La productividad de bellota en la dehesa y su relación con parámetros meteorológicos - CARBONERO, M. D.; GARCÍA-MORENO, A.; Calzado, C.; FERNÁNDEZ-REBOLLO, P. (Actas de la XLVIII RC de la SEEP. Huesca La multifuncionalidad de los pastos: producción ganadera sostenible y gestión de los ecosistemas, 2009)
Economically, holm-oak acorn crop is the major component in Iberian Mediterranean eco- systems. As in most Quercus species, the chief feature of holm-oak acorn production is its high variability among individuals and years, because of variables as masting, weather, etc. From 2001 to 2006 we studied fruit production and meteorology in a holm-oak natural area of South Spain. The results obtained, indicated that weather conditions at spring and autumn beginning had a marked influence on acorn production. Flowering survival and production improved by mild temperature in March and crop acorn was stronger because of rainfall in September
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Actas de la XLVIII RC de la SEEP. Huesca La multifuncionalidad de los pastos: producción ganadera sostenible y gestión de los ecosistemas pub-location: Huesca
Keywords: crop; Quercus; seed

Leaf traits variation during leaf expansion in Quercus ilex L. - GRATANI, L.; Bonito, A. (Photosynthetica, 2009)
The morphological, anatomical and physiological variations of leaf traits were analysed during Quercus ilex L. leaf expansion. The leaf water content (LWC), leaf area relative growth rate (RGRl ) and leaf dry mass relative growth rate (RGRm) were the highest (76±2 %, 0.413 cm 2 cm –2 d –1 , 0.709 mg mg –1 d –1 , respectively) at the beginning of the leaf expansion process (7 days after bud break). Leaf expansion lasted 84±2 days when air temperature ranged from 13.3±0.8 to 27.6±0.9 °C. The net photosynthetic rate (PN), stomatal conductance (gs ), and chlorophyll content per fresh mass (Chl) increased during leaf expansion, having the highest values [12.62±1.64 µmol (CO2) m –2 s –1 , 0.090 mol (H2O) m –2 s –1 , and 1.03±0.08 mg g –1 ,respectively] 56 days after bud break. Chl was directly correlated with leaf dry mass (DM) and PN. The thickness of palisade parenchyma contributed to the total leaf thickness (263.1±1.5 μm) by 47 %, spongy layer thickness 38 %, adaxial epidermis and cuticle thickness 9 %, and abaxial epidermis and cuticle thickness 6 %. Variation in leaf size during leaf expansion might be attributed to a combination of cells density and length, and it is confirmed by the significant (p<0.001) correlations among these traits. Q. ilex leaves reached 90 % of their definitive structure before the most severe drought period (beginning of June – end of August). The high leaf mass area (LMA, 15.1±0.6 mg cm –2 ) at full leaf expansion was indicative of compact leaves (2028±100 cells mm –2 ). Air temperature increasing might shorten the favourable period for leaf expansion, thus changing the final amount of biomass per unit leaf area of Q. ilex.
Keywords: leaf anatomy; leaf expansion; leaf morphology; net photosynthetic rate; Quercus ilex

Leaf-Litter Mixtures Affect Breakdown and Macroinvertebrate Colonization Rates in a Stream Ecosystem - Abelho, Manuela (International Review of Hydrobiology, 2009)
Previous work in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has suggested that the relationship between breakdown rates of leaf litter and plant species richness may change unpredictability due to non-additive effects mediated by the presence of key-species. By using single- and mixed-species leaf bags (7 possible combinations of three litter species differing in toughness; common alder [Alnus glutinosa ], sweet chestnut [Castanea sativa ], and Spanish oak [Quercus ilex ilex ]), I tested whether leaf species diversity, measured as richness and composition, affects breakdown dynamics and macroinvertebrate colonization (abundance, richness and composition) during 90 days incubation in a stream. Decomposition rates were additive, i.e., observed decomposition rates were not different from expected ones. However, decomposition rates of individual leaf species were affected by the mixture, i.e., there were species-specific responses to mixing litter. The invertebrate communities colonizing the mixtures were not richer and more diverse in mixtures than in single-species leaf bags. On the opposite, mixing leaf species had a negative, non-additive effect on rates of shredder and taxa colonization and on macroinvertebrate diversity. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: WILEY-VCH Verlag
Keywords: Biodiversity; decomposition; FOREST; richness; shredders

Los sistemas de dehesa en la península ibérica: reflexiones acerca de su génesis, historia, dinámica y gestión - EZQUERRA BOTICARIO, F. J. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
Los encinares adehesados tan abundantes en el cuadrante suroccidental de la península ibérica constituyen uno de sus paisajes más característicos y poseen un destacado valor socioeconómico cuya explotación está ligada a razas autóctonas de gran valor, desde la vaca retinta al cerdo ibérico. Su valor cultural y ecológico ha sido realzado durante décadas, llegándose a idealizar los ecosistemas adehesados por la complejidad y la biodiversidad que albergan. En realidad, la ecología de las dehesas puede bosquejarse si analizamos su evolución desde una perspectiva histórica. En este trabajo se plantean hipótesis acerca de los procesos que dieron lugar desde hace milenios a la génesis de los sistemas adehesados en España, efectuando un seguimiento histórico de los mismos y de las transformaciones sufridas durante los últimos siglos. El uso predominantemente ganadero del territorio ibérico, asociado a las particularidades del devenir histórico y con la eterna lucha con la ganadería como telón de fondo, ha modelado los procesos de aclarado, arboricultura, frutalización, selección, empobrecimiento específico del dosel y creación y mantenimiento de pastizales que caracterizan a las dehesas de nuestros días. Entender estos procesos es esencial para poder abordar con garantías su gestión.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: bellota; encina; ganadería; Quercus ilex; regeneración

A map of autumn precipitation for the third millennium BP in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula from charcoal carbon isotopes - Aguilera, M.; Espinar, C.; Ferrio, J. P.; Pérez, G.; Voltas, J. (Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2009)
Carbon isotope composition (δ 13 C) in tree-rings has become routinely used in palaeoclimatic research for the assessment of changes in plant water availability in seasonally dry climates. However, the distribution of long tree-ring records around the world is very limited. Alternatively, the original climate signal of wood δ 13 C is well preserved in fossil charcoal and, accordingly, charcoal δ 13 C can be used to quantify past changes in water availability (e.g. precipitation). We report a case study on spatial palaeoclimate reconstruction which aims to characterize the transition between Bronze and Iron Ages, the so-called Iron Age Cold Epoch (ca. 900– 300 BCE), using charcoals of Quercus ilex/coccifera from a set of 11 contemporary archaeological sites of eastern Spain. Climatic inferences were obtained after calibrating a linear model predicting seasonal precipitation from δ 13 C of Q. ilex wood samples obtained across a rainfall gradient. The best regression model corresponded to September–December (autumn) precipitation (Paut ), in agreement with the fact that Q. ilex is able to exploit previous-year water reserves thanks to very effective water uptake. Subsequently, we estimated Paut from the δ 13 C of fossil charcoal to infer spatial patterns in water availability. Overall, estimated past Paut was about 19% higher (296 mm) than present-time values averaged across archaeological sites (249 mm). However, a clear geographic pattern of differences in precipitation could be observed in which the inner continental regions of eastern Spain were characterized by more humid conditions in the past, whereas the coastal strip of the Mediterranean Sea barely differed in past and present Paut values. The quite uniform distribution of archaeological sites over eastern Spain allowed development of contour maps of absolute and relative (to present) past Paut using gridded interpolation methods implemented in a GIS, highlighting the potential of this approach for reconstructing high-resolution spatial patterns of past climate
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Drought; GIS; Iron Age Cold Epoch; Isoscape; Late Holocene; Mediterranean climate; Quercus ilex

Microbial activities in soils of a Mediterranean ecosystem in different successional stages - Fioretto, a; Papa, S.; Pellegrino, a; Ferrigno, a (Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2009)
This study reports a comparative analysis of soil enzyme activities (b-glucosidase, protease, urease, arylsulphatase, phosphatase and ﬂuorescein diacetate hydrolase), ATP, total N and organic matter contents in three vegetal successional stages (meadow, low shrubland and high maquis) of a Mediterranean ecosystem in the Natural Reserve of Castel Volturno (Campania, Italy). Because water availability is a major limiting factor of soil microbial activity in Mediterranean ecosystems, the analysis was performed in late spring (May), after the rainy period, and in early autumn (October), after the long dry summer. A signiﬁcant decrease in protease, arylsulphatase, urease and b-glucosidase activities was observed in meadow soil in the autumn sampling, probably due to the prolonged summer drought. Combining the values measured in the two sampling dates, the high maquis tended to have higher levels of enzymes activities than shrubland and meadow. Notably, high maquis had signiﬁcantly higher phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities than shrubland and meadow and, in addition, a higher ATP content compared to meadow. Drastic changes were observed in EA/ATP ratios between the sampling periods in the meadow and shrubland, suggesting changes in the efﬁciency of microbial community more likely linked to climatic ﬂuctuations than to the successional stage. The more stable EA/ATP ratio in the maquis probably reﬂects a constant contribution of microbial biomass to enzyme secretion. In conclusion, our results point to an increase in soil microbial activity accompanying the succession from meadow to high maquis that probably reﬂects a parallel increase in soil functions. Nevertheless, spatial heterogeneity and, more important, temporal variations in soil activities often may obscure differences related to the plant cover type.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: ATP; High maquis; Meadow; Mediterranean ecosystem; Shrubland; Soil enzyme activities; Successional stages

Microbiological parameters as indicators of soil organic carbon dynamics in relation to different land use management - Llorente, Mireia; Turrión, M. Belén (European Journal of Forest Research, 2009)
Labile C fractions: microbial biomass C (MBC), K2SO4 extractable C (CK2SO4 ) and the cumulated mineralized C in 21 days incubation at 28C (C–CO2(21d) ), were compared as land use indicators in a calcareous soil under three different management systems: native Querqus ilex forest (under and outside tree cover), a Pinus halepensis plantation, and cropped land (with cereals). Microbial biomass and activity were found to be low and coincided with high carbonate contents. As indicators of land use, CK2SO4 and C–CO2(21d) showed the same sensitivity as MBC. C–CO2 emissions were measured in an incubation experiment in order to study C mineralization kinetics. The data for cumulative amounts of C–CO2 released showed a good ﬁt (R 2 [0.94) to the ﬁrst-order kinetic model Cm = Co(1 - e -kt ). The kinetic parameters Co and Cok were affected by land use and especially by tree cover. Principal components analysis was applied to the data and the relationship among microbial metabolic quotient (qCO2), labile C pools, and MBC revealed a decrease in efﬁciency of organic substrate utilization with an increase in availability and lability of the organic matter.
Keywords: Calcareous soil; Metabolic quotient; Microbial biomass; Soil respiration

Modelling interception loss from evergreen oak Mediterranean savannas: Application of a tree-based modelling approach - Pereira, F. L.; Gash, J. H. C.; David, J. S.; David, T. S.; Monteiro, P. R.; Valente, F. (Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2009)
In a previous study, it was shown that an isolated, fully saturated tree-crown behaves like a wet bulb, allowing evaporation of intercepted rainfall to be estimated by a simple diffusion equation for water vapour. This observation was taken as the basis for a new approach in modelling interception loss from savanna-type woodland, whereby the ecosystem evaporation is derived by scaling up the evaporation from individual trees, rather than by considering a homogeneous forest cover. Interception loss from isolated trees was estimated by combining the aforementioned equation for water vapour ﬂux with Gash’s analytical model. A new methodology, which avoids the subjectivity inherent in the Leyton method, was used for estimating the crown storage capacity. Modelling performance was evaluated against data from two Mediterranean savanna-type oak woodlands (montados) in southern Portugal. Interception loss estimates were in good agreement with observations in both sites. The proposed modelling approach is physically based, requires only a limited amount of data and should be suitable for the modelling of interception loss in isolated trees and savannatype ecosystems
Keywords: Gash analytical model; Isolated trees; Quercus ilex; rainfall interception; Savannas; Wet bulb temperature

Moderate soil compaction: Implications on growth and architecture in seedlings of 17 woody plant species - Alameda, David; Villar, Rafael (Soil and Tillage Research, 2009)
Generally, soil compaction is a stress factor affecting negatively the plant growth, but its effects vary between species and with the soil compaction range. The objective of this study is to know the different growth responses of 17 woody species subjected to moderate soil compaction, because most of the studies about this subject compare the effects in treatments with a wide and discrete compaction range. We explore the effects of moderate soil compaction on a continuous scale (0.1–1.0 MPa) on seedling growth. Seedlings of 17 woody species (deciduous and evergreens) mainly from Mediterranean ecosystems were grown in near optimal conditions (light, temperature and water) in a greenhouse with a sandy substrate. In general, there was a great variability of the responses depending on the species and the studied variable. About 53% of the species showed a higher total biomass with a moderate increase in soil compaction possibly being due to a greater root–soil contact. In the same way, 41% of species increase the relative growth rate and 35% the total area. Nevertheless, in spite of these positive effects on growth, for some species (23%) there was a decrease in the root proportion with soil resistance, as result of soil strength. These effects of moderate soil compaction could sum up in two general responses of woody plants: growth increment and architecture distortion. This might be relevant as a lower root investment may be a disadvantage under drought conditions. Finally, a simple conceptual model is proposed to understand the general effects of soil compaction on growth and biomass allocation
Keywords: biomass allocation; Mediterranean ecosystem; Penetration resistance; Relative growth rate

Nickel sorption capacity of ground xylem of Quercus ilex trees and effects of selected ligands present in the xylem sap. - Araújo, Geórgia C. L.; Lemos, Sherlan G.; Nabais, Cristina (Journal of plant physiology, 2009)
In this work the influence of four different ligands present in the xylem sap of Quercus ilex (histidine, citric, oxalic and aspartic acids) on Ni(II) adsorption by xylem was investigated. Grinded xylem was trapped in acrylic columns and solutions of Ni(II), in the absence and presence of the four ligands prepared in KNO(3) 0.1molL(-1) at pH 5.5, were percolated through the column. Aliquots of solutions were recovered in the column end for Ni determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The experimental data to describe Ni sorption by xylem in both the presence and absence of ligands was better explained by the Freundlich isotherm model. The decreasing affinity order of ligands for Ni was: oxalic acid>citric acid>histidine>aspartic acid. On the other hand, the Ni(II) adsorption by xylem increased following the inverse sequence of ligands. Potentiometric titrations of acidic groups were carried out to elucidate the sorption site groups available in Q. ilex xylem. The potentiometric titration has shown three sorption sites: pK(a) 2.6 (57.7% of the sorption sites), related to monobasic aliphatic carboxylic acids or nitrogen aromatic bases, pK(a) 8.1 (9.6%) and pK(a) 9.9 (32.7%), related to phenolic groups.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 18707798
Keywords: Adsorption isotherms; Nickel; Organic ligands; Xylem

Nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al descorche - BURGOS BARRANTES, M.; SANTIAGO BELTRÁN, R.; LANZO PALACIOS, R. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
El aprovechamiento corchero, en los últimos años, ha sufrido una revolución en las técnicas y métodos de explotación que aunque no se han trasladado de manera definitiva a los propietarios, gestores o/y empresas del sector, sí han incorporado nuevas soluciones que en un futuro no muy lejano, serán herramientas claves del aprovechamiento dada la situación estructural del sector como es una mano de obra envejecida, las graves carencias en la seguridad y salud de los trabajadores o el mal estado sanitario de nuestros alcornocales. El primer avance fue la aparición en el año 1.998 del primer prototipo de la máquina electromecánica de descorche, que mediante una tecnología novedosa permitía la mecanización de la abertura y trazado del corcho (rayado), sin provocar daños en las células de la capa madre (felógeno, felodermis, líber y cambium) del alcornoque. En la actualidad, tres modelos diferentes de estas máquinas se comercializan en el mundo. Paralelamente al desarrollo de las máquinas, se han ido incorporando otras tecnologías al sector como el Carguero Forestal Teledirigido (diseñado y desarrollado por el Instituto C.M.C., IPROCOR) o los útiles de descorche MIJUROS, también ideados por este Instituto. Estos útiles o herramientas de descorche han sido la última novedad tecnológica, las cuales complementan e implementan el trabajo de las máquinas electromecánicas, realizando las tareas de ahuecado, dislocado y separado del corcho. De esta manera, el trabajo de hachas corcheras y burjas o palancas podría ser sustituido. Palabras
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: aprovechamiento; Corcho; herramientas; máquinas

Peso individual de la bellota de Quercus ilex ssp. ballota (Desf) Samp. Influencia de factores ecológicos y selvícolas - ALEJANO MONGE, REYES; VÁZQUEZ PIQUÉ, JAVIER; CAREVIC VERGARA, FELIPE; FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍNEZ, MANUEL (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
Gran parte de los estudios sobre producción de bellota están basados en la estimación del número de frutos o el peso total de los mismos, dejando a un lado cuestiones tan importantes para la cuantificación de cosechas como el tamaño o el peso individual de la bellota. El tamaño y peso de la bellota son claves desde un punto de vista ecológico, ya que influencian muchos aspectos de las estrategias de regeneración de las especies, incluyendo tasas de supervivencia, dispersión o cantidad de semillas que se pueden producir con una determinada cantidad de energía. Asimismo, puesto que permite cuantificar las cosechas de forma más precisa, el conocimiento de estos parámetros tiene un gran interés económico, especialmente en áreas donde la bellota es clave para la alimentación del cerdo ibérico. En este trabajo se estudia el peso individual de las bellotas de 31 árboles localizados en sendas parcelas de zonas adehesadas de la provincia de Huelva, durante el periodo 2001- 2006 analizando la variabilidad entre orientaciones, pies, años, tratamientos de poda aplicados y parcelas. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas en el peso medio de bellota entre árboles, parcelas y años. Asimismo se obtiene que el peso medio de bellota es mayor en la orientación sur. Los tratamientos de poda no influyen significativamente en esta variable. La variación entre años y parcelas debe tratar de explicarse a través de variables climáticas y de presencia de plagas y enfermedades en los árboles de las parcelas. Palabras
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español
Keywords: Dehesa; encina; podas; producción de bellota; regeneración; selvicultura

Photosynthesis studies on European evergreen and deciduous oaks grown under Central European climate conditions. I: a case study of leaf development and seasonal variation of photosynthetic capacity in Quercus robur (L.), Q. ilex (L.) and their semidecidu - Both, Holger; Brüggemann, Wolfgang (Trees, 2009)
Leaf development of Quercus robur (deciduous), Q. ilex (evergreen) and of their hybrid Q. 9 turneri was assessed under Central European climate conditions. In all three taxa, development of maximum photosynthetic capacity was slow, although whole chain electron transport, grana development, the xanthophyll cycle and the biochemical capacity for photosynthesis were already completely present at day 7 after budbreak (DAB 7). In the course of the following 30 days, shifts in the levels of metabolites of the photosynthetic dark reactions were observed, indicating a change from ribulose bisphosphate (RubP) regeneration limitation towards RubP consumption limitation of photosynthesis. At the same time, electron transport rates had strongly increased and the capacity of the light reactions did not seem to limit photosynthesis. Sucrose levels in the leaves increased strongly, indicating sink limitation of photosynthesis, which might be responsible for the observed slow development of maximum photosynthetic capacity in all three taxa.
Keywords: á; leaf development; leaf development á quercus; photosynthesis; Quercus; Sink limitation; sink limitation á photosynthesis

Photosynthesis studies on European evergreen and deciduous oaks grown under Central European climate conditions: II. Photoinhibitory and light-independent violaxanthin deepoxidation and downregulation of photosystem II in evergreen, winter-acclimated Euro - Brüggemann, Wolfgang; Bergmann, Michael; Nierbauer, Kai-Uwe; Pflug, Ellen; Schmidt, Carlo; Weber, Daniel (Trees, 2009)
In the context of the search for future forestry species in Central Europe under climate change scenarios, the evergreen Mediterranean Quercus taxa Q. ilex ssp. ilex and Q. suber and the semideciduous hybrids. Q. 9 turneri and Q. 9 hispanica were studied in relation to their photochemical efﬁciency of photosystem II and to the activity of the xanthophyll cycle under Central European winter conditions. The evergreen taxa were remarkably insensitive to winter stress in the ﬁeld and reacted towards frost periods with the phenomenon of ‘‘chronic photoinhibition’’, i.e. a decrease in pre-dawn Fv/Fm and an increase in the deepoxidation state of the xanthophylls. Under dark and warmer conditions (room temperature), winter-acclimated leaves of the evergreen taxa except for Q. 9 turneri produced zeaand antheraxanthin and decreased Fv/Fm, possibly by creation of a chlororespiratory pH-gradient. It is suggested that the ability for dark violaxanthin deepoxidation may contribute to the winter hardiness of the evergreen taxa.
Keywords: á downregulation of ps; chlororespiration; chlororespiration á photoinhibition á; downregulation of ps II; ii; photoinhibition; Quercus; quercus á winter acclimation; winter acclimation

Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae on naturally infected asymptomatic foliage - Denman, S.; Kirk, S. A.; Moralejo, E.; Webber, J. F. (EPPO Bulletin, 2009)
Phytophthora ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae are recently discovered invasive Phytophthoras causing leaf necrosis and shoot tip dieback mostly on ornamental and forest understorey species, but also cause bleeding cankers on stems of a wide range of tree species. Sporulation occurs only on infected shoots or fruits and foliage so foliar hosts are central to the disease epidemiology. In field trials to assess infection in trap plants exposed to natural inoculum of P. ramorum and P. kernoviae on rhododendron in south west England, it was discovered that leaves of the trap plants (Rhododendron‘Cunninghams White’) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) were asymptomatically infected and supported sporulation of both pathogens. More than half the rhododendron trap plants exposed to inoculum of P. kernoviae became infected compared with approximately a third of those exposed to P. ramorum in a natural situation. Approximately one third of the infections were detected from asymptomatic foliage for both pathogens. The significance of these findings for plant health regulation based on visual inspection as a measure to prevent introduction and dissemination of both these pathogens is explored and research gaps identified.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: asymptomatic infection; pathogen sporulation (voyant); Phytophthora kernoviae; Phytophthora ramorum

Plant water relations and edaphoclimatic conditions affecting acorn production in a holm oak (Quercus ilex L. ssp. ballota) open woodland - Carevic, F. S.; Fernández, M.; Alejano, R.; Vázquez-Piqué, J.; Tapias, R.; Corral, E.; Domingo, J. (Agroforestry Systems, 2009)
Acorn production patterns and the annual evolution of water relations parameters of Quercus ilex ssp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. in a dehesa (an open woodland forest) subject to various soil treatments (ploughing, ploughing? sowing, control) were studied in southwest Spain from June 2006 to December 2008. The effects of soil water holding capacity and effective soil depth on soil and plant water status and acorn production were also investigated. Water parameters showed signiÞcant differences between the ploughing treatment and the control, and there were also signiÞcant temporal differences. Xylem water potential ranged from- 3.4 ± 0.1 to - 0.7 ± 0.2 MPa, and cuticular transpiration was 62.4Ð 192.9 mmol H2O kg - 1 s - 1 . Acorn production did not differ signiÞcantly according to soil treatment, and showed large intra-speciÞc variability. Individual values ranged from 0 to 1,220 g m - 2 (fresh weight). Positive relationships were found between xylem water potential, cuticular transpiration and relative water content measured at midsummer, and acorn production during the three studied years. These results suggest that climatic conditions and soil water availability have a strong inßuence on plant water status, and therefore on acorn development during summer. The results also reßect the ability of this species to adapt to the Mediterranean climate by preserving water during dry periods, which to a large extent can be attributed to stomatal closure at high relative water content levels, an
Keywords: acorn production; cuticular transpiration; land use; pressure-volume curves; soil treatments; water potential

Posición fitoclimática del alcornocal de Bozoo (Burgos) - GARCÍA-LÓPEZ, J. M.; ALLUÉ CAMACHO, C. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
Se estudia la posición fitoclimática de una formación de alcornoque (Quercus suber L.) situada en la localidad de Bozoó (Burgos) que presenta condiciones ecológicas aparentemente atípicas por su lejanía del área principal de distribución de esta especie en España. El sistema fitoclimático utilizado fue el de Allué-Andrade modificado. Los resultados obtenidos confirman sólo parcialmente este pretendido carácter atípico. Por una parte, el alcornocal de Bozoó se asemeja fitoclimáticamente a los alcornocales no litorales catalanes (y posiblemente también a alguno levantino) por su encuadramiento general en el subtipo nemoromediterráneo submediterráneo VI(IV)4. Sin embargo, el principal factor diferenciador del resto de alcornocales españoles es el bajo valor de la temperatura media anual, que lo acerca más a algunos alcornocales salmantinos y zamoranos poco térmicos. Compensaciones térmicas a este bajo valor factorial, por su posición topográfica en solana podrían explicar la presencia del alcornoque en este área tan apartada de su distribución general. La escasez de sustratos de naturaleza ácida en la comarca podrían también explicar en parte la inexistencia de otros alcornocales en situaciones fitoclimáticas parecidas. Palabras
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: Alcornoque; envolvente convexa; España; Fitoclimatología; idoneidad; Quercus suber

Postfledging habitat selection of juvenile middle spotted woodpeckers: a multi-scale approach - Ciudad, Carlos; Robles, Hugo; Matthysen, Erik (Ecography, 2009)
Despite its relevance for the persistence of populations, the ecological mechanisms underlying habitat use decisions of juvenile birds are poorly understood. We examined postfledging habitat selection of radio-tracked juvenile middle spotted woodpeckers Dendrocopos medius at multiple hierarchically-nested spatial scales in NW Spain. At the landscape and home range scales, old oak forest was the most used and selected habitat, young oak forests and pine plantations were avoided, and riverside forests were used as available. At a lower scale, birds selected larger diameter trees for foraging. Home ranges had higher densities of large deciduous trees (mainly oaks Quercus spp., but also poplars Populus spp. and willows Salix spp. 22 cm and 33 cm DBH) selected for foraging by juveniles than non-used areas. These results suggest that foraging conditions may drive, at least partly, habitat use decisions by juvenile birds. We also discuss the potential influence of intraspecific competition, the search for a future breeding territory in the early postfledging period and predation avoidance on habitat use decisions by juvenile birds. Contrary to previous studies on migrant forest birds, postfledging juvenile woodpeckers selected the same habitat as for the breeding adults (i.e. old oak forest), indicating that migrant and resident specialist avian species may require different conservation actions. Conservation strategies of woodpecker populations should consider the protection of old oak forests with high densities of large trees to provide suitable habitat to breeding adults and postfledging juveniles. The habitat improvement for this indicator and umbrella species would also favour other organisms that depend on characteristics of old-growth oak forests.
Keywords: foraging habitat use; habitat selection; juvenile birds; oak forests; postfledging (voyant)

Pre-dispersal acorn predation in mixed oak forests: interspecific differences are driven by the interplay among seed phenology, seed size and predator size - ESPELTA, JOSEP M.; Bonal, Raul; Sánchez-Humanes, Belén (Journal of Ecology, 2009)
1. Pre-dispersal seed predation (PSP) often occurs in multi-host–predator systems (e.g. several plant species exposed to a common array of granivorous insects). However, whether the interaction among seed phenology, seed size and predator size accounts for interspecific differences in PSP remains elusive. 2. We studied PSP in a mixed-oak forest with two oaks (the larger-seeded Quercus humilis and the smaller-seeded Q. ilex), both depredated by two acorn weevils (the smaller Curculio glandium and the larger C. elephas). We intensively monitored acorn production and infestation phenology and we identified the weevil species depredating acorns by means of DNA taxonomy. 3. The minimum acorn size required for infestation was lower for C. glandium than for C. elephas, in accordance with their different body sizes. This resulted in an earlier infestation phenology in C. glandium and the ability of this species to infest both smaller and larger acorns. Above a minimum acorn size threshold, no selection for larger acorns by weevils was observed. 4. Initial acorn crop size was similar in the two oaks. Nonetheless, the earlier acorn phenology and the production of larger acorns in Q. humilis favoured the earlier infestation by C. glandium and the predation by both small and large weevils. Smaller acorns of Q. ilex almost excluded infestation by the larger C. elephas. 5. Although larger acorns of Q. humilis could better survive infestation (preserve the embryo), higher PSP in this species finally resulted in a lower mature acorn crop size than in Q. ilex. 6. Synthesis. In a multi-host–predator system, smaller-seeded species may benefit from a reduced PSP because they exclude larger granivorous insects, but also by means of a ‘free-rider effect’, if larger-seeded heterospecifics earlier reach a critical size to be depredated. These results also highlight the benefits of a small body size in granivorous insects to depredate seeds earlier and to forage on a wider range of seed sizes. Whether the advantage of ‘being small’ in this antagonistic plant–animal interaction is offset by other processes, or whether it results in a pressure towards seed and insect size reduction, deserves further attention.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Curculio elephas; Curculio glandium; Mediterranean oak forests; multi-host–predator system; Quercus humilis; Quercus ilex; seed ecology; seed satiation; species coexistence

Preindustrial agriculture versus organic agriculture - Guzmán Casado, G. I. I.; González de Molina, M. (Land Use Policy, 2009)
The study of traditional agrarian systems can provide useful knowledge for improving the sustainability of present-day agriculture. Nonetheless, with the loss of traditional agro-ecosystems and the rationale that guides them, as has happened in Europe, an historical research approach can have a decisive role to play in recapturing this knowledge. In this article we study the evolution of a typical Mediterranean agro-ecosystem during the last 250 years, supporting the claim that high diversity and the internalization of energy ﬂows and nutrient cycles found in traditional agriculture, are not only characteristics of the greatest sustainability of such systems, but are based in the need for additional land in production. This claim requires the dedication of land to diverse and complementary uses that leave a footprint on the landscape. Organic agriculture needs to consider this “land cost”, meanwhile trying to minimize it in order to improve its actual degree of sustainability.
Keywords: Environmental history; Land cost; land use; Organic agriculture

Preliminary genetic approach based on both cytogenetic and molecular characterisations of nine oak species - Carvalho, a; Paula, a; Guedes‐Pinto, H.; Martins, L.; Carvalho, J.; Lima‐Brito, J. (Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 2009)

Presentación del Plan Español de Dehesas - SOLANO LÓPEZ, J. M.; VELASCO POSADA, A. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
La elaboración del Plan Español de Dehesas se enmarca en la ejecución del Plan Forestal Español (2002). El objetivo del Plan es la identificación, caracterización y diagnóstico de los sistemas adehesados españoles, así como el establecimiento de directrices de actuación que faciliten la coordinación de su gestión entre las distintas administraciones. El enfoque del Plan no es exclusivo sobre la típica dehesa mediterránea, formada por quercíneas esclerófilo-perennifolias, sino que contempla los sistemas adehesados en sentido amplio, incluyendo montes arbolados de frondosas no esclerófilas, montes de sabina albar, pinares adehesados y dehesas arbustivas. Se pretende con ello fomentar la conservación de una gran variedad de ecosistemas forestales agrosilvopastorales, que son objeto de aprovechamiento múltiple por su escasa rentabilidad. La definición cartográfica de las distintas tipologías ha sido elaborada fundamentalmente a partir del Mapa Forestal Español 1:50.000 y del Tercer Inventario Forestal Nacional. Para el desarrollo de los trabajos ha sido fundamental la participación de los servicios forestales de todas las comunidades autónomas, así como de las principales universidades y centros de investigación implicados en el mejor conocimiento de la dehesa. Las propuestas de actuación incluyen medidas selvícolas y de gestión de la ganadería, junto a nuevas líneas de trabajo relacionadas con la agricultura, producción ecológica, y denominaciones geográficas de calidad, siempre al amparo de las nuevas programaciones de desarrollo rural
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: Dehesa; multifuncionalidad del monte; ordenación forestal

Prospective use of collected fog water in the restoration of degraded burned areas under dry Mediterranean conditions - Estrela, María J.; Valiente, José a; Corell, David; Fuentes, David; Valdecantos, Alejandro (Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2009)
A mountainous plot located in the interior of the Valencia region (east coast of the Iberian Peninsula) was identiﬁed for reforestation using the fog-water collection potential prevailing in the area. Fog data were obtained by means of an instrument ensemble consisting of a passive cylindrical fog-water collector, a rain gauge, a wind direction and velocity sensor and a temperature and humidity probe. Preliminary results gave rise to the additional deployment of a low-cost 18-m2 ﬂat-panel collector connected to three 1000-l tanks for larger scale fog-water collection and storage. The 2007 annual rate of fog water that could be derived from the instrument ensemble amounted to 3.3 l/m2 /day, which turn out to ﬁll up the storage tanks completely in only 5 months, even though the ﬂat-panel collector could not be operative 100% of the time. The study made use of the in situ stored water and a micro-irrigation network to irrigate a plot of reforestation seedlings through small water pulses localized deep in the planting hole during the summer dry period. Until the present, this forest location had always shown a difﬁcult self-recovery due to the high level of land degradation resulting from recurrent forest ﬁres in the past. Results indicate that survival rates and seedling performance of the two species planted, Pinus pinaster and Quercus ilex, improved with the use of small timely waterings and additional treatments with composted biosolid.
Keywords: Micro-irrigation; passive fog collection; Reforestation; Valencia region

Quercus ilex root growth in response to heterogeneous conditions of soil bulk density and soil NH4-N content - Cubera, Elena; Moreno, Gerardo; Solla, Alejandro (Soil and Tillage Research, 2009)
A greenhouse study examined the effects of heterogeneous conditions of soil bulk density and soil NH4-N content on the growth of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings over an 8-month period. Heterogeneity of soil was produced inside 150 cm depth pots, by applying manual compaction or enriching different soil layers with NH4 (vertical heterogeneity) and, by splitting the root system into two columns with differing soil bulk density or NH4 conditions (horizontal heterogeneity). Root distribution patterns were assessed by collecting roots within layers, each 10 cm depth, and by recording both the ﬁne (diameter <2 mm) and the coarse (diameter 2 mm) root biomass. Root systems signiﬁcantly responded to the vertical gradients of soil bulk density, decreasing their maximum depth and showing lower values of ﬁne root densities at the layers with a dry bulk density of 1.62 Mg m3 . The split-root system showed that maximum rooting depth of the axis with a dry bulk density of 1.38 Mg m3 was limited by the reduced rooting depth of the adjacent more compacted axis. Root systems were less dense in the NH4 soil treatment than in the control soil treatment (34 mg dm3 vs. 212 mg dm3 ), even at the lowest rate used (0:1 g NH4 L 1 soil ). This high sensitivity to NH4 conducted to a signiﬁcant decrease of shoot height and root depth (50 and 43%, respectively). The split-root system showed that unfavourable conditions of NH4 content have local consequences on the rooting depth and systemic consequences on the ﬁne root density. The implications of root growth restrictions for Q. ilex natural regeneration, seedling survival, and decline are discussed.
Keywords: Oak decline; Quercus ilex; Root density; Root depth; Soil bulk density; Soil NH4 content

Reconstructing middle to late Holocene palaeogeographies of the lower Messenian plain (southwestern Peloponnese, Greece): Coastline migration, vegetation history and sea level change - Engel, M.; Knipping, M.; Brückner, H.; Kiderlen, M.; Kraft, J. C. (Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 2009)
The glacio-eustatic sea level rise after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) led to a worldwide ﬂooding of shelf areas and the evolution of marine embayments and indentations. Its signiﬁcant deceleration in midHolocene times resulted in the overcompensation by sediment yields and shoreline progradation in many areas. At the southeastern part of the lower Messenian plain (southwestern Peloponnese, Greece) detailed investigations of the Holocene stratigraphy revealed a maximum landward shoreline displacement around 3000 BC. Subsequently, aggradational processes started to form a prominent beach ridge in the late 3rd millennium BC. This is the substratum on which the early Iron Age Poseidon Sanctuary of Akovitika was founded approx. 900–850 BC. Palaeogeographic reconstructions based on 18 corings in the sanctuary and its surroundings revealed the later extension of adjacent marshland and gradual surface levelling due to seasonal inundations. These ﬁndings represent probable reasons for the abandonment of the ceremonial site around 380–350 BC. Palynological studies of the vegetational changes provide evidence for early land use and reﬂect regional settlement activities. Initial degradation and burning of woodland during late Neolithic times (c. 3500–3100 BC) as well as signiﬁcantly reduced human impact during the Protogeometric Dark Ages (c. 1060–900 BC) are proven. Additionally, local relative mean sea level (RSL) change since 5000 BC was reconstructed based on 14 C dated paralic peats.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Akovitika; Geoarchaeology; greece; holocene stratigraphy; Pollen analysis; Sea level changes

Regeneration traits are structuring phylogenetic diversity in cork oak ( Quercus suber ) woodlands - Coca, Manuel; Pausas, Juli G. (Journal of Vegetation Science, 2009)
Keywords: Biodiversity; disturbance; logenetic community structure; phy-; phylodiversity; resprouters; seeders

