REVEGETATION IN SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC FARMS IN MEDITERRANEAN AREAS - Perez-de-los-Reyes, Caridad; Sanchez Ormeno, Monica; Amoros Ortiz-Villajos, Jose Angel; Garcia Navarro, F. Jesus; Campos Gallego, Juan; Martinez Lopez, Raquel; Rubio Berenguer, Francisca; la Rubia Carretero, Oscar (FRESENIUS ENVIRONMENTAL BULLETIN, 2013)
In order to ascertain the native species best adapted to different soil and climatic conditions in Mediterranean areas degraded by the installation of solar photovoltaic farms, six shrub species, which would act as a hedge, were planted around the perimeter of a photovoltaic farm (Olea europaea var. sylvestris, Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia terebinthus, Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex and Retama sphaerocarpa). In the midst of the solar panels, eight species for revegetation, acting as a cover to protect the soil, were also planted (Cistus ladanifer, Cistus monspeliensis, Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula stoechas, Phillyrea angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Romarinus officinalis var. postratus and Thymus vulgaris) under conditions of sun or shade (shaded by solar panels). During 2009 and 2010 the plants of each species were checked and their survival and growth were recorded. In the hedge, Retama sphaerocarpa (100%), Olea europaea var. sylvestris (95.8%) and Pistacia lentiscus (95.8%) had the highest survival percentages. These were also the species that presented the highest apical growth after two years (18.3 +/- 14.7, 12.3 +/- 12.4 and 12.1 +/- 5.1 cm, respectively). Only two of the species planted under the solar panels had a survival percentage above 50% and these were Cistus monspeliensis (62.5%) and Phillyrea angustifolia (97.9%), with increases of the apical growth by 25.6 +/- 9.9 cm and 10.3 +/- 9.8 cm, respectively. The development of plants under either sun or shade was not a statistically significant factor. The results can be extrapolated to other Mediterranean areas dealing with the same problems.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: ANGERSTR. 12, 85354 FREISING, GERMANY publisher: PARLAR SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS (P S P)
Keywords: apical growth; Mediterranean shrubs; species factor; sun-shade conditions; Survival

Revisiting the fate of buds: size and position drive bud mortality and bursting in two coexisting Mediterranean Quercus species with contrasting leaf habit - Alla, Arben Q.; Julio Camarero, J.; Palacio, Sara; Montserrat-Martí, Gabriel (TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION, 2013)
Understanding the relationships between bud size and position and bud fate through time is crucial for identifying and subsequently modeling the mechanisms underlying tree architecture. However, there is a lack of information on how bud size drives crown architectural patterns in coexisting tree species. We studied bud demography in two coexisting Mediterranean oak species with contrasting leaf habit (Quercus ilex, evergreen; Q. faginea, deciduous). The main objective was to analyse the effect of bud size on the fate of buds with different positions along the shoot (apical, leaf axillary and scale-cataphyll axillary buds). The number, length and position of all buds and stems were recorded in marked branches during 4 years. Study species presented different strategies in bud production and lifespan. The evergreen species showed greater mortality rate than the deciduous one, which produced larger buds. Bud size and position were highly related since apical buds where longer than axillary ones and bud length declined basipetally along the stem. Apical buds had also higher chances of bursting than axillary ones. Within positions, longer buds presented a higher probability of bursting than shorter ones, although no absolute size threshold was found below which bud bursting was impaired. In Q. ilex, four-year-old buds were still viable and able to burst, whereas in Q. faginea practically all buds burst in their first year or died soon after. Such different bud longevities may indicate contrasting strategies in primary growth between both species. Q. ilex is able to accumulate viable buds for several ages, whereas Q. faginea seems to rely on the production of large current-year buds with high bursting probability under favourable environmental conditions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA publisher: SPRINGER
Keywords: Bud demography; Bud position; Bud size; Budburst; Quercus faginea; Quercus ilex subsp ballota

Road verges are refuges for small mammal populations in extensively managed Mediterranean landscapes - Ruiz-Capillas, Pablo; Mata, Cristina; Malo, Juan E (Biological Conservation, 2013)
Understanding how roads affect the persistence of animal populations is one of the challenges of road ecology. Small mammals are of great interest on account of their value as indicators of environmental impacts and their key role in ecosystems. Nevertheless, there is a large gap in our knowledge of small mammal communities in the proximity of roads. An intensive study was conducted of the effect of a motorway on the small mammal communities in an extensively managed Mediterranean landscape. Live-trapping methods were used over a 2-year period to characterise the structure and dynamics of small mammal populations at increasing distances from the motorway (0–500–1000 m). In total, 1004 individuals of three species were captured. All three were signiﬁcantly more abundant nearest to the motorway. In addition, in the case of the wood mouse, a higher proportion of juveniles was found at 0 m and 500 m from the motorway and its abundance was independent of other, habitat-related, characteristics. The greater abundance of small mammals in close vicinity to the motorway became more obvious during the second year, when a population crash reduced captures by over 60%. Thus, the ratio of captures alongside the motorway relative to those at the other distances analysed rose from approximately 3:2 to 9:2. The results point to roadside verges being an important refuge for small mammals in terms both of greater abundance and population stability. This ﬁnding has important implications from the viewpoint of conservation biology and for management of the environmental impacts of roads.
Keywords: Apodemus sylvaticus; Habitat degradation; microhabitat; Motorway; Population crash; rodents

Role of Chemical Components of cork on Sorption of Aqueous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - Environ, J. (International Journal of Environmental Research, 2013)
In order to know the environmental behaviour of toxic pollutants it is fundamental to understand the role of chemical components of a material on sorption of such pollutants.In this study, the sorption of a mix of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by cork fractions (i.e. raw cork (CF), free extractive cork (FEF) and nonsaponifiable (DESF)) has been investigated to better understand the role of biopolymers and extractable fraction of cork on their sorption behaviour. All samples were analyzed through elemental analysis and were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. After removing the extractable fraction and the suberin from the cork, the sorption capacities (Koc ) of FEF and DESF exhibited mean reductions of 70% and 30% respectively. In addition, the sorption results of three pairs of cork samples with different chemical content confirm that the extractable fraction serves as the major sorption medium for PAHs. Considering only low molecular weight PAHs positive correlations between Koc with Kow (R2 =0.70) and F number (R2 =0.65) were found, showing that these parameters are involved in this adsorption process
Keywords: biopolymers; Cork; extractable fraction; organic pollutants; PAHs

The role of holm oak edges in the control of disturbance and conservation of plant diversity in fire-prone landscapes - Azevedo, J.C. C C; Possacos, a.; Aguiar, C.F. F F; Amado, a.; Miguel, L.; Dias, R.; Loureiro, C.; Fernandes, P.M. M M (Forest Ecology and Management, 2013)
Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia) woodlands have been able to persist in ﬁre-prone landscapes in northern Portugal where they seem to play a relevant role in community and landscape level patterns and processes, namely in the control of disturbance events and in the maintenance of biodiversity. In this research we tested the following hypotheses: (i) holm oak woodlands affect ﬁre behavior, mainly by disrupting and delaying ﬁre spread; (ii) disruption and delaying of ﬁre spread is due to ﬁre extinction at the edge of woodlands; and (iii) plant diversity is favored by frequent low-intensity ﬁres as a result of the control of ﬁre spread by holm oak woodland edges. We sampled herbaceous, shrub and tree structure and herbaceous plant composition across edges of holm oak woodlands with known recent contact with ﬁre. Using BehavePlus we converted structural data into fuel models and simulated ﬁre behavior for the locations sampled along the exterior–interior gradient of the woodlands. Our results indicate that holm oak woodlands play a relevant role in the control of ﬁre spread and in the maintenance of plant diversity. We found differences in simulated maximum rate of ﬁre spread (ROS) and ﬁreline intensity (FLI) between outside and inside woodlands as well as a 100% probability of ﬁre extinction when fuel moisture was >12% and wind speed at 10 m aboveground was <40 km h1 , supporting the self-extinction hypothesis. We found also that richness and abundance of herbaceous plants varied between the interior and exterior of the woodland, with higher values outside the woodland, and that plant composition along the interior– exterior gradient had distinct patterns. These variables and the pattern of plant distribution were also signiﬁcantly affected by time since last ﬁre event. We conclude that holm oak woodlands affect ﬁre behavior by interrupting ﬁre spread at the edge zone and that ﬁre-created edges affect herbaceous plant species richness, abundance and distribution by maintaining habitat diversity, which increased plant diversity at patch and landscape levels. Based on our results and other evidence, we developed a conceptual model of the dynamics of ﬁre, landscape structure, and plant diversity in ﬁre-prone landscapes where holm oak patches persist.
Keywords: Edges; Fire behavior; Mediterranean Region; plant diversity; Portugal; Quercus rotundifolia

The role of interannual rainfall variability on runoff generation in a small dry sub-humid watershed with disperse tree cover - Schnabel, S; Gomez GUTIÉRREZ, A (Cuadernos de Investigación Geográfica, 2013)
Recent studies in small experimental catchments under Mediterranean-type climate revealed a complex hydrological catchment response, presenting saturation excess runoff generation and, to a minor degree, infiltration excess flow. Many of these catchments, however, belong to areas with sub-humid or humid Mediterranean climate. Catchment studies were carried out since 1991 in savannah-like grazed land (dehesas), which are widespread in south-western Spain, and also elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Albeit knowledge gained by previous studies, no thorough analysis has been carried out on the temporal variation of discharge production using the complete dataset. The objectives include i) an analysis of the temporal variation of discharge and rainfall at different temporal scales, ii) exploration of the role of antecedent soil moisture conditions in runoff production, iii) empirical modeling of rainfall- runoff relationships at the event scale and iv) definition of the importance of interannual rainfall variation on discharge production. The analysis were based on rainfall and runoff which were monitored at a time resolution of 5 minutes and periodically measured soil moisture from various depth in the valley bottom. Regression analysis as well as the comparison of hydrographs illustrate on the importance of antecedent rainfall conditions. Soil moisture in the valley bottom was crucial to understand the hydrological behaviour of the catchment. A soil moisture threshold of 0.37 m3 m-3 was defined above which runoff coefficients increase sharply. This situation is reached with 170 mm of antecedent rain falling in a continuous way. The results indicate that saturation excess flow and preferential subsurface flow processes are responsible of most of the runoff generated. Hortonian type overland flow dominates under dry soil conditions and is produced by high intensity rainfall. Non-linear regression analysis with data grouped according to antecedent catchment conditions produced highly significant regression models, explaining event discharge with three variables: Maximum 60-minute rainfall intensity (I60), event rainfall minus I60 and mean antecedent daily rainfall. Variability of monthly runoff is best explained by interannual rainfall variation rather than by mean seasonal distribution. During droughts, which are a common feature in the Mediterranean, discharge was very low. Runoff is highly concentrated in time with 10% of the months accounting for 85% of total discharge.
Keywords: Dehesa; discharge; Drought; empirical modelling; RAINFALL; Soil moisture

Root functioning, tree water use and hydraulic redistribution in Quercus suber trees: A modeling approach based on root sap flow - David, Teresa S.; Pinto, Clara A.; Nadezhdina, Nadezhda; Kurz-Besson, Cathy; Henriques, Manuel O.; Quilhó, Teresa; Čermák, Jan; Chaves, M. Manuela; Pereira, João S.; David, Jorge S. (Forest Ecology and Management, 2013)
Mediterranean evergreen oaks have to survive a long summer drought. Roots may play a relevant role under these conditions. We studied their structure and function in a mature Quercus suber L. tree in central Portugal. The root system was mapped till the lowest water table level (4.5 m depth). Xylem anatomy was analyzed in a vertical profile belowground. Sap flow was continuously monitored for 1.5 yrs in the stem and roots of this intensively studied tree (heat field deformation method) and in the stem of four trees (Granier method), in relation to environmental variables and predawn leaf water potential. The sources of water uptake were assessed by stable isotope analyses in summer. Results showed a dimorphic root system with a network of superficial roots linked to sinker roots, and a taproot diverting into tangles of deep fine roots submerged for long periods, with parenchyma aerenchyma. Transpiration was not restricted in summer due to root access to groundwater. The isotopic δ18O signature of twig xylem water was similar to that of groundwater in the dry season. Two functional types of superficial roots were identified: shallow connected and deep connected roots. A modeling approach was built considering that each superficial root was linked to a sinker, with part of the root deep connected (between the stem and the sinker) and part shallow connected (between the sinker and topsoil). This conceptual framework simulated tree stem sap flow from root sap flow with a high efficiency (R2 = 0.85) in four plot trees. On an annual basis, soil water and groundwater contributions were 69.5% and 30.5% of stem flow, respectively. Annual hydraulic lift and hydraulic descent were 0.9% and 37.0% of stem flow, respectively. The trees maximize the exploitation of the environmental resources by using the topsoil water during most of the year, and groundwater together with hydraulic lift (nutrient supply) in the dry summer. This study shows that a dimorphic root system, with roots reaching groundwater, is an efficient strategy of Q. suber trees to cope with seasonal drought. Knowledge of the functional behavior of Q. suber trees under shallow water table conditions may contribute to the definition of better adapted management practices and to anticipate their responses to climate change.
Keywords: Drought; groundwater; soil water; Stable isotopes; xylem anatomy

Seasonal and inter-annual variability of bud development as related to climate in two coexisting Mediterranean Quercus species - Alla, Arben Q.; Camarero, J. Julio; Montserrat-Martí, Gabriel (Annals of Botany, 2013)
Background and Aims In trees, bud development is driven by endogenous and exogenous factors such as species and climate, respectively. However, knowledge is scarce on how these factors drive changes in bud size across different time scales.Methods The seasonal patterns of apical bud enlargement are related to primary and secondary growth in two coexisting Mediterranean oaks with contrasting leaf habit (Quercus ilex, evergreen; Quercus faginea, deciduous) over three years. In addition, the climatic factors driving changes in bud size of the two oak species were determined by correlating bud mass with climatic variables at different time scales (from 5 to 30 d) over a 15-year period.Key Results The maximum enlargement rate of buds was reached between late July and mid-August in both species. Moreover, apical bud size increased with minimum air temperatures during the period of maximum bud enlargement rates.Conclusions The forecasted rising minimum air temperatures predicted by climatic models may affect bud size and consequently alter crown architecture differentially in sympatric Mediterranean oaks. However, the involvement of several drivers controlling the final size of buds makes it difficult to predict the changes in bud size as related to ongoing climate warming.
10.1093/aob/mcs24710.1093/aob/mcs247
Keywords: Bud size; current-year stem; Quercus faginea; quercus ilex subsp. ballota; summer growth; Temperature

Seasonal variations in terpene emission factors of dominant species in four ecosystems in NE Spain - Llusia, Joan; Penuelas, Josep; Guenther, Alex; Rapparini, Francesca (Atmospheric Environment, 2013)
We studied the daily patterns in the rates of foliar terpene emissions by four typical species from the Mediterranean region in two days of early spring and two days of summer in 4 localities of increasing biomass cover in Northern Spain. The species studied were Thymelaea tinctoria (in Monegros), Quercus coccifera (in Garraf), Quercus ilex (in Prades) and Fagus sylvatica (in Montseny). Of the total 43 VOCs detected, 23 were monoterpenes, 5 sesquiterpenes and 15 were not terpenes. Sesquiterpenes were the main terpenes emitted from T. tinctoria. Total VOC emission rates were on average about 15 times higher in summer than in early spring. The maximum rates of emission were recorded around midday. Emissions nearly stopped in the dark. No significant differences were found for nocturnal total terpene emission rates between places and seasons. The seasonal variations in the rate of terpene emissions and in their chemical composition can be explained mainly by dramatic changes in emission factors (emission capacity) associated in some cases, such as for beech trees, with very different foliar ontogenical characteristics between spring and summer. The results show that temperature and light-standardised emission rates were on average about 15 times higher in summer than in early spring, which, corroborating other works, calls to attention when applying the same emission factor in modelling throughout the different seasons of the year.
Keywords: climatic gradient; Emission rates; Mediterranean ecosystems; Seasonality; terpenes

Seasonal variations in terpene emission factors of dominant species in four ecosystems in NE Spain - Llusia, Joan; Penuelas, Josep; Guenther, Alex; Rapparini, Francesca (Atmospheric Environment, 2013)
We studied the daily patterns in the rates of foliar terpene emissions by four typical species from the Mediterranean region in two days of early spring and two days of summer in 4 localities of increasing biomass cover in Northern Spain. The species studied were Thymelaea tinctoria (in Monegros), Quercus coccifera (in Garraf), Quercus ilex (in Prades) and Fagus sylvatica (in Montseny). Of the total 43 VOCs detected, 23 were monoterpenes, 5 sesquiterpenes and 15 were not terpenes. Sesquiterpenes were the main terpenes emitted from T. tinctoria. Total VOC emission rates were on average about 15 times higher in summer than in early spring. The maximum rates of emission were recorded around midday. Emissions nearly stopped in the dark. No significant differences were found for nocturnal total terpene emission rates between places and seasons. The seasonal variations in the rate of terpene emissions and in their chemical composition can be explained mainly by dramatic changes in emission factors (emission capacity) associated in some cases, such as for beech trees, with very different foliar ontogenical characteristics between spring and summer. The results show that temperature and light-standardised emission rates were on average about 15 times higher in summer than in early spring, which, corroborating other works, calls to attention when applying the same emission factor in modelling throughout the different seasons of the year.
Keywords: climatic gradient; Emission rates; Mediterranean ecosystems; Seasonality; terpenes

Short Communication. Effect of the health status and geographical origin on the cork production characteristics of Western Algeria cork oak stands - Dahane, B.; Bouhraoua, R. T.; GARCIA DE CECA, J. L.; GONZÁLEZ-ADRADOS, J. R. (Forest Systems; Vol 22, No 1 (2013), 2013)
Aim of study : To analyze the effect of health status on cork production, analyzing if this influence is uniform or is affected by site conditions. Area of study : Two Western Algerian cork tree forests have been studied: M’Sila located in the coastal plains under semiarid climate, and Zarieffet, located in the mountainous interior under sub-humid climate. Material and Methods : 40 trees were selected in each forest and classified according to their health status as healthy, weakened, or decaying. A sample of cork from each tree has been obtained to measure the key variables related to cork production. A two-way ANOVA was performed considering two factors: site and health status. Main results : Quercus suber L. productivity is affected by the vitality of trees in the same way in both sources, showing values between 5.96 ± 7.1 kg • m -2 (coast, weakened trees) and 8.13 ± 0.45 kg • m -2 (mountain, healthy trees). The health status also affects the number and area of pores, especially in the cork oak groves of the coast, where the coefficient of porosity ranges from 3.79 ± 0.84% (healthy trees) to 8.11 ± 1.91% (decaying trees). The variables where the site has presented a stronger effect are those related to the amount of cork produced by the phellogen (density -kg·l -1 , p<0.000- and productivity -kg·m -2 , p=0.001-), and pore density (1·cm -2 , p=0.001). Scrap thickness (mm) and porosity (%) show a smaller effect although still representative (p=0.041 and 0.038 respectively). Porosity and pore density show interaction site*health status. They all have higher values in the mountain (Zarieffet) than in the coast (M’Sila). The effect of tree vitality on the formation of pores in the cork oak phellogen is lower in the mountain than in the coast. No significant effects were found for any of the two factors neither on the annual growth rate nor on the thickness of the cork. Research highlights : Results lead to the conclusion that the effect of health status on traumatic phellogen formation and activity is clear but not uniform. Further studies are necessary for a deeper understanding of the effect of stress situations on pore formation and characteristics. Keywords: mean annual growth; density; productivity; porosity; decay
Keywords: decay; Density; mean annual growth; Porosity; productivity

Short-term dynamics of Quercus ilex advance regeneration in a Pinus nigra plantation after the creation of small canopy gaps - Garcia-Barreda, S.; Reyna, S. (FOREST SYSTEMS, 2013)
Aim of the study: The aim of the research is to analyse the role of Quercus ilex advance regeneration in the stand regeneration of pine plantations after small-sized canopy openings, and to assess the influence of the forest stand and the canopy opening. The performance of the advance regeneration under the pine plantation is also examined. Area of study: A Pinus nigra plantation in dry Continental Mediterranean climate in eastern Spain. Material and methods: The tree regeneration of ten canopy openings of 0.17-0.43 ha was monitored during five years after treatment. It was also sampled in 0.12 ha-plots in the non-treated pine plantation surrounding the openings. Main results: An important increase in the height of Q. ilex regeneration was observed in the openings, unlike what was found in the intact pine plantation. In the pine plantation, stand density showed a moderate positive influence on the density of Q. ilex regeneration, whereas in the canopy gaps Q. ilex height was negatively influenced by stand density before the opening. Research highlights: The canopy opening triggered a response in Q. ilex advance regeneration, although height growth rates seemed to reduce over time. The results support the view that promoting Q. ilex in pine plantations may require different management strategies depending on the characteristics of the pine overstorey and on the density and size of the advance regeneration.
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: group selection cutting; mediterranean forest; seedling resprout; stand initiation; truffle

Social–ecological heritage and the conservation of Mediterranean landscapes under global change. A case study in Olzinelles (Catalonia) - Otero, Iago; Boada, Martí; Tàbara, Joan David (Land Use Policy, 2013)
Both biological and cultural diversities seem to be diminishing together along with the progressive interconnection of peoples and ecosystems of the earth under the rules and dynamics of global markets. This has led some conservationists and social scientists to highlight the need for enhanced knowledge on the complex interrelationships between cultural and biological diversities if successful conservation strategies are to be achieved. In this work we show how the long-term coevolution between peasants and their environment sustained habitats and species that are now declining along with rural exodus in a mountainous area of the Mediterranean, a region where the maintenance of diverse landscapes is very much related to the presence of traditional rural activities. We provide an account of agrosilvopastoral practices once performed by the local peasant community and show their embeddedness in a particular set of institutions and worldview within an adaptive social–ecological system. We argue that such practices constitute an essential social–ecological heritage entailing valuable insights for the conservation of Mediterranean landscapes under conditions of global change.
Keywords: Biodiversity; conservation; Cultural diversity; Mediterranean; Social–ecological heritage

Soil C and N dynamics in a Mediterranean oak woodland with shrub encroachment - Gómez-Rey, Maria Xesús; Madeira, Manuel; Gonzalez-Prieto, Serafin Jesús; Coutinho, João (Plant and Soil, 2013)
Background and aims Intensive land use has led to degradation and abandonment of Portuguese oak woodlands, and subsequent shrub encroachment may have altered the spatial heterogeneity of soil C and N pools. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of shrub invasion on soil C and N dynamics in an oak woodland in Southern Portugal. Methods Soil was sampled beneath and outside scat- tered Quercus suber L. canopies, considering non- encroached areas and areas encroached by shrubs (Cistus ladanifer L. or Cistus salviifolius L.). Results The spatial heterogeneity of soil C and N contents was mainly associated with tree presence. Outside tree canopies, the labile C pools were larger (mainly beneath C. ladanifer) and C cycling was faster in encroached areas than in non-encroached areas. Net and gross N mineralization and urease and protease activities were also higher in encroached than in non- encroached areas; however, the metabolic quotient and the Cmicrobial/Corganic ratio were not significantly affected. Beneath the tree canopy, significant effects of encroachment included a small increase in soil labile C and the enzymatic activity beneath C. ladanifer. Conclusions The results indicate the potential capaci- ty of shrub encroachment to accumulate soil organic C in the long term. The rate of soil C and N turnover promoted by shrub encroachment may depend on the Cistus species present.
Keywords: 15 N isotope dilution technique; gross N mineralization; hot water-soluble C; particulate organic matter; Soil respiration

Somatic embryogenesis in holm oak male catkins - Blasco, M.; Barra, A.; Brisa, C.; Corredoira, E.; Segura, J.; Toribio, M.; Arrillaga, I. (Plant Growth Regulation, 2013)
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) of tree species is the most promising method for the implementation of multivarietal forestry and for biotechnological approaches. To date, however, the application of this technology to mature trees is restricted to a few species. This is the first report on the induction of SE from male catkins of 100-year-old holm oaks (Quercus ilex L.). Embryogenic competence was mainly dependent on genotype and restricted to the most advanced catkin developmental stage with distinguishable closed flowers along the axis. Fol- lowing a three-stage treatment procedure, embryogenic response (frequencies up 3.3 %) was obtained in three [Remedio, Villar del Arzobispo (VA) and Hunde (HU)] out of the five genotypes evaluated. In the culture conditions tested, the preferred protocol to induce SE in holm oak catkins should include: induction on MS medium with 6-benzyladenine and naphthaleneacetic acid, subculture onto medium with a reduced concentration of both plant growth regulators and a final transference to medium without growth regulators. Under these conditions cotyledonary-stage cotyledonary-stage somatic embryos developed from brown calli with or without nodular structures. Secondary SE, favored by the addition of sorbitol to the manifestation medium, allowed the establishment of 14 embryogenic lines belonging to VA and HU genotypes. Histological observations of the proliferating cultures revealed the presence of globular, torpedo and cotyledonary somatic embryos. Somatic embryos were diploid as verified by flow cytometry analysis, suggesting that they originated from the perianthic tissue of the male flower
Keywords: adult trees; developmental stage; flow cytometry; forest biotechnology; histology; micropropagation; Quercus ilex; secondary embryogenesis

The Spanish livestock model: A coevolutionary analysis - Ríos-Núñez, Sandra M; Coq-Huelva, Daniel; García-Trujillo, Roberto (Ecological Economics, 2013)
Coevolution is a wide theoretical framework that enables the study of socio-ecological transformations in different contexts and, specifically, in agrarian systems. This article analyses coevolutionary changes in Spanish livestock over the last 50 years, fromthe so-called “traditional” livestock model, in which ecological, social and economic elements co-evolve in closely interconnected relationships, to the currently dominant industrial livestock model, governed by “ecologies at a distance”. Not only meat consumption grew significantly as a consequence of the change in the prevailing livestock production model, Spain also became one of the most important meat producers in the European Union. Simultaneously, dependence on imported cereals and soya increased dramatically. Nevertheless, in spite of the prevalence of industrial logics, extensive livestock farming, that follows hybrid logics incorporating features from both models, still exists in Spain and, particularly, in Andalusia (Southern Spain). This locally based model is characterised by higher environmental standards, as well as its contribution to the preservation of a singular agro-ecosystem(dehesa). However, its long-termtrans- formation and, therefore, the social construction ofmore sustainable local livestock systems,must be understood as a co-evolutionary process in which agency and social selection of innovations are essential elements.
Keywords: Agro-systems; Coevolution; livestock; Socio-ecological systems; Spain

Spatial relationships between the standing vegetation and the soil seed bank in a fire-prone encroached dehesa in Central Spain - Torres, Ivan; Cespedes, Blanca; Perez, Beatriz; Moreno, Jose M (PLANT ECOLOGY, 2013)
Postfire vegetation regeneration in many fire-prone ecosystems is soil seed bank dependent. Although vegetation and seed bank may be spatially structured, the role of prefire vegetation patterns and fire in determining postfire vegetation patterns is poorly known. Here, we investigated the spatial patterning of species abundance and richness in the vegetation and seed bank of a Mediterranean encroached dehesa in Central Spain. The seed bank was studied with and without a heat shock simulating a spatially homogeneous fire. Semivariograms and cross-semivariograms showed that species richness in the vegetation was aggregated in patches, mainly of herbs, with highest values corresponding to high herb cover and low tree cover. Species richness in the seed bank was also structured in patches, but the spatial pattern was weak. Seedling density of germinates in the seed bank also showed weak spatial pattern. Heating increased overall germination and species richness, and the intensity of the spatial pattern of species richness, particularly of herbaceous species. However, seed bank density patterns disappeared after heat shock because of increased germination of shrubs without spatial pattern. Our results document that the spatial structure of plant richness in the vegetation may persist after fire due to the spatial patterns of herbaceous species in the seed bank, and that postfire species richness patterns can arise independently of fire intensity patterns. However, the spatial structure of the vegetation after fire can be altered by the feedback between shrub encroachment and an eventual fire because of the ubiquitous germination of shrubs.
Keywords: Land abandonment; Land-use change; Seeder; Semivariogram; Species richness

Spatial relationships between the standing vegetation and the soil seed bank in a fire-prone encroached dehesa in Central Spain - Torres, Ivan; Cespedes, Blanca; Perez, Beatriz; Moreno, Jose M. (PLANT ECOLOGY, 2013)
Postfire vegetation regeneration in many fire-prone ecosystems is soil seed bank dependent. Although vegetation and seed bank may be spatially structured, the role of prefire vegetation patterns and fire in determining postfire vegetation patterns is poorly known. Here, we investigated the spatial patterning of species abundance and richness in the vegetation and seed bank of a Mediterranean encroached dehesa in Central Spain. The seed bank was studied with and without a heat shock simulating a spatially homogeneous fire. Semivariograms and cross-semivariograms showed that species richness in the vegetation was aggregated in patches, mainly of herbs, with highest values corresponding to high herb cover and low tree cover. Species richness in the seed bank was also structured in patches, but the spatial pattern was weak. Seedling density of germinates in the seed bank also showed weak spatial pattern. Heating increased overall germination and species richness, and the intensity of the spatial pattern of species richness, particularly of herbaceous species. However, seed bank density patterns disappeared after heat shock because of increased germination of shrubs without spatial pattern. Our results document that the spatial structure of plant richness in the vegetation may persist after fire due to the spatial patterns of herbaceous species in the seed bank, and that postfire species richness patterns can arise independently of fire intensity patterns. However, the spatial structure of the vegetation after fire can be altered by the feedback between shrub encroachment and an eventual fire because of the ubiquitous germination of shrubs.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS publisher: SPRINGER
Keywords: Land abandonment; Land-use change; Seeder; Semivariogram; Species richness

Spatiotemporal variation in acorn production and damage in a Spanish holm oak (Quercus ilex) dehesa - Perez Izquierdo, L; Pulido, F (Forest Systems; Vol 22, No 1 (2013), 2013)
Aim of study. There is a lack of knowledge about spatio-temporal patterns of acorn production in dehesas, especially regarding the influence of different agents causing acorn damage. We examined the spatial and temporal variability on acorn production and damage in four stands within a dehesa farm in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Area of study. The study was carried out in a 1800 ha dehesa farm of Cáceres province, western Spain. Material and Methods. Acorns were sampled by means of seed traps placed in the canopy of six holm oak trees per stand. Acorn collected in it were counted and assessed for damage by Curculio weevils, Cydia moths and the bacterial pathogen Brenneria quercina . Main results. Mean acorn production for the whole study period was 44.60 acorns m -2 , which did not vary significantly either among stands or among years. The variability among individual trees was very high (0-300 acorns m -2 ). The rate of infestation by Curculio was 7.64 ± 10.72 %, by Cydia was 1.76 ± 3.33 %, whereas 10.29 ± 16.12 % of acorns were infested by Brenneria . We found no significant spatial differences, but the rates of acorn loss by insects varied among years. These rates were independent of annual acorn production and there was no correlation among damages by different pests, except between Curculio and Cydia in two crop years. Research highlights. It can be concluded that acorn crops are synchronized at the within-farm level and that the temporal variation in acorn damages can be independent of crop size. Keywords: Acorn production; Brenneria; Curculio; Cydia; dehesa; Quercus ilex; spatio-temporal variation.
Keywords: acorn production; Brenneria; Curculio; Cydia; Dehesa; Quercus ilex; spatio-temporal variation

A step towards the use of biomonitors as estimators of atmospheric PAHs for regulatory purposes. - Augusto, Sofia; Pereira, Maria J.; Máguas, Cristina; Branquinho, Cristina (Chemosphere, 2013)
One of the main drawbacks of using lichens to monitor atmospheric PAHs has been reported as the inexistence of studies aiming to translate PAH values in lichens into the atmospheric equivalents ones, in order to use this information for regulatory purposes. In this work, PAH concentrations in lichens were compared with PAH concentrations measured in a conventional active sampler in an outdoor environment for a 9-month span. Significant positive correlations between HMW-PAHs, Σ16 EPA-PAHs, and BaP equivalent concentrations in lichens and those in air (TSP) were found. Concentrations of Σ16 EPA-PAHs in lichens and air showed a seasonal variation, with highest values during winter and lowest values during summer. Meteorological variables - temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and wind speed - showed to significantly influence PAH concentrations in both lichens and air. Based on the significant linear correlations, equations for translating PAH concentrations measured in lichens into equivalent ones for air were proposed for the first time, allowing a broader use of lichens' information regarding PAHs in monitoring schemes and decision-making.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 23668962
Keywords: Air; BaP; Biomonitors; Environment; Human health; PAHs

Stochastic gradient boosting classification trees for forest fuel types mapping through airborne laser scanning and IRS LISS-III imagery - Chirici, G.; Scotti, R.; Montaghi, a; Barbati, a; Cartisano, R.; Lopez, G.; Marchetti, M.; McRoberts, R. E. E.; Olsson, H.; Corona, P. (International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 2013)
This paper presents an application of Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) data in conjunction with an IRS LISS-III image for mapping forest fuel types. For two study areas of 165 km2 and 487 km2 in Sicily (Italy), 16,761 plots of size 30-m × 30-m were distributed using a tessellation-based stratified sampling scheme. ALS metrics and spectral signatures from IRS extracted for each plot were used as predictors to classify forest fuel types observed and identified by photointerpretation and fieldwork. Following use of tra- ditional parametric methods that produced unsatisfactory results, three non-parametric classification approaches were tested: (i) classification and regression tree (CART), (ii) the CART bagging method called Random Forests, and (iii) the CART bagging/boosting stochastic gradient boosting (SGB) approach. This contribution summarizes previous experiences using ALS data for estimating forest variables useful for fire management in general and for fuel type mapping, in particular. It summarizes characteristics of classification and regression trees, presents the pre-processing operation, the classification algorithms, and the achieved results. The results demonstrated superiority of the SGB method with overall accuracy of 84%. The most relevant ALS metric was canopy cover, defined as the percent of non-ground returns. Other relevant metrics included the spectral information from IRS and several other ALS metrics such as percentiles of the height distribution, the mean height of all returns, and the number of returns.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: airborne laser scanning; Classification and regression trees; Forest fires; forest fuel type mapping; irs liss-iii imagery; Mediterranean forests

Stratification ratio of soil organic C, N and C:N in Mediterranean evergreen oak woodland with conventional and organic tillage - Corral-Fernández, R.; Parras-Alcántara, L.; Lozano-García, B. (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2013)
TheMediterraneanevergreenoakwoodland(MEOW-dehesa)is themostwidespreadagroforestry system in Mediterranean Europe and integrates forestry, agricultural and livestock practices. The MEOW-dehesa is a grazing system with evergreen Quercus ilex spp. ballota. It is characterized by the conservation of forest oaks (Quercus spp.) and provides environmental beneﬁts such as carbon capture and storage in soils. The effect of conventional tillage (CT) and organic tillage (OT) on the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and C:N ratios has not been well documented in the MEOW-dehesa. The objective of this paper is to study these parameters in the MEOW-dehesa in two soil types (Leptosols and Cambisols) and two management systems, OT for 20 years and CT. The stratiﬁcation ratio (SR) of SOC, TN and C:N ratio is also evaluated. An analysis is performed on 85 soil proﬁles over the 2005–2009 period in southern Spain. The SR of SOC in Cambisols was greater under OT than CT, ranging from 1.25 to 1.42 and from 1.3 to 1.6 under CT and OT, respectively. The SR of TN for 0–20.9 cm, 20.9–55.5 cm and 55.5–102.1 cm depth was greater under OT than under CT. The OT also increased the stratiﬁcation of the C:N ratio compared to CT.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: C:N ratio; Dehesa; Soil organic carbon; Stratiﬁcation ratio; Tillage

Suitability of the management of habitat complexity, acorn burial depth, and a chemical repellent for post-fire reforestation of oaks - Leverkus, A B; Castro, J; PUERTA-PIÑERO, C; Rey Benayas, J M (Ecological Engineering, 2013)
Acorn sowing is a reforestation technique that can potentially render high-quality oak seedlings and high seedling survival, although it is often discarded due to high rates of seed predation. Predator activity can be modified by habitat complexity due to its effects on accessibility and protection for different predators. In this study we analysed how habitat complexity generated by different post-fire management treatments, sowing depth, and capsaicin (a chemical repellent) affect acorn predation by two guilds of post-dispersal predators that differ in size and foraging behaviour. We carried out two acorn predation experiments. In Experiment #1 we buried acorns at two depths (2 and 8 cm) in two post-fire burnt-wood management treatments of different habitat complexity, namely: (1) Salvage Logging (SL), where the burnt trunks were cut and piled and the branches were masticated (lower habitat complexity), and (2) Non-Intervention (NI), with no action after the fire and 100% of the trees naturally fallen by 2009, thus leaving a habitat with lying burnt logs and branches (higher habitat complexity). In Experiment #2 we repeated Experiment #1, with the addition of capsaicin as a mammal repellent treatment. Most acorns were consumed in both years (ca. 90%), mainly by rodents. In Experiment #1 predation by boars accounted for 4.1% of overall predation, and it was about twice as high in SL than in NI, likely due to the physical difficulty for large mammals to forage in an area with a complex structure created by lying logs and branches. In contrast, rodents consumed ca. 1.4 times more acorns in NI than in SL, which led to overall greater predation in NI in both experiments. This was likely due to the protection provided by the branches for the rodent community. Deeper burial reduced predation by small percentages, although in Experiment #1 it had a negligible effect in NI. Capsaicin did not reduce predation, and it reduced seedling emergence to half. This study suggests that habitat complexity created by trunks and branches reduced predation by wild boars, but favoured rodent acorn predation. We conclude that other methods for the protection of individual acorns need to be identified to increase the success of oak reforestation via seeding.
Keywords: Acorn removal; Capsaicin; Post-fire management; rodents; seed predation; Seed sowing

The temporal response to drought in a Mediterranean evergreen tree: comparing a regional precipitation gradient and a throughfall exclusion experiment - Martin-StPaul, Nicolas K.; Limousin, Jean-Marc; Vogt-Schilb, Helene; Rodriguez-Calcerrada, Jesus; Rambal, Serge; Longepierre, Damien; Misson, Laurent (GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, 2013)
Like many midlatitude ecosystems, Mediterranean forests will suffer longer and more intense droughts with the ongoing climate change. The responses to drought in long-lived trees differ depending on the time scale considered, and short-term responses are currently better understood than longer term acclimation. We assessed the temporal changes in trees facing a chronic reduction in water availability by comparing leaf-scale physiological traits, branch-scale hydraulic traits, and stand-scale biomass partitioning in the evergreen Quercus ilex across a regional precipitation gradient (long-term changes) and in a partial throughfall exclusion experiment (TEE, medium term changes). At the leaf scale, gas exchange, mass per unit area and nitrogen concentration showed homeostatic responses to drought as they did not change among the sites of the precipitation gradient or in the experimental treatments of the TEE. A similar homeostatic response was observed for the xylem vulnerability to cavitation at the branch scale. In contrast, the ratio of leaf area over sapwood area (LA/SA) in young branches exhibited a transient response to drought because it decreased in response to the TEE the first 4years of treatment, but did not change among the sites of the gradient. At the stand scale, leaf area index (LAI) decreased, and the ratios of stem SA to LAI and of fine root area to LAI both increased in trees subjected to throughfall exclusion and from the wettest to the driest site of the gradient. Taken together, these results suggest that acclimation to chronic drought in long-lived Q. ilex is mediated by changes in hydraulic allometry that shift progressively from low (branch) to high (stand) organizational levels, and act to maintain the leaf water potential within the range of xylem hydraulic function and leaf photosynthetic assimilation.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Keywords: allometry; carbon allocation; chronic stress; ecosystem manipulation; hydraulic adjustments; leaf ecophysiology; long-term drought; Quercus ilex; Water availability

