A preliminary analysis of the correlation of food-web characteristics with hydrology and nutrient gradients in the southern Everglades

We estimated trophic position and carbon source for three consumers (Florida gar, Lepisosteus platyrhincus; eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki; and riverine grass shrimp, Palaemonetes paludosus) from 20 sites representing gradients of productivity and hydrological disturbance in the southern Florida Everglades, U.S.A. We characterized gross primary productivity at each site using light/dark bottle incubation and stem density of emergent vascular plants. We also documented nutrient availability as total phosphorus (TP) in floc and periphyton, and the density of small fishes. Hydrological disturbance was characterized as the time since a site was last dried and the average number of days per year the sites were inundated for the previous 10 years. Food-web attributes were estimated in both the wet and dry seasons by analysis of δ15N (trophic position) and δ13C (food-web carbon source) from 702 samples of aquatic consumers. An index of carbon source was derived from a two-member mixing model with Seminole ramshorn snails (Planorbella duryi) as a basal grazing consumer and scuds (amphipods Hyallela azteca) as a basal detritivore. Snails yielded carbon isotopic values similar to green algae and diatoms, while carbon values of scuds were similar to bulk periphyton and floc; carbon isotopic values of cyanobacteria were enriched in C13compared to all consumers examined. A carbon source similar to scuds dominated at all but one study site, and though the relative contribution of scud-like and snail-like carbon sources was variable, there was no evidence that these contributions were a function of abiotic factors or season. Gar consistently displayed the highest estimated trophic position of the consumers studied, with mosquitofish feeding at a slightly lower level, and grass shrimp feeding at the lowest level. Trophic position was not correlated with any nutrient or productivity parameter, but did increase for grass shrimp and mosquitofish as the time following droughts increased. Trophic position of Florida gar was positively correlated with emergent plant stem density.

Relative roles of dispersal dynamics and competition in determining the isotopic niche breadth of a wetland fish

1. The niche variation hypothesis predicts that among-individual variation in niche use will increase in the presence of intraspecific competition and decrease in the presence of interspecific competition. We sought to determine whether the local isotopic niche breadth of fish inhabiting a wetland was best explained by competition for resources and the niche variation hypothesis, by dispersal of individuals from locations with different prey resources or by a combination of the two. We analysed stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen as indices of feeding niche and compared metrics of within-site spread to characterise site-level isotopic niche breadth. We then evaluated the explanatory power of competing models of the direct and indirect effects of several environmental variables spanning gradients of disturbance, competition strength and food availability on among-individual variation of the eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki). 2. The Dispersal model posits that only the direct effect of disturbance (i.e. changes in water level known to induce fish movement) influences among-individual variation in isotopic niche. The Partitioning model allows for only direct effects of local food availability on among-individual variation. The Combined model allows for both hypotheses by including the direct effects of disturbance and food availability. 3. A linear regression of the Combined model described more variance than models limited to the variables of either the Dispersal or Partitioning models. Of the independent variables considered, the food availability variable (per cent edible periphyton) explained the most variation in isotopic niche breadth, followed closely by the disturbance variable (days since last drying event). 4. Structural equation modelling provided further evidence that the Combined model was best supported by the data, with the Partitioning and the Dispersal models only modestly less informative. Again, the per cent edible periphyton was the variable with the largest direct effect on niche variability, with other food availability variables and the disturbance variable only slightly less important. Indirect effects of heterospecific and conspecific competitor densities were also important, through their effects on prey density. 5. Our results support the Combined hypotheses, although partitioning mechanisms appear to explain the most diet variation among individuals in the eastern mosquitofish. The results also support some predictions of the niche variation hypothesis, although both conspecific and interspecific competition appeared to increase isotopic niche breadth in contrast to predictions that interspecific competition would decrease it. We think this resulted from high diet overlap of co-occurring species, most of which consume similar macroinvertebrates.

Fish Community Responses to the Combined Effects of Decreased Hydroperiod and Nonnative Fish Invasions in a Karst Wetland: Are Everglades Solution Holes Sinks for Native Fishes?

Short-hydroperiod Everglades wetlands have been disproportionately affected by reductions in freshwater inflows, land conversion and biotic invasions. Severe hydroperiod reductions in these habitats, including the Rocky Glades, coupled with proximity to canals that act as sources of invasions, may limit their ability to support high levels of aquatic production. We examined whether karst solution holes function as dry-down refuges for fishes, providing a source of marsh colonists upon reflooding, by tracking fish abundance, nonnative composition, and survival in solution holes throughout the dry season. We paired field surveys with an in situ nonnative predation experiment that tested the effects of predation by the recent invader, African jewelfish (Hemichromis letourneuxi) on native fishes. Over the 3 years surveyed, a large number of the solution holes dried before the onset of the wet season, while those retaining water had low survivorship and were dominated by nonnatives. In the experiment, mortality of eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) in the presence of African jewelfish was greater than that associated with deteriorating water quality. Under current water management, findings suggest that solution holes are largely sinks for native fishes, given the high frequency of drydown, extensive period of fish residence, and predation by nonnative fishes.