Relación entre el aspecto visual, la densidad y el comportamiento mecánico del tapón de corcho - GARCÍA DE CECA VALERO, J. L.; GONZÁLEZ HERNÁNDEZ, F.; CÁCERES ESTEBAN, M. J.; GONZÁLEZ-ADRADOS, J. R. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la relación existente entre los parámetros utilizados actualmente en la industria para la clasificación del tapón de corcho y el comportamiento mecánico del mismo. Para ello se han tomado dos muestras de tapones naturales de cada una de las tres clases de calidad utilizadas por una industria seleccionada como representativa. Cada una de las dos muestras es de procedencia distinta: Andalucía y Cataluña. En cada tapón se ha determinado la porosidad lateral, la presencia de anomalías, la densidad, la fuerza de compresión, la fuerza de extracción y la deformación residual o recuperación diametral. Los resultados de los análisis estadísticos realizados muestran que la variable de tipo mecánico que mejor se relaciona con la calidad es la recuperación diametral. La compresión y la fuerza de extracción están muy relacionadas con la densidad y se ven muy influenciadas por la procedencia. Esto sugiere que la inclusión de parámetros mecánicos en los modelos de clasificación del corcho permitiría una definición más objetiva de las clases y una mejor predicción del comportamiento del producto final. Así mismo, facilitaría la caracterización de la materia prima y la definición de los indicadores más importantes desde el punto de vista productivo.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: anomalías; calidad; compresión; extracción; Porosidad; procedencia; recuperación diametral; Tapón natural

Relación entre el aspecto visual, la densidad y la composición química del corcho - CÁCERES ESTEBAN, M. J.; GARCIA-VALLEJO, M. C.; GARCIA DE CECA, J. L.; GONZÁLEZ-ADRADOS, J. R. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
Este trabajo profundiza en el conocimiento de las propiedades del corcho, estudiando la relación entre las dos características principales desde el punto de vista físico (porosidad y densidad) y la composición química del material. Para ello se han tomado dos muestras de tapones naturales de cada una de las tres clases de calidad utilizadas por una industria seleccionada como representativa. Cada una de las dos muestras es de procedencia distinta: Andalucía y Cataluña. En cada tapón se ha determinado la porosidad lateral, la densidad, y la composición química según la metodología de análisis fraccionado clásico. Los resultados de los análisis de la varianza realizados muestran que la composición química del corcho es relativamente homogénea, y no se ve afectada, en general, por ninguno de los dos factores considerados: calidad y procedencia. La excepción es el contenido de suberina, en el que se encuentran porcentajes significativamente mayores para los corchos de mejor calidad que para los de las otras dos clases consideradas y para los procedentes de Cataluña respecto de los de Andalucía. El estudio de las correlaciones entre las variables estudiadas muestra la relación existente entre la presencia de componentes no estructurales (extractivos) y la porosidad, lo que sugiere que la mayor parte de estos compuestos se localizan en los canales lenticulares, y son responsables, además del aumento de la densidad del material.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: calidad industrial; polifenoles; Porosidad; suberina

Relevance of genetics for conservation policies: the case of Minorcan cork oaks - Lorenzo, Zaida; Burgarella, Concetta; de Heredia, Unai López; Lumaret, Roselyne; Petit, Rémy J.; Soto, Álvaro; Gil, Luis; Soto, Álvaro; Gil, Luis (Annals of Botany, 2009)
Background and Aims Marginal populations of widely distributed species can be of high conservation interest when they hold a significant or unique portion of the genetic diversity of the species. However, such genetic information is frequently lacking. Here the relevance of genetic surveys to develop efficient conservation strategies for such populations is illustrated using cork oak (Quercus suber) from Minorca (Balearic Islands, Spain) as a case study. Cork oak is highly endangered on the island, where no more than 67 individuals live in small, isolated stands in siliceous sites. As a consequence, it was recently granted protected status.Methods Two Bayesian clustering approaches were used to analyse the genetic structure of the Minorcan population, on the basis of nuclear microsatellite data. The different groups within the island were also compared with additional island and continental populations surrounding Minorca.Key Results Very high genetic diversity was found, with values comparable with those observed in continental parts of the species' range. Furthermore, the Minorcan oak stands were highly differentiated from one another and were genetically related to different continental populations of France and Spain.Conclusions The high levels of genetic diversity and inter-stands differentiation make Minorcan cork oak eligible for specific conservation efforts. The relationship of Minorcan stands to different continental populations in France and Spain probably reflects multiple colonization events. However, discrepancy between chloroplast DNA- and nuclear DNA-based groups does not support a simple scenario of recent introduction. Gene exchanges between neighbouring cork oak stands and with holm oak have created specific and exceptional genetic combinations. They also constitute a wide range of potential genetic resources for research on adaptation to new environmental conditions. Conservation guidelines that take into account these findings are provided.
From Duplicate 2 (Relevance of genetics for conservation policies: the case of Minorcan cork oaks - Lorenzo, Zaida; Burgarella, Concetta; de Heredia, Unai López; Lumaret, Roselyne; Petit, Rémy J; Soto, Álvaro; Gil, Luis)From Duplicate 2 (Relevance of genetics for conservation policies: the case of Minorcan cork oaks - Lorenzo, Zaida; Burgarella, Concetta; de Heredia, Unai López; Lumaret, Roselyne; Petit, Rémy J; Soto, Álvaro; Gil, Luis)The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 19671575
Keywords: Balearic Islands; cluster analysis; conservation guidelines; Conservation of Natural Resources; Genetic Variation; Geography; marginal populations; Minorca; Nuclear microsatellites; Population Dynamics; Q. ilex (holm oak); Quercus; Quercus suber (cork oak); Quercus: genetics; Soil; Spain; western Mediterranean

Response of broadleaved evergreen Mediterranean forest vegetation to fire disturbance during the Holocene: insights from the peri-Adriatic region - Colombaroli, Daniele; Tinner, Willy; van Leeuwen, Jacqueline; Noti, Roland; Vescovi, Elisa; Vannière, Boris; Magny, Michel; Schmidt, Roland; Bugmann, Harald (Journal of Biogeography, 2009)
Aim To test whether fire contributed to the expansion and compositional change of evergreen forests in the Mediterranean region during the Holocene. Location The peri-Adriatic region, encompassing the Italian peninsula, Sicily and the western and southern Balkans between latitudes 46° and 37° N. Methods New high-resolution pollen and microscopic charcoal data from Lago dell’Accesa (Tuscany, Italy) were used to estimate the response of the evergreen oak, Quercus ilex L., to fire during its expansion phase at 8500 cal. yr bp. The data were compared with the pollen and charcoal series from other Mediterranean sites (Lago di Massaciuccoli in Tuscany, Malo Jezero in Croatia, Biviere di Gela in Sicily) and analysed using numerical techniques (redundancy analysis, detrended canonical correspondence analysis) to identify long-term fire–vegetation linkages and the degree of compositional change. Results Microscopic charcoal and pollen of evergreen oaks were negatively correlated during the period of quasi-natural fire regime (Mesolithic, 10,000–8000 cal. yr bp). In addition, there was no such positive correlation during periods when the fire regime was potentially more influenced by people (Neolithic–Bronze Age, 8000–3000 cal. yr bp). Compared with inland sites, coastal sites that are currently located at a distinct ecotone showed more compositional change. Main conclusions The analyses suggest that climatic change, without an additional effect of fire regimes, favoured the expansion and compositional change of evergreen forests across the peri-Adriatic region. Strikingly different patterns occurred along a north–south gradient. In the north (Tuscany and Croatia, meso-Mediterranean belt), Q. ilex replaced deciduous forests when conditions became drier; in the south (Sicily, thermo-Mediterranean belt) the species replaced maquis or steppe vegetation when climatic conditions became moister. We conclude that the projected increase in fire activity may lead to the loss of most of the remaining relict forests of Q. ilex in southern Europe.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Compositional change; cross-correlations; Fire history; Mediterranean vegetation; microscopic charcoal analysis; Pollen analysis; Quercus ilex; redundancy analysis; species diversity

Rinodina evae (Physciaceae, Ascomycota), a new corticolous blastidiate species from Eastern Spain - Fos, Simón; Giralt, Mireia (Nova Hedwigia, 2009)
Rinodina evae, a new corticolous species, is described from Eastern Spain. It is mainly characterized by a blastidiate, hairy thallus, Pachysporaria-type ascospores and the lack of secondary lichen substances. Hitherto, it is only known from several cork-oak forests of Catalonia and the Valencian Community, where it always grows on virgin bark of Quercus suber. The new species is compared with Rinodina poeltiana, somewhat similar in habit, as well as with other corticolous blastidiate Rinodina species.
Keywords: Biodiversity; cork-oak forests; iberian peninsula; lichens; Rinodina; taxonomy

Seed weevils living on the edge: pressures and conflicts over body size in the endoparasitic Curculio larvae - Bonal, Raul; Muñoz, Alberto (Ecological Entomology, 2009)
Abstract 1. Body size in parasitic insects can be subjected to contrasting selective pressures, especially if they complete their development within a single host. On the one hand, a larger body size is associated with a higher fitness. On the other hand, the host offers a discrete amount of resources, thus constraining the evolution of a disproportionate body size. 2. The present study used the weevil Curculio elephas as a study model. Larvae develop within a single acorn, feeding on its cotyledons, and larval body size is strongly related to individual fitness. 3. The relationship between larval and acorn size was negatively exponential. Larval growth was constrained in small acorns, which did not provide enough food for the weevils to attain their potential size. Larval size increased and levelled off in acorns over a certain size (inflexion point), in which cotyledons were rarely depleted. When there were more than one larva per acorn, a larger acorn was necessary to avoid food depletion. 4. The results show that C. elephas larvae are sometimes endoparasitic, living on the edge of host holding capacity. If they were smaller they could avoid food depletion more easily, but the fitness benefits linked to a larger size have probably promoted body size increase. The strong negative effects of conspecific competition may have possibly influenced female strategy of laying a single egg per seed. 5. Being larger and fitter, but always within the limits of the available host sizes, may be one main evolutionary dilemma in endoparasites.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: acorn; Body size; Curculio; endoparasitism; food constraints; granivorous insects; Holm oak; host size; larvae

Soil CO2 efflux and extractable organic carbon fractions under simulated precipitation events in a Mediterranean Dehesa - Casals, Pere; Gimeno, Cristina; Carrara, Arnaud; Lopez-Sangil, Luis; Sanz, MJosé (Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2009)
The magnitude of CO2 efﬂux pulses after rewetting a dry soil is highly variable and the factors regulating these pulses are poorly understood. In this ﬁeld experiment, we aimed to study the C dynamics after simulated summer rainstorms in a Mediterranean open holm oak woodland (dehesa). We hypothesized that because the herbaceous cover is mostly dead during the summer in this ecosystem, the short-term CO2 efﬂux (SR) after rewetting could mainly be explained by different measurable soil C fractions: i) K2SO4-extracted soil C (EOC); ii) microbial biomass C (MBC); or iii) chloroform-fumigated extracted C (CFE). On both grazed and abandoned dehesa sites, we simulated three summer rain events at two-week intervals and we measured SR discontinuously in three plots under tree canopy and in another three plots in open grassland. In each plot, C fractions and water content were estimated before (2 h) and after (36 h) each irrigation event. Following rewettings, SR increased up to ten times compared with nonirrigated plots. The CFE actually increased after rewetting in the ﬁrst two irrigations but not in the third event, suggesting that the capacity of the soil to release labile organic C from soil aggregates or litter was reduced after each irrigation event. Overall, the C released as CO2 in the ﬁrst 24 h was related to the CFE existing before rewetting, which may help to explain the spatial variability in SR. However, the explained variability decreased after each irrigation, suggesting a change to a less labile composition of the CFE fraction as a consequence of multiple drying-rewetting cycles
Keywords: Chloroform-fumigation K2SO4-extraction; drying-rewetting cycles; holm oak savanna woodland; Soil C fractions; Soil respiration

Soil fertility evolution and landscape dynamics in a Mediterranean area: a case study in the Sant Llorenç Natural Park (Barcelona, NE Spain) - Nadal, Jordi; Pèlachs, Albert; Molina, David; Soriano, Joan-Manuel (Area, 2009)
The cartography of land covers was used to study fertility and soil evolution in a mountainous Mediterranean area during the anthropocene period (Crutzen P J 2002 Geology of mankind Nature 415 23). The aim was to determine changes in fertility as agricultural lands were abandoned in the 14 000 hectare area that constitutes Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park in a pre-coastal Catalan mountain range (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula). The analysis of land covers using vegetation maps, orthorectified images and aerial photography has allowed us to differentiate six vegetation groups: holm-oak wood, pine grove, oak wood, scrub, active agricultural fields and abandoned agricultural fields. The anthropic covers over the past 100 years were subdivided into five categories: active fields and those abandoned over four time periods. Study variables include field shape (concave, convex, flat), orientation (north, south) and slope (ranging from 12º to 24º). The parameters used for the physical-chemical soil analysis included organic material, phosphorous and potassium; fertility was classified based on groups, types and classes. The results indicate that even when the visual appearance of certain landscapes is similar, the edaphic characteristics may be very different. Changes induced by human disturbance share this phenomenon. Therefore, land management should be considered globally, taking into account vegetation, soils and water as interdependent factors, since it is their interaction that produces landscape and most affects its evolution over time.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: abandoned and active agricultural fields; Human disturbance; landscape dynamic; last century scale processes; Mediterranean areas; soil alterations

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF SCENT MARKS IN THE RED FOX (VULPES VULPES L.): DO RED FOXES SELECT CERTAIN PLANTS AS SIGNAL POSTS? - de Miguel, Francisco; Valencia, Ana; Arroyo, Marta; Monclus, Raquel (POLISH JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, 2009)
Chemical signals are widely used in inter and intraspecific communication in many animals. The importance of scent marks in communication has led to a variety of strategies in animals to increase the detectability and persistence of their scent marks. We studied the scent marking of foxes in relation to the role of plants as scent posts in a suburban Mediterranean forest in Madrid. Twice a month, from October 2005 to April 2006, we prospected 16 fixed 50 x 50 m plots, randomly distributed along the study area. We registered all fox faeces and their association to different plants, as well as the potential availability of the different plant species in our study area. Our results indicate that faeces were associated with plants mainly in the clearings, foxes preferred wooden species to grasses as scent posts and holm oak shrubs and rockroses to other wooden species. These data suggest that red foxes select certain plants as substrates for their faeces and pose the possibility that they are guided by searching images when looking for scent posts.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: DZIEKANOW LESNY NEAR WARSAW, 05-092 LOMIANKI, POLAND publisher: POLISH ACAD SCIENCES INST ECOLOGY
Keywords: chemical communication; red fox Vulpes vulpes; scent marking; territorial behaviour

Sustainability in Spanish Extensive Farms (Dehesas): An Economic and Management Indicator-Based Evaluation - Gaspar, P.; Mesías, F. J.; Escribano, M.; Pulido, F. (Rangeland Ecology & Management, 2009)
The dehesa is defined as an agroforestry system that is characteristic of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, where grassland is combined with evergreen species of the genus Quercus. Those systems have been gradually transformed from the Mediterranean forest into a unique kind of pastoral woodland by means of an agricultural use. Dehesas occupy more than 6 million ha, and the livestock systems that are based in them are of vital importance for their sustainability. The present work classifies, describes, and evaluates the sustainability of these systems in the Spanish region of Extremadura (southwestern Spain). To this end, we apply a methodological adaptation of the Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems incorporating Sustainability Index (MESMIS). MESMIS is based on the evaluation of basic attributes of sustainability from indicators that allow one to make a simultaneous and comparative analysis of different types of farms. For the study, 69 farms were selected at random, and were classified using multivariate techniques into four types according to their level of intensification and productive orientation. The results were used to obtain an overall value of sustainability from a technical economic perspective for each farm type present in the dehesa. The mixed systems (beef cattle–sheep–Iberian pigs) have been found to be the most sustainable in general terms. The high–stocking rate sheep dehesas are the least sustainable, although at present, they are the most profitable. The other two groups analyzed, “low–stocking rate sheep farms” and “beef cattle farms,” had intermediate and similar scores. Mixed livestock dehesa farms are the closest to the traditional systems with a highly diverse production, an optimal use of the system's resources, and little dependence on external subsidies. In the present context, with uncertainties about European Union subsidies, this type of farm should be a goal for dehesa farmers.
Keywords: livestock production; management strategies; MESMIS; Rangelands; Sustainability indicators

Tree roots and damages in the Jewish catacombs of Villa Torlonia (Roma) - Caneva, G.; Galotta, G.; Cancellieri, L.; Savo, V. (Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2009)
Damages to hypogeal archaeological monuments, caused by the growth of tree roots, are frequently reported in the city of Rome. Problems of compatibility between trees and underground structures may become complex in the case of historical gardens. The Jewish catacombs of Villa Torlonia show relevant conservation problems, some of them arising from damages due to root growth, and consolidating interventions seem to be urgent. Some species in the gardens, especially Ficus carica L., but also Quercus ilex L. and Pinus pinea L., have developed a strong root system, growing for many meters in lateral distance and for some meters vertically. The plants responsible for the various alterations were identiﬁed by their wood anatomy and a methodology to treat similar problems has been proposed. Data collected aim to avoid errors made in managing the plant cover of an archaeological site.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Masson SAS
Keywords: archaeological site; catacombs; hypogeal conservation; rome; tree roots and buildings; Trees; wood anatomy

Ultrastructural Observations Reveal the Presence of Channels between Cork Cells - Teixeira, Rita Teresa; Pereira, Helena (MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS, 2009)
The ultrastructure of phellem cells of Quercus Silber L. (cork oak) and Calotropis procera (Ait) R. Br. were analyzed using electron transmission microscopy to determine the presence or absence of plasmodesmata (PD). Different types of Q. Silber cork samples were studied: one year shoots; virgin cork (first periderm), reproduction cork (traumatic periderm), and wet cork. The channel structures of PD were found in all the samples crossing adjacent cell walls through the suberin layer of the secondary wait. Calotropis phellem also showed PD crossing the cell walls of adjacent cells but in fewer numbers compared to Q. suber. In one year stems of cork oak, it was possible to follow the physiologically active PD with ribosomic accumulation next to the aperture of the channel seen in the phellogen cells to the completely obstructed channels in the dead cells that characterize the phellem tissue.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 32 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10013-2473 USA publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
Keywords: Calotropis procera; Cork; phellogen; plasmodesmata; Quercus suber; suberin

Using and comparing two nonparametric methods (CART and MARS) to model the potential distribution of gullies - Gutiérrez, Álvaro Gómez; Schnabel, Susanne; Lavado Contador, J. Francisco (Ecological Modelling, 2009)
Gully erosion represents an important soil degradation process in rangelands. In order to take preventive or control measures and to reduce its environmental damages and economical costs it is useful to localize the points in the landscape where gullying takes place and to determine the importance of the different factors involved. The study is carried out in Extremadura, southwest Spain. The main objectives of this work are: (a) comparing two nonparametric schemes to model the potential distribution of gullies, (b) evaluating the importance of the different factors involved in gullying processes, (c) analyzing the role of prevalence in the success of the model and ﬁnally, (d) implementing and mapping the results with the help of a Geographical Information System (GIS). Two methods were used to model the response of a dependent variable (gullying) from a set of independent variables: Classiﬁcation And Regression Trees (CART) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS). Three different datasets were used; the ﬁrst one for constructing the model (training dataset) and the others for validating the model (external datasets). These datasets are formed by a target variable (presence or absence of gullies) and a set of independent variables. The dependent variable was obtained by mapping the locations of gullies with the help of a GPS and high resolution aerial ortophotographs. A set of 32 independent variables reﬂecting topography, lithology, soil type, climate, land use and vegetation cover of each area were used. The performance of the models was evaluated using a non-dependent threshold method: the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The results showed a better performance of MARS for predicting gullying with areas under the ROC curve of 0.98 and 0.97 for the validation datasets, while CART presented values of 0.96 and 0.66.
Keywords: CART; Gully erosion; MARS; Nonparametric modelling; Rangelands; ROC curve

Utilización de materiales hidro-absorbentes en el substrato de cultivo para reducir el estrés hídrico post-transplante en brinzales de Quercus suber. - CHIRINO MIRANDA, E.; VILAGROSA CARMONA, A.; VALLEJO CALZADA, V. R. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
Una de los principales riesgos para la supervivencia de los brinzales en las reforestaciones corresponde al shock post-transplante, producido por el cambio brusco en el régimen hídrico entre el vivero y la disponibilidad hídrica en campo. La utilización de substratos que mejoren la disponibilidad de agua en las plantaciones durante las primeras etapas post-transplante puede contribuir a un mejor establecimiento de los brinzales, principalmente en ambientes con fuertes limitaciones hídricas. Con el objetivo de incrementar la capacidad de almacenamiento de agua en el cepellón, reducir el estrés post-transplante y mejorar el estado hídrico de los brinzales durante los primeros meses en plantación, se cultivó Quercus suber en 11 tipos de substrato a partir de un substrato control (mezcla de turba rubia y fibra de coco, relación 1:1 v/v) que posteriormente fue mezclado con corteza de pino (25% v/v), hidrogel Stockosorb y Bures de grano medio (0,7 y 1,5% m/m) y arcillas atapulgita y sepiolita (10 y 20% v/v). Los resultados indican que la mezcla de hidrogel en el substrato de cultivo en vivero puede ser un tratamiento adecuado para reducir el estrés post-transplante y mejorar el establecimiento y supervivencia de los brinzales en ecosistemas con limitaciones hídricas.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español
Keywords: arcilla; calidad de planta; estrés hídrico; hidrogel; shock de transplante; substrato

Variabilidad intraespecífica en el retorno de nutrientes al suelo de hojas de alcornoque (Quercus suber L.): Influencia de la distribución de nutrientes en suelo. - ANDIVIA MUÑOZ, E.; VAZQUEZ PIQUE, J.; FERNÁNDEZ MARTÍNEZ, M.; MACÍAS FERNÁNDEZ, R. (V Congreso Forestal Español, 2009)
El conocimiento del ciclo biogeoquímico en ecosistemas forestales tiene gran importancia ya que permite realizar una gestión forestal basada en criterios técnicos y científicos. Dentro del ciclo biogeoquímico el desfronde está asociado con la transferencia de energía y nutrientes entre el árbol y el suelo siendo el punto de partida para el reciclado de nutrientes. Del desfronde total, una fracción significativa corresponde a la caída de hojas senescentes por lo que el estudio de esta fracción es importante para conocer el ciclo biogeoquímico total. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar si la distribución de nutrientes en suelo tiene influencia en la cantidad de nutrientes que es retornada al suelo por la fracción de hojas. Se seleccionaron doce árboles al azar en una dehesa del sur de Huelva y su desfronde se recogió mensualmente durante tres años. Las muestras se separaron en distintas fracciones (hojas, ramillos, amentos, frutos y otros) y se analizó la composición mineral en hoja (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S). En una malla de 20x20 m se recogieron muestras de suelo a cuatro profundidades distintas y se analizaron los contenidos de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S además de analizar pH, materia orgánica, conductividad eléctrica, capacidad de intercambio catiónico y textura de cada muestra. Con los datos obtenidos se ha analizado la influencia de la distribución espacial de nutrientes en suelo sobre la variabilidad intraespecífica en el retorno de nutrientes por la fracción de hojas. Se han encontrado diferencias en la evolución mensual del aporte de nutrientes al suelo entre los años de estudios, se ha constatado una variación temporal dependiente de la fenología en el aporte de K al suelo y un efecto antagónico Ca-Mg, el resto de nutrientes no presentan un patrón de distribución espacial significativo.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: V Congreso Forestal Español pub-location: Avila
Keywords: ciclo geoquímico; Dehesa; Desfronde; nutrientes; variabilidad espacial

Volatile organic compounds from Italian vegetation and their interaction with ozone. - Calfapietra, Carlo; Fares, Silvano; Loreto, Francesco (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2009)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from vegetation (particularly isoprenoids) represent an important source of atmospheric hydrocarbons almost double the anthropogenic source. When biogenic VOC mix with NO(x) in the presence of UV radiation, ozone (O(3)) is formed. In Italy, optimal conditions for O(3) formation in terms of VOC/NO(x) ratios and abundance of UV radiation occur for long periods of the year. Moreover, Italian vegetation includes several species that are strong and evergreen isoprenoid emitters, and high temperatures for part of the year further stimulate these temperature-dependent emissions. We review emission of isoprenoids from Italian vegetation, current knowledge on the impact of rising O(3) levels on isoprenoid emission, and evidence showing that isoprenoids can increase both the O(3) flux to the plant and protection against oxidative stress because of their antioxidant functions. This trait not only influences plant tolerance to O(3) but also may substantially alter the flux of O(3) between atmosphere and biosphere.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 19019511
Keywords: antioxidant; isoprene; Monoterpene; Ozone flux; VOC

Acorn production in Spanish holm oak woodlands - Gea-Izquierdo, G.; Cañellas, I.; Montero, G. (Forest Systems, 2008)
We present a review on the state-of-the-art of fruit prodution in Western Iberia woodlands («dehesas»), and particularly in Q. ilex (holm oak) «dehesas». This threatened ecosystem is of very high ecological and economical importance. Quercus sp. fruits (acorns) are essential for wildlife, and for pig fattening in «dehesas». In the first part of this review we briefly describe the phenology of the holm oak and the factors affecting acorn morphology and chemical composition. In the second half we analyze the main known factors reported in the literature that determine acorn production: pruning, stand characteristics, and site (weather and soil). We make several suggestions to improve future research and detect the existing gaps in the undertanding of acorn production. Fruit production is highly variable, both between and within years and individuals. The mean production in «dehesas» (mean density circa 50 trees/ha) is around 250-600 kg/ha (≈100 g/canopy-m2 , CV> 100%). Acorn morphology is also very variable, with mean sound acorn size around 3.5 × 1.6 cm, CV ≈ 10% (3.5 g/acorn, CV > 50%). Silviculture plays an essential role in acorn production. Acorn production per tree seems to be negatively related to density. The effect of pruning is less clear: production seems to be reduced in the first and second years after pruning. After the third year it is not possible to discern from the literature whether there is any response to pruning or not. Weather and soil (site) also impact production and their effects should be explored in future management. The influence of genetics is unknown and should also be addressed. Longer data series are necessary. The dasometric features of the stands need to be characterized, in order to better understand production and compare results from different locations. Much research is still required to understand the functioning of fruiting in these woodlands.
Keywords: acorn; agrosilvopastoral systems; Dehesa; fruit production; Holm oak; Quercus ilex

Afforestation of a trace-element polluted area in SW Spain: woody plant performance and trace element accumulation - Domínguez, Maria Teresa; Madejón, Paula; Marañón, Teodoro; Murillo, José Manuel (European Journal of Forest Research, 2008)
Trace element soil pollution can have ecotoxic eVects on plants, which could negatively aVect the restoration of a degraded area. In this work, we studied the revegetation success in diVerent sites within a trace elementpolluted area (Guadiamar River Valley, SW Spain). We analysed the survival and growth patterns of aVorested plants of seven Mediterranean woody species, and their relation to soil pollution, over 3 years. We also analysed the trace element accumulation in the leaves of these species. The area was polluted mainly by As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn (soil total concentrations up to 250, 3.6, 236, 385 and 510 mg kg ¡1 , respectively). The woody plant performance was very diVerent between sites and between species; in the riparian sites, plant survival rates were nearly 100%, while in the upland terrace sites species such as Quercus ilex and Ceratonia siliqua showed the lowest survival rates (less than 30%) and also the lowest relative growth rates. There were no signiWcant relationships between plant performance and soil pollution in the riparian sites, while in the upland sites mortality, but not growth, was related to soil pollution, although that could be an indirect eVect of diVerent substrate alteration between sites. The accumulation of soil pollutants in the studied plants was low, with the exception of Salicaceae species, which accumulated Cd and Zn in the leaves above 1 and 200 mg kg ¡1 , respectively. We discuss the results with regard to the aVorestation of trace-element polluted areas.
Keywords: Heavy metals; mediterranean woody species; plant survival; relative growth rates; soil remediation

Assessing spider species richness and composition in Mediterranean cork oak forests - Cardoso, Pedro; Gaspar, Clara; Pereira, Luis C.; Silva, Israel; Henriques, Sérgio S.; da Silva, Ricardo R.; Sousa, Pedro (Acta Oecologica, 2008)
Semi-quantitative sampling protocols have been proposed as the most cost-effective and comprehensive way of sampling spiders in many regions of the world. In the present study, a balanced sampling design with the same number of samples per day, time of day, collector and method, was used to assess the species richness and composition of a Quercus suber woodland in Central Portugal. A total of 475 samples, each corresponding to one hour of effective ﬁeldwork, were taken. One hundred sixty eight species were captured, of which 150 were recorded inside a delimited one-hectare plot; this number corresponds to around 90% of the estimated species richness. We tested the effect of applying different sampling approaches (sampling day, time of day, collector experience and method) on species richness, abundance, and composition. Most sampling approaches were found to inﬂuence the species measures, of which method, time of day and the respective interaction had the strongest inﬂuence. The data indicated that fauna depletion of the sampled area possibly occurred and that the inventory was reaching a plateau by the end of the sampling process. We advocate the use of the Chao estimators as best for intensive protocols limited in space and time and the use of the asymptotic properties of the Michaelis–Menten curve as a stopping or reliability rule, as it allows the investigator to know when a close-to-complete inventory has been obtained and when reliable non-parametric estimators have been achieved.
Keywords: araneae; Arrábida; Biodiversity assessment; iberian peninsula; methodology; Portugal; Quercus suber; Richness estimators; Semi-quantitative sampling; Stop-rules

Avaliação do Potencial de Actividades em Sistemas de Uso Múltiplo: Aptidão Forrageira - Alpendre, Pedro; Gonçalves, Ana Cristina; Ferreira, Alfredo Gonçalves; Dias, Susana Saraiva (Silva Lusitana, 2008)
Multiple use systems are characterised by the presence of several cultures in a management unit. These cultures present their own characteristics and several productions, with different spatial and temporal arrangements. In Alentejo the most representative systems, in terms of area, are the "montados", agro-silvo-pastoral systems, characterised by three main components, forest, agriculture and grazing, and the interrelations among them. In these systems the grazing component and, consequently, the pasture is a fundamental activity for the system maintenance/perpetuity. The goal of this study is to create a methodology that defines the forage aptitude of the "montado", as function of the soil and forest cover. The utilisation of spatial analysis processes, in geographical information systems, allowed the development of an innovative methodology, constituting an evaluation and implementation information tool.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: scielopt
Keywords: activités en systèmes d; aptitude de; evaluation du potentiel des; evaluation tool; forage aptitude; forest cover; GIS; les systèmes d; par la présence de; plusieurs cultures; production fourragère; résumé; soils; usage multiple; usage multiple sont caractérisés

Baseline characterization of major Iberian vegetation types based on the NDVI dynamics - Alcaraz-Segura, Domingo; Cabello, Javier; Paruelo, José (Plant Ecology, 2008)
We present an approach to derive baseline conditions for the radiation intercepted by vegetation in the largest remaining patches of homogeneous vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula. These baseline conditions can serve as a reference to assess environmental changes. We also characterized the major vegetation types of the Peninsula in the functional space deﬁned by the NDVI dynamics and analyzed the climatic controls of NDVI dynamics. We analysed the attributes of the NDVI seasonal dynamics: annual mean (NDVI-I), relative range (RREL), NDVI maximum and minimum values (MAX and MIN), months of MAX and MIN (MMAX and MMIN), and their inter-annual variabilities (1982–1999). We selected as reference sites only homogeneous pixels occupied by natural vegetation. We described their relationship with climatic variables using regression models. NDVI-I and RREL captured most of the variability of the NDVI annual proﬁle. Eurosiberian vegetation types were more productive, with winter minima and summer maxima. Mediterranean vegetation had summer minima and maxima distributed from autumn to spring. Interannual differences (higher in the Mediterranean) were low for NDVI-I and MAX and high for RREL and MIN. Precipitation was the main driver of NDVI-I for the Mediterranean pixels while temperature constrained it in the Eurosiberian ones. Seasonality (RREL) was associated with winter temperatures in Eurosiberian areas and with summer drought in Mediterranean ones. The Iberian vegetation types mainly differed in terms of total production and seasonality. Such differences were related to mean and inter-annual variation in precipitation and temperature associated with the Eurosiberian and Mediterranean climate zones. The NDVI dynamics allowed us to identify a functional signature for each vegetation type which captures differences that go beyond their range of climatic factors. Our baseline descriptions, based on a common approach to characterize vegetation functioning, are proposed as reference situations to evaluate the impact of environmental changes on the remaining large patches of single major natural and seminatural vegetation types.
Keywords: AVHRR/NOAA; ecosystem functioning; iberian peninsula; Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); Regional analysis; Remote sensing

Biostratigraphy and sedimentary evolution of Late Miocene and Pliocene continental deposits of the Granada Basin (southern Spain) - García-Alix, A.; Minwer-Barakat, R.; Martín, J. M.; Martín Suárez, E.; Freudenthal, M. (Lethaia, 2008)
The Late Miocene and Pliocene continental sediments in the Granada Basin (southern Spain) have yielded large amounts of fossil small mammals in 37 localities from 11 sections. The aim of this paper is to integrate faunistic, stratigraphic, and sedimentary criteria to unravel the geological history of the continental infilling of the basin. The palaeontological study has led to a detailed biozonation on the basis of rodents, which helps to correlate in detail the different sedimentary units found in the basin, and to follow the changes of the different sedimentary systems and their palaeogeographical evolution through time. Combination of the proposed biostratigraphy and the reinterpretation of the magnetostratigraphic analyses of the Barranco del Purcal section allows us to assign an absolute age slightly older than 5.23 Ma to the Turolian–Ruscinian boundary (MN13-MN14)
Keywords: Biostratigraphy; fossil small mammals; Granada Basin; Late Miocene; Pliocene; sedimentary evolution; Turolian–Ruscinian boundary.