The temporal response to drought in a Mediterranean evergreen tree: comparing a regional precipitation gradient and a throughfall exclusion experiment - Martin-StPaul, Nicolas K; Limousin, Jean-Marc; Vogt-Schilb, Helene; Rodriguez-Calcerrada, Jesus; Rambal, Serge; Longepierre, Damien; Misson, Laurent (GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, 2013)
Like many midlatitude ecosystems, Mediterranean forests will suffer longer and more intense droughts with the ongoing climate change. The responses to drought in long-lived trees differ depending on the time scale considered, and short-term responses are currently better understood than longer term acclimation. We assessed the temporal changes in trees facing a chronic reduction in water availability by comparing leaf-scale physiological traits, branch-scale hydraulic traits, and stand-scale biomass partitioning in the evergreen Quercus ilex across a regional precipitation gradient (long-term changes) and in a partial throughfall exclusion experiment (TEE, medium term changes). At the leaf scale, gas exchange, mass per unit area and nitrogen concentration showed homeostatic responses to drought as they did not change among the sites of the precipitation gradient or in the experimental treatments of the TEE. A similar homeostatic response was observed for the xylem vulnerability to cavitation at the branch scale. In contrast, the ratio of leaf area over sapwood area (LA/SA) in young branches exhibited a transient response to drought because it decreased in response to the TEE the first 4years of treatment, but did not change among the sites of the gradient. At the stand scale, leaf area index (LAI) decreased, and the ratios of stem SA to LAI and of fine root area to LAI both increased in trees subjected to throughfall exclusion and from the wettest to the driest site of the gradient. Taken together, these results suggest that acclimation to chronic drought in long-lived Q. ilex is mediated by changes in hydraulic allometry that shift progressively from low (branch) to high (stand) organizational levels, and act to maintain the leaf water potential within the range of xylem hydraulic function and leaf photosynthetic assimilation.
Keywords: allometry; carbon allocation; chronic stress; ecosystem manipulation; hydraulic adjustments; leaf ecophysiology; long-term drought; Quercus ilex; Water availability

Temporary immersion systems (RITA®) for the improvement of cork oak somatic embryogenic culture proliferation and somatic embryo production - Pérez, Marta; Bueno, MaríaAngeles; Escalona, Maritza; Toorop, Peter; Rodriguez, Roberto; Cañal, MaríaJesús (Trees, 2013)
Somatic embryogenesis in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is an efficient tool that allows the production of large number of embryos from selected quality and productive trees. Temporary immersion systems (TIS) are an alternative to semi-solid or liquid culture that combine the advantages of liquid culture and avoid the associated problems. Parameters that affect the TIS multiplication efficiency of Q. suber L. embryogenic cultures were evaluated. Immersion frequencies of 1 min every 6 or 4 h increased the fresh weight 3.7 or 7.5-fold compared with an immersion frequency of 1 min every 12 h or cultures on semi-solid medium, respectively. The cellular fate of embryogenic cultures was also affected by the immersion frequency, 1 min every 6 h was the best for mass propagation of proliferative developmental stages (embryogenic calli and embryo clusters) while 1 min every 4 h promoted the formation of single, fully developed cotyledonary embryos. An initial amount of 1.5 g fresh weight of proliferative tissues produced the best results in RITA(A (R)) containers while 0.5 g of embryogenic callus was the best for semi-solid cultures.
Keywords: Culture parameters; Embryogenic callus; Immersion frequency; Liquid medium; Quercus suber; Repetitive somatic embryogenesis; Semi-solid medium

Testing of models of stomatal ozone fluxes with field measurements in a mixed Mediterranean forest - Fares, S.; Matteucci, G.; Scarascia Mugnozza, G.; Morani, a.; Calfapietra, C.; Salvatori, E.; Fusaro, L.; Manes, F.; Loreto, F. (Atmospheric Environment, 2013)
Mediterranean forests close to urban areas are exposed to polluted plumes loaded with tropospheric ozone. This is the case of Castelporziano Estate, a 6000 ha Mediterranean forest 25 km from Rome downtown on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In September 2011 we started an intensive ﬁeld campaign aimed at investigating ozone deposition from a mixed Mediterranean forest, mainly composed by Quercus suber, Quercus ilex, Pinus pinea. Measurements at canopy level with the eddy covariance technique were supported by a vegetation survey and the measurement of all environmental parameters which allowed to calculate stomatal ozone ﬂuxes. Leaf-level measurements were used to parameterize models to calculate stomatal conductance based on a Jarvis-type and BalleBerry approach. We show changes in magnitude of ozone ﬂuxes from a warm (September) to a cold period (OctobereDecember). Stomatal component explained almost the totality of ozone ﬂuxes during the cold days, but contributed only up to 50% to total ozone deposition during warm days, suggesting that other sinks (e.g. chemistry in the gas-phase) play a major role. Modeled stomatal ozone ﬂuxes based on a Jarvis-type approach (DO3SE) correlated with measured ﬂuxes better than using a BalleBerry approach. A third model based on a modiﬁed BalleBerry equation was proposed to account for the non-linear dependency of stomatal conductance on relative humidity. This research will help the development of metrics for ozone-risk assessment and advance our understanding of mixed Mediterranean forests in biosphereeatmosphere exchange.
Keywords: GPP; mediterranean forest; Ozone ﬂuxes; Stomatal conductance models

Textural and Surface Characterization of Cork-Based Sorbents for the Removal of Oil from Water - Pintor, Ariana M A; Silvestre-albero, Ana M; Ferreira, Catarina I A; Pereira, Joana P C; Vilar, V J P; Botelho, M S; Rodr, Francisco; Boaventura, Rui A R (Industrial & engineering chemistry research, 2013)
This study evaluates the possibility of adding value to cork granulates, byproducts of cork processing, by using them as biosorbents and precursors of activated carbons. Activation was carried out by impregnation with phosphoric acid followed by pyrolysis under N2 flow. Furthermore, biosorbents were treated with a cationic surfactant and activated carbons were subject to a second pyrolysis under propene with the objective of improving hydrophobicity. Physico-chemical, textural, and surface characterization of the materials was carried out employing, among others, N2 adsorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and immersion calorimetry. Selected samples were tested in the removal of sunflower oil emulsified in water. Activated carbons with higher surface area and lower amount of acidic surface groups showed higher uptake capacity for sunflower oil
APS
Keywords: biosorbents; cork products; Quercus suber L.; sunflower oil

Textural and Surface Characterization of Cork-Based Sorbents for the Removal of Oil from Water - Pintor, Ariana M. A.; Silvestre-albero, Ana M.; Ferreira, Catarina I. A.; Pereira, Joana P. C.; Vilar, V. J. P.; Botelho, M. S.; Rodr, Francisco; Boaventura, Rui A. R. (Industrial & engineering chemistry research, 2013)
This study evaluates the possibility of adding value to cork granulates, byproducts of cork processing, by using them as biosorbents and precursors of activated carbons. Activation was carried out by impregnation with phosphoric acid followed by pyrolysis under N2 flow. Furthermore, biosorbents were treated with a cationic surfactant and activated carbons were subject to a second pyrolysis under propene with the objective of improving hydrophobicity. Physico-chemical, textural, and surface characterization of the materials was carried out employing, among others, N2 adsorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, potentiometric titration, temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and immersion calorimetry. Selected samples were tested in the removal of sunflower oil emulsified in water. Activated carbons with higher surface area and lower amount of acidic surface groups showed higher uptake capacity for sunflower oil
APSAPS
Keywords: biosorbents; cork products; Quercus suber L.; sunflower oil

Thinning and recovery effects on soil properties in two sites of a Mediterranean forest, in Cuenca Mountain (South-eastern of Spain) - Baena, CW; Andrés-Abellán, M; Lucas-Borja, M E E; Martínez-García, E; García-Morote, F.a. A; Rubio, E; López-Serrano, F R R; Baena, C Wic (Forest Ecology and Management, 2013)
Thinning effects on soil microbial activity and biomass in two sites of a Mediterranean forest, in Cuenca Mountain (South-eastern of Spain), were compared 2–6 years following treatments. In order to study changes in these properties, five plots were established; three plots in mature natural site dominated by Pinus pinaster and Quercus ilex and two plots post-wildfire natural regeneration site dominated by Quercus ilex. In each site, a silviculture treatment of thinning had been previously carried out, while the other was left as a forest control. Soil samples were taken during the dry season (July 2010) and after the first autumn rains (October 2010). The experiment consisted on a nested factorial design with two factors: the site (two levels: mature natural and regenerated) and thinning treatment nested within site effect (three levels in mature natural site: control, thinned in 2002 and thinned in 2004, and two levels within regenerated site: control and thinned in 2008).Several sensitive variables related to the soil microbial activity such as soil respiration and biomass carbon and some enzyme activities (urease, phosphatase, β-glucosidase and dehydrogenase) were evaluated. Physical and chemical soil variables (organic matter, total nitrogen, phosphorus, pH, conductivity and carbonates) were also measured. These variables of forest soil in autumn were highest that in summer. Also the results showed that thinning have a significant effect on soil microbiological variables and soil enzymatic activities. Thinning operations tended to alter soil variables and highly reduced the organic matter content. A significant correlation was also found between microbiological and biochemical variables and physic chemical variables, organic matter and total nitrogen. Adaptative management forest plans should consider these results in order to achieve sustainable forest management, especially in the context of soil quality and Mediterranean forest subjected to wildfire disturbances.
Keywords: Enzyme activity; Microbial activity; Silvicultural treatments; soil quality

Towards the harmonization between National Forest Inventory and Forest Condition Monitoring. Consistency of plot allocation and effect of tree selection methods on sample statistics in Italy - Gasparini, Patrizia; Di Cosmo, Lucio; Cenni, Enrico; Pompei, Enrico; Ferretti, Marco (ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT, 2013)
In the frame of a process aiming at harmonizing National Forest Inventory (NFI) and ICP Forests Level I Forest Condition Monitoring (FCM) in Italy, we investigated (a) the long-term consistency between FCM sample points (a subsample of the first NFI, 1985, NFI_1) and recent forest area estimates (after the second NFI, 2005, NFI_2) and (b) the effect of tree selection method (tree-based or plot-based) on sample composition and defoliation statistics. The two investigations were carried out on 261 and 252 FCM sites, respectively. Results show that some individual forest categories (larch and stone pine, Norway spruce, other coniferous, beech, temperate oaks and cork oak forests) are over-represented and others (hornbeam and hophornbeam, other deciduous broadleaved and holm oak forests) are under-represented in the FCM sample. This is probably due to a change in forest cover, which has increased by 1,559,200 ha from 1985 to 2005. In case of shift from a tree-based to a plot-based selection method, 3,130 (46.7 %) of the original 6,703 sample trees will be abandoned, and 1,473 new trees will be selected. The balance between exclusion of former sample trees and inclusion of new ones will be particularly unfavourable for conifers (with only 16.4 % of excluded trees replaced by new ones) and less for deciduous broadleaves (with 63.5 % of excluded trees replaced). The total number of tree species surveyed will not be impacted, while the number of trees per species will, and the resulting (plot-based) sample composition will have a much larger frequency of deciduous broadleaved trees. The newly selected trees have-in general-smaller diameter at breast height (DBH) and defoliation scores. Given the larger rate of turnover, the deciduous broadleaved part of the sample will be more impacted. Our results suggest that both a revision of FCM network to account for forest area change and a plot-based approach to permit statistical inference and avoid bias in the tree sample composition in terms of DBH (and likely age and structure) are desirable in Italy. As the adoption of a plot-based approach will keep a large share of the trees formerly selected, direct tree-by-tree comparison will remain possible, thus limiting the impact on the time series comparability. In addition, the plot-based design will favour the integration with NFI_2.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS publisher: SPRINGER
Keywords: Forest condition monitoring; Forest inventory; Italy; Plot allocation; Sample statistics; Tree selection methods

Trade-offs between maintenance of ecosystem services and socio-economic development in rural mountainous communities in southern Spain: A dynamic simulation approach - Vidal-Legaz, Beatriz; Martínez-Fernández, Julia; Picón, Andrés Sánchez; Pugnaire, Francisco I (Journal of Environmental Management, 2013)
Mountainous rural communities have traditionally managed their land extensively, resulting in land uses that provide important ecosystem services for both rural and urban areas. Over recent decades, these communities have undergone drastic changes in economic structure, population size and land use. Our understanding of the exact mechanisms that drive these changes is limited, and there is also a lack of integrative approaches to enable decision makers to steer rural development towards a more sustainable path. In this study, we build a dynamic simulation model to calculate the trade-offs between the pro- visions of two ecosystem services e landscape aesthetic value and water supply for human use e and the economic development associated with different land use changes. The study area for the simulation comprises two rural communities located in southern Spain. Our results show trade-offs between eco- nomic development and the provision of the selected ecosystemservices in the selected study area. Land use intensification results in economic development but is not enough to prevent population loss and has a negative impact on both the water supply and on aesthetic services.We conclude that more proactive management policies are needed to mitigate a loss in ecosystem services. Simulation models like ours may facilitate the choice of these policies, as they could test the result of land use planning policies contributing therefore, to a more integrative and sustainable management of rural communities.
Keywords: Land use change; Rural management; System dynamics

Transpiration in Quercus suber trees under shallow water table conditions: the role of soil and groundwater - Pinto, Clara A.; Nadezhdina, Nadezhda; David, Jorge S; Kurz-Besson, Cathy; Caldeira, Maria C; Henriques, Manuel O; Monteiro, Fernando G; Pereira, João S; David, Teresa S (Hydrological Processes, 2013)
Water is one of the major environmental factors limiting plant growth and survival in the Mediterranean region. Quercus suber L. woodlands occupy vast areas in the Iberian Peninsula, frequently under shallow water table conditions. The relative magnitude of soil and groundwater uptake to supply transpiration is not easy to evaluate under these circumstances. We recently developed a conceptual framework for the functioning of the root system in Q. suber that simulates well tree transpiration, based on two types of root behaviour: shallow connected and deep connected. Although this significantly improved knowledge on the functional traits of Mediterranean Q. suber, the approach has the limitation of requiring root sap flow data, which are seldom available. In this work, we present alternative methodologies to assess if trees are connected to groundwater and to estimate the soil and groundwater contributions to tree transpiration. We provide evidence on the tree unrestricted access to groundwater solely based on meteorological, stem sap flow and leaf water potential data. Using a soil mass balance approach, we estimated the yearly soil and groundwater contributions to tree transpiration: 69.7% and 30.3%, respectively. Groundwater uptake became dominant in the dry summer: 73.2% of tree transpiration. Results reproduce extremely well those derived from root modelling. Because of its simplicity both in formulation and data requirements, our approach is potentially liable to be adapted to other groundwater- dependent Mediterranean oak sites, where interactions between land use and water resources may be relevant.
Keywords: Cork oak; ecohydrology; sap flow radial profile; tree water sources; tree water use; water balance

Tree species effects on nutrient cycling and soil biota: A feedback mechanism favouring species coexistence - Aponte, Cristina; García, Luis V.; Marañón, Teodoro (Forest Ecology and Management, 2013)
We synthesise a series of independent but integrated studies on the functioning of a mixed Mediterra- nean oak forest to demonstrate the tree–soil interactions underpinning a positive feedback process that sustains the coexistence of two oak species. The studies focused on the foliar functional traits, plant regeneration patterns, biogeochemical cycles, soil microbial biomass and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal diversity associated with the co-dominant evergreen Quercus suber and deciduous Quercus canariensis in a Mediterranean forest in southern Spain. Foliar attributes differed between oak species, with Q. canariensis having higher nutrient content and lower carbon to nutrient ratios and leaf mass per area than Q. suber. These attributes reflected their distinct resource use strategies and adaptation to high and low resource-availability environ- ments, respectively. Leaf-fall nutrient concentrations were higher in Q. canariensis than in Q. suber and were correlated with concentrations in the fresh leaves. Leaf-fall nutrient concentrations influ- enced nutrient return, leaf-fall decay rate and the proportion of nutrients released from decomposing leaf-fall, all of which were higher for Q. canariensis than for Q. suber. This generated a differential net nutrient input into the soil that led to increased soil nutrient concentrations under the canopy of Q. canariensis as compared to Q. suber. The fraction of slowly decomposing leaf-fall that builds up soil organic matter was higher for Q. canariensis, further raising the nutrient and moisture retention of its soils. Differences between species in soil properties disappeared with increasing soil depth, which was consistent with the hypothesised leaf-fall-mediated effect. Tree-species-generated changes in soil properties had further impacts on soil organisms. Soil microbial biomass (Cmic) and nutrients (Nmic, Pmic) were higher under Q. canariensis than under Q. suber and were positively related to soil mois- ture content and substrate availability (particularly soil N). The composition of the ECM fungal com- munity shifted between the two oaks in response to changes in the soil properties, particularly soil Ca and pH. Lower ECM phylogenetic diversity and higher abundance of mycorrhizal species with sapro- phytic abilities were related to the greater soil fertility under Q. canariensis. Overall, the two oak spe- cies generated soil conditions that aligned with their resource-use strategies and would enhance their own competitive capabilities, potentially creating a positive feedback. The two Quercus created soil spatial heterogeneity that could enable their coexistence through spatial niche partitioning. This study demonstrates the critical role of aboveground-belowground interactions underpinning forest commu- nity composition. 
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Feedback processes; Microbial biomass; Mycorrhizal fungi; nutrient cycling; Plant–soil interactions; Quercus

Tree species is the major factor explaining C:N ratios in European forest soils - Cools, N.; Vesterdal, L.; De Vos, B.; Vanguelova, E.; Hansen, K.; Vos, B. De (Forest Ecology and Management, 2013)
The C:N ratio is considered as an indicator of nitrate leaching in response to high atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition. However, the C:N ratio is influenced by a multitude of other site-related factors. This study aimed to unravel the factors determining C:N ratios of forest floor, mineral soil and peat top soils in more than 4000 plots of the ICP Forests large-scale monitoring network. The first objective was to quantify forest floor, mineral and peat soil C:N ratios across European forests. Secondly we determined the main factors explaining this C:N ratio using a boosted regression tree analysis (BRT), including fifteen site and environmental variables. Ninety-five percent of the C:N ratios were between 16 and 44 in the forest floor, between 13 and 44 in the peat topsoil and between 10 and 32 in the mineral topsoil. Within the aerated forest floor and the mineral soil, the C:N ratios decreased with depth, while in the hydromorphic forest floor and the peats no clear trend with depth was observed. Tree species was clearly the most important explanatory variable for the C:N ratio in both forest floors and topsoils, while it was soil type in the deeper mineral soil layers. The lowest C:N ratios both in the forest floor and the top mineral soil were found in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and black alder (Alnus glutinosa L.) stands, both N fixing tree species. While in the forest floor the highest C:N ratios were found in evergreen species like pine, cork oak (Quercus suber L.) and eucalyptus, the pine species and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) showed the highest C:N ratios in the mineral soil. The second most important explanatory variable in the forest floor and mineral topsoil was the biogeographical zoning (ecoregion). In the peat topsoil and in the deeper mineral soil layers it was the humus type. Deposition and climatic variables were of minor importance at the European scale. Further analysis for eight main forest tree species individually, showed that the influence of environmental variables on C:N ratios was tree species dependent. For Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Miller) and holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), both with a typical Mediterranean distribution, the relationship between N and S deposition and C:N ratio appeared to be positive. This study suggests that applying C:N ratios as a general indicator of the N status in forests at the European level, without explicitly accounting for tree species, is too simplistic and may result in misleading conclusions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Carbon; Forest floor; ICP forests; Mineral soil; nitrogen; Tree species

Understanding Mediterranean Pasture Dynamics: General Tree Cover vs. Specific Effects of Individual Trees - De Miguel, José Manuel; Acosta-Gallo, Belén; Gómez-Sal, Antonio (Rangeland Ecology & Management, 2013)
The study investigated the effect of general and homogeneous tree cover on grassland composition on an extensive Mediterranean rangeland with sparse oak trees in central Spain. We analyzed this effect together with other significant factors identified in this type of rangeland: topography and plowing. Data were collected in the 1984 growing season and they form part of a historical database on the characteristics of vegetation and livestock behavior; these data refer to grasslands below and away from the tree crowns of 91 individual trees, located in different topographical positions and in areas that were last plowed at different times.We used multivariate analyses to identify the main compositional trends of variation in pasture communities. The results indicate that the herbaceous community below tree crowns was more similar to that of the lowland areas than to the nearby areas away from the tree. This result supports the idea of tree cover in semiarid rangelands as a factor attenuating the effects on pastures of environmental conditions typical of high and intermediate topographical positions—generally presenting low soil moisture and fertility. Coupled with this, we also found effects of some individual trees related with the way livestock uses them as shelter and resting places. Our results indicate that the role played by dispersed trees in the management of this type of rangeland should be analyzed at two complementary spatial scales: the overall effect of tree cover as a factor acting at landscape scale and the specific effect of some individual trees acting at a more detailed scale.
Keywords: free-ranging livestock; pasture management; Quercus ilex; scattered trees; Silvopastoral systems; topography effect

Unfolding relations between land cover and farm management: high nature value assessment in complex silvo-pastoral systems - Almeida, Mara; Guerra, Carlos; Pinto-Correia, Teresa (GEOGRAFISK TIDSSKRIFT-DANISH JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY, 2013)
The high nature value (HNV) concept, proposed by the European Environment Agency, recognizes that specific farming systems support high biodiversity levels, mainly as a result of extensive management practices. The Portuguese montado is one of the most significant HNV systems in southern Europe. However, considering the great complexity characterizing these systems both in land management and in landscape structure, a specific context-oriented methodology to assess which montado areas are likely to be classified as HNV farmland is needed. In this sense, the aim of this study is to explore a methodological approach which makes it possible to assess land management pressures through land cover information on these complex silvo-pastoral systems. The proposed methodology was tested through a local case study in a montado area in southern Portugal, assessing the relation between management practices and a vegetation cover index. Results show that in similar montado areas different land management strategies varying in stocking density, but also in type of grazing animals and shrub control practices, configure different vegetation cycles. These results indicate there is a way to develop a straightforward methodology to assess the HNV value of Mediterranean silvo-pastoral systems based on land cover indicators. These would make it possible to assess the HNV of montado areas with direct and objective information and independent of farmer's surveys or other farm-based data.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: OSTER VOLDGADE 10, COPENHAGEN K, DK 1350, DENMARK publisher: ROYAL DANISH GEOGRAPHICAL SOC
Keywords: high nature value; land management; silvo-pastoral system; vegetation cover

Variability of the Chemical Composition of Cork - Pereira, Helena (BioResources, 2013)
The chemical composition of cork was determined, following a sampling that covered the whole production area in Portugal (29 provenances from six regions) with samples taken at cork stripping. To analyse between population variations, a more intensive sampling was made in two locations. The overall mean chemical composition of cork was: extractives 16.2% (dichloromethane 5.8%, ethanol 5.9%, water 4.5%), suberin 42.8% (long-chain lipids 41.0%, glycerol 3.8%), and lignin 22.0% (Klason 21.1%, acid soluble 0.9%). The suberin compositional ratio of long chain lipids to glycerol, LCLip:Gly, was 11.3. The proportion of neutral sugars in the polysaccharides was: glucose 46.1%, xylose 25.1%, arabinose 18.0%, mannose 3.0%, galactose 7.3%, and rhamnose 0.5%. The range of values was large and the variation between individual trees seemed to be the major factor of the differences. Geographical location of cork production was statistically significant only in a few cases when considering site and not when considering regions. The population variation in two sites was important and the absolute difference between the site mean values was small. This research covers the natural variability of cork’s chemical composition and discusses the contribution of the structural compounds to the variation of cork properties.
Keywords: chemical composition; Cork; Extractives; Lignin; Quercus suber; suberin

Variations in leaf respiration across different seasons for Mediterranean evergreen species - Catoni, R; Varone, L; Gratani, L (PHOTOSYNTHETICA, 2013)
Leaf respiration (R (L)) of evergreen species co-occurring in the Mediterranean maquis developing along the Latium coast was analyzed. The results on the whole showed that the considered evergreen species had the same R (L) trend during the year, with the lowest rates \{[\}0.83 +/- 0.43 mu mol(CO2) m(-2) s(-1), mean value of the considered species] in winter, in response to low air temperatures. Higher R (L) were reached in spring \{[\}2.44 +/- 1.00 mu mol(CO2) m(-2) s(-1), mean value] during the favorable period, and in summer \{[\}3.17 +/- 0.89 mu mol(CO2) m(-2) s(-1)] during drought. The results of the regression analysis showed that 42% of R (L) variations depended on mean air temperature and 13% on total monthly rainfall. Among the considered species, C. incanus, was characterized by the highest R (L) in drought \{[\}4.93 +/- 0.27 mu mol(CO2) m(-2) s(-1)], low leaf water potential at predawn (I-pd= -1.08 +/- 0.18 MPa) and midday (I-md = -2.75 +/- 0.11 MPa) and low relative water content at predawn (RWCpd = 80.5 +/- 3.4%) and midday (RWCmd = 67.1 +/- 4.6%). Compared to C. incanus, the sclerophyllous species (Q. ilex, P. latifolia, P. lentiscus, A. unedo) and the liana (S. aspera), had lower R (L) \{[\}2.72 +/- 0.66 mu mol(CO2) m(-2) s(-1), mean value of the considered species], higher RWCpd (91.8 +/- 1.8%), RWCmd (82.4 +/- 3.2%), I-pd (-0.65 +/- 0.28 MPa) and I-md (-2.85 +/- 1.20 MPa) in drought. The narrow-leaved species (E. multiflora, R. officinalis, and E. arborea) were in the middle. The coefficients, proportional to the respiration increase for each 10A degrees C rise (Q(10)), ranging from 1.49 (E. arborea) to 1.98 (A. unedo) were indicative of the different sensitivities of the considered species to air temperature variation.
Keywords: Drought; Leaf respiration; Mediterranean evergreen species; water stress

Vegetation history, climate and human impact in the Spanish Central System over the last 9000 years - López-Sáez, José Antonio; Abel-Schaad, Daniel; Pérez-Díaz, Sebastián; Blanco-González, Antonio; Alba-Sánchez, Francisca; Dorado, Miriam; Ruiz-Zapata, Blanca; Gil-García, María José; Gómez-González, Clemencia; Franco-Múgica, Fátima (Quaternary International, 2013)
Abstract In this paper we present a review of the available Holocene pollen records from the Spanish Central System (113 sites and 150 14C dates). Palynological data obtained from pollen analyses of peat-bogs, lakes and archaeological sites, as well as radiocarbon dating, were used to infer the human impact on vegetation and landscape during the last 9 millennia. The Neolithic contribution to the configuration of landscape is scarce, limited to the valleys, while Chalcolithic settlements and their related activities (agriculture and grazing) represent the first evidence of significant human impact on the high-mountains. The pollen record has allowed us to relate two cultural periods of changing, the Copper Age–Early Bronze Age and Late Bronze Age–Early Iron Age transitions, to abrupt climate disruptions, the so-called 4.2 and 2.8 ka cal BP events respectively. From the Iron Age to the Early Middle Ages, anthropic activities were still sporadic, mainly located in the lowlands, but from the Feudal Period onwards, when La Mesta transhumance system takes place, high-mountain landscapes changed dramatically. Late Modern Period brings a further intensification of human pressure, especially related to forestry, with widespread pinewood afforestation.
Keywords: climate changes; human impact; landscape change (voyant); livestock intensification; Pollen records; Spanish Central System; vegetation changes

Volatile organic compounds in the western Mediterranean basin: urban and rural winter measurements during the DAURE campaign - Seco, R; Penuelas, J; Filella, I; Llusia, J; Schallhart, S; Metzger, A; Mueller, M; Hansel, A (ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, 2013)
Atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have key environmental and biological roles, but little is known about the daily VOC mixing ratios in Mediterranean urban and natural environments. We measured VOC mixing ratios concurrently at an urban and a rural site during the winter DAURE campaign in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, by means of PTR-MS at both locations: a PTR-Quad-MS at the urban site and a PTR-ToF-MS at the rural site. All VOC mixing ratios measured were higher at the urban site (e. g. acetaldehyde, isoprene, benzene, and toluene with averages up to 1.68, 0.31, 0.58 and 2.71 ppbv, respectively), with the exception of some short-chain oxygenated VOCs such as acetone (with similar averages of 0.7-1.6 ppbv at both sites). The average diurnal pattern also differed between the sites. Most of the VOCs at the urban location showed their highest mixing ratios in the morning and evening. These peaks coincided with traffic during rush hour, the main origin of most of the VOCs analyzed. Between these two peaks, the sea breeze transported the urban air inland, thus helping to lower the VOC loading at the urban site. At the rural site, most of the measured VOCs were advected by the midday sea breeze, yielding the highest daily VOC mixing ratios (e. g. acetaldehyde, isoprene, benzene, and toluene with averages up to 0.65, 0.07, 0.19, and 0.41 ppbv, respectively). Only biogenic monoterpenes showed a clear local origin at this site. In addition, the concentrations of fine particulate matter observed at both sites, together with the synoptic meteorological conditions and radio-sounding data, allowed the identification of different atmospheric scenarios that had a clear influence on the measured VOC mixing ratios. These results highlight the differences and relationships in VOC mixing ratios between nearby urban and rural areas in Mediterranean regions. Further research in other urban-rural areas is warranted to better understand the urban-rural influence on atmospheric VOC mixing ratios under different atmospheric conditions.
APS
Keywords: iberian peninsula; Mediterranean; Monoterpenes; VOCs

Abandonment of grazing in a mediterranean grassland area: consequences for ant assemblages - Azcárate, Francisco M.; Peco, Begoña (Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2012)
1. Abandonment of traditional activities in the rural areas is widespread in the developed world, and in the case of grazing, it is known to have negative consequences on the diversity of plant communities. Few studies have examined the impact of grazing abandonment on fauna, which in the case of ants is of considerable interest, given their usefulness as an indicator for monitoring environmental change. 2. Here, we present the results of a study conducted in Mediterranean grasslands of central Spain. Using pitfall traps, ants were sampled from 10 40 m· 20 m plots; ﬁve of them located in grazed systems and ﬁve in abandoned grazing systems. Descriptors used for the ant assemblage were ant species composition, ant species richness, ant functional groups, and subguilds of granivores. We used a seed bait test to discriminate between granivorous and non-granivorous ant species. 3. Our results show that abandoned grazing systems have more ant species and more heterogeneous ant assemblages. Changes in ant species composition and ant functional groups are more pronounced in habitats where woody encroachment progresses more rapidly (i.e. dry sectors and tree islands). Specialised granivores have reduced importance in the same habitat types. Conversely, facultative granivores increase their presence in abandoned grazing systems. 4. The increased functional and species ant diversity observed with grazing abandonment can be explained by the generation of a more heterogeneous environment at the smaller scales, in spite of being more homogenous at the larger scales, because the latter are less signiﬁcant for the organisms studied
Keywords: ant functional groups; Ants; Granivory; grazing abandonment; mediterranean grasslands

Adsorption of SO2 onto waste cork powder-derived activated carbons - Atanes, E; Nieto-Márquez, A; Cambra, A; Ruiz-Pérez, M C; Fernández-Martínez, F (Chemical Engineering Journal, 2012)
Three activated carbon samples have been prepared by thermal (ACchar ), physical (with CO2, ACCO2) and chemical (with KOH, ACKOH) activation of waste cork powder. Cork was characterized by thermogravimetric, elemental and proximate analyses, and activated carbons were characterized by elemental and proximate analyses, adsorption–desorption of N2, acid/base and Boehm’s titration and FTIR (ATR) spectroscopy. A commercial activated carbon sample (ACcom) was subjected to the same characterization program for comparison purposes. Activation of cork conducted to an increase in BET surface area and pore volume in the sequence: ACchar < ACCO2 < ACKOH, getting close to those of ACcom, and to an increase in surface acidity in the sequence: ACchar < ACCO2 ACcom < ACKOH. The four adsorbents were tested in the adsorption of SO2, where ACKOH presented the highest adsorption capacity, while ACchar and ACCO2 presented similar behaviors, comparable to that of ACcom. Adsorption equilibrium was successfully ﬁtted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Desorption experiments demonstrated how SO2 strong adsorption was favored when decreasing surface acidity.
Keywords: activated carbon; Cork; Porosity; SO2 adsorption; Surface acidity

Afritoxinones A and B, dihydrofuropyran-2-ones produced by Diplodia africana the causal agent of branch dieback on Juniperus phoenicea - Evidente, Antonio; Masi, Marco; Linaldeddu, Benedetto T.; Franceschini, Antonio; Scanu, Bruno; Cimmino, Alessio; Andolfi, Anna; Motta, Andrea; Maddau, Lucia (PHYTOCHEMISTRY, 2012)
Two phytotoxic dihydrofuropyran-2-ones, named afritoxinones A and B. were isolated from liquid culture of Diplodia africana. a fungal pathogen responsible for branch dieback of Phoenicean juniper in Italy. Additionally, six others known metabolites were isolated and characterized: oxysporone, sphaeropsidin A, epi-sphaeropsidone, R-(-)-mellein, (3R,4R)-4-hydroxymellein and (3R,4S)-4-hydroxymellein. The structures of afritoxinones A and B were established by spectroscopic and optical methods and determined to be as (3aS{*},6R{*}-,7aS)-6-methoxy-3a,7a-dihydro-3H,6H-furo\{[\}2,3-b]pyran-2-o ne and (3aR{*},6R{*},7aS)-6-methoxy-3a,7a-dihydro-3H,6H-furo\{[\}2,3-b]pyran-2-on e, respectively. The phytotoxic activity of afritoxinones A and B and oxysporone was evaluated on host (Phoenicean juniper) and non-host plant (holm oak, cork oak and tomato) by cutting and leaf puncture assay. Oxysporone proved to be the most phytotoxic compound. This study represents the first report of secondary metabolites produced by D. africana. In addition, the taxonomic implications of secondary metabolites in Botryosphaeriaceae family studies are discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Keywords: Afritoxinones A and B; Botryosphaeriaceae; Diplodia africana; Juniperus phoenicea; Phytotoxins

Agroforestry in Europe: a review of the disappearance of traditional systems and development of modern agroforestry practices, with emphasis on experiences in Germany - Nerlich, K; Graeff-Hönninger, S; Claupein, W (Agroforestry Systems, 2012)
Agroforestry is a new name for a rather old practice. From a historical point of view, various agroforestry systems existed in Europe, of which the wood pastures (Neolithicum), the Dehesas in Spain (*4,500 years old) and the Hauberg of the Siegerland (established in the Middle Age) are the most prominent. Other widespread systems in Europe were hedgerows, windbreaks and Streuobst (orchard intercropping). Due to mechanisation and intensiﬁcation of agriculture, trees have been progressively removed from agricultural ﬁelds and traditional agroforestry systems slowly disappeared. Today, agroforestry systems are again increasing in interest as they offer the potential to solve important ecological and, especially, biodiversity problems, while at the same time enabling the production of food, wood products and fodder for cattle. Although agroforestry systems offer many advantages, many farmers are sceptical of these systems and are critical and risk-averse with regard to adopting new practices. However, in comparison to traditional systems, modern agroforestry systems can be adapted to current farming practices. By selecting suitable trees and appropriate tree management, highquality timber can be produced without inﬂuencing agricultural crops excessively. In future, agroforestry systems will become increasingly important as they offer the prospect of producing woody perennials for bioenergy on the same land area as food and/or fodder plants, while enhancing overall biodiversity.
Keywords: Biodiversity; high-quality timber; management; modern agroforestry; short rotation coppice; traditional agroforestry

Allocation of 14C assimilated in late spring to tissue and biochemical stem components of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) over the seasons - Aguado, Pedro L.; Curt, M. Dolores; Pereira, Helena; Fernández, Jesús (Tree Physiology, 2012)
Carbon distribution in the stem of 2-year-old cork oak plants was studied by 14CO2 pulse labeling in late spring in order to trace the allocation of photoassimilates to tissue and biochemical stem components of cork oak. The fate of 14C photoassimilated carbon was followed during two periods: the first 72 h (short-term study) and the first 52 weeks (long-term study) after the 14CO2 photosynthetic assimilation. The results showed that 14C allocation to stem tissues was dependent on the time passed since photoassimilation and on the season of the year. In the first 3 h all 14C was found in the polar extractives. After 3 h, it started to be allocated to other stem fractions. In 1 day, 14C was allocated mostly to vascular cambium and, to a lesser extent, to primary phloem; no presence of 14C was recorded for the periderm. However, translocation of 14C to phellem was observed from 1 week after 14CO2 pulse labeling. The phellogen was not completely active in its entire circumference at labeling, unlike the vascular cambium; this was the tissue that accumulated most photoassimilated 14C at the earliest sampling. The fraction of leaf-assimilated 14C that was used by the stem peaked at 57% 1 week after 14CO2 plant exposure. The time lag between C photoassimilation and suberin accumulation was ∼8 h, but the most active period for suberin accumulation was between 3 and 7 days. Suberin, which represented only 1.77% of the stem weight, acted as a highly effective sink for the carbon photoassimilated in late spring since suberin specific radioactivity was much higher than for any other stem component as early as only 1 week after 14C plant labeling. This trend was maintained throughout the whole experiment. The examination of microautoradiographs taken over 1 year provided a new method for quantifying xylem growth. Using this approach it was found that there was more secondary xylem growth in late spring than in other times of the year, because the calculated average cell division time was much shorter.
10.1093/treephys/tps01210.1093/treephys/tps012
Keywords: C-14 labeled compounds; carbon assimilation; microautoradiography; Quercus suber; suberin

Analyse des Pontes de la Spongieuse, Lymantria dispar L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) sur Chêne Liège (Blida-Algérie) - Mecellem, Dalila; Chakali, Gahdab (Silva Lusitana, 2012)
In the last infestation of Gypsy moth, counting and egg mass biometrics were conducted in Bouarfa cork oak forest. The comparison of means showed a high significance between eggs mass quantified during the years 2007 and 2008 with respective averages of 135 and 29 per tree. At the second year, eggs mass measurements and quantification of eggs laid have found significant reduction surface of 40% and the 65% average number of eggs. Frequency analysis of surfaces and the number of eggs have revealed five classes for the two generations considered. The data confirm the typical pattern of a gradation of Lymantria dispar.
Keywords: Algeria; Blida; egg mass; Gypsy moth

Analyse d'un paysage multifonctionnel dans la zone périurbaine de la ville de Tlemcen. Le parc national de Tlemcen-Algérie - Bencherif, K. (SHS Web of Conferences, 2012)
Dans le contexte périurbain étudié, le paysage le plus marquant est forestier, malheureusement toujours fragile vis-à-vis des paysages urbains et agricoles environnants. L’analyse des risques paysagers aux interfaces forêt-agriculture-bâti devrait être donc intégrée dans les futurs projets d’aménagement. Pour la ville de Tlemcen, ces risques sont, dans le contexte de l’urbanisation (espace péri-forestier) l’appropriation privée de l’espace forestier, les zones de dépôts et les plantes invasives inutiles. Dans le contexte du défrichement pour l’urbanisation (forêts périurbaine), ces risques sont le recul de la forêt et la confrontation forêt-habitat alors que dans le contexte de l’accueil du public (forêt domaniale de Tlemcen) le risque est surtout l’artificialisation de la forêt. Face à ces risques, des actions à envisager sont une définition précise des vocations de l’espace forestier et péri-forestier, la prévision de zones tampon entre forêt-habitation de 200 mètres minimum, la prévision d’espaces de transitions entre forêt-habitation et forêts-espaces agricoles et surtout une concertation entre les principaux acteurs que sont les citadins, les riverains et les forestiers. Ces actions devraient être appuyées par des outils législatifs adaptés comme le code des forêts, code de l’urbanisme, l’instruction pour l’aménagement forestier paysager ainsi que les compagnes de sensibilisation.
Keywords: défrichement (voyant); espace agricole; espace forestier; interface foret-agricole; risques paysaigers; Tlemcen

