Aysen Region Research Articles

Successful control of Echinococcosis in Argentina and Chile through a One Health approach, including vaccination of the sheep intermediate host.

Cystic echinococcosis control in South American countries requires a comprehensive integrative ‘One Health’ approach. While insular nations have seen successful in their elimination programmes, South American countries face persistent challenges in hostile environments, with Echinococcus granulosus s.l., posing a significant public health concern. Vaccination of intermediate hosts has demonstrated the efficacy of the EG95 vaccine in reducing transmission rates. For example, since 2009, Rio Negro Province in Argentina has added, with marked success, the EG95 vaccine to the control programme, supplementing dog deworming. The Aysen Region of Chile has also reported encouraging preliminary results in reducing cyst prevalence in vaccinated sheep after 3 years of vaccination. The challenges in aligning control strategies with socio-cultural factors, especially in indigenous communities, underlines the need for context-specific strategies. The Rio Negro programme demonstrated commendable compliance, underlining the importance of community engagement in achieving lasting success. The most promising strategies for effective echinococcosis control involved dog deworming and the routine vaccination of sheep and/or goats, underscoring the importance of sustained implementation until all grazing animals have been replaced. For lasting success, these interventions need to be combined with a robust surveillance system.

An agent-based and microsimulated model of the epidemiology impact of closure of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic in the region of Aysen in Chile

This paper analyzes the impact on the spread of the COVID-19 virus of making virtual the educational system in the Region of Aysen in Chile. The analyzes is made through a mix of agent-based modelling and microsimulation techniques, using multiple sources of administrative and census data. The behavior of 103,000 habitants of the region is modeled during each one of the seven days of the week, for 10 weeks. The diffusion of the virus is modeled as consequence of the social interaction of the individuals in five different environments: home, the transportation system, at work, the educational system and in places of entertainment. The results show that the closure of the educational system is important to flatten the curve of contagious. In a world where people don't do social distancing, it could lower R0 by one unit.

Distribution and risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis in Aysén 2010-2016

In Chile, cystic echinococcosis is endemic throughout the country and hyperendemic in some regions such as La Araucanía and Aysén and continues to be a neglected public health problem. To estímate the risk of human hydatidosis in Aysén, studying the relationship of notifications and hospital discharge rates with social and environmental factors, such as population, multidimensional poverty index, urbanization, average temperature, average rainfall and sheep population. Poisson regressions were used to study the factors associated with notifiable diseases and hospital discharge rates and the Besag-York-Mollie model for relative risk. Aysén has a high risk, between 2 and 19 times that expected for the region. A significant underreporting of cases was found. The model of hospital discharges had a good fit showing the positive influence of the human and bovine population and the positive effect of temperature. An effect of the multidimensional poverty index was also detected, which is mainly affected by education and working conditions. Excepting one locality, the areas of greatest risk correspond to the eastern cordon of the Aysén region.

Humedales turbosos de la Región de Aisén (Patagonia chilena): Clasificación y ordenación de la flora y la vegetación

The peat bogs of Capitan Prat Province in Aisen Region in Chilean Patagonia were studied, raising 204 vegetation samples with plant sociological methodology, with which an initial table with 106 species of flora in its first column was built. With traditional methodology, this table was ordered using differential species and with multivariate classification and ordination statistics, all the possible ecological information contained in it was extracted. Four plant communities of the peat bog formation were determined: Gaultherio-Sphagnetum magellanici (Sphagnum peat bog), Schoeno andinus- Lepidothamnetum fonkii (cipres enano peat bog), Cortaderio egmontianae-Schoenetum andinus (gramineous peat bog) and Drosero uniflorae-Donatietum fascicularis (pulvinate peat bog). The third Cortaderio egmontianae-Schoenetum andinus is proposed as a new plant association. The floristic similarity among them was high, even though they can be easily physiognomically differentiated. Multivariate ordination suggests that waterlogging and temperature, conditioned by relief and altitude, are important factors in the differentiation of peat bog communities. It is concluded that of these four associations, two -the Sphagnum peat bog and Lepidothamnus fonkii peat bog- correspond to the region of the evergreen Magellanic Forest, while the other two are northern outposts of the Magellanic Tundra Region, typical of the Southern Hemisphere, especially in Chile and New Zealand.

