Tree mortality and recruitment in secondary Andean tropical mountain forests along a 3000 m elevation gradient.

This study addresses the understudied dynamics of mortality and recruitment in Tropical Mountain forests, critical determinants of forest structural processes and biomass turnover. We examine how these demographic processes change with elevation and varying degrees of forest recovery by utilizing two forest censuses (2015 and 2019) from 16 plots (0.36 ha) across a 600-3500 m asl elevation gradient in the Ecuadorian Andes. Employing multivariate PCA analyses, we characterize successional forest dynamics and explore relationships between demographic rates, elevation, and indicators of forest recovery using standard linear regression and generalized additive models (GAMs). Contrary to our hypothesis, mortality exhibits a unimodal response, peaking at mid-elevations, with no significant relationship to above-ground biomass productivity (AGBp). In our successional forests, dominance by fast-growing species alters expected patterns, leading to increased mortality rates and AGBp, particularly at low-mid elevations. Forest recovery emerges as a significant driver of mortality and the sole predictor of recruitment, especially across different recovery statuses. Although forest recovery doesn't impact mortality rates, it elucidates the identity of declining species in forests with varying recovery degrees. Our findings underscore that while forest recovery does not alter mortality rates, it provides critical insights into understanding which species are affected under varying recovery conditions. Recruitment, primarily driven by successional dynamics, exhibits higher rates in sites with less recovery. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of forest structure indicators, such as above-ground biomass, in inferring successional dynamics when the time since the last disturbance is unknown. The study emphasizes the importance of considering disturbances in comprehending the intricate interplay between the environment and forest dynamics in secondary forests.

Patterns of shade plant diversity in four agroforestry systems across Central America: a meta-analysis.

Agroforestry systems can potentially increase tree diversity within agricultural landscapes, but to date, there is little understanding of the patterns of shade plant diversity within different agroforestry systems (AFS) at large spatial scales. Using compiled plant inventory data (from 23 sources, 2517 plots, and 148,255 individuals) encompassing four AFS (shaded coffee; shaded cocoa; dispersed trees on pastures; and live fences) across six countries in Central America we estimated different metrics of diversity to assess the conservation value of different AFS for shade plants. 458 shade plant species were recorded across the four agroforestry systems. Primary forest species accounted for 28% of the shade species recorded, but only 6% of the recorded individuals. No single AFS was consistently the most diverse across countries when considering rarefied species richness. Trees on pastures can potentially reach a similar species richness as cocoa and coffee systems but require sampled areas 7-30 times larger. In terms of composition, 29 species were shared across the agroforestry systems in different countries, illustrating the strong selection pressure of farmers for species that provide timber, firewood, and fruit. Our study highlights the potential contribution and limitations of different AFS for tree diversity conservation within agricultural landscapes.

Actitudes frente a la prevención del cáncer de cuello uterino en mujeres de un centro de educación técnica / Attitudes towards the prevention of cervical cancer in women in a technical education center

Objetivo: el objetivo de la presente investigación, es describir las actitudes frente a la prevención del cáncer de cuello uterino en mujeres del instituto Formarte, de la ciudad de Cali- Colombia. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal. Se incluyeron 138 mujeres matriculadas en cualquiera de los programas académicos, a quienes se les realizó una encuesta con el fin de medir las variables propósito de la investigación. Resultados: se encontró una media de edad de 33,7 años (DE 13,2). De estas, 22,5% iniciaron relaciones por debajo de los 14 años, 42,8% informó haber tenido al menos 3 compañeros sexuales, 48% rara vez recurre al uso del condón, 28,3% refirió el consumo de cigarrillo. El 23,2% ha recibido algún tipo de educación respecto a la prevención del cáncer de cérvix, aunque el 82,6% reconoce la importancia de la citología y en su mayoría, 42% se realiza el examen anualmente. Conclusiones: se encontraron deficiencias respecto a actitudes en la prevención del cáncer de cuello uterino, las cuales parecen estar relacionadas con el contexto cultural particular de la población estudiada y que guardan disimilitud con las observadas en otras localizaciones geográficas..(AU)

Objective: the objective of the present investigation is to describe the attitudes towards the prevention of cervical cancer in women from Formarte Institute in the city of Cali- Colombia. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional study was carried out. We included 138 women enrolled in any of the academic programs, who were surveyed in order to measure the variables of the research. Results: an average age of 33,7 years was found (SD 13,2). Of these, 22,5% began relationships below 14 years of age, 42,8% reported having had at least 3 sexual partners, 48% rarely resorted to condom use,28,3% reported smoking. 23,2% have received some type of education regarding the prevention of cervical cancer, although 82,6% recognize the importance of cytology and in the majority, 42% perform the exam annually. Conclusions: We found deficiencies regarding attitudes in the prevention of cervical cancer, which seem to be related to the particular cultural context of the population studied and that are dissimilar to those observed in other geographical locations..(AU)