Causes of change in nitrophytic and oligotrophic lichen species in a Mediterranean climate: impact of land cover and atmospheric pollutants. - Pinho, P.; Augusto, S.; Martins-Loução, M. a; Pereira, M. J.; Soares, A.; Máguas, C.; Branquinho, C. (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2008)
With the aim of determining the main drivers of changes in nitrophytic and oligotrophic macro-lichen communities in an industrial region with a Mediterranean climate, we considered both land-cover types and atmospheric pollutants. We determined the relation between the abundance of nitrophytic and oligotrophic species with environmental factors considering the distance of influence of land-cover types. The results showed that oligotrophic species decreased in the proximity of artificial areas, barren land and agricultural areas, associated with higher concentrations of NO2 and Zn, and Ti, probably dust of industrial and agricultural origin. Nitrophytic species were positively related to all the mentioned land-cover types, and with higher concentrations of Fe and N. Magnesium, probably from ocean aerosols, was negatively related to oligotrophic species and positively to nitrophytic.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 18222577
Keywords: Biodiversity; Distance of influence; Functional groups; land use; Nitrogen tolerance; Pollutant sources

Changes of the potential distribution area of French Mediterranean forests under global warming - Gaucherel, C.; Guiot, J.; Misson, L. (Biogeosciences, 2008)
This work aims at understanding future spatial and temporal distributions of tree species in the Mediterranean region of France under various climates. We focused on two different species (Pinus Halepensis and Quercus Ilex) and compared their growth under the IPCC-B2 climate scenario in order to quantify signiﬁcant changes between present and future. The inﬂuence of environmental factors such as atmospheric CO2 increase and topography on the tree growth has also been quantiﬁed. We modeled species growth with the help of a processbased model (MAIDEN), previously calibrated over measured ecophysiological and dendrochronological series with a Bayesian scheme. The model was fed with the ARPEGE – MeteoFrance climate model, combined with an explicit increase in CO2 atmospheric concentration. The main output of the model gives the carbon allocation in boles and thus tree production. Our results show that the MAIDEN model is correctly able to simulate pine and oak production in space and time, after detailed calibration and validation stages. Yet, these simulations, mainly based on climate, are indicative and not predictive. The comparison of simulated growth at end of 20th and 21st centuries, show a shift of the pine production optimum from about 650 to 950 m due to 2.5 K temperature increase, while no optimum has been found for oak. With the direct effect of CO2 increase taken into account, both species show a signiﬁcant increase in productivity (+26 and +43% for pine and oak respectively) at the end of the 21st century. While both species have different growth mechanisms, they have a good chance to extend their spatial distribution and their elevation in the Alps during the 21st century under the IPCC-B2 climate scenario. This extension is mainly due to the CO2 fertilization effect.
Keywords: climate modeling (voyant); CO2; Pinus halepensis; Quercus ilex; tree growth

Climate versus human-driven fire regimes in Mediterranean landscapes: the Holocene record of Lago dell’Accesa (Tuscany, Italy) - Vannière, B.; Colombaroli, D.; Chapron, E.; Leroux, A.; Tinner, W.; Magny, M. (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2008)
A high-resolution sedimentary charcoal record from Lago dell’Accesa in southern Tuscany reveals numerous changes in fire regime over the last 11.6kyr cal.BP and provides one of the longest gap-free series from Italy and the Mediterranean region. Charcoal analyses are coupled with gamma density measurements, organic-content analyses, and pollen counts to provide data about sedimentation and vegetation history. A comparison between fire frequency and lake-level reconstructions from the same site is used to address the centennial variability of fire regimes and its linkage to hydrological processes. Our data reveal strong relationships among climate, fire, vegetation, and land-use and attest to the paramount importance of fire in Mediterranean ecosystems. The mean fire interval (MFI) for the entire Holocene was estimated to be 150yr, with a minimum around 80yr and a maximum around 450yr. Between 11.6 and 3.6kyrcal.BP, up to eight high-frequency fire phases lasting 300–500yr generally occurred during shifts towards low lake-level stands (ca 11,300, 10,700, 9500, 8700, 7600, 6200, 5300, 3400, 1800 and 1350cal. yrBP). Therefore, we assume that most of these shifts were triggered by drier climatic conditions and especially a dry summer season that promoted ignition and biomass burning. At the beginning of the Holocene, high climate seasonality favoured fire expansion in this region, as inmany other ecosystems of the northern and southern hemispheres. Human impact affected fire regimes and especially fire frequencies since the Neolithic (ca 8000–4000cal.yrBP). Burning as a consequence of anthropogenic activities becamemore frequent after the onset of the Bronze Age (ca 3800–3600cal. yrBP) and appear to be synchronous with the development of settlements in the region, slash-and-burn agriculture, animal husbandry, and mineral exploitation. The anthropogenic phases with maximum fire activity corresponded to greater sensitivity of the vegetation and triggered significant changes in vegetational communities (e.g. temporal declines of Quercus ilex forests and expansion of shrublands and macchia). The link between fire and climate persisted during the mid- and late Holocene, when human impact on vegetation and the fire regime was high. This finding suggests that climatic conditions were important for fire occurrence even under strongly humanised ecosystem conditions.
Keywords: CHARCOAL ANALYSIS; Climatic conditions; Fire regime; Holocene; human activities; Pollen analysis; Vegetation history (voyant)

Comparative morphology, biology and phylogeny of terminalâ€instar larvae of the European species of Toryminae (Hym., Chalcidoidea, Torymidae) parasitoids of gall - GÓMEZ, J. F. (Zoological Journal of of the Linnean Society, 2008)
We present a phylogenetic and taxonomic study of the morphology and biology of the terminal-instar larval stage of 19 species representing all the genera of Torymidae parasitoids of gall wasps in Europe, with the single exception of Megastigmus. The genera studied include Adontomerus Nikol’skaya, Idiomacromerus Crawford, Chalcimerus Steffan & Andriescu, Glyphomerus Förster, Pseudotorymus Masi and Torymus Dalman. We primarily used chaetotaxy and some head structures. The terminal-instar larvae of all studied species are thoroughly described for the ﬁrst time and illustrated with SEM images. We provide diagnostic characters for the family and the genera studied, and keys to genera and species for the identiﬁcation of torymid larvae associated with cynipid galls. The majority of the torymid larvae studied are solitary monophagous parasitoids. Finally, to assess the potential use of larval characters in systematic studies of the family, a phylogenetic analysis of the studied taxa based on 42 larval morphological characters is proposed and compared with the current taxonomy of Torymidae. Our results suggest that body chaetotaxy, and characters of the head and mouthparts could be used for genera and species discrimination.
Keywords: cynipid galls; food webs; identiﬁcation key; immature stages

A conceptual model of sprouting responses in relation to fire damage: an example with cork oak (Quercus suber L.) trees in Southern Portugal - Moreira, Francisco; Catry, Filipe; Duarte, Inês; Acácio, Vanda; Silva, Joaquim Sande (Plant Ecology, 2008)
The sprouting response types of 1,151 cork oak (Quercus suber) trees one and half years after a wildﬁre in southern Portugal were characterised. It was hypothesised that different response types should occur according to the following conceptual model: an increased level of damage (ﬁre severity) on a sprouting tree that suffered a crown ﬁre was expected to be reﬂected in a sequence of four alternative events, namely (a) resprouting exclusively from crown, (b) simultaneous resprouting from crown and base, (c) resprouting exclusively from base and (d) plant death. To assess whether the level of expected damage was inﬂuenced by the level of protection from disturbance, we explored the relationships between response types and tree size, bark thickness and cork stripping, using an informationtheoretic approach. The more common response type was crown resprouting (68.8% of the trees), followed by plant death (15.8%), simultaneous resprouting from crown and base (10.1%) and basal resprouting (5.3%). In agreement with the conceptual model, trees which probably suffered a higher level of damage by ﬁre (larger trees with thinner bark; exploited for cork) died or resprouted exclusively from base. On the other hand, trees that were well protected (smaller trees with thicker bark not exploited for cork) were able to rebuild their canopy through crown resprouting. Simultaneous resprouting from the crown and base was determined mainly by tree size, and it was more common in smaller trees.
Keywords: apical dominance; Mediterranean; model; mortality; resource allocation; resprouting; severity

COOPERATIVES ORGANIZED BY PRODUCERS IN SPAIN: THE CASES OF SCLAS AND COVAP - Chapulle, J. L. G.; Costar, J. A.; Diaz-Yubero, M. A. (OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR SMALLHOLDER RUMINANT SYSTEMS IN LATIN AMERICA, 2008)
This document describes two case studies of cooperative experiences in Spain. The two cases are significantly different in terms of production, volume and scale, however they have evolved in a similar way. Specifically, each of the cooperatives began when a small group of producers organized to collectively obtain inputs. Since then, through a series of stages, they have reached the point of collective transformation and commercialization of a great diversity of products. The first case is the Sobrarbe Agricultural Limited Cooperative (Sociedad Cooperativa Limitada Agropecuaria del Sobrarbe-SCLAS), created in 1983, with its headquarters in Ainsa, the Sobrarbe county seat, in the province of Huesca in the Autonomous Community of Aragon. Sobrarbe County, with a population density below three inhabitants per square kilometer, is one of the areas in Spain that has most intensely suffered a depopulation process since the middle of the 20(th), century. SCLAS has a strong connection with the territory where it operates and is focused on maintaining and promoting agricultural life in Sobrarbe County and the Pyrenean mountains in general. Since its origins as a bakery established to supply bread to the most remote mountainous areas, the cooperative has been expanding to include a range of different facets and activities, such as: (i) supplying fertilizers and seeds; (ii) purchasing and storing harvested crops (cereals, oleaginous seeds, hay); (iii) a cooperative store for food, veterinarian pharmacy, plant health, livestock material, hardware and miscellaneous (work clothing, shoes, etc.); (iv) compound and mineral feed manufacturing; (v) veterinarian service, feed advice, and fiscal and financial advice; (vi) completing paperwork for the CAP and agro-environmental assistance; (vii) plans for new facilities; (viii) technical reports; and (ix) commercial technical management. The endless list of the cooperative's activities provides livestock producers and farmers with a framework for meeting their needs. This would otherwise be difficult, given the disadvantages in a challenging rural setting (poor roads and highways, depopulation, lack of services, etc.). The range of activities carried out by the cooperative was recognized with an Award for Diversification granted at the 1995 Conference of the Spanish Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives (Federacion Espanola de Cooperativas Agrarias). One example of the cooperative's diversification can be seen in its veterinarian services, which provide clinical attention to various animal species, as well as animal feed services, plans for livestock facilities, R&D activities with research institutions, quality controls, a veterinarian pharmacy, management of genealogical books, and the promotion of new production efforts. SCLAS also fulfills an important role by assisting producer groups that have been organized in the county to address natural resource management and the sustainability of agro-livestock activities. Some examples are the Sierra y Canones de Guara Livestock Farmers Association (Asociacion de Ganaderos de la Sierra y Canones de Guara), the Association of Pyrenees Inhabitants (Asociacion de Habitantes del Pirineo), and the Huesca Extensive Meat Producers Community (Comunidad de Productores de Carne Extensiva de Huesca). The second case study is on the Pedroches Valley Agro-Livestock Cooperative (Cooperativa Agroganadera del Valle de los Pedroches-COVAP), located in the southwestern part of the Iberian peninsula. It operates in a territory consisting of 15,000 square kilometers, with a population of 250,000 inhabitants who work primarily in the areas of agricultural and livestock farming. Significant economic activity has been developed during recent years around the agro-food industry and related services. The average altitude in the area is 650 meters above sea level, with low rainfall at 350mm/m(2), and an extreme continental climate. The land is not particularly apt for cereal cultivation or pastureland. The entire territory is dominated by the oak-meadow ecosystem, which is characteristic of the southwest part of the peninsula, with the holm oak (Quercus ilex) as the dominant arboreal species. In this territory COVAP has developed a unique agro-food model that integrates the entire production chain, including animal feed, genetics, breeding centers, a slaughterhouse, a milk industry and the commercialization of all products. The number of dairy cattle has increased to 30,000, distributed in 450 operations; the number of beef cattle integrated into the enterprise is 20,000 and the number of sheep, 180,000. Ninety percent of milk production is distributed in the domestic market, and ten percent in the European Union and other countries. Seventy percent of meat production is distributed in the domestic market and thirty percent in the European Union. Previously, dairy farming was practically non-existent in the area, however at the end of the 1970s, dairy cattle breeding was initiated, and numerous operations were established, with 2-3 cattle per farmer. With COVAP's support to farmers and efforts in commercialization, this area has become one of the most important centers of dairy production in Spain, with an annual production of 220,000 metric tons.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR SMALLHOLDER RUMINANT SYSTEMS IN LATIN AMERICA pub-location: 100 INSTITUTO LITERARIO OTE, TOLUCA, C P 50000, MEXICO
Keywords: agricultural cooperative; commercial activity

Cork carries coffee. - Avery, Tim (Packaging Digest, 2008)
The article reports on the new material for hot beverage cup sleeves from Memphis, Tennessee-based company CoolCorC. The company is now selling hot beverage cup sleeves made out of cork. Cofounders and brothers, Larry Wright and Josh Wright, states that their newly developed product protects the hand from hot a lot better than the existing paper sleeves.
Keywords: COOLCORC (Company); Cork; DRINKING cups; MEMPHIS (Tenn.); TENNESSEE; WRIGHT

Cork-oak woodlands as key-habitats for biodiversity conservation in Mediterranean landscapes: a case study using rove and ground beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Carabidae) - Silva, Pedro Martins; Aguiar, Carlos a S.; Niemelä, Jari; Sousa, José Paulo; Serrano, Artur R. M.; da Silva, Pedro Martins; Aguiar, Carlos a S.; Niemelä, Jari; Sousa, José Paulo; Serrano, Artur R. M. (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2008)
Land-use intensiﬁcation in Mediterranean agro-forest systems became a pressure on biodiversity, concerning particularly the woodland sensitive species. In 2001, the effects of a land-use gradient from old-growth cork-oak forest to a homogeneous agricultural area were assessed using rove beetles as indicators in a Mediterranean landscape. The aim was to ﬁnd which species were negatively affected by land-use intensiﬁcation at the landscape level and whether they beneﬁted from cork-oak patches occurring along the land-use gradient. A total of 3,196 rove beetles from 88 taxa were sampled from all landscape types. Agricultural area recorded signiﬁcantly higher numbers of abundance and species richness in relation to the cork-oak mosaics, i.e. the old-growth forest and the managed agro-forest landscapes (montados). Moreover, 70% of rove beetle indicator species common enough to be tested by IndVal displayed their highest indicator value for agriculture, showing a lower number of woodland indicators in comparison to ground beetles. Nevertheless, one rove beetle taxon was considered a specialist of closed woodland mosaics while no specialist ground beetle was found for that landscape typology. Some rare rove beetle species were also important in typifying diversity patterns of oldgrowth cork-oak forests. Hence, future management in Mediterranean landscapes should take into account not only indicator species common enough to be tested by IndVal, but also rare and endemic species. Considering the added value of cork-oak woodland cover for sensitive rove and ground beetle diversity, the strengthening of cork-oak woodland connectivity seems to be a crucial management that is required in agricultural Mediterranean landscapes.
Keywords: á; agro-forest mosaic; agro-forest mosaic á biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; conservation á epigaeic coleoptera; epigaeic coleoptera; indicator value; indicator value á land-use; intensification á quercus suber; land-use intensification; Quercus suber

Crepidotus eucalyptinus and Simocybe haustellaris: two uncommon species found in Central Spain - Bandala, Victor M.; Montoya, Leticia; Esteve-Raventos, Fernando (MYCOTAXON, 2008)
Crepidotus eucalyptinus and Simocybe haustellaris were collectedtogether from a Quercus ilex subsp. ballota forest in Central Spain (Guadalajara Province). Collections of both species are described and their taxonomically distinctive microscopic characters are illustrated. The superficial similarity between these two brown-spored taxa is discussed as well as the taxonomic status of the former within Crepidotus and the close affinity of the species with Naucoria decolorata from Morocco and Spain.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: PO BOX 264, ITHACA, NY 14851-0264 USA publisher: MYCOTAXON LTD
Keywords: Crepidotaceae; taxonomy; wood-inhabiting fungi

Description of Tuber malenconii mycorrhizae and a comparison with mycorrhizae of T. aestivum and T. mesentericum - Garcia-Montero, Luis G.; Di Massimo, Gabriella; Manjon, Jose L.; Velazquez, Javier (MYCOTAXON, 2008)
Tuber malenconii is a recently described uncommon European truffle associated with Quercus ilex that is potentially detrimental to the cultivation of the highly prized edible, T. melanosporum. Examination of T. malenconii mycorrhizae synthesized from fresh ascocarps revealed polygonal mantle cells and numerous cystidia with basal-forked ramifications. Differences between T. malenconii, T. mesentericum, and T. aestivum mycorrhizae are noted; compound and scanning electron micrographs provide additional comparisons.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: PO BOX 264, ITHACA, NY 14851-0264 USA publisher: MYCOTAXON LTD
Keywords: Ectomycorrhizae; hypogeous fungus; Tuberaceae

Dimensiones y características nutritivas de las bellotas de los Quercus de la dehesa - Rodríguez-Estévez, V.; García Martínez, A.; Mata Moreno, C.; Perea Muñoz, J. M.; Gómez Castro, A. G. (Arch. Zootec, 2008)
Acorns production of Quercus (Q. ilex, Q. suber, etc.) is an important feeding resource in the dehesa during autumn-winter. Acorn weight, size and shape present a lot of variability between species, species, individuals and areas. Also composition is variable and is influenced by its own maturation process and external agents (humidity, parasites, etc.). Op.osite, shell and cotyledons proportions show higher homogeneity. Shell composition has a very high level of tannins and lignin, which affects its digestibility. Kernel has a very high level of glucids (80% of DM) and lipids (5-10% of DM) with a oleic acid content up.er 60%, however protein level is very low (4-6% of DM). Many wild and domestic species eat acorns; however, in the dehesa, acorns are used to feed fattening Iberian pigs because this breed is the single one capable of peeling them and rises a high commercial value
Keywords: fatty acids; iberian pig; Montanera; Quercus ilex; Quercus suber; Sus scrofa

DINÁMICA DEL AGUA DEL SUELO EN DEHESA BAJO DIFERENTES CUBIERTAS VEGETALES. RESULTADOS PRELIMINARES. - Lozano Parra, F. J.; Schnabel, S.; Ceballos Barbancho, A. (Estudios en la Zona no Saturada del Suelo, 2008)
Dehesa ecosystems, characterized by a disperse tree cover of the genus Quercus, constitute a resource of great importance in large parts of SW Iberian Peninsula. Generally these areas are conditioned by their environmental limits such as shallow soils, seasonal and intraannual rainfall variability, which determine the availability of water for plants. The main objective of the present work is the study of soil water dynamics in dehesas, explaining the effect of different vegetation covers and soil characteristics. Soil moisture is determined in 15 stations, distributed in three farms in Extremadura, each of them composed of sensors located at various depths which register soil moisture continuously with a time resolution of 30 minutes. The stations are distributed in open areas (pasture), below the canopy of the shrub Retama sphaerocarpa and below the canopy of Quercus rotundifolia. First results indicate complex soil water dynamics with contrasting situations at sites with the same vegetation cover, and showing that various situations may be produced in the same station during a hydrological year. Furthermore, the largest variations are observed in the upper soil layer, being soil moisture variations lowest at greater depth, independently of the vegetation cover.
Keywords: bajo copa; Dehesa; humedad del suelo; pastizal; Quercus rotundifolia (voyant); retama sphaerocarpa

The diversity of terrestrial Isopoda in the Berkoukech area, Kroumirie, Tunisia - Achouri, M. S.; Hmaied, S.; Charfi-Cheikhouha, F. (Crustaceana, 2008)
Until now, no investigations have been made on the diversity of woodlice in any region of Tunisia. In the framework of the "MEDCORE" project, particular emphasis has been put on the study of terrestrial isopod diversity in the Berkoukech area (north-west of Tunisia). Two sites were selected for this study: the beach dune system and an inland site located in Rabouet Bou Ali. In the beach dune system, isopods were studied in three biotopes: a grazed meadow (biotope 1), a maquis of Pistacia lentiscus, Quercus coccifera, Erica arborea, Phylleria angustifolia, and Callycotome villosa (biotope 2), and a climax forest of Quercus coccifera, Juniperus oxycedrus, Juniperus phoenicea, and Callycotome villosa (biotope 3). In Rabouet Bou Ali, a Quercus suber forest (biotope 4) was chosen for study. In the Berkoukech area, 12 species of terrestrial isopods belonging to five families were collected: Tylidae, Porcellionidae, Philosciidae, Platyarthridae, and Armadillidiidae. Among these, two species are reported as new for Tunisia. Furthermore, this study indicates that isopods are not evenly distributed in the various biotopes: they vary in number of species as well as in number of specimens. Biotope 2 shows the highest diversity and is the most homogeneous (Is = 3.16; H′ = 1.76; J′ = 0.88), while biotope 4 exhibits the lowest values (Is = 1.2; H′ = 0.475; J′ = 0.3). The similarity between the various communities, estimated by the Bray-Curtis index, shows that the biotopes cluster according to their plant associations.
Keywords: distribution; diversity (voyant); Isopoda; Tunisia

Does private income support sustainable agroforestry in Spanish dehesa? - Campos, Pablo; Ovando, Paola; Montero, Gregorio (Land Use Policy, 2008)
Oak woodland dehesa suffers from the aging of trees without a natural regeneration of young oaks coming in to replace them. Recent European Union (EU) policy reforms for rural development focus on supporting multifunctional agriculture that complies with the EU’s environmental goals, such as mitigating biodiversity losses and climate change. Such reforms could result in government support for natural woodland regeneration practices in European agroforestry systems, which are recognized for providing valuable environmental services. Managing dehesa cork oak and holm oak woodlands to stimulate the growth of new oaks could be an efficient option for maintaining, and even increasing, the dehesa’s current carbon stock and biodiversity. Here we develop and apply a new agroforestry accounting system based on the concept of Hicksian income to a dehesa in the Monfragu¨ e area of western Spain, using primary microeconomic data from a large case study. Private total income and profitability rates are measured for individual goods and services, and for the entire dehesa in a steady state. Our application extends the EU system of accounts for agriculture and forestry by including private amenity consumption by landowners and the gain or loss in human-made and natural capital. We compare an actual typical unsustainable woodland management scenario with an ideal sustainable management scenario in which there is a continuous regeneration and recruitment of holm and cork oaks as predicted by silvicultural models. The results show that, given current land use policy incentives, allowing a slow depletion of oak trees is more profitable for a dehesa private landowner than maintaining the dehesa’s trees. As a result many dehesa environmental services are gradually lost. This market failure requires new land use policies that induce private land owners to invest in the renewal of aging oak woodlands. To evaluate the impacts of this new policy, we show how private landowner income is affected when changes are made to achieve sustainable management of dehesa oaks. More research is needed in order to understand how the dehesa’s landowner market income and private amenities trade-off can affect the owner’s land use preferences and decisions.
Keywords: Amenities; environmental services; Monte; Oak silviculture; Rural development policy; Total income

Drought, warming and soil fertilization effects on leaf volatile terpene concentrations in Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex - Blanch, Josep-salvador; Penuelas, Josep; Sardans, Jordi; Llusia, Joan (Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2008)
The changes in foliar concentrations of volatile terpenes in response to water stress, fertilization and temperature were analyzed in Pinus halepensis and Quercus ilex. The most abundant terpenes found in both species were a-pinene and D 3 -carene. b-Pinene and myrcene were also abundant in both species. P. halepensis concentrations were much greater than those of Q. ilex in agreement with the lack of storage in the latter species (15205.60 ± 1140.04 vs. 0.54 ± 0.08 lg g -1 [d.m.]). The drought treatment (reduction to 1/3 of full watering) signiﬁcantly increased the total terpene concentrations in both species (54% in P. halepensis and 119% in Q. ilex). The fertilization treatment (addition of either 250 kg N ha -1 or 250 kg P ha -1 or both) had no signiﬁcant effects on terpene foliar concentrations. The terpene concentrations increased from 0.25 lg g -1 [d.m.] at 30C to 0.70 lg g -1 [d.m.] at 40C in Q. ilex (the non-storing species) and from 2,240 lg g -1 [d.m.] at 30C to 15,621 lg g -1 [d.m.] at 40C in P. halepensis (the storing species). Both species presented negative relationship between terpene concentrations and relative water contents (RWC). The results of this study show that higher terpene concentrations can be expected in the warmer and drier conditions predicted for the next decades in the Mediterranean region.
Keywords: fertilization; Pinus halepensis; Quercus ilex; Temperature; terpene concentration; water stress

Early environments drive diversity and floristic composition in Mediterranean old fields: Insights from a long-term experiment - Cayuela, Luis; Rey Benayas, Jose Maria; Maestre, Fernando T.; Escudero, Adrián (ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, 2008)
While many studies have explored how previous and current environmental conditions affect the performance of individual organisms, their relative importance as drivers of current diversity and composition of communities is virtually unknown. We evaluated the response of herbaceous communities to previous (experienced during early establishment) and current environmental conditions by comparing their composition and diversity in an abandoned Mediterranean cropland planted with Quercus ilex subsp. ballota L. seedlings. These seedlings received different experimental treatments (summer irrigation and artificial shading) during the first three years after planting, and were interrupted from then on. We tested two complementary hypotheses: (i) the previous environments experienced by the herbaceous communities during their establishment have a long-term carry-over effect on diversity and composition of species assemblages and (ii) these communities are influenced by their current environment, particularly by the woody layer and the soil conditions. Overall, we observed an important contribution of initial environmental conditions in determining the current diversity and composition of herbaceous communities. Amelioration of environmental conditions, particularly water stress, during community establishment resulted in a decrease in alpha and beta diversity, possibly as a consequence of decreasing environmental heterogeneity. Previous environments accounted for 26.3% of the explained variance in current community composition. Annuals, legumes and forbs also responded significantly to previous environments, which explained 27.9%, 36.2% and 30.1%, respectively, of the variance in their composition. Our results suggest that those species present at a particular site early in succession pre-empt the site and influence vegetation dynamics on that site for a long time. This study provides important insights for understanding the mechanisms underlying the ecological effects of issues like cropland reforestation and woody vegetation encroachment. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 23 RUE LINOIS, 75015 PARIS, FRANCE publisher: GAUTHIER-VILLARS/EDITIONS ELSEVIER
Keywords: Ecological stability; Initial floristic composition; Vegetation dynamics; Woody vegetation cover

Economic implications of different cork oak forest management systems - Pinheiro, A. C.; Ribeiro, N. A. (2008)
The agro-silvopastoral system “montado” dominates the landscape of the south-western Iberian Peninsula, occupies approximately 3.1 million hectares of woodland in Spain and 1.2 million hectares in Portugal. The forest system “montado” is mostly dominated by Mediterranean evergreen oaks such as cork oak (Quercus suber L.) and holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia). The “montado” production system management aims the maintenance of a balanced sustainable land use to cope with the Mediterranean climate variability. One important issue in cork oak forests is the control shrub growth in order to prevent forest fire hazard, which is of high risk in Mediterranean climate. The two most common ways of controlling the shrub component is by mechanical destruction with soil disking (that implicates soil mobilization) or by shrub cutting (that is done with minimum impact on soil). The two referred techniques have different costs and different impacts on cork production and other goods and services (multifunctionality) of cork oak forests. In this paper, the two shrub control systems are compared and the results show that, although soil disking is more profitable than shrub cutting, the results are reversed, if one considers the carbon sequestration. This means that besides the great economic sustainability of cork oak dependence on the price of cork, the profitability of different shrub control methods depend also on the way society valuates other goods and services provided by cork oak forest
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: secondary-title: International Journal of … periodical: International Journal of … electronic-resource-num: 10.1504/IJSSOC.2008.022571
Keywords: Cork oak; NPV; Sustainability; woodlands

Ecosystem engineering effects of European rabbits in a Mediterranean habitat - Gálvez, L.; López-Pintor, A.; Miguel, J. M. De (Lagomorph Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation, 2008)
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Lagomorph Biology: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation

Effect of quality, porosity and density on the compression properties of cork - Anjos, Ofélia; Pereira, Helena; Rosa, M. Emília (Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff, 2008)
The compression properties of cork were studied on samples obtained from cork planks of two commercial quality classes (good and poor quality), with densities ranging from 0.12–0.20g cm−3 and porosities from 0.5 to 22.0%. The stress-strain curves were characterized by an elastic region up to approximately 5% strain, followed by a large plateau up to 60% strain caused by the progressive buckling of cell walls, and a steep stress increase for higher strains corresponding to cell collapse. The direction of compression was a highly signiﬁcant factor of variation, with cork showing higher strength for the radial compression. Density inﬂuenced compression and cork samples with higher density showed overall larger resistance to compression in the three directions. In the elastic region, an exponential model of Young’s modulus in function of cork density could be adjusted. The effect of porosity on compression was small and the stress-strain curves were similar regardless of the porosity of the samples, although there was a trend toward an overall increase of stress with porosity for higher strains. Porosity was characterised by a high variability in the anatomical features of the lenticular ﬁlling material and the presence of collapsed and thick walled ligniﬁed cells. The inclusion of a porosity parameter for the modelling of the elastic modulus did not improve the prediction obtained with densitybased models. There was no signiﬁcant difference in the compression properties of cork samples obtained from cork planks of good and poor quality classes.
Keywords: Compression; Cork; Density; Porosity; Quality; stress (voyant)

Effect of Sphaerosporella brunnea mycorrhizas on mycorrhization of Quercus ilex × Tuber melanosporum - Garcia-Montero, L. G.; Massimo, G. Di; Manjon, J. L.; García‐Cañete, J. (New Zealand Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science, 2008)
Abstract It is generally accepted that Sphaerosporella brunnea is a significant ectomycorrhizal contaminant in nurseries producing plants mycorrhized with various species of Tuber, and subsequently in truffières after outplanting. At the University of Alcalá, Spain, 397 small plants of Quercus ilex which were mycorrhized with Tuber melanosporum were inadvertently contaminated with S. brunnea, and this contamination was then monitored for 2 years. Sixty percent of the plants were contaminated and had S. brunnea ascomata on the surface of the container on one or several occasions. However, a Spearman test provided no evidence that S. brunnea mycorrhizas affected T. melanosporum mycorrhization whereas other contaminating ectomycorrhizal fungi significantly did. Therefore, it appears that S. brunnea is not detrimental to plants which are well mycorrhized with T. melanosporum.
doi: 10.1080/01140670809510231doi: 10.1080/01140670809510231The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: Black truffle; Mediterranean mushroom; Mycorrhizal fungi; mycorrhized contamination; Tuber melanosporum

Effect of thinning on LAI variance in heterogeneous forests - Davi, H.; Baret, F.; Huc, R.; Dufrêne, E. (Forest Ecology and Management, 2008)
Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a main variable controlling carbon and water ﬂuxes. This paper estimated the effect of thinning on the spatial distribution of leaf area in French forests. While many studies have focused on average LAI, we estimated clumping and measured both average LAI and the variation around it. LAI was derived from digital hemispherical photos at three sites: an unmanaged Fagus sylvatica forest in temperate area (control site), a mixed Mediterranean forest of Quercus ilex and Pinus halepensis, and regeneration of F. sylvatica under a mature stand of Pinus nigra in mountainous area. LAI measurements were also made with LAI 2000 devices over 5 years (from 1994 to 1998) within forest stands dominated by either beech (F. sylvatica L.), by oaks (Quercus petraea (Matus) Liebl., Quercus robur(Matus) Liebl.), or by Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Thinning led to a variable decrease in LAI. The coefﬁcient of variation of LAI (CVLAI ) provided a useful ecological index of the level and type of thinning. For undisturbed stands, CVLAI varied from 10% to 20%, corresponding to the higher average LAI values. Disturbances created by thinning increase LAI spatial variability, resulting in larger CVLAI values for all stands considered. Possible explanations of these results and use in remote sensing were discussed.
Keywords: Ecological index; Ecosystem trait; Forest disturbance; forest ecosystems; heterogeneity; leaf area index; thinning

Effects of a deep container on morpho-functional characteristics and root colonization in Quercus suber L. seedlings for reforestation in Mediterranean climate - Chirino, E.; Vilagrosa, A.; Hernández, E. I.; Matos, A.; Vallejo, V. R. (Forest Ecology and Management, 2008)
In the last decades, reforestation and afforestation programs are being carried out mainly with containerized seedlings. Container design determines the morphological and physiological characteristics of seedlings. However, container characteristics are often the same for plant species with very different growth strategies. The most commonly used nursery containers are relatively shallow and limit tap root growth; consequently, species relying on the early development of a long tap root to escape drought, such as those of the Quercus genus, might need to be cultivated in deep containers. The aim of this paper was to compare the morphological and physiological characteristics of Quercus suber L. seedlings cultivated in shallow containers (CCS-18, depth 18 cm) with seedlings cultivated in deep containers (CCL-30, depth 30 cm). Both container types used were made of high-density polyethylene, cylindrical in shape, open-bottomed, with a diameter of 5 cm, two kinds of vertical ribs on the inside wall showing a cultivation density of 318 seedlings/m2 . At the end of nursery culture, the seedlings cultivated in the CCL-30 deep container presented a longer tap root, higher shoot and root biomass and higher Dickson Quality Index (DQI). Moreover, the CCL-30 seedlings showed a higher root growth capacity (RGC), they reached deep substrate layers faster and they presented higher root hydraulic conductance. These morpho-functional advantages improved the CCL-30 seedling water status, which was expressed by higher stomatal conductance during an imposed drought period
Keywords: Forest tray; Hydraulic conductance; root system; Stomatal conductance

Effects of climate change on the distribution of Iberian tree species - Benito Garzón, Marta; Sánchez de Dios, Rut; Sainz Ollero, Helios (Applied Vegetation Science, 2008)
Question: Will the predicted climate changes affect species distribution in the Iberian Peninsula? Location: Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Methods: We modelled current and future tree distributions as a function of climate, using a computational framework that made use of one machine learning technique, the random forest (RF) algorithm. This algorithm provided good predictions of the current distribution of each species, as shown by the area under the corresponding receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Species turnover, richness and the change in distributions over time to 2080 under four Intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) scenarios were calculated using the species map outputs. Results and Conclusions: The results show a notable reduction in the potential distribution of the studied species under all the IPCC scenarios, particularly so for mountain conifer species such as Pinus sylvestris, P. uncinata and Abies alba. Temperate species, especially Fagus sylvatica and Quercus petraea, were also predicted to suffer a reduction in their range; also sub-mediterranean species, especially Q. pyrenaica, were predicted to undergo notable decline. In contrast, typically Mediterranean species appeared to be generally more capable of migration, and are therefore likely to be less affected.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: 1990; 2002; amaral franco; avishai; for quercus pubescens; Forest distributions; govaerts; iberian peninsula; learning; machine; Machine learning; nomenclature; random forest

Effects of Leaf Litter Species on Macroinvertebrate Colonization during Decomposition in a Portuguese Stream - Abelho, Manuela (International Review of Hydrobiology, 2008)
This study evaluated if there are differences in leaf breakdown and invertebrate colonization among tree species differing in quality (toughness), and which factors could influence these differences. Common alder leaves decomposed significantly faster then either sweet chestnut or Spanish oak (k values of –0.0332, –0.0108, and –0.0112, respectively) during the first 2 months. Shredder abundance was highest when leaf mass remaining was 50%, and the samples clustered in mixed groups of sampling dates and leaf species, suggesting that stage of decomposition was an important factor influencing shredder colonization. During the first two months of decomposition, the physicochemical characteristics of leaf litter and the interaction between leaf toughness and the occurrence of frequent spates seemed to be the main factors affecting leaf breakdown rates in the stream. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: WILEY-VCH Verlag
Keywords: breakdown; colonisation; leaves; river; shredders

Effects of moderate shade and irrigation with eutrophicated water on the nitrogen economy of Mediterranean oak seedlings - Castro-Díez, Pilar; Navarro, Javier; Maestro, Melchor (Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2008)
We evaluated the effects of moderate shade (43% vs. 100% of full sunlight) and irrigation with eutrophicated river water (daily vs. alternate-day watering) on growth and nitrogen economy of seedlings of three Mediterranean oak species, two evergreen (Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) and a deciduous (Quercus faginea), grown in pots outdoors. Seedling biomass, N pool, N concentration and N losses by litter fall were measured at the beginning (March 2002) and end (November 2002) of a growing season. All species showed an increase of biomass and N pool under shade and/or high irrigation, while only Q. coccifera – from more arid regions – did the same under full sunlight and low irrigation. At the end of the experiment, biomass of the evergreens was higher in shade than in sun, and in high than in low irrigation, while Q. faginea – from more humid zones – responded to irrigation only. Shade-induced growth was accompanied by a decline in N concentration in the evergreens, but irrigation reduced N concentration only of Q. faginea. Shade, but not irrigation, reduced above-ground N loss. We conclude that both treatments differentially affected the evergreen and the deciduous oaks, probably due to differences in plant hydraulic and stomatal conductance. Although both treatments have similar effects on the growth of evergreens, they produced different effects on seedling N economy, which may have important consequences on future ﬁeld seedling performance
Keywords: deciduous tree; Drought stress; evergreen tree; leaf shedding; Quercus; seedling growth

Elevated atmospheric CO2 does not modify osmotic adjustment to light and drought in the Mediterranean oak" Quercus suber L." - Aranda, I.; Simón, J. Puértolas (Investigación agraria. Sistemas y recursos forestales, 2008)
The current ongoing increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration is an unquestionable fact. Thus, plants are bound to live in a more enriched CO2 world in a not far-off future. In this new framework, regeneration of forest tree species may be modified as a consequence of the change in the current patterns of seedling response to other environmental resources, such as water or light. We studied the impact of an elevated CO2 concentration on the interaction of drought and light upon the water relations of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings. In a complete factorial design of contrasting light (HL vs LL), water (WW vs S) and CO2 levels (800 ppm vs 370 ppm), we analysed the influence of each factor and its interaction in the modification of different leaf water parameters in potted seedlings after a 6 months experimental period. These parameters were derived from the construction, with leaf materials, of the P-V curves: osmotic potential at full turgor (Ψπ100), osmotic potential at zero turgor (Ψπ0), modulus of elasticity at full turgor (εmax), and the ratio dry/turgor weight (DW/TW). Doubling of the CO2 levels over the current concentration (380 ppm) did not change any of the studied leaf water parameters, while light and water availabilities had a significant influence. This result does not exclude changes in other basic physiological parameters that could modify the pattern of cork oak regeneration responding to a CO2 enriched atmosphere in the future, and under climatic conditions different to the current ones
Keywords: CO2 enrichment; Cork oak; PV curves; shade; Water availability

Estimating red deer abundance in a wide range of management situations in Mediterranean habitats - Acevedo, P.; Ruiz-Fons, F.; Vicente, J.; Reyes-García, a R.; Alzaga, V.; Gortázar, C. (Journal of Zoology, 2008)
When human interventions interfere with the natural regulation of wildlife populations by favouring some species, overabundance can emerge. We evaluated different methods of estimating red deer abundance in a wide range of population densities from southern Spain. Distance sampling estimates were used as the reference method across 22 localities and were compared with two kilometric abundance indices (KAIs), four indices based on pellet group counts and two browsing indices (BWIs). The average red deer density estimated by distance sampling was 19.51 3.19 deer per 100 ha, showing a wide range across the study area (0.04–66.77). Distance sampling estimates correlated with the KAIs, pellet group-based index and the BWI. The agreement with distance sampling improved when groups were used instead of individuals in the KAIs, when the minimum pellet group size was ﬁxed at 20 pellets in the dropping counts, and when only highly palatable species were used in the BWI. Thus, several direct and indirect methods can estimate red deer abundance in Mediterranean habitats from Southern Spain with appropriate modiﬁcations.
Keywords: deer management; direct and indirect methods; Mediterranean area; overabundance; population abundance; red deer; ungulates