De la pesca, las islas y la basura: Notas etnográficas en el archipiélago de pescadores artesanales de Puerto Gala, región de Aysen, Chile.

This article condenses the ethnographic notes and reflections of the fieldwork carried out during the second half of the 2000s in the isolated archipelago of Puerto Gala, on the coast of the Aysen region in southern Chile. These notes and reflections revolve in relation to the observation on the problem of artisanal fishing, insularity and pollution caused by garbage, a problem little addressed from the institutional context and which today is a concern for island communities in Chile.The article begins by contextualizing regarding artisanal fishing in Chile, giving an overview to the reader that allows them to better understand the fishing system in these latitudes. Then, a description of Puerto Gala unfolds: its history, its peculiarities and the intrinsic relationship between those who inhabit these places with the sea. Finally, the garbage and the practices observed in the territory are reflected on.

Distribution, abundance and ecological requirements of the benthic phase of Munida gregaria (Anomura; Munididae) in the Puyuhuapi Fjord (Chilean Patagonia)

The squat lobster Munida gregaria is considered a key species within food webs of sub-Antarctic ecosystems of South America, and represents a fundamental link between detritus and higher-level predators. Although ecological aspects of its lengthy pelagic phase have been well described, those of the benthic stage remain poorly understood, particularly in Chilean Patagonia where information on the presence of benthic phases of M. gregaria has been scarce. The present paper aims to improve our knowledge of this important species, analysing benthic distribution, abundance and ecological requirements of the benthic phase of M. gregaria in the Puyuhuapi and Jacaf fjords in the Aysen Region of Chilean Patagonia. An extensive SCUBA diving survey, carried out between 2014 and 2019, allowed us to explore and document the soft seafloors inside these fjords. These benthic surveys conducted photographic transects between depths of 5 and 20 m to enumerate populations of M. gregaria and to measure sizes of individuals. The study revealed the presence of large aggregations of M. gregaria, with densities up to 4 times higher than previously reported maxima for South America. Munida gregaria appeared to be unable to live at the shallow depths of the brackish surface layer typical of fjords, though paradoxically, its presence on the seabed was linked to river outflow, and probably related to supply of organic matter. Chilean fjords are currently facing a number of challenges, particularly from climate change and other more direct anthropogenic impacts, and the key role of M. gregaria in these fjords should be considered in future monitoring activities. More particularly, the extremely high abundance of M. gregaria in Puyuhuapi Fjord should be considered in any rigorous protection measures planned for the fjord.

Registro de leucismo en petrel gigante antártico (Macronectes giganteus) en isla Larga, Región de Aysén, Chile

Las anomalías cromáticas se deben mayoritariamente a alteraciones genéticas, pero también pueden ser causadas por factores ambientales y alimenticios. Reportamos un caso de leucismo en petrel gigante antártico (Macronectes giganteus) en la localidad de Bahía Ana Pink, al sur de isla larga en la Región de Aysén, Chile. El petrel gigante antártico tiene amplia distribución en los océanos del sur, y es abundante en las latitudes más altas. El plumaje de M. giganteus es dimórfico, con una fase oscura y una fase blanca. La fase blanca podría confundirse fácilmente con una anormalidad del plumaje. Es importante documentar especies e individuos con anomalías cromáticas en estado silvestre para entender con mayor claridad por qué ocurre este tipo de anormalidad en el pigmento de las aves e inferir sobre los patrones espacio-temporales de su ocurrencia. Los registros de Procellariiformes leucísticos en zonas del océano Pacífico Sur son escasos o ausentes, por lo que este estudio contribuye a un mejor conocimiento de las aberraciones del plumaje en este grupo de aves marinas.

