Organic C distribution and N mineralization in soil of oak woodlands with improved pastures - Gómez-Rey, Maria Xesús; Garcês, Ana; Madeira, Manuel (Revista de Ciências Agrárias, 2011)
Cork oak woodlands in Portugal are a multipurpose agroforestry system occurring in areas mostly degraded by former cereal crops and overgrazing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of scattered cork oak trees (Quercus suber L.) on soil quality, considering two land use systems: unmanaged pastures and improved pastures. Soil samples were collected in a square grid around scattered cork oak trees to evaluate the spatial variability of soil bulk density and chemical properties. In soil samples taken beneath tree canopy and in the open, net N mineralization was evaluated by aerobic incubations. Also, laboratory incubations were carried out to evaluate the effect of roots (tree or/and herbaceous) and water solutions (bulk precipitation, throughfall or stemflow) on net N mineralization.Contents of organic C, total N and extractable P were increased beneath the tree canopy, and gradually decreased with the increase of distance to the tree trunk. Improved pastures established 26 years ago increased organic C (0.76 kg m-2), total N (0.06 kg m-2) and extractable P (2.70 g m-2) amounts in the 0-10 cm soil layer beneath the tree canopy relatively to those of unmanaged pastures. Net N mineralization was significantly greater (about 2 times) in soils beneath the tree canopy than in those of open areas. N mineralization was unaffected by addition of throughfall or stemflow, while a significant reduction resulted from tree roots addition, this effect being stronger for herbaceous plant roots than for tree roots. Maintenance of tree cover combined with permanent improved pastures should be considered to improve soil quality in oak woodlands of Southern Portugal.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: scielopt
Keywords: agroforestry systems; legumes; Mediterranean climate; soil quality.

Ozone stress in woody plants assessed with chlorophyll a fluorescence. A critical reassessment of existing data - Bussotti, Filippo; Desotgiu, Rosanna; Cascio, Chiara; Pollastrini, Martina; Gravano, Elisabetta; Gerosa, Giacomo; Marzuoli, Riccardo; Nali, Cristina; Lorenzini, Giacomo; Salvatori, Elisabetta; Manes, Fausto; Schaub, Marcus; et al. (Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2011)
This paper proposes an overall reassessment of results from ﬂuorescence transient (FT) and modulated ﬂuorescence (MF) analysis on tree species subjected to treatment with ozone. Findings from literature and open-top chamber experiments were used in this review, in order to identify damage mechanisms and repair/avoidance strategies. Main results are summarised below. (i) The most widely used parameter to assess the response to ozone treatment was the quantum yield of primary photochemistry in the dark-adapted state (ϕPo, or FV/FM). This parameter proved to be very stable in stress and control conditions. Ozone-induced stress – and the related loss of photosynthetic efﬁciency and performance – was characterized by the change occurring in all parameters connected with the controlled dissipation: reduction of FM, FV/FM, RC/CS0 (in the ﬂuorescence transient analysis) and NPQ (in theMF analysis). This can be considered as a down-regulationmechanism aimed at lowering the electron supply as a consequence of a reduced demand from the Calvin cycle. (ii) The FT analysis revealed a change in the I–P region shape, indicating that events beyond PSI are affected. These events include a lesser density of PSI itself and the compromised ability of the end acceptors of electrons (ferredoxine, NADP + ) and RuBP to manage effectively the ﬂux of electrons. This behaviour may create an imbalance between electrons sent by the electron transport chain and those reaching the acceptors beyond PSI. Free electrons (those coming from PSI, but that do not reach the end acceptors) can activate the oxygen from fundamental to excited status, with production of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species), thus inducing photo-oxidation processes of the cellular content. (iii) In many cases a temporarily enhanced efﬁciency of electron trapping and transport (expressed by the parameters FV/FM, ET/TR, PIABS, pQ) in PSII system has been observed. That efﬁciency has been connected to the triggering of repair processes, but when it is connected to a reduced end acceptor capacity in combination with reduced Calvin cycle energy demand lead to over-excitation of the photosynthetic apparatus and initiates response towards visible foliar injury. (iv) The behaviour of F0 can help us distinguish between different response strategies. The increase of F0 observed in some ozone-treated plant species is considered an expression of irreversible damage in PSII, whereas lowered values of this parameter may indicate the activation of PSII in the cells surrounding the damaged one, as part of a compensative process. Future directions for the research in this ﬁeld concern: (i) the possibility to combine ﬂuorescence parameters with carbon assimilation and growth to support the study on critical levels and (ii) the analysis of the events concerning the activity of PSI and the events leading to the ﬁxation of CO2, by using innovative technologies
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Chlorophyll a fluorescence; OKJIP transient; Open top chambers; Ozone stress; Performance index; Quantum yield efficiency; Reaction centres; Visible foliar symptoms

Parallel Implementation of Linear and Nonlinear Spectral Unmixing of Remotely Sensed Hyperspectral Images - Plaza, Antonio; Plaza, Javier (HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTING IN REMOTE SENSING, 2011)
Hyperspectral unmixing is a very important task for remotely sensed hyperspectral data exploitation. It addresses the (possibly) mixed nature of pixels collected by instruments for Earth observation, which are due to several phenomena including limited spatial resolution, presence of mixing effects at different scales, etc. Spectral unmixing involves the separation of a mixed pixel spectrum into its pure component spectra (called endmembers) and the estimation of the proportion (abundance) of endmember in the pixel. Two models have been widely used in the literature in order to address the mixture problem in hyperspectral data. The linear model assumes that the endmember substances are sitting side-by-side within the field of view of the imaging instrument. On the other hand, the nonlinear mixture model assumes nonlinear interactions between endmember substances. Both techniques can be computationally expensive, in particular, for high-dimensional hyperspectral data sets. In this paper, we develop and compare parallel implementations of linear and nonlinear unmixing techniques for remotely sensed hyperspectral data. For the linear model, we adopt a parallel unsupervised processing chain made up of two steps: i) identification of pure spectral materials or endmembers, and ii) estimation of the abundance of each endmember in each pixel of the scene. For the nonlinear model, we adopt a supervised procedure based on the training of a parallel multi-layer perceptron neural network using intelligently selected training samples also derived in parallel fashion. The compared techniques are experimentally validated using hyperspectral data collected at different altitudes over a so-called Dehesa (semi-arid environment) in Extremadura, Spain, and evaluated in terms of computational performance using high performance computing systems such as commodity Beowulf clusters.
Keywords: high performance computing; Hyperspectral imaging; linear spectral unmixing; nonlinear spectral unmixing; spectral unmixing

Phenological records as a complement to aerobiological data. - Tormo, Rafael; Silva, Inmaculada; Gonzalo, Angela; Moreno, Alfonsa; Pérez, Remedios; Fernández, Santiago (International journal of biometeorology, 2011)
Phenological studies in combination with aerobiological studies enable one to observe the relationship between the release of pollen and its presence in the atmosphere. To obtain a suitable comparison between the daily variation of airborne pollen concentrations and flowering, it is necessary for the level of accuracy of both sets of data to be as similar as possible. To analyse the correlation between locally observed flowering data and pollen counts in pollen traps in order to set pollen information forecasts, pollen was sampled using a Burkard volumetric pollen trap working continuously from May 1993. For the phenological study we selected the main pollen sources of the six pollen types most abundant in our area: Cupressaceae, Platanus, Quercus, Plantago, Olea, and Poaceae with a total of 35 species. We selected seven sites to register flowering or pollination, two with semi-natural vegetation, the rest being urban sites. The sites were visited weekly from March to June in 2007, and from January to June in 2008 and 2009. Pollen shedding was checked at each visit, and recorded as the percentage of flowers or microsporangia in that state. There was an association between flowering phenology and airborne pollen records for some of the pollen types (Platanus, Quercus, Olea and Plantago). Nevertheless, for the other types (Cupressaceae and Poaceae) the flowering and airborne pollen peaks did not coincide, with up to 1 week difference in phase. Some arguments are put forward in explanation of this phenomenon. Phenological studies have shown that airborne pollen results from both local and distant sources, although the pollen peaks usually appear when local sources are shedding the greatest amounts of pollen. Resuspension phenomena are probably more important than long-distance transport in explaining the presence of airborne pollen outside the flowering period. This information could be used to improve pollen forecasts.
Keywords: Aerobiology; Allergy; Forecasting; Phenology; pollen; Pollen trap

Phenological responses to extreme droughts in a Mediterranean forest - Misson, Laurent; DEGUELDRE, DAVID; COLLIN, CHRISTIAN; RODRIGUEZ, RAQUEL; ROCHETEAU, ALAIN; OURCIVAL, JEAN-MARC; Rambal, Serge (Global Change Biology, 2011)
Mediterranean regions are projected to experience more frequent, prolonged and severe drought as a consequence of climate change. We used a retractable rainfall shelter, to investigate the impact of extreme droughts on the development of Quercus ilex leaves, flowers and fruit. In 2008, 97% of rainfall was excluded from a forest plot during the autumn, representing 50% of the 1127 mm of rain that fell during the year. In 2009, 87% of rainfall was excluded during the spring, representing 58% of the 749 mm that fell during the year. The rainfall shelter did not impact neither incident radiation nor air temperature. Autumn rainfall exclusion did not significantly affect leaf, flowers or fruit development. Spring rainfall exclusion resulted in larger and more sustained depression of leaf water potential during the key phases of foliar and floral development. Consequently, only half of the sampled trees (6) reached the shoot lengthening stage which leads to functionally mature leaves (phenophase 4), with one abandoning leaf development at budburst (phenophase 3) and the other two at the bud swelling stage (phenophase 2). All trees of the control plot passed phenophase 4, with most reaching complete leaf development. The impact of extreme droughts on flower development differed between the sexes. The spring exclusion had no effect on male flower, but only one of six trees completed female fruit maturation, compared with four in the control plot. The difference between the male and female drought impacts is likely attributable to the occurrence of male floral development before the period of lowest leaf water potential, and to the lower resource allocation requirements of male flowers. The information provided by our experimental approach may constitute a crucial step to evaluate the impact of increasing drought due to climate change on the most dominant Mediterranean tree species and to help drawing a full picture of the ecological consequences of the decline in water resource on forest dynamics under changing conditions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: climate changes; Extreme events; flowering; fruiting; leaf-unfolding; rainfall changes

The photochemical reflectance index (PRI) and the remote sensing of leaf, canopy and ecosystem radiation use efficienciesA review and meta-analysis - Garbulsky, Martín F.; Penuelas, Josep; Gamon, John; Inoue, Yoshio; Filella, Iolanda (Remote Sensing of Environment, 2011)
Traditional remote sensing techniques allow the assessment of green plant biomass, and therefore plant photosynthetic capacity. However, detecting how much of this capacity is actually realized is a more challenging goal. Is it possible to remotely assess actual carbon ﬂuxes? Can this be done at leaf, canopy and ecosystem scales and at different temporal scales? Different approaches can be used to answer these questions. Among them, the Photochemical Reﬂectance Index (PRI) derived from narrow-band spectroradiometers is a spectral index increasingly being used as an indicator of photosynthetic efﬁciency. We examined and synthesized the scientiﬁc literature on the relationships between PRI and several ecophysiological variables across a range of plant functional types and ecosystems at the leaf, canopy and ecosystem levels and at the daily and seasonal time scales. Our analysis shows that although the strength of these relationships varied across vegetation types, levels of organization and temporal scales, in most reviewed articles PRI was a good predictor of photosynthetic efﬁciency or related variables with performances at least as good as the widely used NDVI as indicator of green biomass. There are possible confounding factors related to the intensity of the physiological processes linked to the PRI signals, to the structure of the canopies and to the illumination and viewing angles that warrant further studies, and it is expected that the utility of PRI will vary with the ecosystem in question due to contrasting environmental constraints, evolutionary strategies, and radiation use efﬁciency (RUE; the ratio between carbon uptake and light absorbed by vegetation) variability. Clearly, more research comparing ecosystem responses is warranted. Additionally, like any 2-band index that is affected by multiple factors, the interpretation of PRI can be readily confounded by multiple environmental variables, and further work is needed to understand and constrain these effects. Despite these limitations, this review shows an emerging consistency of the RUE–PRI relationship that suggests a surprising degree of functional convergence of biochemical, physiological and structural components affecting leaf, canopy and ecosystem carbon uptake efﬁciencies. PRI accounted for 42%, 59% and 62% of the variability of RUE at the leaf, canopy and ecosystem respective levels in unique exponential relationships for all the vegetation types studied. It seems thus that by complementing the estimations of the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation intercepted by the vegetation (FPAR), estimated with NDVI-like indices, PRI enables improved assessment of carbon ﬂuxes in leaves, canopies and many of the ecosystems of the world from ground, airborne and satellite sensors.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: ciency; gross primary productivity; index; MODIS; photochemical re fl ectance; photochemical reflectance index; radiation use ef fi; radiation use efficiency

Photosynthetic properties of Quercus × hispanica Lam. and Q. suber L. under harsh Central European winter conditions - Holland, V.; Brüggemann, W. (Photosynthetica, 2011)
In search for new forestation tree species for future Central European climate conditions, Mediterranean evergreen oak taxa are investigated for their summer drought- and winter frost-hardiness. Here we report on the winter performance of the photosynthetic apparatus of Quercus × hispanica Lam. and its evergreen parental species Q. suber L. under extraordinary harsh winter conditions. Both taxa showed a strong decline of photosystem II (PSII) quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) with a concomitant increase in the deepoxidation state (DES) of the xanthophyll pigments depending on (severe) frost events during winter, and these parameters significantly correlated with minimum air temperatures during periods of chronic photoinhibition at mid-winter, but not at the onset of winter in response to the first frost nights. Fv/Fm and DES correlated with each other in both taxa throughout the winter.
Keywords: evergreen; frost stress; oak; photoinhibition; xanthophyll cycle

Phytotoxins produced by the oak pathogen Discula quercina - Maddau, L.; Perrone, C.; Andolfi, A.; Spanu, E.; Linaldeddu, B. T.; Evidente, A. (Forest Pathology, 2011)
Two phytotoxic metabolites, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde and indol-3-aldehyde, were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods from solid cultures of Discula quercina, an endophytic fungal pathogen frequently associated with oak decline in Italy. In addition, the fungus produced an unusual acyclic keto acid as a major metabolite, which was identified by spectroscopic and chemical methods as 5-oxo-6E,8E-octadecadienoic acid. In leaf puncture assays on Quercus suber and Q. ilex leaves, indol-3-aldehyde proved to be more toxic than p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, while 5-oxo-6E,8E-octadecadienoic acid was inactive even at the highest concentration used (1 mg ml−1). Although indol-3-aldehyde is a known microbial metabolite, its phytotoxic activity has hitherto not been reported. This report is the first to describe the production of phytotoxic compounds by D. quercina.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Discula quercina (voyant); Oak decline; phytotoxic metabolites

Plant neighbour identity matters to belowground interactions under controlled conditions. - Armas, Cristina; Pugnaire, Francisco Ignacio (PloS one, 2011)
Root competition is an almost ubiquitous feature of plant communities with profound effects on their structure and composition. Far beyond the traditional view that plants interact mainly through resource depletion (exploitation competition), roots are known to be able to interact with their environment using a large variety of mechanisms that may inhibit or enhance access of other roots to the resource or affect plant growth (contest interactions). However, an extensive analysis on how these contest root interactions may affect species interaction abilities is almost lacking.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 22114696
Keywords: biomass; citation; Ecosystem; Environment; Plant Development; Plant Roots; Plant Roots: growth & development; Species Specificity

Plant phenology, growth and nutritive quality of Briza maxima: responses induced by enhanced ozone atmospheric levels and nitrogen enrichment. - Sanz, J; Bermejo, V; Muntifering, R; González-Fernández, I; Gimeno, B S; Elvira, S; Alonso, R (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2011)
An assessment of the effects of tropospheric ozone (O(3)) levels and substrate nitrogen (N) supplementation, singly and in combination, on phenology, growth and nutritive quality of Briza maxima was carried out. Two serial experiments were developed in Open-Top Chambers (OTC) using three O(3) and three N levels. Increased O(3) exposure did not affect the biomass-related parameters, but enhanced senescence, increased fiber foliar content (especially lignin concentration) and reduced plant life span; these effects were related to senescence acceleration induced by the pollutant. Added N increased plant biomass production and improved nutritive quality by decreasing foliar fiber concentration. Interestingly, the effects of N supplementation depended on meteorological conditions and plant physiological activity. N supplementation counteracted the O(3)-induced senescence but did not modify the effects on nutritive quality. Nutritive quality and phenology should be considered in new definitions of the O(3) limits for the protection of herbaceous vegetation.
Keywords: Dehesa annual grasslands; Nitrogen. Ozone; Nutritive quality; yield

Predicting the future of forests in the Mediterranean under climate change, with niche- and process-based models: CO2 matters! - KEENAN, Trevor; Maria Serra, JOSEP; Lloret, Francisco; Ninyerola, Miquel; SABATE, Santiago (Global Change Biology, 2011)
Assessing the potential future of current forest stands is a key to design conservation strategies and understanding potential future impacts to ecosystem service supplies. This is particularly true in the Mediterranean basin, where important future climatic changes are expected. Here, we assess and compare two commonly used modeling approaches (niche- and process-based models) to project the future of current stands of three forest species with contrasting distributions, using regionalized climate for continental Spain. Results highlight variability in model ability to estimate current distributions, and the inherent large uncertainty involved in making projections into the future. CO2 fertilization through projected increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations is shown to increase forest productivity in the mechanistic process-based model (despite increased drought stress) by up to three times that of the non-CO2 fertilization scenario by the period 2050–2080, which is in stark contrast to projections of reduced habitat suitability from the niche-based models by the same period. This highlights the importance of introducing aspects of plant biogeochemistry into current niche-based models for a realistic projection of future species distributions. We conclude that the future of current Mediterranean forest stands is highly uncertain and suggest that a new synergy between niche- and process-based models is urgently needed in order to improve our predictive ability.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: 6 may 2010; april 2010 and accepted; BIOMOD; co 2 fertilization; CO2 fertilization; Drought; gotilwa 1; GOTILWA+; niche-based models; Pinus halepensis; Pinus sylvestris; Quercus ilex; received 19 january 2010; revised version received 27; Species distribution

Preliminary Survey of the Occurrence of Entomopathogenic Nematodes and Fungi in the Forest Soils of Algeria - Zamoum, Mohamed; Berchiche, Sabiha; Sai, Karima; Triggiani, Oreste; Tarasco, Eustachio (Silva Lusitana, 2011)
The natural distribution and diversity of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) and fungi (EPF) in various biotopes in Algeria was studied, particularly in forests and plantations of cedar, oak, pine, eucalyptus and palm. The objective of this study was to identify EPN and/or EPF species which could be used to control forest insect pests. Soil sampling was carried out at 223 sites from April 2007 to March 2008. To trap EPN's juvenile larvae of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae and EPF, the method of "insect-trap" was used in the laboratory. Caterpillars of Galleria mellonella (Lep., Pyralidae) and the forest insects Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Lep., Thaumetopoeidae) and Lymantria dispar (Lep. Lymantriidae) were used. The presence of EPN was noted in 8.1% of the sampled sites and EPF in 9.9%. The presence of the EPN in the oasis biotope may result from particular microclimate conditions (of temperature and humidity). Nematodes belonging to the Steinernematidae family and Steinernema genus were identified. In addition, 10 fungal species were isolated, namely:Beauveria bassiana, Fusarium sp., Alternaria sp., Penicellium sp., Trichoderma sp., Sordaria sp., Mucor sp., Chaetomium globosum, Aspergillus nigricans and Rhizopus nigricans. The majority of the fungi were isolated in the conidian form, except for Chaetomium globosum which had its perfect form with perithecia. The presence of EPN and EPF seems to depend on the dominant species of forest trees, either cork oak (35%), cedar (12.5%), pine (12.5%), palm (10%) or eucalyptus (7.5%).
Keywords: Algeria; biological control; Entomopathogenic; forest insect pests; fungi; nematodes

Production of edible mushrooms in forests: trends in development of a mycosilviculture. - Savoie, Jean-Michel; Largeteau, Michèle L (Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 2011)
Developing the production of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) mushrooms in forest has become a challenge. Only a few ECM species are currently cultivable. Controlled mycorrhization practices offer promising advance to produce currently uncultivable ECM mushrooms. The persistence of the production of edible species, either cultivated or wild, depends on both the tree and the ecological environment (fungal communities, climate, soil, tree development). Developing adapted forest management practices appears to be means to improve production of edible ECM mushrooms. This review summarises current knowledge on the development of a science-based mycosilviculture for the production of edible ECM mushrooms.
Keywords: Controlled mycorrhization; Ectomycorrhizal mushrooms; Forest management; Fungal succession

Properties of new cork–polymer composites: Advantages and drawbacks as compared with commercially available fibreboard materials - Fernandes, Emanuel M; Correlo, Vitor M; a.M. Chagas, José; Mano, João F; Reis, Rui L (Composite Structures, 2011)
Cork powder (50 wt.%) was mixed with polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) by pultrusion aiming to prepare cork-based composites. In a further step, samples were produced by compression moulding using the compounded composites. Bending strength, impact resistance, hardness, dimensional stability, thermal and acoustic properties of the developed cork–polymer composites (CPC) were determined and compared with commercially available products namely medium density ﬁbreboard (MDF) and high density ﬁbreboard (HDF). It was found that the CPC have good dimensional stability, lower water uptake, a better acoustic insulation performance and similar behaviour in terms of hardness and ﬁre resistance when compared with both MDF and HDF. However, the mechanical strength is inferior comparing with both commercial materials based on ﬁbres. It was also observed that addition of cork improved the ﬂexural modulus, impact resistance and hardness on the developed CPC. Thus, the herein described CPC materials showed important characteristics to be considered as good candidates to be applied in the design of ﬂooring and construction systems.
Keywords: Cork; mechanical properties; Polyoleﬁn; thermal properties; Thickness swelling; WATER ABSORPTION

Prospects of barcoding the Italian wild dendroflora: oaks reveal severe limitations to tracking species identity. - Piredda, Roberta; Simeone, Marco C; Attimonelli, Marcella; BELLAROSA, Rosanna; Schirone, Bartolomeo (Molecular ecology resources, 2011)
DNA barcoding may be particularly important in influencing ecology, economic issues, and the fundamental crisis facing biodiversity as a standardized, species-level identification tool for taxonomy assessment. Trees play important roles in the conservation of many land ecosystems, the wood trade, and the definition of biogeographical processes; nevertheless, peculiar biological, evolutionary and taxonomical features will probably constitute an intriguing challenge to barcoders. We examined whether four marker regions (trnh-psba, rbcL, rpoc1, matK) proposed by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) matched species taxonomy in a preliminary tree biodiversity survey of Italian forested land. Our objective was to provide a test of future in situ applications of DNA barcodes by evaluating the efficacy of species discrimination under the criteria of uniformity of methods and natural co-occurrence of the species in the main forest ecosystems. Fifty-two species were included in a floristic study. We obtained 73% total discrimination success, with trnH-psbA as the best performing marker and oaks as the least responsive plants to the markers used. A further taxon-based study of Quercus (thirty specimens, 12 species) revealed that this genus is refractory to barcoding (0% discrimination success), a probable consequence of low variation rate at the plastid genome level, hybridization, and the incidence of biogeography. We conclude that some species-rich tree genera in small geographical regions may prove exceptionally difficult to barcode. Until more efficient markers are developed, we recommend that improved and diversified sampling (multiple locations of sympatric and co-occurring congenerics) be embraced as a timely and important goal for the precise assessment of haplotype specificity to facilitate the productive application of barcoding in practice.
Keywords: DNA barcoding; forest trees; Italy; Quercus; regional sampling