Eurasian badger habitat selection in Mediterranean environments: Does scale really matter? - Rosalino, L. M.; Santos, Maria J.; Beier, P.; Santos-Reis, Margarida (Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 2008)
It is widely believed that spatial scale affects habitat selection, and should inﬂuence management options, especially for species with wide geographic distribution or large territories. Eurasian badger habitat selection has been well studied throughout most of its European distribution range, but never at multiple spatial scales. We used compositional analysis to assess habitat selection of Eurasian badgers in southern Portugal at four spatial scales (1, 4, 25, and 100 km 2 ). We assessed habitat use from setts, latrines and footprints presence, and road kills. Oak woodlands with understorey were selected at all scales, being the most preferred habitat at 3 scales (1, 4, and 100 km 2 ). Pastures were most selected at the scale of the 25 km 2 cell, but their use was not signiﬁcantly different from oak woodland with understorey. Shrubs and pastures were also secondly important at the majority of scales. Contrary to ﬁndings at northern latitudes, deciduous forests decreased in importance as cell size increased. In the highly humanized and fragmented landscape of southern Portugal, Eurasian badgers are selecting the matrix of oak woodlands interspersed with patches of pastures, shrubs and riparian vegetation. In these oak woodlands, scale does not have a marked effect. Management for badgers should provide, for at least, 30% of oak woodland cover at all scales. Our study illustrates the across-scale importance of maintaining the historically human altered, sustainable and unique landscape and land use system – the montado.
Keywords: landscape ecology; meles meles; montado; Portugal

European rabbits as ecosystem engineers: warrens increase lizard density and diversity - Gálvez Bravo, Lucía; Belliure, Josabel; Rebollo, Salvador (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2008)
Mammals that build extensive open burrow systems are often classiﬁed as ecosystem engineers, since they have the potential to modulate the availability of resources for themselves and other organisms. Lizards may beneﬁt from the heterogeneity created by these structures, especially if coupled with an increased offer of sites for refuge and thermoregulation. However, information about these engineering effects by burrowing animals is scarce. We investigated the inﬂuence of European rabbit burrows on several parameters of a Mediterranean lizard community (abundance, density, diversity and body condition) in three different habitats (open pastures, holm oak and scrub patches). We found that lizards were positively associated with burrows, and that burrows determined lizard presence at otherwise unfavourable habitats. Moreover, community parameters such as density and species richness were higher in sites with burrows. Burrows inﬂuenced lizard species in different ways, and were also relevant for other Mediterranean vertebrates, as revealed by questionnaires to experts. We also explored the possible resources provided by burrows for lizards. Warrens offer relatively abundant prey and appropriate retreat sites for refuge and thermoregulation. Warrens may have further implications within the ecosystem, acting as stepping stones, allowing lizards to reach otherwise inaccessible habitat patches. This study shows that European rabbit warrens have a positive inﬂuence on lizard density and diversity, and conﬁrms the role of rabbits as ecosystem engineers. This reinforces the need for appropriate conservation measures for rabbits, especially given their threatened status in the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, our study highlights that taking into account the inﬂuence of engineering activities increases our awareness of species interactions, and may translate into more adequate conservation measures for the preservation of biodiversity.
Keywords: Burrows; Dehesa; Mediterranean; oryctolagus cuniculus; Stepping stones

Evaporation and carbonic anhydrase activity recorded in oxygen isotope signatures of net CO2 fluxes from a Mediterranean soil - Wingate, Lisa; SEIBT, ULLI; MASEYK, KADMIEL; OGÉE, JÉRÔME; Almeida, Pedro; YAKIR, D. A. N.; Pereira, João S.; MENCUCCINI, MAURIZIO (Global Change Biology, 2008)
The oxygen stable isotope composition (δ18O) of CO2 is a valuable tool for studying the gas exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere. In the soil, it records the isotopic signal of water pools subjected to precipitation and evaporation events. The δ18O of the surface soil net CO2 flux is dominated by the physical processes of diffusion of CO2 into and out of the soil and the chemical reactions during CO2–H2O equilibration. Catalytic reactions by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, reducing CO2 hydration times, have been proposed recently to explain field observations of the δ18O signatures of net soil CO2 fluxes. How important these catalytic reactions are for accurately predicting large-scale biosphere fluxes and partitioning net ecosystem fluxes is currently uncertain because of the lack of field data. In this study, we determined the δ18O signatures of net soil CO2 fluxes from soil chamber measurements in a Mediterranean forest. Over the 3 days of measurements, the observed δ18O signatures of net soil CO2 fluxes became progressively enriched with a well-characterized diurnal cycle. Model simulations indicated that the δ18O signatures recorded the interplay of two effects: (1) progressive enrichment of water in the upper soil by evaporation, and (2) catalytic acceleration of the isotopic exchange between CO2 and soil water, amplifying the contributions of ‘atmospheric invasion’ to net signatures. We conclude that there is a need for better understanding of the role of enzymatic reactions, and hence soil biology, in determining the contributions of soil fluxes to oxygen isotope signals in atmospheric CO2.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: atmospheric invasion; carbonic anhydrase; Drought; Mediterranean forests; oxygen isotopes; Quercus suber; Soil CO2 efflux; soil evaporation; soil water δ18O composition

An experts survey on sustainability across twenty-seven extensive European systems of grassland management. - Caballero, Rafael; Gil, Angel; Fernández-Santos, Xavier (Environmental management, 2008)
European Large Scale Grazing Systems (LSGS) are at a crossroad with environmental, agronomic, and social factors interacting on their future viability. This research assesses the current environmental and socio-economic status of a wide range of European LSGS according to an agreed subset of sustainability criteria and indicators, which have been recognized by corresponding experts and privileged observers on their respective case-study system. A survey questionnaire was drafted containing five main criteria (pastoral use, environmental, economic, social, and market and development), with four conceptual-scored variables (indicators) within each criterion. Descriptive, analytical and clustering statistical techniques helped to draw a synthesis of the main result and to standardize sustainability variables across different biogeographical regions and management situations. The results show large multicollinearity among the 20 variables proposed. This dependence was revealed by the reduction to six main factor-components, which accounted for about 73% of the total variance in responses. Aggregation of point-score indicators across criteria to obtain a sustainability index can be of less policy relevance than responses to specific criteria or indicators. Affinity between case-study systems, as judged by collaborative-expert responses, was not related to biogeographical location, operating livestock sector, or population density in their areas. The results show larger weaknesses and constraints in the economic and social criteria than in the pastoral and environmental criteria, and the large heterogeneity of responses appears in the social criterion.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 18491183
Keywords: European agriculture; Low-input grazing systems; Sustainability indicators

Fire-vegetation interactions during the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition at Lago dell'Accesa, Tuscany, Italy - Colombaroli, Daniele; Vannière, Boris; Emmanuel, Chapron; Magny, Michel; Tinner, Willy (HOLOCENE, 2008)
A new core from the centre of Lago dell'Accesa (Tuscany, Italy) was sampled for pollen and charcoal analyses to provide a high-resolution sequence from 8400 to 7000 cal. yr BP. We combined series of microscopic charcoal, macroscopic charcoal and pollen to address the response of vegetation to fire at different spatial scales. Before 7900 cal. yr BP, broadleaved evergreen forests of Quercus ilex were the most important vegetational type in the area of Lago dell'Accesa. The subsequent decline of Q. ilex occurred when human-induced fires increased at the Mesolithic/Neolithic transition (c. 8000 cal. yr BP). Cross-correlation analyses show that fire was a key factor for vegetational change. Higher fire incidence affected the forest composition, converting evergreen forests to high-diversity open, partly deciduous forests and shrubby communities. The correlation is more pronounced at a local scale (macroscopic charcoal), whereas at a regional scale (microscopic charcoal) the vegetation followed the fire intervals with a more marked time lag (10-100 years). Climatic change, such as wetter periods inferred from lake levels, may have directly influenced the vegetational change, exacerbating the effect of human impact. Our study suggests that the disruption of evergreen broadleaved forests occurred when mean fire interval reached values as high as those of today's highly disturbed Mediterranean ecosystems. Hence broadleaved evergreen forests may not be as fire-resilient as assumed according to modern ecological paradigms. In view of the projected increase in fire frequency as a consequence of global warming, the present relict forests of Quercus ilex will be strongly affected.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 1 OLIVERS YARD, 55 CITY ROAD, LONDON EC1Y 1SP, ENGLAND publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
Keywords: climate change; Fire ecology; Fire history; Holocene; Italy; macroscopic charcoal; Mediterranean vegetation; mesolithic; microscopic charcoal; Neolithic; Quercus ilex; tuscany

Forest defoliation using IKONOS sensor for cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woods in Southern Spain - Cano, F.; Navarro Cerrillo, R. Mª; Sanchez de la Orden, M.; Garcia Ferrer, A. (Forest Systems; Vol 14, No 2 (2005), 2008)
Assessment of forest defoliation is severely hampered by the limited information on tree death on short temporal and broad spatial scales. In order to evaluate forest decline rates in cork oak of Southern Spain, an analysis was made of statistical correlation between the 4 IKONOS sensor original bands acquired in 2000, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (ndvi) and Infrared/Red Index (ir/r) and defoliation information obtained from the ground study. IKONOS near infrared band was negative correlated with defoliation (Pearson Correlation –0.762). The correlation between defoliation and ir/r ratio (Pearson Correlation –0.506) and ndvi (Pearson Correlation –0.449) was also significantly correlated. The dispersion of data presents in each category of defoliation justifies the use of the median value as the representative variable value for each intervals of defoliation. The Statistical Index of Defoliation (SID), generated from a lineal combination of IKONOS sensor bands, shows a correlation rate of 0.85 with the deforestation ground estimate which allows to estimate defoliation by using the equation: Y% defo calcu = –0.0016 * SID + 1.2162. This study shows that high-spatial-resolution satellite data can now be used to measure forest decline processes, suggesting many new alternatives to evaluate the impact of forest decline in Mediterranean forests.
Keywords: defoliation; Quercus suber; Remote sensing; vegetation index

Fruit tracking between sites and years by birds in Mediterranean wintering grounds - Tellería, José Luis; Ramirez, Alvaro; Pérez-Tris, Javier (Ecography, 2008)
Knowledge of the ability of birds to track spatiotemporal variation in fruit distribution is essential for understanding plant-frugivore interactions. Arguably, although total fruit availability sets an upper limit to the number of birds that can exploit a habitat patch, not all species can equally distribute abundance according to variation in fruit resources. To explore this, we studied bird and fruit abundance in 1999–2005 in Mediterranean scrublands and woodlands of southern Spain. We analysed whether changes of fruit abundance in eight different sites during six winters could predict numerical changes of a set of frugivorous passerines of the area (blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Sardinian warbler S. melanocephala, robin Erithacus rubecula, song thrush Turdus philomelos and blackbird T. merula). We also investigated if all frugivores together tracked fruits better than individual species, thereby supporting a shared use of resources. Results showed strong inter-specific differences. Only the most abundant species (blackcaps and robins) tracked the spatial patterning of food despite strong differences in the use of space (vagrant and territorial, respectively). This suggests plastic behaviour of territorial robins, with individuals changing from strictly territorial to wandering, a flexibility that would favour between-site numerical arrangements according to food resources. Annual changes in bird numbers were independent of the availability of fruits, except for blackcaps, an abundant vagrant bird that tracked inter-winter changes in fruit abundance. The abundance of blackcaps fitted the spatiotemporal patterning of fruit resources better than the whole guild of frugivorous birds, inconsistent with the idea that these species track together the changing availability of fruit resources.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: food resources; frugivorous birds; fruit abundance; fruit tracking; habitat patches (voyant)

The future of scattered trees in agricultural landscapes. - Gibbons, P.; Lindenmayer, D. B.; Fischer, J.; Manning, a D.; Weinberg, A.; Seddon, J.; Ryan, P.; Barrett, G. (Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, 2008)
Mature trees scattered throughout agricultural landscapes are critical habitat for some biota and provide a range of ecosystem services. These trees are declining in intensively managed agricultural landscapes globally. We developed a simulation model to predict the rates at which these trees are declining, identified the key variables that can be manipulated to mitigate this decline, and compared alternative management proposals. We used the initial numbers of trees in the stand, the predicted ages of these trees, their rate of growth, the number of recruits established, the frequency of recruitment, and the rate of tree mortality to simulate the dynamics of scattered trees in agricultural landscapes. We applied this simulation model to case studies from Spain, United States, Australia, and Costa Rica. We predicted that mature trees would be lost from these landscapes in 90-180 years under current management. Existing management recommendations for these landscapes--which focus on increasing recruitment--would not reverse this trend. The loss of scattered mature trees was most sensitive to tree mortality, stand age, number of recruits, and frequency of recruitment. We predicted that perpetuating mature trees in agricultural landscapes at or above existing densities requires a strategy that keeps mortality among established trees below around 0.5% per year, recruits new trees at a rate that is higher than the number of existing trees, and recruits new trees at a frequency in years equivalent to around 15% of the maximum life expectancy of trees. Numbers of mature trees in landscapes represented by the case studies will decline before they increase, even if strategies of this type are implemented immediately. This decline will be greater if a management response is delayed.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 18680500
Keywords: agricultural-landscape trees; management of scattered trees; paddock trees; Recruitment; scattered- tree ecosystems; set-aside forest; tree decline; tree patches

Gross output and livestock sales modelling in Spanish extensive farms using PLSR - Gaspar, Paula (107th EAAE Seminar "Modelling of Agricultural and Rural Development Policies". Sevilla, Spain, January 29 th -February 1st, 2008, 2008)
The aim of this paper is to model some production variables in extensive livestock farms located in the dehesa ecosystem. We intend to use not only purely economic variables in the construction of the model, but also structural variables in order to identify the characteristics of the farms that have the higher influence. Another objective is to be able to predict these variables at the farm level, using structural variables that are easy to measure. The data used in this work were obtained from a questionnaire survey to the holders/managers of a sample of 69 dehesa farms in Extremadura (SW Spain). The statistical methodology used for the construction of the model was Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR). It can be concluded that the variables relative to farm intensification, to labour and especially to Iberian pig breeding, are those that take part mainly in the model.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: 107th EAAE Seminar "Modelling of Agricultural and Rural Development Policies". Sevilla, Spain, January 29 th -February 1st, 2008
Keywords: Dehesa; gross output; Livestock farming systems; partial least square regression

Holocene hydrological and vegetation changes in southern France inferred by the study of an alluvial travertine system (Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Hérault) - Ali, Adam Ahmed; Roiron, Paul; Chabal, Lucie; Ambert, Paul; Gasco, Jean; André, Joël; Terral, Jean-Frédéric (Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 2008)
A geobotanical study of the travertine system of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (southern France) was carried out in order to reconstruct the local Holocene environment in a region where the postglacial vegetation history is poorly documented. The travertinisation process has started at ca. 8500 cal. BP, in a landscape dominated by Pinus sylvestris type (probably Pinus nigra sub sp. salzmannii). Around 7000 cal. BP, the travertine system recorded torrential events not evidenced at the regional scale, showing the particularity of the Verdus hydrological regime. More recently, ca. 5100 cal. BP, a lake or a marsh was ﬁlled within the Verdus plain, as attested to by sand and silt particles accumulated in the sequence. The present-day vegetation dominated by Quercus ilex, on south facing slopes, was most likely established between the Bronze Age and the Gallo-Roman period correlatively to the decline of Pinus nigra and deciduous Quercus, most probably under human inﬂuence
Keywords: 14C; Charcoals; Holocene; Leaf imprints; Southern France; Travertine; Vegetation dynamics

On humans and wildlife in Mediterranean islands - Blondel, Jacques (Journal of Biogeography, 2008)
Aim To investigate the effects of human-induced landscape changes in Mediterranean islands on the ecological and evolutionary responses of bird communities and populations. The combination of mass extinction of large mammals and massive deforestation by humans was hypothesized to produce new selection regimes to which organisms were likely to respond. Habitat selection and niche breadth have been investigated at the scale of species, and phenotypic variation at the scale of local populations. Location The study was carried out along habitat gradients and in habitat mosaics at different spatial scales on the island of Corsica and in areas of similar size and structure in continental France. Methods Two sets of gradients have been used for investigating habitat selection and niche breadth: gradients of altitude, and gradients of vegetation structure. Population studies focused on the blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus. Large samples of breeding attempts by this species in 10 habitats provided detailed data on phenotypic variation of fitness-related traits both on Corsica and on the mainland. Results The extent of niche space used by birds differed substantially depending on which habitat gradient was considered. Many species have been found to contract their habitat niche along the elevation gradient on Corsica compared with the mainland, whereas all species in the vegetation gradient broadened their niche on the island. Breeding patterns of the blue tit differed considerably depending on whether they settle in deciduous oaks (Quercus humilis) or in evergreen sclerophyllous oaks (Quercus ilex). Phenotypic variation of breeding traits was much higher on the island, where more populations were correctly timed for the best breeding period than on the mainland, a pattern that is likely to result from lower dispersal of organisms on the island. Main conclusions The differences in observed niche breadth between the two series of habitat gradients is explained both by the species-specific ecology of the species and the human-induced environmental history of Corsica. Large-scale landscape changes provided new opportunities for island colonization by non-forest species, which are isolated as small, ‘fugitive’ local populations. In both gradients, forest species that are typical components of the Corsican bird fauna definitely expanded their niche and occupied a wider range of habitats on Corsica than on the mainland. At the population scale, landscapes included habitat patches with contrasted selection regimes, which resulted in high phenotypic variation for many fitness-related traits. Reduced dispersal of birds on the island resulted in a much higher degree of local differentiation on Corsica than on the mainland.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Blue tit; gene flow; habitat gradient; Human disturbance; insular syndrome; landscape changes; local differentiation; mass extinction; niche breadth; phenotypic variation

Identification of new molecules extracted from Quercus suber L. cork. - Coquet, Corinne; Ferré, Elisée; Peyronel, Dominique; Dal Farra, Claude; Farnet, Anne Marie (Comptes rendus biologies, 2008)
Various methods of suberin extraction have been used in order to identify monomers of this complex polymer. Pre-extraction of waxes has allowed us to identify for the first time 3-friedelanol as a terpen from cork. Moreover, the wax chemical composition found here varied from previous results since cerin was not identified while friedelin and betulin were. Three fractions were obtained: a polymeric, a monomeric and a low molecular weight fraction, the last of which has never before been described. 2,6-heptanediol was found to be the main compound of this fraction. Furthermore, depolymerisation at room temperature gives the same yields as those obtained at reflux, defining an easier and cheaper methodology.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Masson SAS accession-num: 18940700
Keywords: 2.6-heptanediol; 3-friedelanol; Quercus suber L.; suberin; Terpens

Impact of stand density on water status and leaf gas exchange in Quercus ilex - Moreno, Gerardo; Cubera, Elena (Forest Ecology and Management, 2008)
Tree thinning reduces tree-to-tree competition and likely contributes to the improvement of tree water status and productivity in water-limited systems. In this study, we examined the importance of competition for water among Quercus ilex trees in open woodlands by comparing the water consumption and physiological status of trees located along stand density gradients which ranged from 10% (low density; LD) to 100% (high density; HD) of canopy cover. The study was carried out at two sites which differed in mean annual rainfall (506 and 816 L m 2 ; Dsite and Wsite , respectively). Predawn and midday leaf water potential (cd and cm, respectively) and CO2 assimilation rate (A) were measured every two weeks from mid May to mid September, in eight trees located along a stand density gradient at each site. Sap ﬂow and soil moisture were measured only at Dsite . Sap ﬂow was continuously recorded by sap ﬂowmeters (constant heating method) installed in 12 trees along two stand density gradients. Soil moisture (U) was measured every 20 cm for the ﬁrst meter and then every 50 cm up to 250 cm. Measurements were conducted in 18 soil proﬁles, 6 located in HD and 12 in LD (six beneath and six out the canopy). At Wsite , differences among stand densities for c and A were very small and emerged only at the end of the dry season. At Dsite , c (both predawn and midday), A, U, and sap ﬂow density were signiﬁcantly higher in LD trees than in HD ones. At Dsite , some water remained unused in the soil at the end of the dry season beyond the canopy in the LD areas, and trees did not experienced such an acute water deﬁcit (cd > 1 MPa) as the HD trees did (cd < 3 MPa). Summer tree transpiration at the stand level (Estand) tended to saturate with the increase of canopy cover. Estand increases by 32% when canopy cover goes from 50% to 100%. Results conﬁrmed that the increase of tree-to-tree competition with stand density was much more signiﬁcant at dry sites. In these sites, tree thinning is recommended as a way to maintain tree functioning
Keywords: leaf water potential; open woodland; photosynthesis; sap flow; Soil moisture

Impacts on water, soil and plants from the abandoned Miguel Vacas copper mine, Portugal - Abreu, M. M.; Matias, M. J.; Magalhães, M. Clara F.; Basto, M. J. (Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2008)
Soil, water and plant geochemistry was studied around the Miguel Vacas copper mine (Alentejo, SE Portugal), which stopped its exploitation and processing activities in 1991. After closure waste-rock piles remained exposed to weathering. The copper ore was mainly composed of copper phosphates and carbonates. Remediation actions were insufficient to prevent the spreading of waste-rock materials to surrounding farmed fields. The latter caused contamination of soils and water. Based on overall characteristics water from wells and surface stream water mostly can be classified as of the sulphate magnesium type. The application of a chemical equilibrium model to the sampled water showed that copper, phosphate and sulphate concentrations are controlled by copper(II) secondary minerals (pseudomalachite, libethenite and malachite) and gypsum. Nevertheless, groundwater can be used for irrigation and cattle based on quality parameters. Soils and plants (Prunus domestica L., Olea europaea L. spp. europaea and Quercus ilex L.) were collected southeast of the open pit and the exploitation substructures. The soils located in the influence of drainage water that percolated through waste material or exploitation substructures were contaminated with Cu, and Ni was close to the maximum value allowed by Portuguese legislation. These soils, however, did not show elevated Zn and Mn concentrations. The trace element content in plants was within the normal range, with Q. ilex being able to accumulate Mn and to some extent also Ni. Dispersion of trace elements seemed to be limited to a distance 1500 m down from the waste dumps in southeastern direction.
Keywords: carbonates copper mine; Nickel; phosphates; prunus domestica; Quercus ilex; soil copper contamination

Implications of foliar terpene content and hydration on leaf flammability of Quercus ilex and Pinus halepensis - Alessio, G. A.; Penuelas, J.; De Lillis, M.; Llusia, J. (Plant Biology, 2008)
We investigated the implications of foliar hydration and terpene content on leaf flammability in two widely distributed forest species of the Mediterranean basin, Quercus ilex, which does not store terpenes, and Pinus halepensis, a terpene-storing species. The experiments were carried out in plants grown under different water regimes that generated a wide range of foliar hydration and terpene contents. We monitored the temperatures and time elapsed to reach the smoke, pyrolysis and flame phases. Smoke appeared much earlier (37 versus 101 s) and at lower temperatures (96 versus 139 °C) in Quercus ilex than in Pinus halepensis. Quercus ilex reached pyrolysis earlier than Pinus halepensis (278 versus 338 s) but at the same temperature (365–371 °C). There were no significant differences in time elapsed nor in temperature for flammability (386–422 s; 505–487 °C in both species). Quercus ilex had lower water hydration than Pinus halepensis (41 versus 100%) and the leaf content of terpenes in Quercus was three orders of magnitude lower. The results of this study show no differences in the flame phase between the two species and the absence of a significant relationship between temperature and elapsed time of the different flammability phases in relation to monoterpene content; thus indicating that the role of monoterpenes in flammability phases is smaller than that of the water content. This, however, does not exclude the effects of terpene content on plant combustibility and fire propagation once fires start.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: fire; foliar hydration; leaf flammability; Pinus halepensis; Quercus ilex; terpene content; water content

Influence of forest structure and environmental variables on recruit survival and performance of two Mediterranean tree species (Quercus faginea L. and Q. suber Lam.) - Maltez-Mouro, Sara; García, Luis V.; Freitas, Helena (European Journal of Forest Research, 2008)
We investigated the regeneration requirements of the two dominant tree species in a mixed-oak forest of SW Portugal: Quercus suber (cork oak, evergreen) and Q. faginea (Portuguese oak, winter-deciduous). We hypothesized that (1) recruits of diVerent oak species are diVerentially inXuenced by soil and overstory variables and (2) diVerent factors explain the recruitment occurrence and performance of the same species. We sampled the recruits’ height and diameter, and several environmental and forest structure variables of their microsites. Both recruitment occurrence and performance were modeled using generalized linear models. Our Wnal models predicted the probability of occurrence of recruits of Q. faginea and Q. suber with 74 and 82% of accuracy, respectively, and explained about 50% of the variance of their recruitment performance. The recruits of Q. faginea tended to occur in microsites with higher canopy height, canopy density and litter cover, and closer to both conspeciWc and heterospeciWc adults, while the opposite was true for recruits of Q. suber. The performance of recruits of Q. suber was favored by the higher litter cover (a good surrogate for N and P availability), but negatively aVected by the higher litter depth. We concluded the following: (1) there were signiWcantly diVerent regeneration niches for each species (Q. faginea and Q. suber); (2) the factors explaining the recruitment occurrence diVered from those explaining the recruitment performance; (3) the overstory plays a complex and important role in the regeneration process; (4) diVerent variables apparently related with the same environmental factor (e.g. litter cover and litter depth) could aVect recruits in an opposite way; (5) sensitive trade-oVs must be considered for delineating management actions, since they could favor the regeneration of Q. suber, but, at the same time, negatively aVect the regeneration of Q. faginea.
Keywords: evergreen oak; litter e v ects; litter effects; mediterranean forest; Recruitment; winter-deciduous oak

Influence of pruning and the climatic conditions on acorn production in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) dehesas in SW Spain - Alejano, R.; Tapias, R.; Fernández, M.; Torres, Enrique; Alaejos, Joaquín; Domingo, Juan (Annals of Forest Science, 2008)
Acorn production by Quercus ilex L. ssp. ballota (Desf.) Samp. in SW Spain was assessed, and variations between years and the inﬂuence of pruning on it were examined. To this end, an experimental study was conducted at two diﬀerent sites (Calañas and San Bartolomé, in the province of Huelva) where trees were subjected to traditional (light, moderate or heavy) pruning and also to a new (crown-regeneration) pruning method. Acorn yield was quantiﬁed over a period of 5 years in the Calañas plot and 4 in the San Bartolomé plot, and found to average at 95.61 ± 0.76 g DM/m2 , which is equivalent to 6.5 ± 0.05 kg DM/tree; however, yield ﬁgures varied markedly between years depending on the particular climatic conditions. The average acorn production was correlated with the water potential in mid summer (end of July); the annual, spring and autumn rainfall; and the actual evapotranspiration for the period from September (previous year) to August. No signiﬁcant diﬀerences in acorn production between traditional pruning intensities were detected; in fact, there were only hints that heavy pruning might result in decreased acorn yields. The new pruning method used, crown-regeneration, seems promising with a view to increasing acorn yield; however, it should be tested on larger sample sizes before any ﬁnal conclusions can be drawn in this respect. Based on the results, the present health status of holm oaks in southwestern Spain (a result of sustained decline) and the low value of ﬁrewood – which used to be a very important source of income from pruning a few decades ago –, the authors recommend reducing the frequency and intensity of pruning in the dehesas of the study area.
Keywords: acorn production; Holm oak; Masting; pruning

Influence of the holm oak soda pulping conditions on the properties of the resulting paper sheets. - Alaejos, Joaquín; López, Francisco; Pérez, Antonio; Rodríguez, Alejandro; Jiménez, Luis (Bioresource technology, 2008)
This paper reports on the influence of independent variables in the pulping of holm oak wood [viz. temperature (135-195 degrees C), cooking time (30-90 min) and soda concentration (10-20%)] on the properties of the resulting paper sheets. By using a central composite factorial design and a fuzzy neural model, equations relating each dependent variable to the different independent variables were derived that reproduced the experimental results for the dependent variables with errors less than 14%. Using a soda concentration of 17.5% at 195 degrees C for 30 min, it is possible to reduce the working capital (cost of chemical) and the capital investment, because it is operated with smaller values of the soda concentration and cooking time that maximum considered (20% of soda concentration and 90 min). The pulp yield thus obtained differed by less than 31.3% from the highest possible value; also, the resulting pulp and paper sheets had acceptable properties that differed by less than 21.10% from their optimum values.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 18226524
Keywords: Paper; Textile Industry; Wood

Influence of water and terpenes on flammability in some dominant Mediterranean species - Alessio, G. A.; Penuelas, J.; Llusia, J.; Ogaya, R.; Estiarte, M.; De Lillis, M. (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF WILDLAND FIRE, 2008)
In the Mediterranean basin, fires are a major concern for forest and shrubland ecosystems. We studied flammability, its seasonality and its relationship with leaf moisture and volatile terpene content and emission in the dominant species of a Mediterranean shrubland and forest in Catalonia ( NE Iberian Peninsula). We measured temperatures and time elapsed between the three flammability phases: smoke, pyrolysis and flame, for four seasons. We sampled twice in spring because of an occasional drought period during this season. Flammability had a significant relationship with leaf hydration, in the shrubland and in the forest. Few and only weak correlations were found between terpene content and flammability. In the future, arid conditions projected by climatic and ecophysiological models will increase fire risk through decreased hydration and subsequent increased flammability of the species.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 150 OXFORD ST, PO BOX 1139, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA 3066, AUSTRALIA publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
Keywords: Arbutus unedo; Cistus albidus; emission and content of volatile compounds; Erica multiflora; Globularia alypum; phillyrea latifolia; Pinus halepensis; Pistacia lentiscus; Quercus ilex; Rosmarinus officinalis

Influence of water-stress acclimation and Tuber melanosporum mycorrhization on Quercus ilex seedlings - Domínguez Núñez, José Alfonso; Planelles González, Rosa; Rodríguez Barreal, José Antonio; Saiz de Omeñaca González, José Antonio (Agroforestry Systems, 2008)
Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings inoculated with black trufﬂe (Tuber melanosporum) were grown under nursery conditions and subjected to drought hardening for 4 months in autumn and winter followed by irrigation for 10 days. Leaf water potential and stomatal conductance were monitored during the 4 months of drought. When the test was completed (March), measurements were made for each treatment (inoculated or non-inoculated), and watering regime (watered and water-stressed). Pressure–volume curves, osmotic potential at full turgor, osmotic potential at zero turgor and the tissue modulus of elasticity near full turgor were calculated. Mycorrhizal colonization and growth, and the content of the main mineral nutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg were measured. Water stress affected plant growth, caused an elastic adjustment of the plant tissues, and decreased the P and K content, and inoculation improved the nitrogen content. Drought acclimation apparently achieved the goal of improving the drought tolerance of holm oak seedlings, without depressing ectomycorrhizal root colonization by T. melanosporum.
Keywords: á mineral nutrition á; black truffle á drought; Black trufﬂe; Drought hardening; Elastic adjustment; elastic adjustment á inoculation; hardening á; Inoculation; Mineral nutrition; Nursery; nursery á osmotic adjustment; osmotic adjustment

Interactive responses of Quercus suber L. seedlings to light and mild water stress: effects on morphology and gas exchange traits - Puértolas, J.; Pardos, M.; Jiménez, M. D. (Annals of Forest Science, 2008)
• The combined eﬀect of water stress and light on seedlings of forest species is a key factor to determine the best silvicultural and aﬀorestation practices in the Mediterranean area. • The aims of this work was (1) to determine the optimal light level for the early development of cork oak seedlings under mild water stress and (2) to test if the combined eﬀect of water stress and light followed the trade-oﬀ, the facilitation or the orthogonal hypothesis. • Shade reduced instantaneous photosynthetic rates and water use eﬃciency in cork oak. However, seedlings grown under moderate shade (15% of full sunlight) were capable to accumulate similar amount of biomass than those grown under more illuminated environments by increasing their speciﬁc leaf area. Absolute diﬀerences in net photosynthesis between light treatments were higher in well watered than in water stressed seedlings. However, the impact of both factors on overall growth was orthogonal. • We concluded that cork oak development is impaired under deep shade (5% of full sunlight) but it can be optimal under moderate shade (15% of full sunlight) even under moderate water stress. Implications of these patterns on regeneration, cultivation and aﬀorestation of cork oak are discussed.
Keywords: Cork oak; foliar anatomy; photosynthesis rate; shade acclimation; water use effciency

La renta ambiental de los bosques - Campos Palacín, P.; Caparrós Gass, A. (ARBOR Ciencia, Pensamiento y Cultura, 2008)
The objective of this paper is to show the measurement of the environmental income from two private Spanish forests, the Cork Oak Woodlands of the Alcornocales Natural Park (Cádiz and Málaga) and the Scotch Pine Forest of the Sierra de Guadarrama (Madrid and Segovia). We also contribute to the technical and political debate on governmental regulations of forest environmental accounting in European Union. We have measured the environmental goods and services consumed by private landowners and public visitors through the contingent valuation technique. We have estimated the value of mushrooms gathering by public visitors in the Scotch Pine Forests of the Sierra de Guadarrama taking the price and harvest from the mushroom market in Pinar Grande (Soria). The value for carbon estimated accounts for the avoided damage of the greenhouse effect mitigation due to the sequestration of the atmospheric carbon dioxide. The environmental valuations show that the private environmental profitability rates in the Alcornocales Natural Park and in the Sierra de Guadarrama are 2.13 % and 3.43 %, in relation to their corresponding land market prices. We have estimated that the total net values added are 1.63 and 3.28 times higher than its corresponding conventional net values added in the Alcornocales Natural Park and in the Sierra de Guadarrama.
Keywords: consumer surplus; Cork oak; Exchange value; Hicksian income; joint production; public expenditure; Scotch pine

Land-use changes may explain the recent range expansion of the Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus in southern Europe - Balbontín, Javier; Negro, Juan José; Sarasola, José Hernán; Ferrero, Juan José; Rivera, Domingo (Ibis, 2008)
Occasional observations of Black-shouldered Kites Elanus caeruleus in Europe date back to the mid-19th century, but it was only recorded as a breeding species in the early 1960s in Portugal and a few years later in neighbouring Spain. This recent colonization, possibly from Africa where the species is abundant, may be due to climate change, land-use changes in southern Europe, or both. As a ﬁrst step to understanding this range expansion process we have developed a habitat selection model using data from the current strongholds of its European distribution. Comparing the proportion of different habitat types around 46 breeding sites and 45 randomly chosen plots, we have found that the area of cultivated parklands known as dehesas in Spain is a strong predictor of the current distribution range of breeding pairs of Black-shouldered Kites. Speciﬁcally, the percentage of dehesas with planted cereal and a low density of trees (i.e. < 7 trees/ha and thus a savannah-like habitat) within the study plots explained 44.6% of the residual deviance in our model. The minimal adequate model classiﬁed 81.3% of breeding sites and random plots correctly. Our results suggest that Black-shouldered Kites may have taken advantage of the gradual increase of cultivated dehesas in the second half of the 20th century to expand its range in Europe. This particular type of dehesa is structurally similar to the African savannahs where the species thrives and may offer a higher density of rodents than traditional dehesas, which primarily contain pastureland for livestock ranching
Keywords: colonization; Dehesa; habitat selection; Land-use change; occurrence models; raptors.