Seasonal Fish Dispersal in Ephemeral Wetlands of the Florida Everglades

We hypothesized that fishes in short-hydroperiod wetlands display pulses in activity tied to seasonal flooding and drying, with relatively low activity during intervening periods. To evaluate this hypothesis, sampling devices that funnel fish into traps (drift fences) were used to investigate fish movement across the Everglades, U.S.A. Samples were collected at six sites in the Rocky Glades, a seasonally flooded karstic habitat located on the southeastern edge of the Everglades. Four species that display distinct recovery patterns following drought in long-hydroperiod wetlands were studied: eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) and flagfish (Jordanella floridae) (rapid recovery); and bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) and least killifish (Heterandria formosa) (slow recovery). Consistent with our hypothesized conceptual model, fishes increased movement soon after flooding (immigration period) and just before drying (emigration period), but decreased activity in the intervening foraging period. We also found that eastern mosquitofish and flagfish arrived earlier and showed stronger responses to hydrological variation than either least killifish or bluefin killifish. We concluded that these fishes actively colonize and escape ephemeral wetlands in response to flooding and drying, and display species-specific differences related to flooding and drying that reflect differences in dispersal ability. These results have important implications for Everglades fish metacommunity dynamics.

Physiological performance measures and tolerance limits of estuarine indicator species in South Florida

Current water management practices in South Florida have negatively impacted many species inhabiting Florida Bay. Variable and high salinity has been identified as a key stressor in these estuaries. The comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) includes water redistribution projects that will restore natural freshwater flows to northeastern Florida Bay. My studies focused on the following central theme and hypotheses: Biological performance measures (i.e., growth, reproduction, survival), behavior (i.e., habitat preference and locomotor behavior) and diversity of estuarine fish will be controlled by changes in salinity and water quality that will occur as a result of the restoration of freshwater flow to the bay. A series of acute and subchronic physiological toxicity studies were conducted to determine the effects of salinity changes on the life stages (embryo/larval, juvenile, adult) and fecundity of four native estuarine fish (Cyprinodon variegatus, Floridichthys carpio, Poecilia latipinna, and Gambusia holbrooki). Fishe were exposed to a range of salinity concentrations (freshwater to hypersaline) based on salinity profiles in the study areas. Growth (length, weight) and survival were measured. Salinity trials included both rapid and gradual change events. Results show negative effects of acute, abrupt salinity changes on fish survival, development and reproductive success as a result of salinity stress. Other studies targeted reproduction and critical embryo-larval/neonate development as key areas for detecting long-term population effects of salinity change in Florida Bay. Adults of C. variegatus and P. latipinna were also examined for behavioral responses to pulsed salinity changes. These responses include changes in swimming performance, locomotor behavior and zone preference. Finally, an ecological risk assessment was conducted for adverse salinity conditions in northeastern Florida Bay. Using the U.S. EPA's framework, the risk to estuarine fish species diversity was assessed against regional salinity profiles from a 17-year database. Based on the risk assessment, target salinity profiles for these areas are recommended for managers.

Role of Platinum Deposited on TiO2 in Photocatalytic Methanol Oxidation and Dehydrogenation Reactions

Titania modified nanoparticles have been prepared by the photodeposition method employing platinum particles on the commercially available titanium dioxide (Hombikat UV 100). The properties of the prepared photocatalysts were investigated by means of the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and UV-visible diffuse spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). XRD was employed to determine the crystallographic phase and particle size of both bare and platinised titanium dioxide. The results indicated that the particle size was decreased with the increasing of platinum loading. AFM analysis showed that one particle consists of about 9 to 11 crystals. UV-vis absorbance analysis showed that the absorption edge shifted to longer wavelength for 0.5% Pt loading compared with bare titanium dioxide. The photocatalytic activity of pure and Pt-loaded TiO2 was investigated employing the photocatalytic oxidation and dehydrogenation of methanol. The results of the photocatalytic activity indicate that the platinized titanium dioxide samples are always more active than the corresponding bare TiO2 for both methanol oxidation and dehydrogenation processes. The loading with various platinum amounts resulted in a significant improvement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2. This beneficial effect was attributed to an increased separation of the photogenerated electron-hole charge carriers.

Produção de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) sob diferentes doses de vermicomposto.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes dosagens de vermicomposto sobre a produção de alface, cultivar Baba de Verão. O ensaio foi conduzido em Latossolo Amarelo Distrófico de textura média fase caatinga litorânea, na Embrapa Meio-Norte, UEP - Parnaíba, de setembro a outubro de 2013. O delineamento experimental adotado foi o de blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições.

