ценотичною амплітудою приурочені до букових лісів (19,1 %). Раритетні види суттєво відрізняються за частотою трапляння. Серед них істотно переважають рідкісні види, зокрема 61 % видів на сьогодні відомі з 1–5 локалітетів; особливо рідко (1–2 локалітети) трапляються 25 видів. Частка видів, відомих з 6–10 локалітетів, становить 26,6 %. Видів, що трапляються порівняно часто (11–20 відомих локалітетів і понад 20 локалітетів), порівняно мало (по 6,2 %). Найбільш поширеними є Lilium martagon, а також деякі представники родини Orchidaceae. Для більшості раритетних видів притаманна низька загальна чисельність, зокрема 81,2 % видів знайдені у кількості від кількох особин до кількох сотень. Найбільшу занепокоєність викликають види, загальна чисельність яких у парку становить по кілька особин (15,6 %). До них належать Circaea alpina, Atropa bella-donna, Campanula latifolia, Phyteuma spicatum, Epipactis atrorubens тощо. Найбільші частки припадають на види із загальною чисельністю по кілька десятків, а також по кілька сотень виявлених особин (сумарно 65,6 %). Чисельніших видів виявлено мало. Дев’ять видів відомі у кількості по декілька тисяч особин, а три види (Allium ursinum, Galanthus nivalis і Leucojum vernum) – понад мільйон особин. Встановлено, що 52,4 % популяцій раритетних видів рослин лісових екосистем Галицького національного природного парку перебувають у критично поганому стані, 28,6 % – у поганому, 14,3 % – у задовільному стані. І лише стан 4,8 % популяцій можна охарактеризувати як добрий. За результатами досліджень, близько 95 % видів потребують охорони й постійного моніторингу чисельності популяцій, а 51 вид рослин, які відзначаються низькою чисельністю та поганим станом популяцій, вимагають нагальної розробки та впровадження менеджмент-планів щодо відновлення їх чисельності.

Stakeholder’s (natural) hazard awareness and vulnerability of small island tourism destinations: a case study of Malta

ABSTRACT Small island tourism destinations are particularly vulnerable to (natural) hazards, disasters and crises. Although much literature considers disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, risk mitigation and the impacts of disasters on the tourism industry, the literature on how these strategies are implemented and managed by stakeholders with vested interests is scarce. Understanding stakeholders’ awareness of threats, and their ability and knowledge to respond to sudden and/or projected natural disasters is a key dimension in helping create and implement management plans, recognised in the UNISDR goals, Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks. With tourists increasingly travelling to destinations in locations of varying risk, this paper explores the intersections of stakeholder’s (natural) hazard awareness and resulting vulnerability of small island tourism destinations utilising Malta as a case study setting, focusing on decision- and policy-making dimensions. Qualitative methods were utilised to consider hazard awareness in Malta and future management of vulnerability. Results indicate a recognition of an increasing need for integrated stakeholder collaboration, with flooding, drought and storms being the three most likely hazards to affect Malta. Key outcomes are a need for (natural) hazard awareness training and development of management plans to be implemented to benefit the general population and tourism sector.

A detection and severity estimation system for generic diseases of tomato greenhouse plants

The management of plant disease is a significant economic and environmental factor in the production of greenhouse tomato plants. Human expertise for assessing the presence and extent of disease is important in creating and implementing management plans, but it is difficult and expensive to acquire. In this paper, we present a new computer vision system to automatically recognize several diseases, detect previously unseen disease and to estimate per-leaf severity. Training and testing of models used several modified versions of the nine types of tomato disease of the PlantVillage tomato dataset and showed how different leaf properties impact disease detection.

Nemertean Larval Dispersion Across Biogeographic Provinces of Southwest Atlantic.

The nemertean Malacobdella arrokeana is a commensal of the edible giant bivalve Panopea abbreviata; both species have a restricted geographic distribution, high specificity and populations settled along distinct biogeographic provinces. This supposes a high genetic structuring among populations and low intra-populational variability; nevertheless, a lack of genetic structure was detected previously between M. arrokeana populations from the Atlantic Northern Patagonia Gulfs System (NPGS) by means of mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Here, we present a model that explains this lack of genetic structure, integrating larval development and behavior, as well as bio-oceanographical model simulations. We observed in cultured larvae a maximum 30 days of planktonic life before settlement. Planuliform larval morphology and behavior of M. arrokeana suggested that the dispersion is more influenced by passive transport rather than active swimming. Modeling larvae as particles indicated that the limit of biogeographical provinces along the NPGS is not a barrier for dispersal, corroborating that larval dispersion is strictly related to season and to hydrodynamic diffusion patterns present in the area. These results explain the lack of genetic population structure recorded before in the NPGS. Our results provide novel baseline data regarding larval connectivity and oceanographic circulation patterns on the southwestern Atlantic. This information can be used as a reference for the implementation of management plans of invertebrate species with pelagic larvae to ensure the long-term viability of fishery resources shared by different government districts.

A targeted response to the COVID-19 pandemic: analysing effectiveness of remote consultations for triage and management of routine dermatology referrals.

SummaryDuring the UK’s COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown there was national guidance to suspend routine dermatology work. As a consequence, over 800 patient appointments in a district general dermatology department were temporarily suspended. Remote consultations were carried out to triage and manage referrals, via telephone or video consultations. Data were prospectively recorded on 488 patient interactions. Outcomes included advice/treatment, discharge, surgery or clinic review; 25% of patients were either uncontactable or their problem had resolved. Over a third of referrals were discharged with advice/treatment initiated remotely; 56% of referred dermatoses required further clinical review; 25% of lesion referrals were booked directly to surgery. This process was time‐intensive for the clinicians involved, and triage mechanisms could be improved. Sufficient referral information allows remote diagnosis; implementation of management plans and appropriate discharge of patients. This process has been shown to be feasible, and may be a temporary solution for other COVID‐19 impacted dermatology departments.