Architecture of Iberian canopy tree species in relation to wood density, shade tolerance and climate - Poorter, Lourens; Lianes, Elena; Moreno-de las Heras, Mariano; Zavala, Miguel A. (Plant Ecology, 2012)
Tree architecture has important consequences for tree performance as it determines resource capture, mechanical stability and dominance over competitors. We analyzed architectural relationships between stem and crown dimensions for 13 dominant Iberian canopy tree species belonging to the Pinaceae (six Pinus species) and Fagaceae (six Quercus species and Fagus sylvatica) and related these architectural traits to wood density, shade tolerance and climatic factors. Fagaceae had, compared with Pinaceae, denser wood, saplings with wider crowns and adults with larger maximal crown size but smaller maximal height. In combination, these traits enhance light acquisition and persistence in shaded environments; thus, contributing to their shade tolerance. Pinaceae species, in contrast, had low-density wood, allocate more resources to the formation of the central trunk rather than to branches and attained taller maximal heights, allowing them to grow rapidly in height and compete for light following disturbances; thus, contributing to their high light requirements. Wood density had a strong relationship with tree architecture, with dense-wooded species having smaller maximum height and wider crowns, probably because of cheaper expansion costs for producing biomechanically stable branches. Species from arid environments had shorter stems and shallower crowns for a given stem diameter, probably to reduce hydraulic path length and assure water transport. Wood density is an important correlate of variation in tree architecture between species and the two dominant families, with potentially large implications for their resource foraging strategies and successional dynamics.
Keywords: Architecture; Crown traits; Drought; shade tolerance; Tree height; Wood density

AREA-EFFECT IN BREEDING BIRD COMMUNITIES OCCURRING IN AN ARCHIPELAGO OF URBAN HOLM OAK FRAGMENTS (ROME, CENTRAL ITALY) - Arca, E.; Battisti, C.; Fraticelli, F. (VIE ET MILIEU-LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT, 2012)
We carried out a study on breeding bird communities occurring in anarchipelago of 32 holm oak fragments in an urbanized landscape (Rome, central Italy). The log-transformed species-area relationship is comparable with other ``insular{''} situations obtained from analogous mainland fragmented landscapes. We observed a quick decrease of species number when area size is lower than 2 hectares, with a significant threshold at 1 ha, unlike rural areas in which a quick species decrement occurs on a higher area size range (< 10 hectares). Species appear differently sensitive to area size of the fragments with significant responses in Dendrocopos major, Aegithalos caudatus, Sitta europaea, Parus major, Certhia brachydactyla and Fringilla coelebs. Considering the recreational role of the biodiversity for human populations inhabiting large metropolitan areas, the threshold in size (about 1 ha in fragment area) evidenced in this study may be useful for urban park management strategies.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: LABORATOIRE ARAGO, BP 44, 66651 BANYULS-SUR-MER CEDEX, FRANCE publisher: OBSERVATOIRE OCEANOLOGIQUE BANYULS
Keywords: SPECIES-AREA RELATIONSHIP; AREA-SENSITIVE SPECIES

Artificial bacterial degradation and hydrous pyrolysis of suberin: Implications for hydrocarbon generation of suberinite - Yao, Suping; Cao, Jian; Zhang, Ke; Jiao, Kun; Ding, Hai; Hu, Wenxuan (Organic Geochemistry, 2012)
The organic maceral suberinite is widely believed to be a contributor to immature or low mature oils with Ro < 0.5% in some coal and terrigenous sequences. However, its evolution of hydrocarbon generation, especially in the relatively high maturation stage of Ro > 0.5%, has not been sufﬁciently characterized. This issue was addressed herein using periderm cork tissues of the modern angiosperm Quercus suber (suberin), which is a possible bio-precursor of suberinite, in artiﬁcial bacterial degradation and hydrous pyrolysis experiments. Integrated studies were conducted, including analyses on the compositions of hydrocarbon yields and the content variations that were generated during the experiments, gas chromatography (GC) analyses of generated oils and spectral ﬂuorescence observations, and Rock-Eval and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopic studies on solid residues. Analytical results indicate that suberin and suberinite have long and complex hydrocarbon generation histories. In general, the hydrocarbon that is generated during bacterial degradation is predominantly gas and present in relatively limited amounts, while the oils mainly are generated during hydrous pyrolysis. Furthermore, the oil generation has two peaks that correspond to Ro of approximately 0.35–0.50% and 0.80–1.10%. In composition, the early generated oil mainly consists of long chain waxy and oxygen containing compounds, while the late generated oil is relatively enriched in aromatic compounds. These features can be ascribed to the chemical nature (e.g., composition and structure) of suberin. It is a type of insoluble and high molecular weight polyester compound that contains large quantities of long chain structure dicarboxylic acids and alcohols. Consequently, the deoxygenization of these compounds can take place under relatively low thermodynamic conditions, generating liquid oil that is dominated by a long chain structure and oxygen-containing waxy compounds. In contrast, the degradation of the phenolic compounds results in the second oil generation peak. Therefore, suberinite has a two stage and relatively long oil generation history and is a good bio-precursor for coal-derived oil generation.
Keywords: gas yield; hydrocarbon generation; oil generation; pyrolisis (voyant); suberin; suberinite

Assessing the ecosystem services supplied by freshwater flows in Mediterranean agroecosystems - Willaarts, Bárbara a.; Volk, Martin; Aguilera, Pedro a. (Agricultural Water Management, 2012)
Water performs essential ecological functions in agroecosystems and supplies an array of hydrologic ecosystem services (HES). The nature and quantity of HES is intimately linked with the management of the territory, and the capacity of the different land uses to partition rainfall into green (evapotranspiration) and blue (runoff) freshwater ﬂows. This paper presents an innovative method to empirically assess the underlying relationship between the use and management of Mediterranean agroecosystems, their spatial pattern of green and blue freshwater ﬂow generation and the provision of HES. We test this approach in Sierra Norte de Sevilla, a characteristic Spanish agro-forestry system. To assess the hydrological functioning we used the spatially explicit hydrologic model BalanceMED. HES’ identiﬁ- cation and societal valuation was done through an expert panel. The hydrologic performance and the social values ascribed to the different services were combined to identify key provisioning areas or HES hotspots. Our results show that multifunctional agroecosystems, where agrarian and forestry activities co-exist, optimize the partition and use of freshwater ﬂows and supply the largest bundles of HES at a wide range of spatial scales. The often low proﬁtability of these extensive activities is prompting either the intensiﬁcation or the abandonment of many Mediterranean agro ecosystems. We discuss the trade-offs in HES associated with these land use trends, and we illustrate the potential options available for implementing payments for ecosystem services (PES) schemes to pursue “win–win” management solutions.
Keywords: agroecosystems; Blue water; GIS-based Hydrologic Modeling; Green water; Hydrologic ecosystem services

Asymmetric competition increases leaf inclination effect on light absorption in mixed canopies - Simioni, Guillaume; Durand-Gillmann, Marion; Huc, Roland (Annals of Forest Science, 2012)
& Context The effects of leaf inclination on plant light capture, growth, and water balance of monospecific canopies are well documented, but we still lack information on such effects in the case of multispecific canopies. & Aims We investigated the effects of leaf inclination on the absorption of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of a mixed forest. & Methods We ran a 3D mechanistic radiation transfer model for a Mediterranean forest where Pinus halepensis makes the upper strata while Quercus ilex occupies the lower strata. As factors, we included (1) the distributions of leaf inclinations that ranged from vertical to horizontal (including the actual inclinations), (2) the fraction of diffuse light, sun position, and leaf area index (LAI), and (3) the Pinus/ Quercus LAI ratio. & Results Simulated PAR absorption was more than twice as sensitive to leaf inclination in oaks than in pines because oaks depended on PAR transmitted below the pine layer. The extent of the effect depended on season, fraction of diffuse light, LAI, and vegetation spatial structure. None of the observed inclinations maximized PAR absorption, suggesting a trade-off with water economy. & Conclusion Erroneous assumptions about leaf inclination lead to larger errors when modelling heterogeneous, mixed canopies. This also highlights potential caveats when using models that do not account for the spatial structure of canopies.
Keywords: 3d modelling; leaf angle distribution; mixed forests; radiation absorption

Below-ground ectomycorrhizal community in natural Tuber melanosporum truffle grounds and dynamics after canopy opening. - Garcia-Barreda, Sergi; Reyna, Santiago (Mycorrhiza, 2012)
The ectomycorrhizal fungus Tuber melanosporum fruits in association with Quercus in natural forests of Spain. Some of these stands are managed to keep an open canopy and meet the habitat requirements of the fungus. However, there are few quantitative studies analysing in these forests the relationship between soil environment and T. melanosporum. Eight forest stands which produce T. melanosporum have been monitored for 6 years in order to characterise the below-ground ectomycorrhizal community and to assess its temporal dynamics after experimental canopy opening. The brûlé, the ground where T. melanosporum fruits, shows a distinct ectomycorrhizal community, characterised by lower density of active ectomycorrhizal tips, lower morphotype richness per soil volume, higher abundance of T. melanosporum and lower abundance of Cenococcum geophilum than soil closest to the trunk of the host Quercus ilex. Opening the canopy has not stimulated an increase in T. melanosporum, suggesting that a shift in the soil environment alone will not trigger the formation of new truffières in the short term. The dry climate of these truffières may be a factor as T. melanosporum abundance appears to be sensitive to annual weather conditions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 21932021
Keywords: Brûlé; ectomycorrhiza; Quercus ilex; silviculture; Tuber melanosporum; Wild truffière

Biomass models to estimate carbon stocks for hardwood tree species - Ruiz-Peinado Gertrudix, R; Montero, G; del Rio, M (Forest Systems; Vol 21, No 1 (2012), 2012)
To estimate forest carbon pools from forest inventories it is necessary to have biomass models or biomass expansion factors. In this study, tree biomass models were developed for the main hardwood forest species in Spain: Alnus glutinosa , Castanea sativa , Ceratonia siliqua , Eucalyptus globulus , Fagus sylvatica , Fraxinus angustifolia , Olea europaea var. sylvestris , Populus x euramericana , Quercus canariensis , Quercus faginea , Quercus ilex , Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus suber . Different tree biomass components were considered: stem with bark, branches of different sizes, above and belowground biomass. For each species, a system of equations was fitted using seemingly unrelated regression, fulfilling the additivity property between biomass components. Diameter and total height were explored as independent variables. All models included tree diameter whereas for the majority of species, total height was only considered in the stem biomass models and in some of the branch models. The comparison of the new biomass models with previous models fitted separately for each tree component indicated an improvement in the accuracy of the models. A mean reduction of 20% in the root mean square error and a mean increase in the model efficiency of 7% in comparison with recently published models. So, the fitted models allow estimating more accurately the biomass stock in hardwood species from the Spanish National Forest Inventory data.
Keywords: aboveground biomass; additivity; belowground biomass; biomass models; Carbon Sequestration; hardwood species

A case study of land cover change (1950–2003) and runoff in a Mediterranean catchment - Fox, Dennis M.; Witz, Emmanuelle; Blanc, Violaine; Soulié, Cécile; Penalver-Navarro, Marc; Dervieux, Alain (Applied Geography, 2012)
Mediterranean environments have been subject to major land cover change since the end of the second world war. Housing, agricultural activities, forests, green spaces and other land uses have shifted due to urbanisation and tourism. These changes inﬂuence runoff, and municipal authorities often cannot estimate the net impact of complex land cover transitions. During this period, elected representatives have become increasingly sensitive to the risks of ﬂooding and have implemented a number of channel management strategies. The main objective of this case study was to analyse the impact of land cover change on total storm runoff between 1950 and 2003 in a Mediterranean catchment near St Tropez, France. A secondary objective was to compare these changes to the impacts of channel management on bankfull discharge. Aerial photographs were used to classify land cover in 3 urban categories, vineyards and bare soil, forests, and green spaces. Stream discharge was estimated using a distributed event based total runoff approach. After validating the model for a large winter event (114 mm) for 1982, runoff was calculated for the same event for 1950 and 2003. Land cover changes occurred mainly in the alluvial plain area. Total gauge catchment urban area increased from 30.1 ha to 393.8 between 1950 and 2003 at the expense mainly of agricultural land, but this was compensated in part by an increase in grassed area. Some of the loss in vineyards was replaced by clearing forested land on the ﬁrst hills close to the plain. Bank stabilisation and channel maintenance since the 1980’s reduced surface roughness and increased channel area, thereby greatly increasing bankfull discharge. While the impact of urbanisation on runoff was small, channel management effects increased bankfull discharge substantially. Flood damage from extreme events was not studied here.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Channel capacity; Channel management; Land Cover; land use; runoff

Cellular structure and chemical composition of cork from the Chinese cork oak (Quercus variabilis) - Miranda, Isabel; Gominho, Jorge; Pereira, Helena (Journal of Wood Science, 2012)
Quercus variabilis Blume, the Chinese cork oak, is an oak species with a thick cork outer bark. The cork is exploited at a limited scale in China and considered of lower quality than the commercial cork from Quercus suber. We studied an industrial cork granulate feedstock of Q. variabilis in relation to cellular structure and chemical composition and compared it to Q. suber cork under a material’s perspective. The cork of Q.variabilis has 1.1 % ash, 9.6 % extractives, 34.8 % suberin and 19.1 % lignin. The monosaccharide composition with shows a predominance of hemicelluloses: glucose 42.8 % of total neutral sugars, xylose 27.5 %, arabinose 15.4 %, galactose 9.0 %, mannose 4.0 %, rhamnose 1.2 %. The FT-IR spectrum shows the indicative peaks of suberin. The composition is overall similar to that of Q. suber cork. Q. variabilis cork has the typical cellular characteristics of bark cork tissues with a regular and radially aligned structure of cells without intercellular voids. Solid volume fraction was estimated at approximately 16 %. Compared with Q. suber, the Q. variabilis cork cells are smaller, the cell wall undulation and the overall row alignment less homogeneous, the cell surface is irregular and the solid volume proportion higher. The characteristics of Q. variabilis cork support its use as a cellular material for sealing, insulation and energy absorption, but the overall quality is lower than that of Q. suber cork. The negative impact of the higher density and structural lower uniformity at tissue and cell level should be evaluated for processing and product performance.
Keywords: Cellular structure; Cork; Quercus suber; Quercus variabilis; suberin

Changes in atmospheric deposition and streamwater chemistry over 25 years in undisturbed catchments in a Mediterranean mountain environment. - Avila, Anna; Rodà, Ferran (The Science of the total environment, 2012)
Surface water chemistry has changed in response to reduced atmospheric deposition of sulphur and acidity in many regions of Europe and North America. Most of these studies come from acidic or low-alkalinity surface waters under high acidic deposition. Mediterranean climates offer a different biogeochemical context, characterised by streamwaters of higher alkalinity and low acid inputs. In this paper, we use surveys of streamwater chemistry conducted in 1981-1984 and again in 2007 in the Montseny natural park (NE Spain) to test whether streamwaters of these well-buffered catchments respond to changes in atmospheric deposition, which has declined for S during the last decades in NE Spain while remaining about stable for nitrogen. The 23 sampled streams drained heathland, beech forests and evergreen oak forests in relatively undisturbed small catchments underlain by silicate bedrock. Bulk deposition of sulphate at Montseny decreased by 54% while nitrate bulk deposition increased (non-significantly) by 30% in this period. Total N deposition is estimated in the range 15-30 kg N ha(-1) y(-1) for NE Spain. This is well above threshold values (e.g. 10 kg N ha(-1) y(-1)) reported as starting nitrogen saturation symptoms in forest ecosystems in Europe. Baseflow sulphate concentrations decreased on average by 47 μeq L(-1) or 29% of early 1980s concentrations. Baseflow mean nitrate concentrations increased significantly but only from 5.5 to 8.9 μeq L(-1). Thus, despite decades of high N deposition, these ecosystems appear to be still far from N saturation. Baseflow alkalinity and base cation concentrations increased substantially, probably a combined result of decreased S deposition, enhanced silicate weathering under current higher temperatures, reduced plant cation uptake as vegetation matures, and slightly drier conditions in the survey of 2007. Overall, these well-buffered catchments have shown sizable changes in baseflow chemistry in response to changed atmospheric deposition and other environmental changes.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V. accession-num: 22200374
Keywords: Alkalinity; Base cations; nitrogen; Quercus ilex; Streamwater chemistry; Sulphate

Changes in soil organic carbon and climate change – Application of the RothC model in agro-silvo-pastoral Mediterranean systems - Francaviglia, Rosa; Coleman, Kevin; Whitmore, Andrew P.; Doro, Luca; Urracci, Giulia; Rubino, Mariateresa; Ledda, Luigi (Agricultural Systems, 2012)
Due to the complexity of soil organic carbon (SOC), models have proved very useful in helping to improve our understanding of the soil–plant–atmosphere system. In this study we used the Rothamsted carbon model (RothC), which considers the effect of climate (temperature, rainfall and evaporation), soil texture (clay content) and crop management on the decomposition processes, to predict changes in SOC under different land uses and the different climate that may occur in the future. SOC turnover was evaluated in land uses under different levels of agricultural intensiﬁcation. The agriculture of the study-area is mainly extensive and markedly agro-silvo-pastoral, and is typical of northeastern Sardinia (Italy) and similar areas of the Mediterranean basin. The following land uses were considered: vineyards, hay crops, pastures, semi-natural systems (formerly vineyards) and cork oak forests. Since the study-area is characterized by the same soil type (Haplic Endoleptic Cambisols, Dystric) derived from granitic rocks and potential native vegetation (Quercus suber L.), this was considered as the model baseline to study soil organic carbon dynamics. Climate change scenarios for 90 yr were generated from the baseline climate with two Global Climate Models: GISS (Goddard Institute of Space Studies, USA), and HadCM3 (Met Ofﬁce, Hadley Centre, UK), for two of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission scenarios (SRES A2 and B2). Land uses at low cropping intensity were more efﬁcient than intensive agricultural systems in terms of SOC storage in the order: hay crop > pasture > cork oak forest > semi-natural systems. Land use change to vineyards decreased the carbon balance signiﬁcantly between 0.09 and 0.15 t C ha 1 yr 1 . However, former vineyards have almost recovered from soil disturbance following the establishment of the vineyards.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: C sequestration; climate change; CO2 emissions; Emission scenarios; land use; RothC

Classifying and Mapping Potential Distribution of Forest Types Using a Finite Mixture Model - Attorre, Fabio; Francesconi, Fabio; Sanctis, Michele; Alfò, Marco; Martella, Francesca; Valenti, Roberto; Vitale, Marcello (Folia Geobotanica, 2012)
The present paper presents the application of a finite mixture model (FMM) to analyze spatially explicit data on forest composition and environmental variables to produce a high-resolution map of their current potential distribution. FMM provides a convenient yet formal setting for model-based clustering. Within this framework, forest data are assumed to come from an underlying FMM, where each mixture component corresponds to a cluster and each cluster is characterized by a different composition of tree species. An important extension of this model is based on including a set of covariates to predict class membership. These covariates can be climatic and topographical parameters as well as geographical coordinates and the class membership of neighbouring plots. FMM was applied to a national forest inventory of Italy consisting of 6,714 plots with a measure of abundance for 27 tree species. In this way, a map of potential forest types was produced. The limitations and usefulness of the proposed modelling approach were analyzed and discussed, comparing the results with an independently derived expert map
Keywords: Classification; Finite Mixture Model; forest types; Italy; Potential distribution

Climate change and human impact in central Spain during Roman times: High-resolution multi-proxy analysis of a tufa lake record (Somolinos, 1280m asl) - Currás, a; Zamora, L.; Reed, J. M.; García-Soto, E.; Ferrero, S.; Armengol, X.; Mezquita-Joanes, F.; Marqués, M. a; Riera, S.; Julià, R. (Catena, 2012)
The Roman Period is considered a crucial phase in the evolution of Holocene landscapes, due to the coincidence of major climatic, environmental, economic and cultural changes. However, there is still debate as to the regional expression of these changes, and to the mechanisms involved, particularly in the topographically and climatically complex region of the Mediterranean. In order to improve our understanding of the synergies between societal and environmental change during this period in central Spain, we present a comprehensive case study based on the integration of multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and historical data. High-resolution, interdisciplinary research has been performed on a 3.8 m thick sediment record from the Somolinos tufa lake (1280 m asl), located in a continental Mediterranean area. The analyses include pollen, non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs), macrocharcoal, ostracods, diatoms, other biotic remains and sedimentology. The Somolinos sequence extends from the 9th century cal BC (Pre-Roman) to the 8th century AD (Early Medieval). The multi-proxy data reveal substantial climate variability during this period. More humid conditions prevailed from 700 to 250 cal BC, while the climate became more arid during the Roman Period (50 cal BC to 70 cal AD). Later on, increased humidity characterized the period from 100 cal AD to 400 cal AD, followed by a progressive arid phase (400 to 715 cal AD) that culminated in total desiccation of the lake. During this time the Romans introduced a new and complex system of resource management in the area, including large-scale farming, grazing, forestry and mining. A strong shift in land use occurred after 80 cal BC, resulting in extensive woodland clearing throughout the range, and in an enhancement of soil erosion and lake productivity. The high-resolution analysis indicates that the peak in Roman impact occurred one century later than the climate changed towards drier conditions. In contrast, social–economical decline and aridiﬁcation were synchronous in Visigothic times (from 5th to 8th centuries AD). The Somolinos record indicates that Roman ‘humid period’ is not a simple phase as some suggest. The observed environmental changes resulted from the interaction of different driving factors.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Central Spain; Land-use change; Marl lake; Palaeoenvironment; Palaeolimnology; Roman Warm Period

Climate change impacts on tree ranges: model intercomparison facilitates understanding and quantification of uncertainty - Cheaib, Alissar; Badeau, Vincent; Boe, Julien; Chuine, Isabelle; Delire, Christine; Dufrêne, Eric; François, Christophe; GRITTI, EMMANUEL S; Legay, Myriam; Pagé, Christian; Thuiller, Wilfried; Viovy, Nicolas; et al. (Ecology Letters, 2012)
Ecology Letters (2012) Abstract Model-based projections of shifts in tree species range due to climate change are becoming an important decision support tool for forest management. However, poorly evaluated sources of uncertainty require more scrutiny before relying heavily on models for decision-making. We evaluated uncertainty arising from differences in model formulations of tree response to climate change based on a rigorous intercomparison of projections of tree distributions in France. We compared eight models ranging from niche-based to process-based models. On average, models project large range contractions of temperate tree species in lowlands due to climate change. There was substantial disagreement between models for temperate broadleaf deciduous tree species, but differences in the capacity of models to account for rising CO2 impacts explained much of the disagreement. There was good quantitative agreement among models concerning the range contractions for Scots pine. For the dominant Mediterranean tree species, Holm oak, all models foresee substantial range expansion.
Keywords: climate change; Fagus sylvatica; France; Pinus sylvestris; Quercus ilex; Quercus petraea; Quercus robur; species range; vegetation model intercomparison

The coexistence of acorns with different maturation patterns explains acorn production variability in cork oak. - Pons, Josep; Pausas, Juli G. (Oecologia, 2012)
In dry areas such as Mediterranean ecosystems, fluctuations in seed production are typically explained by resource (water) availability. However, acorn production in cork oak (Quercus suber) populations shows a very low relationship to weather. Because cork oak trees produce acorns with different maturation patterns (annual and biennial), we hypothesized that acorn production in coexisting individuals with a different dominant acorn maturation type should respond differently to climatic factors and that disaggregating the trees according to their acorn-maturation pattern should provide a more proximal relation to weather factors. We assessed acorn production variability in fragmented cork oak populations of the eastern Iberian Peninsula by counting the total number of acorns in 155 trees during an 8-year period. An initial assessment of acorn production variability in relation to weather parameters yielded very low explained variance (7%). However, after the trees were grouped according to their dominant acorn maturation pattern, weather parameters were found to account for 44% of the variability in acorn crops, with trees with annual acorns exhibiting mast fruiting in years with reduced spring frost and shorter summer droughts and trees with biennial acorns showing the opposite pattern. Thus, conditions that negatively affect annual production could be beneficial for biennial production (and vice versa). The results highlight the importance of the resource-matching hypothesis for explaining acorn production in Quercus suber and suggest that different seed maturation types within a population may allow the species to deal with highly variable weather conditions. They also emphasize the importance of understanding acorn maturation patterns for interpreting masting cycles.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22246473
Keywords: biomass; Evergreen oaks; Fruit; Fruit: growth & development; Hypothesis; Masting; Mediterranean Region; Mediterranean woodlands; Quercus; Quercus suber; Quercus: growth & development; Weather

Comparative mapping in the Fagaceae and beyond with EST-SSRs. - Bodénès, Catherine; Chancerel, Emilie; Gailing, Oliver; Vendramin, Giovanni G; Bagnoli, Francesca; Durand, Jerome; Goicoechea, Pablo G; Soliani, Carolina; Villani, Fiorella; Mattioni, Claudia; Koelewijn, Hans Peter; Murat, Florent; et al. (BMC plant biology, 2012)
Background: Genetic markers and linkage mapping are basic prerequisites for comparative genetic analyses, QTL detection and map-based cloning. A large number of mapping populations have been developed for oak, but few gene-based markers are available for constructing integrated genetic linkage maps and comparing gene order and QTL location across related species. Results: We developed a set of 573 expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) and located 397 markers (EST-SSRs and genomic SSRs) on the 12 oak chromosomes (2n=2x=24) on the basis of Mendelian segregation patterns in 5 full-sib mapping pedigrees of two species: Quercus robur (pedunculate oak) and Quercus petraea (sessile oak). Consensus maps for the two species were constructed and aligned. They showed a high degree of macrosynteny between these two sympatric European oaks. We assessed the transferability of EST-SSRs to other Fagaceae genera and a subset of these markers was mapped in Castanea sativa, the European chestnut. Reasonably high levels of macrosynteny were observed between oak and chestnut. We also obtained diversity statistics for a subset of EST-SSRs, to support further population genetic analyses with gene-based markers. Finally, based on the orthologous relationships between the oak, Arabidopsis, grape, poplar, Medicago, and soybean genomes and the paralogous relationships between the 12 oak chromosomes, we propose an evolutionary scenario of the 12 oak chromosomes from the eudicot ancestral karyotype. Conclusions: This study provides map locations for a large set of EST-SSRs in two oak species of recognized biological importance in natural ecosystems. This first step toward the construction of a gene-based linkage map will facilitate the assignment of future genome scaffolds to pseudo-chromosomes. This study also provides an indication of the potential utility of new gene-based markers for population genetics and comparative mapping within and beyond the Fagaceae.
Keywords: EST-SSR; linkage maps; Markers; oak; tranferability (voyant)

Comparative study of diurnal and nocturnal sap flow of Quercus ilex and Phillyrea latifolia in a Mediterranean holm oak forest in Prades (Catalonia, NE Spain) - Barbeta, Adrià; Ogaya, Romà; Penuelas, Josep (Trees, 2012)
Droughts are a cyclical disturbance in Mediterranean ecosystems and climate change models forecast an increase of their frequency and severity. Some experimental and observational studies have shown that cooccurring species may cope with drier conditions with different strategies and present different responses. Here, we investigate sap ﬂow response to drought in order to explain the observed differential growth and mortality of Quercus ilex and Phillyrea latifolia at Prades Holm oak forest (NE Spain). We measured sap ﬂow of these species and compared their diurnal, nocturnal and seasonal patterns and their relationship with environmental variables. Both species described qualitatively similar daily patterns, either during daylight or night. Sap ﬂow rates were signiﬁcantly higher in P. latifolia except in autumn and spring. P. latifolia was more sensitive to soil moisture. Nocturnal sap ﬂow was detected in both species with no signiﬁcant differences and hourly rates suffered a progressive increase from 3 a.m. to dawn in most sampled nights. Our results indicate a better adaptation of P. latifolia to this site as it can take better advantage of wet periods while maintaining higher sap ﬂow rates during dry periods. Along with previous ecophysiological studies at the same location it may be inferred that at its drier distributional limit Q. ilex would be at disadvantage with respect to other species like P. latifolia, as the latter would cope better with increasing xeric conditions already occurring and further predicted for Mediterranean ecosystems. Our results also show nocturnal sap ﬂow to be relevant in individual water losses in these two species as they can be up to 35–40 % of daily sap ﬂow. Further research on the underlying mechanisms of this nocturnal sap ﬂow is required since it may also enhance early morning CO2 ﬁxation or nutrient supply to leaves.
Keywords: á; Drought; ilex á sap flow; nocturnal sap flow; nocturnal sap flow á; phillyrea latifolia; phillyrea latifolia á quercus; Quercus ilex; sap flow

Comparing Dung Beetle Species Assemblages Between Protected Areas and Adjacent Pasturelands in a Mediterranean Savanna Landscape - NUMA, CATHERINE; Verdú, José R; Rueda, Cristina; Galante, Eduardo (Rangeland Ecology & Management, 2012)
Dung beetles are considered keystone species because of their role in decomposition, seed dispersal, and control of vertebrate parasites in grazed habitats. Despite the ecological importance of this group to pasture ecosystem functioning, still little is known about its relationship with grazing management activities. We evaluated the conservation value of protected areas for dung beetle diversity by comparing two different management conditions of Mediterranean savanna in central Spain. Four different sites with wild herbivory (red deer, roe deer) were sampled inside the Cabañeros National Park, and four sites with traditional agrosilvopastoral management were sampled in a sheep farm near the park. The dung beetle species richness was similar between savanna conditions, but the total dung beetle abundance and biomass were considerably greater in the park grasslands than in the grasslands of the sheep farm. Dung beetle species composition, species dominance, and abundance by functional groups from both park and farm sites were different, despite the high similarity among the sampled sites in both hydric content and dung availability. Onthophagus maki (Illiger 1803) and O. furcatus (Fabricius 1781) were the dominant species in the park, while O. furcatus, Aphodius foetidus (Herbst 1783), and Caccobius schreberi L. were the dominant species on the farm. Species richness and abundance of telecoprids were higher in the park than on the farm. Abundance of paracoprids was also higher in the park than on the farm, while no differences in species richness and abundance of endocoprids were observed between both conditions. These results suggest that management activities such as plowing and the use of veterinary substances affect soil structure and dung quality and could be important factors that alter dung beetle assemblages in terms of composition, abundance, and biomass on traditional farms.
Keywords: land use; livestock management; natural protected areas; Scarabaeoidea; species diversity

Comparing measurements methods of carbon dioxide fluxes in a soil sequence under land use and cover change in North Eastern Spain - Emran, Mohamed; Gispert, Maria; Pardini, Giovanni (Geoderma, 2012)
Carbon dioxide measurements from soil surface may indicate the potential for soil respiration and carbon consumption according to microbial biomass and root activity. These processes may be inﬂuenced by land use and cover change, and abandonment especially in the upper soil organic layer. Seven environments from cultivation to late abandonment, with the same soil type classiﬁed as Lithic Xerorthent, were tested to ascertain the respiration capacity according to the current use and cover, and to establish the ability to preserve and eventually increase the organic matter pools after abandonment. Given the importance of carbon dioxide measurements at soil surface, a comparison between the classic soda lime method (SL) and a rapid method based on infrared sensor analyzer (IR) was performed from autumn 2008 to autumn 2009 in the ﬁeld. The ﬁeld measurements of CO2 proved signiﬁcant correlations between the values from the two techniques under the same natural conditions and along the period of observation. However, the values of CO2 measured by the soda lime method were always higher than those obtained by the infrared analyzer. This pattern was attributed to the difference in time of measurement, larger in the former method, and type of measurement technique. Despite that the trend of measured CO2 values was rather similar along the year. On average, the highest values of CO2 emission in the ﬁeld were recorded in the warmest periods of the year and with soil surface moisture not lower than 3% independently on the method used. High soil surface temperature with soil moisture below 3% decreased drastically the CO2 production from the dry soil. The cultivated environments and soil under forests have resulted higher CO2 producers than abandoned soils depending on the age of abandonment, climatic conditions, and within abandonment perturbations. Those abandoned soils preserved by perturbations like wildﬁre showed a higher potential for accumulating organic carbon, as indicated by the lowest emission of CO2 with respect to SOC content, during the period of observation. Results demonstrated the reliability of the methods used to evaluate the soil carbon dioxide production capacity and allowed to classify through environments with increasing potential for carbon sequestration. The classiﬁcation was rather similar by using both methods indicating a higher susceptibility to carbon loss in the following order: soil under Vines (V)>under Olives (O)> under Pine trees (PI) > under Cork Trees (S)> under Pasture (PR)>under Cistus scrub (MC)>under Erica scrub (MB) by using the SL method and V>O> PI> S>MC>MB> PR by using the IR method. Indications about the need of management of abandoned areas were also considered in order to recover the landscape heterogeneity.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Abandonment; Carbon dioxide measurement; Carbon loss; Cover change; land use; Soil organic carbon

The comparison of site spider “biodiversity quality” in Portuguese protected areas - Feest, Alan; Cardoso, Pedro (Ecological Indicators, 2012)
Spiders at 23 Portuguese protected area sites were sampled (pitfall trapped) over 10-month periods. The data allowed for a “biodiversity quality” assessment consisting of the following indices: Species Richness, Biomass, Simpson Index, Species Conservation Value Index and Population Density. These “biodiversity quality” characteristics were reviewed for relative indication of site spider “biodiversity quality”. Spiders are proposed as a group of organisms that could be used to indicate part of the “biodiversity quality” of a site since they can be sampled in a standardised way and yield biodiversity indices for comparison spatially and temporally. The approach adopted in this paper allows a range of “biodiversity quality” indices to be measured for spiders in Portuguese protected areas which, in turn requires decisions from scientists, managers and politicians on what element or characteristic of biodiversity it is intended to be targeted.
Keywords: biomass; Simpson Index; Site ranking; Species Conservation Value Index (SCVI); Species richness

Consumption of introduced oak litter by native decomposers (Glomeridae, Diplopoda) - Gerlach, A.; Russell, D.J.; Römbke, J.; Brüggemann, W. (Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2012)

Contrasting impacts of different-sized herbivores on species richness of Mediterranean annual pastures differing in primary productivity. - Rueda, Marta; Rebollo, Salvador; García-Salgado, Gonzalo (Oecologia, 2012)
Vertebrate herbivores can be key determinants of grassland plant species richness, although the magnitude of their effects can largely depend on ecosystem and herbivore characteristics. It has been demonstrated that the combined effect of primary productivity and body size is critical when assessing the impact of herbivores on plant richness of perennial-dominated grasslands; however, the interaction of site productivity and herbivore size as determinants of plant richness in annual-dominated pastures remains unknown. We experimentally partitioned primary productivity and herbivore body size (sheep and wild rabbits) to study the effect of herbivores on the plant species richness of a Mediterranean semiarid annual plant community in central Spain over six years. We also analyzed the effect of grazing and productivity on the evenness and species composition of the plant community, and green cover, litter, and plant height. We found that plant richness was higher where the large herbivore was present at high-productivity sites but barely changed at low productivity. The small herbivore did not affect species richness at either productivity site despite its large effects on species composition. We propose that adaptations to resource scarcity and herbivory prevented plant richness changes at low-productivity sites, whereas litter accumulation in the absence of herbivores decreased plant richness at high productivity. Our results are consistent with predictions arising from a long history of grazing and highlight the importance of both large and small herbivores to the maintenance of plant diversity of Mediterranean annual-dominated pastures.
Keywords: Body size; Dehesa; european rabbits; Grazing; plant-herbivore

Contrasting responses of two xerophilous land snails to fire and natural reforestation - Santos, Xavier; Bros, Vicenc; Ros, Elisabet (CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY, 2012)
Land-use change is considered the main disturbance in landscape structure and composition, directly affecting faunal distribution and species richness worldwide. Wildfires and natural reforestation alter habitat structure in terms of vegetation cover and also in soil composition and moisture; these processes hence trigger habitat transformations that act as opposing forces at small spatial scales. We have explored the contrasting effects of wildfires and natural reforestation on two land-snail species of the genus Xerocrassa, which are endemic in the western Mediterranean. Snails were sampled in pine and Holm oak forest, stony bare slopes and burnt sites. Both species followed a similar pattern: they were present in more than 75% of the stony bare slope sites and around 50% of the burnt sites, but were almost absent in Holm oak forests. The comparison of aerial photographs from 1956 and 2003 showed that stony bare slopes were significantly larger in 1956, this indicating that the natural reforestation might close these habitats, and consequently threaten the viability of the Xerocrassa populations. Given their limited mobility, the presence of Xerocrassa at burnt sites suggests that these species live in small and cryptic populations within the forest, surviving fire and expanding their distribution due to the appearance of adequate habitats. Our study shows that natural reforestation and fire play opposing roles in conserving Xerocrassa populations. The preservation of stony bare slopes as well as other open areas is a key management guideline to maintain landscape mosaics and help future conservation of species of open habitats such as these vulnerable endemic gastropods.
Keywords: burnt areas; Mediterranean basin; terrestrial gastropods; wildfires; Xerocrassa spp.