Leaf accumulation of trace elements and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Quercus ilex L. - De Nicola, F.; Maisto, G.; Prati, M. V.; Alfani, A. (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2008)
Quercus ilex L. leaves were collected four times in one year at six urban sites and one remote area in order to determine trace element and PAH accumulation through concomitant analyses of unwashed and water-washed leaves. Both unwashed and washed leaves showed the highest amounts of trace elements and PAHs in the urban area. Unwashed leaves showed greater differences between urban and remote areas and among the urban sites than washed leaves for trace element and PAH concentrations. Water-washing resulted in a significant (P<0.001) decrease in leaf concentrations of Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, V and Zn. By contrast, Cd and total PAH concentrations showed no differences between unwashed and washed leaves.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17892907
Keywords: Air Pollutants; Air Pollutants: analysis; Aromatic; Aromatic: analysis; Atomic; biomonitoring; cadmium; Cadmium: analysis; chromium; Chromium: analysis; Cities; copper; Copper: analysis; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring: methods; Iron; Iron: analysis; Italy; lead; Lead: analysis; PAHs; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: chemistry; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons; Quercus; Quercus ilex L.; Spectrophotometry; Trace Elements; Trace Elements: analysis; Unwashed and washed leaves; Vanadium; Vanadium: analysis; Zinc; Zinc: analysis

Leaf flavonoid content in Quercus ilex L. resprouts and its seasonal variation - Brossa, R.; Casals, I.; Pintó-Marijuan, M.; Fleck, I. (Trees, 2008)
Here, we provide the ﬁrst report on ﬂavonoid content in holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) leaves, analyzed by HPLC–MS/MS. Flavanols and ﬂavonols were the predominant groups, although proanthocyanidins and many soluble tannins had a relevant presence in all leaf samples. Seasonal variation of ﬂavonoids was determined in extracts from Q. ilex leaves during resprouting after a forest ﬁre in two Mediterranean forests. Similar seasonal trends were observed over 2 years during the two main stress seasons (winter and summer). The most abundant ﬂavonoid was the ﬂavanol epicatechin, which showed similar values during the two seasons. Hexosides of the ﬂavonols, quercetin, kaempferol and rhamnetin showed considerably higher content in winter, especially at the lowest temperatures. These variations in both forests are discussed on the basis of the chlorophyll ﬂuorescence results obtained. Anthocyanins were found practically absent in mature leaves. Nutrient or water availability differences between sites or seasons were not related to changes in leaf ﬂavonolhexoside content.
Keywords: á; á hplc; chlorophyll fluorescence; chlorophyll fluorescence á flavanols; esi; flavanols; flavonol-hexosides; flavonol-hexosides á holm oak; Holm oak; HPLC–ESI–MS/MS; ms

Life-history traits in an evergreen Mediterranean oak respond differentially to previous experimental environments - Benayas, J. M. R.; Cuesta, Bárbara; Villar-Salvador, P.; Jáuregui, Pedro (Web Ecology, 2008)
Living organisms respond both to current and previous environments, which can have important consequences on population dynamics. However, there is little experimental evidence based on long-term field studies of the effects of previous environments on the performance of individuals. We tested the hypothesis that trees that establish under different environmental conditions perform differently under similar post-establishment conditions. We used the slow-growing, evergreen Mediterranean oak Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia as target species. We analyzed the effects of previous environments, competition effects and tradeoffs among life-history traits (survival, growth, and reproduction). We enhanced seedling establishment for three years by reducing abiotic environmental harshness by means of summer irrigation and artificial shading in 12 experimental plots, while four plots remained as controls. Then these treatments were interrupted for ten years. Seedlings under ameliorated environmental conditions survived and grew faster during early establishment. During the post-management period, previous treatments 1) did not have any effect on survival, 2) experienced a slower above-ground growth, 3) decreased root biomass as indicated from reflectivity of Ground Penetration Radar, 4) increased acorn production mostly through a greater canopy volume and 5) increased acorn production effort. The trees exhibited a combination of effects related to acclimation for coping with abiotic stress and effects of intra-specific competition. In accordance with our hypothesis, tree performance overall depended on previous environmental conditions, and the response was different for different life-history traits. We recommend early management because it increased plot cover, shortened the time to attain sexual maturity and increased the amount of acorn production. Plots such as those assessed in this study may act as sources of propagules in deforested agricultural landscapes thus aiding natural establishment of new plants
Keywords: acorn production; canopy volume; competition; environmental conditions; Growth; management (voyant); shoot/root ratio

Light distribution in scattered-trees open woodlands in Western Spain - Montero, María Jesús; Moreno, Gerardo; Bertomeu, Manuel (Agroforestry Systems, 2008)
We have studied the percentage of radiation transmitted through the tree canopy to the underlying pasture and crops in dehesas of Southwest Spain by means of ﬁsh-eye photographs taken at different distances from the tree. Thirty-six trees were studied covering all the diametric classes (0.1–14 m canopy width) of two stands, with mean density of 19 mature trees ha -1 . Intercepted light decreased with distance following an logistic curve, indicating a rapid increase in the light availability with distance from the tree. For mature trees, radiation was constant beyond 20 m. Applying a multivariable regression light equation, distance, stem diameter and canopy width explained more than 88% of the light variability for each orientation studied. A simple model was built up from light equations, tree growth curves and allometric relationships. From this model, we have estimated that radiation available for crops and pasture decreased up to 21% due to the presence of trees in a standard dehesa with 24 mature trees ha -1 and 13% of canopy cover. In addition, we have generated different radiation maps of virtual dehesas differing in tree age, density and arrangement, which could be useful to determine optimal tree planting schemes and consequent pruning and thinning regimes.
Keywords: allometric relationships; Dehesa; fish-eye photograph; light transmittance; Quercus ilex; radiation map

Man-Made Landscapes From the Third–Second Millennia Bc: the Example of Castelo Velho (Freixo De Numão, North-East Portugal) - Figueiral, Isabel; Jorge, Susana O. (Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 2008)
The analysis of charred plant material from Castelo Velho (northeastern Portugal) yields information about the environmental background of a long-term architectural project. Work focuses on the physical characteristics of this sui generis site and on the interrelationships between human communities and their vegetal environment. Important vegetation changes are recorded despite the fact that site ‘occupation’is considered to be sporadic and therefore causing only minor anthropogenic impact. Evergreen oaks (Quercus, evergreen) dominate during the ﬁrst two stratigraphic layers but are replaced by the tree-strawberry (Arbutus unedo) during a third layer. This change may result from a premeditated woodland management, ensuring that the site remained visible in the distance. Special attention is given to the plant assemblage and broken pottery found in a sealed structure (layer 3) and thought to have served a ‘ritual’ purpose. Seeds of Triticum aestivum/ compactum are largely predominant.
Keywords: Arbutus unedo (voyant); CHARCOAL ANALYSIS; Evergreen oaks; vegetation changes

Masting mediated by summer drought reduces acorn predation in mediterranean oak forests - Espelta, Josep Maria; Cortés, Pilar; Molowny-Horas, Roberto; Sánchez-Humanes, Belén; Retana, Javier (ECOLOGY, 2008)
Temporally variable production of seed crops by perennial plants (masting) has been hypothesized to be a valuable mechanism in the reduction of seed predation by satiating and starving seed consumers. To achieve these benefits, coexisting species subjected to the same predator would benefit from a similar pattern of seeding fluctuation over time that could lead to a reduction in predation at the within-species level. We tested for the existence of an environmental factor enforcing synchrony in acorn production in two sympatric Mediterranean oaks ( Quercus ilex and Q. humilis) and the consequences on within-species and between species acorn predation, by monitoring 15 mixed forests (450 trees) over seven years. Acorn production in Q. ilex and Q. humilis was highly variable among years, with high population variability (CVp) values. The two species exhibited a very different pattern across years in their initial acorn crop size ( sum of aborted, depredated, and sound acorns). Nevertheless, interannual differences in summer water stress modified the likelihood of abortion during acorn ripening and enforced within-and, particularly, between-species synchrony and population variability in acorn production. The increase in CVp from initial to mature acorn crop ( after summer) accounted for 33% in Q. ilex, 59% in Q. humilis, and 60% in the two species together. Mean yearly acorn pre-dispersal predation by invertebrates was considerably higher in Q. humilis than in Q. ilex. Satiation and starvation of predators was recorded for the two oaks, and this effect was increased by the year-to-year variability in the size of the acorn crop of the two species combined. Moreover, at a longer time scale ( over seven years), we observed a significant reduction in the mean proportion of acorns depredated for each oak and the variability in both species' acorn production combined. Therefore, our results demonstrate that similar patterns of seeding fluctuation over time in coexisting species mediated by an environmental cue ( summer drought) may contribute to the reduction of the impact of seed predation at a within-species level. Future research should be aimed at addressing whether this process could be a factor assisting in the coexistence of Q. ilex and Q. humilis.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 1990 M STREET NW, STE 700, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA publisher: ECOLOGICAL SOC AMER
Keywords: Curculio spp.; fruit abortion; fruiting synchrony; Mediterranean mixed-oak forests; oaks; predator satiation; Quercus humilis; Quercus ilex; resource matching

Microbial activity and quality changes during decomposition of Quercus ilex leaf litter in three Mediterranean woods - Papa, S.; Pellegrino, A.; Fioretto, A. (Applied Soil Ecology, 2008)
Changes in enzyme activities during litter decomposition provide diagnostic information on the dynamics of decay and functional microbial succession. Here we report a comparative study of enzyme activities involved in the breakdown of major plant components and of other key parameters (microbial respiration, fungal biomass, N, lignin and cellulose contents) in homogeneous leaf litter of Quercus ilex L. incubated in three evergreen oak woods in Southern Italy (Campania), differing for chemical and physical soil characteristics and microclimatic conditions. The results showed that the litter mass loss rates were similar in the three wood sites. Independently of the incubation sites, cellulase, xylanase and peroxydase activities showed seasonal variations with maximum and minimum levels in wet and dry periods, respectively, and this pattern closely matched microbial respiration. Activities of a- and b-amylase, instead, were high at the beginning of incubation and quickly decreased with decomposition progress because their substrate was rapidly depleted. Laccase activity, in contrast, was low at the beginning of incubation but after 6 months it increased signiﬁcantly. The increase of laccase activity was correlated to an increase in fungal biomass, probably reﬂecting a major shift in the litter microbial community. As concerns quality changes, N and lignin content did not signiﬁcantly change during decay. The cellulosic component started being degraded after about 6 months in the litter incubated in two of the three wood sites and from the start of decomposition in the third site. Apart from minor differences in the levels of certain enzyme activities, the data showed that the functional microbial succession involved in the decomposition of Q. ilex leaf litter did not change appreciably in response to differences in soil and microclimatic conditions in the incubation sites.
Keywords: Cellulose; Enzyme activities; Fungal biomass; Lignin; litter decomposition; Microbial respiration

Modelling leaf mass per area in forest canopy as affected by prevailing radiation conditions - Davi, H.; Barbaroux, C.; Dufrêne, E.; François, C.; Montpied, P.; Bréda, N.; Badeck, F. (Ecological Modelling, 2008)
Leaf mass per area (LMA) is a key leaf trait, which conditions the assessment of carbon balance and the adaptation of the species to their environment. LMA decreases exponentially within the canopy at a lower rate coefﬁcient (kLMA) than the extinction coefﬁcient (kPAR) of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); consequently the canopy is not fully optimized for the carbon balance. A new algorithm to simulate LMA in forest canopies is developed. The algorithm is based on a relationship between LMA of leaves at a given canopy depth and PAR, that they absorb, during leaf growth. The LMA sub-model is then tested against independent experimental data to demonstrate its validity to assess (i) the LMA vertical distribution inside the canopy, (ii) its evolution during the season and (iii) the variability observed between sites, years and species. Then, the LMA sub-model is coupled with a process-based model simulating carbon, water and energy balances in forest ecosystem. The coupled model is applied to a sensitive analysis for a case study in a beech forest.
Keywords: Carbon; Fagus sylvatica L.; Leaf mass per area; Modelling; Photosynthetically active radiation; Quercus ilex L.; Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.

Modulation of leaf attributes and water use efficiency in Quercus suber along a rainfall gradient - Gouveia, António C.; Freitas, Helena (Trees, 2008)
The aim of our study was to assess the intraspeciﬁc variation of a range of leaf attributes and carbon isotope discrimination (D), in Quercus suber, along an 800 mm rainfall gradient in Portugal. We measured speciﬁc leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (LT) and density, and used leaf carbon isotope content as an integrated record of water use efﬁciency. The values of SLA of Q. suber were strongly, positively correlated with rainfall, decreasing as rainfall decreased. This reduction was mainly driven by LT, which was tightly correlated with SLA (R = -0.80, P\0.001), and steadily increased with declining rainfall. The signiﬁcant increase in carbon isotope discrimination towards the wetter end of the gradient, with a difference of 4.2% in D between the two extremes, suggests a strong adjustment of leaf gas exchange to water availability. Leaf changes associated with precipitation in Q. suber thus seem to inﬂuence water economy, since reduction of SLA with the increase of LT with aridity improves water use efﬁ- ciency. These data suggest that this evergreen tree species relies on its foliage plasticity and physiology to overcome water shortage.
Keywords: carbon isotope discrimination; carbon isotope discrimination á; evergreen tree; evergreen tree á; leaf plasticity; leaf plasticity á; rainfall gradient

Mycelial abundance and other factors related to truffle productivity in Tuber melanosporum–Quercus ilex orchards - Suz, Laura M.; Martín, María P.; Oliach, Daniel; Fischer, Christine R.; Colinas, Carlos (FEMS Microbiology Letters, 2008)
Relative quantification of DNA from Tuber melanosporum mycelia was performed by conventional and real-time PCR in soil from trees in three truffle orchards of different ages to determine: (1) whether burn appearance is related to the amount of T. melanosporum mycelium in soil, and (2) whether productivity onset and truffle production are related to (a) the amount of T. melanosporum mycelium in soil, (b) tree height and diameter, (c) burn extension and (d) surface rock cover. The burn seems to appear only after a certain amount of mycelium has formed. Precociously productive trees presented higher quantities of mycelium than nonproductive trees in the productivity onset study, while highly productive trees presented less quantities of mycelium than nonproductive trees in the productivity study. Trees with high but not excessive surface rock cover showed greater truffle production. Larger trees tended to display a burn earlier than smaller trees.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: burn; DNA soil mycelium; real-time PCR; rock cover; truffle; Tuber melanosporum

New data on ectomycorrhizae and soils of the Chinese truffles Tuber pseudoexcavatum and Tuber indicum, and their impact on truffle cultivation. - Garcia-Montero, Luis G.; Di Massimo, Gabriella; Manjon, Jose L.; García-Abril, Antonio (Mycorrhiza, 2008)
Chinese truffles serve as a good complement to the market for Tuber melanosporum (Périgord black truffle). However, Chinese truffles could be introduced accidentally or fraudulently into the plantations of Mediterranean truffles, and they could have a negative effect on truffle production and natural ecosystems. The study of Tuber species from China which are commercialized in Europe began 14 years ago. Tuber pseudoexcavatum was proposed as a new species, and this has been validated by some authors based on molecular and phylogenetic studies. We synthesize their ectomycorrhizae using samples from the type collection, and we compare T. pseudoexcavatum and Tuber indicum ectomycorrhizae. The ectomycorrhizae of these species have a morphology which is related to the ectomycorrhizae of T. melanosporum. We provide useful information for the rapid screening of the above-mentioned Chinese truffles ectomycorrhizae, for the quality control of commercial plants mycorrhized with Tuber. Moreover, we analyze the soil tolerance and the host plant affinity of T. pseudoexcavatum and T. indicum, in order to assess the capacity of both Chinese truffles to penetrate T. melanosporum plantations and habitats.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 18813959
Keywords: Chinese truffle; Ectomycorrhizae; Truffle cultivation; Truffle ecology; Truffle yield

New Eco-Friendly Gypsum Materials for Civil Construction - Eires, Rute; Camoes, Aires; Jalali, Said (ADVANCED MATERIALS FORUM IV, 2008)
The sustainable world's economic growth and people's life improvement greatly depend on the use of alternative products in the architecture and construction, such as industrial wastes conventionally called ``green materials{''}. This paper concerns the main results of an experimental work carried out with the objective of developing new composite materials based on gypsum and incorporating waste material as granulated cork, a by-product of cork industry, and cellulose fibres. a waste of paper industry. Such materials are intended to be used as composite boards for non structural elements of construction, such as dry walls and ceiling. Cork (bark of the plant Quercus Suber L), a substance largely produced in Portugal, is a material whose characteristics are of considerable interest for the construction industry. It is regarded as a strategic material with enormous potential by its reduced density, elasticity, compressibility; waterproof, vibration absorption, thermal and acoustic insulation efficiency \{[\}1]. During the first stage of this research work the gypsum binder and its properties Were Studied. Then, composites with mineral additions (added to increase the waterproofing and resistance) were also developed and submitted to tests to determine their physical and mechanical properties. In last stage, reinforced composites using different industrial by-products have been developed. This paper will present the properties and the manufacture methods used to produce the above mentioned eco-friendly composites that can case ways for using industrial wastes as new construction materials, with excellent inherent thermal and acoustic properties.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: ADVANCED MATERIALS FORUM IV pub-location: LAUBLSRUTISTR 24, CH-8717 STAFA-ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Keywords: Construction Technology; Cork Residue; Green materials; Sustainability; Waste recycling

Non-enzymatic hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) in a Mediterranean oak (Quercus ilex L.) litter - Alarcón-Gutiérrez, E.; Floch, C.; Ruaudel, F.; Criquet, S. (European Journal of Soil Science, 2008)
We show the presence of interfering substances when the total microbial activity in litter samples is measured with fluorescein diacetate (FDA), and we propose some methodological modifications to avoid such interference. Three distinct litter layers (the OhLn, the OhLv and the OhLf) of evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) were characterized by 13C CPMAS NMR and the spectra show that the recalcitrant aromatic and phenolic compounds increase with the degree of degradation of litter. A wide range of sources of interference in the hydrolysis of FDA was found. To understand the origin of this interference, sterilized litter materials (i.e. γ-irradiated or autoclaved) and a wide range of organic substances (i.e. amino acids, glucose, sorbitol and organic humic acids) were investigated. Insignificant differences on the FDA hydrolysis activity (FDA activity) were found in the γ-irradiated and non-irradiated OhLn litter, indicating that γ-irradiation does not destroy enzymes. Conversely, after heat-sterilization of litter, samples showed FDA activity corresponding to 60, 34.8 and 30.8% (in the OhLn, the OhLv and the OhLf layers, respectively) of that of control litters. This indicates the presence of non-enzymatic interfering substances in the FDA assays. As the humification and litter depth increased, hydrolysis of FDA due to interferences decreased, indicating degradation and/or chelation of interfering substances. We hypothesize that lysine, arginine, histidine and cysteine are mainly responsible for the hydrolysis of FDA. We suggest that the use of phosphate buffer (50 mm, pH 7.0) with incubation < 30 minutes, in combination with a temperature between 30 and 40°C, produces insignificant interference in the determination of the final FDA activity in litter samples.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: CPMAS 13C NMR spectroscopy (voyant); hydrolysis; litter; Soil

O Algoritmo BARCOR: Classificação de Cortiça para Rolhas Recorrendo a Quatro Atributos de Qualidade - Barreto, Luís Soares (Silva Lusitana, 2008)
t. The author proposes an analytical method named algorithm BARCOR that integrates TOPSIS ("Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution"), regression, tree models and cluster analysis, to select the minimum number of attributes of cork quality to efficiently classify this material when used to the production of stoppers. When using attributes evenly weighted he shows that only the four attributes are sufficient. If unevenly weights of the attributes are used, this number can be reduced to three. He proposes two models with four and three attributes as explanatory variables to obtain expedite and preliminary classifications of the cork. He admits that the algorithm has potential to be applied in other similar situations.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: scielopt
Keywords: Algorithm; Classification; Cork; Quality; stoppers

Orbital- and sub-orbital-scale climate impacts on vegetation of the western Mediterranean basin over the last 48,000 yr - Fletcher, William J.; Sánchez Goñi, Maria Fernanda (Quaternary Research, 2008)
High-resolution pollen analysis of Alborán Sea core MD95-2043 provides a 48-ka continuous vegetation record that can be directly correlated with sea surface and deep-water changes. The reliability of this record is supported by comparison with that of Padul (Sierra Nevada, Spain). Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 was characterised by ﬂuctuations in Quercus forest cover in response to Dansgaard-Oeschger climate variability. MIS 2 was characterised by the dominance of semi-desert vegetation. Despite overall dry and cold conditions during MIS 2, Heinrich events (HEs) 2 and 1 were distinguished from the last glacial maximum by more intensely arid conditions. Taxon-speciﬁc vegetation responses to a tripartite climatic structure within the HEs are observed. In MIS 1, the Bölling-Allerød was marked by rapid afforestation, while a re-expansion of semidesert environments occurred during the Younger Dryas. The maximum development of mixed Quercus forest occurred between 11.7 and 5.4 cal ka BP, with forest decline since 5.4 cal ka BP. On orbital timescales, a long-term expansion of semi-desert vegetation from MIS 3 into MIS 2 reﬂects global ice-volume trends, while Holocene arboreal decline reﬂects summer insolation decrease. The inﬂuence of precession on the amplitude of forest development and vegetation composition is also detected
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: University of Washington
Keywords: Dansgaard-Oeschger variability; Heinrich events; Holocene; Iberian margin; Land–sea correlation; LGM; Marine palynology; Mediterranean Region; Precession

Pathogenicity of Pythium spiculum and P-sterilum on feeder roots of Quercus rotundifolia - Jimenez, J. J.; Sanchez, J. E.; Romero, M. A.; Belbahri, L.; Trapero, A.; Lefort, F.; Sanchez, M. E. (PLANT PATHOLOGY, 2008)
APSAPSThe following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 9600 GARSINGTON RD, OXFORD OX4 2DQ, OXON, ENGLAND publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING
Keywords: pathogenic; Pythium spiculum; Pythium sterilum; Quercus ilex

Photoprotective responses of Mediterranean and Atlantic trees to the extreme heat-wave of summer 2003 in Southwestern Europe - García-Plazaola, José Ignacio; Esteban, Raquel; Hormaetxe, Koldobika; Fernández-Marín, Beatriz; Becerril, José Maria (Trees, 2008)
Summer 2003 was extremely hot in Europe. High light in combination with heat and drought exacerbates the generation of photo-oxidative stress. Under these conditions photoprotective responses can be critical for plant survival. Photoprotection was analysed in 2003 in several Mediterranean and Atlantic woody species. These data were compared with previous summers (1998, 1999 and 2001) to evaluate the potential acclimation for each species. A pattern of changes consisting on a decrease in chlorophyll, ascorbate and Fv/Fm and an increase in tocopherol, xanthophyll cycle pigments (VAZ) and deepoxidation index was regularly observed. Acclimation potential was measured by the use of the plasticity index for each parameter. Mediterranean species were more plastic than Atlantic ones. The latter were unable to increase antioxidant pools to the same extent or to downregulate the efﬁciency of light energy conversion. These results indicate that most Mediterranean species are able to perform an efﬁcient acclimation to heat stress, whilst Atlantic species will be more affected by climate warming.
Keywords: á summer 2003; antioxidants; antioxidants á heat-wave á; heat-wave; mediterranean species; mediterranean species á photoprotection; photoprotection; summer 2003

Photosynthesis and photoprotective strategies in Laurus nobilis L. and Quercus ilex L. under summer drought and winter cold - Arena, C.; Vitale, L.; Virzo De Santo, A. (Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 2008)
Abstract Photosynthesis and photoprotective mechanisms were investigated in the field on Laurus nobilis L. and Quercus ilex L. leaves exposed to summer drought (July) and winter cold (February) conditions compared with no-stress conditions (May). In July, net photosynthetic rate (A) and stomatal conductance (g s) decreased significantly compared with May in both species; conversely the highest ETR/A ratio and no difference in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was observed. In February A, g s and ETR/A declined compared with May but the highest NPQ were found in both species. Our data suggest that during summer, an increase of photochemical alternative pathways to carbon reduction, were able to effectively protect the photosynthetic apparatus under drought. In winter, the thermal dissipation of excess absorbed light constitutes the main safety valve for the photosynthetic apparatus.
doi: 10.1080/11263500802410819doi: 10.1080/11263500802410819The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: Dissipative processes; L. nobilis; leaf gas-exchange; Q. ilex; summer drought; winter cold

Phytoclimatic versatility and potential diversity of natural arboreal forest cover in peninsular Spain - Garcia Lopez, J. M.; ALLUÉ CAMACHO, C. (INVESTIGACION AGRARIA-SISTEMAS Y RECURSOS FORESTALES, 2008)
A multivariate methodology was assayed to evaluate the phytoclimatic versatility of peninsular Spain and how this relates to the potential diversity of natural tree covers. The instances of greatest phytoclimatic versatility occur in a range of altitude between 1000 and 1300 m; these are cool phytoclimates with only short, low-intensity periods of aridity. These factorial ambits of maximum versatility correspond chiefly to the substeppe nemoral subtype VI(VII), followed by genuine nemoral VI and humid nemoromediterranean VI(IV)(2) subtypes. The lowest values of versatility and potential diversity correspond to dry genuine Mediterranean (IV(1)) or transitional Mediterranean IV(VI)(1) subtypes and to alpine oroborealoid or oroarcticoid subtypes. In geographical terms, intermediate mountain areas in the north of the Peninsula and some massifs in the southern half score the highest in the Diversity Index used. The lowest scores are found in the southern half of the Peninsula, although in the northern half low scores are also found for littoral areas, interior areas of the Duero and Ebro basins and alpine areas. Autoecological phytoclimatic spectra headed by stands of Pinus nigra and Quercus petraea present the greatest phytoclimatic versatility, while those headed by Quercus ilex ballota and Pinus uncinata stands present the least versatility. This article offers new methodological horizons for the study of the effects of climate change on plant diversity.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: CTRA CORUNA KM 7 5, MADRID, 28040, SPAIN publisher: INST NACIONAL INVESTIGACION TECHNOLOGIA AGRARIA ALIMENTARIA
Keywords: Biodiversity; climate change; competition; Simpson Index; suitability

Plant and carabid beetle species diversity in relation to forest type and structural heterogeneity - Taboada, Ángela; Tárrega, Reyes; Calvo, Leonor; Marcos, Elena; Marcos, José Antonio; Salgado, José María (European Journal of Forest Research, 2008)
The aim of this study was to evaluate the inﬂuence of forest structure (mainly resulting from human uses) and forest type (the identity of the dominant tree species) on biodiversity. We determined the diversity of two taxonomical groups: the understory vegetation and the edaphic carabid beetle fauna. We selected eight types of forest ecosystems (ﬁve replicates or stands per forest type): pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations of three age classes (10, 40 and 80 years since reforestation), an old-growth relict natural pine forest, and four types of oak (Quercus pyrenaica) stands: mature forests with livestock grazing and ﬁrewood extraction, mature forests where uses have been abandoned, ‘‘dehesa’’ ecosystems and shrubby oak ecosystems. The results obtained by a global PCA analysis indicated that both tree size and dominant species inﬂuenced the ordination of the 40 forest stands. In general, carabids were more sensitive to changes in forest heterogeneity and responded more clearly to the analysed structural variables than the understory vegetation, although the species richness of both groups was signiﬁ- cantly correlated and higher in case of oak forests. Pine forest ecosystems were characterised by the lowest species richness for both taxonomical groups, the lowest plant diversity and by the lowest coefﬁcients of variation and, consequently, low structural heterogeneity. As a result, it was very difﬁcult to discriminate the effects of the spatial heterogeneity and the dominant tree species on biodiversity
Keywords: Biodiversity; carabid beetles; heterogeneity; oak forests; pine plantations; understory vegetation

Plant MTs-long neglected members of the metallothionein superfamily - Freisinger, Eva (DALTON TRANSACTIONS, 2008)
Occurrence of metallothioneins (MTs) was initially thought to be restricted to the animal kingdom, and the corresponding functions such as detoxification of heavy metal ions were assumed to be taken over in plants by the enzymatically synthesized phytochelatins. This perception was revised in the past years, and the existence of plant metallothioneins is generally accepted. Compared to the vertebrate forms, members of the plant MT family display a significantly larger sequence diversity, however, surprisingly little information is available concerning their possible functions, properties, and structures. Gene expression studies, and thus studies on the mRNA level, are the major source of data aiming at elucidating the function of plant MTs. However, so far it is not possible to unambiguously assign a specific function to a given metallothionein as proposed functions overlap, are complementary to each other, or even contradictory results are obtained. With respect to the structures and properties of plant metallothioneins even less scientific contributions are available illustrating the early stages, in which this research area resides. Existing data covers the metal ion content of the different plant metallothionein species and the pH stabilities of the resulting metal-thiolate clusters. Further, for a limited selection of proteins the number of clusters formed has been proposed and predictions towards the secondary structure of the protein backbone made. A recently determined three-dimensional structure of the larger domain of the wheat metallothionein E(c)-1 describes a metal ion coordination mode unprecedented for any metallothionein so far.
APSAPSThe following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS, ENGLAND publisher: ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
Keywords: Heavy metals; plant metallothioneins

Predator abundance in relation to small game management in southern Portugal: conservation implications - Beja, Pedro; Gordinho, Luís; Reino, Luís; Loureiro, Filipa; Santos-Reis, Margarida; Borralho, Rui (European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2008)
The interaction between hunting interests and legally protected predators is often a contentious conservation problem, requiring detailed understanding of predator responses to game management. This issue was addressed in southern Portugal in a treatment-control natural experiment, whereby the abundances of small game, corvids, birds of prey and carnivores were compared in 12 game estates (>500 ha) and 12 matching areas with similar sizes and land uses but no gamemanagement. European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis) and, less so, red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) were far more numerous in game estates than elsewhere. Among legally controlled species, there were less Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius) but more red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in game estates, though the latter were primary targets of predator culling. Fox abundance within game estates varied inversely with an index of management intensity (density of small game feeding sites) and increased along with hare abundance. As for protected species, only common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and genets (Genetta genetta) were fewer in game estates. The abundance of raptors within game estates varied inversely with gamekeeper density, whereas that of common buzzards (Buteo buteo) increased along with rabbit abundance. Overall, there was little evidence that game management reduced local predator abundances, except in the most intensively managed estates. Game estates provided concentrations of prey that was scarce elsewhere, which may have favoured increased abundances of some predators. Further investigations are needed to find out whether high prey densities may attract predators to game estates with increased mortality risk, which may thus become population sinks for protected species.
Keywords: birds of prey; carnivores; conservation conflict; hunting; predator control

Real-time PCR identification and detection of Fuscoporia torulosa in Quercus ilex - Campanile, G.; Schena, L.; Luisi, N. (Plant Pathology, 2008)
Fuscoporia torulosa is the causal agent of white alveolar wood decay on several species including a large number of forest trees. Early detection of the fungus is essential to identify diseased trees before spread occurs to healthy plants. However, current detection methods based on isolation from infected tissues on semi-selective media are laborious, time consuming and require expertise in identifying the pathogen after isolation. In the present study, a rapid and reliable Scorpion-PCR based molecular method to identify and detect F. torulosa in planta was developed in a highly polymorphic portion of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Specificity of primers and probe was assessed by means of both BLAST analyses and by using genomic DNA from 131 F. torulosa isolates and 43 other fungi and oomycetes from different hosts and geographic areas. In Scorpion-PCR the limit of detection was 1 pg of total DNA and a high correlation (r2 = 0·996) was achieved between target DNA quantity and cycle threshold (Ct). Real-time PCR combined with effective procedures for DNA extraction enabled the detection of F. torulosa from naturally infected tissues of oaks with and without fruit bodies in approximately 6 h. Comparative testing showed that detection of F. torulosa in wood samples is more sensitive and reliable with real-time PCR than with conventional isolation.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: molecular detection; Phellinus torulosus; Scorpion-PCR; white rot; wood decay

Regional phenological models for forecasting the start and peak of the Quercus pollen season in Spain - García-Mozo, H.; Chuine, I.; Aira, M. J. J.; Belmonte, J.; Bermejo, D.; Díaz de la Guardia, C.; Elvira, B.; Gutiérrez, M.; Rodríguez-Rajo, J.; Ruiz, L.; Trigo, M. M. M.; Tormo, R.; et al. (Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2008)
he study sought to achieve the broadest possible spatial and temporal predictions by examining genetic variations in the timing of ﬂowering between populations of the Iberian Quercus species using pollen data from 15 sites in Spain. The speciﬁc objective of the study was to develop and ﬁt regional phenological model to predict the ﬂowering start and ﬂowering peak of Quercus species in the Iberian Peninsula by ascertaining whether potentially signiﬁcant genetic variations in the timing of ﬂowering required different phenological models or if, on the contrary, regional models for several localities can explain the variability detected in Quercus phenology in Spain. Model estimates did not vary greatly as a function of environment within similar climate areas where the same species grew; thus, model estimates of the temperature response of individuals growing in similar climate areas did not differ signiﬁcantly. The percentage of variance explained by models was greater in models ﬁtted with local data (75–97%). Nevertheless, acceptable results were also obtained using regional models (55–85%). The lowest value was found for the Simplifed Model including all Spanish sites together (51%).
Keywords: Aerobiology; Modelling; oak forest; Phenology; pollen; Quercus

The relationship between cork oak growth patterns and soil, slope and drainage in a cork oak woodland in Southern Portugal - Costa, Augusta; Madeira, Manuel; Oliveira, Ângelo Carvalho (Forest Ecology and Management, 2008)
The inﬂuence of soil type, slope and drainage on tree growth patterns (density, tree size, crown canopy cover and cork yield) was assessed in a cork oak montado, located in Central-western Portugal, based on a GIS approach followed by ﬁeld survey. Five soil groups, that is, Arenosols, Regosols, Podzols, Luvisols and Gleysols, combined in three slope classes (ﬂat, undulating and steep) under two different hydromorphic conditions (normal or deﬁcient) were compared based on ﬁve cork oak stand parameters using ANOVA and PCA tests. The results showed a clear inﬂuence of soil type on cork oak growth patterns (cork yield, basal area, number of trees per hectare, crown canopy cover and circumference at breast height). In Arenosols all parameters showed maximum values and, in contrast, in Gleysols were found the minimum values. For instance, the average of the annual cork production for Gleysols (153 kg ha 1 year 1 ) was only 70% of the expected annual cork production of Arenosols (219 kg ha 1 year 1 ) and the average exploited tree density decreased from 56 trees ha 1 in Arenosols to 44 trees ha 1 in Gleysols, for an average exploited tree density of 53 trees ha 1 for the study area. Slope also seems to inﬂuence the cork oak growth patterns, as signiﬁcant statistical differences were found for cork oak growth parameters between slope classes: steep slopes decreased the cork production, the tree size (circumference at breast height) and the tree density. An overall PCA test showed that three main soil groups could be identiﬁed: (i) Arenosols and Podzols; (ii) Regosols and (iii) Luvisols and Gleysols, showing that the former, which could allow the tree root development, have a positive inﬂuence on the cork oak growth. A two-way analysis of variance, for soil type and slope, showed that the cork yield and the exploited tree density are clearly affected by these two factors interaction.
Keywords: cork yield; drainage; montado; Quercus Suber L; slope; Soil; tree density

Remote estimation of carbon dioxide uptake by a Mediterranean forest - Garbulsky, Martín F.; Penuelas, Josep; Papale, Dario; Filella, Iolanda (Global Change Biology, 2008)
The estimation of the carbon balance in ecosystems, regions, and the biosphere is currently one of the main concerns in the study of the ecology of global change. Current remote sensing methodologies for estimating gross primary productivity are not satisfactory because they rely too heavily on (i) the availability of climatic data, (ii) the definition of land-use cover, and (iii) the assumptions of the effects of these two factors on the radiation-use efficiency of vegetation (RUE). A new methodology is urgently needed that will actually assess RUE and overcome the problems associated with the capture of fluctuations in carbon absorption in space and over time. Remote sensing techniques such as the widely used reflectance vegetation indices (e.g. NDVI, EVI) allow green plant biomass and therefore plant photosynthetic capacity to be assessed. However, there are vegetation types, such as the Mediterranean forests, with a very low seasonality of these vegetation indices and a high seasonality of carbon uptake. In these cases it is important to detect how much of this capacity is actually realized, which is a much more challenging goal. The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) derived from freely available satellite information (MODIS sensor) presented for a 5-year analysis for a Mediterranean forest a positive relationship with the RUE. Thus, we show that it is possible to estimate RUE and GPP in real time and therefore actual carbon uptake of Mediterranean forests at ecosystem level using the PRI. This conceptual and technological advancement would avoid the need to rely on the sometimes unreliable maximum RUE.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: carbon cycle; CO2 uptake; eddy covariance; Mediterranean forests; MODIS; primary productivity; radiation use efficiency; Remote sensing; Vegetation

The response of epiphytic lichens to air pollution and subsets of ecological predictors: a case study from the Italian Prealps. - Cristofolini, Fabiana; Giordani, Paolo; Gottardini, Elena; Modenesi, Paolo (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2008)
We investigated the response of epiphytic lichens to air pollution, against the background of other ecological predictors in a prealpine heterogeneous area, using Non-Parametric Multiplicative Regression (NPMR). The best NPMR model for total lichen diversity according to N environmental predictors at tree level has a cross R(2)=0.709. It includes 10 variables, belonging to three different subsets of factors: two pollution-related factors (distance in meters from the road and from the cement factory); four stand-related (habitat, heat index, LAI and elevation) and four substrate-related factors (inclination, circumference and texture and tree species). Considering separately the effects of each subset on lichen diversity, substrate- and stand-related factors produce good models with similar cross R(2) (0.490 and 0.500, respectively), whereas pollution-related factors produce a model with a lower cross R(2) (0.340). Hence, we provide information to investigate the applicability of lichen biomonitoring to complex heterogeneous areas where standardized protocols are not reliable.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17689161
Keywords: Ecological factors; Lichen diversity; NPMR; Standardized protocol; Toblino

The response of soil erosion and sediment export to land-use change in four areas of Europe: The importance of landscape pattern - Bakker, Martha M.; Govers, Gerard; van Doorn, Anne; Quetier, Fabien; Chouvardas, Dimitris; Rounsevell, Mark (Geomorphology, 2008)
The response of erosion and sediment export to past land-use change has been studied in four agricultural areas of Europe. Three of these areas were subject to land abandonment or de-intensification and one to intensification of land-use practices. Erosion and sediment yield were modeled using the WaTEM/SEDEM model, which combines the RUSLE equation with a sediment routing algorithm. Spatial relationships between the RUSLE C-factor (i.e. land-use) and other erosion and sediment exportdetermining factors (slope, soil erodibility and distance to rivers) were investigated, as these account for non-linearity in the response of erosion and sediment export to land-use change. Erosion and sediment export have decreased enormously in the de-intensified areas, but slightly increased in the intensively cultivated area. The spatial pattern of land-use change in relation to other erosion and sediment export-determining factors appears to have a large impact on the response of soil erosion and sediment export to land-use change. That the drivers of abandonment of arable land and erosion coincide indicates that de-intensification leads to a more favourable landscape pattern with respect to reduction of erosion and sediment export. This mechanism applies not only within the study areas, but also among the European study areas where the process of intensification of some areas and de-intensification of others might result in an overall decrease of erosion and sediment yield through time
Keywords: EUROPE; Land-use change; landscape pattern; soil erosion