Melhoria da Atenção à Saúde dos Usuários Hipertensos e Diabéticos da Estratégia de Saúde da Família São José, Ivorá/RS

Segundo dados do Ministério da Saúde, a Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica e o Diabetes Mellitus são as doenças responsáveis pela primeira causa de mortalidade e de hospitalizações no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil. Essa referência ainda afirma que os profissionais da atenção básica têm importância primordial nas estratégias de prevenção, diagnóstico, monitoramento e controle dessas doenças, concluindo que fazer uma intervenção educativa, sistematizada e permanente com os profissionais da saúde é um aspecto fundamental para mudar as práticas em relação a esses problemas. Entretanto, na análise situacional da Unidade de Saúde da Família São José foi possível perceber que a grande maioria dos usuários hipertensos e/ou diabéticos estavam realizando tratamento irregular, com deficiente acompanhamento clínico e monitoramento das complicações. Assim, concluiu-se ser necessário um programa de melhoria na atenção à saúde desses usuários. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo melhorar a atenção à saúde dos usuários hipertensos e diabéticos da ESF São José, Ivorá/RS. Foi desenvolvido um projeto de intervenção para cadastrar e avaliar os usuários seguindo-se protocolos do Ministério da Saúde. Foram cadastrados e acompanhados durante a intervenção 203 usuários hipertensos e 37 usuários diabéticos, correspondendo, respectivamente, a 61,9% e 45,7% do número estimado de hipertensos e diabéticos residentes na área de abrangência da unidade. O sucesso da intervenção foi possível devido ao apoio da gestão municipal, da dedicação dos profissionais envolvidos e da participação dos usuários. A realização da intervenção foi de grande importância para o serviço de saúde do município e para a comunidade, pois foi implantada na unidade uma estratégia eficaz para promoção de saúde aos usuários portadores de HAS e DM. Com o conhecimento adquirido pela equipe, os registros adequados e a realização das ações de acordo com o protocolo estabelecido, é possível reduzir a morbidade e a mortalidade causadas por HAS e DM, que correspondem à maior causa de óbitos em todo o mundo. Assim, foi possível perceber que com engajamento e trabalho em equipe podemos realizar grandes avanços na qualidade de saúde da comunidade.

Aprimoramento e implementação de prontuário modelo para o município de São João de Meriti

Um prontuário bem estruturado é de suma importância no acompanhamento de um paciente, fornecendo aos profissionais da área da saúde informações determinantes para a conduta terapêutica. Entretanto essa não é uma realidade de toda as unidades de saúde, como é o caso de do PSF Vila União em São João de Meriti – RJ, prejudicando o bom funcionamento das equipes de saúde em relação ao registro e evolução do paciente. A partir dessa constatação deu-se início à criação de um modelo padrão de prontuário que fosse capaz de suprir as necessidades do território ao qual a unidade está inserida. Com o apoio do Conselho Municipal de Saúde o modelo proposto foi aprovado e encontra-se em fase final de implantação, disponibilizando para as unidades básicas de saúde do município. Com essa implantação as unidades passarão a ter o mesmo padrão de informações tornando o trabalho mais organizado e com acesso ao histórico do paciente por todos os profissionais que o assistem, trazendo aos usuários e aos profissionais mais segurança.

Plano de intervenção de redução do uso de bebida alcoólica na área de abrangência do Programa Saúde da Família Santos Reis em Alfenas/Minas Gerais

O abuso de bebida alcoólica causa grande repercussão na área de atuação da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santos Reis, provocando diversos danos nos indivíduos dependentes, na família e em toda comunidade. Observa- se que a frequência é alta em jovens, principalmente em indivíduos que perderam o emprego, ou que não frequentam a escola. São comuns sintomas de depressão, bipolaridade, conflitos familiares, e agressões físicas e verbais. Desse modo, o presente estudo teve como objetivo elaborar um projeto de intervenção para reduzir o uso excessivo de bebida alcoólica na área de abrangência da UBS Santos Reis em Alfenas/Minas Gerais. Para tal, foi utilizado o método de Planejamento Estratégico Situacional e de pesquisa na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde com os descritores: alcoolismo, programa saúde da família e educação. O plano de intervenção foi elaborado à partir da seleção e análise de determinados critérios. Propôs-se buscar uma alteração no estilo de vida do alcoolista, por meio da abordagem multiprofissional e interdisciplinar para obter-se melhor condições de vida, evitando-se assim a fragilidade biológica, psicológica, social e espiritual, evitando complicações futuras e o desencadeamento da morte. A base sustentadora do projeto, foi a educação individual, comunitária e permanente dos profissionais envolvidos, para a conscientização e consequente redução do problema. Conclui-se que a obtenção de apoio efetivo da equipe de enfermagem, agentes comunitários de saúde, CAPS, comunidade, família dos usuários e gestão municipal de Saúde, garantiu a implementação e que viabilizará a manutenção da continuidade do projeto