Contribución al conocimiento de la biota liquénica de la Reserva Nacional Katalalixar, Patagonia, Chile

Lichens are recognized as bioindicators of ecosystem processes associated with environmental disturbances. However, its evaluation in the time requires systematic records of biodiversity which are non-existent in the Katalalixar National Reserve. The aim of this study was to catalog the richness and distribution of lichen biota of Katalalixar National Reserve, not only by identifying the species but interpreting them in their ecological and biogeographic context. By random sampling in Nothofagus nitida, Pilgerodendron uviferum forests and peat bogs 70 species were identified, belonging to 32 families and 65 genera. A high number of endemism was found, with 34% of the species endemic to Southern South American and the Chilean endemic Pseudocyphellaria guzmanii constitutes a new record for the Aisen Region.

Patrimonio cultural inmaterial y sustrato biocultural en paisajes de San Pedro de Atacama, Región de Antofagasta y Río Ibáñez, Región de Aysén

This paper addresses the biocultural heritage as a substrate for the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) while analyzing its interrelation with the dynamics of living cultural landscapes. For this purpose, antecedents of the lican antai People in San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region, and of settlers living in the Ibanez River basin, Aysen Region arepresented. It is argued that the viability of PCI is based on biocultural linkages. Biocultural heritage is understood as a meta-heritage since it is relevant for the continuity and viability of ICP. Safeguard measures must imply the reproduction of ecosystem conditions and cultural practices, which constitute a fundamental part of living landscapes. In particular, community is analyzed as an organization in which living cultural manifestations of lican antai people are sustained; and local knowledge as the basis of living culture at Ibanez River basin.

Hydro-morphological characteristics and recent changes of a nearly pristine river system in Chilean Patagonia: The Exploradores river network

Fluvial systems provide multiple life-supporting functions, but their values are affected by a range of anthropogenic disturbances. Hydromorphology is used as a conceptual framework for assessing the status of fluvial systems and design river restoration strategies but is rarely applied to nearly pristine environments. This paper presents one of the first assessments of river characteristics and changes in the Aysen Region, an area in southern Chilean Patagonia. The analysis of multitemporal satellite images allowed to define key patterns related to river morphology of the Exploradores river network. The Exploradores basin experienced only limited and recent human disturbances, and fluvial changes are related almost only to natural climatic or geomorphological processes. The river experienced moderate reduction of active channel width and braiding index over the past 70 years. The basin represents a suitable site to study fluvial processes and dynamics in nearly reference conditions, and changes due to the likely increase of human activities and disturbances in the near future.

613 · 614년 高句麗-隋 전쟁에 보이는 遼西 상황과 隋軍의 전략

본고에서는 613 · 614년 高句麗-隋전쟁 당시 隋軍의 군단 편성과 전쟁 수행과정을 살펴보고, 이를 통해 파악된 수군 전략과 612년 고구려-수 전쟁 당시 수군 전략을 비교함으로써 613 · 614년 전쟁에서의 수군 전략 속에 담겨진 의미를 살펴보고자 하였다. 아울러 전쟁 직전 고구려와 수의 접경공간인 遼西의 상황과 이에 따른 수군의 행보도 살펴보고자 하였다.BR 隋煬帝가 613 · 614년 전쟁에서 구사한 전략을 보면, 먼저 612년 전쟁 이후 요서 전역에 대해 영향력을 행사하고 遼東郡을 설치한 상황 속에서 고구려 옛 성 武厲邏를 최전방 군수물자 보급기지로 삼았다. 이와 같이 수가 요서 전역에 대해 영향력을 행사하고 郡을 설치하면서, 요서는 양국의 접경공간으로서 완충지대라는 성격을 잃어버리게 되었다. 원정군 편성에 있어서는 募兵을 통해 선발한 驍果를 대거 참여시켰고, 水軍은 2개 군으로 편성하면서 전투 수행보다는 육군에게 군량미를 수송 · 보급하는 역할에 비중을 두었으며, 각 군 지휘관에게는 便宜從事權을 부여하였다. 또한 여러 루트를 통해 고구려로 진군하면서 동시다발적으로 고구려 성들을 공격하였고, 한편으로는 별동대를 편성해서 점령하지 못한 고구려 성을 우회하여 平壤城으로 진군하였다.BR 기본적으로 수 양제는 613 · 614년 고구려 원정에서 612년 전쟁 종결 후 장군이나 군사에게 패배 책임을 돌렸던 전략에 대해서는 수정하여 채택하였고, 본인이 주도한 전략은 그대로 채택하였다. 자신의 전략을 크게 수정하여 원정에 나선다면 612년 전쟁에서의 전략적 착오를 인정하고 전쟁 패배에 대한 책임을 스스로에게 전가하는 셈이 되기 때문이다. 즉, 613 · 614년 전쟁 당시 수군이 구사한 전략 이면에는 612년 전쟁 패배에 대한 책임을 회피함으로써 황제권의 약화를 막으려고 했던 수 양제의 의도가 담겨져 있다고 볼 수 있다.