Responses of photosynthesis to high temperatures in oak saplings assessed by chlorophyll-a fluorescence: inter-specific diversity and temperature-induced plasticity - Daas, C.; Montpied, P.; Hanchi, B.; Dreyer, E. (Annals of forest science, 2008)
• The sensitivity of photosynthesis to high temperature was investigated in greenhouse-grown saplings of three Mediterranean (Quercus canariensis Willd., Q. coccifera L. and Q. suber L.) and two temperate European oak species (Q. robur L. and Q. petraea Matt. Liebl.). The sensitivity to high temperature was inferred from F0T curves producing the critical temperature (Tc ) at which a rapid rise in ground chlorophyll a ﬂuorescence (F0) occurs. Tc is known to acclimate to moderately increased ambient temperature by displaying signiﬁcant increases. • We ﬁrst checked whether acclimation of Tc was paralleled by an increase in optimal temperature for light driven electron ﬂux (Topt ,), recorded by measuring quantum yield of photochemistry under saturating CO2 and moderate irradiance. Saplings of Q. suber and Q. canariensis were submitted to four, ﬁve days long ambient temperature steps (15, 25, 35 and 15 ◦ C again). Tc was usually largely above 45 ◦ C while Topt was around 30–35 ◦ C. Both increased with ambient temperature in the two species, and decreased again when temperature returned to the initial values. This recovery was nevertheless not complete after a week at 15 ◦ C. • A second experiment tested whether the plasticity of Tc was of the same extent in the ﬁve species. A signiﬁcant increase of Tc followed by a decrease was detected in all species. Only small inter-speciﬁc diﬀerences were detected in Tc , and temperature induced plasticity was similar in the diﬀerent species: Tc increased by about 4–5 ◦ C while ambient temperature was increased from 15 to 35 ◦ C. Mediterranean and European oaks did not diﬀer in this respect. • This result does not support the hypothesis that oak species from warmer regions would display a larger plasticity of Tc in response to increasing temperatures.
Keywords: optimal temperature; Photochemistry; quantum yield; Quercus canariensis; Quercus coccifera; Quercus petraea; Quercus robur; Quercus suber

Responses of Photosynthetic and Defence Systems to High Temperature Stress in Quercus suber L Seedlings Grown under Elevated CO2 - FARIA, T.; Vaz, M.; Schwanz, P.; PolIe, A. (Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany), 2008)
Growth in elevated CO2 led to an increase in biomass production per plant as a result of enhanced carbon uptake and lower rates of respiration, compared to ambient C02-grown plants. No down-regulation of photosynthesis was found after six months of growth under elevated CO2. Photosynthetic rates at 15°C or 35°C were also higher in elevated than in ambient C02-grown plants, when measured at their respective CO2 growth condition. Stomata of elevated C02-grown plants were less responsive to temperature as compared to ambient CO2 plants. The after effect of a heat-shock treatment (4 h at 45°C in a chamber with 80% of relative humidity and 800—1000 tmol rn2 photon flux density) on Amax was less in elevated than in ambient C02-grown plants. At the photochemical level, the negative effect of the heat-shock treatment was slightly more pronounced in ambient than in elevated CO2-grown plants. A greater tolerance to oxidative stress caused by high temperatures in elevated C02-grown plants, in comparison to ambient CO2 plants, is suggested by the increase in superoxide dismutase activity, after 1 h at 45°C, as well as its relatively high activity after 2 and 4 h of the heat shock in the elevated C02-grown plants in contrast with the decrease to residual levels of superoxide dismutase activity in ambient C02-grown plants immediately after 1 h at 45°C. The observed increase in catalase after 1 h at 45°C in both ambient and elevated C02-grown plants, can be ascribed to the higher rates of photorespiration and respiration under this high temperature.
Keywords: catalase; Elevated CO2; photosynthesis; Quercus suber L.; superoxide dismutase; Temperature

Responses of the aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) and the holm oak (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) to the collection of overland runoffs through minicatchments in different Mediterranean environments - DE SIMÓN NAVARRETE, E.; Ripoll Morales, M. A.; Fernández Ondoño, E.; Navarro Reyes, F. B.; Jiménez Morales, M. N.; Gallego Teruel, E. (Forest Systems; Vol 15, No 2 (2006), 2008)
Water is one of the most limiting factors in the forestation of Mediterranean areas, so that the survival and development of these areas is always connected to the availability of water resources. The aim of this study is to assess the efficiency of a series of hydraulic structures linked to land preparation, called minicatchments, as runoff collectors meant to increase water availability in the forestation. In order to do so, the amount of overland runoff reaching every seedling, as well as the survival of the reforestation in four places with different climatic and edaphic characteristics have been assessed. Results obtained show how water availability depends both on the amount of water reaching the bank and on the physical properties of the land. The areas that have normally been considered more difficult to restore due to a de-structured profile, to the presence of superficial physical crusts and to a scarce vegetal cover are the ones showing a better response to the technique of runoff collection trough minicatchments.
Keywords: minicatchment; overland runoff; Soil moisture

The role of temporal shrub encroachment for the maintenance of Spanish holm oak Quercus ilex dehesas - Ramírez, José Alberto; Díaz, Mario (Forest Ecology and Management, 2008)
Dehesas are man-made systems composed by evergreen oaks (Quercus ilex and Quercus suber) scattered over a grassland understorey. They cover about 3.1 million ha in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula and are to be preserved under the EU Habitats Directive due to the high levels of plant and animal diversity they maintain. The main current threat to long-term dehesa farming is a chronic absence of natural tree regeneration.We test whether dehesa abandonment would promote natural regeneration, how size structure of tree populations change after abandonment, and whether shrub encroachment would enhance seedling recruitment by measuring the size structure of mature tree populations, shrub cover and seedling density in 17 dehesa farms of known date of abandonment. Size structures were approximately bell-shaped in farms abandoned less than 16 years ago, progressively approaching afterwards the inverse J-shaped distribution typical from holm oak forests. Proportions of young mature trees changed with age of abandonment according to a logistic growth function. Proportions typical from forests (70–80%) were reached 30 years after abandonment, whereas balanced numbers of young and old trees were reached 20–25 years after abandonment. Short-term seedling recruitment was not related to age of abandonment or to covers of most dominant shrubs and was positively related to cover of mature trees and of Cytisus multiflorus, a nurse shrub for holm oak seedlings. Synthesis and applications: Conservation of dehesas and their associated biodiversity values should be based on financing temporal abandonment of productive dehesa farming for 20 years, keeping land in good agricultural condition by re-opening the encroached plots after tree recruitment (i.e. rotational set-aside). The proposed measure has the additional advantages of easy monitoring and straightforward evaluation of its effectiveness.
Keywords: Dehesa; Quercus ilex; Regeneration; rotational set-aside; Shrub cover; Sustainability

Seasonal and annual variation of carbon exchange in an evergreen Mediterranean forest in southern France - ALLARD, V.; OURCIVAL, J. M.; Rambal, S.; JOFFRE, R.; Rocheteau, A. (Global Change Biology, 2008)
We present 9 years of eddy covariance measurements made over an evergreen Mediterranean forest in southern France. The goal of this study was to quantify the different components of the carbon (C) cycle, gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (Reco), and to assess the effects of climatic variables on these fluxes and on the net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide. The Puéchabon forest acted as a net C sink of −254 g C m−2 yr−1, with a GPP of 1275 g C m−2 yr−1 and a Reco of 1021 g C m−2 yr−1. On average, 83% of the net annual C sink occurred between March and June. The effects of exceptional events such the insect-induced partial canopy defoliation that occurred in spring 2005, and the spring droughts of 2005 and 2006 are discussed. A high interannual variability of ecosystem C fluxes during summer and autumn was observed but the resulting effect on the annual net C budget was moderate. Increased severity and/or duration of summer drought under climate change do not appear to have the potential to negatively impact the average C budget of this ecosystem. On the contrary, factors affecting ecosystem functioning (drought and/or defoliation) during March–June period may reduce dramatically the annual C balance of evergreen Mediterranean forests.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: CO2 fluxes; eddy covariance; Mediterranean ecosystem; Quercus ilex

Seasonal variability of dry matter content and its relationship with shoot growth and nonstructural carbohydrates - Palacio, Sara; Milla, Rubén; Albuixech, Jorge; Pérez-Rontomé, Carmen; Camarero, Jesús Julio; Maestro, Melchor; Montserrat-Martí, Gabriel (New Phytologist, 2008)
* • This study assesses how different phases of shoot growth underlie seasonal change in leaf and stem dry matter content (LDMC and SDMC, respectively) of 12 woody Mediterranean species. The relationship between LDMC and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) concentrations is also explored and the seasonal vs interspecies variability of LDMC compared. * • LDMC, SDMC and shoot elongation rate (SER) were measured on a monthly basis for a minimum of 12 months. Bud growth rate (BGR) and NSC concentrations were also assessed in several of the study species. * • LDMC and SDMC decreased during shoot elongation in spring and increased in summer, showing a significant negative correlation with SER, but were unrelated to BGR. Half of the species analysed showed a positive relationship between LDMC and NSC. Seasonal fluctuations of LDMC within species were higher than interspecies differences, and species ranking was significantly affected by the month of sampling, except during winter months. * • Seasonal changes in LDMC and SDMC are mainly related to shoot elongation phenology, and NSC sink–source relationships between old and growing organs can explain this relationship in some species. Owing to the high seasonal variability in LDMC, it is recommended that samples for comparative purposes should be collected as close to the winter as possible.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd accession-num: 18643937
Keywords: Carbohydrate Metabolism; functional classifications; leaf dry matter content (LDMC); leaf traits; leaf water status; Mediterranean; Phenology; Plant Development; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: growth & development; Plant Leaves: metabolism; Plant Shoots; Plant Shoots: growth & development; Plant Shoots: metabolism; Plant Stems; Plant Stems: growth & development; Plant Stems: metabolism; Plants; Plants: metabolism; Seasons; shoot growth; Species Specificity

Seed bank composition and above-ground vegetation in response to grazing in sub-Mediterranean oak forests (NW Greece) - Chaideftou, Evgenia; Thanos, Costas a; Bergmeier, Erwin; Kallimanis, Athanasios; Dimopoulos, Panayotis (Plant Ecology, 2008)
We investigate the persistent soil seed bank composition and its relation to the above-ground ﬂora of grazed and non-grazed sub-Mediterranean deciduous oak forests of NW Greece. Twenty-eight taxa were recorded in the soil seed bank and 83 taxa (70 taxa in plots of seed bank sampling) in the aboveground vegetation. The dominant tree species and many woodland species found in the above-ground vegetation were absent from the soil seed bank. Similarity between the soil seed bank and the aboveground vegetation decreased with grazing, and grazing led to a decrease of species richness in above-ground vegetation and soil seed bank. Beta diversity of vegetation among grazed and among nongrazed plots did not differ, but was signiﬁcantly higher between grazed and non-grazed areas. Beta diversity of the soil seed bank declined with grazing. When applying classiﬁcation tree and logistic regression analyses, non-grazed forest sites are clearly differentiated by the presence of Phillyrea latifolia, Euphorbia amygdaloides and Brachypodium sylvaticum. PCA ordination of above-ground species composition reﬂected a gradient from sites grazed by ruminants to non-grazed sites, but no clear structure was detected in the seed bank.
Keywords: á ruminants; Deciduous oak forests; deciduous oak forests á; grazing á browsing á; Grazing Browsing; greece; greece á wild boar; Ruminants; Soil seed bank; soil seed bank á; Wild boar; Wood pasture; wood pasture á

Seed removal in two coexisting oak species: ecological consequences of seed size, plant cover and seed-drop timing - Pérez-Ramos, Ignacio M.; Urbieta, Itziar R.; Marañón, Teodoro; Zavala, M. A.; Kobe, Richard K. (Oikos, 2008)
Seed predation and dispersal can critically influence plant community structure and dynamics. Inter-specific differences arising at these early stages play a crucial role on tree recruitment patterns, which in turn could influence forest dynamics and species segregation in heterogeneous environments such as Mediterranean forests. We investigated removal rates from acorns set onto the ground in two coexisting Mediterranean oak species –Quercus canariensis and Q. suber– in southern Spain. We developed maximum likelihood estimators to investigate the main factors controlling probabilities of seed removal and to describe species-specific functional responses. To account for inter-specific differences in seed-drop timing, two experiments were established: a simultaneous exposure of acorns of the two species (synchronous experiments) and a seed exposure following their natural seed-drop phenology (diachronic experiments). A total of 1536 acorns were experimentally distributed along a wide and natural gradient of plant cover, and removal was periodically monitored for three months at two consecutive years (with contrasting differences in seed production and thus seed availability on the ground). The probability of seed removal increased with plant cover (leaf area index, LAI) for the two oak species. Inter-specific differences in acorn removal were higher in open areas and disappeared in closed microhabitats, especially during a non-mast year. Despite later seed-drop, Q. suber acorns were removed faster and at a higher proportion than those of Q. canariensis. The higher probability of seed removal for this species could be attributed to its larger seed size compared to Q. canariensis, as inter-specific differences were less pronounced when similar sized acorns were exposed. Inter-specific differences in seed removal, arising from seed size variability and microsite heterogeneity, could be of paramount importance in oak species niche separation, driving stand dynamics and composition along environmental gradients.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: plant cover (voyant); Quercus canariensis; Quercus suber; Seed removal; Seed size

Sheep farms in the Spanish rangelands (dehesas): Typologies according to livestock management and economic indicators - Gaspar, P.; Escribano, M.; Mesías, F. J.; Ledesma, a Rodriguez De; Pulido, F. (Small Ruminant Research, 2008)
Forty-six dehesa sheep farms of Extremadura (SW Spain) were analyzed on the basis of previously determined technical and economic indicators. A principal component analysis gave ﬁve principal components – related to intensiﬁcation, proﬁtability, and livestock mix – that characterized the farms. Using multivariate techniques based on these factors, a farm typology was established with six categories—three of sheep alone at different levels of intensiﬁcation, and three of sheep in combination with beef cattle or Iberian pig. This typology enabled homogeneous groups of farms to be considered for possible administrative actions relating to their optimal dimensions and stocking rates
Keywords: Dehesa; Farm typology; Principal component analysis; Sheep; technical and economic management

Silviculture and Carbon Sequestration in Mediterranean Oak Forests - Cañellas, I.; Sánchez-González, M.; Bogino, S. M.; Adame, P.; Herrero, C.; ROIG, S.; Paulo, J. A.; Bravo, F. (Managing Forest Ecosystems: The Challenge of Climate Change,, 2008)
The Kyoto Protocol requires every industrialized country to have a transparent and verifiable method for estimating the size and evolution of the carbon stored in forest ecosystems. The intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC, 2007) predicts the evolution of the stock over the first commitment period (2008–2012) using the “bottom-up approach”. This approach is based on the use of data from national or regional forest inventories. The biomass of living trees including their dead parts comprises the main carbon pool in forest ecosystems along with the biomass of understorey plants, litter, woody debris and soil organic matter (Pignard et al., 2004). The objective of this chapter is to present some of the studies currently being carried out in Spain and Portugal which are concerned with the possibility of estimating the amount of carbon fixed by two of the main oak species in the Iberian Peninsula; rebollo oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) and cork oak (Quercus suber L.). Three different methodological approaches have been used. The first approach is to use growth models to evaluate the carbon sequestration in both cork and wood over the life of a cork oak plantation. This approach has been applied both for Spain and Portugal. The second approach involves using a yield table as a tool to estimate the carbon sequestration in Quercus pyrenaica forests based on Spanish National Forest Inventories. In a third approach, data from a network of plots is used to estimate the carbon sequestration in pure and mixed Quercus pyrenaica forests. The application of these different methodologies would allow us to forecast and improve the carbon sequestration in oak forests as well as increasing our understanding of their dynamics.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Managing Forest Ecosystems: The Challenge of Climate Change, electronic-resource-num: 10.1007/978-1-4020-8343-3
Keywords: biomass; carbon stock; Kyoto protocol; Portugal; Spain

Silvopastoral systems in Portugal: Current status and future prospects - Castro, M. (Agroforestry in Europe: Current Status and Future Prospects., 2008)
Portugal has a high diversity of agroforestry systems like other Mediterranean countries. This is the result of the Mediterranean climate, great variability of bioclimatic conditions, a long history of land use, and a marked variation in land tenure between north and south of the country. Four major silvopastoral systems are described: two classically Mediterranean – montado and Olive tree system, and two typically of the transitional environment between Mediterranean and Temperate conditions – Pyrenean oak and Chestnut systems. Some products of traditional agroforestry systems such as charcoal, organic manure, livestock production and others have become less valuable with the socio-economic transformation of the 1960s. These systems have been declining from approximately 1950 onwards. Currently, the focus on sustainable agriculture, with greater emphasis on nature and landscape conservation, has meant that environmental values now represent new opportunities for income generation from these systems. A better understanding of traditional agroforestry systems is needed for the formulation of a specific European policy that will preserve European landscapes. This paper looks at the future potential for silvopastoral systems in Portugal based on current status.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Agroforestry in Europe: Current Status and Future Prospects.
Keywords: chestnut systems; montado; olive tree system; Portugal; pyrenean oak system

Sistema para a Predição do Crescimento da Cortiça - Almeida, Alice; Tomé, Margarida (Silva Lusitana, 2008)
. Cork growth modelling was based on two models: cork growth model for complete rings and a model for total cork thickness prediction. The cork growth model was developed using data from 189 cork samples taken at breast height. Four biological growth functions were considered using their formulation as difference equations. The evaluation of the fitting and predictive ability of the models was based on model efficiency and on several statistics computed with the press residuals, complemented with graphical analysis to assess the regression assumptions. The model selected - Lundqvist-A - can be used to predict cork thickness in complete rings at any year of the cork rotation. The model for the prediction of total cork thickness is used to predict total cork thickness from the thickness in complete rings
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: scielopt
Keywords: accumulated cork thickness in complete rings; cork growth; growth models; prediction; total cork thickness prediction

Soil water content and emergence time control seedling establishment in three co-occurring Mediterranean oak species - Urbieta, Itziar R.; Pérez-Ramos, Ignacio M.; Zavala, Miguel A.; Marañón, Teodoro; Kobe, Richard K. (Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 2008)
Tree species can differ in their responses to resource availability during the critical phase of establishment, which could influence forest dynamics. In Mediterranean forests, most of the attention has focused on the effects of shade and summer drought on seedling survival, but little is known about the effect of autumn to spring rains on earlier stages of recruitment. A sowing experiment was set up along natural light and water gradients with three co-occurring oak species (Quercus suber L. (cork oak), Quercus canariensis Willd. (Algerian oak), and Quercus pyrenaica Willd. (Pyrenean oak)) that show limited natural regeneration in southern Spain. Recruitment stages were monitored for 1 year. Models of seed germination, seedling emergence, and seedling survival as well as of overall recruitment patterns were developed as functions of light, soil moisture, and soil compaction. The influence of intraspecific variation in seed mass and emergence time were also tested. Excess soil water levels during the winter reduced germination and emergence and lengthened time to emergence (in waterlogged open areas), which in turn decreased seedling survival during the dry season. Seedlings from larger seeds were more likely to germinate and emerge. The results suggest that temporal and spatial variability of soil water content, mediated by emergence time and seed size, play a crucial role in the regeneration dynamics of Mediterranean oak forests.
doi: 10.1139/X08-089doi: 10.1139/X08-089The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: NRC Research Press
Keywords: Mediterranean oak species; Modelling; seed germination; seedling emergence; seedling survival (voyant); Soil water content

Soil water content at the catchment level and plant water status relationships in a Mediterranean Quercus ilex forest - Bellot, J.; Ortiz de Urbina, J. M. (Journal of Hydrology, 2008)
This paper presents an analysis of the forest hydrology and plant water status interaction, focusing on the relationship between the hydrological water balance at the catchment level and the predawn leaf water potential of the species Quercus ilex (holm oak). The catchment water balance approach was applied to a Mediterranean watershed forested with holm oak to evaluate the daily soil water reserve at the catchment level. After this, evapotranspiration and soil water content were combined to estimate the potential soil water reserve and evaluate plant water status at the catchment level. A close relationship was detected between leaf water potential and the soil water reserve, and was ﬁtted to a negative exponential curve to estimate predawn leaf water potential from a hydrological database. The proposed equation can help to predict the frequency, intensity, and length of droughts potentially capable of causing structural damage to the forest, from the hydrological time series records.
Keywords: Catchments; Plant water status; Predawn water potential; Quercus ilex; soil water; water balance

Spanish Wood Pasture: Origin and Durability of an Historical Wooded Landscape in Mediterranean Europe - Clément, Vincent (Environment and History, 2008)
Spanish dehesas, the most extensive wood pastures in Mediterranean Europe, are a vivid example for demonstrating that the impact of rural communities on forests has not always been a bad thing. Environmental history is vital for understanding this cultural landscape. This article first analyses the origin of the dehesa. The border logic and the medieval Reconquest are elements that undoubtedly played a decisive part in its genesis; but, for the significance of Roman influence in Spain, it is necessary to consider the question of the possible existence of dehesas in Antiquity. The second aspect concerns the spreading of this landscape from the Middle Ages onwards. Dehesas are usually linked to the large properties owned by military orders, but most of all the spreading of the dehesa was favoured by the rise of transhumance from the thirteenth century onwards. Finally, the article emphasises that the durability of the Spanish wood pasture can be explained by a combination of several factors: insecurity along the border, the fact that transhumance was the most important industry in Spain for many centuries, and the protective laws adopted by the rural communities in order to protect their dehesas.
Keywords: Dehesa; Mesta; Spanish Reconquest; Transhumance; woodland landscape

Stomatal uptake and stomatal deposition of ozone in isoprene and monoterpene emitting plants - Fares, S.; Loreto, F.; Kleist, E.; Wildt, J. (Plant Biology, 2008)
Volatile isoprenoids were reported to protect plants against ozone. To understand whether this could be the result of a direct scavenging of ozone by these molecules, the stomatal and non-stomatal uptake of ozone was estimated in plants emitting isoprene or monoterpenes. Ozone uptake by holm oak (Quercus ilex, a monoterpene emitter) and black poplar (Populus nigra, an isoprene emitter) was studied in whole plant enclosures (continuously stirred tank reactors, CSTR). The ozone uptake by plants was estimated measuring ozone concentration at the inlet and outlet of the reactors, after correcting for the uptake of the enclosure materials. Destruction of ozone at the cuticle or at the plant stems was found to be negligible compared to the ozone uptake through the stomata. For both plant species, a relationship between stomatal conductance and ozone uptake was found. For the poplar, the measured ozone losses were explained by the uptake of ozone through the stomata only, and ozone destruction by gas phase reactions with isoprene was negligible. For the oak, gas phase reactions of ozone with the monoterpenes emitted by the plants contributed significantly to ozone destruction. This was confirmed by two different experiments showing a) that in cases of high stomatal conductance but under low CO2 concentration, a reduction of monoterpene emission was still associated with reduced O3 uptake; and b) that ozone losses due to the gas phase reactions only can be measured when using the exhaust from a plant chamber to determine the gas phase reactivity in an empty reaction chamber. Monoterpenes can therefore relevantly scavenge ozone at leaf level contributing to protection against ozone.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: isoprene; Monoterpenes; Ozone uptake; photosynthesis; reaction chambers; Stomatal conductance

Stress assessment of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) in response to land uses across an aridity gradient: Translational asymmetry and branch fractal dimension - Alados, C. L.; El Aich, A. (Journal of Arid Environments, 2008)
We used Translational Asymmetry (TA) of the annual stem, branch growth pattern and fractal dimension to quantify stress during development of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) throughout its range in Morocco. Under communal grazing conditions known as ‘‘mouchaˆa’’ (Grazing Management), the branch fractal dimension was reduced and the TA of plants increased, reﬂecting the stressful conditions in which the argan trees were growing. Under Wild growing conditions, developmental instability increased as moisture decreased across a gradient of aridity. Under Barley Management conditions (barley crops are cultivated underneath of argan), argan increased branch complexity (branch fractal dimension) in the mildest area (Essaouira), which imposed an additional cost that results in increased TA. The results of the study best ﬁt the predictions that the level of asymmetry and fractal dimension reﬂects stressful conditions, which can be used to monitor the effect of environmental stress in the conservation of argan ecosystem.
Keywords: argan; aridity; developmental instability; environmental stress; fractal; Grazing; land use; translational asymmetry

TDR measurement of stem and soil water content in two Mediterranean oak species - HERNÁNDEZ-SANTANA, VIRGINIA; MARTÍNEZ-FERNÁNDEZ, JOSÉ (Hydrological Sciences Journal, 2008)
Abstract Since 1990s, time domain reflectometry (TDR) has been applied to estimate the stem water content of living trees. Here, new calibration equations relating the apparent dielectric constant (Ka ) to the volumetric water content (?) were developed for two Mediterranean oak species. Our calibration equations differ from those previously calculated for other species, suggesting that stem water contents could be monitored more accurately using species-specific curves. The stem water content in the trees of these species and the surrounding soil were monitored with TDR to examine the feasibility of this technology for recording changes in trunk water storage. The average stem water contents of the oaks reflect the soil water contents, and the temporal differences observed (17%) point to the importance of trunk water for coping with soil water deficit. Although it would be very useful to obtain a single function to estimate the stem water content of trees, it remains necessary to obtain the results in more species.
doi: 10.1623/hysj.53.4.921doi: 10.1623/hysj.53.4.921The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: Quercus pyrenaica; Quercus rotundifolia; Soil moisture; stem water content; TDR

Trace element accumulation in woody plants of the Guadiamar Valley, SW Spain: a large-scale phytomanagement case study. - Domínguez, María T.; Marañón, Teodoro; Murillo, José M.; Schulin, Rainer; Robinson, Brett H. (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2008)
Phytomanagement employs vegetation and soil amendments to reduce the environmental risk posed by contaminated sites. We investigated the distribution of trace elements in soils and woody plants from a large phytomanaged site, the Guadiamar Valley (SW Spain), 7 years after a mine spill, which contaminated the area in 1998. At spill-affected sites, topsoils (0-25 cm) had elevated concentrations of As (129 mg kg(-1)), Bi (1.64 mg kg(-1)), Cd (1.44 mg kg(-1)), Cu (115 mg kg(-1)), Pb (210 mg kg(-1)), Sb (13.8 mg kg(-1)), Tl (1.17 mg kg(-1)) and Zn (457 mg kg(-1)). Trace element concentrations in the studied species were, on average, within the normal ranges for higher plants. An exception was white poplar (Populus alba), which accumulated Cd and Zn in leaves up to 3 and 410 mg kg(-1) respectively. We discuss the results with regard to the phytomanagement of trace element contaminated sites.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17602809
Keywords: Bioaccumulation; biodegradation; Environmental; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring: methods; Heavy; Heavy metal; Heavy: analysis; Mass spectrometry; metals; Mining; Olea; Olea europaea; Olea: chemistry; Phytoremediation; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: chemistry; Populus; Populus alba; Populus: chemistry; Quercus; Quercus ilex; Quercus: chemistry; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Soil Pollutants: analysis; Soil: analysis; Spain; Species Specificity

Transformaciones de un ecosistema palustre.: La gran ciénaga del Bermejo-Mendoza, siglos XVIII y XIX - Prieto, M. R.; Abraham, E.; Dussel, P. (Multequina, 2008)
The area that presently comprises part of the departments of Guaymallen, Lavalle and Maipu in the province f Mendoza was occupied until the beginning of the 20 th century by a large marshy and lacustrine system. This system has undergone variations in its extension and water volume along several centuries until its desiccation in the first quarter of the 20 th century. By the turn of the 18 th century and beginning of the 19 th the marsh started a disproportionate growth reaching enormous dimensions, thus provoking the loss of farming land and pasture fields. Our interest has been the study of the natural and anthropic causes that occasioned the transformation of this ecosystem. For this, we have resorted to historical documents, ancient maps, descriptions by voyageurs and scientists, complemented by field work in the relicts of the old marsh zone plus the analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images. The phenomenon can be attributed to the wrong watering management in the higher oasis zones, to the topographic characteristic of the terrain and the deficient drainage, jointly with geotectonic phenomena and a period of large snow precipitation in the cordillera that caused the ascent of the phreatic layers.
Keywords: climatic variations; dehesa environment; Environmental history; hydric resources

Trends in the surface vegetation dynamics of the national parks of Spain as observed by satellite sensors - Alcaraz-Segura, Domingo; Cabello, Javier; Paruelo, José M.; Delibes, Miguel (Applied Vegetation Science, 2008)
Questions: What are the current dynamics, as observed by synoptic sensors, of surface vegetation in Spanish protected areas? Are these areas and their vegetation types uniformly affected by the increase in vegetation greenness detected throughout Europe? Location: Iberian National Parks of Spain. Methods: We used the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from global inventory modeling and mapping studies (GIMMS) advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) dataset to monitor surface vegetation. NDVI is a surrogate for the photosynthetically active radiation absorbed by vegetation (fAPAR). This functional attribute has a short-time response to disturbances, is connected to ecosystem services and can be monitored through remote sensing. First, we provide a baseline description of the NDVI dynamics in the parks and analysed its temporal trends (1981-2003). Then, we evaluated the relationships of the seasonal dynamics and interannual trends with the climate conditions, vegetation types and conservation histories of the parks. Results: The parks showed two patterns of NDVI dynamics corresponding to Mediterranean and Eurosiberian regions. Most parks showed areas with positive NDVI trends that tended to have higher proportions of Mediterranean coniferous and mixed forests, oro-Mediterranean scrublands, heathlands, maquis and garrigues. Negative trends were scarce and associated with marshes and Alpine coniferous forests. The lack of a common response in all parks was related to their different environmental conditions, management, and conservation histories. Conclusions: National parks are changing in the short term but not uniformly. This study represents a basis for the incorporation of functional attributes of ecosystems in the management and monitoring of protected areas in the face of global change.
Keywords: Global environmental change; monitoring; National Park conservation; NDVI; Remote sensing.

The 8.2ka event and Early–Mid Holocene forests, fires and flooding in the Central Ebro Desert, NE Spain - Davis, B.; Stevenson, A. (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2007)
The impact of the 8.2 ka cooling event during the Early–Mid Holocene has not been widely observed in Southern Europe, which in contrast to Northern Europe, was already experiencing a cooler than present climate at this time. Multi-proxy analysis of sediment cores from two closed-basin saline lakes in the Central Ebro Desert (NE Spain) has allowed us to investigate the impact of climatic changes around the time of this event in more detail. Long-term changes in climate between the Early and Mid Holocene indicate a shift in winter to a more positive NAO, resulting in declining lake levels in one lake sensitive to winter groundwater recharge, and cooler winter temperatures reconstructed from pollen–climate analysis. Reconstructed summer temperatures also declined over this period while annual precipitation and forest cover increased, interpreted as a result of enhanced convection-driven summer precipitation association with a northward displacement of the sub-tropical high pressure. Around 8.2 ka, a marked increase in ﬁre frequency is shown between ca 8.8 and 8.0 ka BP, along with an expansion of ﬁre-tolerant evergreen oak and peak in water levels in a second storm run-off fed lake. A maximum in ﬁre intensity occurred with the deposition of a charcoal layer at both lake sites dated to 81507130 and 82857135 cal BP, respectively. The increase in ﬁre is largely attributed to a temporary return southward of the summer sub-tropical high pressure over the Mediterranean, which not only increased summer aridity, but also caused a contradictory regional warming before Hemispheric cooling set in
Keywords: climate changes; Ebro basin; Fire frequency (voyant); Holocene; Mediterranean; water levels; winter/summer temperatures

The agricultural consequences of colonial contacts on the Iberian Peninsula in the first millennium b.c - Buxó, Ramon (Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 2007)
The Iron Age archaeobotanical record on the Iberian Peninsula shows how the Phoenician and Greek colonisers caused the indigenous Iberians to change the management of the agricultural resources and the crops which they grew. These colonisers also brought about the development of viticulture and olive cultivation. The importance of agricultural products in the trade network which was stimulated by the colonisers may have encouraged new farming systems, as well as surplus capacity in the native agriculture in the region.
Keywords: á agricultural products á; Agricultural products; Archaeobotanical record; archaeobotanical record á; c; cal b; Early Iron Age; from the ninth century; Iron Age; Phoenician and Greek colonisation; to the romanisation of; Trade network; trade network á early

Antibacterial activity of Quercus ilex bark's extracts. - Berahou, a; Auhmani, A.; Fdil, N.; Benharref, A.; Jana, M.; Gadhi, C. a (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2007)
The antibacterial activity of different extracts of Quercus ilex bark (Fagaceae) was studied in vitro against seven reference strains of bacteria by using a disc-diffusion method and agar-dilution method. The ethyl acetate extract (QE), n-butanol extract (QB) and final aqueous layer (QA) were effective against all bacterial strains tested at MICs ranging from 128 to 512 microg/ml. The n-hexane extract (QH) and dichloromethane extract (QD) showed no activity.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17513077
Keywords: Agar-dilution method; Antibacterial activity; Bark; Disc-diffusion method; Organic extracts; Quercus ilex L.

