Leaf-litter breakdown as a tool to assess the functional integrity of high Andean streams of Southern Ecuador. The ecological condition of tropical Andean rivers are threatened by many human activities including changes in land use and cover in watersheds. Current protocols diagnose the structural condition of streams but not their function. In this study we proposed an assessment tool using the leaf-litter breakdown as a measure of the functional condition and health of high Andean streams in Southern Ecuador, including methodology and threshold values adapted to local conditions. We selected 15 streams in three micro-basins (Mazán, Llaviuco and Matadero) within or in the vicinity of Cajas National Park where we deployed litterbags for 15, 28 and 64 days. We used two types of mesh (coarse and fine) for the litterbags in order to separate the contribution of macro-invertebrates and microorganisms in the decomposition process and also tested two different leaf substrates: Alder (Alnus acuminata) and Miconia (Miconia bracteolata). In each collection period we determined physical and chemical parameters, applied the riparian quality index (QBR-And) and river habitat index (IHF). Decomposition rates (-k) were determined from the time period at which approximately 50 % ash-free mass would have been lost. We used K total and the ratio of the rate of decomposition between coarse and fine mesh (K g /K f ) to define the functional condition thresholds. To test the metrics sensitivity we used graphical methods, one-way ANOVA and discriminative efficiency (ED). The analysis of watershed land-use and cover showed a gradient of intervention: Matadero ≥ Llaviuco > Mazán. The composition of the environmental variables of Mazán streams were different with respect to Llaviuco and Matadero, whose values were similar to each other. The QBR-And index showed a significant gradient from very low levels in Matadero (27.5), moderately high values in Llaviuco (66.5) to high values in Mazán (87). Alder leaf-litter breakdown rates were significantly faster in Mazán than in Matadero and Llaviuco streams, while breakdown rates of Miconia were not significantly different among watersheds. The K g /K f ratio was significantly higher in Mazán compared to Llaviuco and Matadero, which did not differ. We consider the K g /K f metric sensitive enough to discriminate impacts in the studied areas. Our results support the use of the leaf-litter breakdown as an appropriate tool to assess functional ecological condition, complementing the structural assessments of these Andean rivers. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (1): 321-334. Epub 2017 March 01.Key words: leaf-litter breakdown, functional integrity, decomposition rate, high andean streams, Ecuador.Los ríos altoandinos tropicales están amenazados por numerosas actividades humanas entre las que se incluyen aquellas derivadas del cambio de la cobertura y uso del suelo de la cuenca de drenaje (agricultura, ganadería, urbanismo, construcción de embalses, minería, urbanismo, drenaje de aguas residuales, en...
Food Codex requires safe products and packaging is an important factor to comply with this consumer right, so developing packaging with antimicrobial properties that protect the product by eliminating or inhibiting bacteria or pathogens that cause damage to health is important in the food industry. The objective of this work was to perform a bibliographic analysis of some additives that generate antimicrobial properties in packaging by reviewing some studies that have developed antimicrobial films or also called smart films. Microbial agents have become an important factor in maintaining food quality over time. Biopolymers are an excellent alternative due to their availability, low cost, biodegradability and their origin are from renewable sources.
Municipal markets are approximately 90 years old in Ecuador, although some of them have modern buildings, the process of organic solid waste has not changed. Object of study of this work is the municipal market “Las Manuelas” located in the province of Guayas in the canton of Durán. Organic solid wastes could be used for the elaboration of new biopolymers, so the objective of this research is to determine the environmental impact of the activities articulated to this process. The observation technique was applied to make the process flow diagram and the methodology of the matrix of importance of environmental impacts. Results obtained showed that the activity of preparation of vegetables and fruits within the municipal market presented the highest I with a value of -42, under these parameters the need to establish preventive actions that can contribute to the circular economy was manifested.
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