Contribution of cork oak plantations installed after 1990 in Portugal to the Kyoto commitments and to the landowners economy - Coelho, Marta Baptista; Paulo, Joana Amaral; Palma, João Henrique Nunes; Tomé, Margarida (Forest Policy and Economics, 2012)
Cork oak stands are a part of the agroforestry ecosystem in Portugal, characterized by a low crown cover from cork oak trees, managed towards cork production, and sometimes in combination with grazing. In recent years, European Union policies gave impetus to a large area of new cork oak plantations, which have been established mainly for cork production purposes, and consequently with higher stand density than traditional agroforestry systems. These plantations are important not only for cork production but also for the carbon sequestered by these slow growing forests that won't be harvested for wood production. Thinning operations will be needed to avoid excessive inter-tree competition and wood extracted from these thinning may also provide income for the owners. In the present study, carbon sequestered and wood volumes resulting from thinning were estimated for the next 70 years. Three scenarios of different annual afforestation rates and different site indexes were tested. The resulting values for the considered scenarios show that, if the plantation rates are maintained, new cork oak plantations will have an important contribution to the Portuguese commitments to providing CO2 offsets under the Kyoto protocol. Additionally, due to the increasing values of initial density in new cork plantations, cork oak forests will produce a signiﬁcant volume of wood that may become an important contribution to the landowners' income.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Carbon Sequestration; Cork oak; Kyoto protocol; New plantations area; Wood

Cork and sustainability: Discussing the sustainable use of the material from a design perspective - Pereira, Ana Carina; Brezet, Han; Pereira, Helena; Vogtlander, Joost (Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University (Science), 2012)
There is the challenge to use materials in a more sustainable way. Even though cork has an interesting eco-proﬁle as a material, other aspects contributing to an enhanced sustainable use of the resource are discussed: addressing the life-span of products, materials substitution, and the trend of materials development identiﬁed. Key words: sustainability, design and materials, cork products and materials, eco-materials
Keywords: cork products and materials; design and materials; eco-materials; Sustainability

Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings acclimate to elevated CO2 and water stress: photosynthesis, growth, wood anatomy and hydraulic conductivity - Vaz, M; Cochard, H; Gazarini, L; Graça, J; Chaves, M M; Pereira, J S (Trees, 2012)
Leaf gas-exchange, leaf and shoot anatomy, wood density and hydraulic conductivity were investigated in seedlings of Quercus suber L. grown for 15 months either at elevated (700 lmol mol -1 ) or normal (350 lmol mol -1 ) ambient atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Plants were grown in greenhouses in a controlled environment: relative humidity 50% (±5), temperature similar to external temperature and natural light conditions. Plants were supplied with nutrients and two water regimes (WW, well watered; WS, water stress). After 6 months exposure to CO2 enrichment an increase in photosynthetic rate, a decrease in stomatal conductance and a decrease in carbon isotope discrimination (D 13 C) were observed, along with enhanced growth and an increase in the number of branches and branch diameter. Over the same period, the shoot weight ratio increased, the root weight ratio decreased and the leaf weight ratio was unaffected. The speciﬁc leaf area increased due to an increase in total leaf thickness, mainly due to the palisade parenchyma and starch. However, after 9 and 15 months of elevated CO2 exposure, the above-mentioned physiological and morphological parameters appeared to be unaffected. Elevated CO2 did not promote changes in vessel lumen diameter, vessel frequency or wood density in stems grown in greenhouse conditions. As a consequence, xylem hydraulic efﬁciency remained unchanged. Likewise, xylem vulnerability to embolism was not modiﬁed by elevated CO2. In summary, elevated CO2 had no positive effect on the ecophysiological parameters or growth of water stressed plants.
Keywords: Elevated CO2; Growth; hydraulic conductivity; Leaf and wood anatomy; photosynthesis; Quercus suber; Soil water stress

Cork Oak Vulnerability to Fire: The Role of Bark Harvesting, Tree Characteristics and Abiotic Factors - Catry, Filipe X; Moreira, Francisco; Pausas, Juli G; Fernandes, Paulo M; Rego, Francisco; Cardillo, Enrique; Curt, Thomas (PLoS ONE, 2012)
Forest ecosystems where periodical tree bark harvesting is a major economic activity may be particularly vulnerable to disturbances such as fire, since debarking usually reduces tree vigour and protection against external agents. In this paper we asked how cork oak Quercus suber trees respond after wildfires and, in particular, how bark harvesting affects post-fire tree survival and resprouting. We gathered data from 22 wildfires (4585 trees) that occurred in three southern European countries (Portugal, Spain and France), covering a wide range of conditions characteristic of Q. suber ecosystems. Post-fire tree responses (tree mortality, stem mortality and crown resprouting) were examined in relation to management and ecological factors using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Results showed that bark thickness and bark harvesting are major factors affecting resistance of Q. suber to fire. Fire vulnerability was higher for trees with thin bark (young or recently debarked individuals) and decreased with increasing bark thickness until cork was 3–4 cm thick. This bark thickness corresponds to the moment when exploited trees are debarked again, meaning that exploited trees are vulnerable to fire during a longer period. Exploited trees were also more likely to be top-killed than unexploited trees, even for the same bark thickness. Additionally, vulnerability to fire increased with burn severity and with tree diameter, and was higher in trees burned in early summer or located in drier south-facing aspects. We provided tree response models useful to help estimating the impact of fire and to support management decisions. The results suggested that an appropriate management of surface fuels and changes in the bark harvesting regime (e.g. debarking coexisting trees in different years or increasing the harvesting cycle) would decrease vulnerability to fire and contribute to the conservation of cork oak ecosystems.
Keywords: bark tickness; cork harvesting; Cork oak; fire; fire vulnerability; management (voyant); mortality; post-fire response

Corky, a gypsy-like retrotransposon is differentially transcribed in Quercus suber tissues. - Rocheta, Margarida; Carvalho, Luísa; Viegas, Wanda; Morais-Cecílio, Leonor (BMC research notes, 2012)
Background: Transposable elements (TEs) make up a large part of eukaryotic genomes. Due to their repetitive nature and to the fact that they harbour regulatory signals, TEs can be responsible for chromosomal rearrangements, movement of gene sequences and evolution of gene regulation and function. Retrotransposon ubiquity raises the question about their function in genomes and most are transcriptionally inactive due to rearrangements that compromise their activity. However, the activity of TEs is currently considered to have been one of the major processes in genome evolution. Findings: We report on the characterization of a transcriptionally active gypsy-like retrotransposon (named Corky) from Quercus suber, in a comparative and quantitative study of expression levels in different tissues and distinct developmental stages through RT-qPCR. We observed Corky’s differential transcription levels in all the tissues analysed. Conclusions: These results document that Corky’s transcription levels are not constant. Nevertheless, they depend upon the developmental stage, the tissue analysed and the potential occurring events during an individuals’ life span. This modulation brought upon by different developmental and environmental influences suggests an involvement of Corky in stress response and during development.
Keywords: corky; expression; ltr retroelement; Quercus suber; rt-qpcr

Critical loads of nitrogen deposition and critical levels of atmospheric ammonia for semi-natural Mediterranean evergreen woodlands - Pinho, P; Theobald, M R; Dias, T; Tang, Y S; Cruz, C; Martins-Loução, M a.; Máguas, C; Sutton, M; Branquinho, C (Biogeosciences, 2012)
Nitrogen (N) has emerged in recent years as a key factor associated with global changes, with impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems functioning and human health. In order to ameliorate the effects of excessive N, safety thresholds such as critical loads (deposition ﬂuxes) and levels (concentrations) can be established. Few studies have assessed these thresholds for semi-natural Mediterranean ecosystems. Our objective was therefore to determine the critical loads of N deposition and long-term critical levels of atmospheric ammonia for semi-natural Mediterranean evergreen woodlands. We have considered changes in epiphytic lichen communities, one of the most sensitive comunity indicators of excessive N in the atmosphere. Based on a classiﬁcation of lichen species according to their tolerance to N we grouped species into response functional groups, which we used as a tool to determine the critical loads and levels. This was done for a Mediterranean climate in evergreen cork-oak woodlands, based on the relation between lichen functional diversity and modelled N deposition for critical loads and measured annual atmospheric ammonia concentrations for critical levels, evaluated downwind from a reduced N source (a cattle barn). Modelling the highly signiﬁcant relationship between lichen functional groups and annual atmospheric ammonia concentration showed the critical level to be below 1.9 µg m−3 , in agreement with recent studies for other ecosystems. Modelling the highly signiﬁcant relationship between lichen functional groups and N deposition showed that the critical load was lower than 26 kg (N) ha−1 yr−1 , which is within the upper range established for other semi-natural ecosystems. Taking into account the high sensitivity of lichen communities to excessive N, these values should aid development of policies to protect Mediterranean woodlands from the initial effects of excessive N.
Keywords: atmospheric ammonia; Critical levels; Critical loads; lichen functional-groups; Mediterranean evergreen woodlands (voyant); n deposition

Cryptogein and capsicein promote defence responses in Quercus suber against Phytophthora cinnamomi infection - Medeira, Clara; Quartin, Virgínia; Maia, Isabel; Diniz, Inês; Matos, Mª Céu; Semedo, José Nobre; Scotti-Campos, Paula; Ramalho, José C; Pais, Isabel P; Ramos, Paula; Melo, Elvira; Leitão, António E; et al. (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2012)
The decline of cork oak (Quercus suber) stands in Iberian Peninsula is associated with infection by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Most Phytophthora species secrete elicitins, which can enhance defence reactions against some pathogens. Here cytological and physiological effects of the elicitins cryptogein and capsicein on cork oak root infection by P. cinnamomi were evaluated. The progression of the pathogen in root tissue and its effects on total fatty acid (TFA) composition of roots and leaves were analysed in seedlings. Net photosynthesis (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs ), chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements (quantum yield of linear electron transport ϕe , photochemical quenching qP, non-photochemical quenching NPQ) and carotenoid determinations were carried out in well established (4 months) plants. In elicitin-treated roots, 2 days after inoculation, the pathogen which presented loss of viability and membrane degradation was mainly restricted to the intercellular spaces of the cortical parenchyma, and did not reach the vascular cylinder. Electron dense materials accumulated in the intercellular spaces of the cortex next to disorganized hyphae, suggested to be related with defence reactions. Cryptogein (or its interaction with P. cinnamomi) induced enhanced lipid synthesis in leaves, which may contribute to preserve membrane stability. P. cinnamomi decreased Pn , gs , ϕe , and qP, whereas elicitintreated plants displayed values similar to controls. Overall, the results indicated a resistance response of cork oak against this oomycete, induced by the elicitins.
Keywords: cytology; decline disease; fluorescence; leaf gas exchanges; Membrane Lipids; photosynthetic pigments

Cyclobotryoxide, a phytotoxic metabolite produced by the plurivorous pathogen Neofusicoccum australe. - Andolfi, Anna; Maddau, Lucia; Cimmino, Alessio; Linaldeddu, Benedetto T.; Franceschini, Antonio; Serra, Salvatorica; Basso, Sara; Melck, Dominique; Evidente, Antonio (Journal of natural products, 2012)
Two isolates of Neofusicoccum australe belonging to ITS haplotypes H4 and H1 and associated with grapevine cordon dieback and branch dieback of Phoenicean juniper, respectively, have been shown to produce in vitro structurally different secondary metabolites. From the strain BOT48 of N. australe (haplotype H4) a new cyclohexenone oxide, namely, cyclobotryoxide, was isolated together with 3-methylcatechol and tyrosol. Cyclobotryoxide was characterized as (1S,5R,6S)-5-hydroxy-3-methoxy-4-methyl-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-en-2-one by spectroscopic, optical, and chemical methods. The strain BL24 (haplotype H1) produced tyrosol along with botryosphaerone D and (3S,4S)-3,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalenone. The metabolites obtained from both strains were tested at four concentrations on leaves of grapevine cv. Cannonau, holm oak, and cork oak by the leaf puncture assay. Cyclobotryoxide proved to be the most phytotoxic compound. Tyrosol and cyclobotryoxide were also tested on detached grapevine leaves at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5 mg/mL. Only cyclobotryoxide was found to be active in this bioassay.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 23046443
Keywords: Ascomycota; Ascomycota: chemistry; Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic: chemistry; Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic: isolation & purif; Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic: pharmacology; Catechols; Cyclohexanones; Cyclohexanones: chemistry; Cyclohexanones: isolation & purification; Cyclohexanones: pharmacology; Juniperus; Juniperus: microbiology; Molecular Structure; mycotoxins; Mycotoxins: chemistry; Mycotoxins: isolation & purification; Mycotoxins: pharmacology; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular; Quercus; Quercus: drug effects; Stereoisomerism; Vitis; Vitis: drug effects

Dealing with landscape fuzziness in user preference studies: Photo-based questionnaires in the Mediterranean context - Barroso, Filipe Lucas; Pinto-Correia, Teresa; Ramos, Isabel L.; Surová, Diana; Menezes, Helena (Landscape and Urban Planning, 2012)
Mediterranean landscapes reveal extremely adequate conditions for the development of other functions besides production (nature conservation, recreation, life quality, local identity). These functions support the provision of public goods and services increasingly recognized by society. With this goal, the production of knowledge that may support decision is highly needed. In Mediterranean extensively used areas, the analysis of landscape features and related public preferences is complex, as the landscape pattern is highly fuzzy and land cover classes are often mixed. Resulting from multiple research developments, this paper demonstrates how photo-based surveys can be a suitable tool for assessing landscape preferences by speciﬁc public groups. Landscape functions addressed are closely linked to land cover patterns, as resulting from land cover systems. Thus using photographs in landscape questionnaires is useful in focusing the discussion on speciﬁc aspects, related with the variations in land cover and in their combinations with other speciﬁc landscape features. But the photos shown need to be clear and easily perceivable by the respondents. In order to cope with the underlying fuzziness of these landscapes, manipulation of images has been developed as the best solution so that the variations shown to respondents are adequately controlled in the study and landscape features are easily recognized by the respondents. The methodological approach as well as the results of applied approaches, of two studies on the users preferences, applied to a case-study area in Alentejo region, Portugal, are presented. The issues concerned with photo manipulation are a particular focus of discussion.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Landscape fuzziness; landscape preferences; Mediterranean landscapes; Photo manipulation; Photo-based questionnaires; Visualization tools

Dehesas y paisajes adehesados en Castilla y León - Llorente Pinto, J. M. (Polígonos. Revista de Geografía, 2012)
The "dehesas" of Castile and Leon occupy about 5.5% of the regional territory, primarily concentrated in the southwestern sector, the provinces of Salamanca, Avila and Zamora. They show a remarkable variety of lithological substrates, and the Holm oak is the most common tree species in these open woodlands. The farms are large (between 350 and 400 ha on average) and the land tenure is majority ownership. In this farms the livestock is the fundamental production, because it represents just over 75% of income. The dependence on subsidies is now considerable, as with other types of farms. Fattening Iberian pigs and cattle breeding are the main uses, and agricultural and forest uses are subordinate to the grazing. The landscape of this agricultural system is characterized by the prominence of open oak woodland with varying degrees of density. In recent years it has greatly increased the stocking density, and this, coupled with other processes are adversely affecting the internal balance of these agro-ecosystems and their own persistence, primarily because of problems related to a proper state of the trees
Keywords: Castile and Leon; Dehesa; extensive livestock grazing; Forest management; landscape

Determinants of drought effects on crown condition and their relationship with depletion of carbon reserves in a Mediterranean holm oak forest - Galiano, Lucía; Martínez-Vilalta, Jordi; Sabaté, Santi; Lloret, Francisco (Tree Physiology, 2012)
Severe droughts may increase physiological stress on long-lived woody vegetation, occasionally leading to rapid defoliation and progressive increase in mortality of overstorey trees. Over the last few years, episodes of drought-induced tree dieback have been documented in a variety of woodlands and forests around the world. However, the factors determining tree survival and subsequent recovery are still poorly understood, especially in resprouter species. We have studied the effects of a single drought episode on crown condition in a holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest located in NE Spain 7 years after the drought event. Generalized linear models were used to study the environmental correlates of forest crown condition 7 years after the drought event. Additionally, we evaluated the association between crown condition and the carbon and nutrient reserves stored in lignotubers 7 years after the drought. Our study reveals the multifactor nature of a drought-driven forest dieback in which soil depth and the characteristics of individual trees, particularly their number of stems, determined a complex spatial pattern of tree-level responses. This dieback was associated with a depletion of the carbon reserves in lignotubers 7 years after the episode, representing a reduction of up to 60% in highly drought-damaged trees. Interestingly, in the absence of new acute droughts, successive surveys in 2007–11 showed a direct association between carbon reserves depletion and further deterioration of crown condition. More frequent droughts, as predicted by climate change projections, may lead to a progressive depletion of carbon reserves and to a loss of resilience in Mediterranean resprouter species.
10.1093/treephys/tps02510.1093/treephys/tps025
Keywords: carbon reserves; crown condition; drought resilience; resprouter; tree dieback

Development of Quercus ilex plantations is related to soil phosphorus availability on shallow calcareous soils - Pascual, S; Olarieta, J R; Rodríguez-Ochoa, R (New Forests, 2012)
The objective of this study is to analyse the performance of Quercus ilex plantations established under semiarid conditions on different soils formed on calcareous and gypsiferous parent material. We studied eighteen 300 m 2 plots in which 1 year-old seedlings had been planted after subsoiling on the contour. Plots were stratiﬁed according to aspect (north and south) and previous land use/parent material: shrubland on limestone (LM-SH), shrubland on gypsum rock (GY-SH), and cropland on colluvium (CO-AG). Soils developed on limestone and colluvium had average rooting depths of 27 and 37 cm, respectively, and mean concentrations of active lime and phosphorus (P) of 130 and 190 mg g -1 and 10 and 19 mg kg -1 , respectively. Soils developed on gypsum had a mean rooting depth of 26 cm, and a mean gypsum concentration of 73 %. Height and diameter of trees varied signiﬁcantly according to parent material/previous land use but not to slope aspect. Mean height and diameter of trees were signiﬁcantly higher in CO-AG plots than in LM-SH and GY-SH plots. Soil P and depth were the main variables explaining differences in dominant height across all 18 plots. In CO-AG plots mean height was negatively related to soil pH but positively related to soil P concentration. In LM-SH plots, mean diameter and height were negatively related to active lime concentration. This study suggests that soil P is a major determinant of holm oak performance in shallow calcareous soils and highlights the importance of conducting detailed soil studies in order to assess the viability of plantations with this species.
Keywords: Active lime; Afforestation; Gypsum; Holm oak; Mediterranean; Semiarid areas

Direct and indirect landscape effects on Quercus ilex regeneration in heterogeneous environments. - Puerta-Piñero, Carolina; Pino, Joan; Gómez, José María (Oecologia, 2012)
Understanding how plant-animal interactions shape plant regeneration is traditionally examined at local scales. In contrast, landscape ecologists working at regional scales often have to infer the mechanisms underlying vegetation patterns. In this study, we empirically explored how landscape attributes (patch connectivity, size, shape, irradiance, slope, and elevation) influence biotic interactions in 1- and 2-year seedlings and saplings of Quercus ilex. We combined field data and GIS-based information under a set of five connectivity scenarios, presuming low, intermediate, and long-distance seed dispersal. Our study emphasizes that landscape, apart from its direct effects on plants, plays a key, albeit indirect, role in plant demography through its effects on seed dispersers and predators. Moreover, the effects of landscape on recruitment differed between plant life stages. One-year seedlings and saplings appear to depend more on plant-animal interactions, while 2-year seedlings depend more on irradiance. Differences in patch connectivity resulted in direct and indirect effects on biotic interactions, which, in turn, produced contrasting positive and negative effects on regeneration at different stages of the life cycle. While jays and wild boars seem crucial to all life stages and most of the connectivity scenarios, rodents and herbivores affected only 1-year seedlings and saplings, respectively, and only a few of the connectivity scenarios. By simultaneously including an ensemble of explanatory factors, our study emphasizes that regeneration depends on a set of key drivers, both abiotic (i.e. irradiance) and biotic (i.e. jays and wild boars), whose effects are greatly modulated by landscape traits.
Keywords: Animals; Ecosystem; irradiance; landscape connectivity; Life Cycle Stages; Mediterranean; Passeriformes; Plant Dispersal; Plant–animal interactions; Quercus; Quercus: growth & development; Recruitment; Seedling; Seedling: growth & development; Sus scrofa

Dispersal patterns of a saproxylic beetle, Osmoderma eremita, in Mediterranean woodlands - Chiari, Stefano; Carpaneto, Giuseppe M.; Zauli, Agnese; Zirpoli, Giancarlo M.; Audisio, Paolo; Ranius, Thomas (Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2012)
* Dispersal patterns of a beetle inhabiting tree hollows, Osmoderma eremita (Scopoli, 1763) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), were studied in a cork oak (Quercus suber) woodland in central Italy, the southernmost part of its distribution range. During 2 years, we used radio telemetry to monitor dispersal of 39 free-ranging individuals (16 males, 23 females). * Telemetered beetles spent their lifetime not only inside hollow trees but also in other habitats, such as above or under the ground surface. * Beetles were more active at the beginning of the season. Eighty-one per cent of the males and 69% of the females conducted dispersals during their lifetime. * The dispersal distance over individuals' lifetime did not differ between sexes. The longest dispersal was conducted by a female that moved 1504 m. Thirty-nine per cent of dispersing individuals reached distances farther than 250 m. Both dispersal rate and range are higher than what has been found in Northern Europe. * The population size per tree is low, most of the adults leave their natal tree, and a high predation rate (at least 28%) was observed among dispersing beetles. Therefore, to balance the local extinction risk from single trees, a high density of hollow trees is probably required. It is desirable that suitable trees are concentrated at a spatial scale of a few hundred metres.
Keywords: Coleoptera; dispersal; habitat colonisation; hollow trees; radio tracking; Scarabaeidae

The diversification of terpene emissions in Mediterranean oaks: lessons from a study of Quercus suber, Quercus canariensis and its hybrid Quercus afares - Welter, Saskia; Bracho-Nuñez, Araceli; Mir, Celine; Zimmer, Ina; Kesselmeier, Jürgen; Lumaret, Roselyne; Schnitzler, Jörg-Peter; Staudt, Michael (Tree Physiology, 2012)
Interspecific gene flow is common in oaks. In the Mediterranean, this process produced geographical differentiations and new species, which may have contributed to the diversification of the production of volatile terpenes in the oak species of this region. The endemic North African deciduous oak Quercus afares (Pomel) is considered to be a stabilized hybrid between the evergreen Quercus suber (L.) and the deciduous Quercus canariensis (Willd.), presumably being monoterpene and isoprene emitters, respectively. In a common garden experiment, we examined the terpene emission capacities, terpene synthase (TPS) activities and nuclear genetic markers in 52 trees of these three oak species. All but one of the Q. suber and Q. canariensis trees were found to be genetically pure, whereas most Q. afares trees possessed a mixed genotype with a predominance of Q. suber alleles. Analysis of the foliar terpene emissions and TPS activities revealed that all the Q. canariensis trees strongly produced isoprene while all the Q. suber trees were strong monoterpene producers. Quercus afares trees produced monoterpenes as well but at more variable and significantly lower rates, and with a monoterpene pattern different than that observed in Q. suber. Among 17 individuals tested, one Q. afares tree emitted only an insignificant amount of terpenes. No mixed isoprene/monoterpene emitter was detected. Our results suggest that the capacity and pattern of volatile terpene production in Algerian Q. afares populations have strongly diverged from those of its parental species and became quantitatively and qualitatively reduced, including the complete suppression of isoprene production.
10.1093/treephys/tps06910.1093/treephys/tps069
Keywords: Algerian oak; allozyme polymorphism; chemo-taxonomy; chemotype; Cork oak; isoprene synthase; isoprenoid; speciation

DO3SE modelling of soil moisture to determine ozone flux to forest trees - Büker, P.; Morrissey, T.; Briolat, A.; Falk, R.; Simpson, D.; Tuovinen, J.-P.; Alonso, R.; Barth, S.; Baumgarten, M.; Grulke, N.; Karlsson, P. E.; King, J.; et al. (Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 2012)
The DO3SE (Deposition of O3 for Stomatal Exchange) model is an established tool for estimating ozone (O3) deposition, stomatal ﬂux and impacts to a variety of vegetation types across Europe. It has been embedded within the EMEP (European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme) photochemical model to provide a policy tool capable of relating the ﬂux-based risk of vegetation damage to O3 precursor emission scenarios for use in policy formulation. A key limitation of regional ﬂux-based risk assessments has been the assumption that soil water deﬁcits are not limiting O3 ﬂux due to the unavailability of evaluated methods for modelling soil water deﬁcits and their inﬂuence on stomatal conductance (gsto), and subsequent O3 ﬂux. This paper describes the development and evaluation of a method to estimate soil moisture status and its inﬂuence on gsto for a variety of forest tree species. This DO3SE soil moisture module uses the Penman-Monteith energy balance method to drive water cycling through the soil-plantatmosphere system and empirical data describing gsto relationships with pre-dawn leaf water status to estimate the biological control of transpiration. We trial four different methods to estimate this biological control of the transpiration stream, which vary from simple methods that relate soil water content or potential directly to gsto, to more complex methods that incorporate hydraulic resistance and plant capacitance that control water ﬂow through the plant system. These methods are evaluated against ﬁeld data describing a variety of soil water variables, gsto and transpiration data for Norway spruce (Picea abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), birch (Betula pendula), aspen (Populus tremuloides), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and holm oak (Quercus ilex) collected from ten sites across Europe and North America. Modelled estimates of these variables show consistency with observed data when applying the simple empirical methods, with the timing and magnitude of soil drying events being captured well across all sites and reductions in transpiration with the onset of drought being predicted with reasonable accuracy. The more complex methods, which incorporate hydraulic resistance and plant capacitance, perform less well, with predicted drying cycles consistently underestimating the rate and magnitude of water loss from the soil. A sensitivity analysis showed that model performance was strongly dependent upon the local parameterisation of key model drivers such as the maximum gsto, soil texture, root depth and leaf area index. The results suggest that the simple modelling methods that relate gsto directly to soil water content and potential provide adequate estimates of soil moisture and inﬂuence on gsto such that they are suitable to be used to assess the potential risk posed by O3 to forest trees across Europe.
Keywords: DO3SE; Drought (voyant); Modeling; soil water; Stomatal conductance; Stomatal ozone ﬂux

Drove roads as local biodiversity reservoirs: effects on landscape pattern and plant communities in a Mediterranean region - Azcárate, Francisco M.; Robleño, Irene; Seoane, Javier; Manzano, Pablo; Peco, Begoña (Applied Vegetation Science, 2012)
Question: What are the effects of traditional drove roads on landscape pattern and plant communities? Location: Madrid Autonomous Region, Central Spain. Methods: We selected four study localities in different landscape units. Within each locality, we selected eight sites and within each site, we established three 1-ha plots, each corresponding to one of three situations: drove road, adjacent matrix or distant matrix. The landscape pattern of each plot was characterized by the cover of the different patch types, the patch type richness ha 1 and the patch type evenness ha 1 . At one site per locality, we also recorded vegetation by randomly distributing twenty 20 cm 9 20 cm quadrats per plot. We characterized each quadrat by its species richness, plant species composition and plant functional composition. We also analysed species richness by constructing rarefaction curves for each plot. Results: In the localities situated in croplands, sub-mediterranean forests and coniferous forests, drove roads were found to be an important source of spatial heterogeneity and a reservoir for a large number of plant species. In contrast, drove roads did not differ from the matrix habitats in rangelands, suggesting that the processes shaping drove road vegetation are similar to the general processes that shape grazed systems. Drove roads did not imply a signiﬁcant increase in functional diversity. Our results were heavily scale-dependent: while drove roads provided heterogeneity at the local scale, they showed a remarkable similarity at the large scale. Conclusions: Drove roads act as authentic local biodiversity reservoirs, especially in environments with low grazing levels. At the same time, drove roads imply structural and functional continuity on a large scale, increasing potential connectivity at the regional level. We recommend the preservation of drove roads in a functional state, because of their beneﬁts to plant biodiversity conservation, and claim that these beneﬁts should be considered when designing livestock policies with different intensiﬁcation scenarios.
Keywords: extensive grazing; functional diversity; functional traits; landscape heterogeneity; Transhumance

Drying kinetics of cork planks in a cork pile in the field - Costa, Augusta; Pereira, Helena (Food and Bioproducts Processing, 2012)
Moisture content is one important parameter in the trading of raw cork planks after harvesting. This study presents a mathematical modeling of the drying curve of raw cork planks in a cork pile in the ﬁeld, under natural sun drying conditions. Experimental data were obtained by following the water loss (i.e. by daily weighing) of 97 cork planks positioned in nine points within a cork pile. Immediately after harvesting, the raw cork planks had a mean moisture content in a dry basis of 40.4% and after 20-day drying 16.6%. The drying process of the cork planks showed three phases: drying was very fast in the ﬁrst 2 days; in the next 2–15 days there was a decreasing drying rate; and a ﬁnal phase, after 15 days in the cork pile, with a slightly decreasing drying rate. Mathematical modeling provided a direct relation between moisture content and drying time. After comparing sixteen empirical drying models, the Modiﬁed Henderson and Pabis model showed the best ﬁt. According to this model, the cork planks are commercial dry (14% moisture content in a wet basis) 15 days after harvest.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Institution of Chemical Engineers
Keywords: Cork; empirical drying models; Moisture content; moisture ratio; natural sun drying

Economic analysis of scenarios for the sustainability of extensive livestock farming in Spain under the CAP - Franco, Juan Agustín; Gaspar, Paula; Mesias, Francisco Javier (Ecological Economics, 2012)
This paper proposes a change in the conditions of cross-compliance of CAP payments. Speciﬁcally, the eligibility criterion considered is compliance with minimal requirements of long-term economic and agroenvironmental sustainability. To this end, 69 range farms were surveyed in Extremadura (SW Spain). In these farms, sustainability was studied using the MESMIS framework. MESMIS is based on the evaluation of basic attributes of sustainability (adaptability, self-reliance, equity, stability, and productivity) formed from different indicators. The original indicators are then synthesized by means of qualitative, quantitative, or mixed techniques into a single value measuring the sustainability of the system (sustainability index). Alternative scenarios were then deﬁned in which the perception of CAP subsidies was to a greater or lesser extent linked to levels of sustainability. For each of these scenarios, the economic indicators of the farms were compared with those of the baseline (present) situation. The analysis was completed using a logistic model classiﬁcation to study the relationship between the maximum levels attainable by the economic indicators in terms of the sustainability indices. The results showed that including sustainability as a condition for receiving aid under the CAP can contribute to improving the economic results of traditional extensive farms.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: common agricultural policy; Cross-compliance; Dehesa; Extremadura; Logistic models; Sustainability

Economic vulnerability of timber resources to forest fires. - Rodríguez y Silva, Francisco; Molina, Juan Ramón; González-Cabán, Armando; Machuca, Miguel Ángel Herrera; y Silva, Francisco Rodríguez; Molina, Juan Ramón; González-Cabán, Armando; Machuca, Miguel Ángel Herrera (Journal of environmental management, 2012)
The temporal-spatial planning of activities for a territorial fire management program requires knowing the value of forest ecosystems. In this paper we extend to and apply the economic valuation principle to the concept of economic vulnerability and present a methodology for the economic valuation of the forest production ecosystems. The forest vulnerability is analyzed from criteria intrinsically associated to the forest characterization, and to the potential behavior of surface fires. Integrating a mapping process of fire potential and analytical valuation algorithms facilitates the implementation of fire prevention planning. The availability of cartography of economic vulnerability of the forest ecosystems is fundamental for budget optimization, and to help in the decision making process.
Keywords: Conservation of Natural Resources; Conservation of Natural Resources: economics; Decision Making; Economic valuation; Ecosystem; Fire economic losses; Fire prevention planning; Fires; Timber valuation; Trees

Effect of Methodological and Ecological Approaches on Heterogeneity of Nest-Site Selection of a Long-Lived Vulture - Moreno-Opo, Rubén; Fernández-Olalla, Mariana; Margalida, Antoni; Arredondo, Ángel; Guil, Francisco (PLoS ONE, 2012)
The application of scientific-based conservation measures requires that sampling methodologies in studies modelling similar ecological aspects produce comparable results making easier their interpretation. We aimed to show how the choice of different methodological and ecological approaches can affect conclusions in nest-site selection studies along different Palearctic meta-populations of an indicator species. First, a multivariate analysis of the variables affecting nest-site selection in a breeding colony of cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) in central Spain was performed. Then, a meta-analysis was applied to establish how methodological and habitat-type factors determine differences and similarities in the results obtained by previous studies that have modelled the forest breeding habitat of the species. Our results revealed patterns in nesting-habitat modelling by the cinereous vulture throughout its whole range: steep and south-facing slopes, great cover of large trees and distance to human activities were generally selected. The ratio and situation of the studied plots (nests/random), the use of plots vs. polygons as sampling units and the number of years of data set determined the variability explained by the model. Moreover, a greater size of the breeding colony implied that ecological and geomorphological variables at landscape level were more influential. Additionally, human activities affected in greater proportion to colonies situated in Mediterranean forests. For the first time, a meta-analysis regarding the factors determining nest-site selection heterogeneity for a single species at broad scale was achieved. It is essential to homogenize and coordinate experimental design in modelling the selection of species' ecological requirements in order to avoid that differences in results among studies would be due to methodological heterogeneity. This would optimize best conservation and management practices for habitats and species in a global context.
Keywords: cinereous vulture; Human disturbance; modelling (voyant); Nest site selection

Effect of production system on physical–chemical, antioxidant and fatty acids composition of Longissimus dorsi and Serratus ventralis muscles from Iberian pig - Tejerina, D; García-Torres, S; Cabeza de Vaca, M; Vázquez, F M; Cava, R (Food Chemistry, 2012)
The effect of three production systems of Iberian pigs namely Montanera (free-range system and feeding based on acorns and grass), Recebo (free-range system and nutrition based in combination of acorns, grass and mixed feeds) and Intensive (conﬁnement with mixed feeds) on some quality traits of Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Serratus ventralis (SV) muscles were studied. Muscles from pigs raised in the Montanera system showed signiﬁcantly higher CIE L ⁄ , a ⁄ and b ⁄ values and higher haem pigment content than those from Intensive system. Similarly, muscles from pigs raised in the Montanera system had signiﬁcantly higher contents of a and c-tocopherol and phenolic compounds contents and higher lipophilic and hydrophilic activity antioxidant than those from pigs raised in the Intensive system. Fatty acids proﬁles from Montanera pigs had signiﬁcantly higher monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids and lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) than those from pigs raised in the Intensive system. In relation to muscle effect, LD showed lower intramuscular fat (IMF), a-tocopherol, phenolic compounds, lipid oxidation and PUFA, but higher MUFA than SV.
Keywords: antioxidant; fatty acids; Iberian pigs; Montanera

Effects of reforestation with Quercus species on selected arthropod assemblages (Isopoda Oniscidea, Chilopoda, Coleoptera Carabidae) in a Mediterranean area - Baini, Francesco; Pitzalis, Monica; Taiti, Stefano; Taglianti, Augusto Vigna; Zapparoli, Marzio; Bologna, Marco a (Forest Ecology and Management, 2012)
Arthropod assemblages (Isopoda Oniscidea, Chilopoda, Coleoptera Carabidae) were studied in three 20- year-old reforestations with native oak species (holm-oak Quercus ilex, Turkey-oak Quercus cerris, and downy-oakQuercus pubescens) and in a natural mixed oak forest (Q. cerris andQuercus frainetto) in Latium (central Italy). The three reforested areas had been previously used for agricultural purposes. Samples were collected monthly by pitfall traps for a period of 1 year (March 2009–February 2010). Structural parameters and the arthropod assemblage compositions of the four studied areas were compared. The effects of the different forest types and the inﬂuence of environmental variables on the activity density of each species were analyzed, with particular emphasis to forest species. Contrary to centipedes and ground beetles, woodlice showed lower values of richness, diversity and equitability in reforestations than in the natural forest. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis, forest species of woodlice and centipedes resulted mainly associated with forests characterized by a high structural heterogeneity (natural forest and reforestation with Q. pubescens). In these two forests the activity density of centipede forest species is mainly inﬂuenced by the coverage of both shrub and leaf litter layer, and woodlice forest species only by the coverage of the latter. The ground beetle forest species were mainly associated with forests characterized by low structural heterogeneity and an almost total closure of the canopy throughout the year (reforestation with Q. ilex). However, some ground beetle forest species are present also in the natural forest. Our results suggest that reforestations with different native broadleaf species belonging to the local ‘‘potential’’ vegetation can contribute to the conservation of the diversity of forest arthropod assemblages in the extremely fragmented agricultural landscape of the middle Tyrrhenian area
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Anthropogenic habitats; Assemblages; Central Italy; Pitfall trapping; Soil fauna

Electrophysiological and behavioral responses of the black-banded oak borer, Coroebus florentinus, to conspecific and host-plant volatiles. - Fürstenau, Benjamin; Rosell, Gloria; Guerrero, Angel; Quero, Carmen (Journal of chemical ecology, 2012)
Aspects of the chemical ecology of the black-banded oak borer, (BBOB) Coroebus florentinus (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), were studied. Odors produced by males and females were similar, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Nonanal, decanal, and geranylacetone, identified in the headspace of both sexes, elicited strong electroantennographic responses from male antennae, but not from female antennae. In dual-choice olfactometer experiments, a blend of these three compounds was attractive to both sexes; males responded to decanal alone, while females responded to geranylacetone alone, suggesting that these compounds are responsible for activity of the blend to the respective sexes. Antennae of both sexes responded electroantennographically to the green leaf volatiles (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol, 1-hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and n-hexyl acetate, all identified from the host plant Quercus suber. In behavioral experiments, only females were attracted to host-plant odors, and in tests with synthetic compounds, females were attracted to (E)-2-hexenol, 1-hexanol, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate. It is likely that these compounds play a role in foraging and/or oviposition behavior of BBOB females.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22477026
Keywords: Aggregation behavior; Black-banded oak borer; Buprestidae; Coleoptera; Cork pest; Coroebus florentinus; Electrophysiology; Green leaf volatiles; Kairomone; Quercus suber; Semiochemicals; Y-tube olfactometer

Embryogenic suspensions of adult cork oak: the first step towards mass propagation - Jiménez, Jesús; López-Vela, Dolores; Ruiz-Galea, Mar; Celestino, Cristina; Toribio, Mariano; Alegre, Jesús (Trees, 2012)
Protocols have been established to clone adult cork oak trees by somatic embryogenesis using semisolid medium. However, for economically viable mass propagation, embryogenic cultures in liquid medium need to be developed. In this study, suspension cultures were initiated from embryo clusters obtained by secondary embryogenesis on a gelled medium lacking plant growth regulators. After 6 days of culture, these embryo clusters generated high cell density suspensions that also contained small organized structures (embryos and embryogenic clumps). As the culture duration increased, tissue necrosis and fewer embryogenic structures were observed and the establishment of suspension cultures failed. An alternative method was found adequate for initiation of embryogenic suspensions: embryo clusters from gelled medium were brieﬂy shaken in liquid medium and detached cells and embryogenic masses of 41–800 lm were used as inoculum. Maintenance of embryogenic suspensions was achieved using a low-density inoculum (43 mg l -1 ) by subculturing four embryogenic clumps of 0.8–1.2 mm per 70 ml of medium. Proliferation ability was maintained for almost 1 year through ten consecutive subcultures. The initiation and maintenance protocols ﬁrst developed for a single genotype were effective when tested on 11 cork oak genotypes.
Keywords: á somatic; embryogenesis á suspension culture; micropropagation; micropropagation á quercus suber; Quercus suber; Somatic embryogenesis; Suspension culture

Environmental analysis of cork granulate production in Catalonia – Northern Spain - Rives, Jesús; Fernandez-Rodriguez, Ivan; Gabarrell, Xavier; Rieradevall, Joan (Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2012)
Cork is a natural and renewable material extracted mainly in the Western Mediterranean area. Apart from natural cork stoppers and discs, the most important product of the cork sector is cork granulate, because it represents a solution for the large quantities of waste generated during natural cork industry production and during forestry activities. Cork granulates have not yet been studied from an environmental perspective, although this ecomaterial could substitute other non-renewable and more harmful materials, such as petroleum derivates. This study presents an environmental analysis of the production of cork granulates, following the life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. All the operations after forest management were analysed, from the extraction of the resources to the use of these intermediate products. Research also sought to identify the operations that contribute most to potential environmental impact during production. Inventory data was collected from three representative local producers that all use standard technology. Regarding environmental burdens, trituration and classiﬁcation-sieving were the operations which contribute most to the environmental impact of granulate production; together representing between 90% and 97% of the environmental burdens for the studied categories. It was also stated that 35% of the initial raw material that enters the system became dust during production. Cork dust is a potential material that can be used as a fuel to substitute other non-renewable sources of energy such as diesel oil or electricity. However, it was observed that the use of this waste as an energy source was still at an incipient point of implantation.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Cork granulate; Ecomaterial; Environmental impact; Life cycle assessment (LCA); Mediterranean

Environmental analysis of raw cork extraction in cork oak forests in southern Europe (Catalonia--Spain). - Rives, Jesús; Fernandez-Rodriguez, Ivan; Rieradevall, Joan; Gabarrell, Xavier (Journal of environmental management, 2012)
Cork oak grows endemically in a narrow region bordering the western Mediterranean, and especially in the Iberian Peninsula. The importance of cork agro-forestry systems lies in the fact that a natural and renewable raw material - cork - can be extracted sustainably without endangering the tree or affecting biodiversity. This paper describes an environmental analysis of the extraction of raw cork in cork oak forests in Catalonia, using data from five representative local forest exploitations. The evaluation was carried out using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, and all the forestry management required to obtain a tonne of raw cork was included. The aim of the study was to evaluate the environmental impacts - in terms of global warming, acidification, eutrophication, human toxicity, and so on - caused by cork extraction and determine the carbon dioxide balance of these forestry systems, with a tree lifespan of about 200 years. During the life cycle extraction of cork in Catalonia, 0.2 kg of CO(2) eq. was emitted per kg of raw cork extracted. Moreover, cork cannot be extracted without the tree, which will be fixing carbon dioxide throughout its technological useful life (200 years), despite the fact that the bark is removed periodically: every 13-14 years. If the emission from extraction and the carbon contained in the material is discounted, the carbon dioxide balance indicates that 18 kg of CO(2) are fixed per kg of raw cork extracted. Therefore, cork is a natural, renewable and local material that can replace other non-renewable materials, at local level, to reduce the environmental impacts of products, and particularly to reduce their carbon footprint.
Keywords: agro-forestry system; Carbon dioxide; Climate change mitigation; Cork Oak Forest; Life cycle assessment (LCA); Mediterranean