An application case of ecological indicator values (Zeigerwerte) calculated with a simple algorithmic approach - Fanelli, G.; Pignatti, S.; Testi, a (Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 2007)
Abstract The vegetation of the study site near Rome (Castelporziano Estate), where different woodland types occur, was analysed on the basis of ecological indicator values (Zeigerwerte) for light, temperature, continentality of climate, soil moisture, soil pH and nitrogen. Indicator values were estimated with Hill's reprediction algorithm for the flora of Central-Southern Italy relying on a database of 4,207 original relevés representing a balanced survey of the vegetation of this and surrounding areas. It was possible to obtain indicator values for an important fraction of the Italian Mediterranean flora. Results are ecologically reasonable, and it was possible to find strong correlation between the recalculated values and a few environmental variables. These correlations were not significant in an analogous test with subjectively derived scores of Ellenberg indicator values.
From Duplicate 1 (An application case of ecological indicator values (Zeigerwerte) calculated with a simple algorithmic approach - Fanelli, G; Pignatti, S; Testi, A)From Duplicate 1 (An application case of ecological indicator values (Zeigerwerte) calculated with a simple algorithmic approach - Fanelli, G; Pignatti, S; Testi, A)The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: correlation; Italy; reprediction algorithm; vegetation ecology

Application of BIOME-BGC to simulate Mediterranean forest processes - Chiesi, M.; Maselli, F.; Moriondo, M.; Fibbi, L.; Bindi, M.; Running, S. W. (Ecological Modelling, 2007)
The current work investigates on the applicability of a widespread bio-geochemical model (BIOME-BGC) to estimate seasonal photosynthesis and transpiration within water limited Mediterranean forest environments. The use of the model required a preliminary calibration phase, aimed at setting its ecophysiological parameters to properly simulate the behavior of three Mediterranean species (Quercus ilex L., Quercus cerris L. and Pinus pinaster Ait.). For each of these species, the calibration of BIOME-BGC was performed by adjusting the monthly gross primary productivity (GPP) estimates of 10 forest plots to those of a simpliﬁed parametric model, C-Fix, which is based on the use of satellite and ancillary data. In particular, BIOME-BGC was run modifying the eco-physiological parameters controlling stomatal conductance, in order to identify the best model conﬁgurations to reproduce the spatial, intraand inter-annual GPP variations simulated by C-Fix. Next, the fraction of leaf nitrogen in Rubisco was adjusted to ﬁt also the magnitudes of the C-Fix GPP estimates. The subsequent testing phase consisted of applying the original and calibrated versions of BIOME-BGC in independent forest sites where the three species considered were dominant and for which ﬁeld measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration were available. In all cases the use of the calibrated BIOME-BGC versions led to notably improve the GPP and transpiration estimation accuracy of the original model. The results obtained encourage the operational application of BIOME-BGC in Mediterranean forest environments and indicate a possible strategy to integrate its functions with those of C-Fix.
Keywords: BIOME-BGC; C-Fix; GPP; mediterranean forest; monitoring; Spot-VGT

Assessing the risk caused by ground level ozone to European forest trees: a case study in pine, beech and oak across different climate regions. - Emberson, Lisa D.; Büker, Patrick; Ashmore, Mike R. (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2007)
Two different indices have been proposed for estimation of the risk caused to forest trees across Europe by ground-level ozone, (i) the concentration based AOT40 index (Accumulated Over a Threshold of 40 ppb) and (ii) the recently developed flux based AFstY index (Accumulated stomatal Flux above a flux threshold Y). This paper compares the AOT40 and AFstY indices for three forest trees species at different locations in Europe. The AFstY index is estimated using the DO(3)SE (Deposition of Ozone and Stomatal Exchange) model parameterized for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and holm oak (Quercus ilex). The results show a large difference in the perceived O(3) risk when using AOT40 and AFstY indices both between species and regions. The AOT40 index shows a strong north-south gradient across Europe, whereas there is little difference between regions in the modelled values of AFstY. There are significant differences in modelled AFstY between species, which are predominantly determined by differences in the timing and length of the growing season, the periods during which soil moisture deficit limits stomatal conductance, and adaptation to soil moisture stress. This emphasizes the importance of defining species-specific flux response variables to obtain a more accurate quantification of O(3) risk.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17412465
Keywords: Beech (Fagus sylvatica); Critical levels; Deposition; Flux; Forests; Holm oak (Quercus ilex); Ozone; Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris); stomata

Caracterización productiva del vacuno ecológico en Andalucía - Perea Falcón, J.; García, Ana; Acero, R.; Valerio, Daniel; Rodríguez, V. (Arch. Zootec, 2007)
The structure of organic beef cattle farms located in Andalusia have been characterised from a stratified survey including 10% of official census. Farms are specialized in raising steers and use native breeds. The mean surface of farms is 524 ha and they have 99 cows. They are multifunctional systems located in the dehesa, where cattle commonly graze alongside other species like Iberian pigs. These farms correspond to a production model in which the land is extremely important in the production of food for the cattle, using strategic or seasonal food supplementation in periods of shortage. Average stocking is 0.43 animals/ha, lower than those proposed by Orden de 4 de febrero del 2004 (Consejería de Agricultura y Pesca), corresponding to a farming activity adapted to the environment. Likewise, the mean productivity of these farms is scarce (with an index of commercial calves of 80% and a mortality rate of 5.26%). These farms have a commercial target where the non-familiar workforce predominates, and the workforce amounts to 1.56 AWU per farm. These farms sell all calves after weaning to livestock traders, who take them to other regions for conventional fattening until slaughter. It is necessary to develop organic commercial trails to guarantee the future of the sector.
Keywords: Beef aptitude; Extensive systems; Organic farming

Catálogo florístico del Macizo de Líbar (Parques naturales Sierra de Grazalema y Los Alcornocales, Málaga-Cádiz, España) - Becerra Parra, M.; Robles Domínguez, E. (Acta Botanica Malacitana, 2007)
The Mountain of Líbar is one of the most important ranges of the mountainous area of Ronda and Western Andalusia. Its main orographic characteristic is the presence of two mountainous alignments that delimit a great intramountainous depression denominated Llanos de Líbar. The Quercus rotundifolia wood is the main vegetation in limestone lands, whereas the Q. suber forest is dominant in sandstone zones. Other plants communities present in this area are dominated by Q. faginea, Olea europaea, Ceratonia siliqua, Fraxinus angustifolia, Ulmus minor, Nerium oleander and other shrublands. This is one of the zones with highest rainfall in the Iberian Peninsula and with mild temperatures, although in the summits, the annual average temperature, decreases near 10 ºC. In order to carry out the botanical study, samplings have been made during five years, in addition to a bibliographical revision and review of biodiversity databases. The botanical catalogue of Líbar is composed by 826 species, 128 are endemic species with different distribution area. Linaria platycalyx, Reseda gayana subsp. undata or Saxifraga bourgeana are endemic from the area of Ronda. 13 species are protected according to the Law of Wild Flora and Fauna of Andalusia and 32 species are included in the plants Red List of Andalusia.
Keywords: Cádiz.; Catalogue; Flora; Los Alcornocales; Macizo de Líbar; Málaga; Sierra de Grazalema

The Cd(II)-binding abilities of recombinant Quercus suber metallothionein: bridging the gap between phytochelatins and metallothioneins. - Domenech, Jordi; Orihuela, Ruben; Mir, Gisela; Molinas, Marisa; Atrian, Silvia; Capdevila, Merce (Journal of biological inorganic chemistry : JBIC : a publication of the Society of Biological Inorganic Chemistry, 2007)
In this work, we have analyzed both at stoichiometric and at conformational level the Cd(II)-binding features of a type 2 plant metallothionein (MT) (the cork oak, Quercus suber, QsMT). To this end four peptides, the wild-type QsMT and three constructs previously engineered to characterize its Zn(II)- and Cu(I)-binding behaviour, were heterologously produced in Escherichia coli cultures supplemented with Cd(II), and the corresponding complexes were purified up to homogeneity. The Cd(II)-binding ability of these recombinant peptides was determined through the chemical, spectroscopic and spectrometric characterization of the recovered clusters. Recombinant synthesis of the four QsMT peptides in cadmium-rich media rendered complexes with a higher metal content than those obtained from zinc-supplemented cultures and, consequently, the recovered Cd(II) species are nonisostructural to those of Zn(II). Also of interest is the fact that three out of the four peptides yielded recombinant preparations that included S(2-)-containing Cd(II) complexes as major species. Subsequently, the in vitro Zn(II)/Cd(II) replacement reactions were studied, as well as the in vitro acid denaturation and S(2-) renaturation reactions. Finally, the capacity of the four peptides for preventing cadmium deleterious effects in yeast cells was tested through complementation assays. Consideration of all the results enables us to suggest a hairpin folding model for this typical type 2 plant Cd(II)-MT complex, as well as a nonnegligible role of the spacer in the detoxification function of QsMT towards cadmium.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17503092
Keywords: cadmium; Cadmium: chemistry; Cadmium–His binding; Drug; Glutathione; Metabolic Detoxication; metallothionein; Metallothionein: chemistry; Metallothionein: metabolism; Phytochelatins; Plant metallothionein; Plant Proteins; Plant Proteins: chemistry; Plant Proteins: metabolism; Protein Binding; Protein Conformation; Quercus; Recombinant Proteins; Sulfide ligands; yeast complementation

Comparative Typology in Six European Lowâ€Intensity Systems of Grassland Management - Caballero, Rafael; Riseth JÅand Labba, Niklas (Advances in Agronomy, 2007)
management with varying degrees of arrangements in different European countries and landscapes. These large-scale grazing systems (LSGS) are rein- deer husbandry in Northern Sapmi (Fennoscandia), sheep grazing in the Polish Tatra mountains, cattle grazing in the Swiss and German Alps, cattle, sheep, and pig grazing in Baixo Alentejo, Southern Portugal, and sedentary sheep grazing in Central Spain. These systems showed very heterogeneous organizational patterns in their way of exploiting the pastoral resources. At the same time, these LSGS showed at least some of the following weaknesses such as poor economic performance, social fragility, and structural shortcomings for proper grazing management. Lack of proper mobility of herds/flocks or accession to specific grazing grounds can be a cause of environmental hazards. The sur- veyed LSGS are mostly dependent on public handouts for survival, but succes- sive policy schemes have only showed mixed effects and, in particular study areas, clear inconsistencies in their aim to stop the general declining trend of LSGS. This research assumed that detailed system research may open the way for better-focused policy intervention, but policymakers need to take advantage of this period of support to push ahead for reforms. Recent European Union (EU) guidelines (2007–2013) on Rural Development Policy (RDP) and its operative scale of high nature value (HNV) farmland can easily fit the structure and functions of low-input grazing systems and LSGS.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Advances in Agronomy electronic-resource-num: 10.1016/S0065-2113(07)96001-0
Keywords: economic performance; Grazing lands; Grazing management; grazing systems; land use; productivity (voyant)

Comparing the role of site disturbance and landscape properties on understory species richness in fragmented periurban Mediterranean forests - Guirado, Maria; Pino, Joan; Rodà, Ferran (Landscape Ecology, 2007)
We hypothesized that the spatial con- ﬁguration and dynamics of periurban forest patches in Barcelona (NE of Spain) played a minor role in determining plant species richness and assemblage compared to site conditions, and particularly to both direct (measured at plot level) and potential (inferred from landscape metrics) human-associated site disturbance. The presence of all understory vascular plants was recorded on 252 plots of 100 m 2 randomly selected within forest patches ranging in size from 0.25 ha to 218 ha. Species were divided into 6 groups, according to their ecology and conservation status. Site condition was assessed at plot level and included physical attributes, human-induced disturbance and Quercus spp. tree cover. Landscape structure and dynamics were assessed from patch metrics and patch history. We also calculated a set of landscape metrics related to potential human accessibility to forests. Results of multiple linear regressions indicated that the variance explained for non-forest species groups was higher than for forest species richness. Most of the main correlates corresponded to site disturbance variables related to direct human alteration, or to landscape variables associated to indirect human effects on forests: Quercus tree cover (a proxy for successional status) was the most important correlate of non-forest species richness, which decreased when Quercus tree cover increased. Human-induced disturbance was an important correlate of synanthropic and total species richness, which were higher in recently managed and in highly frequented forests. Potential human accessibility also affected the richness of most species groups. In contrast, patch size, patch shape and connectivity played a minor role, as did patch history. We conclude that human inﬂuence on species richness in periurban forests takes place on a small scale, whereas large-scale effects attributable to landscape structure and fragmentation are comparatively less important. Implications of these results for the conservation of plant species in periurban forests are discussed.
Keywords: Forest condition; Forest fragmentation; Forest patches; Human-induced disturbance; Multiple linear regressions; Patch history; Plant species richness; Synanthropic species

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) acorn as a substitute for barley in the diet of rabbits; Effect on In vivo digestibility, growth and carcass characteristics. J. anim - Boubaker, A. Gasmi; Abduli, H.; Lozada, M. R. M. (Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 2007)
In this study 2 experiments were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of cork oak acorn as an energy source for rabbits. Experiment 1 was a digestibility trial using 20 adult rabbits (10 rabbits/group) and experiment 2 was a growth performance and carcass evaluation using 24 growing rabbits in a completely randomised design. Two diets were formulated to contain either 250 g Dry Matter (DM) barley (Barley diet) or 250 g DM oak Acorn (Acorn diet)/kg and included mainly, wheat bran, soybean meal, hay, molasses, calcium phosphate, Cu SO4 and salt. Inclusion of acorn in the diet did not result in any change in odour and fungal contamination nor in the feed intake (p>0.05). However, acorn in the diet decreased the in vivo digestibility by 10.8, 11.5 and 17.5%, respectively, for DM, Organic Matter (OM) and Crude Protein (CP). Although the rabbits fed acorn diet retained less nitrogen than those fed barley diet, they were positive in the nitrogen balance. The final live weight and daily weight gain from weaning through slaughter did not show any significant difference between rabbits fed the control diet and those fed the experimental diet. Similar carcass yield and feed conversion ratio were observed for the 2 groups. Weight of full gastrointestinal, liver, kidney and caecum were not affected (p>0.05) by the presence of acorn in the experimental diet. A more careful evaluation of the real content and digestibility of nutrients from acorn is necessary to evaluate their nutritional value before considering them as a potential feed for rabbits.
Keywords: acorn; digestibility; Growth; rabbit; tannin

Decomposition dynamics of Myrtus communis and Quercus ilex leaf litter: Mass loss, microbial activity and quality change - Fioretto, A.; Papa, S.; Pellegrino, A.; Fuggi, A. (Applied Soil Ecology, 2007)
The patterns of microbial respiration and enzyme activity (cellulase, xylanase, laccase and peroxidase) in the leaf litter of two evergreen sclerophyll species, Myrtus communis and Quercus ilex, were compared during decay in a low shrubland and in a coppice wood in a Natural Reserve in the Mediterranean area. The two litter types had similar initial amounts of lignin, cellulose and acid-detergentsoluble substances, but the litter from M. communis had a lower N content and higher C/N ratio. In spite of this, the decomposition rate of M. communis litter was higher than for Q. ilex. Whilst no seasonal variation was observed in the rate of organic matter degradation, respiration and extractable cellulase and xylanase activities showed seasonal variation in both litter types with the highest values in winter–early spring and the lowest in summer, and showed positive correlations with water content. Peroxidase activity exhibited a seasonal pattern and was higher in Q. ilex than in M. communis, while laccase activity was higher in M. communis and increased with fungal biomass as degradation progressed. Nevertheless, no relationship was found between laccase and peroxidase activity and lignin degradation. The results obtained indicate that the seasonal alternation of moist and dry periods is the major factor inﬂuencing soil biological activity in the Mediterranean area. The occurrence of pronounced seasonal variation in litter enzyme activity prevents the determination of possible correlations with litter mass loss.
Keywords: Cellulose; Enzyme activity; Fungal biomass; Lignin; litter decomposition; Microbial respiration

Descriptive analysis of the ‘relictual’ Mediterranean landscape in the Guadalquivir River valley (southern Spain): a baseline for scientific research and the development of conservation action plans - Aparicio, Abelardo (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2007)
Landscape fragmentation is ancient and severe in the countryside of the Guadalquivir river valley (Western Andalusia, Southern Spain). BIANDOCC is a project that aims to inventory all the forest patches embedded in this anthropogenic area to record quantitative, qualitative, and descriptive information about management, conservation status, vegetation physiognomy and Xoristic richness. We have characterized a ‘relictual’ landscape (t1% of habitat retention) where nearly 70% of the patches (N = 535) are owned by private landowners who manage them to harvest pine nuts, cork, and Wrewood, for coal making, cattle raising, and to a lesser extent, beekeeping and agriculture. The publicly owned patches are intensively used for recreation. As a consequence, the vegetation physiognomy and conservation status in most forest stands is impoverished, with low shrub diversity and coverage and none or very low natural tree regeneration. Furthermore, patch size, connectedness and patch fractal dimension (i.e. microhabitat diversity) are all very low. However, the botanic richness is worth mentioning: 1,032 plant taxa have been identiWed, of which 70 are catalogued in an oYcial red list, 39 are relevant chorological novelties, and one was newly described for science. Therefore, and interestingly, the remnant forest patches in the studied area can be regarded as relevant biodiversity reservoirs. The project reported here constitutes an important baseline for developing true conservation action plans and provides an opportunity to address the potential ecological and biological eVects of fragmentation to plant genes, species, populations and communities, at the regional scale of the study, which are enhanced by the emergent landscape genetics and landscape ecology analytical tools.
Keywords: Biodiversity; Connectivity; fragstats; Habitat fragmentation; habitat loss; isolation; Mediterranean vegetation

Development and application of bio-economic modelling to compare silvoarable, arable, and forestry systems in three European countries - a. R. Graves; Burgess, P. J. J.; Palma, J. H. N. H. N.; Herzog, F.; Moreno, G.; Bertomeu, M.; Dupraz, C.; Liagre, F.; Keesman, K.; van der Werf, W.; de Nooy, a Koeffeman; van den Briel, J. P. P.; et al. (Ecological Engineering, 2007)
Silvoarable agroforestry could promote use of trees on farms in Europe, but its likely effect on production, farm proﬁtability, and environmental services is poorly understood. Hence, from 2001 to 2005, the Silvoarable Agroforestry for Europe project developed a systematic process to evaluate the biophysical and economic performance of arable, forestry, and silvoarable systems in Spain, France, and The Netherlands. A biophysical model called “Yield-SAFE” was developed to predict long-term yields for the different systems and local statistics and expert opinion were used to derive their revenue, costs, and pre- and post-2005 grant regimes. These data were then used in an economic model called “Farm-SAFE” to predict plot- and farm-scale proﬁtability. Land equivalent ratios were greater than one, showing Yield-SAFE predicted that growing trees and crops in silvoarable systems was more productive than growing them separately. Pre-2005 grants in Spain and The Netherlands penalised silvoarable systems, but post-2005 grants were more equitable. In France, walnut and poplar silvoarable systems were consistently the most proﬁtable system under both grant regimes. In Spain, holm oak and stone pine silvoarable systems were the least proﬁtable system under pre-2005 grants, but only marginally less proﬁtable than arable systems under post-2005 grants. In The Netherlands, low timber values and the opportunity cost of losing arable land for slurry manure application made silvoarable and forestry systems uncompetitive with arable systems under both grant regimes.
Keywords: Agroforestry; Arable; Biophysical; Economics; Farm-SAFE; Forestry; Modelling; Poplar; Silvoarable; Temperate; Walnut; Yield-SAFE

Differences in land cover interpretation in landscapes rich in cover gradients: reflections based on the montado of South Portugal - Doorn, Anne M.; Pinto Correia, Teresa (Agroforestry Systems, 2007)
This paper contributes to the discussion on current issues in methodologies of mapping land cover in the agro-silvo-pastoral landscapes of the Mediterranean. These landscapes, characterized by intermixed land use and indeÞnite boundaries, require particular attention in applying the patch-corridor-matrix model when classifying patches and their delineation. In a case study area in southeast Portugal, mainly characterized by agro-silvo pastoral systems, the land cover for 1990 has been mapped. The paper discusses the consequences of the complexity of some Mediterranean land use systems for land cover mapping dealing with detailed landscape dynamics. Within this scope a land cover mapping project in a small case study area is compared with the mapping undertaken within a national land cover database. Both studies were carried out on the same scale and through visual interpretation of aerial photographs. Differences in land cover classiÞcation and allocation are explored using matrix with levels of agreement. Recommendations for future land cover mapping projects are: the application of fuzzy approaches to land cover mapping in agro-silvo-pastoral landscapes should be explored and land cover classiÞcations should be standardized in order to enhance consistency between databases. On the other hand, the fuzziness of the boundaries in this kind of landscapes is inherent to the system and should be accepted as such. The accompanying uncertainties should be taken into account when undertaking landscape analysis on the basis of land cover data.
Keywords: land cover classification; montado/dehesa; thematic cartography; visual aerial photo interpretation

Diplofuranones A and B , two further new 4-monosubstituted 2 ( 3H ) -dihydrofuranones produced by Diplodia corticola , a fungus pathogen of cork oak - Evidente, Antonio; Andolfi, Anna; Fiore, Michele; Spanu, Emanuela (ARKIVOC, 2007)
Two new 4-monosubstituted 2(3H)-dihydrofuranones, named diplofuranones A and B, were isolated from liquid cultures of Diplodia corticola, a plant pathogenic fungus causing a canker disease of cork oak (Quercus suber L.). The same fungus also produces several metabolites such as the diplopyrone, the (3S,4R)-trans- and the (3R,4R)-cis-4-hydroxymellein, the sapinofuranone B and its (S,S)-enantiomer, the well known sphaeropsidins A-C, and the diplobifuranylones A and B. The diplofuranones A and B were characterised, using spectroscopic (essentially NMR and MS techniques) methods, as the 4-[(1E,3E)-5-hydroxyhexadienyl]butan-4-olide and its corresponding 3,4-dihydro side chain derivative. The stereochemistry of the stereogenic secondary hydroxylated carbon of the side chain of diplofuranone A was determined by application of Mosher’s method and proved to be R. Diplofuranone A tested at 0.2 mg mL-1 on non-host plant did not show phytotoxic activity.
Keywords: canker disease; Cork oak; Diplodia corticola; phytotoxic metabolites; Quercus suber L.

Diversidade funcional em sistemas de montado : fluxo de nutrientes em Quercus rotundifolia Lam . Functional diversity in “ montado ” systems : nutrients fluxes in Quercus - Nunes, J. D.; Gazarini, L.; Madeira, M. (Revista de Ciências Agrárias, 2007)
Nutrient cycling in Quercus rotundifolia Lam. systems, regarding precipitation was studied at Évora (Southern Portugal), since November of 1996 until December of 2000. The amounts of gross rainfall, throughfall (at different distances from the tree trunk) and stemflow were measured continuously and samples for chemical analysis were collected weekly. The concentration of nutrients was higher in the throughfall than in the gross rainfall, especially in the areas closer to the tree trunk. Nutrients transferred to soil, through bulk rainfall, throughfall and stemflow were quantified. The highest concentration of nutrients was observed in the stemflow water. Soil physical and chemical characteristics, underneath and outside Quercus rotundifolia crowns, were studied in areas where trees commonly are wide spaced. The amounts of the forest floor litter layer were also evaluated. Soil physical and chemical characteristics showed in general a positive effect with tree presence. Nitrogen transformation was examined under and outside the influence of the tree canopies. Nitrogen availability was higher in the soil of under crowns areas.

Driving competitive and facilitative interactions in oak dehesas through management practices - Moreno Marcos, G.; Obrador, J. J.; García, E.; Cubera, E.; Montero, M. J.; Pulido, F.; Dupraz, C. (Agroforestry Systems, 2007)
Dehesas are extant multi-purpose agroforestry systems that consist of a mosaic of widely-spaced scattered oaks (Quercus ilex L.) combined with crops, pasture or shrubs. We aimed to clarify the role of trees in dehesas of CW Spain focussed on the analysis of treeunderstorey interactions. Spatial variability of resources (light, soil moisture and fertility), microclimate, ﬁne roots of both herbaceous plants and trees and forage yield was measured. Additionally, we compared the nutritional and physiological status, growth and acorn production of oaks in cropped (fodder crop), grazed (native grasses) and encroached (woody understorey) dehesa plots. Signiﬁcant light interception by trees was limited to the close vicinity of the trees, with very low reduction away from them. Both microclimate and soil fertility improved signiﬁ- cantly in the trees vicinity, irrespective of soil management. Soil moisture varied very few with distance from the trees, as a result of the extended root system of oaks. Root systems of trees and herbs did not overlap to a great extent. Crop production was higher beneath trees than beyond the trees in unfertilised plots and foliar nutrient content of oaks did not increase signiﬁcantly with crop fertilisation, indicating that trees and crops hardly compete for nutrients. Moreover, trees beneﬁted from the crop or pasture management: trees featured a signiﬁcantly improved nutritional and physiological status, a faster growth and a higher fruit productivity than trees growing in encroached or forest plots.
Keywords: acorn production; forage yield; light; microclimate; root system; soil resources

Drying and wetting of Mediterranean soils stimulates decomposition and carbon dioxide emission: the “Birch effect” - Jarvis, Paul; Rey, Ana; Petsikos, Charalampos; Wingate, Lisa; Rayment, Mark; Pereira, João; Banza, João; David, Jorge; Miglietta, Franco; Borghetti, Marco; Manca, Giovanni; Valentini, Riccardo (Tree Physiology, 2007)
Observations on the net carbon exchange of forests in the European Mediterranean region, measured recently by the eddy covariance method, have revived interest in a phenomenon first characterized on agricultural and forest soils in East Africa in the 1950s and 1960s by H. F. Birch and now often referred to as the “Birch effect.” When soils become dry during summer because of lack of rain, as is common in regions with Mediterranean climate, or are dried in the laboratory in controlled conditions, and are then rewetted by precipitation or irrigation, there is a burst of decomposition, mineralization and release of inorganic nitrogen and CO2. In forests in Mediterranean climates in southern Europe, this effect has been observed with eddy covariance techniques and soil respiration chambers at the stand and small plot scales, respectively. Following the early work of Birch, laboratory incubations of soils at controlled temperatures and water contents have been used to characterize CO2 release following the rewetting of dry soils. A simple empirical model based on laboratory incubations demonstrates that the amount of carbon mineralized over one year can be predicted from soil temperature and precipitation regime, provided that carbon lost as CO2 is taken into account. We show that the amount of carbon returned to the atmosphere following soil rewetting can reduce significantly the annual net carbon gain by Mediterranean forests.
10.1093/treephys/27.7.92910.1093/treephys/27.7.929
Keywords: carbon balance; carbon mineralization rates; Mediterranean climate; mediterranean forest; rain pulse; soil rewetting; Soil temperature; soil water; summer rainfall events

Ecological patterns of Tuber melanosporum and different Quercus Mediterranean forests: Quantitative production of truffles, burn sizes and soil studies - Garcia-Montero, Luis G.; Manjon, Jose L.; Pascual, Cristina; García-Abril, Antonio (Forest Ecology and Management, 2007)
Most studies on Tuber melanosporum fail to supply statistical data on carpophore production and other quantitative data associated with trufﬂe ecology, such as the development of its burns (trufﬂe production sites). During 7 years, we studied 208 burns associated with Quercus ilex subsp. ballota, Q. faginea, Corylus avellana and Tilia platyphyllos in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. The results showed that burn size is a very signiﬁcant factor as it accounts for 38% of the variance in carpophore production. However, no signiﬁcant difference in the size of burns was observed between ﬁve types of wood, although signiﬁcant variability in carpophore production existed between these wood types. Furthermore, statistical analysis shows that a high concentration of active carbonate in the soil accounts for up to 51% of the variance in T. melanosporum burn size. The ecological conditions of burns cause elevated concentrations of active carbonate and exchangeable Ca 2+ , and T. melanosporum activity and burn size are simultaneously favoured by a high concentration of both factors, which suggests a feedback process. These results may indicate a possible application for the use of calcareous amendments in natural burns and trufﬂe cultivation. Moreover, we also determined the considerable trufﬂe-producing ability and mycorrhizing capacity of Quercus faginea. Although Q. faginea is a very little-known species in trufﬂe culture, the results provide support for its implementation
Keywords: active carbonate; Quercus faginea; truffle burn; truffle production; truffle soil; Tuber melanosporum

Economic and management characterization of dehesa farms: implications for their sustainability - Gaspar, P.; Mesías, F. J.; Escribano, M.; Rodríguez de Ledesma, A.; Pulido, F. (Agroforestry Systems, 2007)
Dehesa agroforestry systems occupy around 6 million ha in the Iberian Peninsula. Their economic and environmental sustainability depends on the maintenance of the extensive livestock farms which created this typical ecosystem. This work analyzes dehesa farms in the Extremadura region (SW Spain) using technical and economic indicators of 69 randomly selected holdings. Principal component analysis (PCA) allowed us to establish a valid model explaining 65.8% of the variance. The two principal components having most weight were Iberian pig production (explaining 20% of the variance of the model), and which ruminant species were raised on the farm (15% of the variance). A cluster analysis distinguished ﬁve types of farms: sheep farms at high and low stocking rates, beef cattle farms, wooded farms with mixed livestock, and farms with a high level of cropping activity. The most proﬁtable farms were those with either high overall livestock density or a high level of Iberian pig production. While high stocking density has historically attracted high levels of subsidy, production of Iberian pigs was proﬁtable because of the high value of the product. In the light of CAP reform, Iberian pig production seems the most readily sustainable type of farming for the dehesa system.
Keywords: cluster analysis; Farm typology; Livestock farming systems; Principal component analysis; Rangeland management

Effect of land-use on soil water dynamic in dehesas of Central–Western Spain - Cubera, Elena; Moreno, Gerardo (Catena, 2007)
Dehesa ecosystems are open woodlands with scattered oak trees as their main component. As a result of differing land-uses, the structure of vegetation found within dehesas varies between: (i) oak trees and intercropped cereals (cropped), (ii) oak trees and native grass vegetation (grazed), and (iii) oak trees with abundant understorey shrubs (encroached). The aim of this study is to investigate whether land-use influences the water dynamics of dehesas by measuring available soil water content (AWC) in the upper 250 cm of the soil at different distances from tree trunks (maximum 30 m) at four Quercus ilex dehesas in Central–Western Spain. The technique used was Time Domain Reflectometry and the study was undertaken between May of 2002 and December of 2005. Leaf water potential (Ψ) was also measured on trees at one site by mean of a pressure chamber. Within the upper meter of the soil, it appears that trees, grasses and shrubs extracted soil water resources in a similar way from both beneath and beyond the tree canopy. However, encroached plots in general showed lower average AWC values than cropped or grazed plots (3.7, 5.6, and 6.2% in encroached, cropped and grazed, respectively). Cereal crops do not compete more strongly than grasses with trees for available soil water resources. The similar Ψ values found at cropped and grazed plots supported these results. From our results, it could be hypothesized that ploughed dehesas could facilitate soil re-watering in the plots with pronounced slopes. The decrease of AWC values at encroached plots with respect to the cropped and grazed plots was found mostly beyond the tree trunk at deeper soil layers, indicating that shrubs use water partly not accessible to trees. The presence of an understory of shrubs seems to have slightly increased the water constraints on trees during the summer period (Ψd values of −0.5, −0.5, and −0.8 MPa in cropped, grazed, and encroached plots, respectively). In cropped and grazed plots, an important amount of water seems to have remained unused for trees and grasses.
Keywords: available water content; cultivation; Encroachment; fertilisation; Land-use

Effect of mediterranean forest parasite with Curculio sp. on nutritional value of acorn for Iberian pig feeding and fat characteristics. - Daza, a; López-Bote, C. J.; Tomás Barberán, F. a; Espin, J. C.; López Carrasco, C.; Olivares, A.; Rey, a I. (Meat science, 2007)
Sixteen Iberian barrows of the same age with an average initial live weight of 100.1kg were randomly distributed in two groups of eight pigs each. One group was fed healthy acorns and the other group received acorns infested of Curculio sp. The subcutaneous backfat from pigs fed healthy acorns had higher C18:1n-9, MUFA and C20:5n-3 and lower C18:0 and SFA proportions than that from the pigs fed acorns infested with Curculio. The consumption of acorns infested with Curculio sp. led to a reduction of C18:1n-9, MUFA, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C22:5n-3 and PUFA proportions in neutral lipids from Longissimus dorsi muscle with respect to consumption of healthy acorns, whereas in polar lipids it produced a reduction in C18:1n-9, MUFA and C18:4n-3 proportions and an increase in C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6, n-6 and C20:5n-3 proportions and of n-6/n-3 ratio with respect to the healthy acorns consumption. The pigs fed healthy acorns had higher intramuscular fat percentage in Longissimus dorsi than pigs fed with acorns infested with Curculio (9.95 vs 7.09% SEM=0.60).
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22064301
Keywords: Curculio; fat; fatty acid; iberian pig

Effect of single Quercus ilex trees upon spatial and seasonal changes in soil water content in dehesas of central western Spain - Cubera, Elena; Moreno, Gerardo; Elena, C.; Gerardo, M. (Ann. For. Sci., 2007)
The spatial and temporal evolution of soil water content () in Quercus ilex dehesas has been investigated to determine how trees modify the soil water dynamics and the nature of tree-grass interactions in terms of soil water use in these ecosystems. Soil physical parameters and were measured at different distances from the tree trunk (2-30 m) in the upper 300 cm of soil. was measured monthly by TDR during 2002-2005. Tree water potential was determined during the summers of 2004 and 2005. At deeper soil layers, mean values were higher beyond than beneath tree canopy during dry periods. depletion beyond tree canopy continued even in summer, when herbaceous plants dried up, suggesting that trees uptake water from the whole inter-tree space. Results have shown a high dependence of trees on deep water reserves throughout late spring and summer, which helps to avoid competition for water with herbaceous vegetation.
Keywords: Oak woodland; Quercus ilex; Soil water content; TDR; tree-grass interaction

Effects of herbage ingestion on the digestion site and nitrogen balance in heavy Iberian pigs fed on an acorn-based diet - Garcia-Valverde, R.; Nieto, R.; Lachica, M.; Aguilera, J. F. (LIVESTOCK SCIENCE, 2007)
We conducted two experiments in heavy-weight Iberian pigs to determine: a) the effect of lysine or protein addition - the former as L-lysine-HCl, the latter by fresh cut herbage supplementation - on protein deposition when they were fed on holm-oak acorns; b) the digestibility of energy and nutrients in acorns and freshly cut, mixed herbage; and c) a possible change in the partition of digestion along the gastro-intestinal tract of the pigs fed on acorns with the inclusion of herbage. In Experiment 1, carried out in eight cannulated pigs, the daily intake of acorns reached 44.9 g DM/kg(0.75) BW and the addition of 0.58 g L-lysine/kg of whole acorns failed to alter N retention significantly (P > 0.05). We obtained high coefficients for the apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (ApDM(tt), 0.84) and organic matter (ApOM(tt), 0.86) and of gross energy (ApGE(tt), 0.84) in whole acorns. The corresponding ileal values were 0.71, 0.74 and 0.74. The N balance was on average - 1.08 g/day. In Experiment 2, fresh herbage containing principally legumes was offered to six cannulated Iberian pigs of 140 kg either as a single feed (13.7 g DM/kg(0.75) BW) or as a supplement to acorns (28.4 g DM/kg(0.75) BW; in this case the herbage accounted for 22% of the daily DM intake). The apparent ileal digestibilities of OM and GE for herbage accounted for 70 to 77% of the values observed at total-tract level (0.65 and 0.64 respectively). N retention reached 4.21 g/day. Average ApDM(tt), ApOM(tt) and ApGE(tt) in the herbage/whole-acorn mixture were slightly above 0.74. The intake of freshly cut herbage as complementary feed to acorns resulted in a significant transference of digesta from the small intestine to the hind gut together with a substantial decrease in ileal digestibility of nutrients and energy (P < 0.001) and a moderate decline in digestibility at throughout the whole tract (P < 0.01-P < 0.001). On the other hand, the apparent digestibility of total N increased (P < 0.001) and 31% of the N apparently digested was retained in the body of the pigs. We also observed a substantial decrease in the precaecal digestion of the DM (P < 0.01), OM (P < 0.01) and GE (P < 0.05) in acorn kernels. We concluded that the main contribution of herbage to the overall nutrient supply to the grazing Iberian pig would rely upon the provision of amino acid N and also of available minerals, both present in low quantities in acorns. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Keywords: acorns; digestibility; energy value; herbage; iberian pig

Effects of Stratification and Growth Regulators on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Quercus ilex L - Ghasemi, M.; Khosh-Khui, M. (Journal of Plant Sciences, 2007)
In order to study the nature of seed dormancy of Quercus ilex L., in two separate experiments pericarp-removed seeds were stratified for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 months or treated with concentrations of benzyl adenine (BA) (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L-1), gibberellic acid (GA3) (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg L-1) or combinations of them (50 mg L-1 BA+100 mg L-1 GA3 or 200 mg L-1 BA+400 mg L-1 GA3 or 400 mg L-1 BA+800 mg L-1 GA3). Stratification (1 to 2 months in 5°C) increased seed emergence up to 66.66%. Application of 200 mg L-1 BA+400 mg L-1 GA3 resulted in highest emergence rates. In average, the highest leaf number, fresh and dry weights (5.23, 0.746 g and 0.296 g, respectively) were obtained when 200 mg L-1 BA alone was used. Using of 800 mg L-1 GA3 resulted in longest shoot (6.82 cm) after two months.
Keywords: Emergence; growth regulators; Quercus ilex; seed dormancy

Environmental heterogeneity, bird-mediated directed dispersal, and oak woodland dynamics in Mediterranean Spain - Purves, Drew W.; Zavala, Miguel A.; Ogle, Kiona; Prieto, Fernando; Benayas, Jose M. Rey (ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS, 2007)
Vegetation dynamics in complex landscapes depend on interactions among environmental heterogeneity, disturbance, habitat fragmentation, and seed dispersal processes. We explore how these features combine to affect the regional abundances and distributions of three Quercus (oak) species in central Spain: Q. faginea (deciduous tree), Q. ilex (evergreen tree), and Q. coccifera (evergreen shrub). We develop and parameterize a stochastic patch occupancy model (SPOM) that, unlike previous SPOMs, includes environmentally driven variation in disturbance and establishment. Dispersal in the model is directed toward local (nearby) suitable habitat patches, following the observed seed-caching behavior of the European Jay. Model parameters were estimated using Bayesian methods and survey data from 12 047 plots. Model simulations were conducted to explore the importance of different dispersal modes (local directed, global directed, local random, global random). The SPOM with local directed dispersal gave a much better fit to the data and reproduced observed regional abundance, abundance-environment correlations, and spatial autocorrelation in abundance for all three species. Model simulations suggest that jay-mediated directed dispersal increases regional abundance and alters species-environment correlations. Local dispersal is estimated to reduce regional abundances, amplify species-environment correlations, and amplify spatial autocorrelation. Parameter estimates and model simulations reveal important species-specific differences in sensitivity to environmental perturbations and dispersal mode. The dominant species Q. ilex is estimated to be highly fecund, but on the edge of its climatic tolerance. Therefore Q. ilex gains little from directed dispersal, suffers little from local dispersal, and is relatively insensitive to changes in habitat cover or disturbance rate; but Q. ilex is highly sensitive to altered drought length. In contrast, the rarest species, Q. coccifera, is well adapted to the climate and soils but has low fecundity; thus, it is highly sensitive to changes in dispersal, habitat cover, and disturbance but insensitive to altered drought length. Finally, Q. faginea is estimated to be both at the edge of its climatic tolerance and to have low fecundity, making it sensitive to all perturbations. Apparently, co-occurring species can exhibit very different interactions among dispersal, environmental characteristics, and physiological tolerances, calling for increased attention to species-specific dynamics in determining regional vegetation responses to anthropogenic perturbations.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 1707 H ST NW, STE 400, WASHINGTON, DC 20006-3915 USA publisher: ECOLOGICAL SOC AMER
Keywords: biogeography; climate change; climate envelope; corvids; dispersal limitation; Garrulus; Holm oak; Iberian peninsular; incidence function; patch model; species migration; zoochory

Estimation of white grub damage (Coleoptera : Scarabaeoidea) in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) regeneration parcels of the Mamora forest (Morocco) and search for biological control using sex pheromones. - Ghaioule, Driss; Lumaret, Jean-Pierre; Rochat, Didier; Maatouf, Noureddine; Niogret, Jerome (ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE, 2007)
During the last decades, the cork oak restoration in the Mamora forest (Morocco) was faced with massive root attacks of seedling plantations by white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea). In most cases, the success of the restoration reached only 12%. Sphodroxia maroccana Ley (Melolonthidae) can be considered as the main pest in the restoration parcels. Some traits of the biology of this species are specified, despite shortcomings in the knowledge of the precise period of male emergence with regard to females, the longevity of adults and the sex-ratio. Summer drought, a season without white grub activity, is another main cause of mortality of young plantations. During the first year after plantation in experimental parcels, the cumulated mortality due to these two factors ranged between 41 and 68% according to the blocks in the parcels. The mortality associated with S. maroccana larvae ranged between 24 and 43%, with a distribution of infestation depending on density of young plants. Solid phase micro-extraction used to sample volatiles from the headspace of S. maroccana females allowed to isolate resorcinol (1,3-benzenediol) as presumed female sex pheromone. The role of this molecule has to be demonstrated.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 45 RUE BUFFON, 75005 PARIS, FRANCE publisher: SOC ENTOMOLOGIQUE FRANCE
Keywords: 1-3-benzenediol; biological control; Cork oak; damage; Morocco; pheromone; resorcinol; Restoration; Scarabaeoidea; white grubs

Ethnobotany of Montseny biosphere reserve (Catalonia, Iberian Peninsula): plants used in veterinary medicine. - Bonet, M. Angels; Vallès, Joan (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2007)
The present paper deals with plants used in veterinary medicine in Montseny. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the Montseny massif, which is situated in north-east Catalonia (Iberian Peninsula), covers 826 km(2) and has a population of 80,000. The information was obtained through 120 ethnobotanical interviews to 180 informants. Out of 584 species reported, 351 are claimed to be used in the health field (human and veterinary medicine), 280 in human and animal food and 236 have another kind of popular use. Medicinal species represent around 16.5% of Montseny's vascular flora. In a previous paper we addressed plant use in human medicine, and the present paper deals with veterinarian uses. As a reflection of the importance of rural life in the region, at least until recent times, a substantial number of medicinal plants (89 species, representing 6% of the flora of the territory and 6.4% of all medicinal use-reports in the region) is used in veterinary medicine. These remedies are mostly for cows, calves, sheep, pigs and horses, and secondarily, to poultry, rabbits and dogs. The main ailments treated are postnatal problems, intestinal troubles, wounds and dermatological problems. In many cases, the use of these remedies in veterinary medicine is fully consistent with their use in human medicine.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17059874
Keywords: Catalonia; Ethnobotany; Ethnoveterinary; Medicinal plants; montseny; Traditional knowledge

Evaluation of the energy value of plant species consumed by the Barbary Deer (Cervus elaphus barbarus, Bennet 1833) in the area of El Ayoune (El Kala National Park, Algeria) - Arbouche, Halima Saadia; Arbouche, Fodil (REVUE D ECOLOGIE-LA TERRE ET LA VIE, 2007)
Plant species taken for food by the Barbary Deer were determined by direct observation during one year. On the basis of their chemical composition and phenological stage, the energy value of the grazed plant species has been expressed in stag-units as suggested by Brelurut et al. (1990). Results show that the more energy-giving elements are plants from the herbaceous layer and the acorns of Cork Oak (Quercus suber). From the shrubby layer, the Strawberry-tree (Arbustus unedo) comes first with an energy value comparable to that of green grass fodder, followed by Tree Heath (Erica arborea), Lentisc (Pistacia lentiscus) and Filaria (Phillyrea augustifolia) with energy values comparable to those of grass hays. The energy values of the other shrubby plant species are comparable with those of cereal straws; they do not ensure but the needs for maintenance.
Key W: ASKey W: ASThe following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 57 RUE CUVIER, 75005 PARIS 5, FRANCE publisher: SOC NATL PROTECTION NATURE ACCLIMATATION FRANCE
Keywords: grazed plant species; herbaceous; Quercus ilex.L; Quercus suber L.