Protected wading bird species threaten relict centenarian cork oaks in a Mediterranean Biosphere Reserve: A conservation management conflict - García, Luis V.; Ramo, Cristina; Aponte, Cristina; Moreno, Adela; Domínguez, María T.; Gómez-Aparicio, LORENA; Redondo, Ramón; Marañón, Teodoro (Biological Conservation, 2011)
Conservation management conﬂicts frequently arise when an overpopulation of a protected organism has negative effects on other valuable elements in the same ecosystem. We studied the interactions between a colony of protected tree-nesting wading birds and a remnant population of centenarian cork oaks that was part of the formerly dominant forests in the Doñana Biological Reserve (SW Spain). A signiﬁcant increase in the tree mortality rates has been recorded in areas that are yearly inﬂuenced by the bird colony. We analysed a cohort of surviving trees using a gradient of nesting bird inﬂuence. Tree-nesting history, bird isotopic signature (d 15 N), tree health-related parameters (defoliation, d 13 C and leaf surface coverage by faeces) and several soil variables were evaluated. Bird inﬂuence was related to increased soil salinity. This increase correlated to increased water-use efﬁciency for the leaves and to crown defoliation, suggesting that the heavily occupied trees are under higher stress and in poorer health condition than the unoccupied ones. We tested structural equations models (SEM) that were based on hypothesised bird effects on the health of the trees. Soil-mediated effects of the nesting birds best explained the symptoms of the declining health of the trees, whereas the percent of leaves’ surface that was covered by faeces did not improve the ﬁtted SEM model. For the reserve’s managers, a challenging trade-off exists between preserving the relict trees, which have a high genetic diversity and a key ecological role in these savannah-like ecosystems, and maintaining the current nesting area for these protected, but expanding, wading birds.
Keywords: Colonial waterbirds; d13C; d15N; Doñana; Heronry; Indirect effects; Quercus suber; Stable isotopes

Proteins associated with cork formation in Quercus suber L. stem tissues. - Ricardo, Cândido P P; Martins, Isabel; Francisco, Rita; Sergeant, Kjell; Pinheiro, Carla; Campos, Alexandre; Renaut, Jenny; Fevereiro, Pedro (Journal of proteomics, 2011)
Cork (phellem) formation in Quercus suber stem was studied by proteomic analysis of young shoots of increasing age (Y0, Y1 and Y4) and recently-formed phellem (Y8Ph) and xylem (Y8X) from an 8-year-old branch. In this study 99 proteins were identified, 45 excised from Y8X and 54 from Y8Ph. These ones, specifically associated with phellem, are of "carbohydrate metabolism" (28%), "defence" (22%), "protein folding, stability and degradation" (19%), "regulation/signalling" (11%), "secondary metabolism" (9%), "energy metabolism" (6%), and "membrane transport" (2%). The identification in phellem of galactosidases, xylosidases, apiose/xylose synthase, laccases and diphenol oxidases suggests intense cell wall reorganization, possibly with participation of hemicellulose/pectin biosynthesis and phenol oxidation. The identification of proteasome subunits, heat shock proteins, cyclophylin, subtilisin-like proteases, 14-3-3 proteins, Rab2 protein and enzymes interacting with nucleosides/nucleic acids gives additional evidence for cellular reorganization, involving cellular secretion, protein turnover regulation and active control processes. The high involvement in phellem of defence proteins (thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, SGT1 protein, cystatin, and chitinases) suggests a strong need for cell protection from the intense stressful events occurring in active phellem, namely, desiccation, pests/disease protection, detoxification and cell death. Identically, highly enhanced defence functions were previously reported for potato periderm formation.
Keywords: Cork; Phellem formation; Proteomics; Quercus suber stem; Suberisation

Proteomics research on forest trees, the most recalcitrant and orphan plant species. - Abril, Nieves; Gion, Jean-Marc; Kerner, René; Müller-Starck, Gerhard; Cerrillo, Rafael M. Navarro; Plomion, Christophe; Renaut, Jenny; Valledor, Luis; Jorrin-Novo, Jesús V. (Phytochemistry, 2011)
The contribution of proteomics to the knowledge of forest tree (the most recalcitrant and almost forgotten plant species) biology is being reviewed and discussed, based on the author's own research work and papers published up to November 2010. This review is organized in four introductory sections starting with the definition of forest trees (1), the description of the environmental and economic importance (2) and its derived current priorities and research lines for breeding and conservation (3) including forest tree genomics (4). These precede the main body of this review: a general overview to proteomics (5) for introducing the forest tree proteomics section (6). Proteomics, defined as scientific discipline or experimental approach, it will be discussed both from a conceptual and methodological point of view, commenting on realities, challenges and limitations. Proteomics research in woody plants is limited to a reduced number of genera, including Pinus, Picea, Populus, Eucalyptus, and Fagus, mainly using first-generation approaches, e.g., those based on two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry. This area joins the own limitations of the technique and the difficulty and recalcitrance of the plant species as an experimental system. Furthermore, it contributes to a deeper knowledge of some biological processes, namely growth, development, organogenesis, and responses to stresses, as it is also used in the characterization and cataloguing of natural populations and biodiversity (proteotyping) and in assisting breeding programmes.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 21353265
Keywords: Forest tree proteomics; forest trees; Plant proteomics; Woody plants

Purification and Characterization of a Magnesium Ion Requiring N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine Specific Lectin from Seeds of Quercus ilex L. - Devi, Sanjenbam Kunjeshwori; Singh, Senjam Sunil; Singh, Sorokhaibam Jibankumar; Rully, Huidrom; Singh, Laishram Rupachandra (BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY, 2011)
A new magnesium ion requiring N-acetyl-D-glucosamine specific lectin QIL was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from seeds of Quercus ilex L. through successive steps of (i) lectin extraction, (ii) ammonium sulphate (30-50%) fractionation, (iii) diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-cellulose chromatography, (iv) carboxymethyl (CM)-cellulose chromatography, and (v) Sephadex G-75 chromatography. The lectin, having specific activity of 25,600 hemagglutination units (HAU)/mg of protein, was found to be a monomeric protein with a native molecular weight of 13.2 kDa. N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine was found to exhibit most potent inhibitory action on the lectin activity among all the sugars tested. The lectin was also found to exhibit specificity for human blood groups A, B, and AB. It was converted to the corresponding apo-lectin by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment followed by buffer dialysis. The apo-lectin exhibited a specific and characteristic requirement for magnesium ions for the expression of its activity.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: JAPAN ACAD SOC CTR BLDG, 2-4-6 YAYOI BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO, 113-0032, JAPAN publisher: JAPAN SOC BIOSCI BIOTECHN AGROCHEM
Keywords: lectin; magnesium ion requiring lectin; N-acetyl-D-glucosamine specific lectin; Quercus ilex L.

Quercus calliprinos regrowth advantage under grazing in Mediterranean maquis and its management implications - Agra, Har’el; Ne’eman, Gidi (Forest Ecology and Management, 2011)
The post disturbance natural succession of the Mediterranean maquis, which turns open and species-rich landscapes into dense, closed stands of sclerophyllous woody vegetation is a principal threat to plant and animal diversity. Therefore, in the absence of traditional agricultural disturbance, active management regimes that include cutting and grazing are proposed to preserve biodiversity. The Mediterranean woody vegetation in Israel is strongly dominated by one species – the evergreen sclerophyllous Quercus calliprinos (Kermes oak). We hypothesized that under cutting and grazing, the evergreen Q. calliprinos has a relative regrowth advantage over other competing tree species. Here we examined the effect of grazing and the effect of tree structural traits on the regrowth after clear cutting of all trees in our study plots at Mt. Meron LTER site, Israel. All trees were removed from ﬁve blocks of 2000 m2 and each block was divided into two plots, ﬁve of which were exposed to grazing livestock while ﬁve were wire-fenced and ungrazed. The regrowth rate of Q. calliprinos under grazing was higher than that of all other tree species suggesting that in the long-term, under such a conservation management regime, the dominance of the evergreen sclerophyllous Q. calliprinos over the deciduous tree species will increase and consequently will decrease plant and animal diversity. Therefore, we conclude that to protect landscape and species diversity in Mediterranean ecosystems dominated by evergreen oaks, when cutting and grazing are applied, special care must be paid to trees that are more negatively affected by such treatment.
Keywords: Deciduous trees; diversity; Evergreen trees; Grazing; Regrowth; Sclerophyllous vegetation

Rapid characterization of dry cured ham produced following different PDOs by proton transfer reaction time of flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS). - Del Pulgar, José Sánchez; Soukoulis, Christos; Biasioli, Franco; Cappellin, Luca; García, Carmen; Gasperi, Flavia; Granitto, Pablo; Märk, Tilmann D.; Piasentier, Edi; Schuhfried, Erna (Talanta, 2011)
In the present study, the recently developed proton transfer reaction time of flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) technique was used for the rapid characterization of dry cured hams produced according to 4 of the most important Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs): an Iberian one (Dehesa de Extremadura) and three Italian ones (Prosciutto di San Daniele, Prosciutto di Parma and Prosciutto Toscano). In total, the headspace composition and respective concentration for nine Spanish and 37 Italian dry cured ham samples were analyzed by direct injection without any pre-treatment or pre-concentration. Firstly, we show that the rapid PTR-ToF-MS fingerprinting in conjunction with chemometrics (Principal Components Analysis) indicates a good separation of the dry cured ham samples according to their production process and that it is possible to set up, using data mining methods, classification models with a high success rate in cross validation. Secondly, we exploited the higher mass resolution of the new PTR-ToF-MS, as compared with standard quadrupole based versions, for the identification of the exact sum formula of the mass spectrometric peaks providing analytical information on the observed differences. The work indicates that PTR-ToF-MS can be used as a rapid method for the identification of differences among dry cured hams produced following the indications of different PDOs and that it provides information on some of the major volatile compounds and their link with the implemented manufacturing practices such as rearing system, salting and curing process, manufacturing practices that seem to strongly affect the final volatile organic profile and thus the perceived quality of dry cured ham.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 21645714
Keywords: Animals; Data Mining; Dry cured ham; Flavour compounds; Food Handling; Food Handling: methods; Italy; Mass spectrometry; Mass Spectrometry: methods; Meat Products; Meat Products: analysis; PDO; PTR-MS; PTR-ToF-MS; Spain; Swine; volatile compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds

Reconciling the conservation of endangered species with economically important anthropogenic activities: interactions between cork exploitation and the cinereous vulture in Spain - Margalida, A; Moreno-Opo, R; Arroyo, B E; Arredondo, A (Animal Conservation, 2011)
Limitation of disturbing activities around the breeding areas of protected species is not always possible, if these activities are economically important and have, in addition, positive effects on protecting the habitats of those protected species. Searching for optimal solutions making commercial exploitation of natural resources compatible with biodiversity conservation is thus of concern to managers and policy makers. This is the case of the cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus, breeding primarily in cork-oak woodland, and cork exploitation, a traditional socio-economic activity carried out in several Mediterranean countries, and critical for the maintenance of this important habitat. We studied the effects of this anthropogenic activity on the behaviour and breeding success of breeding cinereous vultures in Spain. For the adults, the probability of nest abandonment was dependent on the distance of workers from the nest and the level of noise; activities within 500 m from the nest were likely to cause abandonment of the nest by adults, if the level of noise was intermediate or loud. Neither the size of the working group nor the use of machines per se, had any effect on the probability of nest abandonment. Pairs in an area of the colony exposed to intrusive anthropogenic activity had 20% lower breeding success than those in the same colony that were not exposed to these disturbances. If the application of buffer zones of 500 m is not possible (as is likely given the economic losses involved), several alternatives are recommended based on our results to minimize the impact of these activities, in particular to diminish the noise level of cork extraction activities. Observational studies like this help understanding the magnitude of the problem and finding alternative solutions for harmonizing conservation and economic development.
Keywords: buffer zone; cork harvesting; economic anthropogenic activity; Human disturbance; vulture conservation

Relação entre as Características Morfológicas e a Qualidade da Cortiça - Pestana, Miguel; Carneiro, Luís; Lousada, José; Sardinha, Raúl (Silva Lusitana, 2011)
. The main drive of this study was to contribute for a better knowledge about the relationship between the quality of cork and its morphology, aiming to finding out the predictive capacity of the morphological characteristics and their weight to discriminate and select cork quality. Board cork samples were taken out from 9 sample trees (3 trees x 3 sites) and they were prepared to allow quantitative classification according to punctuation classification as described by CARVALHO (1992). Data analysis was done using numerical taxonomy methods. Results generated allow emphasizing that: • The use of punctuation criteria showed the usefulness and significance of some morphological characteristics to segregate cork quality; • Good quality corks were characterized by higher values of the belly's color and low values of the belly’s relief, and its unevenness, and the size and density of the inclusions in the cork mass as well; • Bad quality corks showed a set of dominant morphological characteristics: density, distribution, aggregation and size variation of lenticels and a pronounced relief and also the size of incrustations on the belly; • The introduction of one more parameters – apparent density (DA) – in the morphological analysis did not alter quality classification
Keywords: Cork; morphology; multivariate analyses; Quality

Relating ring width of Mediterranean evergreen species to seasonal and annual variations of precipitation and temperature - Nijland, W; Jansma, E; Addink, E a.; Domínguez Delmás, M; De Jong, S M (Biogeosciences, 2011)
Plant growth in Mediterranean landscapes is limited by the typical summer-dry climate. Forests in these areas are only marginally productive and may be quite susceptible to modern climate change. To improve our understanding of forest sensitivity to annual and seasonal climatic variability, we use tree-ring measurements of two Mediterranean evergreen tree species: Quercus ilex L. and Arbutus unedo L. We sampled 34 stems of these species on three different types of substrates in the Peyne study area in southern France. The resulting chronologies were analysed in combination with 38 yr of monthly precipitation and temperature data to reconstruct the response of stem growth to climatic variability. Results indicate a strong positive response to May and June precipitation, as well as a signiﬁcant positive inﬂuence of early-spring temperatures and a negative growth response to summer heat. Comparison of the data with more detailed productivity measurements in two contrasting years conﬁrms these observations and shows a strong productivity limiting effect of low early-summer precipitation. The results show that tree-ring data from Q.ilex andA.unedo can provide valuable information about the response of these tree species to climate variability, improving our ability to predict the effects of climate change in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Keywords: climate variability (voyant); Growth; Mediterranean evergreen species; ring width

Relationships between the stereochemistry and biological activity of fungal phytotoxins - Evidente, Antonio; Andolfi, Anna; Cimmino, Alessio (Chirality, 2011)
Toxins produced by phytopathogenic fungi assume great importance because of their involvement in several plant diseases. Although such pathogens are known to have seriously damaged crops, forest, and environmental resources, they represent a very important tool to develop new environmentally friendly herbicides and fungicides. This review deals with the relationships between the biological activity of some phytotoxins produced by pathogenic fungi for major forest plants and for damaging weeds and their stereochemistry. In particular, the methods used to determine their relative and/or absolute configuration will be illustrated. These include the application of Mosher's and Murata's methods, X-ray diffractometric analysis, circular dichroism, and the use of computational methods to determine the theoretical optical rotatory power as well as the CD spectrum. The importance of determining the absolute configuration to achieve the total synthesis of some phytotoxins, interesting for their potential practical application, is also discussed. Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company
Keywords: Phytopathogenic fungi; Phytotoxins; relative and/or absolute configuration; structure–activity relationships

Response of Holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) and mastic shrub (Pistacia lentiscus L.) seedlings to high concentrations of Cd and Tl in the rhizosphere. - Domínguez, María T.; Marañón, Teodoro; Murillo, José Manuel; Redondo-Gómez, Susana (Chemosphere, 2011)
The impairment of root growth and photosynthetical functioning are the main impacts of trace elements on woody plant seedlings. In this work, we assessed the response of Holm oak (Quercusilex subsp. ballota) and mastic shrub (Pistacia lentiscus) seedlings to high concentrations of Cd and Tl in the rhizosphere. These are non-essential trace elements, with a potential high mobility in the soil-plant system. Seedlings of these species are frequently used in the afforestation of degraded soils in mining areas. Plants were exposed to different levels of Cd (20, 80 and 200 mg L(-1)) and Tl (2, 10 and 20 mg L(-1)) in a sand culture. Biomass allocation, growth rates, chlorophyll fluorescence and gas exchange were studied. Both metals affected root biomass. Cadmium produced an increase in the root mass ratio and a decrease in the specific leaf area of the plants in oak seedlings, while Tl did not provoke such response. Mastic plants were more sensitive to Tl and Cd than oak plants. Between elements, Tl provoked more severe toxic effects in the plants, affecting the antennae complexes and reaction centers of the photosystem II. Both elements decreased net assimilation rates (down to a 20% of the control plants) and stomatal conductance (5-10% of the values for the control plants). Cadmium was highly retained in the roots of both species, while Tl was highly translocated into the leaves. In general, Holm oak showed a higher tolerance for Cd than for Tl, and a higher resistance to both metals than mastic shrub, due to a high capacity for Cd retention at the root level. However, such accumulation in roots may induce water stress in the seedling exposed to Cd.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 21281955
Keywords: Cadmium Thallium Woody plants Phytostabilization C

Response to drought of Zn-stressed Quercus suber L. seedlings - Disante, Karen B; Fuentes, David; Cortina, Jordi (Environmental and Experimental Botany, 2011)
Zinc is an essential nutrient for higher plants but it becomes toxic as its availability increases. In nature, different stress factors commonly occur concurrently, challenging our ability to predict their impacts. Information on zinc (Zn) effect on plant ability to withstand other sources of stress is scarce. This study examines the effect of zinc supply rate on the response of Quercus suber L. seedlings to water stress. Seedlings were treated with four levels of zinc from 3 to 150 M, and then exposed to a short severe drought. Zinc concentration in leaves and roots increased with zinc availability. Maximum photosynthetic rate, photochemical efﬁciency, root length and speciﬁc root length decreased as Zn availability increased. The decrease was particularly intense between 50 and 150 M Zn. The relative effects of drought were less intense in seedlings receiving higher doses of Zn than in those receiving 3 M. Thus, at severe drought, relative water content of detached leaves decreased to 52% in seedlings receiving the lowest level of Zn. In contrast, relative water content remained above 70% in seedlings exposed to high concentrations of this metal. The pattern was similar for photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance, as the decrease in these variables resulting from severe drought was 100% and 90% in seedlings receiving 3 M and 65% and 56% in seedlings receiving the highest Zn dose. Our results suggest that morpho-physiological responses to zinc may foster water conservation strategies and alleviate the effects of drought in the short term, but they may impair seedling ability to root and grow in a longer term
Keywords: growth response; Heavy metal; Relative water content; water use efﬁciency

Responses of evergreen and deciduous Quercus species to enhanced ozone levels. - Calatayud, Vicent; Cerveró, Júlia; Calvo, Esperanza; García-Breijo, Francisco-José; Reig-Armiñana, José; Sanz, María José (Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2011)
Plants of one evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) and three deciduous oaks (Q. faginea, with small leaves; Q. pyrenaica and Q. robur, with large leaves) were exposed both to filtered air and to enhanced ozone levels in Open-Top Chambers. Q. faginea and Q. pyrenaica were studied for the first time. Based on visible injury, gas exchange, chlorophyll content and biomass responses, Q. pyrenaica was the most sensitive species, and Q. ilex was the most tolerant, followed by Q. faginea. Functional leaf traits of the species were related to differences in sensitivity, while accumulated ozone flux via stomata (POD1.6) partly contributed to the observed differences. For risk assessment of Mediterranean vegetation, the diversity of responses detected in this study should be taken into account, applying appropriate critical levels.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd accession-num: 20974507
Keywords: Anatomy; Critical levels; Functional leaf traits; Ozone; photosynthesis; Stomatal conductance

The role of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) in the decline affecting oak agroforestry ecosystems - SERRANO, M S; FERNÁNDEZ-REBOLLO, P; DE VITA, P; CARBONERO, M D; SÁNCHEZ, M E (Forest Pathology, 2011)
Phytophthora cinnamomi is a soilborne pathogen causing root rot in Mediterranean Quercus species growing in dehesa rangeland ecosystems. Recently, it has been reported causing wilting and death of Lupinus luteus (yellow lupin), a spontaneous plant in southern Spain rangelands, but also frequently sowed for livestock grazing. In soils artiﬁcially infested with P. cinnamomi chlamydospores and planted with diﬀerent cultivars of yellow lupin, a signiﬁcant increase in the density of propagules was detected in comparison with the initial levels of inoculum and with the infested but not planted soil (control). In oak-rangelands in which yellow lupine was planted, isolation and counting of colonies of P. cinnamomi from soil samples have shown the ability of this plant to maintain or even increase the inoculum density and thus facilitate the infection of trees. Results suggested that cultivation of yellow lupin in oak-rangeland ecosystems should be avoided whether oak trees are aﬀected by root disease caused by P. cinnamomi or not. This leguminous plant can act as an inoculum reservoir or even enhance inoculum soil levels available for oak root infections, exacerbating the oak decline severity in the region.
Keywords: inoculum density (voyant); Lupinus luteus; Oak decline; phytophthora cinnamomi; root disease

Scaling-up leaf monoterpene emissions from a water limited Quercus ilex woodland - a. V. Lavoir; Duffet, C.; Mouillot, F.; Rambal, S.; Ratte, J. P.; Schnitzler, J. P.; Staudt, M. (Atmospheric Environment, 2011)
Mediterranean ecosystems are large emitters of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC), and recent studies illustrate how water stress can decrease these emissions even during hot summer. We present here a spatially explicit modelling experiment of BVOC emissions in a water-limited Mediterranean Region in Southern France dominated by Quercus ilex forests. Emission rates were estimated daily using a leaf-level emission model with appropriate up-scaling procedures. The model was based on Guenther’s empirical equations, where we inserted effects for water limitation and seasonality observed from ﬁeld measurements. Up-scaling from leaves to canopy was performed using Sellers’ theory. For each grid cell, climate variables were interpolated daily from meteorological stations. Incoming solar radiation was measured at one site and extrapolated for the all region based on slope and aspect. Soil properties were derived from pedological maps as well as a digital elevation model, while soil water content was evaluated daily using a bucket-type model. We estimated monoterpene emissions from Q. ilex woodlands to be 16 kt yr 1 (on average), with most emissions occurring in the summer. When including the water-limitation module, yearly emissions were 50% of the initial estimates, with a signiﬁcant decrease in the number of days with BVOC high emission peaks. This result highlights the importance of water control on determining air pollution peaks in Mediterranean areas and the need for scaling procedure in this area with its large range of strong emitter species.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Biogenic emissions; Drought; Mediterranean ecosystems; Monoterpene; Volatile organic compounds (BVOC); Water limitation

Scavenging in Mediterranean ecosystems: effect of the invasive Argentine ant - Angulo, Elena; Caut, Stéphane; Cerdá, Xim (Biological Invasions, 2011)
Above-ground invertebrates may represent a high proportion of animal biomass, but few data are available on their fate after death. In Mediterranean ant communities, they are frequently scavenged by ants. Here, we assessed the consequences of Argentine ant invasion on the removal of arthropod corpses in Don˜ana National Park (SW Spain). In three natural habitats that differed in their degree of vegetation cover (i.e. protection for ants against high temperatures), we experimentally provided dead Drosophila, and observed their disappearance over a 60-min period at different times of day and year. The habitats used were isolated cork oak trees, pine tree forest and dry scrubland; we compared invaded with uninvaded plots in each. Oak trees were the most invaded habitat, while scrubland was the least and the only one where the Argentine ant coexisted with native ant species. In accordance with this degree of invasion, the Argentine ant removed the highest percentage of dead ﬂies in oak trees and the lowest in scrubland. Its performance as scavenger was higher than uninvaded ant communities, but it was reduced at high temperatures, when native species were highly efﬁcient. The saturated distribution of the Argentine ant colony seems to be the key to its efﬁciency. We discuss how the occurrence and scavenger efﬁciency of the Argentine ant could affect the nutrient cycling and the progression of its invasion.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Springer Netherlands
Keywords: á; Ant communities; Arthropod corpses; Doñana; Linepithema humile; linepithema humile á don; Temperature; temperature á ant communities