Environmental analysis of the production of champagne cork stoppers - Rives, Jesús; Fernandez-Rodriguez, Ivan; Rieradevall, Joan; Gabarrell, Xavier (Journal of Cleaner Production, 2012)
Champagne cork stoppers are a product made basically from cork, a natural and renewable resource extracted from cork oak forests in western Mediterranean regions. Each stopper is made up of an agglomerated cork body and two natural cork discs. In 2009, 60% of the world’s champagne cork stoppers were produced in Catalonia, due to the importance of cava, champagne and other sparkling wines in neighbouring areas. The aim of this research was to provide environmental reference data on champagne cork stoppers production, and identify the industrial stages and operations that made the greatest impact. This research was carried out using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, and ﬁve of the most representative producers were analysed. The system considered all the processes involved in production after the forest management stage and one million champagne cork stoppers were taken as a functional unit (FU). Results showed that 53,886 kg of CO2 eq. were emitted to produce the FU. It was observed that the champagne cork stopper manufacture stage represented between 57 and 67% of the environmental impact, depending on the category. Speciﬁcally, between 25 and 47% of the environmental impacts associated with this stage were caused by the body agglomeration operation, and between 21 and 29% were caused by the gluing of discs. On the other hand, some of the production stages such as the transport of raw cork and intermediate products, cork slab preparation or end of life stages represented a very small part of the total environmental impact of the product, less than 2%. Furthermore, it was observed that a champagne cork stopper produced by the most impacting company presented a higher impact, between 10 and 27% above the sector average, depending on the impact category; while the least impacting company presented between 12 and 32% less impact. These differences indicate that some companies can improve their production by adopting technology and production practices that some of their competitors have already put in place.
Keywords: Champagne cork stopper; Cork agglomerate; Environmental impact; Life cycle assessment (LCA); Mediterranean; Natural cork disc

Establishment constraints of an alien and a native conifer in different habitats - Carrillo-Gavilan, Amparo; MARÍA ESPELTA, JOSEP; Vila, Montserrat (BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS, 2012)
Alien plants are subjected to different biotic and environmental barriers that limit their establishment success in the introduced range. Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir), a native conifer from Northwest America, is considered one of the most invasive forestry conifers in Europe. However, little is known about the ecological filters that constrain plant establishment at early life-cycle stages and differences in habitat invasibility to this species. We conducted field experiments to compare the establishment potential (i.e. post-dispersal seed removal, seed germination, seedling survival and growth) of Douglas fir in beech forests, holm-oak forests and heathlands; and compared it with the taxonomically close native conifer Abies alba (Silver fir). Douglas fir seeds were more removed than Silver fir in holm-oak and in heathlands. In all habitats, seed germination was significantly higher for Douglas fir compared to that of Silver fir and, seedling mortality was extremely high in both species due to soil disturbance by wild boars and drought stress. Douglas fir mortality was only lower than Silver fir in beech forests. However, species did not differ in seedling growth. Overall, the probability of invasion success of Douglas fir decreased along the sequential stages of plant establishment in all habitats. Only high seed germination rates of Douglas fir would predict its high invasive capacity but these advantages are counterbalanced by high seedling mortality. Results showed a mismatch between invasibility and current pattern of Douglas fir invasion in the study area. Therefore, future research focused on seed production and on different components of biotic resistance is recommended to elucidate which processes are favoring its establishment success.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS publisher: SPRINGER
Keywords: Abies alba; germination; Invasibility; Pseudotsuga menziesii; Seed removal; seedling survival

Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used in Eastern Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Mediterranean Sea) - Carrió, Esperança; Vallès, Joan (Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2012)
Ethnopharmacological relevance: This paper represents the ﬁrst large-scale ethnobotanical study in the island of Mallorca, and provides signiﬁcant information on pharmaceutical plant uses, built up from interviews with native people from this touristic hotspot, demonstrating its ethnopharmacological importance. Aim of the study: To collect, analyse and evaluate the ethnobotanical knowledge concerning medicinal plants in a north-eastern Mallorcan area (municipalities of Artà, Capdepera and Son Servera; 298 km2 , 31,764 inhabitants). Materials and methods:We performed semi-structured interviews with 42 informants (mean age 77; 40% women, 60% men), identiﬁed the plant taxa reported and analysed the results, comparing them with those found in the current Mallorcan ethnobotanical information and in other territories. Results: The informants reported data on 121 human medicinal plants representing 64 botanical families. Around 45 medicinal uses reported, concerning 37 species, have not or have very rarely been cited as medicinal. An index of medicinal importance is proposed. Conclusions: All efforts addressed to compiling ethnobotanical information in industrialised or touristised areas such as Eastern Mallorca are still valuable. New possibilities can be explored to give practical value to Mallorcan ethnobotanical data in the frame of considering traditional plant knowledge as part of the islanders’ lifestyle and healthy habits.
Keywords: catalan-speaking territories; Mallorcan ethnopharmacopoeia; Mediterranean ethnobotany; Plant uses; traditional plant knowledge

Evaluación temprana de técnicas de restauración forestal mediante fluorescencia de la clorofila y diagnóstico de vitalidad de brinzales de encina (Quercus ilex sub. ballota) - Ceacero, Carlos J.; Díaz, José Luis; del Campo, Antonio D.; Navarro-Cerrillo, Rafael M. ª (Bosque (Valdivia), 2012)
Chlorophyll a luorescence has been applied to study the evolution of leaf photoprotection processes to dissipate excess absorbed energy that can not be fully utilized in photochemical reactions, and relects the plants ability to adapt to environmental conditions. Plants environmental conditions can be modiied by forest restoration techniques to ensure successful seedlings establishment, hence chlorophyll a luorescence can be a useful tool for assessing plant response to planting stress. The objective of this paper was to analyze the chlorophyll a luorescence as an early indicator of oak seedling response to the establishment stress and as a useful tool for the assessment of different competition control and individualized protection techniques (tillage, herbicide, mulch, tree shelter) used in forest restoration. A ield experimental plot with these restoration treatments was established and a monthly monitoring of chlorophyll a luorescence and a vitality analysis were carried out between August 2003 and October 2004 on oak seedlings. Results showed that luorescence parameters were sensitive to stress conditions prevailing in each analysed period. On the evaluation of herbaceous competition control techniques, no signiicant results on the chlorophyll a luorescence were observed. However, tree shelters exercised a protection effect on seedling limiting the photoinhibition processes during spring and winter periods. Finally, protected plants showed major photochemical eficiency than that showed by unprotected ones according to vitality tests. Therefore, the chlorophyll a luorescence analysis was proved to be a useful tool for early assessment of oak seedlings establishment stress and for the assessment of certain forest restoration techniques, such as those that combine control of herbaceous competition and individualized seedling protection.
Keywords: control de competencia herbácea; fotoinhibición; herbaceous competition control; photochemical efficiency; photochemical eficiency; photoinhibition; rendimiento fotoquímico; tree shelter; tubo invernadero

Evaluation of the mineral status of two ecosystems for sustainable goat rearing in the iberian peninsula. - Vilallonga, David; Jiménez, Antonio; Sánchez, Joaquín; Andrés, Santiago (Veterinary medicine international, 2012)
The mineral status in two ecosystems typical of the Iberian Peninsula was evaluated. Ecosystem I was formed by forests and ecosystem II by hilly areas. The levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc and selenium in soils, rations and serum were measured. The concentratons of iron, copper, zinc and selenium were also checked in liver. Ecosystem I showed higher values of every mineral, except for phosphorus. Seasonal differences were recorded for rations and serum, with higher values in spring. The rations produced by both ecosystems met the mineral requirements of goats in lactation. Thus, both ecosystems are suitable for the development of an ecological goat farming system. However, extra supply of minerals, particularly calcium, may be needed in the maximum productions periods.
Keywords: Dehesa; Goats; lactation requirements (voyant); Mineral content; Sierra

Evidence for plant traits driving specific drought resistance. A community field experiment - Matías, Luis; Quero, José Luis; Zamora, Regino; Castro, Jorge (Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2012)
Drought is known to be a major bottleneck for woody-community recruitment. The species-speciﬁc resistance to drought and factors involved in its variation are of special interest to forecast community fate. We performed an experiment under natural ﬁeld conditions from winter 2006 to end summer 2008 to investigate the structural responses of woody saplings to nine combinations of light (three habitats differing in plant cover:forest, shrubland, and open) andwater (three climate scenarios: drier, current and wetter summers). Our working hypothesis is that plant strategies to cope with drought are determined by habitat characteristics and/or variation of plant traits, and that these different strategies may determine community composition and dynamics. Eight woody species with different life forms and successional stages (trees, mid-successional shrubs, and pioneer shrubs) were selected for the comparison, including therefore species representative of the entire woody community. We explored drought resistance at the population level (DS), the relations of the different morphological traits to DS, and the potential importance for plants of inter-speciﬁc trade-offs. DS ranged from 0% to 99% for the different species, depending on the habitat. Some structural traits were found to be related to DS: positively with total biomass and leaf mass ratio (LMR) and negatively with leaf area-root mass ratio (LARMR). Contrary to previous studies, the present work revealed no evidence of trade-offs, such as survival in forest vs. growth in open, or growth in forest vs. growth in open. Accordingly, some species with low DS values (Acer opalus and Pinus sylvestris) would be threatened under the future climate conditions, while species having structural characteristics to increase their resistance under expected dry years in coming decades (i.e., high LMR and total biomass or low LARMR, such as Quercus ilex and the shrub Cytisus scoparius) might enhance their recruitment probabilities. Thus, species-speciﬁc plant traits, and their effect on DS, may ﬁlter future community assemblages.
Keywords: biomass allocation; climate change; Mediterranean; Structural traits; Survival; Trade-off

Facilitation of holm oak recruitment through two contrasted shrubs species in Mediterranean grazed woodlands - Rolo, Víctor; Plieninger, Tobias; Moreno, Gerardo (Journal of Vegetation Science, 2012)
Question: Regeneration failure and gradual tree dieback are major threats for the persistence of savanna-like grazed oak woodlands. Current research has argued that the scarcity of ‘safe sites’, in particular shrubs, is the main cause of the lack of effective tree recruitment. But can different shrub species be considered as safe sites generally? Do two distinct shrub species, with contrasted life strategies, affect several life stages of tree regeneration in similar ways or do they speciﬁcally inﬂuence the recruitment process? Location: Holm oak woodlands of SW Iberian Peninsula (40°02′ N, 06°06′ W). Methods: We surveyed densities of recently emerged and surviving seedlings as well as small and large saplings over two consecutive years in 40 sites that were independently managed, comparing plots encroached by either Cistus ladanifer (a shallow-rooted shrub, forming dense populations, with reported allelopathic compounds) or Retama sphaerocarpa (a N2-ﬁxing, deep-rooted shrub that forms scattered populations) vs their respective control plots (without shrubs). To assess the effect of mature trees and both shrub species on the performance and survival of recently emerged oak seedlings, we established an acorn sowing experiment in the same surveyed microhabitats (open spaces, shrub, tree and tree–shrub). Results: The survey showed that both shrubs species had a positive effect at early recruitment stages. At later life stages, this effect weakened under Cistus whereas it strengthened under Retama. The acorn sowing experiment showed that both shrub species buffered abiotic conditions and enhanced seedling functioning similarly, but Retama enhanced seedling survival to a higher extent than Cistus. Conclusions: The two shrub species impose a speciﬁc template that is able to affect the long-term dynamics of Mediterranean oak woodlands. Cistus shrubs are effective in protecting seedlings physically against herbivores and facilitate early survival, but may compete with older stages of oak regeneration. In contrast, Retama shrubs exert stronger biological facilitation and guarantee longterm persistence of surviving seedlings. We argue that improved understanding of the effectiveness of different nurse plants and their contrasting factors is of major interest for the conservation and restoration of degraded oak woodlands
Keywords: Cistus ladanifer; Dehesa; nurse plant; Quercus ilex; retama sphaerocarpa; Shrub encroachment

Factors driving growth responses to drought in Mediterranean forests - Pasho, Edmond; Camarero, J Julio; Luis, Martín; Vicente-Serrano, Sergio M (European Journal of Forest Research, 2012)
We lack information regarding the main factors driving growth responses to drought in tree species with different vulnerability against this stressor and considering sites with contrasting climatic conditions. In this paper, we identify the main drivers controlling growth response to a multi-scalar drought index (Standardized Precipitation Index, SPI) in eight tree species (Abies alba, Pinus halepensis, Quercus faginea, Pinus sylvestris, Quercus ilex, Pinus pinea, Pinus nigra, Juniperus thurifera). We sampled forests growing across a pronounced climatic gradient under Mediterranean conditions in north-eastern Spain. To summarize the patterns of growth responses to drought, we used principal component analysis (PCA). To determine the main factors affecting growth responses to drought, correlation and regression analyses were carried out using a set of abiotic (climate, topography, soil type) and biotic (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Enhanced Vegetation Index, tree-ring width, diameter at breast height) predictors and the PCs loadings as response variables. The PCA analysis detected two patterns of growth responses to drought corresponding to xeric and mesic sites, respectively. The regression analyses indicated that growth responses to drought in xeric forests were mainly driven by the annual precipitation, while in mesic sites the annual water balance was the most important driver. The management of Mediterranean forests under the forecasted warmer and drier conditions should focus on the main local factors modulating the negative impacts of drought on tree growth in xeric and mesic sites.
Keywords: Dendrochronology; Drought; iberian peninsula; Radial growth; Standardized precipitation index

Fine Root Seasonal Dynamics, Plasticity, and Mycorrhization in 2 Coexisting Mediterranean Oaks with Contrasting Aboveground Phenology - Coll, Lluís; Camarero, Araid; Aragón, Juan Martínez De; Camarero, Jesús Julio; Martínez de Aragón, Juan; Camarero, Araid; Aragón, Juan Martínez De (Ecoscience, 2012)
To advance understanding of the mechanisms underpinning the coexistence of Mediterranean oak species, we conducted a year-long analysis of the production, architecture, and mycorrhization status of the fine roots of a mixed evergreen (Quercus ilex) and winter deciduous (Quercus faginea) oak stand. We used the ingrowth bag technique to sample the fine roots produced by each species in spring, summer, and winter. For each season, root architecture traits (specific root length, root diameter, root tips) and variables associated to root ectomycorrhizal status were measured in the laboratory. Results showed a marked seasonality in the fine root architecture, including more fine root tips and longer roots per unit of weight formed in spring and summer, revealing a capacity in Mediterranean oak species to modify root architecture in spring and suggesting the possibility of increased resource capture in summer. Fine root ectomycorrhizal status was comparable between species and also showed marked seasonality: we found a high percentage of roots colonized by dead ectomycorrhizas in winter but low ectomycorrhizal colonization rates in summer. Quercus ilex produced greater amounts of fine roots than Q. faginea (particularly during spring), suggesting greater competitive ability in the former species for belowground resources.
Keywords: architecture et le statut; Chênes; coexistence d; des mécanismes supportant la; Ectomycorrhizae; espèces méditerranéennes de; et caduques; feuilles persistantes; fine roots; l; mixte de chênes à; mycorhizien des radicelles d; nous avons analysé sur; nous avons utilisé la; Phenology; pour accroître notre compréhension; Quercus faginea; Quercus ilex; résumé; root traits; technique du sac; un peuplement; une année la production

Fire severity effects on ash chemical composition and water-extractable elements - Pereira, Paulo; Úbeda, Xavier; Martin, Deborah A (Geoderma, 2012)
The effects of fire in the landscape are commonly assessed through the evaluation of ash properties. Among other properties, colour is one of the methods more frequently used. However, little is known about the effect of fire severity on ash chemical and extractable elements. Ash is an important source of nutrients in terms of landscape recovery after fire. In this study we analysed the effects of fire severity (estimated using ash colour) on ash chemical properties, CaCO3, pH, Total Carbon (TC), Total Nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio and some ash water-extractable elements, such as Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Total Phosphorous (TP), Total Sulphur (TS) and Silica (Si) collected in Portugal (N=102) after three wildfires that occurred in the same ecosystem, composed mainly of maritime pine, Pinus pinaster, and cork oak, Quercus suber. The results showed significant statistical differences among ash colour at a p<0.05 for ash water-extractable K and Si, at a p<0.01 for ash water-extractable Ca, Mg, Na and TS, and the major differences were observed (at a p<0.001) for ash CaCO3, pH, TC, TN, C/N ratio and water-extractable TP. Ash CaCO3, pH and water-extractable TS increased with fire severity and ash TC, TN, C/N ratio and water-extractable TP showed a decrease. In the remaining elements, no trend is identified. Major concentrations of ash TC, TN, C/N ratio and water-extractable Ca, Mg and K were identified in very dark brown and black ash. CaCO3, pH and water-extractable TS were identified in higher quantities in light grey ash. These findings show that fire severity is an important determinant of the type and amount of water-extractable nutrients present in ash that later can be incorporated into the soil and become available for plant growth.
Keywords: Ash chemical properties; Ash colour; Ash properties; fire severity; Landscape recovery; Water-extractable elements

Is forest certification targeting areas of high biodiversity in cork oak savannas? - Dias, Filipe S.; Bugalho, Miguel N.; Orestes Cerdeira, J.; João Martins, M. (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2012)
Over the last four decades the world has been losing biodiversity at an alarming rate despite the increasing number of protected areas (PAs). Certiﬁed forest management may complement the role of PAs in protecting biodiversity. Forest certiﬁcation aims to promote sustainable forest management and to maintain or enhance the conservation value of certiﬁed forests. The area of forest under certiﬁed forest management has grown quickly over the past decade. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certiﬁcation, for example, currently covers 148 million hectares, i.e., 3.7 % of the world’s forests. In spite of such increase there is, however, a dearth of information on how forest certiﬁcation is related to biodiversity. In this study we assessed if FSC certiﬁcation is being applied in high biodiversity areas in cork oak savannas in Portugal by comparing biodiversity values of certiﬁed and non-certiﬁed areas for birds, reptiles and amphibians. We calculated the relative species richness and irreplaceability value for each group of species in certiﬁed and non-certiﬁed areas and compared them using randomization tests. The biodiversity value of certiﬁed areas was not signiﬁcantly greater than that of non-certiﬁed areas. Since FSC certiﬁcation is expanding quickly in cork oak savannas it is important to consider the biodiversity value of these areas during this process. Prioritizing areas of high biodiversity value would enhance the conservation value of forest certiﬁcation and facilitate integrating certiﬁcation with other conservation initiatives.
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation; Conservation strategies; Forest management; Irreplaceability; Mediterranean; Species richness

FOREST ECOMOSAIC: COMPOSITION, INFORMATION INDICES, ABDUCTION - Pinto Casquilho, Jose Armando (REVISTA ARVORE, 2012)
This work presents a set of indices of information on the composition of landscape mosaics which extends to the concept of ecomosaic. These indices are successive generalizations of the Shannon function, used to measure landscape diversity, and interpreted as statistical entropy, or average value of information of a canonical system, a macroscopic parameter of a stochastic system; the formulas can also be considered to represent average or expected values of preferences, related with utility functions used in a broad sense of the concept. The information indices discussed in this paper are exemplified by a hypothetical scenario planning in the region of Nisa, Portugal, characterized by economic indicators of the value of forest habitats. The indices are also used to anchor a reflection that goes around three beacons relating to the concept of information: the Theories of Situation, Relevance, and Decision. The whole exercise may be seen as an abduction procedure, running a rational strategy that can serve as a basis for decision-making on the planning of the territory or also, it serves to investigate dynamic changes in the composition of the landscape mosaic. In the case exemplified the indices show that the cork oak and the umbrella pine forests are, by far, the most promising habitats in the region, under a scenario with no biophysical constraints.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: CAIXA POSTAL 270, VICOSA, MG CEP 36571-00, BRAZIL publisher: UNIV FEDERAL VICOSA
Keywords: Characteristic values and Expected utility; Information values

Forest fuel management as a conservation tool for early successional species under agricultural abandonment: The case of Mediterranean butterflies - Verdasca, Maria João; Leitão, Ana Sofia; Santana, Joana; Porto, Miguel; Dias, Susana; Beja, Pedro (Biological Conservation, 2012)
In cultural landscapes there are often negative biodiversity consequences of agricultural abandonment and subsequent scrub and forest encroachment, due to homogenization and the loss of early-successional habitats. The common forestry practice of removing understory vegetation to prevent ﬁre hazard (fuel management) probably has the side-effect of ameliorating these consequences, but it is uncertain whether it effectively restores habitats for early-successional species. Here we examine the inﬂuence of time since fuel management and management frequency on butterﬂy assemblages, using a chronosequence of cork oak (Quercus suber) stands spanning about 70 years. Overall species richness increased immediately after management and abundances peaked about 2–3 years later, while both declined thereafter for about 10–20 years to pre-disturbance levels. Richness and abundances were also much higher in recurrently managed stands. Most life history groups showed successional trends similar to the overall species richness and abundances, though consistent positive effects of fuel management were only observed for species with univoltine life cycle, herbaceous layer feeding, larval overwintering, and intermediate body size. Individual species were largely associated with recent and recurrent management, though a few specialists occurred most often in undisturbed stands. These ﬁndings suggest that fuel management at <10 years intervals is strongly positive for butterﬂy assemblages in landscapes under land abandonment. However, to maintain the overall forest biodiversity it is critical that patches of undisturbed habitat are also retained at the landscape scale.
Keywords: Disturbance ecology; Ecological succession; Forest management; Landscape mosaics; Mediterranean butterﬂy assemblages

Forest microhabitats differentially influence seedling phenology of two co-existing Mediterranean oak species - Monnier, Yogan; Prévosto, Bernard; Ripert, Christian; Corbani, Aude C.; Fernandez, Catherine (Journal of Vegetation Science, 2012)
Question How do forest microhabitats impact seasonal microclimate conditions and phenological seedling strategies in two co-occurring Mediterranean Quercus species with different leaf habits? Location Pinus halepensis woodlands, Provence, SE France. Methods Ninety sets of three acorns of Quercus ilex (evergreen) or Quercus pubescens (winter-deciduous) were sown under various P. halepensis canopy cover conditions. Canopy cover and litter depth were measured at each sowing point, and soil moisture and temperature were measured twice monthly. Seedling phenology and aerial development were monitored during the second growing season under different microhabitats. Results During rainy periods, soil moisture was higher under open canopy and thinner litter layers, whereas during summer drought soil moisture was higher under dense canopy and thicker litter layers. Quercus pubescens seedlings had higher growth activity than Q. ilex before summer drought, whereas the pattern reversed during autumnal growth. Dense canopy cover strongly delayed budburst and decreased foliar development in Q. pubescens, which was more affected than Q. ilex. Depending on species phenology, litter thickness can influence height growth of flushes during early summer. Conclusions Quercus pubescens has a phenological strategy to allow development of maximal foliar area before summer drought, a typical growth strategy of Mediterranean winter-deciduous species. In contrast, later phenological activity of evergreen Q. ilex enables it to cope with the dry period and capitalize on autumnal precipitation events. Dense cover acts as shelter in the dry season but can reduce soil moisture during wetter seasons. In contrast to Q. ilex, Q. pubescens appeared strongly dependent on canopy cover, suggesting that Q. ilex has a larger regeneration niche in Aleppo pine woodlands. In the context of global change, this ‘microhabitat effect’ on species-specific phenological strategy underlines the need to consider effects of local environmental conditions on regenerating species.
Keywords: Canopy; litter; Phenology; Quercus ilex; Quercus pubescens; Soil moisture; Survival

Frost-acclimation of photosynthesis in overwintering Mediterranean holm oak, grown in Central Europe - Pflug, Ellen; Brüggemann, Wolfgang (International Journal of Plant Biology, 2012)
As a consequence of global change, forestry in Central Europe has to expect and be prepared for an increase of hot and dry summers in the near future. In two model plantations of the Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) in Central Europe (Rhine-Main basin) we tested its potential as a future forestry tree for drought-threatened stands by studying its overwintering strategy under harsh winter conditions. During prolonged frost periods, chronic photoinhibition was developed, which lasted until the end of the frost period. Nearly all plants survived minimum temperatures of - 16 to -18°C and their photosynthetic apparatus recovered completely during late winter. A detailed study of the temperature dependence of chlorophyll (chl) fluorescence parameters of the OJIP test revealed statistically significant correlations between minimum temperature and maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (Fv/Fm), absorption rate/reaction centre (ABS/RC), dissipation rate/reaction centre (DI0/RC) and electron transport rate/reaction centre (ET0/RC) as well as with the deepoxidation state (DES) of the xanthophyll pigments. The DES correlated with Fv/Fm, ABS/RC, DI0/RC and ET0/RC. It is concluded, that from the point of view of the winter hardiness of the photosynthetic apparatus, Q. ilex should be further investigated as a potential future forestry tree also for very dry and warm stands in Central Europe under the scenarios of climate change.
Keywords: chlorophyll fluorescence; ojip test; xanthophyll cycle

Gas exchange and leaf aging in an evergreen oak: causes and consequences for leaf carbon balance and canopy respiration - Rodriguez-Calcerrada, Jesus; Limousin, Jean-Marc; Martin-StPaul, Nicolas K; Jaeger, Carsten; Rambal, Serge (Tree Physiology, 2012)
Leaves of Mediterranean evergreens experience large variations in gas exchange rates over their life span due to aging and seasonally changing environmental conditions. Accounting for the changing respiratory physiology of leaves over time will help improve estimations of leaf and whole-plant carbon balances. Here we examined seasonal variations in light-saturated net CO2 assimilation (Amax), dark respiration (Rd) and the proportional change in Rd per 10 °C change in temperature (Q10 of Rd) in previous-year (PY) and current-year (CY) leaves of the broadleaved evergreen tree Quercus ilex L. Amax and Rd were lower in PY than in CY leaves. Differences in nitrogen between cohorts only partly explained such differences, and rates of Amax and Rd expressed per unit of leaf nitrogen were still significantly different between cohorts. The decline in Amax in PY leaves did not result in the depletion of total non-structural carbohydrates, whose concentration was in fact higher in PY than CY leaves. Leaf-level carbon balance modeled from gas exchange data was positive at all ages. Q10 of Rd did not differ significantly between leaf cohorts; however, failure to account for distinct Rd between cohorts misestimated canopy leaf respiration by 13% across dates when scaling up leaf measurements to the canopy. In conclusion, the decline in Amax in old leaves that are close to or exceed their mean life span does not limit the availability of carbohydrates, which are probably needed to sustain new growth, as well as Rd and nutrient resorption during senescence. Accounting for leaf age as a source of variation of Rd improves the estimation of foliar respiratory carbon release at the stand scale.
10.1093/treephys/tps020
Keywords: carbon budget; ecosystem respiration; leaf life span; resource remobilization; soluble sugars; temperature sensitivity

Genomic organization and dynamics of repetitive DNA sequences in representatives of three Fagaceae genera - Alves, Sofia; Ribeiro, Teresa; Inácio, Vera; Rocheta, Margarida; Morais-Cecílio, Leonor (Genome, 2012)
Oaks, chestnuts, and beeches are economically important species of the Fagaceae. To understand the relationship between these members of this family, a deep knowledge of their genome composition and organization is needed. In this work, we have isolated and characterized several AFLP fragments obtained from Quercus rotundifolia Lam. through homology searches in available databases. Genomic polymorphisms involving some of these sequences were evaluated in two species of Quercus, one of Castanea, and one of Fagus with specific primers. Comparative FISH analysis with generated sequences was performed in interphase nuclei of the four species, and the co-immunolocalization of 5-methylcytosine was also studied. Some of the sequences isolated proved to be genus-specific, while others were present in all the genera. Retroelements, either gypsy-like of the Tat/Athila clade or copia-like, are well represented, and most are dispersed in euchromatic regions of these species with no DNA methylation associated, pointing to an interspersed arrangement of these retroelements with potential gene-rich regions. A particular gypsy-sequence is dispersed in oaks and chestnut nuclei, but its confinement to chromocenters in beech evidences genome restructuring events during evolution of Fagaceae. Several sequences generated in this study proved to be good tools to comparatively study Fagaceae genome organization.
doi: 10.1139/g2012-020doi: 10.1139/g2012-020The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: NRC Research Press
Keywords: AFLP; Castanea; euchromatin; Fagaceae; Fagus; Quercus; retroelements

Geographical and interspecific variation and the nutrient-enrichment hypothesis as an adaptive advantage of myrmecochory - Manzaneda, Antonio J.; Rey, Pedro J. (Ecography, 2012)
In myrmecochory, the relocation of diaspores to ant nests may lead to the enhancement of plant fitness because ant nests and their middens are often richer in essential nutrients than surrounding areas. This idea is the basis of the nutrient-enrichment hypothesis (NEH), which suggests that nutrient enrichment may be a major selective influence in the evolution of myrmecochory. However, there is little evidence regarding whether the greater plant performance and fitness enhancement in ant nests is due to nutrient enrichment or other benefits of directed dispersal. Here, we present the results of a large-scale seed-sowing experiment that tests the NEH in the ant-dispersed perennial herb Helleborus foetidus, exploring geographical and inter-ant taxa variation. Experiments were conducted in three well-separated regions of the Iberian Peninsula, targeting the nests of major and minor local ant dispersers (nine ant species in total) and the soil beneath maternal plants as seed destinations. Seedling emergence, survival and early establishment rates, as well as variation in soil characteristics, were obtained for each seed destination at each region. Our results do not fully support the NEH in our study system. Instead, we found that the advantage of ant nest soil for establishment in H. foetidus was conditional. Differences in soil fertility and concomitant differences in seedling establishment between ant nests and beneath the canopy of maternal plants were observed in some regions and for some ant species, but not in others. Thus, the conditional outcomes arise from inconsistencies among regions, between stages of seedling regeneration and among ant species in the advantages of being dispersed to nests. Because variation in the guilds of ant dispersers of myrmecochore plants across their ranges is common, this study illustrates the need to consider geographic and inter-ant taxa variation for a complete evaluation of the NEH.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: myrmecochory; nutrient-enrichment hypothesis (NEH); seed destination; seedling survival (voyant); soil properties

Ground-based Network of NDVI measurements for tracking temporal dynamics of canopy structure and vegetation phenology in different biomes - Soudani, K; Hmimina, G; Delpierre, N; Pontailler, J.-Y.; Aubinet, M; Bonal, D; Caquet, B; de Grandcourt, A; Burban, B; Flechard, C; Guyon, D; GRANIER, a; et al. (Remote Sensing of Environment, 2012)
Plant phenology characterises the seasonal cyclicity of biological events such as budburst, ﬂowering, fructiﬁ- cation, leaf senescence and leaf fall. These biological events are genetically pre-determined but also strongly modulated by climatic conditions, particularly temperature, daylength and water availability. Therefore, the timing of these events is considered as a good indicator of climate change impacts and as a key parameter for understanding and modelling vegetation–climate interactions. In situ observations, empirical or bioclimatic models and remotely sensed time-series data constitute the three possible ways for monitoring the timing of plant phenological events. Remote sensing has the advantage of being the only way of surface sampling at high temporal frequency and, in the case of satellite-based remote sensing, over large regions. Nevertheless, exogenous factors, particularly atmospheric conditions, lead to some uncertainties on the seasonal course of surface reﬂectance and cause bias in the identiﬁcation of vegetation phenological events. Since 2005, a network of forest and herbaceous sites has been equipped with laboratory made NDVI sensors to monitor the temporal dynamics of canopy structure and phenology at an intra-daily time step. In this study, we present recent results obtained in several contrasting biomes in France, French Guiana, Belgium and Congo. These sites represent a gradient of vegetation ecosystems: the main evergreen and deciduous forest ecosystems in temperate climate region, an evergreen tropical rain forest in French Guiana, an herbaceous savanna ecosystem in Congo, and a succession of three annual crops in Belgium. In this paper, (1) we provide an accurate description of the seasonal dynamics of vegetation cover in these different ecosystems (2) we identify the most relevant remotely sensed markers from NDVI time-series for determining the dates of the main phenological events that characterize these ecosystems and (3) we discuss the relationships between temporal canopy dynamics and climate factors. In addition to its importance for phenological studies, this ground-based Network of NDVI measurement provides data needed for the calibration and direct validation of satellite observations and products.
Keywords: Crops; Evergreen and deciduous forests; Ground-based NDVI; Herbaceous savanna; NDVI time-series; Phenology; Tropical rain forest

Growth and maintenance costs of leaves and roots in two populations of Quercus ilex native to distinct substrates - Laureano, Raquel G.; García-Nogales, Ana; Seco, José I.; Rodríguez, Jesús G. P.; Linares, Juan C.; Martínez, Feliciano; Merino, José (Plant and Soil, 2012)
Aims This work tests the hypothesis that growth and maintenance costs of plant organs are higher in more stressful soils. Methods Two populations of Quercus ilex L were selected in the southern Iberian Peninsula, these growing in similar climates but different soil types, namely a brown well-developed soil on slate rock, and a stressful lithosol on gypsum rock. In both localities, growth and maintenance respiration were measured in undetached young and mature leaves (trees under natural conditions) and fine roots (hydroponically grown seedling). Results Young leaves of the two populations displayed an almost identical growth cost (1.53 g glucose g -1 ). The maintenance cost was higher in the young (40.2 vs. 25.3 mg glucose g -1 day -1 ; P<0.05) and in the mature (7.64 vs. 4.33 mg glucose g -1 day -1 ; P<0.001) leaves of individuals growing in gypsum soils. The growth cost of fine roots was the same in both populations (1.18 g glucose g -1 ) while the maintenance cost was higher in the Gypsum population (8.95 vs. 7.39 mg glucose g -1 day -1 ; P<0.01). Conclusions The results show for first time that the cost of organ maintenance may be related to the degree of soil stress in their native habitats.
Keywords: ecotypes; evergreen leaves; growth respiration; maintenance respiration; mediterranean species; root respiration; sclerophylly; soil stress

Habitat of an endangered saproxylic beetle, Osmoderma eremita, in Mediterranean woodlands - Chiari, Stefano; Carpaneto, Giuseppe M.; Zauli, Agnese; Marini, Lorenzo; Audisio, Paolo; Ranius, Thomas (ECOSCIENCE, 2012)
The habitat of Osmoderma eremita, a European endangered beetle species restricted to tree cavities, was examined in central Italy, at the southernmost limit of its distributional range. The occurrence of adults, larvae, and fragments was investigated in 170 and 151 living hollow trees by pitfall trapping and sampling of wood mould (i.e., loose material) in the hollow, respectively. Overall, O. eremita was present in 22% of the trees, which belonged to 4 different tree species (Ostrya carpinifolia, Quercus suber, Acer obtusatum, and Quercus pubescens). The frequency of presence was higher in cavities with more than 4 L of wood mould, in cavities with dry or half-moist wood mould rather than wet wood mould, and with wood mould with low soil contamination. A comparison with northern regions indicated that the warmer macro-climatic conditions in the south make the species independent of a warm microclimate. As most of the hollow trees contain only a small amount of wood mould (<4 L), the habitat quality is generally poorer than in oak pastures studied in northern Europe.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: PAVILLON CHARLES-EUGENE MARCHAND, LOCAL 0166, ST FOY, QUEBEC G1K 7P4, CANADA publisher: UNIVERSITE LAVAL
Keywords: Coleoptera Scarabaeidae; conservation; hollow trees; microclimate; pitfall traps; wood mould

Habitat selection by European badgers in Mediterranean semi-arid ecosystems - Lara-Romero, C; Virgos, E; Escribano-Ávila, G; Mangas, J G; Barja, I; Pardavila, X (Journal of Arid Environments, 2012)
We studied the habitat selection patterns of badgers Meles meles (Linnaeus, 1758) in Mediterranean semiarid ecosystems. Fifty-seven plots were sampled in two semi-arid regions of Spain. In each plot, badger latrines were located along 2.6 km transects. The number of badger latrines per km was used as a surrogate of badger abundance and as an index of habitat selection by badgers. For each plot, a series of environmental variables were measured at two spatial scales. These variables were related to land use and vegetation formation parameters that are considered potentially important for habitat requirements (i.e., food and shelter). The habitat selection model was carried out using generalised linear models (GLM) and an information-theoretic approach. Results indicated that badgers prefer fruit orchards, and shrub and rock-covered areas, which provide additional trophic and shelter resources, and avoid intensively cultivated ﬁelds and human settlements. We conclude that badger conservation in semi-arid environments of the Iberian Peninsula requires the existence of fruit orchards and the limitation of human development. Policies restraining agriculture intensiﬁcation would encourage traditional or new non-intensive agricultural practices and increase shrub-patch availability, which would beneﬁt this species.
Keywords: AIC; Arid environments; Fruit orchards; Latrine; Low density; meles meles

Harvest of Red-Legged Partridge in Central Spain. - Díaz-Fernández, Silvia; Viñuela, Javier; Arroyo, Beatriz (The Journal of wildlife management, 2012)
A basic rule to attain sustainable use of harvested resources is to adjust take to availability. Populations of red-legged partridges in Spain have decreased in recent decades, and releases of farm-bred partridges to improve short-term availability are increasingly common. We used questionnaires and bird surveys to assess whether harvest was related to availability of wild partridges or intensity of farm-bred partridge releases. We studied 50 hunting estates, including 6 administratively labeled as intensive (with few numerical and temporal restrictions to releases). In addition, we considered hunting pressure (number of hunters × hunting days/km(2)) and habitat as explanatory variables in the analyses. In intensive estates, annual harvest was exclusively related to release intensity, indicating that in these estates hunting is detached from natural resources and approaches an industrial activity based on external inputs. In non-intensive estates, harvest was affected by wild stock availability, walked-up shooting pressure, and habitat (greater harvest in estates with more Mediterranean shrubland). In these estates, releases did not increase annual harvest, and can be considered an inefficient practice. Additionally, the relationship between abundance estimates and harvest disappeared in estates with low partridge abundance estimates, suggesting possibilities for overharvesting in a large proportion of estates. Increasing the abundance of wild red-legged partridge through techniques like habitat management, and improving the adjustment of harvest to availability, may be a good strategy to increase long-term harvest in non-intensive estates. Additionally, Government and managers must create ways to segregate and label the estates where only wild red-legged partridges are managed from those where releases are used, to reduce ecological costs of management decisions. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Keywords: alectoris rufa; Central Spain; farm-reared partridges; harvest; hunt; intensification; Restocking; small; small game

Highway verges as habitat providers for small mammals in agrosilvopastoral environments - Ascensão, Fernando; Clevenger, Anthony P.; Grilo, Clara; Filipe, Joel; Santos-Reis, Margarida (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2012)
The Mediterranean Basin has an important conservation value given its high biodiversity and high number of endemic species, which have co-existed with human traditional practices for centuries. However, northern areas as the Iberian Peninsula have experienced intensiﬁcation in livestock production in recent past, with consequent reduction in habitat quality. In this study we assessed the importance of fenced highway verges as habitat for small mammals in Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral landscapes. More speciﬁcally, we compared small mammal abundance between highway verges and the adjacent two main land uses (‘‘montado’’ and open areas); compared the vegetative structure among these land were captured: 157 wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), 95 western Mediterranean mice (Mus spretus) and 99 greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula). Capture–mark– recapture analyses were performed to estimate population size. Our data suggests that fenced highway verges promote better vegetative structure conditions which in turn favor a higher animal abundance therein. We suggest the adoption of management practices to increase the height and cover of herbaceous and shrub layers in road verges, together with creating grazing controlled areas in highway vicinity, particularly in ‘‘montado’’ patches, linked by vegetated linear features. This would increase habitat and refuge for a large numbers of species, including small mammals, and thus beneﬁting the trophic chain and the whole agrosilvopastoral system. uses; and addressed how vegetation structure inﬂuences species occupancy. Thirty-six sites were sampled in agrosilvopastoral system areas in southern Portugal (sampling effort 8,840 trap-nights). A total of 351 individuals from target species
Keywords: Apodemus sylvaticus; Capture–mark–recapture; Crocidura russula; Iberia Peninsula; Mediterranean; Montado woodlands; Mus spretus; Road ecology