Evergreen Mediterranean hardwoods as particleboard raw material - Barboutis, John a; Philippou, John L. (Building and Environment, 2007)
Wood and biomass (branches and foliage) of ﬁve Mediterranean evergreen hardwood species (Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo, Phillyrea latifolia, Erica arborea) growing in Greece were investigated as particleboard raw material. The average diameter of the stems varied between the species from 4.1 cm (Erica arborea) to 7.5 cm (Quercus ilex) and the bark to wood ratio of the stems varied between the species from 7.8% (Quercus ilex) to 15.9% (Erica arborea). Bulk density of particleboard furnishes produced by processing the above materials through a chipper and a ring ﬂaker varied between the species from 143.6 to 162.5 kg/m 3 . Common industrial furnish reached in the used lab conditions a bulk density of 143 kg/m 3 . Particle size and their distribution also varied between the hardwood species. One-layer laboratory particleboards made with the above materials at densities of 650, 700 and 750 kg/m 3 had considerable lower mechanical properties but better dimensional stability than boards made with common industrial furnish. All properties were affected by wood species and board density. Internal bond of all boards was higher than the value required by EN 319/1993 but adequate bending strength at moderate densities (0.70 kg/m 3 ) was achieved only in boards made with Arbutus unedo and Quercus ilex. Boards made with branches and foliage had very low mechanical properties.
Keywords: biomass; mediterranean evergreen hardwoods; particleboard

Evidence of selective burning in Sardinia (Italy): which land-cover classes do wildfires prefer? - Bajocco, Sofia; Ricotta, Carlo (Landscape Ecology, 2007)
The objective of this paper is to identify land-cover types where ﬁre incidence is higher (preferred) or lower (avoided) than expected from a random null model. Fire selectivity may be characterized by the number of ﬁres expected in a given land-cover class and by the mean surface area each ﬁre will burn. These two components of ﬁre pattern are usually independent of each other. For instance, ﬁre number is usually connected with socioeconomic causes whereas ﬁre size is largely controlled by fuel continuity. Therefore, on the basis of available ﬁre history data for Sardinia (Italy) for the period 2000– 2004 we analyzed ﬁre selectivity of given land-cover classes keeping both variables separate from each other. The results obtained from analysis of 13,377 ﬁres show that for most land-cover classes ﬁre behaves selectively, with marked preference (or avoidance) in terms of both ﬁre number and ﬁre size. Fire number is higher than expected by chance alone in urban and agricultural areas. In contrast, in forests, grasslands, and shrublands, ﬁre number is lower than expected. In grasslands and shrublands mean ﬁre size is signiﬁcantly larger than expected from a random null model whereas in urban areas, permanent crops, and heterogeneous agricultural areas there is significant resistance to ﬁre spread. Finally, as concerns mean ﬁre size, in our study area forests and arable land burn in proportion to their availability without any signiﬁcant tendency toward ﬁre preference or avoidance. The results obtained in this study contribute to ﬁre risk assessment on the landscape scale, indicating that risk of wildﬁre is closely related to land cover.
Keywords: analysis á; Fire number; fire number á fire; Fire selectivity; Fuel fragmentation; fuel fragmentation á landscape; Landscape analysis; mean fire size á; Mean ﬁre size; Permutation methods; selectivity á

Experimental study of the quasi-static and dynamic behaviour of cork under compressive loading - Gameiro, Celina Pires; Cirne, José; Gary, Gérard (Journal of Materials Science, 2007)
Cork is a natural cellular material with increasing industrial applications due to its remarkable combination of properties. Its mechanical behaviour explains why it is often used for applications like sealing, packaging, insulation, vibration control, weight reduction, ﬂotation, sound damping, etc. However, the mechanical behaviour of cork when subjected to impact has not been well investigated yet since the studies described in the literature generally focus strain rates below 10 –1 s –1 . Understanding the behaviour of cork at high rates of deformation becomes imperative when considering applications such as crash protection. Hence, in the present work, the authors compare the quasi-static and dynamic response of four types of cork when compressed axially at strain rates from 10 –3 s –1 to 600 s –1 . Data from the Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bars are used to generate stress–strain curves for natural and agglomerate cork samples, and the results are discussed in terms of the cellular structure of cork.
Keywords: compressive behaviour (voyant); Cork; stress-strain curves

Factors affecting culvert use by vertebrates along two stretches of road in southern Portugal - Ascensão, Fernando; Mira, António (Ecological Research, 2007)
A major target for environmental managers when trying to minimise the road-barrier eﬀect on wildlife is to improve permeability to animal movements. Previous studies have demonstrated that drainage culverts are used by vertebrates, although knowledge of the main inﬂuencing factors remains limited. The use of 34 culverts from two roads in southern Portugal, diﬀering in traﬃc volume, vehicle speeds and conﬁguration, was evaluated by the analysis of terrestrial vertebrate footprint data (408 passage-operative days). Culvert crossings were related to various explanatory variables by means of canonical ordination techniques. We recorded 901 complete crossings, corresponding to an average of 2.2 crossings/culvert/operative day. Thirteen taxa were detected, all in more than one passage. Animal species included reptiles, small mammals, lagomorphs, carnivores and domestic dogs and cats. Our results suggest that fencing might have a funnelling effect, directing larger animals toward culverts. Also, vegetation covering culvert entrances seems to have a positive eﬀect, particularly on genets; longer passages with entrances far from the pavement were, apparently, avoided by smaller animals; a lower number of crossings was detected on passages with detritus pits; the closest passages to urban areas are more often used by domestic species; forest-living species favour passages with low, open land cover nearby; and smaller species, like lagomorphs and small mammals, appear to use more culverts near the pavement, which probably reﬂects the importance of road verges as refuges for these species. Although not used by all species present in the study area, constructing numerous passages of diﬀerent sizes without detritus pits and which are distributed along roads might be an important step in mitigating road fragmentation eﬀects on animal populations.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: label: Incluir?
Keywords: canonical ordination; conservation; culvert use; Incluir?; Road ecology; Vertebrates

Factors affecting the invasion success of Senecio inaequidens and S. pterophorus in Mediterranean plant communities - Cano, L.; Escarre, J.; Sans, F. X. (Journal of Vegetation Science, 2007)
Question: Plant invasions result from complex interactions between species traits, community characteristics and environmental variations. We examined the effect of these interactions on the invasion potential of two invasive Senecio species, S. inaequidens and S. pterophorus, across three Mediterranean plant communities in a natural park. Location: Catalonia, NE Spain. Methods: We carried out two series of experimental seedling transplantations, in the spring and fall of 2003, in grassland, shrubland and Quercus ilex forest. Competition with neighbouring plants and water availability were manipulated. We evaluated the survival, growth and reproduction with respect to each treatment combination. Results: Any habitat can be colonised if disturbance occurs. In the absence of disturbance, shrubland enhanced the survival of seedlings. Competition with resident vegetation dramatically reduced survival in grassland and forest when establishment occurred in the spring. However, establishment in the fall promoted invasion in grassland and shrubland, even in the undisturbed treatment. Grassland allowed the highest growth and reproductive performance of both species while forest was the most resistant habitat to invasion. S. inaequidens had a higher growth rate and a shorter pre-reproductive period than S. pterophorus. S. pterophorus produced more biomass and was more dependent on water availability than S. inaequidens. Conclusions: In the light of our results, we recommend surveying open shrublands and grasslands after periods of rainfall. Special attention should be paid to S. pterophorus, which is currently spreading. A preliminary assessment of the invasive-ness of this plant is given in this study.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Alien invasion; competition; Establishment; Natural Park; Reproductive performance; Water availability fluctuation

Factors affecting the placement of common genet latrine sites in a Mediterranean landscape in Portugal - Espírito-Santo, C.; ROSALINO, LUIS M.; Santos-Reis, Margarida (Journal of mammalogy, 2007)
In addition to the role of latrine sites as areas for deposition of feces, they may play roles in territoriality, sexual attraction, warning and defense behaviors, and regulation of physiological functions. Several carnivores, such as the common genet (Genetta genetta) use latrines as stations for scent communication. We describe the factors influencing the placement and use of latrine sites by a Mediterranean population of common genets inhabiting cork oak woodlands in southwestern Portugal. Using logistical regression analysis, we found a higher probability of finding latrines in areas with high understory height and diversity of landscape units, low human disturbance and accessibility, and proximity to potential refuges and other latrines. An exploratory univariate analysis showed that latrines were located primarily in conspicuously high features within the landscape such as in old-growth cork oak trees. Their use was associated with low human disturbance, inaccessibility, and high understory cover. Our results suggest that forest managers should preserve some old trees in oak woodlands, because these trees have a fundamental role in scent communication among genets (latrines), as well as serve as resting sites.
Keywords: common genets; genetta genetta; latrines; mediterranean landscape; Portugal; scent marking

Factors responsible for the presence and distribution of black bellied sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis in the Nature Park ``Vale do Guadiana'' - Cardoso, Ana Cristina; Poeiras, Ana Sofia; Carrapato, Carlos (ARDEOLA, 2007)
Aims: Identify factors that are responsible for the presence and distribution of black-bellied sandgrouse in the nature park of `Vale do Guadiana' so that management actions can be undertaken. Localization: Southern Portugal. Methods: Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric tests and Bailey's tests was used to analyse the preferences among biotopes, while logistic regression analysis was utilized to obtain an explanation model for species distributions during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Variables considered in the analysis included presence or absence of cattle; ground vegetation coverage, height and vertical density; tree density; bush coverage; slope exposition; stone coverage and number of stones; wind direction; habitat; soil capacity; distance to roads, drinking places and villages; and altitude. . Results: The results of biotope selection indicated that sandgrouses preferred fields of leguminous plants during both breeding and non-breeding periods and tillage during the breeding period. Montado and fallows older than two years were avoided during the non-breeding season. Cereal fields were used according to their availability. Besides not significantly, fallows were highly used. For the explanation model, six variables that explain the species distribution during the breeding season were selected: cattle presence, stony ground and distance to secondary roads had a positive effect, while vegetation cover, stone cover and distance to the drinking places had a negative effect. During the non-breeding period, the model was not adjusted to validation sample. Conclusions: It was found that the most important biotopes are leguminous cultivations and fallows with extensive pastures. Grazing can have either a positive or a negative effect on these fields, depending on cattle density. Besides the number of small dams, drinking places are still a limiting factor for this species. Dispersion of settlements and roads is also negative to sandgrouse distribution. Finally conservation implications, namely management actions such as an enlargement of leguminous fields, cattle grazing control and modifications of Territory Management Plans, are discussed.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: MELQUIADAS BIENCINTO 34, E-28053 MADRID, SPAIN publisher: SOC ESPANOLA ORNITOLGIA
Keywords: habitat selection; Logistic regression; management actions; Pterocles orientalis; seasonal variation

Fatty acid compositions of selected varieties of Spanish dry ham related to their nutritional implications - Fernández, Manuela; Ordóñez, Juan Antonio; Cambero, Isabel; Santos, Carlos; Pin, Carmen; Hoz, Lorenzo De La (Food Chemistry, 2007)
Five varieties of Spanish dry cured ham were studied to assess their nutritional value in relation to fatty acids. Ten hams of the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG) ‘‘Jamo´n Serrano’’, and the Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) ‘‘Jamo´n de Teruel’’, ‘‘Dehesa de Extremadura’’, ‘‘Jamo´n de Huelva’’ and ‘‘Guijuelo’’, were analysed. Iberian hams (‘‘Dehesa de Extremadura’’, ‘‘Jamo´n de Huelva’’ and ‘‘Guijuelo’’) were characterised by a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and a signiﬁcantly higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than white hams (‘‘Jamo´n Serrano’’ and ‘‘Jamo´n de Teruel’’). The Iberian varieties also showed a high proportion (approximately 50%) of C18:1 n 9, while ‘‘Jamo´n Serrano’’ showed the highest percentage of C18:2n6. The PUFA/SFA (P/S) ratio of the ﬁve varieties was P 0.19, with the highest ratio corresponding to ‘‘Jamo´n Serrano’’ (0.3). The n6/n3 ratio was in the order of 13/1 in ‘‘Jamo´n Serrano’’ and ‘‘Jamo´n de Huelva’’, and ranged from 9.3/1 to 10.3/1 in the other varieties. The most favourable hypocholesterolemic/Hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio (P2.5) was found in the Iberian varieties. TSG ‘‘Serrano’’ was shown to supply the lowest percentage of the recommended daily intake of MUFA, the Iberian varieties showed the highest percentage of the daily intake of long-chain PUFA, and PDO ‘‘Dehesa de Extremadura’’ showed the highest percentage of the intake of C18:3n3. The higher MUFA proportion and h/H ratio observed in the Iberian hams, together with their contribution to the recommended daily intake of fatty acids, would make these products more suitable for healthier diets, although consumption must be recommended in moderation.
Keywords: fatty acids; hypercholesterolemic; hypocholesterolemic; n à 3; n à 6; n-3; n-6; spanish dry cured ham

First data from a field trial of Quercus suber plants regenerated from mature selected trees and from their half-sib progenies by somatic embryogenesis - Celestino, C.; Hernández, I.; Lopez-Vela, D.; Carneros, E.; Alegre, J.; Toribio, M.; Fernandez-Guijarro, B.; Cardo, L. (Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Acclimatization and Establishment of Micropropagated Plants, 2007)
Somatic embryogenesis is considered as the most suitable current regeneration technique for the conservation and genetic improvement of tree species. The ability to induce somatic embryogenesis in leaves from mature trees gives the possibility to compare the performance of the parent trees and their progenies at the same age and place of test. Somatic seedlings were regenerated from five selected cork oak trees and from young plants of their half-sib progenies. They were planted in the field conjointly with zygotic seedlings of these families, to test the comparisons somatic vs. zygotic origin and somatic from mature trees vs. somatic from juvenile seedlings. The effect of genotype and kind of progeny will be studied in a complete factorial design; therefore the field trial comprised 15 treatments arranged in five completely randomised blocks. Each experimental unit included three plants that were distributed following a row and column pattern. Fist survival and height data after six and twelve months of establishment are provided. All plants from seeds survived while almost the half of somatic seedlings died after the winter and they were replaced. Almost 70% of these plants survived after the following summer. There were no differences between somatic seedlings of mature or juvenile origin. Zygotic seedlings doubled the height of the somatic ones after one year in the field, and within these plants those of mature origin grew slightly more than those of juvenile source. Differences due to genotype and family effects were noticeable. No apparent morphological alterations were detected among the three kinds of tested progenies.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Acclimatization and Establishment of Micropropagated Plants issue: 748 pub-location: PO BOX 500, 3001 LEUVEN 1, BELGIUM
Keywords: Cork oak; field establishment; rejuvenation; Somatic embryogenesis; woody plant micro-propagation

Foraging Activity and Dietary Spectrum of the Argentine Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Invaded Natural Areas of the Northeast Iberian Peninsula - Abril, S.; Oliveras, J.; Gómez, C. (Environmental Entomology,, 2007)
We analyzed the foraging activity and the dietary spectrum of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile Mayr) and select native ants on cork oaks from Mediterranean open cork oak (Quercus suber) secondary forests. The study areas included invaded and noninvaded zones in close proximity. The Argentine ant's daily foraging activity was correlated to the abiotic factors studied, whereas the seasonal foraging activity was related not only to the variations in the average air temperature, but also to the trophic needs of the colony. Argentine ant workers focused their attention on protein foods during the queens' oviposition periods and during the larvae development phase, and on carbohydrate foods, such as honeydew, when males and workers were hatching. There were no significant differences over the entire year in the quantity of liquid food collected by the Argentine ant workers in comparison with the native ants studied. The solid diet of the Argentine ant on cork oaks is composed of insects, most of which are aphids. Our results have clear applications for control methods based on toxic baits in the invaded natural ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.
Keywords: Argentine ant; dietary spectrum; foraging activity; Linepithema humile; Quercus suber

Forest types for biodiversity assessment at regional level: the case study of Sicily (Italy) - Cullotta, Sebastiano; Marchetti, Marco (European Journal of Forest Research, 2007)
Within Europe the question of plant coenosis is attracting growing interest. The quality and quantity of collected information on forest resources at a global level largely depends on the capacity to collect and analyse data at national and sub-national scale in a way compatible with those at global or continental levels. In Italy the acceptance of all the international agreements and protocols on the protection of the environment and management of natural resources, requires a standardization of collected information and statistics, with the aim to produce homogeneous and integrative data at global level. This need is reﬂected in the following points: (1) the adoption of a classiﬁcation system of land use and forest cover compatible with international hierarchical systems and deﬁnitions; (2) the identiﬁcation of standard procedures in data collection and data elaboration. To classify natural resources and, in this case study, forest resources, implies to order natural and semi natural coenosis, forest and pre-forest communities, in a systematic way, according to the applied variables and to the scale detail. The solution proposed in this case study is organised according to forest management, through the adoption of the habitat approach, describing forest and pre-forest types in a synoptic way and performing a system of nomenclature in agreement with the international standards initiatives. In this way, the characterization of forest types at community level is related to the environmental planning for the protection of biodiversity
Keywords: Ecological stratiﬁcation; Forest biodiversity; Forest community; forest type; Hierarchical system; Stand-management unit

Forestaciones con encina y alcornoque en el área de la dehesa en el marco del - Ovando, Paola; Campos, Pablo; Montero, Gregorio (Revista Española de estudios agrosociales y pesqueros, 2007)
La Unión Europea adopta en el año 1992 una serie de medidas de acompañamiento a la reforma de la política agraria común. La política de abandono de tierras agrícolas dedicadas a cultivos excedentarios fue incentivada mediante ayudas a su forestación, reguladas por el Reglamento 2080/1992. Esta intervención pública ha tenido en el área de la dehesa española una influencia favorable a la expansión de sus dos especies forestales más emblemáticas: la encina (Quercus ilex) y el alcornoque (Quercus suber ). La superficie forestada con encina y alcornoque entre 1993 y 2000 supera las 281.000 hectáreas en las comunidades autónomas de Andalucía, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura y Madrid, que concentran alrededor del 95 por ciento de la superficie forestada con ambas especies en España. Este estudio tiene como objetivo ofrecer un análisis descriptivo de los efectos de las forestaciones con encina y alcornoque en los cambios de usos del suelo, así como la influencia que ha tenido la distribución del gasto público en las Comunidades Autónomas del área de la dehesa, en aplicación del Reglamento (CE) 2080/1992.
Keywords: alcornoque (PG); cambio de uso; Dehesa; encina; forestación de tierras agrarias

fructificación del hongo ECM comestible Amanita ponderosa Malençon & R. Heim durante seis años consecutivos en un encinar adehesado de la Sierra - Daza, A.; Camacho, M. (Investigación Agraria: Sistemas y Recursos Forestales, 2007)
Number and location of Amanita ponderosa Malençon & R. Heim sporocarps was followed through six years in a 3 ha holm-oak forest located in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park (Huelva), at the Southwest of Spain. The data indicated that patches of sporocarp production showed a very similar shape each year, but some spots showed differences seeming crop alternance or mast years. This species only fructifies in spring, being the fruiting period from 6 to 8 weeks, what coincides with the increasing of air-temperature from mid February to April. Differences in fruiting period length and total sporocarp production are related to rainfall and temperature. Results suggest that rainfalls at the end of summer and early autumn are crucial for the next spring fruiting, but rainfalls during fruiting period seem to have less influence in sporocarp production. During the sporocarp production period, it was related to soil temperature.
Keywords: gurumelo; mushroom harvest; raining; Soil temperature; sporocarp production and location

Gall wasps and their parasitoids in cork oak fragmented forests - CHUST, GUILLEM; GARBIN, LUCAS; PUJADE-VILLAR, JULI (Ecological Entomology, 2007)
Abstract 1. This paper explores the potential effects of host-plant fragmentation on cork oak gall wasp populations (Cynipidae, Hymenoptera) and on their predators, lethal inquilines, and parasitoids. To address this objective, galls were collected across a gradient of cork oak (Quercus suber) forest fragmentation in the East Pyrenees (Albera, Spain), and they were incubated to obtain the parasitism rates. 2. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) Host-plant fragmentation may induce a decline in gall wasp populations because of area and isolation effects on local extinction and dispersal; as a consequence of that, parasitoids may decline even more strongly in fragmented habitats than their prey. (2) Host-plant fragmentation may cause a decline in gall wasp parasitoid populations that, in turn, can lead to an ecological release in their prey populations. 3. Among the eight cork oak gall wasps sampled in the study area of Albera, the gall abundances of three species (Callirhytis glandium, Callirhytis rufescens, and Andricus hispanicus) were significantly related to forest fragmentation. The overall abundance of gall wasps was affected by a radius of ≈ 890 m surrounding landscape, presenting constant abundances with forest loss until forest cover is reduced at ≈ 40%; below that value the abundance increased rapidly. Three inquilines and 23 parasitoids species were recorded after gall incubation. In 25 cases, species of inquilines and parasitoids were newly recorded for the corresponding host in the Iberian peninsula. 4. Although the overall parasitism rate was high (1.1), it was uncorrelated with fragmentation and with overall cynipid abundance. These results indicate that host-plant fragmentation was correlated with higher abundance of gall wasps, whereas the parasitism rate could not explain this hyper-abundance in small forest fragments.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Cork oak; fragmentation; gall wasp; parasitism rate; parasitoid; Pyrenees; Quercus suber

Generalized height-diameter and crown diameter prediction models for cork oak forests in Spain - Sánchez-González, M.; Cañellas, I.; Montero, G. (Investigación Agraria: Sistemas y Recursos Forestales, 2007)
A generalized height-diameter equation, along with a crown diameter prediction equation for cork oak forests in Spain were developed based on data from the Second Spanish Forest Inventory. Nine generalised height-diameter equations were selected as candidate functions to model the height-diameter under cork relationship, while for the crown diameter prediction model five linear and non-linear equations were tested. The equations were fitted using the mixedeffects model approach. The Stoffels & Van Soest power equation, constrained to pass through the point of dominant diameter and dominant height, was selected as the generalised height-diameter model. Regarding the crown diameter prediction model, the parable function without the intercept and with quadratic mean diameter incorporated as a fixed effect into the b parameter, proved to be the model with best prediction capabilities. The models were validated by characterising the model error using the PRESS (Prediction Sum of Squares) statistic. Both equations will be submodels of the ALCORNOQUE v1.0, a management oriented growth and yield model for cork oak forests in Spain.
Keywords: crown width; forest growth modelling; height-diameter relationship; mixed effects models; Quercus suber

GeneticLand: modelling land-use change using evolutionary algorithms - Seixas, J.; Nunes, J. P. (Modelling Land-Use change, 2007)
Future land-use configurations provide valuable knowledge for policy makers and economic agents, especially under expected environmental changes such as decreasing rainfall or increasing temperatures. This chapter proposes an optimisation approach for modelling land-use change in which landscapes (land uses) are generated through the use of an evolutionary algorithm called GeneticLand. It is designed for a multiobjective function that aims at the minimisation of soil erosion and the maximisation of carbon sequestration, under a set of local restrictions. GeneticLand has been applied to a Mediterranean landscape, located in southern Portugal. The algorithm design and the results obtained show the feasibility of the generated landscapes, the appropriateness of the evolutionary methods to model land-use changes and the spatial characteristics of the landscape solutions that emerge when physical drivers have a major influence on their evolution.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Modelling Land-Use change
Keywords: climate change; evolutionary computing; land use; long-term; Mediterranean landscape.; optimisation; Spatial planning

Geophysical imaging of root-zone, trunk, and moisture heterogeneity - Attia Al Hagrey, Said (Journal of Experimental Botany, 2007)
The most significant biotic and abiotic stress agents of water extremity, salinity, and infection lead to wood decay and modifications of moisture and ion content, and density. This strongly influences the (di-)electrical and mechanical properties and justifies the application of geophysical imaging techniques. These are less invasive and have high resolution in contrast to classical methods of destructive, single-point measurements for inspecting stresses in trees and soils. This review presents some in situ and in vivo applications of electric, radar, and seismic methods for studying water status and movement in soils, roots, and tree trunks. The electrical properties of a root-zone are a consequence of their moisture content. Electrical imaging discriminates resistive, woody roots from conductive, soft roots. Both types are recognized by low radar velocities and high attenuation. Single roots can generate diffraction hyperbolas in radargrams. Pedophysical relationships of water content to electrical resistivity and radar velocity are established by diverse infiltration experiments in the field, laboratory, and in the full-scale ‘GeoModel’ at Kiel University. Subsurface moisture distributions are derived from geophysical attribute models. The ring electrode technique around trunks images the growth ring structure of concentric resistivity, which is inversely proportional to the fluid content. Healthy trees show a central high resistivity within the dry heartwood that strongly decreases towards the peripheral wet sapwood. Observed structural deviations are caused by infection, decay, shooting, or predominant light and/or wind directions. Seismic trunk tomography also differentiates between decayed and healthy woods.
10.1093/jxb/erl23710.1093/jxb/erl237The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 17229759
Keywords: Electric Impedance; Electrical resistivity techniques; Electrodes; Geological Phenomena; Geology; Plant Roots; Plant Roots: metabolism; Populus; Populus: physiology; Portugal; Quercus; Quercus: anatomy & histology; Quercus: metabolism; Radar; radar imaging; ring electrode array; root-zone; sap flow; seismic tomography; trunk ring structure; vadose zone; water; water content; water flow; Water: analysis; Water: metabolism

The Holocene and Upper Pleistocene pollen sequence of Carihuela Cave, southern Spain - Fernández, Santiago; Fuentes, Noemí; Carrión, José S.; González-Sampériz, Penélope; Montoya, Encarna; Gil, Graciela; Vega-Toscano, Gerardo; Riquelme, José a (Geobios, 2007)
A new pollen sequence (ca. 15,700–1250 yr BP) is presented for three stratigraphical sections of Carihuela Cave (Granada, southeastern Spain), thus completing a record that covers from the last Interglacial to late Holocene. The Late Glacial is characterized by open landscapes with junipers and early colonisation of Quercus, while the Holocene is depicted by mixed oak forests, with a diversity of broad-leaf trees and scrub, which decrease after ca. 5470 yr BP synchronously with the expansion of xerophytes and occurrence of indicators of anthropogenic disturbance. The whole pollen record of Carihuela ﬁts into the general trends described for reference pollen sites of southern Europe, including Padul in the province of Granada, and other sequences from Mediterranean Spain, through which the heterogeneity of environmental change increases from mid to late Holocene. We conclude that, in contrast with other regions of Spain, deciduous Quercus-dominated forests are very old in eastern Andalusia, thus conﬂicting with ﬂoristic phytosociological models of vegetation change that imply that monospeciﬁc Q. ilex/ rotundifolia woodlands are the potential mature forest in the region. Dating results suggest that the last Neanderthals of Carihuela lived between ca. 28,440 and 21,430 yr BP, which agrees with the postulation that southern Spain was the latest refugium for this human species in Europe
Keywords: historical biogeography; Holocene; palaeoecology; Spain; Upper Pleistocene; vegetation history

Holocene environmental change in a montane region of southern Europe with a long history of human settlement - Carrión, J. S. S.; Fuentes, N.; González-Sampériz, P.; Sánchez Quirante, L.; Finlayson, J. C. C.; Fernández, S.; Andrade, a (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2007)
This paper uses a palynological sequence to examine the Holocene (8390–160 cal yr BP) environmental history of the Sierra de Baza (Granada, southeastern Spain) with the goal of establishing the mechanisms exerting control over vegetation change. During the period ca 8390–6320 cal yr BP, Pinus dominated the pollen spectra, indicating a forested landscape over the high-elevation areas of the Sierra. From ca 6320–3800 cal yr BP, an expansion of deciduous oaks and other broad-leaf trees took place. After an optimum around 5800–5600 cal yr BP, mesophytes decreased in the 3800–2560 cal yr BP interval while a ﬁre-prone scrub became established. The main loss of forest accompanied the spread of thorny matorral after ca 2560 cal yr BP. Overall, this mountain region has shown itself to be sensitive to a range of inﬂuences, among which a continental climate that has become increasingly arid over the last 5000 years, the scarcity of soils suitable for cultivation, a geology that includes sources of copper and other metals and, especially, the incidence of grazing as well as the repeated appearance of ﬁres during the last 4000 years, are highlighted. The history of the vegetation of the Sierra de Baza seems clearly inﬂuenced by changes in local economy. Here we discuss how ecological transitions have interacted with cultural changes, with emphasis on the locally highly populated Chalcolithic (5700–4400 cal yr BP) and Argaric (4400–3550 cal yr BP) periods, as well as the Iberian period (3200–2220 cal yr BP). The sierra was abandoned during the Iberian Period which was, paradoxically, when the highest human impact on mountain vegetation is noticeable.
Keywords: Holocene (voyant); Pollen analysis; Sierra de Baza; vegetation changes

How do vigilance and feeding by common cranes Grus grus depend on age, habitat, and flock size? - Avilés, Jesus M.; Bednekoff, Peter a (Journal of Avian Biology, 2007)
Animals often spend less time vigilant and more time feeding when foraging in larger groups. This group-size effect does not, however, consider if larger groups differ systematically from smaller ones: Large groups could form in different habitats than small groups or be composed of a different mix of ages or classes than small groups. We examined how habitat differences and flock size and composition explain feeding and vigilance rates in common cranes Grus grus, wintering in holm oak Quercus ilex dehesas of Spain. Flock size and composition were related to habitat type in cranes: flocks formed in areas sown with cereal crops were larger than flocks formed in set aside areas. Vigilance rate depended on habitat but decreased with increasing flock size in a similar way across all habitats. Juveniles were less vigilant than adults and showed little change in vigilance with flock size. Vigilance increased and feeding time decreased over months from November through February. Our results show that vigilance is affected by habitat but that the group size effect on vigilance is not the product of differences between habitats in group size or composition.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Cranes; Dehesa; feeding; flock size; holm oak canopy (voyant); vigilance

Iberian Pig as a Model To Clarify Obscure Points in the Bioavailability and Metabolism of Ellagitannins in Humans - Espín, Juan Carlos; González-Barrio, Rocío; Cerdá, Begoña; López-Bote, Clemente; Rey, Ana I.; Tomás-Barberán, Francisco a (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2007)
Ellagitannin-containing foods (strawberries, walnuts, pomegranate, raspberries, oak-aged wine, etc.) have attracted attention due to their cancer chemopreventive, cardioprotective, and antioxidant effects. Ellagitannins (ETs) are not absorbed as such but are metabolized by the intestinal flora to yield urolithins (hydroxydibenzopyran-6-one derivatives). In this study, Iberian pig is used as a model to clarify human ET metabolism. Pigs were fed either cereal fodder or acorns, a rich source of ETs. Plasma, urine, bile, lumen and intestinal tissues (jejunum and colon), feces, liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, muscle, and subcutaneous fat tissue were analyzed. The results demonstrate that acorn ETs release ellagic acid (EA) in the jejunum, then the intestinal flora metabolizes EA sequentially to yield tetrahydroxy- (urolithin D), trihydroxy- (urolithin C), dihydroxy- (urolithin A), and monohydroxy- (urolithin B) dibenzopyran-6-one metabolites, which were absorbed preferentially when their lipophilicity increased. Thirty-one ET-derived metabolites were detected, including 25 urolithin and 6 EA derivatives. Twenty-six extensively conjugated metabolites were detected in bile, glucuronides and methyl glucuronides of EA and particularly urolithin A, C, and D derivatives, confirming a very active enterohepatic circulation. Urolithins A and B as well as dimethyl-EA-glucuronide were detected in peripheral plasma. The presence of EA metabolites in bile and in urine and its absence in intestinal tissues suggested its absorption in the stomach. Urolithin A was the only metabolite detected in feces and together with its glucuronide was the most abundant metabolite in urine. No metabolites accumulated in any organ analyzed. The whole metabolism of ETs is shown for the first time, confirming previous studies in humans and explaining the long persistency of urolithin metabolites in the body mediated by an active enterohepatic circulation.
From Duplicate 2 (Iberian Pig as a Model To Clarify Obscure Points in the Bioavailability and Metabolism of Ellagitannins in Humans - Espín, Juan Carlos; González-Barrio, Rocío; Cerdá, Begoña; López-Bote, Clemente; Rey, Ana I; Tomás-Barberán, Francisco A)From Duplicate 2 (Iberian Pig as a Model To Clarify Obscure Points in the Bioavailability and Metabolism of Ellagitannins in Humans - Espín, Juan Carlos; González-Barrio, Rocío; Cerdá, Begoña; López-Bote, Clemente; Rey, Ana I; Tomás-Barberán, Francisco A)The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: American Chemical Society accession-num: 17990850
Keywords: Animal; Animals; bile; bioavailability; Biological Availability; Body Fluids; Body Fluids: chemistry; Cereals; Cereals: chemistry; colon; diet; ellagic acid; Ellagitannin; gall bladder; Humans; Hydrolyzable Tannins; Hydrolyzable Tannins: metabolism; Hydrolyzable Tannins: pharmacokinetics; intestine; metabolism; Models; Quercus; Seeds; Seeds: chemistry; Swine; Swine: metabolism; Tissue Distribution; urolithin

Influence of cattle grazing on the density of oak seedlings and saplings in a Tabor oak forest in Israel - Dufour-Dror, Jean-Marc (Acta Oecologica, 2007)
The effects of cattle grazing on the density of seedlings and saplings in a Tabor oak forest (Quercus ithaburensis subsp. ithaburensis) are investigated. The Tabor oak forest studied is located in a Nature Reserve in the Mediterranean region of Israel. Cattle graze at a stocking density of 0.71 head/ha for 6 months a year. The cattle grazing in the Nature Reserve is a beneficial management measure because it enhances plant species richness and reduces shrub encroachment. The impact of grazing on the densities of seedlings and young saplings was quantified in 46 large sampling plots (333 m2 each) distributed over two experimental sites; the first being used as a rangeland for decades while the second is a forest patch totally free from grazing. The density and the height of Tabor oak individuals in each sampling plot were recorded. Four height categories were distinguished with a special focus on young seedlings (<0.15 m), established seedlings and young saplings (0.15 m–1 m). The density of seedlings and young sapling in the grazed Tabor oak forest were, respectively, 61% to 67% lower than in the ungrazed treatment. Implications on the continuity of the entire Tabor oak forest ecosystem are discussed. Three management measures that enable to prevent a decrease in young oak densities are proposed – reduction of stocking rate, deferment of the commencement of grazing, and fencing young seedlings.
Keywords: Eastern Mediterranean; Israel; Management measures; Mediterranean deciduous oak forest; quercus ithaburensis subsp ithaburensis