Selection of nest sites by wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus in a Mediterranean agro-forest landscape - ROSALINO, LUIS M; Ferreira, Dulce; Leitão, Inês; Santos-Reis, Margarida (Ecological Research, 2011)
One of the most important structures for an individual’s survival is a refuge, especially for species subject to signiﬁcant predatory pressure or living in environments aﬀected by severe climatic conditions. We studied how wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), inhabiting a Mediterranean environment, use nests and the factors that could be determining this use. Radiotracking of 16 mice allowed us to detect 24 diurnal nests, which were used with a high ﬁdelity rate (1.75 nests/ animal). Nest sites that had been identiﬁed using radiotracking were matched with 24 randomly selected nonnest sites (located within an area deﬁned by the sum of all individual home ranges), and all sites were characterized according to their macro- and micro-habitat parameters. Using a generalized linear model, we tested three hypotheses: (1) a nest’s use is inﬂuenced by its proximity to food patches; (2) the degree of sheltering provided by each site inﬂuences its use; and (3) nest use is constrained by a combination of food- and shelterrelated features. Females had higher nest ﬁdelity than males, and the degree of sheltering provided by each site had a positive signiﬁcant inﬂuence on its use. Nests oﬀering higher protection (e.g., under thick vegetation), good drainage (e.g., sleep slopes), and lower human and predatory disturbance (far from orchards) were most often used. The proximity to food patches seemed to negatively inﬂuence nest use. Results indicate the need to preserve patches of natural dense vegetation near riparian habitats, which is in agreement with the focus of mammalian protection plans in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes. These patches are important areas for Apodemus sylvaticus, an acorn disperser species, which is preyed on by raptors and mammalian carnivores.
Keywords: Apodemus sylvaticus; Cork Oak Forest; Forest rodents; Management implications; Shelter

Is selective thinning an adequate practice for adapting Quercus ilex coppices to climate change? - Rodriguez-Calcerrada, Jesus; Pérez-Ramos, Ignacio M.; OURCIVAL, JEAN-MARC; Limousin, Jean-Marc; Joffre, Richard; Rambal, Serge (Annals of Forest Science, 2011)
& Introduction Future climatic scenarios demand an increasing involvement of management for forest preservation, but little is known on how forestry practices will benefit stands in facing variation of climatic components. & Objectives We investigated how selective thinning affected the response of an old Quercus ilex coppice to 6 years of throughfall reduction. Plots thinned from below (≈30% basal area removal) and unthinned plots were subject to either throughfall exclusion (TE; ≈33% throughfall reduction) or normal rainfall. Stem diameter growth, stem survival, and seed and sprout production were measured. & Results TE did not have a significant effect on stem growth but it reduced the production of viable acorns. Also, in the absence of thinning, TE accelerated the mortality of small stems and stimulated the emergence of new sprouts. Thinning reduced stem mortality, enhanced growth of residual stems, and caused a profuse emission of resprouts. Thinning also increased total seed production, but the crop had a large proportion of aborted seeds, especially in those areas subject to TE. & Conclusion The mere elimination of suppressed and diseased stems in abandoned Q. ilex coppice stands helps remaining trees to cope with current and future (probably longer and more intense) droughts. Potentially drier conditions might attenuate the success of thinning in producing a viable seed crop.
Keywords: Drought; forest adaptation strategy; seed production; sprouting; stem growth

Shrub encroachment in Mediterranean silvopastoral systems: Retama sphaerocarpa and Cistus ladanifer induce contrasting effects on pasture and Quercus ilex production - Rivest, David; Rolo, Víctor; López-Díaz, Lurdes; Moreno, Gerardo (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2011)
Silvopastoral systems are threatened worldwide by progressive loss of either tree cover or herbaceous cover due to lack of tree regeneration and shrub encroachment, respectively. Grazed Mediterranean open woodlands, as Iberian dehesa, are an outstanding example of silvopastoral system where shrub encroachment has been proposed as an effective means to facilitate tree seedling recruitment and ensure the system persistence. Shrubs also may interact with pasture understorey and tree overstorey, thereby affecting the overall system productivity. We tested the effects of shrub encroachment on pasture yield, tree growth and acorn production in years of contrasting rainfall in Quercus ilex L. dehesas of centralwestern Spain.We compared the effects oftwo prominentMediterranean shrub species that differ in their ecological strategies: a N2-ﬁxing and sparse deep-rooting shrub (Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss), and a dense shallow-rooting shrub (Cistus ladanifer L). In intermediate and dry years, pasture yield beneath tree canopy was lower by 21–35% than in open grassland. Pasture yield beneath tree canopy was not signiﬁcantly affected during the wet year. C. ladanifer encroachment signiﬁcantly reduced pasture yield by 68–98%, tree growth by 17–29%, and acorn yield by 6–44%. In contrast, R. sphaerocarpa signiﬁcantly increased pasture yield by 11–157% and tree growth by 6–13%, but had a neutral effect on acorn yield. Our results suggest that pasture is more sensitive to shrub encroachment and annual rainfall variation than is Q. ilex. The importance of C. ladanifer competition and R. sphaerocarpa facilitation on pasture yield increased in the driest year. We conclude that the sign and intensity of shrub encroachment effects on pasture and tree production in Mediterranean dehesas are species-speciﬁc and depend on temporal variation as a function of climate.
Keywords: acorn; Agroforestry; competition; Dehesa; Facilitation; Overstorey–understorey interactions

Simple, rapid and reliable methods to obtain high quality RNA and genomic DNA from Quercus ilex L. leaves suitable for molecular biology studies - Echevarría-Zomeño, Sira; Abril, Nieves; Ruiz-Laguna, Julia; Jorrín-novo, Jesús; Maldonado-Alconada, Ana M. (Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2011)
Isolation of high-quality RNA and genomic DNA (gDNA) from many samples is a necessary step before accomplishing molecular biology studies. The particular composition of Quercus ilex leaves, specially hard and rich in cell wall material, polyphenolics and secondary metabolites, usually results in preparations contaminated with non-nucleic acid compounds. Although many methods have been developed, each case of study demands a protocol adapted to the speciﬁc plant sample and the pursued research objectives. We have evaluated several protocols to establish the methodology that best suited to our current genetic and molecular studies on Q. ilex. Our priority was to select the simplest methods reducing the plant starting material and the time employed, without compromising yield, quality and integrity of the isolated nucleic acids. Our results point to two protocols based on silicamembrane puriﬁcation, as the most convenient for Q. ilex leaf tissue, and both procedures are greatly improved by adding insoluble polyvinyl polypyrrolidone during the isolation process. The protocols optimized here can be completed at the microfuge scale and allow a researcher to process 48 samples in 1 h, producing high quality preparations suitable for the routinely molecular biology applications with higher efﬁciency than other more labour and time-consuming protocols
Keywords: á high-quality rna; dna and rna; dna and rna extraction; extraction á genomic dna; genomic dna; high-quality rna; Quercus ilex leaves; quercus ilex leaves á

A Simple Technique to Estimate the Flammability Index of Moroccan Forest Fuels - Hachmi, M'Hamed; Sesbou, Abdessadek; Benjelloun, Hassan; El Handouz, Nesrine; Bouanane, Fadoua (Journal of Combustion, 2011)
A formula to estimate forest fuel flammability index (FI) is proposed, integrating three species flammability parameters: time to ignition, time of combustion, and flame height. Thirty-one (31)Moroccan tree and shrub species were tested within a wide range of fuel moisture contents. Six species flammability classes were identified. An ANOVA of the FI-values was performed and analyzed using four different sample sizes of 12, 24, 36, and 50 flammability tests. Fuel humidity content is inversely correlated to the FI-value, and the linear model appears to be the most adequate equation that may predict the hypothetical threshold-point of humidity of extinction. Most of the Moroccan forest fuels studied are classified as moderately flammable to flammable species based on their average humidity content, calculated for the summer period from July to September.
Keywords: flammability; forest species; Moisture content; Morocco (voyant)

Social amoebae: environmental factors influencing their distribution and diversity across south-western Europe. - Romeralo, María; Moya-Laraño, Jordi; Lado, Carlos (Microbial ecology, 2011)
The social amoebae (dictyostelids) are the only truly multicellular lineage within the superkingdom Amoebozoa, the sister group to Ophistokonts (Metazoa+Fungi). Despite the exceptional phylogenetic and evolutionary value of this taxon, the environmental factors that determine their distribution and diversity are largely unknown. We have applied statistical modeling to a set of data obtained from an extensive and detailed survey in the south-western of Europe (The Iberian Peninsula including Spain and Portugal) in order to estimate some of the main environmental factors influencing the distribution and diversity of dictyostelid in temperate climates. It is the first time that this methodology is applied to the study of this unique group of soil microorganisms. Our results show that a combination of climatic (temperature, water availability), physical (pH) and vegetation (species richness) factors favor dictyostelid species richness. In the Iberian Peninsula, dictyostelid diversity is highest in colder and wet environments, indicating that this group has likely diversified in relatively cold places with high levels of water availability.
Keywords: Biodiversity; Biological; Dictyosteliida; Dictyosteliida: classification; Dictyosteliida: genetics; Dictyosteliida: isolation & purification; Dictyosteliida: physiology; Ecosystem; Models; Portugal; Soil; Soil: parasitology; SPAIN (citation)

Soil microbial community structure and activity in monospecific and mixed forest stands, under Mediterranean humid conditions - Lucas-Borja, M. E.; Candel, D.; Jindo, K.; Moreno, J. L.; Andrés, M.; Bastida, F. (Plant and Soil, 2011)
Aims We investigated the link between tree community composition and soil microbial community biomass and structure in central-eastern Spain. Methods The effects of the forest stand composition on the soil organic matter dynamics and on the structure and activity of the soil microbial community have been determined using phospholipid fatty acid profiles and soil enzymatic activities. Results The soil and litter N and C contents were higher in Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Quercus ilex mixed forest stands (SBHO) and in long-term unmanaged Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPC) than in pure Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPA) and Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Juniperus thurifera mixed forest stands (SBSJ). The bacterial biomass was significantly higher in SBSJ and SBPA than in SBPC and SBHO. The results show an uncoupling of the soil microbial biomass and its activity. pH is related to microbial biomass and its community structure under a Mediterranean humid climate. Conclusions The tree species seem to affect the biomass of the soil microbial community and its structure. The pH, but not the C/N ratio, is a factor influencing the microbial dynamics, biomass, and community structure.
Keywords: Microbial biomass; phospholipid fatty acids; Soil; Soil enzymes; Soil organic matter; spanish black pine

Soil organic matter quality and microbial catabolic functions along a gradient of wildfire history in a Mediterranean ecosystem - Guénon, René; Vennetier, Michel; Dupuy, Nathalie; Ziarelli, Fabio; Gros, Raphaël (Applied Soil Ecology, 2011)
The principal aim of this research was to determine the inﬂuence of an increasing wildﬁre history on the recovery at short and long term of soil organic matter (SOM) composition and microbial properties. The contemporary wildﬁre events (since 1950) were recorded for 27 plots located on the siliceous part of the French Mediterranean region (Maures mountain ranges). A wildﬁre history index was built, tested and calculated in order to display numerical values representative of the different wildﬁre history parameters (i.e. number of ﬁres, time since ﬁre and mean ﬁre interval). Microbial basal respiration and biomass were analysed as well as intensity of the use of 31 C-substrates, catabolic diversity and C-substrates utilisation proﬁles. Furthermore, a qualitative characterisation of the SOM was carried out by solid state 13 C NMR. Potential drivers of the microbial recovery were identiﬁed by studying the relationships between microbial activities and chemical functions of SOM. Our results showed that ﬁre histories resulting in considerable losses or alterations of SOM, such as recent or close ﬁres, decreased the microbial catabolic evenness. This could be attributed to a preferential utilisation of N-containing compounds and complex substrates such as aromatic and polymers reﬂecting a greater N microbial demand and a selection of speciﬁc catabolic functions. Moreover, a large number of ﬁres (4 ﬁres in 57 years compared to 1–2) resulted in lasting degradation of the relative intensity of methyl C function in polymethylene, O-Alkyl C, aromatic C and phenolic C functions inducing a slow-down in recovery of microbial properties. These results also conﬁrm our hypothesis that some chemical functions of SOM can be in equilibrium with wildﬁre history. Finally, this research demonstrates that FT-NIR analysis can be used as a valuable tool to assess both the wildﬁre history and the vulnerability of soil quality to shifts in historical ﬁre regimes
Keywords: 13C NMR; Biolog; Catabolic evenness; Fire recurrence; FT-NIR spectroscopy; Recovery

Soil water repellency in rangelands of Extremadura (Spain) and its relationship with land management - Schnabel, S; Pulido-Fernández, M; Lavado-Contador, J F (Catena, 2011)
Soil water repellency reduces inﬁltration capacity, enhancing overland ﬂow and even runoff production, and may produce patchiness in water inﬁltration at the hillslope scale. Knowledge about hydrophobicity in rangelands of Mediterranean type climate and its relation with vegetation cover and land management is sparse. The objectives of the present work are to determine the degree and spatial occurrence of soil water repellency and to deﬁne its relationship with site characteristics, such as soil, vegetation and land management in rangelands of SW Spain. Field work was conducted in September 2009 in 22 environmental units belonging to 10 farms, distributed throughout the region of Extremadura. The Molarity of an Ethanol Droplet (MED) method was used for measuring water repellency of the soil surface. A total of 725 points were sampled and the study was combined with a detailed vegetation survey, the determination of soil properties and of land use and management characteristics. More than 70% of the measurement points were hydrophilic, however differences between farm units were found. The highest values of hydrophobicity were observed on soil surfaces below the canopy of holm oaks, as compared to the low values found below shrub canopies (Retama sphaerocarpa) and in open areas. With respect to ground cover, water repellency was highest at sites covered by holm oak litter. At soil surfaces covered by cork oak litter, dry grass and mosses the degree of repellency was lower. Almost all sites with a bare soil surface were hydrophilic, independent of whether these were located below a tree canopy or in open areas. A signiﬁcant positive relationship between livestock density and the degree of bare soil existed, and consequently, areas with high animal numbers were dominantly hydrophilic. No signiﬁcant relationships were encountered between the degree of soil water repellency and soil properties.
Keywords: Mediterranean type climate; Rangelands; Soil surface cover; water repellency

Some propagation methods for cloning holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) plants - Liñán, Juana; Cantos, Manuel; Troncoso, Javier; García, José L.; Fernández, Antonio; Troncoso, Antonio (Central European Journal of Biology, 2011)
Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), a typical evergreen tree of the Mediterranean area, is very important due to its ecological and economical values. Propagation of this species is extremely difficult and traditionally carried out only by seed germination. In this work, mature acorns were germinated in vitro and in peat substrate in aseptic and non-aseptic conditions. Explants from the seedlings obtained were propagated in vitro in WPM plus 4 µM BA. Plant regeneration was achieved from hypocotyls and root segments cultured in vitro on modified Gamborg medium plus 20 µM BA and 20 µM NAA. 13.8% of the hypocotyls and approximately 30% of the root segments developed both shoots and roots after 30 days of culture. Rooting of stem segments was obtained both in vitro and ex vitro by basal dipping in IBA solutions. Within ex vitro rooting, mother plant age had major influence on the percentage of rooting of the cuttings as the younger plants showed higher ability to root. In this way, Q. ilex plants could be propagated and cloned. The procedure described here would be a very useful tool for breeding programs since vegetative propagation of selected individuals can be achieved.
Keywords: Holm oak; in vitro; plant regeneration; Quercus ilex; rooting; seed germination

Some propagation methods for cloning holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) plants - Liñán, Juana; Cantos, Manuel; Troncoso, Javier; García, José L; Fernández, Antonio; Troncoso, Antonio (Central European Journal of Biology, 2011)
Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), a typical evergreen tree of the Mediterranean area, is very important due to its ecological and economical values. Propagation of this species is extremely difficult and traditionally carried out only by seed germination. In this work, mature acorns were germinated in vitro and in peat substrate in aseptic and non-aseptic conditions. Explants from the seedlings obtained were propagated in vitro in WPM plus 4 µM BA. Plant regeneration was achieved from hypocotyls and root segments cultured in vitro on modified Gamborg medium plus 20 µM BA and 20 µM NAA. 13.8% of the hypocotyls and approximately 30% of the root segments developed both shoots and roots after 30 days of culture. Rooting of stem segments was obtained both in vitro and ex vitro by basal dipping in IBA solutions. Within ex vitro rooting, mother plant age had major influence on the percentage of rooting of the cuttings as the younger plants showed higher ability to root. In this way, Q. ilex plants could be propagated and cloned. The procedure described here would be a very useful tool for breeding programs since vegetative propagation of selected individuals can be achieved.
Keywords: Holm oak; in vitro; plant regeneration; Quercus ilex; rooting; seed germination

Spatial distribution of Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) in an exploited holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) forest. - Jimenez-Pino, A. (Spanish Journal of …, 2011)
Cydia fagiglandana (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a carpophagous insect which affects the quality and viability of the fruits of beech, oak and chestnut trees. The majority of the works on this species in holm oak woods dealt with assessing its damages. No investigations have yet been performed on the spatial distribution of this pest, although this element is one of the key features to take in account in order to develop proper integrated management programs. The present study, performed during a four years period in an exploited holm oak forest area in Southern Spain, investigated the spatial distribution of C. fagiglandana integrating classic methods based on dispersion rates and distribution fitting together with the elaboration of population density maps based on GIS. Our results showed that the infestation rate progressively decreased from 0.339 in 2001 to 0.102 in 2004. Density maps for C. fagiglandana also show an heterogeneous and aggregated distribution of this insect and a spatio-temporal stability in this area. It is concluded that during the four years of the study inter-specific competition with the weevil Curculio elephas was the factor that most affected the spatial distribution of C. fagiglandana in the experimental plot.
Keywords: carpophagous pests; dispersion rates; population density maps; Tortricidae

Species-specific, seasonal, inter-annual, and historically-accumulated changes in foliar terpene emission rates in Phillyrea latifolia and Quercus ilex submitted to rain exclusion in the Prades Mountains (Catalonia) - Llusia, J; Penuelas, J; Alessio, G a.; Ogaya, R (Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 2011)
Mediterranean vegetation emits large amounts of terpenes. We aimed to study the effects of the decreases in soil water availability forecast for the next decades by global circulation models and ecophysio logical models on the terpene emissions by two widely distributed Mediterranean woody species, Phillyrea latifolia L. and Quercus ilex L. We subjected holm oak forest plots to an experimental soil drought of ca. 20% decrease in soil moisture by partial rainfall exclusion and runoff exclusion. We measured the emission rates throughout the seasons for two years with contrasting precipitation and soil moisture (16.6% average in 2003 vs. 6.4% as average in 2005). Among the detected volatile terpenes, only αpinene and limonene were present in detectable quantities in all of the studied periods. Total terpene emitted ranged from practically zero (spring 2003) to 3.6 and 58.3 μg/(g dry wt h) (winter 2005 and summer 2003 for P. latifolia and Q. ilex, respec tively). A clear seasonality was found in the emission rates (they were the highest in summer in both species) and also in the qualitative composition of the emission mix. Maximum emissions of αpinene occurred in spring and maximum emissions of limonene in winter. Neither the interannual differences in water availabil ity nor the rain exclusion treatment significantly affected the emissions in P. latifolia, but Q. ilex showed by 17% lower emissions during the drier second year of study, 2005, but more than two and threefold increases with the drought treatment in summer 2003 and in summer 2005, respectively, showing historical accumu lated effects. These results, which show increased monoterpene emission under the moderate drought pro duced by the treatment and decreased emission under the severe second year drought, and a much higher sen sitivity to drought in Q. ilex than in P. latifolia, are useful in understanding the behavior of plant volatiles under Mediterranean conditions and in modeling future emission under changing climate conditions. They show that the usage of current models could lead to under and overestimations of the emission under summer dry conditions, because most current algorithms are based on light and temperature only.
Keywords: isoprenoid emission; Monoterpenes; phillyrea latifolia; Quercus ilex; water stress

Species-specific, seasonal, inter-annual, and historically-accumulated changes in foliar terpene emission rates in Phillyrea latifolia and Quercus ilex submitted to rain exclusion in the Prades Mountains (Catalonia) - Llusia, J.; Penuelas, J.; Alessio, G. a; Ogaya, R. (Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 2011)
Mediterranean vegetation emits large amounts of terpenes. We aimed to study the effects of the decreases in soil water availability forecast for the next decades by global circulation models and ecophysio logical models on the terpene emissions by two widely distributed Mediterranean woody species, Phillyrea latifolia L. and Quercus ilex L. We subjected holm oak forest plots to an experimental soil drought of ca. 20% decrease in soil moisture by partial rainfall exclusion and runoff exclusion. We measured the emission rates throughout the seasons for two years with contrasting precipitation and soil moisture (16.6% average in 2003 vs. 6.4% as average in 2005). Among the detected volatile terpenes, only αpinene and limonene were present in detectable quantities in all of the studied periods. Total terpene emitted ranged from practically zero (spring 2003) to 3.6 and 58.3 μg/(g dry wt h) (winter 2005 and summer 2003 for P. latifolia and Q. ilex, respec tively). A clear seasonality was found in the emission rates (they were the highest in summer in both species) and also in the qualitative composition of the emission mix. Maximum emissions of αpinene occurred in spring and maximum emissions of limonene in winter. Neither the interannual differences in water availabil ity nor the rain exclusion treatment significantly affected the emissions in P. latifolia, but Q. ilex showed by 17% lower emissions during the drier second year of study, 2005, but more than two and threefold increases with the drought treatment in summer 2003 and in summer 2005, respectively, showing historical accumu lated effects. These results, which show increased monoterpene emission under the moderate drought pro duced by the treatment and decreased emission under the severe second year drought, and a much higher sen sitivity to drought in Q. ilex than in P. latifolia, are useful in understanding the behavior of plant volatiles under Mediterranean conditions and in modeling future emission under changing climate conditions. They show that the usage of current models could lead to under and overestimations of the emission under summer dry conditions, because most current algorithms are based on light and temperature only.
Keywords: isoprenoid emission; Monoterpenes; phillyrea latifolia; Quercus ilex; water stress

Sphaeropsidones, Phytotoxic Dimedone Methyl Ethers Produced by Diplodia cupressi: A Structure−Activity Relationship Study - Evidente, Antonio; Maddau, Lucia; Scanu, Bruno; Andolfi, Anna; Masi, Marco; Motta, Andrea; Tuzi, Angela (Journal of Natural Products, 2011)
Sphaeropsidone and episphaeropsidone are two phytotoxic dimedone methyl ethers produced by Diplodia cupressi, the causal agent of a canker disease of cypress in the Mediterranean area. In this study, eight derivatives obtained by chemical modifications and two natural analogues were assayed for phytotoxic and antifungal activities, and a structure?activity relationship was examined. Each compound was tested on nonhost plants and on five fungal pathogenic species belonging to the genus Phytophthora. The results provide insights into structure?activity relationships within these compounds. It was found that the hydroxy group at C-5, the absolute C-5 configuration, the epoxy group, and the C-2 carbonyl group appear to be structural features important in conferring biological activity. The conversion of sphaeropsidone into the corresponding 1,4-dione derivative led to a compound showing greater antifungal activity than its precursor. This finding could be useful in devising new natural fungicides for practical application in agriculture.
doi: 10.1021/np100837rdoi: 10.1021/np100837rThe following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: American Chemical Society
Keywords: antifungal activity (voyant); Diplodia cupressi; Phytotoxicity; Sphaeropsidones