Winter distribution of toxic, potentially toxic phytoplankton, and shellfish toxins in fjords and channels of the Aysen region, Chile

The Aysen region (43°-47oS) has been prone to intensive summer blooms of toxic microalgae and complex toxin profiles in the shellfish. However, their winter distribution, toxin profile, and resting cysts in sediments are poorly known. Frequently detected toxins are: Paralytic Shellfish Toxins (PST); lipophilic toxins, including Diarrheic Shellfish Toxins (DST), Amnesic Shellfish Toxin or Domoic Acid (DA). During a cruise, carried out in winter 2012, samples were collected at 24 stations for phytoplankton analysis and analysis of toxins in mollusks, and at 5 stations, additional samples were taken for toxin analysis in plankton and resting cysts in sediments. The results confirm the presence of microalgae associated with toxins in winter, and a higher sensitivity of the relative abundance (RA) than the cellular density, as a parameter of distribution of the microalgae. The maximum RA values were level 2 (low), for Alexandrium catenella and Protoceratium reticulatum ; level 1 (rare) for Alexandrium ostenfeldii , Dinophysis acuminata and D. acuta ; levels 3 (regular) and 4 (abundant) for Pseudo-nitzschia spp. seriata complex and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. delicatissima complex, respectively. Only PST in plankton and yessotoxins in mo llusks were detected, whereas cyst densities of A. catenella and P. reticulatum in sediments were 4 and 103 cysts mL -1 of wet sediment, respectively. The analyzed parameters showed a bigger inter-annual variability during the winter period, as it has been reported for the summer.

RADAR: a program for the prevention of suicide in adolescents in the region of Aysen, Chile, preliminary results

We present the preliminary results of the implementation of RADAR: a community suicide prevention program in adolescents implemented in two high schools in a south region of Chile. In a pilot study, during 2016, we implemented RADAR in two high schools of Puerto Aysen, in in the Region of Aysen of Chile. A total of 409 actors were trained (among students, school teachers, caregivers and health professionals) for the screening and referral of high suicide risk adolescents. Out of a total of 144 students who passed the RADAR screening systems, 29 cases were detected as suicide risk (20%) and 27 of them were opportunely referred to the Emergency Service of the Hospital of Puerto Aysen. In the second RADAR screening campaign, 3 months later, 90% of the cases no longer presented suicide risk. These results show the high proportion of ado lescents at risk of suicide who are not visible by the health system and the feasibility of implementing RADAR in the community as an effective suicide prevention intervention.

A 360° Approach to the Conceptualization of Protected Area Visitor Use Planning within the Aysén Region of Chilean Patagonia

