The attitudes of riparian communities to the presence of water hyacinth in the Wouri River Basin,Douala, Cameroon

Since publication of the first record of Eichhornia crassipes in Cameroon in 1997, the weed has become highly invasive in the Wouri River Basin. Between June and September 2014, a socio-economic survey using participatory and qualitative methods was undertaken in the riparian villages of the Wouri River Basin to assess the perception of respondents to the presence of water hyacinth. The survey revealed that water hyacinth was a significant threat to activities along the river, which included fishing, sand extraction and river transportation. The presence of water hyacinth mats reduced catch rates of several common fish species, river transportation by 75%, and significantly reduced the income for sand extraction. Cameroon employs manual clearing of water hyacinth; however, respondents indicated they would consider other control methods, provided they do not have any negative impacts.     

A spatially explicit model for integrating species assessments into landscape planning as exemplified by the Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra)

The integration of spatial information concerning animal species into static, rule-based spatially explicit non-probabilistic models for decision-making regarding the planning of landscapes and regions provides generalised habitat-described landscape-structural parameters. As a basis for an individually developed model, a discussion is first of all presented which involves general data and parametric requirements, necessary for the development of a species-referenced, spatially explicit model for analysis and evaluation. The parameters necessary for an assessment of habitat characteristics of birds in Central Europe will be discussed on the basis of landscape and structural information, using the Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra) as an example. A spatial analysis and assessment procedure supported by geographical information system (GIS) for this species has been developed for the definition of regulations and assessment categories and subsequently applied to the example of an open agricultural landscape in Saxony-Anhalt. Within the area of examination of approximately 42.4 km², 56 songbird perches were located (density of 1.34 territories/km²). A comparison with the 45 mapped territories from the year 2004 indicated a good correlation with the model assumptions. Indeed, 16 of these 45 territories were only briefly occupied and the establishment of breeding pairs was ascertained in only 17 territories. The analysis and assessment model as presented yielded reality-based results after the utilisation of relatively little landscape-structural entry data, and is well suited for support of the decision-making process for spatial planning. The model framework presented in this paper can be modified and transferred to other species.     

Pathophysiology of thrombophilic states

The coagulation system can be considered as a balance in which clotting and fibrinolysis have to be in a state of equilibrium. Increased fibrin formation or decreased fibrinolysis can predispose to thromboembolic diseases. Derailments in the clotting system leading to thrombosis center around the regulatory mechanisms, antithrombin III, protein C, protein S and possibly heparin cofactor II. Many cases of congenital or acquired deficiencies or abnormalities or antithrombin III, protein C and S have been described, all predisposing to thrombotic events. Alterations of the fibrinolytic system can also be associated with thromboembolisms. In particular, abnormalities of plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator release and elevated tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor levels seem to be associated with thromboses. Conceivably also factor XIIa (Hageman factor) and prekallikrein deficiencies, when associated with thrombosis, exert their mechanism through the fibrinolytic system. Finally, about 50% of patients with lupus anticoagulant seem to suffer from thromboembolic disorders. The pathophysiology of this particular association is not known with certainty. Undoubtedly, there will be more disturbances discovered in the hemostasis system that are associated with increased intravascular fibrin formation. The understanding of these derailments is at this time only in its earliest stages of development.