Studies of variability in Holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.) through acorn protein profile analysis. - Valero Galván, José; Valledor, Luis; Navarro Cerrillo, Rafael M; Gil Pelegrín, Eustaquio; Jorrín-Novo, Jesús V (Journal of proteomics, 2011)
Studies of variability in Holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota [Desf.] Samp.), the dominant tree species in the typical Mediterranean forest, have been carried out by using electrophoresis-based proteomic analysis of acorns. Ten populations distributed throughout the Andalusia region have been surveyed. Acorns were sampled from individual trees and proteins extracted from seed flour by using the TCA-acetone precipitation protocol. Extracts were subjected to SDS-PAGE and 2-DE for protein separation, gel images captured, spot or bands quantified, and subjected to statistical analysis (ANOVA, SOM and clustering). Variable bands or spots among populations were subjected to MALDI-TOF/TOF and LC-MS/MS for identification. The protein yield of the used protocol varied among populations, and it was in the 2.92-5.92 mg/g dry weight range. A total of 23 bands were resolved by SDS-PAGE in the 3-35 kDa Mr range, with 8 and 12, out of the total, showing respectively qualitative and quantitative statistically significant differences among populations. Data allowed grouping populations, with groups being correlated according to geographical location and climate conditions, to northern and southern, as well as the discrimination of both mesic and xeric groups. Acorn flour extracts from the most distant populations were analyzed by 2-DE, and 56 differential spots were proposed as markers of variability. Identified proteins were classified into two principal categories; storage and stress/defense protein. Besides providing the first reference map of mature acorn seeds, the use of SDS-PAGE and proteomics in characterizing natural biodiversity in forest trees will be discussed.
Keywords: Acorn proteomics; Chromatography; Electrophoresis; Gene Expression Profiling; Holm oak variability; Liquid; Mass; Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorpti; Plant Proteins; Plant Proteins: metabolism; Polyacrylamide Gel; Quercus; Quercus ilex proteomics; Quercus: genetics; Quercus: metabolism; Seeds; Seeds: chemistry; Spectrometry; Tandem mass spectrometry

Successional trends in standing dead biomass in Mediterranean basin species - Baeza, M. J.; Santana, V. M.; Pausas, J. G.; Vallejo, V. R. (Journal of Vegetation Science, 2011)
Question: Landscape models of fire occurrence in ecosystems assume that the time since the last fire determines vegetation flammability by enabling the accumulation of dead biomass. In this study we ask if Mediterranean basin shrublands respond to these models or, on the contrary, if initial successional stages in these ecosystems could be more flammable than later stages. Location: Mediterranean shrubland in the Valencia region, eastern Spain. Methods: Using different stages of vegetation development (5, 9, 14 and 26 years since the last fire), we first study the structural comiosition of the above-ground biomass in 375 individuals of nine woody species. Then, we measure how the standing dead biomass varies during succession, taking into account the surface cover of each species and the quantity of total dead biomass accumulated in different successional stages (3, 9, 14 and 26 years since the last fire). Results: The largest amount of standing dead biomass at the plant community level is observed in the middle stages of the succession. Early successional species, such as Cistus spp., Ulex parviflorus and Pinus halepensis, have a higher percentage of standing dead biomass at earlier stages in the succession than species typical of later successional stages, e.g. Juniperus oxycedrus, Quercus coccifera and Quercus ilex. Conclusions: The results suggest that monotonic increase in fire hazard with increasing stand age is not necessarily the rule in Mediterranean basin shrublands, since early successional species may accumulate large amounts of standing dead biomass and thus promote fire at early successional stages.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Early and late species; flammability; Retaining dead fuel; Species replacement; Successional stages; woody species

Temperature stress effects in Quercus suber leaf metabolism. - Chaves, Inês; Passarinho, José António P; Capitão, Cláudio; Chaves, Maria Manuela; Fevereiro, Pedro; Ricardo, Cândido P P (Journal of plant physiology, 2011)
Based on projections that climate changes are will intensify in the near future, it is important to understand how plants respond to climate. Consequently, we have been studying the effect of contrasting temperatures on leaf metabolism of Quercus suber, an important Mediterranean oak. Potted plants were grown under controlled conditions for 53 days at 28°C or 10°C. The accumulation of major soluble metabolites was analyzed by NMR. The relative levels of transcripts of genes encoding key enzymes of the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathway (CS, PAL, CAD and ChS) were examined by means of quantitative, real-time RT-PCR. At 10°C, in the pre-existing leaves, the concentrations of sucrose, quercitol and catechin were higher, as were PAL and ChS transcripts. At 28°C, however, it was the concentration of quinic acid that was higher, as were the concentrations of CS and CAD transcripts. We conclude that contrasting temperatures greatly influence Q. suber metabolism and that a deeper analysis of the effects of more extreme temperatures is needed to understand the possible effects of temperature changes on Q. suber metabolism and physiology.
Keywords: Abiotic stress response; Cork oak; Phenol metabolism; Secondary metabolism

Tree-cavity occurrence, cavity occupation and reproductive performance of secondary cavity-nesting birds in oak forests: The role of traditional management practices - Robles, Hugo; Ciudad, Carlos; Matthysen, Erik (Forest Ecology and Management, 2011)
Secondary cavity-nesting birds (SCN), which cannot create their own breeding cavities, are expected to be inﬂuenced by habitat alteration caused by forest management practices, but the mechanisms underlying the distribution pattern of SCN subjected to different management systems are poorly known. To improve our knowledge on these mechanisms, we examine cavity abundance, cavity occupation and reproductive performance of SCN in Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) forests subjected to two management systems: (i) dense “young forests”, maintained at such stage by clear-cuttings and burns, and (ii) “old forest”, subjected to extensive traditional grazing and scarce ﬁrewood extraction by selective cutting. Young forests had considerably lower density of cavities (1.29 ± 0.71 vs 15.09 ± 2.00 cavities ha−1 ), SCN species (0.18 ± 0.11 vs 0.61 ± 0.07 species ha−1 ) and nests (0.40 ± 0.27 vs 2.67 ± 0.25 nests of all SCN ha−1 ) than old forests, indicating that a low availability of cavities may limit SCN assemblages in young oak forests. However, reproductive parameters of great (Parus major) and blue (Cyanistes caeruleus) tits associated with the availability of food (laying date, clutch size, nestling number and weight, adult weight) did not differ between both forest types, suggesting that food supply was not reduced in young forests, at least for tits during the breeding season. Large diameter (up to 170 cm dbh) decayed trees were the most likely to hold cavities, but birds preferred smaller living cavity-trees for nesting (90% of nests in 21–65 cm dbh trees). The preservation of cavity-trees within traditionally managed old oak forests is crucial in providing nesting opportunities to SCN. Besides, the protection of these traditionally managed forests would also beneﬁt to other forest organisms that depend on old and open oak forests.
Keywords: Cavity occupation; cavity-nesting birds; Dehesa; Quercus pyrenaica; Reproductive performance; Traditional management

Tree-rings reflect the impact of climate change on Quercus ilex L. along a temperature gradient in Spain over the last 100years - Gea-Izquierdo, G.; Cherubini, P.; Cañellas, I. (Forest Ecology and Management, 2011)
We analyzed tree rings over the past 100 years to understand the response of Quercus ilex L. to climate change at four different sites along a temperature gradient in a highly anthropogenically transformed ecosystem. To test the hypothesis of a climate change related decrease in productivity at warmer sites, we discuss the effect of historical management on the growth of forest stands and the spatio-temporal variability of growth in response to climate, analyzing departures from linearity in that relationship. We reconstructed stand history and investigated past growth trends using tree-rings. Then we used a dendroecological approach to study the regional, local and age-dependent response to climate, analyzing the relationship between precipitation and tree growth using non-linear mixed models. Tree rings reﬂected the origin of the studied landscape, mainly a simpliﬁcation of an original closed forest and progressive canopy opening for agrosilvopastoral purposes after the mid 1800s. As expected, trees were principally responding to water availability, and regional growth (as expressed by the ﬁrst principal component from the matrix of chronologies) was highly responsive to hydrological year precipitation (r = 0.7). In this water limited ecosystem, the response of growth to precipitation was asymptotic and independent of age, but variable in time. Maximum growth was variable at the different sites and the non-linear function of growth saturated (i.e. reached an asymptote) at temperature dependent site speciﬁc precipitation levels within the range considered in the region to lead a shift towards deciduous species dominated woodlands (around 600 mm, variable with mean temperature). Only trees at warmer sites showed symptoms of growth decline, most likely explained by water stress increase in the last decades affecting the highly transformed open (i.e. low competition) tree structure. Stands at colder locations did not show any negative growth trend and may beneﬁt from the current increase in winter temperatures. Coinciding with the decrease in productivity, trees at warmer sites responded more to moisture availability, exhibited a slower response to precipitation and reached maximum growth at higher precipitation levels than trees at colder sites. This suggests that warmer stands are threatened by climate change. The non-linear response of growth to precipitation described is meaningful for different ecological applications and provides new insights in the way trees respond to climate.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: competition; Dendroecology; Drought; Non-linear response; water stress

Tropospheric ozone effects on chemical composition and decomposition rate of Quercus ilex L. leaves. - Baldantoni, Daniela; Fagnano, Massimo; Alfani, Anna (The Science of the total environment, 2011)
We determined the effects of tropospheric ozone on the chemical composition of Quercus ilex L. leaves and their decomposition, with a view to assessing the influence of ozone on nutrient cycling and the sustainability of Mediterranean holm oak forests. Forming one of the most widespread thermophilous vegetation communities in the area, Q. ilex is a dominant and widespread evergreen oak in the Mediterranean, where concentrations of tropospheric ozone are particularly high. The dynamics of carbon, nitrogen, lignin and cellulose concentrations were monitored for six months during the decomposition of leaves from plants subjected to controlled ozone exposure in open-top chambers. Ozone-exposed leaves, compared to unexposed leaves, showed no significant differences in C, N, lignin and cellulose concentrations prior to the incubation in mesocosms. However, during decomposition, leaves from plants exposed to ozone lost C significantly more slowly and showed a higher C/N ratio than unexposed leaves. Ozone exposure significantly slowed down the decomposition rate, indicating a negative effect of tropospheric ozone on nutrient cycling, which may reduce long-term sustainability of the holm oak forest.
Keywords: Air Pollutants; Air Pollutants: chemistry; Air Pollutants: metabolism; Air Pollutants: toxicity; Atmosphere; Atmosphere: chemistry; Carbon; carbon cycle; Carbon: analysis; Carbon: metabolism; Cellulose; Cellulose: analysis; Cellulose: metabolism; Decaying leaf composition; Holm oak leaves; Lignin; Lignin: analysis; Lignin: metabolism; Mediterranean area; nitrogen; nitrogen cycle; Nitrogen: analysis; Nitrogen: metabolism; Ozone; ozone exposure; Ozone: chemistry; Ozone: metabolism; Ozone: toxicity; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: chemistry; Plant Leaves: metabolism; Quercus; Quercus: chemistry; Quercus: metabolism

Two provenances of Quercus ilex ssp. ballota (Desf) Samp. nursery seedlings have different response to frost tolerance and autumn fertilization - Andivia, Enrique; FERNÁNDEZ, MANUEL; VÁZQUEZ-PIQUÉ, JAVIER; Alejano, Reyes (European Journal of Forest Research, 2011)
Despite evidences that Holm oak has a high plasticity and great adaptability, there is limited or contradictory knowledge of the morphological and physiological variability of this species. Holm oak has been widely used for reforestation projects in Mediterranean areas, but has frequently shown poor ﬁeld performance. We hypothesized that Holm oak has inter-population differences in physiological responses to abiotic stressors that could affect reforestation success. The inﬂuence of nursery culture on the characteristics of Holm oaks from different provenances has not been explored in depth. Thus, we studied the effect of nursery autumn fertilization on morphological traits, frost tolerance, root growth potential, and nutritional status of two Spanish provenances of Holm oak, La Alcarria (a region with inland Mediterranean climate) and Sierra Morena Occidental (a region with a warm coastal Mediterranean climate). There were signiﬁcant differences between the provenances in frost tolerance, biomass allocation, and leaf nutrient content, suggesting a role of genetic factors. The leaves of seedlings from La Alcarria had less visual damage at -12C than seedlings from the warmer provenance (45% vs. 92%). Seedlings from La Alcarria, compared to those from Sierra Morena, had higher leaf P concentration (0.17% vs. 0.15%), greater stem diameter (3.1 mm vs. 2.7 mm), lower shoot-to-root dry mass ratio (0.46 vs. 0.53), and lower slenderness (4.03 vs. 5.31). For both provenances, N autumn fertilization improved growth, root growth potential, cold hardiness, and nutritional status of seedlings. We suggest that forest reforestation programs should consider to a greater extent Holm oak provenances and their tolerances to different abiotic stressors.
Keywords: á autumn fertilization; á reforestation á; Adaptation; adaptation á cold hardiness; Autumn fertilization; Cold hardiness; Holm oak; holm oak á provenance; provenance; Reforestation

The use of cork waste as a biosorbent for persistent organic pollutants–Study of adsorption/desorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Olivella, Maria À; Jové, Patrícia; Oliveras, Anna (Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 2011)
The aim of this study is to determine the sorption-desorption behavior of a mixture of thirteen aqueous PAHs on cork waste at a particle of size 0.25?0.42 mm obtained from the remains of cork strips. The final purpose is to use this natural adsorbent as an alternative to activated carbon in an innovative approach for the removal of this class of toxic compounds, and significantly reduce the regeneration costs of the process. The chemical composition of the selected cork revealed that suberin (38.5 %) and lignin (31.6 %) were the main structural components of the cell wall. The high efficiency of cork as a biosorbent of PAHs is shown by the fact that just over 80 % of adsorption occurred during the first two minutes of contact time. Both Freundlich's and Langmuir's isotherms gave good fits to the sorption process. The highest adsorption affinities were exhibited for pyrene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. Desorption studies indicate a high degree of irreversibility for all PAHs, and especially so in the case of high molecular PAHs. The correlation with KF and low molecular weight PAHs was the most significant. The quantity of cork required to reduce water pollution was estimated to be between 3 and 15 times less than the quantities required in the case of other materials (i.e. aspen wood and leonardite). This study demonstrates for the first time that cork is a potential biosorbent for PAHs and may have relevance in the future treatment of PAH-contaminated waters.
From Duplicate 1 (The use of cork waste as a biosorbent for persistent organic pollutants–Study of adsorption/desorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Olivella, Maria À; Jové, Patrícia; Oliveras, Anna)From Duplicate 1 (The use of cork waste as a biosorbent for persistent organic pollutants–Study of adsorption/desorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - Olivella, Maria À; Jové, Patrícia; Oliveras, Anna)The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis accession-num: 21644164
Keywords: Adsorption; Aromatic; Aromatic: chemistry; biosorbent; Chemical; Chemical: chemistry; Cork waste; Environmental Remediation; Environmental Remediation: methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Lignin; Lignin: chemistry; Lipids; Lipids: chemistry; organic pollutants; PAHs; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons; Quercus; Quercus: chemistry; Solid Phase Microextraction; sorption-desorption; Time Factors; Water Pollutants; water treatment

The use of forest resources in central Iberia during the Late Iron Age. Insights from the wood charcoal analysis of Pintia, a Vaccaean oppidum - Rubiales, Juan M; Hernández, Laura; Romero, Fernando; Sanz, Carlos (Journal of Archaeological Science, 2011)
Charred woods may be used to effectively reconstruct past wood acquisition strategies. We used anthracological data from the pre-Roman settlement of Pintia (Padilla de Duero, Valladolid) to examine the use of forest resources at the local scale. Palaeoecological data revealed heterogeneous landscapes in the inland northern meseta with environments that offered diverse sources of wood for the inhabitants of Pintia, one of the ﬁrst cities of inland Iberia. Pines (Pinus pinea/pinaster and Pinus sylvestris/nigra) and both evergreen and deciduous Quercus L. and Juniperus L. were the main taxa identiﬁed as both fuelwood and construction elements, but the assemblages and frequencies of these taxa differed depending on their use. We also examined the potential of models from human ecology by considering the frequency, handling time and the relative technological value of each taxon to model how people gathered wood resources. The results suggest that although local availability affected the forest resources that were used by the Vaccaei people, speciﬁc taxa were positively selected for speciﬁc uses
Keywords: Anthracology; Holocene; Human behavioral ecology; Northern meseta; Palaeoethnobotany; Spain; Wood use

Using a fire propagation model to assess the efficiency of prescribed burning in reducing the fire hazard - Cassagne, Nathalie; Pimont, Francois; Dupuy, Jean-Luc; Linn, Rodman R.; Mårell, Anders; Oliveri, Chloé; Rigolot, Eric (Ecological Modelling, 2011)
We examined how ﬁre hazard was affected by prescribed burning and fuel recovery over the ﬁrst six years following treatment. Eight common Mediterranean fuel complexes managed by means of prescribed burning in limestone Provence (South-Eastern France) were studied, illustrating forest and woodland, garrigue and grassland situations. The coupled atmosphere-wildﬁre behaviour model FIRETEC was used to simulate ﬁre behaviour (ROS, intensity) in these complex vegetations. The temporal threshold related to the effectiveness of prescribed burning in reducing the ﬁre hazard was assessed from derivated fuel dynamics after treatment. The study showed that prescribed burning treatment was effective for the ﬁrst two years in most of the Mediterranean plant communities analysed. Thereafter, all forests and shrublands were highly combustible with a ﬁre line intensity of more than 5000 kW/m except for pine stands with or without oak (medium intensity of 2000 kW m−1 3 years after treatment). Low ﬁre line intensity (900 kW m−1 ) was obtained for grassland which was entirely treatment-independent since the resprouter hemicryptophyte, Brachypodium retusum, is highly resilient to ﬁre. Fire behaviour was greatly affected by fuel load accumulation of Quercus ilex in woodland, and by standing necromass of Rosmarinus ofﬁcinalis in treated garrigue. Pure pine stands with shrub strata similar to garrigue showed a lower ﬁre intensity due to wind speed decrease at ground level under tree canopy, underlining the advantage of maintaining a proportion of canopy cover in strategic fuel-break zones
Keywords: Fire behaviour; FIRETEC; Fuel dynamics; Mediterranean fuel complexes; Prescribed burning

Using hydrogel and clay to improve the water status of seedlings for dryland restoration - Chirino, Esteban; Vilagrosa, Alberto; Vallejo, V. Ramón (Plant and Soil, 2011)
In dryland ecosystems, post-transplant water stress produces high seedling mortality after the first summer following outplanting. Our aim was to assess the effects of clay and hydrogel, both on the water holding capacity of the growing media and on various morphological and physiological characteristics of Quercus suber seedlings in the nursery and, subsequently, during the first 2 years in the field. Quercus suber L. seedlings were grown in four types of growing media: CS (Control growing media, standard mixture of limed peat and coconut peat, 1:1 v/v ratio), SC-10 (CS mixed with sepiolite clay at 10% v/v) and HS (CS mixed with hydrogel Stockosorb® K-400 at two doses, 0.7 and 1.5% w/w). HS-1.5 showed the best results, increasing the water holding capacity of the root plug, improving seedling water status and increasing seedling survival in the field. SC-10 showed an intermediate effect on seedling response in the field. Mixing hydrogel with a peatbased growing medium to form root plugs is a suitable technique for cultivating species to be planted in areas with a strong water deficit. This technique reduces posttransplant water stress in seedlings during their first months in the field and contributes to improve forestrestoration methods in dryland ecosystems.
Keywords: carbon isotope composition; plant stock quality; Quercus suber; substrate; Water availability

Using lichen functional diversity to assess the effects of atmospheric ammonia in Mediterranean woodlands - Pinho, Pedro; Dias, Teresa; Cruz, Cristina; Sim Tang, Y; Sutton, Mark A; Martins-Loução, Maria-Amélia; Máguas, Cristina; Branquinho, Cristina (Journal of Applied Ecology, 2011)
1. Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) is one of the main drivers for ecosystem changes world-wide, including biodiversity loss. Modelling its deposition to evaluate its impact on ecosystems has been the focus of many studies. For that, universal indicators are needed to determine and compare the early effects of NH3 across ecosystems. 2. We evaluate the effects of atmospheric NH3 in ecosystems using lichens, which are one of the most sensitive communities at the ecosystem level. Rather than measuring total diversity, we use a functional diversity approach because this is potentially a more universal tool. 3. We evaluated the spatial and temporal patterns of atmospheric NH3 concentrations ([NH3]atm) emitted from a point-source over a 1-year period in a cork oak Mediterranean woodland. We observed a temporal pattern of [NH3]atm, with maximum concentrations during autumn. 4. The distribution of lichen species was c. 90% explained by [NH3]atm. The tolerance of lichen species to atmospheric NH3, based on expert knowledge from literature, was tested for the first time against direct measurements of atmospheric NH3. Most species were well classified, with the exception of Lecanora albella and Chrysothrix candelaris, which were more tolerant than expected. Our updated lichen classification can be used to establish lichen functional groups that respond to atmospheric NH3, and these can be used in other Mediterranean countries. 5. Increasing [NH3]atm led to a complete replacement of oligotrophic by nitrophytic species within 65 m of the NH3 source. The geostatistical analysis of functional diversity variables yielded a spatial model with low non-spatial variance, indicating that these variables can cope robustly with high spatial variation in NH3. 6. Synthesis and applications. Our results support the use of functional diversity variables, such as a lichen diversity value, as accurate and robust indicators of the effects of atmospheric NH3 on ecosystems. The spatial modelling of these indicators can provide information with high spatial resolution about the effects of atmospheric NH3 around point- and diffuse sources. As this methodology is based on functional groups, it can be applied to monitor both the impact of atmospheric NH3 and the success of mitigation strategies.
Keywords: Agriculture; atmospheric NH3; biodiversity loss; Cattle; Ecological indicators; Global change; spatial analysis

Variation of endophytic cork oak-associated fungal communities in relation to plant health and water stress - Linaldeddu, B. T.; Sirca, C.; Spano, D.; Franceschini, A. (Forest Pathology, 2011)
The main objective of this study was to obtain more comprehensive knowledge about the eﬀect of water stress on endophytic fungal communities in asymptomatic and declining cork oak trees. Six asymptomatic and six declining cork oak trees were randomly selected in a natural cork oak forest located in Sardinia, Italy. In February 2003, the soil around three asymptomatic and three declining trees was covered with a circular plastic ﬁlm to reduce rain water supply with the intention to induce water stress. The remaining six trees served as controls. Predawn xylematic water potential (PWP) was used as water status indicator and measured seasonally. Between July 2003 and June 2004, fungal endophytes were isolated every 2–4 months from twigs, branches and woody tissues. Signiﬁcant diﬀerences in PWP between covered and control trees were detected mainly in autumn. Gas exchange was greatest in asymptomatic control plants. All tissues were colonized by endophytic fungi. Nineteen fungal species were isolated from 1620 plant fragments. Biscogniauxia mediterranea was the most frequently isolated fungus. Its isolation frequency was signiﬁcantly higher in declining covered trees than in control trees (p < 0.05). Presence of this fungus in asymptomatic control trees was signiﬁcantly higher in winter than in summer. Water stress seems to reduce species diversity of the endophytic mycobiota in cork oak and to promote proliferation of some potentially pathogenic endophytes.
Keywords: Cork oak; fungal endophytes; gas exchange and water potential (voyant); water stress