Chile’s National System of Protected Areas (SNASPE) has experienced exponential visitor growth during recent years, and this growth has been especially pronounced in the more remote units of the country. One catalyst for this growth is Chile’s ongoing national policy development geared toward integration of rural and peripheral zones, labeled as extreme, with more developed, urban centers in the central region (Correa Vera, 2012; Ministry of the Interior, 1999, 2008, 2011). Special development plans and funding packages designated for extreme zones have helped accelerate the implementation of center-periphery policy, injecting significant resources into infrastructure and capacity building projects (Bachelet, 2016; Gobierno Regional de Aysen, 2014; Hamame Villablanca, 2017). The Aysen region, situated 1,650 kilometers (1,025 miles) south of Santiago in the iconic area of Patagonia, is designated as one of Chile’s extreme zones. While naturebased tourism development is an appealing prospect at both the regional and national levels, many local and regional planners warn that nature-based tourism development is not automatically sustainable. Recently, Aysen’s Special Development Plan for Extreme Zones (PEDZE) funded an initiative to develop visitor use plans for several of the protected areas within the Aysen region. The funding was to revamp and apply the Chilean National Forestry Corporation’s (CONAF) national visitor use planning model, which became an adaptation of the Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) Open Standards framework, suited to accommodate local context, integrate the vision, priorities, and resources of local communities, and better prepare protected areas for rapidly changing conditions. This paper examines the application and adaptation of the national visitor planning model’s initial phases (conceptualization and planning) in the contexts of three protected areas within the Aysen region. The study demonstrates the process of adapting the method to three local contexts emphasizing a 360° approach to developing plans that fit and support the region’s needs. The discussion identifies important strengths and weaknesses of this 360° approach and lessons learned from carrying out robust planning processes within a very short window of time. Subscribe to JPRA

Spatial distribution and abundance of Hemigrapsus crenulatus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) (Decapoda, Varunidae) in the Puerto Cisnes estuary (44°S, Aysen region, Chile)

Abstract Our knowledge on the status of Hemigrapsus crenulatus (H. Milne Edwards, 1837) populations along the Chilean coast is scarce. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively estimate the spatial distribution and abundance of Hemigrapsus crenulatus in the Puerto Cisnes estuary (44°S, Aysen region, Chilean Patagonia). The spatial distribution appeared to be aggregated, with 3.64 ± 7.99 ind/m2 as gross density, and 10.50 ± 10.62 ind/m2 as a potential ecological density, i.e., if the quadrants with zero individuals are not taken into consideration. The equation of the negative binomial distribution was: where: . The average density of Hemigrapsus crenulatus under stones is lower if all beach surfaces are considered. Its abundance or dominance on estuarine beaches probably would be due to the fact that this species is one of the crustaceans of the lower intertidal level that can survive under a wide range of salinity values.

Primer registro para Chile de Nyctelia discoidalis Fairmaire, 1905 (Coleóptera: Tenebrionidae)

Nyctelia discoidalis Fairmaire, 1905, (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) is recorded for the first time in the Chilean Patagonia. The record was obtained from specimens collected in Chile Chico, General Carrera Province, Aysen Region.

Null models for explaining inland water crustacean zooplankton communities in Chile

Abstract Inland water crustaceans in Chile are characterized by their low species number and marked endemism; this is due to the marked oligotrophy of water bodies and the geographical properties of Chilean territory, which consists of mountains and glaciers. The aim of the present study is to typify the inland water crustaceans in the northern Aysen region (44-46°S), which is branded by the presence of mountains, ice fields and inland seas, with different kinds of water bodies such as large lakes, permanent and ephemeral pools, rivers and streams. The results revealed low species numbers, but the species associations are random, because in many sites the same species frequently reoccur. Nevertheless, there are marked differences in species associations. The present results tend to agree with similar results for the Magallanes region in southern Patagonia and Argentinean Patagonia.

Decoding fjord water contribution and geochemical processes in the Aysen thermal springs (Southern Patagonia, Chile)