Holocene changes in precipitation seasonality in the western Mediterranean Basin: a multi-species approach using δ13C of archaeobotanical remains - Aguilera, M.; Ferrio, J. P.; Pérez, G.; Araus, J. L.; Voltas, J. (Journal of Quaternary Science, 2012)
Precipitation has been of utmost importance in shaping the evolution of landscapes and human settlements in the Mediterranean. However, information on seasonal precipitation patterns through the Holocene is scarce. This study attempts to quantify the evolution of seasonal precipitation in the East Iberian Peninsula (5000 BC to AD 600) based on the carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of archaeobotanical remains. Data on Holm oak, Aleppo pine and small-grain cereals were combined, and precipitation was inferred from models relating present-day records to the δ13C of modern samples. Subsequently, charred grains were used as a proxy for ancient moisture during April–May, whereas oak and pine charcoals provided complementary rainfall estimates for September–December and January–August, respectively. The results reveal aridity changes throughout the Holocene in the western Mediterranean. Past spring–summer precipitation was consistently higher than at present. In contrast, autumn and early winter precipitation showed stronger fluctuations, particularly during the first millennium BC, and often exhibited values below those of the present. The high contribution of autumn precipitation to the annual water budget, typical of the present Mediterranean climate, was definitively established at the beginning of the current era. This study shows how a combination of species holding complementary environmental signals can contribute to a wider knowledge of local precipitation dynamics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: carbon isotopes; charred grains; iberian peninsula; Pinus halepensis; Quercus ilex

Holocene vegetation and fire dynamics in the supra-mediterranean belt of the Nebrodi Mountains (Sicily, Italy) - Bisculm, Martina; Colombaroli, Daniele; Vescovi, Elisa; van Leeuwen, Jacqueline F. N.; Henne, Paul D.; Rothen, Julian; Procacci, Giovanni; Pasta, Salvatore; La Mantia, Tommaso; Tinner, Willy (Journal of Quaternary Science, 2012)
High-resolution pollen, macrofossil and charcoal data, combined with accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dating and multivariate analysis, were used to reconstruct Holocene vegetation and fire dynamics at Urio Quattrocchi, a small lake in the supra-mediterranean belt in the Nebrodi Mountains of Sicily (Italy). The data suggest that after 10 000 cal a BP increasing moisture availability supported closed forests with deciduous (Quercus cerris, Fagus sylvatica and Fraxinus spp.) and evergreen (Quercus ilex) species. Species-rich closed forest persisted until 6850 cal a BP, when Neolithic activities caused a forest decline and affected plant diversity. Secondary forest with abundant Ilex aquifolium recovered between 6650 and 6000 cal a BP, indicating moist conditions. From 5000 cal a BP, agriculture and pastoralism led to the currently fragmented landscape with sparse deciduous forests (Quercus cerris). The study suggests that evergreen broadleaved species were more important at elevations above 1000 m a.s.l. before ca. 5000 cal a BP than subsequently, which might reflect less human impact or warmer-than-today climatic conditions between 10 000 and 5000 cal a BP. Despite land use since Neolithic times, deciduous supra-mediterranean forests were never completely displaced from the Nebrodi Mountains, because of favourable moist conditions that persisted throughout the Holocene. Reconstructed vegetation dynamics document the absence of any pronounced mid- or late-Holocene ‘aridification’ trend at the site, an issue which is controversially debated in Italy and the Mediterranean region. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: climate change; human impact; Ilex aquifolium; macrofossils; pollen; Quercus ilex

How resilient is Quercus suber L. to cork harvesting? A review and identification of knowledge gaps - Oliveira, Graca; Costa, Augusta (Forest Ecology and Management, 2012)
Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woodlands are ecologically sensitive and human-supported areas which strongly rely on the high market value of cork for their sustainability. Cork harvesting is a forestry practice speciﬁc to this Mediterranean evergreen oak, whereby the bark (cork) is periodically removed from stems and branches over the whole tree lifetime. This practice is a strain factor for the tree, particularly because it is performed during the most stressful time of the year, and also because stripped oaks become more vulnerable to pathogens and environmental hazards such as wildﬁres. This review gathers and analyzes information about tree responses to cork harvesting. Cork removal leads to phellogen destruction and subsequent regeneration. Upon each harvesting, the tree faces important losses of water, released from the suddenly exposed living cells, and of cork. Immediate responses relate to stem healing mechanisms, leaf stomatal closure and prompt production of new cork layers by the restored phellogen, the latter actually representing the most evident response of Q. suber to cork harvesting. Further strategies to compensate for water and cork losses are insufﬁciently understood, but possibly include prolonged reduction of leaf transpiration (and consequent reduction of photoassimilation), increased water uptake from the soil, use of reserves and changes in whole-tree energy allocation to support cork regeneration. Cork stripping by unskilled workers may leave wounds on the tree, which eventually hinder cork regeneration and lead to premature tree death. The relationship between current cork harvesting practices (e.g. harvesting intensities or periodicity) and tree resilience is not quite established. Higher stripping pressures seem to trigger more pronounced or drastic tree responses and/or to enhance their decline. A major conclusion is that the available information is still too scarce to allow for a consistent evaluation of the effects of cork harvesting on cork oak and on its associated woodlands. So far, few studies have addressed how tree resilience relates to harvesting intensities, a crucial issue to enable improved tree and stand management strategies and to ensure adequate conservation of these sensitive forest systems.
Keywords: Cork stripping; Mediterranean; Quercus suber L.; Sustainable harvesting; tree growth; Tree physiology

How resilient is Quercus suber L. to cork harvesting? A review and identification of knowledge gaps - Oliveira, Graca; Costa, Augusta (Forest Ecology and Management, 2012)
Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) woodlands are ecologically sensitive and human-supported areas which strongly rely on the high market value of cork for their sustainability. Cork harvesting is a forestry practice specific to this Mediterranean evergreen oak, whereby the bark (cork) is periodically removed from stems and branches over the whole tree lifetime. This practice is a strain factor for the tree, particularly because it is performed during the most stressful time of the year, and also because stripped oaks become more vulnerable to pathogens and environmental hazards such as wildfires.This review gathers and analyzes information about tree responses to cork harvesting. Cork removal leads to phellogen destruction and subsequent regeneration. Upon each harvesting, the tree faces important losses of water, released from the suddenly exposed living cells, and of cork. Immediate responses relate to stem healing mechanisms, leaf stomatal closure and prompt production of new cork layers by the restored phellogen, the latter actually representing the most evident response of Q. suber to cork harvesting. Further strategies to compensate for water and cork losses are insufficiently understood, but possibly include prolonged reduction of leaf transpiration (and consequent reduction of photoassimilation), increased water uptake from the soil, use of reserves and changes in whole-tree energy allocation to support cork regeneration. Cork stripping by unskilled workers may leave wounds on the tree, which eventually hinder cork regeneration and lead to premature tree death. The relationship between current cork harvesting practices (e.g. harvesting intensities or periodicity) and tree resilience is not quite established. Higher stripping pressures seem to trigger more pronounced or drastic tree responses and/or to enhance their decline. A major conclusion is that the available information is still too scarce to allow for a consistent evaluation of the effects of cork harvesting on cork oak and on its associated woodlands. So far, few studies have addressed how tree resilience relates to harvesting intensities, a crucial issue to enable improved tree and stand management strategies and to ensure adequate conservation of these sensitive forest systems.
Keywords: Cork stripping; Mediterranean; Quercus suber L.; Sustainable harvesting; tree growth; Tree physiology

Human landscapes of the Late Glacial Period in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula: La Peña de Estebanvela (Segovia, Spain) - Cacho, C; Martos, J.a.; Jordá-Pardo, J; Yravedra, J; Sesé, C; Zapata, L; Avezuela, B; Valdivia, J; RUIZ, M; Marquer, L; Martín-Lerma, I; Tejero, J M (Quaternary International, 2012)
The chronostratigraphic framework of the Magdalenian in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula currently covers the period 21,440e21,040 cal BP (level 2 of the Cueva del Gato site at Epila, Province of Zaragoza) to 12,770e12,570 cal BP (level I of the La Peña de Estebanvela site, Ayllón, Province of Segovia). These dates embrace times of strong climatic oscillation, beginning with very rigorous environmental conditions (stage GS2) and ending with a temperate climate (Alleröd); over this period, extreme events such as Heinrich event 1 occurred. However, little information is available that would allow the environments through which human groups moved during the Late Last Glacial of the Iberian interior to be characterised. The La Peña de Estebanvela site is something of an exception in that its archaeological features allow the reconstruction of the surrounding environment, and provide information on how natural resources may have been used. The faunal remains represented at this site reﬂect changes in palaeoecology over time. Taphonomic analysis of recovered macromammals and lagomorphs shows that these animals were brought to the site, butchered and consumed. The available data on seasonality ﬁx the occupation of levels IeIII from the spring to the autumn. Certain types of wood were collected for use as ﬁrewood. Other elements found in the record (personal ornaments, mobiliary art and raw materials) provide evidence that the people that occupied the site moved over a more extensive territory.
Keywords: Climatic oscillation (voyant); Magdalenian; Peña de Estebanvela; rock shelter

Ignition of Mediterranean Fuel Beds by Several Types of Firebrands - Viegas, D X; Almeida, M; Raposo, J; Oliveira, R; Viegas, C X (Fire Technology, 2012)
An experimental laboratory study on the probability of ignition and ignition time delay of new ﬁres for 11 pairs of burning embers and fuel beds of species common in Mediterranean forests is presented. For the no wind conditions of the present tests it was found that positive ignition was achieved only for embers with ﬂaming combustion. Fuel bed moisture content was identiﬁed as a very important parameter to assess probability of ignition and ignition time delay. In the range of the present tests it was found that ignition depended more on fuel bed properties than on ember characteristics.
Keywords: Forest fires; fuel bed ignition; spot fires

Impact of targeted sheep grazing on herbage and holm oak saplings in a silvopastoral wildfire prevention system in south-eastern Spain - Ruiz-Mirazo, Jabier; Robles, Ana Belén (Agroforestry Systems, 2012)
Several wildﬁre prevention programs in southern Europe are currently using livestock grazing for the maintenance of fuelbreaks. This silvopastoral management is valued for being sustainable and effective in reducing fuel loads, but few studies have analyzed other impacts linked to fuelbreak grazing. This paper reports on an experiment performed within the wildﬁre prevention program in Andalusia (southern Spain) with the aim of clarifying and quantifying the effect of fuelbreak grazing on herbage biomass, ground cover, herbage species composition, and growth of holm oak saplings. The study site, located in a semiarid Mediterranean environment, was grazed by a shepherded sheep ﬂock from February to June in three consecutive years at a similar stocking rate. Livestock consumed between 33 and 68 % of herbage production in the different years, and the greatest fuel reduction (remaining dry matter of 200 kg ha -1 ) was registered in Year 2, when rainfall and herbage production was lowest. Ground cover was signiﬁ- cantly affected by grazing: on average, the percentage of bare soil increased three-fold, while herbage cover was reduced by a quarter. The botanical composition of herbage varied remarkably between years, but very little between Grazed and Non-Grazed areas within each year. Non-browsed holm oak saplings became progressively larger than browsed ones, differences only reaching clear statistical signiﬁcance at the end of the three experimental years. At this time, the volume of browsed saplings was 47–56 % smaller than that of non-browsed holm oaks, even though the former had also grown signiﬁcantly in the course of the experiment.
Keywords: biomass; diversity; Grazed fuelbreak; Ground cover; Mediterranean; semiarid

Impacts of changing climate and land use on vegetation dynamics in a Mediterranean ecosystem: insights from paleoecology and dynamic modeling - Henne, Paul D.; Elkin, Ché; Colombaroli, Daniele; Samartin, Stéphanie; Bugmann, Harald; Heiri, Oliver; Tinner, Willy (Landscape Ecology, 2012)
Forests near the Mediterranean coast have been shaped by millennia of human disturbance. Consequently, ecological studies relying on modern observations or historical records may have difﬁculty assessing natural vegetation dynamics under current and future climate. We combined a sedimentary pollen record from Lago di Massacciucoli, Tuscany, Italy with simulations from the LANDCLIM dynamic vegetation model to determine what vegetation preceded intense human disturbance, how past changes in vegetation relate to ﬁre and browsing, and the potential of an extinct vegetation type under present climate. We simulated vegetation dynamics near Lago di Massaciucoli for the last 7,000 years using a local chironomid-inferred temperature reconstruction with combinations of three ﬁre regimes (small infrequent, large infrequent, small frequent) and three browsing intensities (no browsing, light browsing, and moderate browsing), and compared model output to pollen data. Simulations with low disturbance support polleninferred evidence for a mixed forest dominated by Quercus ilex (a Mediterranean species) and Abies alba (a montane species). Whereas pollen data record the collapse of A. alba after 6000 cal yr BP, simulated populations expanded with declining summer temperatures during the late Holocene. Simulations with increased ﬁre and browsing are consistent with evidence for expansion by deciduous species after A. alba collapsed. According to our combined paleoenvironmental and modeling evidence, mixed Q. ilex and A. alba forests remain possible with current climate and limited disturbance, and provide a viable management objective for ecosystems near the Mediterranean coast and in regions that are expected to experience a mediterranean-type climate in the future.
Keywords: Abies alba; Chironomids; Fire ecology; Holocene; Italy; Landscape model; mediterranean forest; Neolithic; pollen; Quercus ilex

Implementation of a module for risk of ozone impacts assessment to vegetation in the Integrated Assessment Modelling system for the Iberian Peninsula. Evaluation for wheat and Holm oak. - de Andrés, Juan Manuel; Borge, Rafael; de la Paz, David; Lumbreras, Julio; Rodríguez, Encarnación (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2012)
A module to estimate risks of ozone damage to vegetation has been implemented in the Integrated Assessment Modelling system for the Iberian Peninsula. It was applied to compute three different indexes for wheat and Holm oak; daylight AOT40 (cumulative ozone concentration over 40 ppb), cumulative ozone exposure index according to the Directive 2008/50/EC (AOT40-D) and POD(Y) (Phytotoxic Ozone Dose over a given threshold of Y nmol m(-2) s(-1)). The use of these indexes led to remarkable differences in spatial patterns of relative ozone risks on vegetation. Ozone critical levels were exceeded in most of the modelling domain and soil moisture content was found to have a significant impact on the results. According to the outputs of the model, daylight AOT40 constitutes a more conservative index than the AOT40-D. Additionally, flux-based estimations indicate high risk areas in Portugal for both wheat and Holm oak that are not identified by AOT-based methods.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 22398018
Keywords: Air Pollutants; Air Pollutants: analysis; Air Pollutants: toxicity; Chemical; CMAQ WRF; Critical level; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Monitoring: methods; iberian peninsula; Models; Ozone; Ozone risk assessment; Ozone: analysis; Ozone: toxicity; Portugal; Quercus; Quercus: drug effects; Quercus: growth & development; Risk Assessment; Stomatal conductance; Triticum; Triticum: drug effects; Triticum: growth & development

The importance of grazing regime in the provision of breeding habitat for grassland birds: The case of the endangered little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) - Faria, Nuno; Rabaça, João E.; Morales, Manuel B. (Journal for Nature Conservation, 2012)
In Mediterranean dry grasslands, grazing by domestic animals is an important agricultural activity on dry grasslands. Several bird species occur in these grazed habitats and are now experiencing a near continuous decline. We investigated the impact of livestock grazing on the threatened little bustard (Tetrax tetrax L.). The study was conducted at the NATURA 2000 Site/Important Bird Area of Cabrela, Portugal. Our main goals were to investigate responses of little bustard territorial males and breeding females to different livestock management practices, namely pasture types, stocking rates and sward structure. Bird distribution was surveyed using car and foot surveys. Data on grazing was supplied by land managers every 10 days from February to June through ﬁeld interviews. Generalised additive models and model averaging were used to compute predictive models. Results indicate that higher probabilities of occurrence were found in long-term pastures and under light-moderate grazing conditions (stocking rates around 0.4 LU/ha). Conversely, lower probabilities of occurrence were found in ungrazed or heavy grazed ﬁelds. Males occurred mostly in large ﬁelds, but this variable seemed to be less important for females. On the other hand, green plant cover and the vegetation height were good predictors for the occurrence of females but not for males. Females used mostly pastures with vegetation height around 20–25 cm. Our results suggest that grazing management plans that aim to conserve little bustard populations should consider (1) the maintenance of the larger long-term pastures and (2) the use of light-moderate stocking rates (0.2–0.6 LU/ha).
Keywords: Green plants; livestock; pasture management; Stocking rates; Tetrax tetrax; vegetation structure

The importance of the surroundings: are bird communities of riparian galleries influenced by agroforestry matrices in SW Iberian Peninsula? - Pereira, Pedro; Godinho, Carlos; Gomes, Marisa; Rabaça, João Eduardo (Annals of Forest Science, 2012)
& Context The remaining riparian stretches are often the unique suitable habitats for forest breeding birds in Mediterranean landscapes undergoing long-term changes. Understanding the interactions between riparian zones and their surroundings is critical to establish successful management actions. & Aims We assessed the influence of surrounding matrix on riparian bird communities and the use of riparian galleries as surrogate habitats for the forest passerine communities of southwestern Iberia. & Methods We used point counts in three simultaneous sampling stations, one in the riparian gallery and two in the adjacent matrix. Three matrix types were selected with a decreasing tree density gradient: dense montado, sparse montado, and open agricultural areas. Data were analysed with redundancy analysis and differences in species’ occurrences were tested with one-way ANOVA. & Results In riparian galleries, we found bird species belong to three ecological guilds: riparian, woodland, and edge guilds. The richness of bird guilds and the occurrence of some species depended on the surrounding matrix type. Riparian bird richness was constant in all surrounding matrices, woodland bird guild was richer in galleries embedded in dense montados, and edge guild in riparian galleries surrounded by sparse montados. Five among 19 assessed species were influenced by matrix type, within particular a few strictly riparian species. Species richness increased close to riparian galleries, due to the increase in habitat heterogeneity and resource availability for birds in densely vegetated riversides. However, the occurrence of some bird species differed according to the type of surrounding matrix. & Conclusion The matrix type explained most of the variance in riparian bird assemblages. Some woodland birds have used riparian galleries as surrogate habitat. Our study suggests that land use in the surrounding matrices must be taking into account for the management and rehabilitation of watercourses and bird conservation actions.
Keywords: agroforestry gradient; breeding bird assemblages; montado; riparian galleries

Improved Genetic Transformation of Cork Oak (Quercus suber L.) - Álvarez-Fernández, Rubén; Ordás, Ricardo-Javier (Plant Cell Culture Protocols SE - 28, 2012)
An Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for selected mature Quercus suber L. trees has been established. Leaf-derived somatic embryos in an early stage of development are inoculated with an AGL1 strain harboring a kanamycin-selectable plasmid carrying the gene of interest. The transformed embryos are induced to germinate and the plantlets transferred to soil. This protocol, from adult cork oak to transformed plantlet, can be completed in about one and a half years. Transformation efficiencies (i.e., percentage of inoculated explants that yield independent transgenic embryogenic lines) vary depending on the cork oak genotype, reaching up to 43%.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Plant Cell Culture Protocols SE - 28 electronic-resource-num: 10.1007/978-1-61779-818-4_28
Keywords: AGL1; Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Cork oak; Fagaceae; Herbicide Resistance; kanamycin resistance; Quercus suber; Somatic embryogenesis; Tree genetic transformation

The Index of Function Suitability (IFS): A new tool for assessing the capacity of landscapes to provide amenity functions - Pinto-Correia, Teresa; Carvalho-Ribeiro, Sónia (Land Use Policy, 2012)
Integrating social demands into landscape management has been proven difﬁcult because of a lack of suitable measures. In order to address this issue this article describes the development of the Index of Function Suitability (IFS). This offers an integrated conceptual tool for incorporating social demands into landscape management. The IFS links preferences to land cover spatial patterns as it uses quantitative indicators for gauging differences between the preferred landscape patterns by users, for a certain activity related to an amenity function (e.g. hunting), and the land cover patterns of a given rural area (either at the present or from scenarios developed for the future). Introducing the measurement of the difference between the preferred spatial patterns and the landscape patterns occurring in a given landscape is a fundamental conceptual development represented in the IFS. By using the same set of indicators to quantify different land cover patterns, the IFS gauges quantitatively the differences between their spatial patterns, thus providing landscape managers with an indication of the suitability of changing land covers to support the selected amenity functions. In this paper, the conceptual aspects, as well as the methodological steps of the IFS were explained and further applied to one empirical case study in the Alentejo region of Portugal. This paper also examines both the strengths and weaknesses of the IFS approach along with a discussion for improvement.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Amenity functions; index of function suitability; Indicators; integrated landscape management; Social demands; User based preferences

Influence of aspect in soil and vegetation water dynamics in dry Mediterranean conditions: functional adjustment of evergreen and semi-deciduous growth forms - Gabarrón-Galeote, Miguel Angel; Ruiz-Sinoga, José Damián; Quesada, Miguel a (Ecohydrology, 2012)
This study was undertaken in a watershed at a dry Spanish Mediterranean location. The effects of the north-facing and southfacing aspects on atmospheric parameters, soil water contents (SWCs) and plant water balances were assessed during 18 months including two dry seasons and one wet season. The species studied were the evergreen sclerophyll Quercus suber and the semideciduous shrubs Cistus albidus, Cistus monspeliensis and Lavandula stoechas. Atmospheric parameters were similar in both exposures, but water content of the 30-cm uppermost soil layers was higher under canopy in the south-facing slope during the wet season. Water balances of both slopes were different, and this was related to the lower shrub abundance and the vegetation patchiness observed in the south-facing slope. Autumn plant recovery was faster in the north-facing hillslope and occurred ﬁrst in shrubs. During the whole study, Quercus suber displayed a hydrostable strategy maintaining an optimum water balance in both hillslopes. This was not the case of shrubs that avoided drought using a phenological adjustment and were more affected by aspect. Differences between tree and shrub water economies relied mainly on their respective root systems. The faster recovery of shrubs after the ﬁrst autumn rainfalls allows them to avoid competition with other functional groups for water and nutrients during some days. Leaf-drying curves distinguished the functional behaviour of the tree and the shrubs because stomatal closure occurred at higher relative water content in the former. The coexistence of both functional strategies ensures an efﬁcient use of water and nutritional resources
Keywords: accepted 18 february 2012; aspect; cistus; lavandula; Mediterranean; plant water balance; Quercus; received 23 may 2011; revised 12 december 2011; Soil moisture

Influence of the Size and Amount of Cork Particles on the Impact Toughness of a Structural Adhesive - Barbosa, a Q.; da Silva, L. F. M.; Öchsner, a; Abenojar, J.; del Real, J. C. (The Journal of Adhesion, 2012)
The inclusion of particles (nano or micro) is a method to improve the mechanical properties, such as toughness, of structural adhesives. Structural adhesives are known for their high strength and stiffness but also for their low ductility and toughness. There are many processes described in the literature to increase the toughness, one of the most common being the use of rubber particles. In the present study, natural micro particles of cork were used with the objective to increase the impact resistance of a brittle epoxy adhesive. The idea is for the cork particles to act like crack stoppers and absorb impact leading to higher absorption of energy. The influence of the cork particle size and amount were studied. Particles of cork ranging from 38 to 250 µm were mixed in the epoxy adhesive Araldite? 2020 from Huntsman. The amount of cork in the adhesive was varied between 1 and 5% by weight. Surface treatment (low pressure plasma) was applied to the cork powder to assess the effect of the interaction adhesive-cork with several degrees of adhesion. This evaluation was made using impact tests and it was evident that impact absorption was related to the size and amount of cork particles in the resin, considering a uniform particle distribution.
From Duplicate 2 (Influence of the Size and Amount of Cork Particles on the Impact Toughness of a Structural Adhesive - Barbosa, A Q; da Silva, L F M; Öchsner, A; Abenojar, J; del Real, J C)From Duplicate 2 (Influence of the Size and Amount of Cork Particles on the Impact Toughness of a Structural Adhesive - Barbosa, A Q; da Silva, L F M; Öchsner, A; Abenojar, J; del Real, J C)The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: Adhesive; Cork; mechanical properties; Surface treatment

In-situ Iberian pig carcass classification using a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. - Zamora-Rojas, E.; Pérez-Marín, D.; De Pedro-Sanz, E.; Guerrero-Ginel, J. E.; Garrido-Varo, A. (Meat science, 2012)
Iberian pig (IP) products are gourmet foods highly appreciated at international markets, reaching high prices, because of its exquisite flavors. At present, there aren't practical and affordable analytical methods which can authenticate every single piece put on the market. This paper reports on the performance of a handheld micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based spectrometer (1600-2400nm) for authentication-classification of individual IP carcasses into different commercial categories. Performance (accuracy and instrumental design) of the instrument was compared with that of high-resolution NIRS monochromators (400-2500nm). A total of 300 carcasses of IPs raised under different feeding regimes ("Acorn", "Recebo" and "Feed") were analyzed in three modes (intact fat in the carcass, skin-free subcutaneous fat samples and melted fat samples). The best classification results for the MEMS instrument were: 93.9% "Acorn" carcasses correctly classified, 96.4% "Feed" and 60.6% "Recebo", respectively. Evaluation of model performance confirmed the suitability of the handheld device for individual, fast, non-destructive, low-cost analysis of IP carcasses on the slaughterhouse line.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 22075264
Keywords: Authentication; Feeding regime; Iberian pi; In-situ analysis; MEMS device; NIRS

An integrated approach to understanding the sorption mechanism of phenanthrene by cork. - Olivella, M. À; Jové, P.; Bianchi, A.; Bazzicalupi, C.; Cano, L. (Chemosphere, 2012)
Previous studies have shown the high sorption affinity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by cork. The aim of the present work is to go further by investigating the sorption mechanism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (exemplified by phenanthrene) on cork and the availability of the chemical components (i.e. lignin, suberin, holocellulose and extractives) to retain phenanthrene. Two approaches were integrated to reach this objective: (1) statistical multivariate analysis to obtain correlations between the sorption capacity, measured as K(oc), and the sorbent properties (i.e. polarity, acidic functional groups, %dichloromethane extractives, %ethanol and water extractives, %suberin, %lignin and %holocellulose) and (2) modeling calculations to obtain information on interaction at the molecular level. The statistical multivariate analysis demonstrated a strong and positive correlation between K(oc) and the lignin content as well as negative correlations between K(oc) and the phenolic groups and %dichloromethane extractives contents. The modeling study showed that the lignin-phenanthrene interaction is mostly hydrophobic in nature being largely determined by the π-stacking interaction between the aromatic groups of the interacting partners. This result justifies the observed correlations as dichloromethane extractives, being hydrophobic, compete with phenanthrene adsorption, whereas phenolic groups, as well as negatively charged groups, enhance the hydrophilic character of the sorbent surface, thus hindering the adsorption of phenanthrene.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 23149185
Keywords: Biopolymer; Biosorption; Lignin; PAHs; p–p Interactions; suberin

Interactions between soil gravel content and neighboring vegetation control management in oak seedling establishment success in Mediterranean environments - Ceacero, Carlos J; Díaz-Hernández, José Luis; del Campo, Antonio D; Navarro-cerrillo, Rafael M (Forest Ecology and Management, 2012)
Restoration of vegetation in Mediterranean areas is limited by several factors, some of which are poorly understood, such as soil stoniness and competition with natural vegetation. This paper analyzes the interaction between weed management treatments (cultivation, herbicide, mulch and tree shelter) and the proﬁle stoniness in Holm oak (Quercus ilex L. sub. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) seedling establishment in Mediterranean areas. Our experimental trials show that proﬁle gravel content is a key factor in seedling survival, in which optimal reforestation sites would be deﬁned by gravel content <5%; transitional sites by 5% 6 gravel content 6 15% and excluded sites by gravel content >15%. The soil proﬁle gravel content caused severe water limitations, especially important in the ﬁrst year after planting, which inﬂuenced the effectiveness of neighboring vegetation control techniques for seedling establishment success. This study also conﬁrms the positive effect of competition management techniques on survival. The treatments tested showed an improvement in the survival rate, but not in growth rate, over the control treatment throughout the monitoring period. We have obtained a vegetation response model in which the beneﬁcial effects of competition control on the success of oak seedling establishment are distorted by soil gravel content.
Keywords: Quercus ilex; Rock fragment; Soil water content; Vegetation establishment

Interspecific competition induces asymmetrical rooting profile adjustments in shrub-encroached open oak woodlands - Rolo, V; Moreno, G (Trees, 2012)
It is recognized that the extent of woody encroachment is increasing worldwide, but less is known concerning the likely altered below-ground structure of cooccurring plants. The aim of this study was to analyze the root system plasticity of three layers of vegetation growing together (trees, shrubs and pasture) and identify potential mechanisms of competition avoidance. Root morphology and distribution of trees, pasture and two contrasting shrub species (deep and shallow rooted) were studied in open oak woodlands of south-western Spain. Soil samples were obtained from paired adjacent plots, with and without shrubs, by taking soil cores to a depth of 3 m. Analysis of tree and pasture root systems in the presence of shrubs revealed signiﬁcant reductions in root biomass and consistent increases in speciﬁc root length. Additionally, root proﬁles changed substantially, becoming signiﬁcantly deeper for trees and shallower for pasture. In contrast, both types of shrub increased their root biomass when growing in competition, but without signiﬁcantly modifying their rooting proﬁle. Shrubs seem to be stronger competitors for below-ground resources than neighboring species. However, trees and pasture show clear plastic responses to shrub presence, irrespective of their rooting patterns, probably to minimize competitive interactions and maximize resource acquisition.
Keywords: Cistus ladanifer; Dehesa; Niche separation; Quercus ilex; retama sphaerocarpa; Root plasticity

Intramuscular lipids of Mertolenga-PDO beef, Mertolenga-PDO veal and “Vitela Tradicional do Montado”-PGI veal - a. C.G. Monteiro; Fontes, M. a; Bessa, R. J. B.; Prates, J. a M.; Lemos, J. P. C. (Food Chemistry, 2012)
Three quality branded meats (n = 68), ‘‘Vitela Tradicional do Montado’’-PGI veal, Mertolenga-PDO veal and Mertolenga-PDO beef were analysed for cholesterol (HPLC-UV), a-tocopherol (HPLC-FD), fatty acid composition (GC-FID), including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric proﬁle (Ag + -HPLC), and nutritional value of lipids. All the meats analysed had similar contents (P > 0.05) of cholesterol, a-tocopherol and intramuscular fat. In contrast, the percentage of 18:0 was lower for PGI veal, and that of 18:1 c9 was higher in PDO veal, whilst the percentage of 18:2 n6 was higher in PDO beef, relative to other two meats. The content of total CLA and the percentage of its t11,c13 isomer were higher, and the n6/ n3 ratio was lower, in PDO veal, relative to the other two meats. The data suggested that PGI veal has higher variability for most fatty acids than the other two types of meat. Finally, a discriminant analysis was conducted and the three meat types were well discriminated using the meat fatty acid proﬁle as variables.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: label: Beef;CLA isomers;Cholesterol;Fatty acids;Meat quality;a-Tocopherol
Keywords: a-tocopherol; Beef; Cholesterol; CLA isomers; fatty acids; meat quality

An Inventory Approach to the Assessment of Main Traditional Landscapes in Sicily (Central Mediterranean Basin) - Barbera, Giuseppe; Cullotta, Sebastiano (LANDSCAPE RESEARCH, 2012)
EU policy for the conservation of cultural landscapes is of particular importance for a region such as Sicily (Italy) which is the site of many Mediterranean traditional cultural landscapes as well as new landscapes created by contemporary agriculture. Such variety of landscape, however, is not supported or confirmed by specialised inventories that identify and classify the typical Main Traditional Landscape (MTL). On the basis of these considerations, the objective of the present paper is to draw up a preliminary inventory and present a brief characterisation of MTLs in Sicily, in line with the multidisciplinary experiences and approaches implemented at European and national levels. In defining the typological units, the terminology used to identify Sicilian MTLs was modified by experiences developed on the mainland, with entries such as: bocage/semi-bocage, coltura promiscua, Mediterranean open field, mountain landscape, huerta and terrace landscape. Using different spatialised data layers, including those concerned with the main historical processes of land use and land use change, a total of eight MTLs have been detected, mapped, and concisely described. The distribution and importance of terracing systems within the different MTLs is highlighted as one of the most relevant traditional elements in the rural scenario.
From Duplicate 1 (
Keywords: agro-forestry systems; cultural landscape; ecological-cultural diversity; Land use change; landscape character

Inventory of fine particulate organic compound emissions from residential wood combustion in Portugal - Gonçalves, Cátia; Alves, Célia; Pio, Casimiro (Atmospheric Environment, 2012)
In the early fall of 2010 a survey questionnaire was conducted to assess residential wood combustion (RWC) practices in the 18 districts of mainland Portugal. This paper describes and analyses the results from a bottom-up approach, based on this telephone survey, which enabled the characterisation of RWC practices in each district. Additionally, emission factors and source proﬁles obtained from different RWC tests, allowed the estimation of CO, CO2, PM2.5 and particulate organic compound emissions on a country-scale. The type and number of RWC appliances, each with their speciﬁc emissions factor and the amount and type of fuel used vary signiﬁcantly on a district scale. The energy consumption in RWC appliances was estimated to be 35 342 TJ y 1 . The estimated emissions of PM2.5 from RWC in Portugal (10.96 kt y 1 ) represent 30% of the estimate for different source activities reported in a recent inventory. The national emissions of OC and EC were estimated to be 5.32 and 0.53 kt y 1 , respectively. It was also estimated that the total CO2 emissions from RWC in Portugal are 1.7 Mt y 1 . The levoglucosan emissions contribute with between 7.8% and 16.1% of PM2.5 emissions from RWC
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Burning appliances; Emission factors; Inventory; survey questionnaire; Wood species

Isolation of suberin from birch outer bark and cork using ionic liquids: A new source of macromonomers - Ferreira, Rui; Garcia, Helga; Sousa, Andreia F; Freire, Carmen S R; Silvestre, Armando J D; Rebelo, Luís Paulo N; Silva Pereira, Cristina (Industrial Crops and Products, 2012)
Cholinium hexanoate, a biocompatible and biodegradable ionic liquid, was recently demonstrated to efﬁciently and selectively extract suberin domains from cork, combining high extraction efﬁciency with isolation of a partial depolymerised material. In the present paper, we report a comparative study of the characterisation of suberin extracted from birch outer bark and from cork using cholinium hexanoate. It became apparent that both extracted suberin samples showed still a cross-linked nature, i.e. likely to be closely related to in situ suberin. Suberin samples were mainly constituted by oligomeric or polymeric structures in turn essentially composed by long chain hydroxyacids monomers. Their high thermal stability together with the oligomeric/polymeric nature, open new perspectives for suberin use as macromonomers in the development of bio-based polymeric materials. This also contributes for the valorisation of suberin rich agro-forest residues.
Keywords: Birch outer bark; Cholinium hexanoate ionic liquids; Cork; suberin

Juvenile–adult tree associations in a continental Mediterranean ecosystem: no evidence for sustained and general facilitation at increased aridity - Granda, Elena; Escudero, Adrián; de la Cruz, Marcelino; Valladares, Fernando (Journal of Vegetation Science, 2012)
Question How do tree species identity, microhabitat and water availability affect inter- and intra-specific interactions between juvenile and adult woody plants? Location Continental Mediterranean forests in Alto Tajo Natural Park, Guadalajara, Spain. Methods A total of 2066 juveniles and adults of four co-occurring tree species were mapped in 17 plots. The frequency of juveniles at different microhabitats and water availability levels was analysed using log-linear models. We used nearest-neighbour contingency table analysis of spatial segregation and J-functions to describe the spatial patterns. Results We found a complex spatial pattern that varied according to species identity and microhabitat. Recruitment was more frequent in gaps for Quercus ilex, while the other three species recruited preferentially under shrubs or trees depending on the water availability level. Juveniles were not spatially associated to conspecific adults, experiencing segregation from them in many cases. Spatial associations, both positive and negative, were more common at higher water availability levels. Conclusions Our results do not agree with expectations from the stress-gradient hypothesis, suggesting that positive interactions do not increase in importance with increasing aridity in the study ecosystem. Regeneration patterns are species-specific and depend on microhabitat characteristics and dispersal strategies. In general, juveniles do not look for conspecific adult protection. This work contributes to the understanding of species co-existence, proving the importance of considering a multispecies approach at several plots to overcome limitations of simple pair-wise comparisons in a limited number of sites.
Keywords: faginea; Juniperus thurifera; patterns; Pinus nigra; Quercus; Quercus faginea; Quercus ilex; Regeneration; spatial; spatial patterns; Stress-gradient hypothesis; water; Water availability

Knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicine in the Province of Granada, Andalusia, Spain. - Benítez, Guillermo; González-Tejero, M. Reyes; Molero-Mesa, Joaquín (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2012)
This paper constitutes an important contribution to the knowledge of biological resources used in ethnoveterinary practices (EVPs) in southern Europe, a territory with a clear lack of information on the subject. Aim of the study: To catalogue, analyze, and disseminate the knowledge of plant and animal use in eth- noveterinary practices in the province of Granada. Data have been analyzed to highlight the similarities between ethnoveterinary practices and human ethnopharmacology for the same study area. Methodology: Information was gathered through open and semi-structured interviews with local people, mainly elderly shepherds and farmers, in the western part of the province. The primary data have been supplemented with information on EVPs from previous ethnobotanical works for the province. Data were gathered using the same field methods. Results: A total of 88 ethnoveterinary uses are documented for the treatment of 24 animal conditions. Of these, 82 uses involve 60 different plant species. Over three-quarters of these plants are also used for some human conditions in the same study area. Moreover, 6 animal species were catalogued for 6 other ethnoveterinary uses; four of these species were also used for similar conditions in humans. Ritual and health-prevention practices are also discussed. Conclusions: EVPs in southern Spain involve a high number of species and conditions and are strongly linked to folk tradition (i.e. how local people understand certain conditions and their treatment, some- times in a ritual manner). Unfortunately, some evidence of their slow disappearance has been found.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd accession-num: 22155471
Keywords: Ethnoveterinary; Granada; Spain; Veterinary medicine; Zootherapy

Land use and climate change impacts on soil organic carbon stocks in semi-arid Spain - Albaladejo, Juan; Ortiz, Roque; Garcia-Franco, Noelia; Navarro, Antonio Ruiz; Almagro, Maria; Pintado, Javier Garcia; Martínez-Mena, Maria (Journal of Soils and Sediments, 2012)
Purpose The sensitivity of soil organic carbon to global change drivers, according to the depth profile, is receiving increasing attention because of its importance in the global carbon cycle and its potential feedback to climate change. A better knowledge of the vertical distribution of SOC and its controlling factors—the aim of this study—will help scientists predict the consequences of global change. Materials and methods The study area was the Murcia Province (S.E. Spain) under semiarid Mediterranean conditions. The database used consists of 312 soil profiles collected in a systematic grid, each 12 km 2 covering a total area of 11,004 km 2 . Statistical analysis to study the relationships between SOC concentration and control factors in different soil use scenarios was conducted at fixed depths of 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, and 60–100 cm. Results and discussion SOC concentration in the top 40 cm ranged between 6.1 and 31.5 gkg −1 , with significant differences according to land use, soil type and lithology, while below this depth, no differences were observed (SOC concentration 2.1–6.8 gkg −1 ). The ANOVA showed that land use was the most important factor controlling SOC concentration in the 0–40 cm depth. Significant differences were found in the relative importance of environmental and textural factors according to land use and soil depth. In forestland, mean annual precipitation and texture were the main predictors of SOC, while in cropland and shrubland, the main predictors were mean annual temperature and lithology. Total SOC stored in the top 1 m in the region was about 79 Tg with a low mean density of 7.18 kgCm −3 . The vertical distribution of SOC was shallower in forestland and deeper in cropland. A reduction in rainfall would lead to SOC decrease in forestland and shrubland, and an increase of mean annual temperature would adversely affect SOC in croplands and shrubland. With increasing depth, the relative importance of climatic factors decreases and texture becomes more important in controlling SOC in all land uses. Conclusions Due to climate change, impacts will be much greater in surface SOC, the strategies for C sequestration should be focused on subsoil sequestration, which was hindered in forestland due to bedrock limitations to soil depth. In these conditions, sequestration in cropland through appropriate management practices is recommended.
Keywords: carbon sequestration potential; control factors of soil organic carbon; impact of global change; vertical distribution of soil organic carbon