Vegetation response to obliquity and precession forcing during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition in Western Mediterranean region (ODP site 976) - Joannin, Sébastien; Bassinot, Franck; Nebout, Nathalie Combourieu; Peyron, Odile; Beaudouin, Célia (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2011)
The ODP leg 161 Site 976 (Alboran Sea) is a deep-sea section sampled at a water depth of 1108 m in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Pollen analysis provides a vegetation and climate record of the Mid Pleistocene Transition (MPT), roughly one million years ago. The age-model tied to biostratigraphic events was revised by aligning the pollen climate index (PCI) to Mediterranean (KC01b) and global (LR04) oxygen isotope records. The studied time slice spans the interval w1.09 Ma (MIS 31) to w0.90 Ma (MIS 23). Across this interval, past phytogeography of nowadays extinct taxa, which were rare, allows a successful application of the modern analogues technique (MAT) to quantitative climate reconstructions for the MPT. Five, long-term, obliquity-related vegetation successions (O1 to O5), and eight short-term, precessionrelated vegetation successions (P1 to P8) are observed within the studied interval. These vegetation successions, regardless of their duration, show the same pattern: the progressive replacement of temperate trees by mountainous taxa, and then by herbs and steppe maxima. Precession-related successions correspond, therefore, to as dramatic vegetation changes as those driven by obliquity, including a ﬁnal steppe phase under deteriorated climate conditions. Wavelet analysis of the PCI record shows that the Western Mediterranean experienced a shift at 1.01 Ma from precession-dominated frequencies (1.05e1.01 Ma) to obliquity-dominated frequencies (1.01e0.9 Ma). There is, therefore, an apparent discrepancy between wavelet analysis results and vegetation dynamic analysis (which suggests that obliquity and precession are recorded throughout the entire studied interval). This discrepancy could result from the fact that the PCI record sums, somehow, similar vegetation changes (wet to dry) occurring at different periodicities. Such a complex vegetation dynamics is mathematically rendered through a single parameter (i.e. principal component), which does not successfully catch the subtle combinations of variability occurring at two close periodicities. Furthermore, the pollen-inferred Early Pleistocene vegetation dynamic (and climate) of the Western Mediterranean region does not show a decrease of the obliquity response relative to the precession response at the onset of the MPT
Keywords: climate changes; Mediterranean area; obliquity; Pleistocene (voyant); Pollen analysis; Precession; vegetation successions

Vessel size and number are contributors to define wood density in cork oak - Leal, Sofia; Sousa, Vicelina B; Knapic, Sofia; Louzada, José Luís; Pereira, Helena (European Journal of Forest Research, 2011)
Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) has a dense wood that allows high-quality uses. In the present work, we study the inﬂuence of vessel characteristics, measured through image analysis and optical microscopy, on wood density, measured using X-ray microdensitometry, on 40-year-old trees. Vessel area increases with cambial age (5403–33064 lm 2 ), while wood density decreases (1.229–0.836 g/cm 3 ). The number of vessels is relatively constant at 6 vessels/mm 2 , while vessel proportion in cross-section increases from 3.3% near the pith to 20.5% near the bark. In growth rings closest to the pith, with high wood density and low vessel area, the relationship between the two variables is linear (R 2 = -32.1%, P\0.01) but with increasing tree age and vessel size, the wood density remains rather constant, suggesting that decreases in density might compromise mechanical support of the tree at a stage when the increase in crosssectional area alone might not provide mechanical stability. Other anatomical characteristics not considered in this study, like large xylem rays that increase with cambial age, may be responsible for the constant density
Keywords: Cork oak; Quercus suber; vessels; wood anatomy; Wood density

Viscoelastic impact characterisation of solid sports balls used in the Irish sport of Hurling - Collins, Fiachra; Brabazon, Dermot; Moran, Kieran (Sports Engineering, 2011)
In recent years, variability in behaviour of the sliotar, a small leather-bound ball used in the Irish sport of hurling, has become evident in championship matches. The inconsistency in performance was attributed to the range of constructions and material compositions of currently approved ball types. With a view to adopting a standard core, a new methodology has been commissioned to assess the dynamic impact behaviour of approved sliotar cores. In this paper, the relationship between the dynamic stiffness and the coefﬁcient of restitution is presented with regard to material properties, ball construction and viscoelastic strain and strain-rate dependencies. The modern polymer ball types were shown to exhibit strain-rate sensitivity, while the performance of the traditional multi-compositional ball types exhibited lesser strain-rate dependence. The traditional balls types were shown to be up to 2.5 times stiffer than the modern ball types, with this ﬁnding having implications for ball energy dissipation.
Keywords: Ball types; compression (voyant); deformation; impact; stifness

Volatile Compounds in Samples of Cork and also Produced by Selected Fungi - Barreto, M. C.; Boas, L. Vilas; Carneiro, L. C.; Rom, M. V. San; Vilas Boas, L.; San Romão, M. V. (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2011)
The production of volatile compounds by microbial communities of cork samples taken during the cork manufacturing process was investigated. The majority of volatiles were found in samples collected at two stages: resting after the ﬁrst boiling and nontreated cork disks. Volatile proﬁles produced by microbiota in both stages are similar. The releasable volatile compounds and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) produced in cork-based culture medium by ﬁve isolated fungal species in pure and mixed cultures were also analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS).The results showed that 1-octen-3-ol and esters of fatty acids (medium chain length C8C20) were the main volatile compounds produced by either pure fungal species or their mixture. Apparently,Penicillium glabrum is the main contributor to the overall volatile composition observed in the mixed culture. The production of releasable TCA on cork cannot be attributed to any of the assayed fungal isolates.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: American Chemical Society
Keywords: 2; 2.4.6-trichloroanisole; 4; 6-trichloroanisole; Cork; fungi; volatile compounds

Water-use strategies of six co-existing Mediterranean woody species during a summer drought - Quero, JoséL.; Sterck, FrankJ.; Martínez-Vilalta, Jordi; Villar, Rafael (Oecologia, 2011)
Drought stress is known to limit plant performance in Mediterranean-type ecosystems. We have investigated the dynamics of the hydraulics, gas exchange and morphology of six co-existing Mediterranean woody species growing under natural ﬁeld conditions during a drought that continued during the entire summer. Based on the observed minimum leaf water potentials, our results suggest that the six co-existing species cover a range of plant hydraulic strategies, from isohydric to anisohydric. These differences are remarkable since the selected individuals grow within several meters of each other, sharing the same environment. Surprisingly, whatever the leaf water potentials were at the end of the dry period, stomatal conductance, photosynthesis and transpiration rates were relatively similar and low across species. This result contradicts the classic view that anisohydric species are able to maintain gas exchange for longer periods of time during drought stress. None of the plants showed the expected structural acclimation response to the increasing drought (reduction of leaf-to-sapwood area ratio), thereby rejecting the functional equilibrium hypothesis for our study system. Instead, three of the six species increased photosynthetic area at the branch level. The observed dissimilar patterns of gas exchange, hydraulics and morphology across species seem to be equally successful given that photosynthesis at the leaf level was maintained at similar rates over the whole dry period.
Keywords: Anisohydric; embolism; Isohydric; photosynthesis; Stomatal conductance; water potential

Weed management and irrigation are key treatments in emerging black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) cultivation - Olivera, a; Fischer, C. R.; Bonet, J. a; Martínez de Aragón, J.; Oliach, D.; Colinas, C. (New Forests, 2011)
Interest in conversion of marginal agricultural lands to small oak woodlands for the production of black trufﬂes (Tuber melanosporum Vittad.) is increasing in the native black trufﬂe areas of France, Spain and Italy as well as suitable or amended sites throughout the world due to high economic returns for gastronomically valuable trufﬂes. Successful long-term management of a perennial plantation replacing an annual crop requires understanding the system in all phases of the life cycle, and in the case of trufﬂes this involves understanding the interactive growth of the aboveground host and the belowground symbiotic ectomycorrhizal fungus whose fruitbody is the desired trufﬂe. Here we focus on the pre-production phase, 4 years after establishing the trufﬂe-oak plantation and prior to trufﬂe production. We tested the inﬂuence of weed control, irrigation and fertilizer, each at 3 levels, on plant growth and ectomycorrhizal proliferation in three trufﬂe-oaks plantations in northeast Spain. Results show that adequate weed control improves root and shoot dry weight while fertilizer and irrigation treatments did not inﬂuence plant growth. The low dose of irrigation (50% of the estimated water deﬁcit for the site) and glyphosate weed control both increased total root tips/plant and T. melanosporum colonized tips (ectomycorrhizae) by approximately two-fold, compared to control treatments. Distribution of the ectomycorrhizae within the soil proﬁle was signiﬁcantly inﬂuenced by the low dose irrigation treatment, with increases observed in the 10–20 cm and the 20–30 cm deep layers compared to the control and high irrigation treatments. Four years after planting, T. melanosporum remained the dominant fungal symbiont, despite the presence of 14 other ectomycorrhizal morphotypes from these sites.
Keywords: Ectomycorrhizae; Holm oak management; Quercus ilex; Root tips; Trufﬂe-oaks

Which habitats of European importance depend on agricultural practices? - Halada, Lubos; Evans, Doug; Romão, Carlos; Petersen, Jan-Erik (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2011)
The aim of this paper is to identify the habitat types listed in the Habitats Directive Annex I that require low-intensity agricultural management for their existence. We assessed the link between the Annex I habitat types and agricultural practices in order to identify habitat types that depend on the continuation of agricultural practices or whose existence is prolonged or spatially enlarged via blocking or reducing the secondary succession by agricultural activities. 63 habitat types that depend on or which can proﬁt from agricultural activities—mainly grazing and mowing—were identiﬁed. They are classiﬁed into 2 groups: (1) habitats fully dependent on the continuation of agricultural management; (2) habitats partly dependent on the continuation of agricultural management. This paper also brieﬂy discusses habitat types for which either doubts remain on their dependence on agricultural management, or the relation to extensive farming practices exists only in part of their area of distribution in Europe or under certain site conditions, respectively. Assessments of the conservation status of habitats of European Importance by 25 EU Member States in 2007 showed that habitats identiﬁed by us as depending on agricultural practices had a worse status than non-agricultural habitats.
Keywords: Agricultural management; Favourable conservation status; Grazing; Habitats directive; High Nature Value Farmland; Mowing; Natura 2000; Ostermann list

Across and within-forest effects on breeding success in Mediterranean Great Tits Parus major - Atiénzar, Francisco; Visser, M. E.; Greño, J. L. (Ardea, 2010)
Forest type and habitat structure can have profound effects on different aspects of avian life histories. These effects may, however, strongly differ across and within forests that vary in vegetation composition and structure, especially when an ancient forest has been replaced by a new forest. To test for these dif- ferences in effect, we studied Great Tit Parus major life-history traits (280 first clutches) in two Mediterranean evergreen forests during 2005–07: an ancient Holm Oak Quercus ilex and a reforested pine forest. A comparison between forests revealed that females breeding in the Holm Oak forest started laying one week later, and produced larger clutches and broods both at hatching and at fledging. Chicks raised in the Holm Oak forest also fledged in better condition. Within forests, however, the reproductive success was not higher for pairs breeding in nestboxes surrounded by oaks within the pine forest, and also re- productive success was not lower in nestboxes surrounded by pines within oak forest. Instead, vegetation maturity around nestboxes, rather than tree species composition, affected hatching success. Surprisingly, hatching success was higher in nestboxes surrounded by immature vegetation. We suggest that this may be due to a lower nest predation rate in nestboxes surrounded by imma- ture vegetation, compared to nestboxes surrounded by mature vegetation. We suggest that different factors appear to affect variation in breeding success in Mediterranean Great Tits comparing across forests (e.g. food availability) vs. within a forest (e.g. nest predation).
Keywords: hatching success; Mediterranean forests; nest predation; Parus major; territory vegetation maturity

Activated Carbons Prepared from Natural and Synthetic Raw Materials with Potential Applications in Gas Separations - Cansado, Isabel P. P.; Mourao, Paulo A. M.; Ribeiro Carrott, Manuela L.; Carrott, Peter J. M. (ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT, 2010)
A carbon molecular sieve for the purification of a gas mixtures containing O(2), N(2) and CO(2), CH(4) was produced from a waste granulated PET by means of a single carbonisation step at 973 K. Activated carbon materials presenting good adsorption capacity and some selectivity for O(2)/N(2) and CO(2)/CH(4) were prepared from granulated PET and cork oak with pore mouth narrowing using CVD from benzene. The diffusion coefficients of O(2), N(2), CO(2) and CH(4) in these materials were calculated and are comparable to published values determined on Takeda 3A and on a carbon molecular sieve prepared from PET textile fibres by means of carbonisation and subsequent CVD with benzene. However, the selectivities were not quite as good as those given by Takeda 3A. However, taking into account that this is a first attempt at producing CMS from PET, the results are encouraging, and it is to be expected that further development of the experimental procedure will result in new materials with improved performance.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT pub-location: LAUBLSRUTISTR 24, CH-8717 STAFA-ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
Keywords: Carbon Molecular Sieve; Cork; CVD; Methane; PET

Adsorption equilibria of water vapor on cork. - Lequin, Sonia; Chassagne, David; Karbowiak, Thomas; Gougeon, Régis; Brachais, Laurent; Bellat, Jean-Pierre (Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 2010)
We report here for the first time a complete thermodynamic study of water vapor adsorption on crude cork powder and plate. Adsorption-desorption isotherms were accurately measured by thermogravimetry at 283, 298, and 313 K in a large range of relative pressure. Adsorption enthalpies were determined by calorimetry as a function of loading. Adsorption-desorption isotherms exhibit a hysteresis due to the swelling of the material. The influence of the presence of lenticels on the adsorption properties of cork is found to be negligible. A detailed analysis and interpretation of adsorption data allow proposal of an adsorption mechanism in two steps. (i) First, water adsorbs on hydrophilic sites constituted by hydroxyl and methoxyl groups. (ii) Then water adsorption continues by clusters formation around the hydrophilic sites.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 20192215
Keywords: Adsorption; Plant Bark; Plant Bark: chemistry; Quercus; Quercus: chemistry; Thermodynamics; water; Water: chemistry

Afforestation improves soil fertility in south-eastern Spain - Serrano, L Rojo; Jime, M N; Ferna, E; Ferna, J; Roca, A; Aguilar, J; Fernandez-Ondono, E; Rojo Serrano, L; Jiménez, M N; Navarro, F B; Diez, M; Martin, F; et al. (EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH, 2010)
In the 20th century, in the Mediterranean area, many extensive afforestation efforts were made with the primary objective of protecting soils from erosion and improving their fertility. This study evaluates the effects of the afforestation undertaken in the Guadalentin basin (SE Spain) with respect to the organic and inorganic soil constituents and physico-chemical soil properties. Given the phytoclimatic environments in the basin (sclerophyllous and hyperxerophyllous), paired samples were taken beneath the tree canopy of the pine plantations and in nearby open zones. With the same methodology, samples were taken from areas considered to be native forest. The data were submitted to different multivariate analyses of variance (two-way MANOVAs) in order to compare the effects and interactions of the factors CANOPY (with and without trees), PHYTOCLIMATE (sclerophyllous and hyperxerophyllous), and TYPE OF FOREST (afforested or native) on the dependent variables measured (soil variables). Significant differences were found at 0-10 cm in soil depth under pine afforestations in relation to adjacent open areas. Below this depth, differences were found only between phytoclimatic environments. No significant interactions were found between the variables analysed at any of the depths, indicating that the effects of the afforestations on the soil characteristics were independent of the phytoclimatic environment. The afforestation in the Guadalentin basin, in the two phytoclimatic environments considered increased the soil fertility. Nevertheless, the native forests presented the highest soil organic-carbon contents, mainly in the sclerophyllous phytoclimate type (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota forests). Therefore, although the afforestations improved the soil fertility in relation to the open areas, the maximum potential has probably not been reached in relation to that observed in the native forests. The effects that forest development (age, basal area) over time exerts on soil properties remain to be verified by further research.
Keywords: Afforestation; Differential pedological characteristics; Guadalentin basin; organic carbon

Airborne pollen records and status of the anemophilous flora in arid areas of the Iberian Peninsula - Carinanos, P.; Galan, C.; Alcazar, R.; Dominguez, E. (JOURNAL OF ARID ENVIRONMENTS, 2010)
This paper reports on the relationship between the airborne pollen spectrum and the status of anemophilous flora in the south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Variations in pollen counts with respect to data for a previous sampling period were also examined. The key finding was that the spectrum contained pollen from the most characteristic local species, such as xerophytes adapted to arid conditions, ruderal and nitrophilous species, sclerophyllous Mediterranean pine and holm-oak forest and vegetation in dry watercourses. The main variations with respect to earlier data were attributable to changes in land use, with increasing production of certain crops and a growing trend towards ecological agriculture, the introduction of allochthonous species and the recovery of local flora in dry watercourses. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 24-28 OVAL RD, LONDON NW1 7DX, ENGLAND publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Keywords: Aerobiology; Airborne pollen records; Arid areas; Phytogeography; Pollen spectrum

Amido resistente em diversas fontes não convencionais de amido - Fontinha, C.; Correia, Paula (RE, 2010)
Resistant starch is not degraded in the small intestine, leading to a beneficial health effect like the dietetic fibre has. In this work resistant starch content was determined on flours and starches extracted from two varieties of chestnuts (Castanea sativa Mill), Longal and Martainha, and two acorn species (Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus suber). Flours were produced by milling the fruits after drying at different temperatures, 40º C, 50º C, 60ºC e 70ºC. After, starch was isolated from flours by two different extraction methods: physicochemical and enzymatic. Resistant starch content was higher on the flours obtained from the fruits dried at 60ºC, with values of 46,8%, 36,5%, 39,9% e 43,9%, respectively for Longal and Martainha chestnuts, and acorns Quercus rotundifolia, Quercus suber. The physicochemical method presented higher content of resistant starch for all the materials. It seems that drying fruits at 60ºC and the use of the physicochemical isolation method for starch from flours obtained from fruits dried at this temperature preserved better the starch integrity.
Keywords: acorns; Chestnuts; resistant starch

Analisi strutturale e caratterizzazione della necromassa in sugherete della Calabria - Barreca, L.; Marziliano, P. A.; Menguzzato, G.; Scuderi, A. (iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2010)
The cork forests are one the most interesting forest ecosystems in the Mediterranean area. Their distribution and ecological characteristics have undergone a significant transformation after the significant changes following the development and establishment of agricultural crops. Currently, only a few stands, which survive in hard to reach places, prove the wide spread distribution of this species was also in the recent past. This study describes the stand structure of some cork forests in Calabria region (southern Italy). In order, to characterize the vertical structure Latham index has been applied, while for the description of the horizontal distribution NBSI group indices has been used. Detailed surveys on dead wood were also conducted determining the occurring volume and its decay stage according to the decay classes system proposed by Hunter. The aim of this study is to provide guidelines for sustainable management of cork forests, improving and promoting the structural complexity and functional efficiency of these forest stands.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: Dipartimento Gestione dei Sistemi Agrari e Forestali (GESAF), Universit degli studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria, Localit Feo di Vito, I-89060 Reggio Calabria (Italia) publisher: SISEF - Italian Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology
Keywords: Dead Wood; Quercus Suber L; Stand Structure; Structural Index; Sustainable Forest Management

Analysis of spatial patterns of oak decline in cork oak woodlands in Mediterranean conditions - Costa, Augusta; Pereira, Helena; Madeira, Manuel (Annals of Forest Science, 2010)
• Cork oak mortality is a recurrent problem in southwestern Portugal. Despite the perception of increasingly visible damage in oak woodlands on drought-prone sites, the role of the various environmental factors in their decline is not clear. • To describe the spatial patterns of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) mortality, a cork oak mortality index (MI) was determined for each landscape feature (agroforestry system, soil type, slope and aspect) using a GIS approach. To achieve this goal, a logistic regression model was formulated analyzing interactions between landscape attributes and allowing a prediction of cork oak mortality. • Maximum values of MI were found in (i) shrublands and open woodlands with shrub encroachment (MI 6 and 3, respectively), where competition for soil water between tree and understory increases; and (ii) on lower slopes in the rounded hilltops and smooth hillsides or shallow soils where access to groundwater resources during summer drought is diﬃcult. • The model highlighted the importance of the agroforestry systems on cork oak mortality and may be used to identify sensitive areas where mitigation actions should be employed in a scenario of increasing drought severity in these Mediterranean ecosystems.
Keywords: Logistic regression; Oak decline; oak mortality; Quercus suber L.; Remote sensing

The ant fauna of Castelporziano Presidential Reserve (Rome, Italy) as a model for the analysis of ant community structure in relation to environmental variation in Mediterranean ecosystems - Castracani, Cristina; Grasso, Donato a; Fanfani, Alberto; Mori, Alessandra (Journal of Insect Conservation, 2010)
Ants are often used as ecological indicators in environmental monitoring programs, but rarely in Europe, probably because of a lack of baseline knowledge on the relationship between ant community structure and environmental variation. We present this baseline knowledge for Italian ecosystems that are typical of the Mediterranean climate, in order to assess the value of ants as ecological indicators in this biogeographic zone. Sampling areas were selected inside the Castelporziano Natural Reserve (Rome, Italy). The elevated variety of habitats and diverse ecological conditions, as well as the different levels of human impact in the Reserve, make this area a suitable location to develop and test biological indicators of environmental quality. The ant community structure was compared among several Mediterranean ecosystems using pitfall trapping, multidimensional scaling, the indicator species analysis and the Functional Groups Approach. Key factors for differences in ant community structure seem to be the presence/absence of water, the level of light and microhabitat diversity. Our results suggest that Castelporziano is an informative area in order to develop a study model for the Italian ant fauna and the Functional Group Approach is a promising procedure to associate differences in ant community structures with differences in habitat stress and disturbance.
Keywords: Ant community structure; Castelporziano reserve; Ecological indicators; Functional groups

Anthropogenic disturbance of natural forest vegetation on calcareous soils alters soil organic matter composition and natural abundance of 13C and 15N in density fractions - Llorente, Mireia; Glaser, Bruno; Turrión, María-Belén (European Journal of Forest Research, 2010)
In the last century, many calcareous soils in Castilla Leo´n (northwestern Spain) have been transformed from natural Quercus ilex forest to cropped land. Reforestation with Pinus halepensis has been taking place during the past 40 years. In order to obtain a better understanding of how these disturbances affect ecosystem functioning, we studied the quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) in natural forest ecosystems, cropland and Pinus plantations. Density fractionation combined with ultrasonic dispersion enables separation and study of SOM fractions: free organic matter (OM), OM occluded into aggregates and OM stabilized in organo-mineral complexes, considered on the basis of the type of physical protection provided. We separated SOM density fractions and determined the concentrations of C and N, C/N ratios and the natural isotopic abundance (d 13 C and d 15 N values). Transformation of Quercus forest to cropland resulted in major losses of SOC and N, as expected. However, subsequent reforestation with Pinus resulted in good recovery of the original SOC and soil N pools. This indicates the potential for enhanced C storage in agricultural soils by their reversion to a forested state. Study of the density fractions and their 13 C and 15 N signatures enabled better understanding of the high stability of OM in calcareous soils, and analysis of d 13 C variations throughout the proﬁle also enabled identiﬁcation of past C3/C4 vegetation change. Despite the different OC contents of soils under different land use, OM stabilization mechanisms were not signiﬁcantly different. In calcareous soils, accumulation of SOC and N is mainly due to organo-mineral associations, resulting in physicochemical stabilization against further decomposition.
Keywords: 13C; 15N; density fractions; Land use change