The Aysen region, located in Southern Patagonia, Chile (43°38′S to 49°16′S) has optimum conditions for the formation of geothermal systems: Magmatic processes, abundant rainfall and active faults systems. In fact, several thermal springs emerge in coastal and inland areas of the Aysen region. Thermal springs in the coastal areas are spatially related to the Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault System (LOFS), a major strike-slip fault system that runs along the southern segment of the Southern Volcanic Zone, and could be controlling groundwater circulation. Despite the existence of literature regarding the composition of thermal springs, they do not elucidate the origin of thermal waters, the source of their chemical components nor have their hydrogeochemical processes been investigated. This knowledge will provide a useful tool for exploration of geothermal resources in the Aysen region.Sixteen thermal waters, three fjord waters, and three meteoric water samples were collected and analysed for major-minor ions, some trace elements (B, Li) and stable isotopes of δ2H and δ18O. Classic geochemical tools (i.e.: ratio of elements, ion vs chloride content), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Factorial Analysis (FA) suggest there are three water groups (G1, G2 and G3). G1 and G3 are NaCl type coastal thermal springs with electrical conductivity (EC) above 1000μS/cm and mostly neutral pH (6.4 to 8.4). G1 has the highest average concentrations of Cl−, SO42−, Na+, Ca2+ while G3 has the highest values T°, SiO2, HCO3−, Li, B. The G2 samples are from Aysen inland areas, have EC below 1000μS/cm, slightly alkaline pH (7.9 to 9.6) and are Na-Cl-HCO3 type with higher average values of T°, SiO2, HCO3− and Li than G1.Factorial analysis indicates that two factors explain 82.1% of the total dataset variance. Factor 1 is formed by Cl−, SO42−, Na+, Ca2+, Li and B, which we associated with fjord water mixing processes. The factor 2 formed by T°, SiO2, HCO3−, Li and B might be interpreted as: i) silicate weathering from the North Patagonian Batholith and ii) volatile elements transported through high temperature vapours from a volcanic degassing source. These two components which could interact and overlap are address as “magmatic-hydrothermal” in this work. The factorial scores distribution is consistent with the HCA suggesting that fjord water mixing is the dominant geochemical process for G1 samples while G2 samples are influenced by magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. The G3 thermal waters show both processes with a greater influence of magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. The calculated saline factor (3.4% to 42.3%) supports fjord water mixing processes as one of the dominant processes affecting the coastal thermal spring's composition.The stable isotopic data (δ2H and δ18O) fall in the local meteoric water line (LMWL), suggesting current recharge and limited oxygen isotopic exchange during rock-dissolution processes. This could indicate short residence times and/or abundant contribution of actual meteoric water at shallow depths.

Benthic biodiversity and ecological gradients in the Seno Magdalena (Puyuhuapi Fjord, Chile)

Due to its complex hydrological, geomorphological and climatic features, the Chilean fjords region is considered among the most productive areas of the world. The benthic fauna of this region accounts for more than 1600 species showing marked latitudinal biogeographic differences characterizing this as one of the most important hotspot of biodiversity of cold-temperate environments. Despite numerous studies have been conducted to depict the biological characteristics of the fjords, the present situation is strongly unbalanced towards specific taxa. Hence, this study takes into consideration a community approach, highlighting the distribution of six benthic assemblages thriving on vertical walls along the Seno Magdalena fjord (Aysen region). Underwater pictures were used to characterize the trends in abundance and diversity of the main taxa showing distinct responses to salinity and turbidity. Among the less tolerant taxa to high fresh water inputs there are encrusting algae, mainly found in the most external sites lashed by outer currents, far from the estuarine plume. The bathymetric zonation of the assemblages, instead, is characterized by a dense mussel belt in the first 10 m, within a thick layer of low-salinity, nutrient-enriched waters. Rich assemblages of sponges, brachiopods, gorgonians and scleractinians thrive in deeper, marine, clear waters. The evaluation of the ecological role of benthic species leads both to the definition of potential bioindicator taxa responding to anthropic disturbances and to the promotion of protected areas.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Infection in Patagonian Huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus)

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is an intracellular bacteria and the etiologic agent of caseous lymphadenitis in domestic and wildlife species. We report C. pseudotuberculosis infection in Patagonian huemul ( Hippocamelus bisulcus ) from the Cerro Castillo National Reserve, Region of Aysen, Chile. Subcutaneous abscesses in the abdominal and pectoral regions from two animals were sampled and bacteriologic isolation was performed. In both cases, we isolated a C. pseudotuberculosis strain belonging to the ovine genotype. In addition, one isolate was resistant to ciprofloxacin and streptomycin. We report that H. bisulcus is a susceptible species to this bacterium, which is transmitted by direct or indirect contact with domestic sheep ( Ovis aries ) and which represents a potential conservation threat to populations of H. bisulcus . Additional research and prevention efforts should be addressed.