A landscape genetics approach reveals ecological-based differentiation in populations of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) at the northern limit of its range - Vernesi, Cristiano; Rocchini, Duccio; Pecchioli, Elena; Neteler, Markus; Vendramin, Giovanni G; Paffetti, Donatella (Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012)
The holm oak plays a relevant role in the functioning of Mediterranean forests. In the area north of Garda Lake, Italian Prealps, holm oak populations are at the northernmost edge of their distribution. Being peripheral, these populations are of particular interest for ecological, evolutionary and conservation studies. Through an explicit individual-based landscape genetics approach, we addressed the following questions: (1) are levels of genetic variation reduced in these marginal populations compared with central populations?; (2) despite the narrow geographical scale, do individual-based analyses have some power to detect genetic differentiation?; (3) do environmental and/or climatic factors exert a role in shaping patterns of genetic variation and differentiation? Through a Bayesian method, we identified three clusters whose genetic variability can be considered to be of the same order as that recorded in central Quercus ilex populations. Although being geographically very close (< 20 km), the differentiation was statistically significant (P < 0.05) with global F
Keywords: Bayesian computation; Geneland; Italian Prealps; microsatellites

Landscape planning for the future: using fossil records to independently validate bioclimatic envelope models for economically valuable tree species in Europe - Macias-Fauria, Marc; Willis, Katherine J (Global Ecology and Biogeography, 2012)
Aim Bioclimatic envelope models (BEMs) for seven economically important tree species in Europe were independently validated using a hindcasting approach and fossil pollen records spanning the last 1000 years, including the Medieval Warm Period (MWP), the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the 20th century (PRES). The aim was to determine the accuracy of combining BEMs and palaeoecological data to predict continental-scale changes in distribution, and the availability of fossil data to hindcast economically important species. Location Europe, 11 °W–33 °E, 33–72 °N. Methods Eight types of BEMs were implemented in this study, covering most state-of-the-art modelling techniques. Present and palaeoclimatic data were obtained from the atmosphere–ocean global circulation model ECHO-G. The last millennium was divided into three climatically distinct periods: the MWP (ad 900–1300), the LIA (ad 1600–1850) and PRES (ad 1900–2000). Models were calibrated for each period and validated with climatic and pollen data from the remaining periods. Successfully validated models were projected onto a 1° European grid. Results BEMs were successfully validated with independent data. The average area under the curve statistic showed strong model performance, indicating: (1) the strength of BEMs for modelling current and future distributions and, (2) the potential of fossil pollen records to undertake these approaches. European-scale 1°- gridded maps of probability of occurrence largely agreed with observed 20th-century distributions for most taxa, allowing the construction of past modelled species distributions. Main conclusions Results suggest a high potential for BEMs to be used to model future species distributions, and highlight the importance of palaeoecological data to independently validate these models, taking into account the scales at which these data operate. Although valid, BEMs showed poorer performance with heavily managed species and/or those growing in heterogeneous terrain or with discontinuous distributions. The last millennium in Europe was characterized by an increase in woody crop species and a decline of forest species, suggesting increasing land use by humans.
Keywords: Bioclimatic envelope models; climate change; conservation planning; EUROPE; Little Ice Age; Medieval Warm Period; species distribution models; woody species

Late postglacial paleoenvironmental change in the northeastern Mediterranean region: Combined palynological and molecular biomarker evidence - Kouli, K.; Gogou, A.; Bouloubassi, I.; Triantaphyllou, M. V.; Ioakim, Chr; Katsouras, G.; Roussakis, G.; Lykousis, V. (Quaternary International, 2012)
Three gravity cores collected from the NE Mediterranean (NEMR) across a transect from the northern Aegean Sea (North Skyros basin) to the south Cretan margin (SCM), were investigated for pollen and terrestrial biomarkers derived from epicuticular waxes of vascular plants during the last w20 ky. Pollen data show diversiﬁed mixed temperate forest in the northern borderlands and enhanced Mediterranean vegetation in the southern areas, documenting an NeS climatic trend. Terrestrial plant biomarkers and their diagnostic geochemical indices exhibit latitudinal patterns which are interpreted in terms of the different delivery pathways (ﬂuvial/runoff vs. atmospheric transport), resulting from the climate conditions during different periods. During the Late Glacial and early deglaciation periods (20e14 ka BP) relatively increased humidity (H-index) is recorded in the north Aegean Sea, while in the South drier climate was the limiting factor for vegetation development. During this interval, terrestrial n-alkanes showed increased accumulation rates, suggesting massive transport of terrestrial organic matter through runoffs and rivers, followed by weaker input after 14 ka BP. After w11 ka BP a major expansion of forest cover is evidenced in the NEMR, accompanied by a higher H-index because of the climatic amelioration. The forest vegetation exhibited regionally different characteristics, with cool temperate taxa being more abundant in the Aegean cores, while the SCM record is being featured by Mediterranean elements. At the onset of the Holocene and throughout the Holocene Climatic Optimum the delivery of terrestrial biomarkers increased and became more signiﬁcant in the Aegean sites compared to the SCM site. Within the Holocene, the average chain length (ACL) of long chain n-alkanes exhibits lower values in the northern Aegean than in the southeastern Aegean and SCM, indicating the predominance of warmer species southwards. Finally, the H-index records a conspicuous humidity increase between 5.4 and 4.3 ka BP in the south Aegean that coincides with an increase in the terrestrial biomarker supply and the deposition of a distinct sapropel-like layer, SMH (Sapropel Mid Holocene). Similar trends in T (temperature) and H indices are slightly delayed and attenuated in the northern Aegean and are accompanied by an increase in the ACL index. A noticeable increase in the accumulation rates (ARs) of terrestrial biomarkers and the HPA index values during this period are clearly recorded in all three cores, indicative of enhanced terrigenous inputs of organic matter along with higher in-situ preservation.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Aegean Sea; climatic variability (voyant); Holocene; Mediterranean; pollen; terrestrial biomarkers; Vegetation

Leaf and stand-level carbon uptake of a Mediterranean forest estimated using the satellite-derived reflectance indices EVI and PRI - Garbulsky, Martín F.; Penuelas, Josep; Ogaya, Romà; Filella, Iolanda (International Journal of Remote Sensing, 2012)
Various aspects of global environmental change affect plant photosynthesis, the primary carbon input in ecosystems. Thus, accurate methods of measuring plant photosynthesis are important. Remotely sensed spectral indices can monitor in detail the green biomass of ecosystems, which provides a measure of potential photosynthetic capacity. In evergreen vegetation types, however, such as Mediterranean forests, the amount of green biomass changes little during the growing season and, therefore, changes in green biomass are not responsible for changes in photosynthetic rates in those forests. This study examined the net photosynthetic rates and the diametric increment of stems in a Mediterranean forest dominated by Quercus ilex using three spectral indices (normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and photochemical reflectance index (PRI)) derived from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors. Average annual EVI accounted for 83% of the variability of the diametric increment of Q. ilex stems over a 10 year period. NDVI was marginally correlated with the diametric increment of stems. This study was the first to identify a significant correlation between net photosynthetic rates and radiation use efficiency at the leaf level using PRI derived from satellite data analysed at the ecosystem level. These results suggest that each spectral index provided different and complementary information about ecosystem carbon uptake in a Mediterranean Q. ilex forest.
doi: 10.1080/01431161.2012.718457doi: 10.1080/01431161.2012.718457The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: carbon uptake (voyant); EVI; mediterranean forest; NDVI; photochemical reflectance index (PRI)

Lichen functional groups as ecological indicators of the effects of land-use in Mediterranean ecosystems - Pinho, P; Bergamini, A; Carvalho, P; Branquinho, C; Stofer, S; Scheidegger, C; Máguas, C (Ecological Indicators, 2012)
The effects of land-use on species and communities are usually studied by considering high-intensity land-use gradients. However, in many Mediterranean Europe areas, the traditional land-use regime is of low-intensity, including low-impactforestry practices and extensive livestock pasture. This low-intensity land-use is associated with ‘High Nature Value Farmlands’, which occupymore than 50% oftotal farmland area in Mediterranean areas. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of traditional lowintensity land-use on epiphytic lichen communities in Mediterranean cork-oak woodlands. We intend to investigate the value of lichen communities as early indicators of the effects of land-use changes. For that, lichens were sampled along a gradient of low-intensity land-use that included forestry and pasture activities. As lichen diversity variables we considered: (i) total species richness, (ii) total species frequency (LDV), and (iii) richness and frequency of functional groups dividing species according to their eutrophication-tolerance. We found an increase of total species richness with an increase of land-use intensity which is opposite to expectations and which was shown for ﬁrst time in lichens. The increase in total species richness was due to an increase of the number of eutrophication tolerant species accompanied by the maintenance of the sensitive one when we analyzed the lichen-data at the functional response group level. These results ﬁt with the intermediate disturbance hypothesis that predicts higher diversity under an intermediate disturbance due to the coexistence of species with contrasting ecological requirements. Traditionally managed cork-oak woodlands with low-intensity land-use can thus support a high diversity of lichen species. An important outcome was that we conﬁrmed the importance of using ecological indicators based on functional-groups for monitoring changes in ecosystems and, since lichens responded to low levels of land-use intensity, we have also shown the possibility of using lichens as early indicators of the impacts of low intensity land-use.
Keywords: Ecological indicators; epiphytic lichens; livestock; management; Nitrophytic; Oligotrophic; Quercus suber

Lignin monomeric composition of corks from the barks of Betula pendula, Quercus suber and Quercus cerris determined by Py–GC–MS/FID - Marques, António Velez; Pereira, Helena (Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2012)
Samples of cork tissues separated from the barks of Betula pendula, Quercus suber and Quercus cerris were characterized by Py–GC–MS/FID in respect to composition of lignin. The pyrolysis temperature influenced the yield of pyrolysis products, and in the conditions usually applied to wood pyrolysis (550 ◦C) suberin is only partially degraded into products. The lignin composition of the three corks showed predominantly a guaiacyl-based lignin: guaiacyl (G) units represented 85.7%, 96.4% and 93.7% of lignin respectively in B. pendula, Q. suber and Q. cerris corks, while syringyl (S) units amounted respectively to 11.9%, 2.5% and 2.7% and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units to 2.4%, 1.1% and 3.6%. Pyrolysis of the woods of these same species confirmed the GS character of their lignins in contrast to the corks G-lignin type. The influence of ferulic acid in the results and its integration in a heterogeneous cork lignin structure was discussed.
Keywords: Betula pendula; Cork; Lignin composition; pyrolysis; Quercus cerris; Quercus suber

The likely impact of climate change on the biodiversity of Italian forests - Borghetti, M.; La Mantia, T.; Menozzi, P.; Piotti, a (Forest@ - Rivista di Selvicoltura ed Ecologia Forestale, 2012)
Keywords: 2012; 245-250; 9; Adaptation; biodiversità delle foreste italiane; Biodiversity; borghetti m; citation; climate change; climatico sulla; contents; FOREST; http; impact; it; Italy; la mantia t; menozzi p; online 2012-11-19; piotti a; probabili impatti del cambiamento; sisef; url; www

Linking plant composition and arthropod abundance to establish little bustard breeding requirements in pastureland dominated landscapes - Faria, Nuno; Rabaça, João E.; Morales, Manuel B. (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2012)
Most research on steppe bird habitat selection has been focused on the effects of management regimes or vegetation structure. However, much less is known on how plant composition is related with steppe bird occurrence. We investigated microhabitat of little bustard territorial males and females during the nesting and chick-rearing season in areas with dominance of pastureland focusing on plant composition. We searched for relationships between preferred vegetation and arthropod abundance in order to identify the contribution of different vegetation typologies in providing essential trophic resources for the species. Surveys of little bustards were made using car and foot transects. Plant composition was obtained within a 50 9 50 cm square at four sampling replicates and arthropod availability was sampled using a sweep net. Statistical procedures were conducted in three steps: (1) analysis of variance was used to identify at univariate level the plant composition and arthropod variables that were signiﬁcantly related with both male and female occurrence sites; (2) principal components analysis was performed using the variables with signiﬁcant results at univariate level; (3) model averaging on generalized linear and mixed models was applied to evaluate the selection probability of each principal component. The species occurs in sites with high ﬂoristic richness and high abundance of Fabaceae species, although plant composition differs from male to female sites. These variables were found to be crucial to provide higher abundances of arthropods, notably of Acrididea, Formicidae and some groups of Coleoptera which are decisive for the selection of displaying or female breeding sites.
Keywords: Acrididae; Fabaceae; grassland; Microhabitat selection; Plant richness; Tetrax tetrax

Litter production in Holm oak trees subjected to different pruning intensities in Mediterranean dehesas - Andivia, Enrique; VÁZQUEZ-PIQUÉ, JAVIER; FERNÁNDEZ, MANUEL; Alejano, Reyes (Agroforestry systems, 2012)
Litterfall is a key process in forests which is sensitive to climatic conditions like precipitation and temperature, and management practices. Therefore, knowledge about litterfall patterns and its associated variables is important for the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems under conditions of climate change. We aimed to quantify the temporal pattern of litterfall and to investigate the inﬂuence of abiotic variables and pruning on litter production. Litterfall was collected at monthly intervals for 2 years in trees subjected to different pruning intensities in two locations. The effect of pruning, abiotic variables and tree size on litter production was analyzed using a mathematical model. Leaf fall was strongly seasonal with a peak occurring in the wettest month of the year in this area. The variability in leaf fall was mainly related to rainfall and soil water in 2 years and locations. Pruning reduced the amount of litter production during the ﬁrst year following this practice, and might have negative effect on soil fertility and crop productivity in dehesas ecosystems.
Keywords: á agroforestry systems; á litterfall á; agroforestry systems; climate change; climate change á management; litterfall; management; pruning; Quercus ilex; quercus ilex á pruning

Long-term responses of Mediterranean birds to forest fuel management - Santana, Joana; Porto, Miguel; Gordinho, Luís; Reino, Luís; Beja, Pedro (Journal of Applied Ecology, 2012)
1. Mechanical management of forest fuels is increasingly used in the Euro-Mediterranean region in response to the abandonment of traditional agroforestry and the concurrent increase in fire hazard. Although fuel management may have positive side effects for biodiversity, its long-term impacts remain largely unknown. 2. We used a 70-year post-management chronosequence to investigate the influence of time since fuel management and management frequency on bird assemblages in cork oak Quercus suber forests. 3. Fuel management strongly affected bird species richness, abundances and assemblage composition, with rapid changes often occurring during the first 10–20 years, followed in the next decades by a slow convergence to pre-management levels. 4. In winter, overall species richness and abundance, and that of frugivores and shrub foragers, were negatively affected by recent and recurrent management, only recovering in stands unmanaged for >50 years. In spring, insectivore abundance and the richness and abundance of shrub foragers declined immediately following management, increased to a maximum about 20 years later, and declined thereafter. Breeding granivores and ground foragers were the only groups that benefitted from fuel management. There were no overall effects on species of conservation concern, although a few species with unfavourable status benefitted from fuel management. 5. Synthesis and applications. Our study confirmed that mechanical fuel management has positive effects on some early-successional bird species of conservation concern, although its effects were limited. These benefits should be compared with the strong negative impacts on key bird species such as wintering frugivores, which play a pivotal role in ecosystems by promoting seed dispersal. To reconcile the positive and negative aspects, fuel management should be used to create heterogeneous mosaics of forest patches encompassing a range of sizes (10–100 ha) and successional stages of understorey vegetation, including stands undisturbed for >50 years. This management strategy will likely maintain conditions for a wide range of species with contrasting ecological requirements while also reducing fire hazard.
Keywords: Disturbance ecology; Ecological succession; Fire risk; Forest management; frugivores; Landscape mosaics; Mediterranean bird assemblages

Manipulation of VOC emissions with methyl jasmonate and carrageenan in the evergreen conifer Pinus sylvestris and evergreen broadleaf Quercus ilex - Semiz, G; Blande, J D; Heijari, J; Işık, K; Niinemets, Ü; Holopainen, J K (Plant Biology, 2012)
Plant defence can be induced by exposing plants to the plant hormone jasmonic acid (JA) or its volatile ester, methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Carrageenans (Carr) – sulphated d-galactans extracted from red algae – can also induce plant defences. In this study, the effects of exogenous MeJA and Carr application (concentration 300 and 12.7 μmol, respectively) on volatile emissions from two widespread evergreen woody species, Pinus sylvestris (nine Turkish and one Finnish provenance) and Quercus ilex (Italian provenance) were investigated. We collected headspace samples from seedlings and analysed the quality and quantity of volatile compounds emitted by treated and control plants. In total, 19 monoterpenes, 10 sesquiterpenes, 10 green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and two aromatic compounds were emitted by P. sylvestris from all the provenances studied. Foliar MeJA application clearly affected the volatile profiles of trees from all the provenances. Effects of Carr were genotype specific. In Q. ilex, emissions of sesquiterpenes, GLVs and the homoterpene (E)-DMNT were all induced by MeJA application. However, emissions of most constitutively emitted monoterpenes were significantly reduced. Carr application also led to a significant reduction in monoterpene emissions, but without corresponding increases in other emissions. Our results indicate that exogenously applied MeJA and Carr can both significantly modify the volatile profiles of P. sylvestris and Q. ilex, but also that there are important provenance- and species-specific differences in the overall degree of elicitation and compositions of elicited compounds.
Keywords: Algal polysaccharide; elicitor; Holm oak; inducible volatiles; scots pine; terpenes

Masting in oaks: Disentangling the effect of flowering phenology, airborne pollen load and drought - Fernández-Martínez, Marcos; Belmonte, Jordina; MARÍA ESPELTA, JOSEP (Acta Oecologica, 2012)
Quercus species exhibit an extreme inter-annual variability in seed production often synchronized over large geographical areas (masting). Since this reproductive behavior is mostly observed in anemophilous plants, pollination efﬁciency is suggested as one hypothesis to explain it, although resource-based hypotheses are also suggested as alternatives. We analyzed the effect of ﬂowering phenology, airborne pollen presence and meteorological conditions in the pattern of acorn production in mixed evergreendeciduous oak forests (Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens) in NE Spain for twelve years (1998e2009). In both oaks, higher temperatures advanced the onset of ﬂowering and increased the amount of airborne pollen. Nevertheless, inter-annual differences in pollen production did not inﬂuence acorn crop size. Acorn production was enhanced by a delay in ﬂowering onset in Q. ilex but not in Q. pubescens. This suggests that in perennial oaks a larger number of photosynthates produced before ﬂowering could beneﬁt reproduction while the lack of effects on deciduous oaks could be because these species ﬂush new leaves and ﬂowers at the same time. Notwithstanding this effect, spring water deﬁcit was the most relevant factor in explaining inter-annual variability in acorn production in both species. Considering that future climate scenarios predict progressive warmer and dryer spring seasons in the Mediterranean Basin, this might result in earlier onsets of ﬂowering and higher water deﬁcits that would constrain acorn production.
Keywords: acorns; Drought; Mediterranean; Pollination efﬁciency hypothesis; Quercus spp.; Resource-based hypotheses

A method to quantify infection and colonization of holm oak (Quercus ilex) roots by Phytophthora cinnamomi. - Ruiz-Gómez, Francisco J; Sánchez-Cuesta, Rafael; Navarro-cerrillo, Rafael M; Pérez-de-Luque, Alejandro (Plant methods, 2012)
ABSTRACT: Phytophthora cinnamomi Rands. is an important root rot pathogen widely distributed in the north hemisphere, with a large host range. Among others diseases, it is known to be a principal factor in the decline of holm oak and cork oak, the most important tree species in the "dehesa" ecosystem of south-western Spain. Previously, the focus of studies on P. cinnamomi and holm oak have been on molecular tools for identification, functional responses of the host, together with other physiological and morphological host variables. However, a microscopic index to describe the degree of infection and colonization in the plant tissues has not yet been developed. A colonization or infection index would be a useful tool for studies that examine differences between individuals subjected to different treatments or to individuals belonging to different breeding accessions, together with their specific responses to the pathogen. This work presents a methodology based on the capture and digital treatment of microscopic images, using simple and accessible software, together with a range of variables that quantify the infection and colonization process.
Keywords: histology; Holm oak decline; infection degree; Microscopy; Phytophthora; root rot

Methods to improve the recruitment of holm-oak seedlings in grazed Mediterranean savanna-like ecosystems (dehesas) - Leiva, María José; Mancilla-Leyton, Juan Manuel; Martín-Vicente, Ángel (Annals of Forest Science, 2012)
& Context “Dehesas” are savanna-like ecosystems of human origin that extend broadly in the Mediterranean area of the Iberian Peninsula. They consist of scattered oaks (mainly Quercus ilex subsp. ballota L. holm-oak), an annual grassland layer and interspersed shrubs. These ecosystems, used for grazing and wild game, support high plant and animal biodiversity and provide important environmental services. At present, Mediterranean “dehesas” are endangered by the lack of oak regeneration. & Aims This paper analyses the efficiency of: (1) using shrubs as nurse plants; (2) drip irrigation of seedlings during summer; and (3) a combination of the two methods for the restoration of a “dehesa” in a mid-mountain Mediterranean area of southern Spain. & Methods Different techniques were tested to improve the recruitment of holm-oak seedling during a 3-year field experiment: (1) acorn plantation in open spaces, irrigating seedlings during the first dry season; (2) acorn plantation beneath the canopy of Myrtus communis L. and (3) both methods combined. & Results There was a large facilitative effect of myrtle for the recruitment of holm-oak seedlings, regardless of the supply of irrigation. This effect was associated with a large decrease in air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation beneath myrtle canopies. By contrast, summer irrigation of seedlings planted in open spaces did not improve seedling survival after 3 years despite a small and transient positive effect on seedling survival during the 1st year. & Conclusion The use of evergreen shrubs, such as myrtle, as nurse plants may be considered to restore “dehesas” instead of expensive seedling irrigation techniques. Several studies have promoted abandoning grazing to increase holm oak selfregeneration in “dehesas”. However, creating closed patches of naturally occurring evergreen shrubs could provide suitable sites for oak planting when necessary, thus enhancing seedling recruitment without damaging the environmental and economic value of these ecosystems.
Keywords: nurse plant; Photosynthetically active radiation; seedling emergence timing; seedling longevity; summer drip-irrigation of seedlings

Methods to improve the recruitment of holm-oak seedlings in grazed Mediterranean savanna-like ecosystems (dehesas) - Leiva, María José; Mancilla-Leyton, Juan Manuel; Martín-Vicente, Ángel (Annals of Forest Science, 2012)
& Context “Dehesas” are savanna-like ecosystems of human origin that extend broadly in the Mediterranean area of the Iberian Peninsula. They consist of scattered oaks (mainly Quercus ilex subsp. ballota L. holm-oak), an annual grassland layer and interspersed shrubs. These ecosystems, used for grazing and wild game, support high plant and animal biodiversity and provide important environmental services. At present, Mediterranean “dehesas” are endangered by the lack of oak regeneration. & Aims This paper analyses the efficiency of: (1) using shrubs as nurse plants; (2) drip irrigation of seedlings during summer; and (3) a combination of the two methods for the restoration of a “dehesa” in a mid-mountain Mediterranean area of southern Spain. & Methods Different techniques were tested to improve the recruitment of holm-oak seedling during a 3-year field experiment: (1) acorn plantation in open spaces, irrigating seedlings during the first dry season; (2) acorn plantation beneath the canopy of Myrtus communis L. and (3) both methods combined. & Results There was a large facilitative effect of myrtle for the recruitment of holm-oak seedlings, regardless of the supply of irrigation. This effect was associated with a large decrease in air temperature and photosynthetically active radiation beneath myrtle canopies. By contrast, summer irrigation of seedlings planted in open spaces did not improve seedling survival after 3 years despite a small and transient positive effect on seedling survival during the 1st year. & Conclusion The use of evergreen shrubs, such as myrtle, as nurse plants may be considered to restore “dehesas” instead of expensive seedling irrigation techniques. Several studies have promoted abandoning grazing to increase holm oak selfregeneration in “dehesas”. However, creating closed patches of naturally occurring evergreen shrubs could provide suitable sites for oak planting when necessary, thus enhancing seedling recruitment without damaging the environmental and economic value of these ecosystems.
Keywords: nurse plant; Photosynthetically active radiation; seedling emergence timing; seedling longevity; summer drip-irrigation of seedlings

Microwave assisted extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction as a sensitive sample preparation method for the determination of haloanisoles and halophenols in cork stoppers and oak barrel sawdust - Pizarro, Consuelo; Saenz-Gonzalez, Cristina; Perez-del-Notario, Nuria; Maria Gonzalez-Saiz, Jose (FOOD CHEMISTRY, 2012)
In this paper, a method based on microwave assisted extraction (MAE) in combination with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been proposed as a new approach for the sensitive determination of cork taint responsible compounds in cork stoppers and oak barrel sawdust. For this purpose, haloanisoles and halophenols were extracted from the solid samples using a MAE method. Subsequently, a DLLME-derivatisation procedure was applied on the MAE extracts and the analytes were determined by gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD). Parameters affecting the DLLME-derivatisation method were exhaustively investigated by means of experimental design methodology. Once optimised, the proposed method showed satisfactory linearity (correlation coefficients over 0.991), repeatability (below 10.4%) and inter-day precision (below 11.2%). Detection limits obtained were similar or even lower than previously reported. The results obtained proved the suitability of the combination of MAE with DLLME as a sensitive sample preparation methodology for the analysis of haloanisoles and halophenols in solid enological matrices. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: cork stopper; Cork taint; Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction; Experimental design; Microwave assisted extraction; Oak barrel

A model to account for variations in production in southern Spain - García-mozo, Herminia; Dominguez-vilches, Eugenio; Galán, Carmen (Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2012)
One of the characteristics of holm-oak acorn production is its high variability among individuals and years. To examine the main causes of this fact, a study was conducted from 1998-2010 in a natural area of holm-oak in southern Spain, where floral phenology, fruit production, fruit size, airborne pollen emission and meteorology factors were analyzed with the ultimate aim of developing a model for forecasting holm-oak yield. Pollen emission during flowering season was the main factor determining the final acorn harvest, but also some meteorological variables played an important role in explaining acorn crop variations, especially humidity and temperature during the months of April and September. The reliability of the proposed model was externally validated using data not included in its construction; validation yielded acceptable results, with a minimum error of estimation. Our results appear to be very useful for planning cropping and pig feeding strategies. Further research could extend the use of airborne pollen counts in forest studies relating to anemophilous species, in order to optimize agricultural policies.
Keywords: acorn production; Aerobiology; Holm oak; model; oak forest; Phenology; pollen; quercus ilex subsp. ballota

Molecular characterization of Quercus suber MYB1, a transcription factor up-regulated in cork tissues - Almeida, Tânia; Menéndez, Esther; Capote, Tiago; Ribeiro, Teresa; Santos, Conceição; Gonçalves, Sónia (Journal of Plant Physiology, 2012)
The molecular processes associated with cork development in Quercus suber L. are poorly understood. A previous molecular approach identiﬁed a list of genes potentially important for cork formation and differentiation, providing a new basis for further molecular studies. This report is the ﬁrst molecular characterization of one of these candidate genes, QsMYB1, coding for an R2R3-MYB transcription factor. The R2R3-MYB gene sub-family has been described as being involved in the phenylpropanoid and lignin pathways, both involved in cork biosynthesis. The results showed that the expression of QsMYB1 is putatively mediated by an alternative splicing (AS) mechanism that originates two different transcripts (QsMYB1.1 and QsMYB1.2), differing only in the 5 -untranslated region, due to retention of the ﬁrst intron in one of the variants. Moreover, within the retained intron, a simple sequence repeat (SSR) was identiﬁed. The upstream regulatory region of QsMYB1 was extended by a genome walking approach, which allowed the identiﬁcation of the putative gene promoter region. The relative expression pattern of QsMYB1 transcripts determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) revealed that both transcripts were up-regulated in cork tissues; the detected expression was several times higher in newly formed cork harvested from trees producing virgin, second or reproduction cork when compared with wood. Moreover, the expression analysis of QsMYB1 in several Q. suber organs showed very low expression in young branches and roots, whereas in leaves, immature acorns or male ﬂowers, no expression was detected. These preliminary results suggest that QsMYB1 may be related to secondary growth and, in particular, with the cork biosynthesis process with a possible alternative splicing mechanism associated with its regulatory function.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 23218545
Keywords: Alternative Splicing; Amino Acid Sequence; Cork biosynthesis; Cork oak; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes; Lipids; Lipids: biosynthesis; Molecular Sequence Data; phellogen; Plant; Plant Bark; Plant Bark: genetics; Plant Bark: metabolism; Plant Growth Regulators; Plant Growth Regulators: biosynthesis; Plant Proteins; Plant Proteins: chemistry; Plant Proteins: metabolism; Quercus; Quercus: genetics; Quercus: metabolism; R2R3-MYB; RNA; Transcription Factors; Transcription Factors: chemistry; Transcription Factors: metabolism; Up-Regulation

Morphological and phenological shoot plasticity in a Mediterranean evergreen oak facing long-term increased drought. - Limousin, Jean-Marc; Rambal, Serge; OURCIVAL, JEAN-MARC; Rodriguez-Calcerrada, Jesus; Pérez-Ramos, Ignacio M.; Rodríguez-Cortina, Raquel; Misson, Laurent; Joffre, Richard (Oecologia, 2012)
Mediterranean trees must adjust their canopy leaf area to the unpredictable timing and severity of summer drought. The impact of increased drought on the canopy dynamics of the evergreen Quercus ilex was studied by measuring shoot growth, leaf production, litterfall, leafing phenology and leaf demography in a mature forest stand submitted to partial throughfall exclusion for 7 years. The leaf area index rapidly declined in the throughfall-exclusion plot and was 19% lower than in the control plot after 7 years of treatment. Consequently, leaf litterfall was significantly lower in the dry treatment. Such a decline in leaf area occurred through a change in branch allometry with a decreased number of ramifications produced and a reduction of the leaf area supported per unit sapwood area of the shoot (LA/SA). The leafing phenology was slightly delayed and the median leaf life span was slightly longer in the dry treatment. The canopy dynamics in both treatments were driven by water availability with a 1-year lag: leaf shedding and production were reduced following dry years; in contrast, leaf turnover was increased following wet years. The drought-induced decrease in leaf area, resulting from both plasticity in shoot development and slower leaf turnover, appeared to be a hydraulic adjustment to limit canopy transpiration and maintain leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity under drier conditions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22159896
Keywords: allometry; Dehydration; Droughts; France; leaf area; leaf demography; litterfall; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: growth & development; Plant Leaves: physiology; Plant Shoots; Plant Shoots: growth & development; Quercus; Quercus: physiology; shoot growth; Trees

Morphological and phenological shoot plasticity in a Mediterranean evergreen oak facing long-term increased drought. - Limousin, Jean-Marc; Rambal, Serge; OURCIVAL, JEAN-MARC; Rodriguez-Calcerrada, Jesus; Pérez-Ramos, Ignacio M; Rodríguez-Cortina, Raquel; Misson, Laurent; Joffre, Richard (Oecologia, 2012)
Mediterranean trees must adjust their canopy leaf area to the unpredictable timing and severity of summer drought. The impact of increased drought on the canopy dynamics of the evergreen Quercus ilex was studied by measuring shoot growth, leaf production, litterfall, leafing phenology and leaf demography in a mature forest stand submitted to partial throughfall exclusion for 7 years. The leaf area index rapidly declined in the throughfall-exclusion plot and was 19% lower than in the control plot after 7 years of treatment. Consequently, leaf litterfall was significantly lower in the dry treatment. Such a decline in leaf area occurred through a change in branch allometry with a decreased number of ramifications produced and a reduction of the leaf area supported per unit sapwood area of the shoot (LA/SA). The leafing phenology was slightly delayed and the median leaf life span was slightly longer in the dry treatment. The canopy dynamics in both treatments were driven by water availability with a 1-year lag: leaf shedding and production were reduced following dry years; in contrast, leaf turnover was increased following wet years. The drought-induced decrease in leaf area, resulting from both plasticity in shoot development and slower leaf turnover, appeared to be a hydraulic adjustment to limit canopy transpiration and maintain leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity under drier conditions.
Keywords: allometry; Dehydration; Droughts; France; leaf area; leaf demography; litterfall; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: growth & development; Plant Leaves: physiology; Plant Shoots; Plant Shoots: growth & development; Quercus; Quercus: physiology; shoot growth; Trees

Multi-functional approach in forest landscape management planning: an application in Southern Italy - Alessandro, Paletto; Fabrizio, Ferretti; Paolo, Cantiani; Isabella, De Meo (FOREST SYSTEMS, 2012)
Forest Landscape Management Plan (FLMP) is intended to have an intermediate role between forest management plans on a regional level and forest management on a unit level. FLMP addresses long-term management issues, with special attention to social and environmental functions, normally not meticulously considered when working on a single forest property level. This paper presents a method to evaluate forest multifunctionality, in order to define management guidelines and support forest planning. A FLMP was conducted in a district of the Basilicata region (Italy). A total of 92 inventory plots comprising the main forest types: i) turkey oak, Hungarian oak, and sessile oak forests (Quercus cerris L. dominant), ii) downy oak forests (Quercus pubescens Willd. dominant), iii) Mediterranean evergreen oak forests (Quercus ilex L. dominant), were considered. Technicians evaluated the multifunctionality of each area by estimating - in the context of an Index of Importance of Function (I) - the capacity of each forest to fulfil different functions. The index was successively aggregated according to forest type and forest system (high forest and coppice). The results showed that the higher level of multifunctionality was found in the high forests. According to the synthetic indicators of multifunctionality, the turkey oak forests obtained the highest values among all forest types. The last part of the paper illustrates an approach to multi-functional forest management, analysing how different silvicultural systems are able to fulfil the main forest functions. This method, as shown in the results, seems to provide a useful support for technicians to evaluate multifunctionality related to forest types and different silvicultural treatments.
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: Collina Materana district (Italy); forest landscape management plan; forest multifunctionality; index of function importance; silvicultural system

A multiproxy reconstruction of the palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate of the Late Pleistocene in northeastern Iberia: Cova dels Xaragalls, Vimbodí-Poblet, Paratge Natural de Poblet, Catalonia - López-García, Juan Manuel; Blain, Hugues-Alexandre; Bennàsar, Maria; Euba, Itxaso; Bañuls, Sandra; Bischoff, James; López-Ortega, Esther; Saladié, Palmira; Uzquiano, Paloma; Vallverdú, Josep (Boreas, 2012)
The Cova dels Xaragalls is a small open karst system, located in the municipality of Vimbodí-Poblet (Tarragona, Catalonia, NE Spain). It is an important Holocene archaeological site that was inspected in the 1970s but from which little has been published. New excavations starting in 2008 have exposed a deep Late Pleistocene stratigraphical sequence. In this paper, we present for the first time palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic reconstructions of this Late Pleistocene succession on the basis of both the small-vertebrate assemblages and the charcoals. Results from the small-vertebrate associations along the sequence indicate that the landscape had open-woodland habitats in the vicinity of the Cova del Xaragalls, with wet points in the surrounding area. Woodland habitats were dominant throughout the sequence, as evidenced by the abundance of the species Apodemus sylvaticus, but were better developed during warm periods (layers C5 and C8), whereas during cold periods (layers C4 and C3) the environment was slightly more humid in response to higher mean annual precipitation and the opening of the landscape. The charcoal analysis indicates that the woodland surrounding the cave was composed mainly of Pinus (more than 90% was identified as Pinus), but that during the cold period (C3–C4) it incorporated some Quercus ilex/coccifera and Angiosperm indet., probably linked with greater precipitation. Comparisons are made with other long palaeoenvironmental sequences from the northeastern Iberian Peninsula and with global marine isotopic curves, providing a scenario for the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental changes that occurred during the Late Pleistocene in the woodland areas surrounding the Cova dels Xaragalls.
Keywords: CHARCOAL ANALYSIS; Cova dels Xaragalls; Late Pleistocene; Open woodlands (voyant); palaeoclimatic changes; palaeoenvironmental changes; small-vertebrate assemblages

Mutagenicity assessment of aerosols in emissions from wood combustion in Portugal - Vu, B; Alves, C.a.; Gonçalves, C; Pio, C; Gonçalves, F; Pereira, R (Environmental Pollution, 2012)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) extracts of ﬁne particles (PM2.5) collected from combustion of seven wood species and briquettes were tested for mutagenic activities using Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. The woods were Pinus pinaster (maritime pine), Eucalyptus globulus (eucalypt), Quercus suber (cork oak), Acacia longifolia (golden wattle), Quercus faginea (Portuguese oak), Olea europea (olive), and Quercus ilex rotundifolia (Holm oak). Burning experiments were done using woodstove and ﬁreplace, hot start and cold start conditions. A mutagenic response was recorded for all species except golden wattle, maritime pine, and briquettes. The mutagenic extracts were not correlated with high emission factors of carcinogenic PAHs. These extracts were obtained both from two burning appliances and start-up conditions. However, ﬁreplace seemed to favour the occurrence of mutagenic emissions. The negative result recorded for golden wattle was interesting, in an ecological point of view, since after conﬁrmation, this invasive species, can be recommended for domestic use.
Keywords: Ames test; Mutagenicity; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; Wood smoke

NATURAL VARIABILITY OF SURFACE POROSITY OF WINE CORK STOPPERS - Oliveira, Vanda; Knapic, Sofia; Pereira, Helena (Journal international des sciences de la vigne et du vin, 2012)
Aim : The aim of this study was to characterize the variability and to quantify the surface porosity of wine cork stoppers of different quality classes. Methods and results: The porosity of 300 cork stoppers was characterized by image analysis on the lateral surface and tops. Porosity coefficient was 2.4%, 4.0% and 5.5% for premium, good and standard stoppers, respectively. The lateral surface of stoppers was heterogeneous with respect to porosity features: the tangential regions presented higher porosity while the radial regions had larger pores. Conclusion : The quality classes of cork stoppers can be differentiated by the mean values of the main porosity features of their surface. There is a natural heterogeneity of the porosity features over the external surface of cork stoppers that can be traced back to the biological basis of cork formation and the production process. Significance and impact of the study: Natural cork stoppers are the premium product of the cork industry, with worldwide recognition of quality and performance as wine sealant. Due to the large sampling and detailed observation, the results presented in this study may be used for reinforcing quality requirements, e.g., with definition of standards to improve the classification system. A better understanding of cork intrinsic variability and of the anisotropy of porosity features shown by cork stoppers is important for performance development.
Keywords: image analysis; lateral surface; natural cork stoppers; Porosity; quality classes

NATURAL VARIABILITY OF SURFACE POROSITY OF WINE CORK STOPPERS - Oliveira, Vanda; Knapic, Sofia; Pereira, Helena (Journal international des sciences de la vigne et du vin, 2012)
Aim : The aim of this study was to characterize the variability and to quantify the surface porosity of wine cork stoppers of different quality classes. Methods and results: The porosity of 300 cork stoppers was characterized by image analysis on the lateral surface and tops. Porosity coefficient was 2.4%, 4.0% and 5.5% for premium, good and standard stoppers, respectively. The lateral surface of stoppers was heterogeneous with respect to porosity features: the tangential regions presented higher porosity while the radial regions had larger pores. Conclusion : The quality classes of cork stoppers can be differentiated by the mean values of the main porosity features of their surface. There is a natural heterogeneity of the porosity features over the external surface of cork stoppers that can be traced back to the biological basis of cork formation and the production process. Significance and impact of the study: Natural cork stoppers are the premium product of the cork industry, with worldwide recognition of quality and performance as wine sealant. Due to the large sampling and detailed observation, the results presented in this study may be used for reinforcing quality requirements, e.g., with definition of standards to improve the classification system. A better understanding of cork intrinsic variability and of the anisotropy of porosity features shown by cork stoppers is important for performance development.
Keywords: image analysis; lateral surface; natural cork stoppers; Porosity; quality classes

