Integrating multiple lines of evidence to assess freshwater ecosystem health in a tropical river basin.

Degradation of freshwater ecosystems by uncontrolled human activities is a growing concern in the tropics. In this regard, we aimed at testing an integrative framework based on the IFEQ index to assess freshwater ecosystem health of river basins impacted by intense livestock and agricultural activities, using the Muchacho River Basin (MRB) as a case study. The IFEQ combine multiple lines of evidence such as riverine hydromorphological analysis (LOE 1), physicochemical characterization using ions and pesticides (LOE 2), aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring (LOE 3), and phytotoxicological essays with L. sativa (LOE 4). Overall, results showed an important reduction in streamflow and an elevated increase in ion concentrations along the MRB caused by deforestation and erosion linked to agricultural and livestock activities. Impacts of the high ion concentrations were evidenced in macroinvertebrate communities as pollution-tolerant families, associated with high conductivity levels, represented 92 % of the total abundance. Pollution produced by organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) was critical in the whole MRB, showing levels that exceeded 270-fold maximum threshold for malathion and 30-fold for parathion, the latter banned in Ecuador. OPPs concentrations were related to low germination percentages of Lactuca sativa in sediment phytotoxicity tests. The IEFQ index ranged from 44.4 to 25.6, indicating that freshwater ecosystem conditions were "bad" at the headwaters of the MRB and "critical" along the lowest reaches. Our results show strong evidence that intense agricultural and livestock activities generated significant impacts on the aquatic ecosystem of the MRB. This integrative approach better explains the cumulative effects of human impacts, and should be replicated in other basins with similar conditions to help decision-makers and concerned inhabitants generate adequate policies and strategies to mitigate the degradation of freshwater ecosystems.

Core y sistema de control neuro-motor: mecanismos básicos para la estabilidad del raquis lumbar / Core and neuromotor control system: basic mechanisms for the stability of the lumbar spine

El "CORE" es un concepto funcional que engloba la integración de tres sistemas cuyo óptimo funcionamiento garantiza la realización de tareas con una mayor eficacia y seguridad a nivel raquídeo, permitiendo adecuados niveles de estabilidad y control del movimiento. En este sentido, a fin de afrontar con éxito retos que demanden un control dinámico de la columna y la pelvis, el SNC debe aplicar estrategias diferentes, sopesando as fuerzas internas y externas con el fin de proporcionar una respuesta muscular que permita un movimiento óptimo y resista cualquier posible perturbación. En el presente manuscrito se revisa de forma aplicada, las bases, atendiendo a la información disponible actualmente, de los mecanismos básicos de control motor y las posibles alteraciones en los mismos a ser considerados por los especialistas en ejercicio respecto a su intervención mediante programas de ejercicio para la mejora de la capacidad de estabilización raquídea

The "CORE" is a funcional concept that englobes the integration of three systems which optimal operation guarantees better eficiency and security in tasks related with the spine, allowing appropiate stability and movement control levels. In order to successfully addres challenges which demand a dynamic control of the spine and the pelvis, the SNC must use diferent strategies, weighing the internal and external forces in order to provide a muscular response to allow an appropiate movement and resist any possible disturbance. This article reviews the foundations based on the information currently available about the basic mechanisms of motor control and posible changes in them, to be considered by exercise specialists regarding to their exercise intervention programs to improve spinal stabilization capacity