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Background and aims: During the study of the bryoflora of Bogotá, individuals of Syntrichia papillosa were found in urban localities. The aim of this contribution is to confirm the presence of this epiphytic species to the Colombian flora. Materials and methods: Living plants and herbarium material from the Natural History Museum (BM), the New York Botanical Garden (NY) and Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis (JBB) herbaria, were analyzed. Recently collected specimens were deposited in JBB. Results: A conspectus of the morphological features of the species based on herbarium specimens are provided, along with morpho-anatomical photographs. Further, the presence of the species in different localities belonging to the area around Bogotá was confirmed. Conclusion: This paper confirms the presence of Syntrichia papillosa in the surroundings of Bogotá. This species is known from Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, Africa, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador. Thus, the genus Syntrichia is represented in Colombia by eight taxa: S. andicola, S. bogotensis, S. breviseta, S. fragilis, S. kingii, S. lacerifolia, S. laevipila and S. papillosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developing countries, lack of sanitation coverage and continuously growing populations are increasing the pressures on receiving waters. In the context of Bogotá (Colombia), this paper presents an overview of earlier, recent and ongoing research towards improved management of urban drainage systems using an integrated modeling framework. Research results have shown that there is a need to assess the urban drainage system as one entity, when considering pollution control objectives, and optimum management and operation. This holistic approach offers an opportunity to investigate the interactions among sub-systems and the impact of the whole system on the river water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the evidence regarding the association between air pollution and health comes from studies in the USA. Nevertheless, air pollution has become a concern also for local authorities of Latin-American cities and Bogotá, Colombia is no exception. This paper will develop a model to define a concentration-response function between three of the most important air pollutants in Bogotá and the daily respiratory hospital admission counts in the city during the year of 1998. This article pretends to further work on this area by giving the first step towards a more detailed estimation of the costs of air pollution in Bogotá. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]