Nest-site selection, territory quality and breeding performance in a Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus population - Maícas, Ramón; Muriel, Jaime; Bonillo, Juan Carlos; Fernández Haeger, Juan (Acta Oecologica, 2012)
Patterns of territory selection and sources of variation for reproductive performance in a Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus population breeding in nest-boxes during years 2007 and 2008 in a holm oak forest are analyzed. Territory selection has been assessed as a function of two ﬁxed effect factors: territory location (peripheral vs. interior in the nestbox patch) and nestbox type (entrance hole: 26 mm vs. 32 mm). Breeding density was independent of these factors. Pairs nesting in periphery nest-boxes and in smallholed nestboxes owned territories bigger than those nesting in interior and large-holed nestboxes, respectively. The breeding traits studied were laying date, clutch size, hatching success, ﬂedgling success and breeding success. Egg laying was earlier in periphery territories and small-holed nestboxes. Between-year variation was a factor signiﬁcantly affecting to all breeding traits. Clutch size declines in late clutches. Hatching success was higher in territories with more tree density. Although egg laying started earlier in some territories, the mean breeding success was similar in all of them. However, territories with the greatest contribution of individuals to the population were those with small-holed nestboxes. Breeding success in successful pairs had a tendency to be higher in pairs with late clutches and in those nesting in interior territories with large-holed nestboxes. Both decreased breeding success and total breeding failure were much more important in the second breeding year than in the ﬁrst one. The high breeding density of Blue Tit, favored by the experimental design of nestbox plot, did not suggest signiﬁcant variation between territories in terms of breeding success achieved. Implications for nestbox management are discussed.
Keywords: Blue tit; Breeding performance; GIS; Holm oak forest; Nest-site selection; Territory quality

A new species of Metabelbella (Acari: Oribatida: Damaeidae) from Quercus forests of southern Portugal - Ermilov, Sergey G.; Shtanchaeva, Umukusum Y.; Subías, Luis S. (International Journal of Acarology, 2012)
In the course of studies of the oribatid fauna of oak forests from southern Portugal, we found representatives of 60 species (51 genera and 38 families) of which 39 species are registered for the first time for Portugal. One new species, Metabelbella epidamaeiformis sp. nov., is described. It is clearly distinguishable from all other species of the genus by the presence of spinae adnatae. An identification key to known Iberian species of Metabelbella is presented. A checklist, the locality and the distribution of all oribatid taxa recorded by us are presented.
doi: 10.1080/01647954.2011.645284doi: 10.1080/01647954.2011.645284The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: checklist; fauna; key; Metabelbella; new species; Oribatida; Portugal; Quercus forests

Nutritional evaluation of the lipid fraction of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) tenderloin. - Quaresma, M a G; Trigo-Rodrigues, I; Alves, S P; Martins, S I V; Barreto, a S; Bessa, R J B (Meat science, 2012)
The meat lipid fraction of psoas major muscle from 20 adult (10 males and 10 females) feral Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) was characterized by quantification of total fat, total cholesterol, vitamin E and fatty acid (FA) composition, including detailed trans octadecenoate isomers and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile. The total lipid content revealed a very lean meat (0.99 g/100g of meat), with total cholesterol content averaging 55.6 mg/100g of muscle. The FA profile displayed a very high PUFA level for ruminant meat (30.2g/100g FA). The 18:2 cis-9,trans-11 content was fairly low (0.26% of total FA) compared with other ruminant meats. The comparison of stags and hinds showed more similarities than differences. Nevertheless, hinds displayed superior contents of α-tocopherol and trans MUFA and a better n-6/n-3 ratio than stags.
Keywords: cervus elaphus hispanicus; Cholesterol; CLA; Fatty acid profile; meat quality; Vitamin E

Observations of the uptake of carbonyl sulfide (COS) by trees under elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations - Sandoval-Soto, L; Kesselmeier, M; Schmitt, V; Wild, A; Kesselmeier, J (Biogeosciences, 2012)
. Global change forces ecosystems to adapt to elevated atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2). We understand that carbonyl sulﬁde (COS), a trace gas which is involved in building up the stratospheric sulfate aerosol layer, is taken up by vegetation with the same triad of the enzymes which are metabolizing CO2, i.e. ribulose-1,5- bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP-Co) and carbonic anhydrase (CA). Therefore, we discuss a physiological/biochemical acclimation of these enzymes affecting the sink strength of vegetation for COS. We investigated the acclimation of two European tree species, Fagus sylvatica and Quercus ilex, grown inside chambers under elevated CO2, and determined the exchange characteristics and the content of CA after a 1–2 yr period of acclimation from 350 ppm to 800 ppm CO2. We demonstrate that a compensation point, by deﬁnition, does not exist. Instead, we propose to discuss a point of uptake afﬁnity (PUA). The results indicate that such a PUA, the CA activity and the deposition velocities may change and may cause a decrease of the COS uptake by plant ecosystems, at least as long as the enzyme acclimation to CO2 is not surpassed by an increase of atmospheric COS. As a consequence, the atmospheric COS level may rise causing an increase of the radiative forcing in the troposphere. However, this increase is counterbalanced by the stronger input of this trace gas into the stratosphere causing a stronger energy re- ﬂection by the stratospheric sulfur aerosol into space (Bruhl ¨ et al., 2012). These data are very preliminary but may trigger a discussion on COS uptake acclimation to foster measurements with modern analytical instruments.
Keywords: beech (voyant); COS uptake; Elevated CO2; Holm oak

Oligocene fossil oak woods, Quercoxylon lecointrei GAZEAU & KOENIGUER, decayed by a pocket-rot fungus - Legrand, Philippe; Prive-Gill, Catherine (PALAEONTOGRAPHICA ABTEILUNG B-PALAOPHYTOLOGIE, 2012)
Silicified fossil woods were collected from an alluvial deposit in theAllier valley, Massif Central, France. These woods, dated as Oligocene, are identified as Quercoxylon lecointrei GAZEAU & KOENIGUER, a fossil species close to the extant Mediterranean holm oak (Quercus ilex L.). The specimens studied show numerous individual cavities, each 0.5-1.3 x 0.2-0.5 cm in size, but these generally do not affect multiseriate rays. Despite the lack of fungal remains, the decay pattern is comparable in appearance with that of present-day pocket-rot caused by Basidiomycetes, and particularly by Xylobolus frustulatus (PERS.: FR.) BOIDIN. Indications of possible host response to fungal attack include abundant tyloses in vessels and dark substances filling the cells.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: NAEGELE U OBERMILLER, SCIENCE PUBLISHERS, JOHANNESSTRASSE 3A, D 70176 STUTTGART, GERMANY publisher: E SCHWEIZERBARTSCHE VERLAGS
Keywords: Quercus; Oligocene; fossil wood; wood decay; Basid

Optimal control for forest management and conservation analysis in dehesa ecosystems - Cerdá, Emilio; Martı´n-Barroso, David (European Journal of Operational Research, 2012)
This paper presents a deterministic ﬁnite time horizon dynamic optimization model aimed to determine optimal paths for artiﬁcial plantations and natural regeneration of two main tree species in dehesa multiple use ecosystems, holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and cork oak (Q. suber L.). Whilst dehesa forest sustainability problems associated to exhaustive use of grazing resources have been indirectly approached by European Union authorities, providing support for artiﬁcial plantations over treeless land, no mention is made to natural regeneration techniques. In this sense, the formulated model allows for natural regeneration of already established ageing stands as a complement or even a substitute of actual reforestation practices. The proposed methodology is neither designed to determine optimal rotation of tree species nor optimal decorticating or pruning cycles of cork oaks and holm oaks, respectively. Instead, this information enters the model exogenously through knowledge of region speciﬁc silvicultural cycles for those commercially relevant tree species, and the optimisation program acts as an optimal land use allocator and thus a practical tool for policy analysis purposes. In addition to existing cost beneﬁt analysis applications in dehesa ecosystems, the presented model allows in one side eﬃcient evaluation of long term management dynamics —thus oak woodlands sustainability can be tested for suﬃciently large time horizons—, and in the other, management decisions, instead of being forced through predeﬁned scenarios, correspond to the optimal actions a decision agent would take from the complete set of feasible possibilities given actual land use and tree age distributions.
Keywords: artificial plantation (voyant); cork oak woodlands; Forest management; holm oak woodlands; land use; natural regeneration

Optimal Regeneration Regime under Continuous Crown Cover Requirements in Cork Oak Woodlands - Almeida Ribeiro, Nuno; Surový, Peter; Yoshimoto, Atsushi (FORMATH, 2012)
In the present work the cork oak tree spatial growth simulator CORKFITS is used to create candidate scenarios for generating a large set of regeneration regimes combining both time and intensity factors with the individual tree spatial information. An optimal regeneration regime under continuous crown cover requirements is sought by applying a dynamic programming algorithm. It is shown that the crown cover constraint inﬂuences the total cork production potential in a negative way. The target cover constraint of 50% decreases the cork production by 66% from the potential in 40 years in our mature plot, and approximately 43% in our young plot. Higher crown cover constraint of 70% decreases the potential cork production approximately by 54% in the mature plot and does not have any inﬂuence on the younger plot. The observed losses in cork production in relation with the potential with the crown cover constrains need to be compensated economically by the higher availability of growing space for the grazing and livestock part of the montado/dehesa production system
Keywords: cork oak woodland; decision support system; Dehesa; dynamic programming; in the present work; montado; montado/dehesa; optimization; spatial growth simulator; the cork oak tree

Optimization of dry-season sap flow measurements in an oak semi-arid open woodland in Spain - Reyes-Acosta, J Leonardo; Lubczynski, Maciek W (Ecohydrology, 2012)
In sap flow studies, there is no method complying with high efficiency and versatility of sap flow measurements. To improve that, we propose combining two methods: (1) thermal dissipation probe (TDP) known to be efficient and cost effective and (2) heat field deformation (HFD) known to be versatile. For that purpose, we used a step-wise TDP sap flux density (Jp) optimization method consisting of (1) natural temperature gradient (NTG) correction applying the cyclic heat dissipation (CHD) method, (2) night flow ΔTmax correction using HFD data as reference and (3) radial-azimuthal correction using HFD as reference. We applied this optimization method on Quercus ilex (Q.i.) and Quercus pyrenaica (Q.p.) trees in a Spanish semi-arid open woodland during dry season. The NTG correction resulted in substantial reduction of Jp as compared with standard TDP. The subsequent ΔTmax night flow correction resulted in the increase of NTG-corrected Jp and good agreement with the outermost 2 cm of HFD measurements for both species. The final radial-azimuthal adjustment of TDP Jp resulted not only, in a good agreement with HFD Jp, but also provided novel ecohydrological insights such as: (1) evidence of continuous night flow in all Q.p. trees and some Q.i. trees, (2) exponential reduction of Jp with sapwood depth for both species, (3) significantly larger Jp in the outermost 1 cm of sapwood for Q.p. than for Q.i. and (4) high azimuthal Jp variability for both species. The presented study offers efficient and versatile method of tree sap flow measurements that contributed to a better understanding of water-related dynamics of Q.i. and Q.p. under water-stress conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keywords: HFD; natural temperature gradient; Quercus ilex; Quercus pyrenaica; radial and azimuthal sap flow variability; sap flow; semi-arid open forest; TDP

Past, Present and Future of Agroforestry Systems in Europe - Mosquera-Losada, M R; Moreno, G; Pardini, A; McAdam, J H; Papanastasis, V; Burgess, P J; Lamersdorf, N; Castro, M; Liagre, F; Rigueiro-Rodríguez, A (Agroforestry - The Future of Global Land Use SE - 16, 2012)
Many traditional land-use systems in Europe involved agroforestry in the pre-industrial era, but, over the years, increased mechanization led to the develop- ment of increasingly specialized crop, animal and wood production systems. As a consequence, the area under agroforestry declined in many regions of Europe, and agroforestry systems became con fi ned to situations where understorey primary production is restricted due to cold temperatures (Boreal and Alpine areas) or drought (Mediterranean areas) and to plots that are hard to reach or too small for cultivation with modern machinery, as in Spain, Italy and the lower altitude mountain regions in southern and central Germany. On the whole, agroforestry continued to be practised only where it enabled farmers to obtain economic returns from lands that were otherwise relatively unproductive and mostly limited to silvopastoral practices. Since the mid-1990s, however, European policies have encouraged land management systems that combine production, environmental services (biodiversity, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and water quality) and social bene fi ts, and this has created a new interest in agroforestry systems. Today, the major agroforestry practices in Europe include silvopasture and silvoarable. However, the bene fi ts and opportunities offered by agroforestry can only be realized with substantial investments and coordinated efforts in research, education, knowledge transfer and appropriate national policies across Europe.
Keywords: environmental services; Policy; Silvoarable; Silvopasture

Pathways for resilience in Mediterranean cork oak land use systems - Acácio, Vanda; Holmgren, Milena (Annals of Forest Science, 2012)
& Context Loss of woodlands and degradation of vegetation and soil have been described for all Mediterranean-type ecosystems worldwide. In the Western Iberian Peninsula, overexploitation of evergreen cork oak land use systems has led to soil erosion, failures in oak recruitment, and loss of forests. Degraded and dry sites are quickly colonised by pioneer heathland rockrose (Cistus spp.) shrubs forming highly persistent patches. & Aims Although traditionally shrublands have been considered as a transient successional state, we present evidence that they can represent persistent alternative states to former cork oak forests. & Review trends and conclusions We first describe how Mediterranean vegetation evolved in the Iberian Peninsula and the role of fire and long-term human management as main disturbances. We then discuss alternative pathways through state-and-transition models indicating the ecological and land use variables that halt cork oak regeneration and recruitment and drive vegetation transitions towards persistent shrublands. Unless concerted management actions and restoration programmes are undertaken, the cork oak land use systems will not be sustainable.
Keywords: alternative stable state; cistus; mediterranean-type ecosystem; Quercus suber; resilience; Restoration

Patterns of leaf morphology and leaf N content in relation to winter temperatures in three evergreen tree species. - Mediavilla, Sonia; Gallardo-López, Victoria; González-Zurdo, Patricia; Escudero, Alfonso (International journal of biometeorology, 2012)
The competitive equilibrium between deciduous and perennial species in a new scenario of climate change may depend closely on the productivity of leaves along the different seasons of the year and on the morphological and chemical adaptations required for leaf survival during the different seasons. The aim of the present work was to analyze such adaptations in the leaves of three evergreen species (Quercus ilex, Q. suber and Pinus pinaster) and their responses to between-site differences in the intensity of winter harshness. We explore the hypothesis that the harshness of winter would contribute to enhancing the leaf traits that allow them to persist under conditions of stress. The results revealed that as winter harshness increases a decrease in leaf size occurs in all three species, together with an increase in the content of nitrogen per unit leaf area and a greater leaf mass per unit area, which seems to be achieved only through increased thickness, with no associated changes in density. P. pinaster was the species with the most intense response to the harshening of winter conditions, undergoing a more marked thickening of its needles than the two Quercus species. Our findings thus suggest that lower winter temperatures involve an increase in the cost of leaf production of evergreen species, which must be taken into account in the estimation of the final cost and benefit balance of evergreens. Such cost increases would be more pronounced for those species that, like P. pinaster, show a stronger response to the winter cold.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 21969112
Keywords: leaf density; leaf mass per unit area; leaf n content; leaf thickness; winter temperature gradient

Patterns of soil organic carbon, glomalin and structural stability in abandoned Mediterranean terraced lands - Emran, M.; Gispert, M.; Pardini, G. (European Journal of Soil Science, 2012)
Soil carbon (C) storage potential has received considerable attention for its role in climate change mitigation, and much research work has been devoted to studying the effect of land-use change, including land abandonment, on carbon dynamics. A comparative analysis of soil organic carbon (SOC), easily extractable Bradford-reactive soil protein (EE-BRSP) and Bradford-reactive soil protein (BRSP) was carried out at monthly intervals in a land-use sequence including cultivated soils, forest soils, shrubs and pasture in northeast Spain. In general, greater seasonal variations of both EE-BRSP and BRSP were found in soils with less carbon storage capacity. Turnover of glomalin into more stable C forms was associated with a small EE-BRSP:BRSP ratio in better structured soils and BRSP was related to organic carbon, suggesting positive contributions to both the recalcitrant carbon pool and soil structure. This effect seemed to be more pronounced in August when more BRSP was found, probably because of high temperature and dry soils in which glomalin may react to preserve residual adsorbed water and provide better protection in soil microsites. The role of glomalin was further enhanced by the structural stability of aggregates (WSA) investigated in two aggregate fractions (0.25–2.00 and 2.00–5.60 mm), indicating its beneficial effect in aggregation and carbon storage potential. BRSP, SOC and WSA increased significantly (P < 0.001) along the transect and abandonment sequence; the largest WSA values were generally greater in summer in both aggregate fractions. However, values in cultivated soils were always smaller than in soils under shrubs and pasture. Similarly, soils with a smaller carbon pool had the largest proportion of carbon loss as CO2-C when land use changes from vines to pasture. The role of aggregates in protecting organic carbon against mineralization was therefore postulated and highlighted the importance of soil monitoring after land abandonment.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Glomalin; Land abandonment; seasonal variability; Soil organic carbon; Soil structure; Water storage (voyant)

Perspectives in dryland restoration: approaches for climate change adaptation - Ramón Vallejo, V.; Smanis, Athanasios; Chirino, Esteban; Ramo, V.; Fuentes, David; Valdecantos, Alejandro; Vilagrosa, Alberto (New Forests, 2012)
Reforestation efforts in dryland ecosystems frequently encounter drought and limited soil productivity, although both factors usually interact synergistically to worsen water stress for outplanted seedlings. Land degradation in drylands (e.g. desertiﬁcation) usually reduces soil productivity and, especially, soil water availability. In dry sub-humid regions, forest ﬁres constitute a major disturbance affecting ecosystem dynamics and reforestation planning. Climate change projections indicate an increase of drought and more severe ﬁre regime in many dryland regions of the world. In this context, the main target of plantation technology development is to overcome transplant shock and likely adverse periods, and in drylands this is mostly related to water limitations. In this paper, we discuss some selected steps that we consider critical for improving success in outplanting woody plants, both under current and projected climate change conditions including: (1) Plant species selection, (2) Improved nursery techniques, and (3) Improved planting techniques. The number of plant species used in reforestation is increasing rapidly, moving from a reduced set of well-known, easy-to-grow, widely used species, to a large variety of promising native species. Available technologies allow for reintroducing native plants and recovering critical ecosystem functions for many degraded drylands. However, climate change projections introduce large uncertainties about the sustainability of current reforestation practices. To cope with these uncertainties, adaptive restoration approaches are suggested, on the basis of improved plant quality, improved techniques for optimizing rain use efﬁciency in plantations, and exploring native plant species, including provenances and genotypes, for their resilience to ﬁre and water use efﬁciency.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Springer Netherlands
Keywords: Mediterranean ecosystems; Nursery cultivation; Reforestation; Species selection; Water harvesting

Phenological variability drives the distribution of wildfires in Sardinia - Angelis, Antonella; Bajocco, Sofia; Ricotta, Carlo (Landscape Ecology, 2012)
Fuel characteristics play an important role in driving ﬁre ignition and propagation; at the landscape scale fuel availability and ﬂammability are closely related to vegetation phenology. In this view, the NDVI proﬁles obtained from high temporal resolution satellites, like MODIS, are an effective tool for monitoring the coarse-scale vegetation seasonal timing. The aim of this paper is twofold: our ﬁrst objective consists in classifying by means of multitemporal NDVI proﬁles the coarse-scale vegetation of Sardinia into ‘phenological clusters’ in which ﬁre incidence is higher (preferred) or lower (avoided) than expected from a random null model. If ﬁres would burn unselectively, then ﬁres would occur randomly across the landscape such that the number of ﬁres in a given phenological cluster would be nearly proportional to the relative area of that land cover type in the analyzed landscape. Actually, certain vegetation types are more ﬁre-prone than others. That is, they are burnt more frequently than others. In this framework, our second objective consists in investigating the temporal parameters of the remotely sensed NDVI proﬁles that best characterize the observed phenology–ﬁre selectivity relationship. The results obtained show a good association between the NDVI temporal proﬁles and the spatio-temporal wildﬁre distribution in Sardinia, emphasizing the role of bioclimatic timing in driving ﬁre regime characteristics.
Keywords: Clustering; Fire selectivity; Image segmentation; MODIS; NDVI proﬁles; Residuals

Photoprotection mechanisms in Quercus ilex under contrasting climatic conditions - Camarero, Jesús Julio; Olano, José Miguel; Arroyo Alfaro, Sandra Jackeline; Fernández-Marín, Beatriz; Becerril, José Maria; García-Plazaola, José Ignacio (Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2012)
Acclimation to local conditions may produce adaptive responses in plants subjected to diverse climatic stresses. However, it has not been assessed how local adaptation and phenotypic plasticity contribute to photoprotection mechanisms in response to contrasting climatic conditions in Mediterranean tree species. We analyzed photoprotectionmechanisms inmature trees oftheMediterranean evergreen oak Quercus ilex at three sites with contrasting climatic conditions, i.e. xeric, continental and mesic sites. We studied morphological and physiological parameters indicative of photoprotection in adult trees in the ﬁeld. In order to establish whether these parameters were genetically determined we compared adults with seedlings germinated from acorns of the three sites and grown under common greenhouse conditions. In the ﬁeld we found no signiﬁcant differences in most of the physiological parameters in summer, but in winter the adulttrees fromthe continental site were photoinhibited. In contrast,there were signiﬁcant differences between seedlings in most photoprotective parameters evaluated. Morphological traits such as trichome density and leaf reﬂectance differed between populations, both in ﬁeld-grown trees and in greenhouse-grown seedlings, being higher in all cases in plants from the xeric site than elsewhere. Our ﬁndings suggest the existence of constitutive differences in leaf photoprotection mechanisms among Q. ilex populations. These divergences may represent an inherent source for more stress tolerant ecotypes in the face of changing climatic conditions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier GmbH.
Keywords: ecotypes; Holm oak; Mediterranean; photoprotection; Trichomes

A phytoclimatic-based indicator for assessing the inherent responsitivity of the European forests to climate change - García-López, Javier M.; Allué, Carmen (Ecological Indicators, 2012)
We assess the potential inherent responsitivity of the European forests to climate change, as a measure of the degree to which a forest ecosystem is responsive to a climatic stimulus, through an indicator that combines the concepts of resilience and plasticity without involving exposure. The derivatives of two phytoclimatic functions of resilience and plasticity adjusted for 12 climatic variables and 25 European forest types allow evaluating the responsitivity amount and sign of these forest types to likely situations of increased temperature and decreased precipitation. The results show a clear contrast between central and northern European countries. The highest values of positive responsitivity are found in the Scandinavian countries, as well as in the high mountain ranges, while the most negative values are found in the areas of southern Europe located around the Mediterranean Sea. Thus, climate change will tend to have the highest potential beneﬁcial effects on the boreal forests and the most adverse on the Mediterranean ones (particularly on Thermo-Mediterranean forests). A total of 17% of forest lands covered by this study have negative responsitivity to climate change, being the mean value of the indicator negative for Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Portugal. Finland and Sweden are the countries with the greatest favorable potentialities facing climate change. Our results suggest that the inherent responsitivity of Mediterranean forests is mainly driven by the summer drought while in boreal forests the key factors are the low temperatures and the short growing season.
Keywords: climate change; European forests; Plasticity; resilience; vulnerability

Plant ethnoveterinary practices in two pyrenean territories of catalonia (iberian peninsula) and in two areas of the balearic islands and comparison with ethnobotanical uses in human medicine. - Carrió, Esperança; Rigat, Montse; Garnatje, Teresa; Mayans, Marina; Parada, Montse; Vallès, Joan (Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2012)
This paper presents the results of an ethnobotanical study centred in veterinarian uses in two Catalan Pyrenean regions (Alt Empordà -AE- and High River Ter Valley -AT-, Iberian peninsula) and two Balearic Islands areas (Formentera -FO- and northeastern Mallorca -MA-). In the areas studied, 97 plant species have been claimed to be useful for veterinary purposes. A total of 306 veterinary use reports have been gathered and analysed. The ten most reported plants are Tanacetum parthenium (24 use reports), Parietaria officinalis (15), Ranunculus parnassifolius (14), Meum athamanticum (13), Olea europaea (13), Quercus ilex (12), Ruta chalepensis (12), Sambucus nigra (10) and Thymus vulgaris (10). According to comprehensive reviews, a high number of novelties for plant ethnoveterinary are contributed: 34 species and one subspecies, 11 genera, and three families have not been reported in previous works in this field, and 21 species had only been mentioned once. Several ethnoveterinary uses are coincidental with those in human medicine. Although ethnoveterinary practices are less relevant than in the past in the territories considered, as in all industrialised countries, the knowledge on plant properties and applications is still rich and constitutes a large pool of evidence for phytotherapy, both in domestic animals and humans.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22829861
Keywords: Ethnobotany; medicinal plants (PG); Veterinary medicine

Positive cascade effects of forest fragmentation on acorn weevils mediated by seed size enlargement - Bonal, Raul; HERNÁNDEZ, MARISA; ORTEGO, JOAQUÍN; Muñoz, Alberto; ESPELTA, JOSEP M. (Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2012)
Abstract. 1. Today, forest fragmentation is one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide. In this context, fragmented populations of specialised forest organisms face an increasing risk of extinction because of factors such as local food scarcity. Nonetheless, the role of food availability may differ depending on organism size, which is expected to determine the energy requirements and mobility between fragments. 2. A field study was carried out on Curculio elephas, a forest beetle with low dispersal potential, whose larval development takes place in oak Quercus spp. acorns. 3. For a similar seed crop per tree, acorn size was larger in isolated oaks than in trees located in forest patches. Thus, fragmentation increased local food availability for C. elephas. Larger acorns enabled larval size to increase, a key fitness proxy associated with individual survival, adult size, and potential female fecundity. Indeed, the number of both adults and larvae was higher in isolated trees than in forest patches. 4. In the current scenario of increasing forest fragmentation, the survival likelihood of specialist insects may strongly depend on their ability to adapt to altered environmental conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report on how some forest insects may take advantage of fragmentation-mediated changes to survive in isolated trees. 5. From a conservation perspective, management policies should preserve isolated trees as a source of seeds and fauna for the natural regeneration of forest ecosystems after unproductive farmlands have been abandoned.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: acorn size; Curculio; Forest fragmentation; forest insects; Global change; individual fitness; larval size

Post-Fire Management of Cork Oak Forests - Catry, Filipe X.; Moreira, Francisco; Cardillo, Enrique; Pausas, Juli G. (Post-Fire Management and Restoration of Southern European Forests, 2012)
This chapter concerns the ecology and post-fire management of cork oak forests. It starts with a short overview of ecological and socio-economic context, continuing with an introduction on the cork oak post-fire regeneration strategies and the main factors affecting tree responses. Several post-fire management issues and alternatives, such as tree logging, assisting natural regeneration, reforestation, cork harvesting and pruning, or protecting against herbivory, are also presented and discussed
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: Post-Fire Management and Restoration of Southern European Forests electronic-resource-num: 10.1007/978-94-007-2208-8
Keywords: cork harvesting; Cork oak forests; crown regeneration; management; natural regeneration

Post-fire salvage logging alters a key plant-animal interaction for forest regeneration - Castro, J.; Puerta-Pinero, C.; Leverkus, A. B.; Moreno-Rueda, G.; Sanchez-Miranda, A. (ECOSPHERE, 2012)
Post-fire salvage logging is widely implemented worldwide, but there is an increasing concern about its potential impact on the ecosystem. Moreover, there is scant information about the effect of salvage logging on ecosystem processes mediated by species interactions. We manipulated a burnt pine forest to experimentally analyze the effect of burnt-wood management on the colonization of Holm oak (Quercus ilex) mediated by acorn dispersal by Eurasian jays (Garrulus glandarius). Three replicates of three treatments were established in an 18-ha plot: salvage logging (SL), non-intervention (NI), and partial cut plus lopping (PCL; felling and lopping most of the trees but leaving all the biomass in situ). We hypothesized that different burnt-wood management could alter jays' landscape perception and thus the pattern of seed dispersal and seedling recruitment. We monitored jay abundance in each treatment for three winters and three breeding periods, and jay flights of potential acorn dispersal between nearby oak trees and the treatments. We also searched for oak seedlings recruited in the experimental plot for five years following the fire. Jays were recorded significantly more times (87%) in NI, and movements to this treatment during the acorn dispersal period were also more frequent (81% of the flights). Oak seedlings were also more abundant in NI (ca. 55%) than in SL or PCL (ca. 25% each), despite a strong effect of small remnants of live pines. The results show that the burnt forest, if unsalvaged, still provides a suitable habitat for jays, while salvage logging reduces the strength of this key plant-animal interaction for oak natural regeneration. Nonintervention policies after a forest fire therefore provide the opportunity for adaptive management that helps reduce restoration costs and increase the resilience of the system.
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: Garrulus glandarius; jay-oak interaction; oak colonization; Quercus ilex; resilience; salvage harvesting; seed dispersal; Sierra Nevada National Park; succession

Potential Nutritive Value and Condensed Tannin Contents of Acorns from Different Oak Species - KAYA, E.; KAMALAK, A. (Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi, 2012)
The potential nutritive values of acorns of Quercus suber, Quercus branti, Quercus coccifera, Quercus cerris and Quercus infectoria were estimated by chemical composition and in vitro gas production technique. Acorns collected at least 10 different trees in three experimental plots. There were significant (P<0.001) differences in the chemical composition among acorns obtained from different oak species. Crude protein (CP) contents of acorns ranged from 25.48 to 61.94 g/kg dry matter (DM). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents ranged from 231.4 to 326.3 g/kg DM. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents ranged from 155.9 to 215.4 g/kg DM. Condensed tannin (CT) contents ranged from 7.2 to 26.7 g/kg DM. Starch contents ranged from 600.0 to 681.5 g/kg DM. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) addition significantly (P<0.001) increased the gas production and some estimated parameters of oak acorns. Although there is no significant (P>0.5) differences in the potential gas production of acorn among oak species when incubated in the absence of PEG, there is significant (P<0.001) differences in the potential gas production of acorn among oak species when incubated in the presence of PEG. Although the estimated organic matter (OMD) and metabolisable (ME) contents of acorn for Q. suber and Q. infectoria were significantly (P<0.001) higher than those for Q. branti, Q. coccifera and Q. cerris when incubated in the absence of PEG, the estimated OMD and ME contents of acorn for Quercus cerris and Q. infectoria were significantly lower than those for Q. suber, Q. branti and Q. coccifera when incubated in the presence of PEG. The improvement in gas production, OMD and ME in the presence of PEG emphasizes the negative effect of tannins on digestibility. As a conclusion, oak acorns have potential nutritive values for ruminant animals such as sheep and goat since acorns have high starch, OMD and ME but low level of CT contents. However these results obtained in the current study should be supported by in vivo feeding experiments.
Keywords: Condensed tannin; digestibility; In vitro gas production; Metabolizable energy; oak acorn; Polyethylene glycol

Prediction of planted seedling survival of five Mediterranean species based on initial seedling morphology - Tsakaldimi, Marianthi; Ganatsas, Petros; JACOBS, DOUGLASS F (New Forests, 2012)
Field performance can be predicted by evaluating nursery stock quality, but optimal morphological variables for use in these assessments may vary by species especially under dry Mediterranean conditions. Our objective was to identify initial seedling morphological characteristics that successfully predict ﬁeld performance of ﬁve Mediterranean species (Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus coccifera, Ceratonia silqua and Pistacia lentiscus). Container seedling morphology was evaluated following the nursery phase, and then seedlings were outplanted in the ﬁeld where ﬁeld survival was monitored for two successive years. Results indicate that survival can successfully be predicted from seedling initial morphological characteristics for all these species, yet not all the initial characteristics were good predictors. Survival of P. halepensis and Pist. lentiscus seedlings was positively correlated to initial seedling root-collar diameter, total dry weight and Dickson’s quality index, and can be reliably predicted by these variables. In contrast, seedling ﬁeld survival of the two Mediterranean evergreen oak species was correlated with few initial morphological attributes; initial diameter provided an accurate index to predict second-year outplanting survival for both species while height/diameter was a good survival predictor for Q. coccifera seedlings. For C. siliqua seedlings, seedlings with larger initial diameter and total biomass survive better in the ﬁeld. Thus, diameter was the common variable that accurately predicted survival for all species, which should be [5 mm for P. halepensis seedlings and[7 mm for the remaining species.
Keywords: Field performance; morphology; outplanting; Prediction models; seedling quality

Preliminary Investigation of LED Lighting as Growth Light for Seedlings from Different Tree Species in Growth Chambers - ASTOLFI, Stefania; MARIANELLO, Chiara; GREGO, Stefano; BELLAROSA, Rosanna (Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 2012)
The influence of light quality on growth and metabolic activity during pre-cultivation (in miniplug containers) of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and wild cherry (Prunus avium) plants was investigated. Seedlings were grown in a growth chamber for a month under light-emitting diode (LED) light or fluorescent light. The LED lamps (Valoya) used in this study emitted a continuous spectrum thanks to a mixture of blue, green, red and far-red LEDs. Our results showed that plant response to light quality seems to be related to the plant species. In particular, in beech seedlings fresh and dry weight, shoot height and leaf area were greatest when plants were cultured under LED light, and lowest under fluorescent lamps. Furthermore, we found that LED-induced reduction of chlorophyll contents in beech and holm oak leaves resulted in an increase of the carboxylase capacity of Rubisco in the same plant species suggesting an improvement of light-use-efficiency in these plants. These results indicate that LED light may be suitable for the culture of plants in tightly controlled environments. The comparison of malondialdehyde levels between LED and fluorescent grown plants strongly supports this idea.
Keywords: beech; glutamine synthetase; Holm oak; light; lipid peroxidation; Rubisco; wild cherry

Proteomic analysis of Holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) pollen. - Valero Galván, José; Valledor, Luis; González Fernandez, Raquel; Navarro Cerrillo, Rafael M; Jorrín-Novo, Jesús V (Journal of proteomics, 2012)
This paper presents an analysis of Holm oak pollen proteome, together with an evaluation of the potentiality that a proteomic approach may have in the provenance variability assessment. Proteins were extracted from pollen of four Holm oak provenances, and they were analyzed by gel-based (1- and 2-DE in combination with MALDI-TOF/TOF) and gel-free (nLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS) approaches. A comparison of 1- and 2-DE protein profiles of the four provenances revealed significant differences, both qualitative and quantitative, in abundance (18 bands and 16 spots, respectively). Multivariate statistical analysis carried out on bands and spots clearly showed distinct associations between provenances, which highlight their geographical origins. A total of 100 spots selected from the 402 spots observed on 2-DE gels were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF. Moreover, a complementary gel-free shotgun approach was performed by nLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS. The identified proteins were classified according to biological processes, and most proteins in both approaches were related to metabolism and defense/stress processes. The nLC-LTQ Orbitrap MS analysis allowed us the identification of proteins belonging to the cell wall and division, transport and translation categories. Besides providing the first reference map of Holm oak pollen, our results confirm previous studies based on morphological observations and acorn proteomic analysis. Moreover, our data support the valuable use of proteomic techniques as phylogenetic tool in plant studies.
Keywords: Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional: methods; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; phylogeny; Plant Proteins; Plant Proteins: analysis; pollen; Pollen: chemistry; Proteome; Proteome: analysis; Proteomics; Proteomics: methods; Quercus; Quercus: genetics; Quercus: metabolism; Spain; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorpti; Two-Dimensional Difference Gel Electrophoresis

Quality of meat and meat products produced from southern European pig breeds. - Pugliese, Carolina; Sirtori, Francesco (Meat science, 2012)
Genetic and environmental effects on the quality of meat from southern European pig breeds are discussed. In the literature, it is evident that the breeds native to southern Europe have an interesting quality of products with respect to improved pigs. The free-range system increases the value of animal products due to the influence of outdoor rearing on the chemical, physical and organoleptic characteristics of the product. Traditional food products of high quality, such as those obtained from animals reared outdoor, are in high demand. The studies carried out on native pig breeds in southern Europe have focused on various aspects, ranging from studies of population genetics aimed at averting the danger of extinction and reducing inbreeding to studies of the factors affecting the quality of products. The purpose of this review is to analyse the literature on pig breeds native to southern Europe, with particular reference to the effects of genetics and breeding systems on the quality of products.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 22030111
Keywords: Autochthonous pigs; Dry-cured products; meat quality; outdoor

Quantifying the influence of climate and biological drivers on the interannual variability of carbon exchanges in European forests through process-based modelling - DELPIERRE, N.; SOUDANI, K.; François, C.; Le Maire, G.; BERNHOFER, C.; Kutsch, W.; Misson, L.; Rambal, S.; Vesala, T.; Dufrêne, E. (Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2012)
It is necessary to increase our understanding of the inﬂuence of climate and biological drivers on the interannual variations in carbon (C) exchange between forests and the atmosphere. To this aim, a processbasedmodel(CASTANEA) was used for simulating C exchanges over four European forests, encompassing a broad latitudinal gradient (from Mediterranean to boreal climate zones), for the years 2000–2007. CASTANEA reproduced 74–95% of the daily and 35–84% of the annual variance in daytime net ecosystem productivity (NEP). Constrained simulations allowed us to isolate the individual contributions of climatic drivers (radiation, temperature and relative humidity), hydrological drivers (soil water) and biological drivers (canopy dynamics, the thermal acclimation of photosynthetic capacities in evergreens, and vegetative and microbial C pools) to the anomalies in C exchange for timescales ranging from daily to annual. Orthonormal wavelet transformation of these single-contribution time series allowed us to quantify the individual drivers’ inﬂuences on ﬂux variance across time scales. High frequency departures from mean annual C exchange patterns were mostly caused by hydroclimate modulations (87–99% of the ﬂux variance from daily to weekly scales). The integration of these anomalies at the annual scale yielded a higher contribution of biological drivers: we identiﬁed a primary controller of gross primary production (GPP) variations through modulations of soil water in both the Mediterranean Quercus ilex and the temperate Fagus sylvatica forests; we also identiﬁed at the annual scale a complex determinism for both coniferous sites, with an unexpectedly higher contribution of the thermal acclimation driver at the temperate (warmer) site. Although all but one site experienced structural perturbations during the study period, interannual variations in ecosystem respiration (Reco) were readily related to changes in temperature and soil water, with a low contribution from variations in C pools at the annual scale. As a result of the preponderant dependence of net ecosystem production (NEP) on GPP ﬂuxes, the inferred determinism of simulated net exchanges appeared similar to that of GPP. However, compensations occurred, leading, for example, to a much lower inﬂuence of soil water modulations on NEP than on GPP or Reco at the Mediterranean site.
Keywords: Carbon exchanges; Climate drivers; Ecosystem functional properties; European forests; Interannual variability; process-based model

Recurrent fires and environment shape the vegetation in Quercus suber L. woodlands and maquis. - Schaffhauser, Alice; Curt, Thomas; Véla, Errol; Tatoni, Thierry (Comptes rendus biologies, 2012)
The effects of fire recurrence on vegetation patterns in Quercus suber L. and Erica-Cistus communities in Mediterranean fire-prone ecosystems of south-eastern France were examined on stands belonging to 5 fire classes, corresponding to different numbers of fires (from 0 to 4) and time intervals between fires since 1959. A common pool of species was identified among the plots, which was typical of both open and closed maquis. Fire recurrence reduced the abundance of trees and herbs, whereas it increased the abundance of small shrubs. Richness differed significantly between the most contrasting classes of fire recurrence, with maximal values found in control plots and minimal values in plots that had burned recurrently and recently. Equitability indices did not vary significantly, in contrast to Shannon's diversity index which mostly correlated with richness. Forest ecosystems that have burnt once or twice in the last 50 years were resilient; that is to say they recovered a biomass and composition similar to that of the pre-fire state. However, after more than 3-4 fires, shrubland communities displayed lower species richness and diversity indices than unburned plots. The time since the last fire and the number of fires were the most explanatory fire variables, governing the structure of post-fire plant communities. However, environmental factors, such as slope or exposure, also made a significant contribution. Higher rates of fire recurrence can affect the persistence or expansion of shrublands in the future, as observed in other Mediterranean areas.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22721564
Keywords: Acidic soil; biomass; climate; cork-oak; Ecosystem; Erica arborea L.; Fire recurrence; Fires; France; Mediterranean Region; Plant communities; Plants; Plants: classification; Quercus; Seasons; Species Specificity; Trees