Assessing impacts of Common Agricultural Policy changes on regional land use patterns with a decision support system - Borges, P. J.; Fragoso, R.; Garcia-Gonzalo, J.; Borges, J. G.; Marques, S.; Lucas, M. R. (Forest Policy and Economics, 2010)
This paper discusses research aiming at assessing Common Agricultural Policy impacts on agriculture and forestry. For this purpose an approach is developed that includes a linear programming model to estimate the Positive Mathematical Programming production cost function coefﬁcients of current agricultural– forestry activities. It further includes a heuristic — simulated annealing — to generate solutions for each policy scenario. This model base approach is integrated within a decision support system (DSS) for testing purposes. The DSS further encompasses a relational database that stores agricultural–forestry technical and economic data and a geographic information system that stores topological data of regional farm-type land units. The DSS Graphical User Interface provides tabular and geographical reporting capabilities. Results are discussed for an application to the Alentejo region in Southern Portugal. Results demonstrate the usefulness and relevance of the proposed approach to assess the impact of changes in prices and in agricultural policy on land use patterns and on forestry
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Agricultural policy; decision support system; Land use pattern; mathematical programming; Simulation

Assessment of mycorrhizal colonisation and soil nutrients in unmanaged fire-impacted soils from two target restoration sites - Dias, J. M.; Oliveira, R. S.; Franco, A. R.; Ritz, K.; Nunan, N.; Castro, P. M. L. (Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research;, 2010)
The mycorrhizal colonisation of plants grown in unmanaged soils from two restoration sites with a fire history in Northern Portugal was evaluated from the perspective of supporting restoration programmes. To promote restoration of original tree stands, Quercus ilex L. and Pinus pinaster Ait. were used as target species on two sites, denoted Site 1 and 2 respectively. The aim of the study was to assess whether mycorrhizal propagules that survived fire episodes could serve as in situ inoculum sources, and to analyse the spatial distribution of soil nutrients and mycorrhizal parameters. In a laboratory bioassay, P. pinaster and Q. ilex seedlings were grown on soils from the target sites and root colonisation by ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was determined. The ECM root colonisation levels found indicated that soil from Site 2 contained sufficient ECM propagules to serve as a primary source of inoculum for P. pinaster. The low levels of ECM and AM colonisation obtained on the roots of plants grown in soil from Site 1 indicated that the existing mycorrhizal propagules might be insufficient for effective root colonisation of Q. ilex. Different ECM morphotypes were found in plants grown in soil from the two sites. At Site 2 mycorrhizal parameters were found to be spatially structured, with signif icant differences in ECM colonisation and soil P concentrations between regions of either side of an existing watercourse. The spatial distribution of mycorrhizal propagules was related to edaphic parameters (total C and extractable P), and correlations between soil nutrients and mycorrhizal parameters were found.
Keywords: arbuscular mycorrhiza; ectomycorrhiza; Pinus pinaster; post fire; Quercus ilex; soil restoration; spatial variation

Can NPK fertilizers enhance seedling growth and mycorrhizal status of Tuber melanosporum-inoculated Quercus ilex seedlings? - Suz, Laura M; Martín, María P; Fischer, Christine R; Bonet, José a; Colinas, Carlos (Mycorrhiza, 2010)
Although successful cultivation of the black truffle (Tuber melanosporum) has inspired the establishment of widespread truffle orchards in agricultural lands throughout the world, there are many unknowns involved in proper management of orchards during the 6-10 years prior to truffle production, and there are conflicting results reported for fertilizer treatments. Here, we systematically evaluate the combined effects of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium with different doses of each element, applied to either foliage or roots, on plant growth parameters and the mycorrhizal status of outplanted 3-year-old seedlings in five experimental Quercus ilex-T. melanosporum orchards. Fertilization did not significantly improve seedling aboveground growth, but the plants treated with the fertilizer 12-7-7 applied to the roots (HNr) displayed longer field-developed roots. Only the fertilizer with the highest dose of K (10-6-28) applied to the foliage (HKf) increased the probability of fine root tip colonization by T. melanosporum in field-developed roots. However, the plants treated with the same fertilizer applied to the soil (HKr) presented the highest probability for colonization by other competing mycorrhizal soil fungi. Potassium seems to have an important role in mycorrhizal development in these soils. Apart from T. melanosporum, we found 14 ectomycorrhizal morphotypes, from which seven were identified to species level, three to genus, two to family, and two remained unidentified by their morphological characteristics and DNA analyses.
Keywords: Black truffle; DNAanalysis; ectomycorrhiza; morphotyping; nitrogen; Phosphorous; Potassium; Truffle orchard

Carbon sequestration with reforestations and biodiversity-scenic values - Caparros, A.; Cerdá, E.; Ovando, P.; Campos, P. (Environmental and Resource Economics, 2010)
This paper presents an optimal control model to analyze reforestations with two different species, including commercial values, carbon sequestration and biodiversity or scenic values. We solve the model qualitatively with general functions and discuss the implications of partial or total internalization of environmental values, showing that internalizing only carbon sequestration may have negative impacts on biodiversityscenic values. To evaluate the practical relevance, we compare reforestations in the South-west of Spain with cork-oaks (a slow growing native species) and with eucalyptus (a fast growing alien species). We do the analysis with two different carbon crediting methods: the Carbon Flow Method and the Ton Year Accounting Method. With the .first method forest surface increases more, but using mainly eucalyptus. With the second, additional reforestations are done mainly using cork-oaks. We value the impact on visitors of these reforestations using stated preferences methods, showing that when these values are internalized cork-oaks are favored.
Keywords: Biodiversity; Carbon Accounting; Carbon Sequestration; Forests; Optimal Control; Scenic; Stated Preferences

Changes in water content and distribution in Quercus ilex leaves during progressive drought assessed by in vivo 1H magnetic resonance imaging. - Sardans, Jordi; Penuelas, Josep; Lope-Piedrafita, Silvia (BMC plant biology, 2010)
Drought is a common stressor in many regions of the world and current climatic global circulation models predict further increases in warming and drought in the coming decades in several of these regions, such as the Mediterranean basin. The changes in leaf water content, distribution and dynamics in plant tissues under different soil water availabilities are not well known. In order to fill this gap, in the present report we describe our study withholding the irrigation of the seedlings of Quercus ilex, the dominant tree species in the evergreen forests of many areas of the Mediterranean Basin. We have monitored the gradual changes in water content in the different leaf areas, in vivo and non-invasively, by 1H magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using proton density weighted (rhow) images and spin-spin relaxation time (T2) maps.
From Duplicate 1 ( Changes in water content and distribution in Quercus ilex leaves during progressive drought assessed by in vivo 1H magnetic resonance imaging. - Sardans, Jordi; Peñuelas, Josep; Lope-Piedrafita, Silvia )
Keywords: Droughts; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Physiological; Plant Leaves; Plant Leaves: metabolism; Quercus; Quercus: metabolism; Seedling; Seedling: metabolism; Soil; Soil: analysis; Stress; Time Factors; water; Water: metabolism (citation)

Characterisation of PM10 emissions from woodstove combustion of common woods grown in Portugal - Gonçalves, Cátia; Alves, Célia; Evtyugina, Margarita; Mirante, Fátima; Pio, Casimiro; Caseiro, Alexandre; Schmidl, Christoph; Bauer, Heidi; Carvalho, Fernando (Atmospheric Environment, 2010)
A series of source tests was performed to evaluate the chemical composition of particle emissions from the woodstove combustion of four prevalent Portuguese species of woods: Pinus pinaster (maritime pine), Eucalyptus globulus (eucalyptus), Quercus suber (cork oak) and Acacia longifolia (golden wattle). Analyses included water-soluble ions, metals, radionuclides, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC), humic-like substances (HULIS), cellulose and approximately l80 organic compounds. Particle (PM10) emission factors from eucalyptus and oak were higher than those from pine and acacia. The carbonaceous matter represented 44e63% of the particulate mass emitted during the combustion process, regardless of species burned. The major organic components of smoke particles, for all the wood species studied, with the exception of the golden wattle (0.07e1.9% w/w), were anhydrosugars (0.2e17% w/w). Conﬂicting with what was expected, only small amounts of cellulose were found in wood smoke. As for HULIS, average particle mass concentrations ranged from 1.5% to 3.0%. The golden wattle wood smoke presented much higher concentrations of ions and metal species than the emissions from the other wood types. The results of the analysis of radionuclides revealed that the 226 Ra was the naturally occurring radionuclide more enriched in PM10. The chromatographically resolved organics included n-alkanes, nalkenes, PAH, oxygenated PAH, n-alkanals, ketones, n-alkanols, terpenoids, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, alcohols, n-alkanoic acids, n-di-acids, unsaturated acids and alkyl ester acids.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Biomass burning; Emissions; GC-MS; Organic tracers; PM10; Woodstove

Characterization of Sardinian cork oak (Quercus suber L.) genetic resources for economically important traits - Bullitta, Simonetta; Dettori, Sandro; Manchinu, Manuela; Filigheddu, Maria Rosaria; Piluzza, Giovanna (Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2010)
Considering the very high socio economic value of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) in Mediterranean areas, a better knowledge of local genetic resources is necessary in order to reach a good balance between the conservation issues and the need of an efﬁcient cork production network. In such frame, local germplasm of Q. suber from the main cork production areas of Sardinia was analysed for DNA and isozyme polymorphisms and for cork quality in relation to some environmental parameters. A total number of 24 sample stands of cork oak were selected, representing typical vegetation, sylvicultural and cork quality features within the eight identiﬁed cork growing areas in Sardinia. Considerable variation was found between cork oak stands of the different areas. Results of the principal component analysis performed on the cork quality data and environmental characters of the eight areas, showed that the ﬁrst three components explain 72.2% of the variation. The major characters involved in this differentiation were cork quality characters such as dimensional recover, moisture and Mg content of the cork and also elevation of stands m a.s.l. for the ﬁrst component. The second component appears to be determined by some climatic parameters (average annual temperature and average of the minimum temperatures of coldest month) and by the Fe and Zn in the cork. For the third component, major characters involved in differentiation are average annual rainfall, bark thickness and Ca content in the cork.
Keywords: cluster analysis; Cork quality; DNA polymorphisms; Principal component analysis; Quercus suber L.

Chestnut and acorn starch properties affected by isolation methods - Correia, Paula Reis; Beirão-da-Costa, Maria Luísa (Starch - Stärke, 2010)
Starches from chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) and acorns (Quercus suber Lam. and Q. rotundifolia Lam.) were isolated from dried fruits using four different methods. These involved a physicochemical and/or an enzymatic treatment followed by centrifugation and sieving: (i) low shear at alkaline pH – LSA, (ii) high shear in water – HSW, (iii) enzymatic treatment at low shear – LSE, (iv) LSA and using successively three sieves – LSA3S. Raw yield, purity, colour parameters, morphology, protein, fat, ash, reducing sugars and amylose contents, damaged starch content and viscoamylographic proﬁles were studied in isolated starches, presenting different properties through different methods. In general, chestnut starch seems to be poorly resistant to extraction methodologies as shown by the damaged starch content and viscoamylographic properties encountered during this study. Moreover, acorn starches exhibited cross-linked amylographic patterns. For all the tested raw materials, the LSA3S isolation method always higher yield and purity of starches. Gelatinization temperature and peak consistency were also higher than those shown by starches produced by the other methods, a less damaged structure was also evident. In conclusion, it seems that this method is the most suitable to produce starch for food ingredient usage.
Keywords: acorn; chestnut; morphology; physicochemical properties; starch isolation methods

Color texture feature selection by MIFS for image classification - Maia, H. E.; Hammouch, A.; Bakrim, M. (2010)
The work presented in this article consists in evaluating the contribution of the use of a texture-color combination in forest mapping. We transform a Spot image into different color spaces, then we extract nine parameters using Laws filter. The resulting set of parameters is reduced using MIFS algorithm based on mutual information. The results are promising and give satisfying classification results.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: secondary-title: I/V Communications and Mobile Network (ISVC), 2010 5th International Symposium on periodical: I/V Communications and Mobile Network (ISVC), 2010 5th International Symposium on pages: 1-4 isbn: VO - electronic-resource-num: 10.1109/ISVC.2010.5656251
Keywords: Classification; Color; Laws filter; MIFS; Texture

Conservation value of linear woody remnants for two forest carnivores in a Mediterranean agricultural landscape - Pereira, Marian; Rodríguez, Alejandro (Journal of Applied Ecology, 2010)
1. The loss of biodiversity caused by agricultural expansion can be countered by adopting wildlifefriendly farming strategies and by expanding the network of nature reserves. The potential beneﬁts of agricultural extensiﬁcation, represented in Europe by agri-environmental schemes, still remain unclear. In particular, the eﬀectiveness of preserving linear woody vegetation to retain forest carnivores in farmland has received limited attention. We document the value of hedgerows and narrow strips of riparian forest for the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon and the common genet Genetta genetta. 2. In an agricultural mosaic of southern Spain containing 4Æ7% of woody vegetation, we tested hypotheses about the role of linear elements and three farmland types diﬀering in the amount, quality and structure of woody cover. We analysed the inﬂuence of linear elements on the placement and utilization of home ranges by combining compositional analysis and numerical methods. 3. Mongooses and genets strongly selected linear woody vegetation. All types of farmland, including open ﬁelds, dehesa (savanna-like pastureland or arable land rich in oak trees Quercus ilex and Q. suber) and olive Olea europaea groves, were avoided, suggesting that both species strictly depend upon native woody cover. 4. Most individuals made regular use of hedgerows and some individuals used hedgerows as the only source of woody cover in their home ranges. 5. The distribution of home ranges suggested that individuals made up a continuous, rather than discrete, population in a spatially structured habitat. An evenly distributed hedgerow network across the intervening agricultural matrix could prevent population fragmentation. 6. Synthesis and applications. A suitable network of linear cover allows some forest carnivores to survive in agricultural landscapes containing a low proportion (<10%) of native woody vegetation. Length (>0Æ5 km), width (4–10 m), quality (continuous native shrubs, scattered native trees, low levels of human disturbance), density (10–50 m ha )1 ) and a regular distribution of linear features are key elements in the conservation or restoration of agricultural landscapes where the preservation of small forest carnivores is an objective.
Keywords: agri-environmental schemes; agroecosystems; Biodiversity conservation; Connectivity; farmland; genetta genetta; habitat selection; hedgerows; Herpestes ichneumon; landscape restoration

A contribute to the knowledge of the climatophilous cork-oak woodlands from Iberian southwest - Quinto-Canas, Ricardo; Vila-Vicosa, Carlos; Meireles, Catarina; Paiva-Ferreira, Rodrigo; Martinez-Lombardo, Maria; Cano, Ana; Pinto-Gomes, Carlos (ACTA BOTANICA GALLICA, 2010)
This work results as an in-depth study of climatophilous cork-oak woodlands from Iberian southwest, by the necessity to profound the knowledge of this West-Mediterrenean vegetal formations, particularly in the most atlantic territories. Accordingly, we describe a new cork-oak forest association subhumid to humid, thermomediterranean, siliceous, from ``Marianico-Monchiquense{''} sector as a climatophilous serie, named Lavandulo viridis-Quercetum suberis new ass. Their floristic, ecologic and dynamic particularities are exposed. It's also presented a comparison with the rest of the cork-oak communities described to the Querco rotundifoliae-Oleion sylvestris Barbero, Quezel & Rivas-Martinez in Rivas-Martinez, Costa & Izco 1986 alliance. Finally, some considerations are made about the conservation status of these sclerophyllous formations and highlighted the most important management policies that aim to protect, recover and increase the value of cork-oak forests.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: FACULTE DE PHARMACIE, BP 83, F-59006 LILLE-CEDEX, FRANCE publisher: SOC BOTANIQUE FRANCE
Keywords: climatophilous vegetation; cork-oak woodlands; Iberian Southwest; Marianic-Monchiquensean Sector; phytosociology

Cork based composites using polyolefin’s as matrix: Morphology and mechanical performance - Fernandes, Emanuel M.; Correlo, Vitor M.; a. M. Chagas, José; Mano, João F.; Reis, Rui L. (Composites Science and Technology, 2010)
The cork industry produces high amounts of cork powders resulting from the ﬁnal stages of cork processing or resulting from existing cork products. Usually these powders are burned and served to boilers in industrial processes. The main goal of this work is to transform this cork sub-product into a highly value composite product. The real value is dependent on the mechanical performance of this product. Thus the mixture between cork and thermoplastics, particularly the improvement of interfacial bonding, is an important topic, which needs to be developed. The interfacial afﬁnity can be greatly increased, applying superﬁcial modiﬁcation of one of the components, or by the use of coupling agents. In this work, a high amount of cork powder (50 wt.%) from different origins combined with different thermoplastic materials using melt based processes has been examined. Pultrusion was used to produce pellets and compression moulding to obtain boards to determine its properties. Coupling agents based on maleic anhydride (2 wt.%) improved the tensile strength successfully, while the cork powder has an a important role in the stiffness. The morphology of the surface fractures indicated a good dispersion of the cork and a good adhesion between both phases. Thermal properties of the composites disclosed a nucleating effect promoted by cork
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: cork and thermoplastic; Coupling agents; mechanical properties; Pultrusion; thermal properties

THE CORK OAK FORESTS OF AQUITAINE: CONSERVATION VERSUS ECONOMIC REVIVAL - Puyo, Jean-Yves (SUD-OUEST EUROPEEN, 2010)
THE CORK OAK FORESTS OF AQUITAINE: CONSERVATION VERSUS ECONOMIC REVIVAL. The cork oak forests and plantations of Aquitaine were once the source of important communities of craftsmen devoted to cork processing. Two areas, le Marensin in the department of Landes and le Neracais in Lot-et-Garonne, have been enjoying renewed attention for the last decade. This paper aims at showing how these groves now become major stakes all the more since there ate so few of them left worldwide and are targeted by multiple projects aiming at either promoting the value of the landscape, sustaining biodiversity, or supporting traditional knowledge (from raising the cork to transforming it) as well as economic worth. Indeed, production has started anew on a few groves, after it came to a standstill more than forty years ago.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 5 ALLEES ANTONIO MACHADO, F-31058 TOULOUSE, FRANCE publisher: PRESSES UNIV MIRAIL
Keywords: Cork oak; Cork oak forests; HERTIAGE-MAKING PROCESS; MARENSIN; NERACAIS

Development of a system to predict the evolution of individual tree mature cork caliber over time - Almeida, Alice M.; Tomé, José; Tomé, Margarida (Forest Ecology and Management, 2010)
The development of a model for the prediction of the evolution of individual tree cork caliber over time, from a measurement taken at a certain point in time, was the main objective of this work. The model includes three sub-models: a model to predict the thickness of complete rings from cork caliber at tc years; a cork growth model (for complete rings) and a model to predict cork caliber at age tc from the corresponding thickness of (tc − 1) complete rings. The algebraic difference approach (ADA) as well as the generalized algebraic difference approach (GADA) were used in modeling cork growth. Several base models with one or two site-tree-speciﬁc parameters were ﬁtted to the data using the dummy variable approach. The selection of the cork growth model was based on several criteria: ﬁtting ability, prediction performance evaluated through the PRESS residuals and behaviour screened with available knowledge on the cork growth process. The ADA model derived from the log-logistic function with the asymptote as free parameter was selected. The models developed to predict cork caliber and the corresponding thickness of complete rings were based in the linear relationship between the two variables. The two models were simultaneously ﬁtted using two stage least squares approach. The predicted thickness of cork complete rings in a 9-year old cork is proposed as a cork growth index. The distribution of this index can be used to characterize the potential of a site for cork production.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Cork caliber; Cork growth index; Cork growth models; Cork thickness of complete rings

On the differential advantages of evergreenness and deciduousness in mediterranean oak woodlands: a flux perspective - Baldocchi, Dennis D.; Ma, Siyan; Rambal, Serge; Misson, Laurent; OURCIVAL, JEAN-MARC; Limousin, Jean-Marc; Pereira, João; Papale, Dario (ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, 2010)
We assessed the differential advantages of deciduousness and evergreenness by examining 26 site-years of carbon dioxide, water vapor, and energy flux measurements from five comparable oak woodlands in France, Italy, Portugal, and California (USA). On average, the evergreen and deciduous oak woodlands assimilated and respired similar amounts of carbon while using similar amounts of water. These results suggest that evergreen and deciduous woodlands have specific, and similar, ecological costs in mediterranean climates, and that both leaf habits are able to meet these costs. What are the mechanisms behind these findings? Deciduous oaks compensated for having a shorter growing season by attaining a greater capacity to assimilate carbon for a given amount of intercepted solar radiation during the well-watered spring period; at saturating light levels, deciduous oaks gained carbon at six times the rate of evergreen oaks. Otherwise, the two leaf habits experienced similar efficiencies in carbon use (the change in carbon respired per change in carbon assimilated), water use (the change in carbon assimilation per change in water evaporated), and rainfall use (the change in evaporation per change in rainfall). Overall, leaf area index, rather than leaf habit, was the significant factor in determining the absolute magnitude of carbon gained and water lost by each evergreen and deciduous oak woodland over an annual interval; the closed canopies assimilated and respired more carbon and transpired more water than the open canopies. Both deciduous and evergreen mediterranean oaks survive in their seasonally hot/dry, wet/cool native range by ensuring that actual evaporation is less than the supply of water. This feat is accomplished by adjusting the leaf area index to reduce total water loss at the landscape scale, by down-regulating photosynthesis, respiration, and stomatal conductance with progressive seasonal soil water deficits, and by extending their root systems to tap groundwater.
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: carbon dioxide exchange; deciduousness vs. evergreen

Discrimination of vegetation strata in a multi-layered Mediterranean forest ecosystem using height and intensity information derived from airborne laser scanning - Morsdorf, Felix; Mårell, Anders; Koetz, Benjamin; Cassagne, Nathalie; Pimont, Francois; Rigolot, Eric; Allgöwer, Britta (Remote Sensing of Environment, 2010)
Height and intensity information derived from Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) was used to obtain a quantitative vertical stratiﬁcation of vegetation in a multi-layered Mediterranean ecosystem. A new methodology for the separation of different vegetation strata was implemented using supervised classiﬁcation of a twodimensional feature space spanned by ALS return height (terrain corrected) and intensity. The classiﬁcation was carried out using Gaussian mixture models tuned on a control plot. The approach was validated using extensive ﬁeld measurements from treated plots, ranging from single vegetation strata to a more complex multi-layered ecosystem. Plot-level canopy proﬁles derived from ALS and from a geometric reconstruction based on ﬁeld measurements were in very good agreement, with correlation coefﬁcients ranging from 0.73 (for complex, 3-layered) to 0.96 (simple, single-layered). In addition, it was possible to derive plot-level information on layer height, vertical extent and coverage with absolute accuracies of some decimetres (simple plots) to a meter (complex plots) for both height and vertical extent and about 10 to 15% for layer coverage. The approach was then used to derive maps of the layer height, vertical extent and percentage of ground cover for a larger area, and classiﬁcation accuracy was evaluated on a per-pixel basis. The method performed best for single-layered plots or dominant layers on multi-layered plots, obtaining an overall accuracy of 80 to 90%. For subdominant layers in the more complex plots, accuracies obtained were as low as 48%. Our results demonstrate the possibility of deriving qualitative (presence and absence of speciﬁc vegetation layers) and quantitative, physical data (height, vertical extent and ground cover) describing the vertical structure of complex multi-layered forest ecosystems using ALS-based height and intensity information
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Inc.
Keywords: airborne laser scanning; Canopy proﬁle; cluster analysis; Gaussian mixture models; LiDAR; Multi-layered ecosystems; Shrubland; Supervised classiﬁcation; Vertical stratiﬁcation; Wildland ﬁres

