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In the western Andes of southern Ecuador, remnants of Andean montane tropical forests (BTMA) deserve to be studied ecologically for their value and conservation purposes. This research aimed to describe the difference in taxonomic and functional parameters of arboreal vegetation and explain its relationship with predictor variables. Predictors of climate, soils and spatial correlation were used to explain the difference in composition, diversity, tree density, biomass and functional traits between two types of BTMA: evergreen montane forest (BSM) and highline evergreen montane forest (BSMA). The difference in species composition was described with ANOSIM and NMDS. Differences in diversity, density, biomass and functional traits were evaluated using mean tests with Student t. The relationship between species composition and predictor variables was analyzed with variance partitioning (VARPART), while tree density, above-ground biomass, and functional traits were analyzed with generalized linear models (MLG). The composition was different between the two types and was explained by climate and spatial correlation. Tree density and above-ground biomass were higher in the BSMA. The weighted average of the leaf area (AF) was higher in BSM, while the specific leaf area (AFE) was higher in the BSMA. The mean annual precipitation (PMA) and mean annual temperature (TMA) explained the composition of the species. The density was explained by the TMA, apparent density (DA) and MO. The aboveground biomass was explained by TMA. The AF was explained by the TMA and DA and the AFE was explained by the PMA. We concluded that the parameters of the vegetation vary in small altitudinal gradients, where there is environmental heterogeneity conditioned by the climate and certain soil variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 18th century, big game hunting was a practice reserved for the dominant social classes, for reasons of prestige and distinction from other people. However, this hunting model shared the limelight with other types of hunting in which different purposes were pursued. Under these premises, the aim of this work is twofold. On the one hand, to analyse the territorial distribution of big game hunting species at the end of the 18th century, based on the data provided by a far-reaching historical source (Interrogatorio de la Real Audiencia de Extremadura of 1792) and, on the other hand, to establish a comparison with the current distribution of big game hunting reserves located in grassland areas. The material used comes from the Interrogatorio de la Real Audiencia de Extremadura of 1792, consisting of 10 volumes. Specifically, the answers given to question 57 were used, with the information from which a database was constructed, and the results and discussion were prepared. In particular, the answers given to question 57 have been used, with whose information a database was constructed, a semantic analysis was made and the information was implemented in a GIS project. The results show that, in comparative terms with the current reality, it is confirmed that big game species occupy the same territory, with a high coincidence with extensive dehesa areas in Extremadura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremadura is a region with significant demographic imbalances, especially with high aging rates. Its older population demands resources and equipments and, therefore, the objective of this work is to analyse whether the supply of health and social-health resources of a public nature presents an adequate distribution. Methodologically, Geographical Information Systems are used to calculate the accessibility to health resources and equipment and spatial correlation to determine if there are concentrations, as well as if they are related to the demand due to high aging. In response to the results obtained, as the concentration of negative contexts in the most rural areas, a series of improvements are established in order to contribute to greater social justice in Extremadura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]