Disentangling drought-induced variation in ecosystem and soil respiration using stable carbon isotopes. - Unger, Stephan; Máguas, Cristina; Pereira, João S; Aires, Luis M; David, Teresa S; Werner, Christiane (Oecologia, 2010)
Combining C flux measurements with information on their isotopic composition can yield a process-based understanding of ecosystem C dynamics. We studied the variations in both respiratory fluxes and their stable C isotopic compositions (delta(13)C) for all major components (trees, understory, roots and soil microorganisms) in a Mediterranean oak savannah during a period with increasing drought. We found large drought-induced and diurnal dynamics in isotopic compositions of soil, root and foliage respiration (delta(13)C(res)). Soil respiration was the largest contributor to ecosystem respiration (R (eco)), exhibiting a depleted isotopic signature and no marked variations with increasing drought, similar to ecosystem respired delta(13)CO(2), providing evidence for a stable C-source and minor influence of recent photosynthate from plants. Short-term and diurnal variations in delta(13)C(res) of foliage and roots (up to 8 and 4 per thousand, respectively) were in agreement with: (1) recent hypotheses on post-photosynthetic fractionation processes, (2) substrate changes with decreasing assimilation rates in combination with increased respiratory demand, and (3) decreased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity in drying roots, while altered photosynthetic discrimination was not responsible for the observed changes in delta(13)C(res). We applied a flux-based and an isotopic flux-based mass balance, yielding good agreement at the soil scale, while the isotopic mass balance at the ecosystem scale was not conserved. This was mainly caused by uncertainties in Keeling plot intercepts at the ecosystem scale due to small CO(2) gradients and large differences in delta(13)C(res) of the different component fluxes. Overall, stable isotopes provided valuable new insights into the drought-related variations of ecosystem C dynamics, encouraging future studies but also highlighting the need of improved methodology to disentangle short-term dynamics of isotopic composition of R (eco).
Keywords: Drought; Ecosystem respired carbon dioxide stable isotopic; Keeling plots; Mediterranean ecosystem; Respired carbon dioxide

Dissolution of cork biopolymers in biocompatible ionic liquids - Garcia, Helga; Ferreira, Rui; Petkovic, Marija; Ferguson, Jamie L.; Leitão, Maria C.; Gunaratne, H. Q. Nimal; Seddon, Kenneth R.; Rebelo, Luís Paulo N. Luis Paulo N.; Silva Pereira, Cristina; Leitão, Maria C. (Green Chemistry, 2010)
Classically, the best attempts to separate suberin from cork biopolymers have resulted in low efficiency; here, we report a class of biocompatible and biodegradable cholinium-based ionic liquids, the cholinium alkanoates, which show a highly efficient and specific dissolution of the suberin domains from cork biopolymers.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: The Royal Society of Chemistry
Keywords: Cork; cork biopolymers dissolution; ionic liquids; suberin (voyant)

Distribución espacial de la lluvia sobre el suelo en la dehesa: influencia de la poda del arbolado - Mateos Rodriguez, A. B.; Leco, F. (Cuaternario y Geomorfología, 2010)
Dehesas are dominant ecosystems in the region of Extremadura (SW Spain), being Quercus species, main- ly holm and cork oaks the dominant tree species. Those species undertake a very important role on the dehesa land- scapes as essential elements for the adequate functioning of the systems. Among other issues, tree cover affects the spatial distribution of rainfall. Tree crowns intercept rainfall leading to an irregular distribution of the water over the soil surface. Tree pruning, for regeneration or production, represents an activity which is carried out periodically over the dehesa trees, causing changes on tree crown architecture, and considerably reducing foliar biomass. In this work there is quantified the volume of rain to the surface of the soil under different coverage, analyzing the effects that prun- ing techniques can have of over the whole water resources and the possible repercussions on the soil system, in a zone of dehesa of the Cáceres province (Extremadura).
Keywords: Dehesa; quercíneas; throufall; tree pruning

Diversification of Pinus halepensis forests by sowing Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens acorns: testing the effects of different vegetation and soil treatments - Prévosto, Bernard; Monnier, Yogan; Ripert, Christian; Fernandez, Catherine (European Journal of Forest Research, 2010)
The goal of this study was to develop management strategies favouring establishment and survival of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) and downy oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.)—two species co-occurring in Southern France—in mature Allepo pine forests (Pinus halepensis Mill subsp. halepensis). An experimental design was assessed in a partially cut mature stand of Aleppo pine in which ﬁve soil and vegetation treatments—chopping, chopping followed by scariﬁcation in one or two directions, prescribed burning, control—and two slash treatments (presence/absence) were applied. A total of 1,600 sowing points, each composed of 3 Q. ilex or Q. pubescens acorns, were installed in the different treatments in November of two consecutive years at 6 and 18 months, after the end of treatments. Survival was monitored 3 and 2 years after sowing, soil surface at the sowing points was characterized at different dates, and predawn leaf water potentials were measured during the dry season. High mortality occurred after the ﬁrst summer, but survival after 1 year was 2.3–5.2 higher in Q. ilex than in Q. pubescens, conﬁrming that Q. ilex was better adapted to the drier parts of the Mediterranean area. Survival was signiﬁcantly inﬂuenced by the treatments, but there was a variable response between the two sowing years under most of the treatments. Only intense ﬁre proved the most beneﬁcial treatment for seedling survival in both years. The micro-local soil cover conditions induced by the treatments played a major role in explaining oak survival. In particular, grass cover (mainly Brachypodium retusum) proved to be largely unfavourable to seedling survival and growth, and this detrimental effect was also conﬁrmed by lower predawn leaf water potential values with increasing grass cover. Acorn introduction designed to diversify mature Aleppo pine forest after soil and vegetation treatments therefore has to be considered for treatments that most efﬁciently impair the pre-existing competing grass cover such as prescribed high-intensity ﬁre treatment.
Keywords: mediterranean oaks; Prescribed burning; seedling growth; seedling survival; Stand regeneration; Vegetation control

Diversity of soil basidiomycete communities associated with Quercus suber L. in Portuguese montados - Barrico, Lurdes; Rodríguez-Echeverría, Susana; Freitas, Helena (European Journal of Soil Biology, 2010)
The montado is an agro-silvo pastoral system characterized by an open oak formation combined with shrubs or a rotation of cultures/pastures/fallow. A key, but frequently overlooked, component of these systems is the fungal community associated with the dominant oaks. We present a study of the basidiomycete community in montado areas of Quercus suber L. from Central-Western Portugal, based on fruiting body assessment and PCR-DGGE of soil mycelium. Soil available phosphorus and organic matter content were also determined. The most frequent fruiting body found in the cork oak montados belonged to Lactarius, Clitocybe, Russula and Cortinarius species. Lactarius chrysorrheus was the most widely distributed species. Soil management practices cause a temporal increase in soil available phosphorus, and harrowing and fertilizer application also result in an increase in soil organic matter content. Mechanical clearing with recent soil disturbance had a negative effect on the richness and diversity of the basidiomycete community assessed using fruiting body. The molecular analysis of the basidiomycete community separated the sites with recent shrub-removal from the others sites. Our results show that soil management techniques that avoid disturbance of the top-soil layers are the best way to preserve the structure and diversity of the soil fungal community in the montado.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Masson SAS
Keywords: Basidiomycete; Dehesa; dgge; diversity; montado

Do photosynthetic limitations of evergreen Quercus ilex leaves change with long-term increased drought severity? - Limousin, Jean-Marc; Misson, Laurent; LAVOIR, ANNE-VIOLETTE; MARTIN, NICOLAS K.; Rambal, Serge (Plant, Cell & Environment, 2010)
Seasonal drought can severely impact leaf photosynthetic capacity. This is particularly important for Mediterranean forests, where precipitation is expected to decrease as a consequence of climate change. Impacts of increased drought on the photosynthetic capacity of the evergreen Quercus ilex were studied for two years in a mature forest submitted to long-term throughfall exclusion. Gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were measured on two successive leaf cohorts in a control and a dry plot. Exclusion significantly reduced leaf water potential in the dry treatment. In both treatments, light-saturated net assimilation rate (Amax), stomatal conductance (gs), maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax), mesophyll conductance to CO2 (gm) and nitrogen investment in photosynthesis decreased markedly with soil water limitation during summer. The relationships between leaf photosynthetic parameters and leaf water potential remained identical in the two treatments. Leaf and canopy acclimation to progressive, long-term drought occurred through changes in leaf area index, leaf mass per area and leaf chemical composition, but not through modifications of physiological parameters.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: acclimation; Drought; Mediterranean evergreen; mesophyll conductance; photo- synthetic capacity; photosynthesis limitation; Seasonality; throughfall exclusion

Drought-Induced Multifactor Decline of Scots Pine in the Pyrenees and Potential Vegetation Change by the Expansion of Co-occurring Oak Species - Galiano, L.; Martínez-Vilalta, J.; Lloret, F. (Ecosystems, 2010)
Episodes of drought-induced tree dieback have been recently observed in many forest areas of the world, particularly at the dry edge of species distributions. Under climate change, those effects could signal potential vegetation shifts occurring over large geographical areas, with major impacts on ecosystem form and function. In this article, we studied the effect of a single drought episode, which occurred in summer 2005, on a Scots pine population in central Pyrenees (NE Spain). Our main objective was to study the environmental correlates of forest decline and vegetation change at the plot level. General and generalized linear models were used to study the relationship between canopy defoliation, mortality and recruitment, and plot characteristics. A droughtdriven multifactor dieback was observed in the study forest. Defoliation and mortality were associated with the local level of drought stress estimated at each plot. In addition, stand structure, soil properties, and mistletoe infection were also associated with the observed pattern of defoliation, presumably acting as long-term predisposing factors. Recruitment of Scots pine was low in all plots. In contrast, we observed abundant recruitment of other tree species, mostlyQuercus ilexand Q. humilis, particularly in plots where Scots pine showed high defoliation and mortality. These results suggest that an altitudinal upwards migration of Quercusspecies, mediated by the dieback of the currently dominant species, may take place in the studied slopes. Many rear-edge populations of Scots pine sheltered in the mountain environments of the Iberian Peninsula could be at risk under future climate scenarios.
Keywords: canopy defoliation; Drought; mistletoe; mortality; pinus sylvestris l; Recruitment; scots pine; scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.); soil properties; Stand Structure; summer; summer water availability; Water availability

Drought-induced photosynthetic inhibition and autumn recovery in two Mediterranean oak species (Quercus ilex and Quercus suber) - Vaz, M; Pereira, J S; Gazarini, L C; David, T S; David, J S; Rodrigues, A; MAROCO, J; Chaves, M M (Tree Physiology, 2010)
Responses of leaf water relations and photosynthesis to summer drought and autumn rewetting were studied in two evergreen Mediterranean oak species, Quercus ilex spp. rotundifolia and Quercus suber. The predawn leaf water potential (ΨlPD), stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthetic rate (A) at ambient conditions were measured seasonally over a 3-year period. We also measured the photosynthetic response to light and to intercellular CO2 (A/PPFD and A/Ci response curves) under water stress (summer) and after recovery due to autumn rainfall. Photosynthetic parameters, Vcmax, Jmax and triose phosphate utilization (TPU) rate, were estimated using the Farquhar model. RuBisCo activity, leaf chlorophyll, leaf nitrogen concentration and leaf carbohydrate concentration were also measured. All measurements were performed in the spring leaves of the current year. In both species, the predawn leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate peaked in spring, progressively declined throughout the summer and recovered upon autumn rainfall. During the drought period, Q. ilex maintained a higher predawn leaf water potential and stomatal conductance than Q. suber. During this period, we found that photosynthesis was not only limited by stomatal closure, but was also downregulated as a consequence of a decrease in the maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and the light-saturated rate of photosynthetic electron transport (Jmax) in both species. The Vcmax and Jmax increased after the first autumnal rains and this increase was related to RuBisCo activity, leaf nitrogen concentration and chlorophyll concentration. In addition, an increase in the TPU rate and in soluble leaf sugar concentration was observed in this period. The results obtained indicate a high resilience of the photosynthetic apparatus to summer drought as well as good recovery in the following autumn rains of these evergreen oak species.
10.1093/treephys/tpq044
Keywords: biochemical parameters; Drought; Mediterranean; photosynthesis; Quercus ilex; Quercus suber; Recovery; water relations

Drying–rewetting cycles and γ-irradiation effects on enzyme activities of distinct layers from a Quercus ilex L. litter - Alarcón-Gutiérrez, Enrique; Floch, Carine; Ziarelli, Fabio; Augur, Christopher; Criquet, Stéven (Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2010)
In a Mediterranean climate, water stress is one of the principal constraints on proper forest ecosystem functioning. Drought influences rates of organic matter degradation by affecting microbial growth and enzyme activities. The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the effect of repeated dryingerewetting cycles on cellulase, alkaline phosphatase and fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolase activities of three distinct Quercus ilex L. litter layers, and (ii) to investigate the effect of these cycles on γ-irradiated litters in order to distinguish the abiotic influence on the fluctuations observed. Results, for all three layers, showed high correlations between litter water content and enzyme activities. Under mesocosm conditions, and using non-sterilized litter samples, cellulase, alkaline phosphatase, and FDA activities significantly decreased or increased during drying or rewetting cycles respectively. Significant differences were also found when evaluating the effect of litter depth on enzyme activities, the intermediate depth (OLv layer) generally being the most active. For γ-sterilized samples, FDA activity still fluctuated with dryingerewetting cycles. Assays showed that pre-humidification of γ-irradiated litter increased FDA activity two-fold in the first 30 min. All these results have shown that, following dryingerewetting cycles, some of the fluctuations occur independently of microbial growth, suggesting abiotic interactions, such as desorption, in combination with both solvatation status and conformational changes of enzymes.
Keywords: abiotic fluctuations; Drying-rewetting; Enzyme activities; Moisture; γ-Irradiation

Dung Beetles Eat Acorns to Increase Their Ovarian Development and Thermal Tolerance - Verdú, José R; Casas, José L; Lobo, Jorge M; NUMA, CATHERINE (PLoS ONE, 2010)
Animals eat different foods in proportions that yield a more favorable balance of nutrients. Despite known examples of these behaviors across different taxa, their ecological and physiological benefits remain unclear. We identified a surprising dietary shift that confers ecophysiological advantages in a dung beetle species. Thorectes lusitanicus, a Mediterranean ecosystem species adapted to eat semi-dry and dry dung (dung-fiber consumers) is also actively attracted to oak acorns, consuming and burying them. Acorn consumption appears to confer potential advantages over beetles that do not eat acorns: acorn-fed beetles showed important improvements in the fat body mass, hemolymph composition, and ovary development. During the reproductive period (October-December) beetles incorporating acorns into their diets should have greatly improved resistance to low-temperature conditions and improved ovarian development. In addition to enhancing the understanding of the relevance of dietary plasticity to the evolutionary biology of dung beetles, these results open the way to a more general understanding of the ecophysiological implications of differential dietary selection on the ecology and biogeography of these insects.
Keywords: Acorn consumption; Body condition (PG); dietary plasticity; Thorectes lusitanicus

ECONOMIA DA MONTANHEIRA , MULTIFUNCIONALIDADE DOS SISTEMAS E SUSTENTABILIDADE DOS MONTADOS - COELHO, INOCÊNCIO SEITA (PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes, 2010)
In this paper we demonstrate how important the economics of the Black Pig Alentejano race is in “montanheira” production system to the conservation of the cork oak and holm oak “montados”. We demonstrate also that the “montado” system is essential to assure the high quality and high prices of the goods provided by Black Pig extensive production system
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes pub-location: Zamora
Keywords: Alentejana Race Pigs; economics potential; environmental goods; high quality products; natural resources

The ectomycorrhizal community in natural Tuber borchii grounds - Iotti, Mirco; Lancellotti, Enrico; Hall, Ian; Zambonelli, Alessandra (FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, 2010)
Although Tuber borchii is a commercially valuable truffle, its habitat has been virtually ignored. Here, we examine the ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in natural T. borchii grounds. Ectomycorrhizas under T. borchii ascomata and up to 1 m away were collected and morphologically assigned to pine or oak host plants. They were then morphotyped and molecular typed using internal transcribed spacer regions. Seventy ectomycorrhizal taxa were identified, many of which were rare. Tuber borchii dominated, forming 20% of ectomycorrhizas, with Thelephoraceae, Inocybaceae and Sebacinaceae being the other main species. Species composition was markedly affected by the host plant, although community structure and composition was also influenced by the location from which the soil cores were collected. Tuber dryophilum, an edible truffle, but without commercial value, shared the habitat with T. borchii. Its mycorrhizas were never found together with those of T. borchii. Tuber borchii was present on both oaks and pines, but was more abundant in soil cores where the roots of both hosts were present. It is suggested that the presence of young oaks contributed to the maintenance of T. borchii colonization on pines.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: COMMERCE PLACE, 350 MAIN ST, MALDEN 02148, MA USA publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL
Keywords: bianchetto; ectomycorrhizal diversity; ITS-rDNA; mixed forest; morphotyping; truffiere

Ectomycorrhizal status of a mature productive black truffle plantation - Agueda, Beatriz; Fernández-Toirán, Luz Marina; de Miguel, Ana María; Martínez Peña, Fernando (Forest Systems; Vol 19, No 1 (2010), 2010)
The truffle-plantation “Los Quejigares” was planted in 1971 by AROTZ-CATESA company. It is a 600 ha plot of Quercus ilex mycorrhizated with Tuber melanosporum at 1250 m a.s.l. on calcareous soil. This plantation is the largest of the world and one of the eldest truffle-plantations of Spain and it is in full production. Knowledge of the mycorrhizal status of a mature black truffle plantation is significant for the improvement of truffle cultivation. Ectomycorrhizae were studied for knowing T. melanosporum persistence and diversity and abundance of other ectomycorrhizal types. Roots of 16 holmoaks were sampled, 12 trees produce truffle sporocarps and four did not. It was found a mean of about 70% of T. melanosporum ectomycorrhizae in all the studied trees, independently of their capacity to produce or not sporocarps. Also, 105 more different ectomycorrhizal types were found. In spite of the high number of morphotypes found, it seems that they do not replace T. melanosporum, showing that there is a coexistence between species in the fungal community associated to the roots.
Keywords: AROTZ-CATESA company; characterization of ectomycorrhizae; fungal diversity; Quercus ilex; truffle plantations; Tuber melanosporum

EFECTO DE FERTILIZANTES SOBRE LA PRODUCCIÓN DE BIOMASA Y PARÁMETROS DE CALIDAD EN PASTOS HERBÁCEOS DE DEHESA DESPUÉS DE TRES AÑOS CONTINUADOS DE APLICACIÓN - SANTAMARÍA, O.; Poblaciones, M. J.; Olea, L.; Rodrigo, S.; VIGUERA, F. J.; GARCÍA-WHITE, T. (PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes, 2010)
Dehesa is an agrosilvopastoral system widespread in southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Natural pastures, which are the main source, could be improved by using a proper fertilization, among other practices. With the aim of evaluating the effect of different fertilizers on biomass production and sev- eral nutritive value parameters (crude protein, fiber and lignin) of the pasture in comparison with the traditionally used superphosphate, a study was initiated in 2006/07. In the present communication, the third-year-results (2008/09) are presented. The study was carried out in a dehesa located in Extre- madura, in two areas: one with natural pastures and other with sown pastures. Eight surface-broadcast fertilization treatments were done in autumn. Two grazing periods were simulated by cutting the pas- ture in middle-spring and late-spring. Although no statistical differences were found among treat- ments, fertilizers tended to increase biomass production in comparison to the non-fertilized control; in some cases (treatment M1in the sown pasture) increments were close to 50%. Regarding the nutritive value, treatment T2 (the highest doses of Thomaskali fertilizer, 300 kg·ha-1) produced biomass with the significant highest protein content
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes pub-location: Zamora
Keywords: crude protein; fiber; Lignin; natural pasture; sown pasture

Effectiveness of the Miyawaki method in Mediterranean forest restoration programs - Schirone, Bartolomeo; Salis, Antonello; Vessella, Federico (Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 2010)
In the 1980s, Professor Akira Miyawaki introduced a new and innovative reforestation approach in Japan with the challenge to restore indigenous ecosystems, and maintaining global environments, including disaster prevention and carbon dioxide (CO2 ) mitigation. Here, natural vegetation successional stages (from bare soil to mature forest) are practically forced and reproduced, accelerating natural successional times. The Miyawaki method has been applied in the Far East, Malaysia, and South America; results have been very impressive, allowing quick environmental restorations of strongly degraded areas. However, these applications have always been made on sites characterized by high precipitation. The same method has never been used in a Mediterranean context distinguished by summer aridity and risk of desertiﬁcation. A ﬁrst test was carried out by the University of Tuscia, Department of Forest and Environment (DAF), 11 years ago in Sardinia (Italy) on an area where traditional reforestation methods had failed. For an appropriate Miyawaki application on this site, the original method was modiﬁed while maintaining its theoretical principles. Results obtained 2 and 11 years after planting are positive: having compared the traditional reforestation techniques, plant biodiversity using the Miyawaki method appears very high, and the new coenosis (plant community) was able to evolve without further operative support after planting. Therefore, the implementation of supplementary technique along with cost reduction might provide a new and innovative tool to foresters and ecological engineering experts for Mediterranean environmental reforestation program.
Keywords: ecological restoration; ecotechnology; mediterranean environment; potential natural vegetation; reforestation practices comparison

Effects of forest management on epiphytic lichen diversity in Mediterranean forests - Aragón, Gregorio; Martinez, I.; Izquierdo, P.; Belinchon, R.; Escudero, A. (APPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, 2010)
Question What are the responses of epiphytic lichens to the intensity of management along a large environmental gradient in Mediterranean Quercus forests? Location Central Spain. Methods This study was carried out on 4590 trees located in 306 forest stands dominated by Quercus faginea or Quercus ilex ssp. ballota. The effect of forest management and other predictor variables on several species diversity indicators were studied. Variables modelled were total species richness, cyanolichen richness and community composition. A large number of predictor variables were included: forest fragmentation (patch size, stand variability), climate and topographic (altitude, slope, sun radiation, annual rainfall and mean annual temperature) and intensity of management. General linear models and constrained ordination techniques were used to model community traits and species composition, respectively. Results Total richness and especially cyanolichens richness were significantly and negatively affected by the intensity of management. Lichen composition was influenced by management intensity, climatic and topographic variables and stand variability. Conclusions In Mediterranean forests, human activities related to forestry, agricultural and livestock use cause impoverishment of lichen communities, including the local disappearance of the most demanding species. The conservation of unmanaged forests with a dense canopy is crucial for lichen diversity.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: COMMERCE PLACE, 350 MAIN ST, MALDEN 02148, MA USA publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Keywords: Community traits; Cyanolichens; Drivers of composition; fragmentation; land use; oak forests; Spain; Variation partitioning

Effects of herbage ingestion upon ileal digestibility of amino acids in heavy Iberian pigs fed on an acorn-based diet - Garcia-Valverde, R.; Nieto, R.; Aguilera, J. F. (JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION, 2010)
P>We conducted two experiments with heavy Iberian pigs to determine the ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA) in acorns and freshly cut herbage, and the effects of adding fresh herbage upon the supply of ileal digestible AA when pigs were fed on holm-oak acorns. In Experiment 1, carried out in cannulated pigs of 107 kg bodyweight (BW), daily intake of acorns reached 44.9 g DM/kg0.75 BW. Arg, His and Thr showed the lowest apparent ileal digestibility (AID) values, whereas Met, the branched-chain AA and Phe had the highest coefficients. The AID of total EAA was 0.716 but only 0.222 for NEAA. Most of the digestive and absorptive processes of acorn protein occurred before the hindgut. Acorn provides (per kg DM) 2.27 g apparent ileal digestible Lys and 22.7 g apparent total digestible AA. Standardized ileal digestibility (SID) values for EAA, NEAA and total AA were 0.924 +/- 0.020, 0.784 +/- 0.041 and 0.860 +/- 0.029. In Experiment 2 fresh herbage was given to six cannulated Iberian pigs of 140 kg either as a single feed (13.7 g DM/kg0.75 BW) or as a supplement to acorns (28.4 g DM/kg0.75 BW). When only freshly cut forage was offered the AID of the EAA, NEAA and total AA was close to 0.65 and supplied (per kg DM ingested) 5.61 g AID Lys and 91.7 g digestible AA. Standardized ileal values were 0.744 +/- 0.023, 0.912 +/- 0.038 and 0.831 +/- 0.030 respectively. The addition of fresh forage to the acorns led to a significant decrease in AID of AA in acorn due to digesta transfer to the hindgut: His (p < 0.01), Met (p < 0.001), Phe (p = 0.092), Thr (p < 0.05) and Val (p < 0.05), but Arg, Lys and the branched-chain AA remained unaffected. The main contribution of herbage to AA nutrition of the grazing Iberian pig relies mainly on increasing the supply of digestible AA for pig tissues.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: COMMERCE PLACE, 350 MAIN ST, MALDEN 02148, MA USA publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Keywords: acorns; amino acids; digestibility; herbage; iberian pig

Effects of land abandonment on plant litter decomposition in a Montado system: relation to litter chemistry and community functional parameters - Castro, Helena; Fortunel, Claire; Freitas, Helena (Plant and Soil, 2010)
Changes in land use and subsequent shifts in vegetation can influence decomposition through changes in litter quality (chemistry and structure) and alterations of soil temperature and moisture. Our aim was to study the effects of land abandonment on litter decomposition in a Mediterranean area of Montado, South Portugal. We tested the hypothesis that decomposition tends to slow down with abandonment, as woody species, richer in lignified structures, replace herbaceous species. We assessed the decomposition of community litter in situ using litterbag technique. To test the influence of local conditions, we simultaneously incubated a standard litter in situ. Our results showed that the shift from herbaceous to shrubdominated communities lead to decreased decomposition rates. Changes in litter decomposition were primarily driven by changes in litter quality, even though the uneven pattern of litter mass loss over the experiment might reveal an effect from possible differences in microclimate. Shrub litter had higher nutrient content than herbaceous litter, which seemed to favour higher initial decomposition rates, but lower decomposition rate in the longer term. Shrubs also contribute to woody litter, richer in lignin, and secondary compounds that retard decomposition, and may play a role in increasing pools of slowly decomposing organic matter.
Keywords: ecosystem processes; Land use change; leaf dry matter content; Life form; litter quality; Mediterranean

Effects of Mediterranean dehesa management on epiphytic lichens. - Aragón, Gregorio; López, Rubén; Martínez, Isabel (The Science of the total environment, 2010)
Spanish holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota) open woodlands (dehesas) maintain a high diversity of plants and animals compared to other forested Mediterranean habits, but little is known about the responses of epiphytic lichens to different management regimes that are applied to this woodland type. The present study was carried out in central-southern Spain and included four management regimes: agriculture, grazing of sheep, grassland grazed by wild ungulates (deer), and abandoned dehesas covered by shrubs. Total species richness and cover exhibited considerable variation among management regimes. Both parameters tended to decrease with the intensity of management, abandoned dehesas maintaining a higher number of species than more intensively managed habitats. Lichen composition also significantly differed among the four regimes. Nitrophytic species were clearly associated with more intensive management regimes (farming or livestock management), whereas non-nitrophytic species favored abandoned dehesas.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V. accession-num: 20937519
Keywords: Lichen composition; Mediterranean Spain; Nitrophytic specie; Open woodlands; quercus ilex subsp. ballota; s Management regime

Effects of soil enrichment, watering and seedling age on establishment of Mediterranean woody species - Siles, Gemma; Rey, Pedro J; Alcántara, Julio M; Bastida, Jesús M; Herreros, Jose L (Acta Oecologica, 2010)
Vegetation restoration in strongly degraded lands has inherent limitations. Among the most relevant limitations in Mediterranean Mountains are severe drought and stressful levels of irradiance during summer. Thus, it is common that seedlings planted in open ground incur high rates of early mortality. In the context of a project of restoration of a burned area in Southern Spain, we evaluate the efﬁciency of watering and enrichment with native soil, and the inﬂuence of seedling age on survival and growth of 9 late-successional tall shrubs and trees planted in open ground. We also explore how small-scale variation in environmental variables relates to establishment success. Our results show an overall positive effect of watering on the survival of planted seedlings, while the effects of enrichment with native soil and age of planted seedlings were species-speciﬁc. Seedling establishment varied markedly with the presence of ravines, which duplicated seedling survival. This suggests that ravines may be more easily restored, improving their role as corridors in landscape designs of restoration. Independently of the treatment applied, Rosa sp. and Crataegus monogyna, both ﬂeshy-fruited species, had the highest rates of establishment. In conclusion, this study shows the viability of low aggressive restoration techniques to assist vegetation recovery in ﬁre-degraded environments. Speciﬁcally, watering and planting in ravines should be considered where restoration practices are applied in areas lacking vegetation cover. Some species highly attractive for animal dispersers and of easy establishment (Rosa sp. and Crataegus sp.) could be used to enhance spontaneous regeneration within and beyond corridors through increasing seed attraction and dissemination.
Keywords: Enrichment with native soil; irrigation; Mediterranean vegetation; Post-ﬁre restoration; seedling survival

Establishment of cryopreserved gene banks of European chestnut and cork oak - Vidal, Nieves; Viéitez, Ana M; Fernández, M Rosario; Cuenca, Beatriz; Ballester, Antonio (European Journal of Forest Research, 2010)
Cryopreservation of selected genotypes of European chestnut and cork oak was carried out in two laboratories in a project involving conservation of ﬁeld collections. Plant material was selected on the basis of disease resistance (chestnut), growth habit, phytosanitary performance and cork quality (cork oak). The cryopreservation technique comprised of vitriﬁcation of shoot apices isolated from in vitro stock shoot cultures (chestnut) and somatic embryos (cork oak). Forty-three out of 46 chestnut genotypes assayed survived the freezing process, but only 63% recovered their capacity to produce new shoots. After completion of multiplication and rooting steps, the surviving shoots produced plants that were morphologically identical to those derived from non-supercooled material. All 51 cork oak genotypes withstood freezing and were able to produce new somatic embryos through a process of secondary embryogenesis. Multiplication and germination of the recovered embryos enabled production of plants that were morphologically identical to those derived from nonsupercooled material. In light of the results obtained, longterm cryopreservation of these species is feasible, thereby ensuring conservation of valuable genotypes during ﬁeld evaluation
Keywords: Castanea sativa; Cryopreservation; forest tree species; liquid nitrogen; Quercus suber; Vitrification

ESTADO NUTRITIVO DE LA ENCINA EN LAS DEHESAS Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA PRODUCCIÓN DE BELLOTA Y CON EL ESTADO DE VIGOR DEL ÁRBOL - GARCÍA MORENO, A. M.; LEAL MURILLO, J. R.; CARBONERO MUÑOZM. D; Fernández Rebollo, P. (PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes, 2010)
The present work tries to characterize the nutritional status of the holm oak, and analyzes the relations between nutrient content of the leaf with acorn production and tree health in dehesa farms from Los Pedroches. In October 2007, 126 leaf samples were collected from trees in nine different dehesa farms. These leaf samples were analyzed by means of conventional chemical methods to get macronutrients contents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and micronutrients contents (B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn). In addi- tion, acorn production and tree health (measured by defoliation rate) were estimated in each tree. The results show that the nutritional state of holm oak in dehesas gets acceptable levels. There are correla- tions between health tree and some nutrients (P, Mg and Mn), moreover, there are correlations be- tween K content and acorn production, and K content and relative water content of the leaf.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes pub-location: Zamora
Keywords: defoliation; nutrient content; water content

Estimating biomass carbon stocks for a Mediterranean forest in central Spain using LiDAR height and intensity data - García, Mariano; Riaño, David; Chuvieco, Emilio; Danson, F. Mark; García, Mariano; Riaño, David; Chuvieco, Emilio; Danson, F. Mark (REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT, 2010)
Biomass fractions (total aboveground, branches and foliage) were estimated from a small footprint discrete-return LiDAR system in an unmanaged Mediterranean forest in central Spain. Several biomass estimation models based on LiDAR height, intensity or height combined with intensity data were explored. Raw intensity data were normalized to a standard range in order to remove the range dependence of the intensity signal. In general terms, intensity-based models provided more accurate predictions of the biomass fractions. Height models selected were mainly based on a percentile of the height distribution. Intensity models selected included variables that consider the percentage of the intensity accumulated at different height percentiles, which implicitly take into account the height distribution. The general models derived considering all species together were based on height combined with intensity data. These models yielded R(2) values greater than 0.58 for the different biomass fractions considered and RMSE values of 28.89, 18.28 and 1.51 Mg ha(-1) for aboveground, branch and foliage biomass, respectively. Results greatly improved for species-specific models using the main species present in each plot, with R(2) values greater than 0.85, 0.70 and 0.90 for black pine, Spanish juniper and Holm oak, respectively, and with lower RMSE for the biomass fractions. Reductions in WAR point density had only a small effect on the results obtained, except for those models based on a variation of the Canopy Reflection Sum, which was weighted by the mean point density. Based on the species-specific equations derived, Holm oak dominated plots showed the highest average carbon contained by aboveground biomass and branch biomass 44.66 and 31.42 Mg ha(-1) respectively, while for foliage biomass carbon, Spanish juniper showed the highest average value (3.04 Mg ha(-1)). (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 360 PARK AVE SOUTH, NEW YORK, NY 10010-1710 USA publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
Keywords: Biomass fractions; Carbon content; Intensity; LiDAR

Estimation of the organic carbon stock in the ecosystem of the Middle Atlas Moroccan Quercus ilex forest - Boulmane, Mohamed; Makhloufi, Mohamed; Bouillet, Jean-Pierre; Saint-Andre, Laurent; Satrani, Badr; Halim, Mohamed; Elantry-Tazi, Salwa (ACTA BOTANICA GALLICA, 2010)
The present study was carried out in Quercus ilex forest of the Middle Moroccan Central Atlas (Tafachna and Reggada). It aims at the determination of the organic carbon stock in the various layers of the soils, the litter and the various components of the tree (wood of the trunk, bark, branches, smal branches and leaves). It comes out from this study that the stock of total carbon (SCOT) in the ecosystem of the holm oak is of 145 t C/ha for Tafachna and 114 t C/ha for Reggada. The organic carbon stock of soils (SCOS) represents more than 50% of the SCT. This stock varies considerably with the density of peuplement with 80 t C/ha for Tafachna (5192 species/ha) and 56 t C/ha for Reggada (1584 species/ha). Contrary to the carbon stock in the phytomass which is equal 64 t C/ha for Tafachna and 58 t C/ha for Reggada. More than 80% of the organic carbon stock of the soils is stored in the first 30 centimeters, that is about 63 t/ha (43% of the SCOT) for Tafachna and 47 t/ha (41% of the SCOT) for Reggada.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: FACULTE DE PHARMACIE, BP 83, F-59006 LILLE-CEDEX, FRANCE publisher: SOC BOTANIQUE FRANCE
Keywords: biomass; mineralisation; organic carbon; Soil

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants traditionally used in the Arribes del Duero, western Spain. - González, José a; García-Barriuso, Mónica; Amich, Francisco (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2010)
Aim of the study: We studied traditional knowledge (TK) and current uses of medicinal plants among the inhabitants of the Arribes del Duero–ARD–(Spain), documenting traditional medical practices. Materials and methods:We interviewed 80 key informants (44 men and 36 women). Their average age was 72 years (range 48–98 years). We calculated the cultural importance for each species cited. To analyze how TK varies with the characteristics of the different informants, we performed an ANCOVA, taking the number of use-reports (URs) provided by each informant as a variable to model, and age and gender as explanatory variables. Results and conclusions: 156 medicinal remedies were recorded; they were based on a single species and were cited by at least three independent informants, and half of them are still in use today. These remedies are related to nine major organ systems and 54 therapeutic uses, and 70 species (belonging to 39 families) are used, most of which are herbs (64%). The most relevant family is the Lamiaceae (23 remedies, 8 species) and the species employed in the greatest number of remedies (8) is Urtica dioica L. However, the taxon with the greatest cultural value is Hypericum perforatum L. (CI = 0.71). 31% of the variability of the TK can be explained in terms of the age and gender of the informants (R 2 = 0.315), the age factor having a positive effect. Most of the remedies are related to the treatment of unimportant ailments, referring to disorders of the skin, and the respiratory and digestive systems. The leaves and fruits are the most frequently sought plant parts (40 and 17% of the plants mentioned, respectively), and infusions (34%) and decoctions (28%) are the main methods used for preparing the remedies. Likewise, we recorded remedies based on plant mixtures and ethnomedicinal novelties or rare uses, and comment on the inﬂuence exerted by superstition. Currently, many people preserve a rich TK about medicinal plants, and it may be afﬁrmed that the folk medicine is still very much alive in the ARD, above all as regards the treatment of certain common afﬂictions or unimportant ailments.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 20643201
Keywords: Ethnobotany; Medicinal plants; Quantitative analysis; Traditional remedies

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity, Antimicrobial and Fungicidal Effect of Organic Extracts of Cork Oak Acorns Infested by Carpophagous Insects - Adjami, Y.; Ouakid, M. L.; Saouli, A.; Bensafi, H.; Soltani, N.; Hayouni, E. A.; Everarts, C. (INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS - SIPAM2009, 2010)
The Algerian cork oak forest is constituted with numerous essences(Quercus faginea, Quercus coccifera, Quercus suber). This last one establishes an essential element of the physical, climatic and especially socioeconomic balance of the populations of the rural zones and the country in general. An appeal to the regeneration would be indispensable for the rehabilitation of these forests, where from the importance of acorns, which play a major role in the regeneration of this essence. The purpose of this work is to estimate antioxidant activity, antimicrobial and fungicidal effect of the essential oil of organic extracts of the cork oak acorns attacked with the procession of insects called Carpophagous Insects. We extracted acorns of cork oak infested with insects by using organic solvents as the acetone, the chloroform, the ethanol and also extract of water. We measured at first the total lipids according to Goldsworthy's method (1972). The antioxidant activity of samples was determined by two methods, the one based on the discoloration of a solution of cation ABTSo +. The original product, ABTS is going to generate cations ABTSo + which are free radicals and the other one based on the discoloration of a solution of beta-carotene (beta-carotene bleaching method). Extracts, obtained were individually estimated against some phytopathogenes: Penicillium digitalum, Penicillium italicum, Botrytis fabae, Botrytis cinera, Ascophyta fabae, Fusarium oxysporum, as well as against pathogenic microorganisms such as Geotrichum candidum, Aspergillus, Candida galbrata, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Extracts were so individually estimated against a sample group of 4 bacteria including: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. Results show that all the extracts stemming from attacked acorns contain less lipids than the extracts of the healthy acorns. These same extracts present an antioxidant activity, a significant antimicrobial and fungicidal effect. This biologic activity is a function of various used solvents.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS - SIPAM2009 pub-location: PO BOX 500, 3001 LEUVEN 1, BELGIUM
Keywords: acorns; antimicrobial and fungicidal effect; antio

Evolution of annual rainfall irregularity in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula - García-Barrón, L.; Aguilar, M.; Sousa, a (Theoretical and Applied Climatology, 2010)
The areas of the Iberian Peninsula with Mediterranean climate are characterised by rainfall irregularity. Standard statistical estimation methods provide a limited insight of all the dimensions of such irregularity. Based on different techniques to describe the inter-annual irregularity of rainfall, the authors develop a new method: the disparity indices. These indices are then applied to several historical rainfall series (dating from the end of the nineteenth century up to the present) from the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Similar rainfall irregularity patterns are found in all weather stations in the studied area, confirming their belonging to the same climatic region. The results indicate a relative stability during the first third of the twentieth century, coinciding with a period of low precipitation and a progressive increase during the last three decades. The use of a new index named specific disparity index has proven be useful in highlighting the irregularity within the rainfall series at each meteorological station. This new index could contribute to monitor future changes in precipitation within the general framework of research on climate change. Although Mediterranean ecosystems are adapted to important fluctuations in the rainfall regime, this increase in irregularity may affect rivers, wetlands and the hygrophytic vegetation.
Keywords: climatic series; disparity index; Iberian Peninsula (voyant); rainfall variability

Expected trends and surprises in the Lateglacial and Holocene vegetation history of the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands - Carrión, José S.; Fernández, Santiago; González-Sampériz, Penélope; Gil-Romera, Graciela; Badal, Ernestina; Carrión-Marco, Yolanda; López-Merino, Lourdes; López-Sáez, José a; Fierro, Elena; Burjachs, Francesc (Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2010)
Recent, high-resolution palaeoecological records are changing the traditional picture of post-glacial vegetation succession in the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to the inﬂuence of Lateglacial and Early Holocene climatic changes, other factors are critical in the course of vegetation development and we observe strong regional differences. The ﬂoristic composition, location and structure of glacial tree populations and communities may have been primary causes of vegetation development. Refugial populations in the Baetic cordilleras would have been a source, but not the only one, for the early Lateglacial oak expansions. From Mid to Late Holocene, inertial, resilient, and rapid responses of vegetation to climatic change are described, and regional differences in the response are stressed. The role of ﬁre, pastoralism, agriculture, and other anthropogenic disturbances (such as mining), during the Copper, Bronze, Iberian, and Roman times, is analysed. The implications of ecological transitions in cultural changes, especially when they occur as societal collapses, are discussed.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Holocene; iberia; palaeobotany; palaeoecology; palaeogeography; quaternary

Facilitation of Quercus ilex in Mediterranean shrubland is explained by both direct and indirect interactions mediated by herbs - Cuesta, Bárbara; Villar-Salvador, Pedro; Puértolas, Jaime; Rey Benayas, José M.; Michalet, Richard (Journal of Ecology, 2010)
1. Competitive and facilitative interactions shape plant communities. Whereas a number of studies have addressed competition and direct facilitation among plants in dry ecosystems, indirect facilitation has received little attention. 2. We investigated the relative importance of direct and indirect facilitation by the nurse plant Retama sphaerocarpa on late-successional Quercus ilex seedlings mediated by herb suppression in a Mediterranean shrubland in 2006 and 2007. We also studied whether facilitation outcome depended on the size of the facilitated seedlings. 3. A field experiment was carried out to test the effect of (i) position of Q. ilex seedling with respect to shrub canopy (under shrubs or in gaps), (ii) herb competition (presence or absence), and (iii) seedling size. 2006 was an average rainfall year while 2007 had a much more humid spring and a dryer summer than 2006. 4. In both years, nurse shrubs reduced seedling mortality whereas herbs increased it. In the average rainfall year, seedling mortality under shrubs was unaffected by herbs whereas in gaps it was significantly higher in presence of herbs. This showed that the nurse shrub indirectly facilitated the seedlings by reducing the competitive capacity of herbs. Conversely, facilitation was predominately direct during the humid spring and dry summer year since herbs hindered seedling survival similarly under the nurse shrub and in gaps. The nurse shrub directly facilitated the seedlings by reducing seedling photoinhibition and water stress. 5. Improvement of environmental conditions by Retama benefited smaller seedlings but not larger seedlings since the nurse shrub reduced mortality of smaller seedlings relative to that in gaps, but this effect was not observed for larger seedlings. This indicates that individuals within a seedling population may not have the same response to facilitation. 6. Synthesis. Both indirect and direct facilitation are important mechanisms for Q. ilex regeneration in Retama shrubland and their importance seems to vary with climatic conditions. Indirect facilitation by release of herb competition under nurse shrubs is important in years of dry springs when competition between nurse shrubs and herbs is high, whereas direct facilitation mediated by microclimate amelioration increases with summer aridity.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: chlorophyll fluorescence; herb competition; Quercus ilex; retama sphaerocarpa; seedling size; water potential

Forest humus forms as potential indicators of soil carbon storage in Mediterranean environments - Andreetta, Anna; Ciampalini, Rossano; Moretti, Pierpaolo; Vingiani, Simona; Poggio, Giorgio; Matteucci, Giorgio; Tescari, Francesca; Carnicelli, Stefano (Biology and Fertility of Soils, 2010)
The aim of this work was to investigate the potential of forest humus forms as indicators of soil C storage. To this purpose, Mediterranean forest soils in Southern and Central Italy were examined. Sites differed for elevation, climate, parent material and vegetation conditions, while summer drought was the common ecological factor. A morpho-functional criterion, based on holorganic layers thickness and A horizon properties, was used to classify humus forms, which ranged from Dysmoder to Eumull. Such variability allowed understanding of factors influencing organic matter storage. The relations between carbon stock and humus form were investigated for the topsoil layer (0–20 cm), which was supposed to contain the soil C pools most sensitive to climate change. We found that humus forms can be grouped in statistically different populations, with respect to topsoil C stocks. The use of A horizon structure was the main diagnostic criterion and represented the most effective approach to humus classification in Mediterranean conditions. It appears that humus forms have a clear potential as indicators of organic carbon status in Mediterranean forest soils.
Keywords: carbon pools; Carbon Sequestration; humus forms; Mediterranean forests; stabilization

Fragmentation, habitat composition and the dispersal/predation balance in interactions between the Mediterranean myrtle and avian frugivores - González-Varo, Juan P. (Ecography, 2010)
Human-induced fragmentation and disturbance of natural habitats can shift abundance and composition of frugivore assemblages, which may alter patterns of frugivory and seed dispersal. However, despite their relevance to the functioning of ecosystems, plant-frugivore interactions in fragmented areas have been to date poorly studied. I investigated spatial variation of avian frugivore assemblages and fruit removal by dispersers and predators from Mediterranean myrtle shrubs (Myrtus communis) in relation to the degree of fragmentation and habitat features of nine woodland patches (72 plants). The study was conducted within the chronically fragmented landscape of the Guadalquivir Valley (SW Spain), characterized by 1% of woodland cover. Results showed that the abundance and composition of the disperser guild was not affected by fragmentation, habitat features or geographical location. However, individual species and groups of resident/migrant birds responded differently: whereas resident dispersers were more abundant in large patches, wintering dispersers were more abundant in fruit-rich patches. Predator abundances were similar between patches, although the guild composition shifted with fragmentation. The proportion of myrtle fruits consumed by dispersers and predators varied greatly between patches, but did not depend on bird abundances. The geographical location of patches determined the presence or absence of interactions between myrtles and seed predators (six predated and three non-predated patches), a fact that greatly influenced fruit dispersal success. Moreover, predation rates were lower (and dispersal rates higher) in large patches with fruit-poor heterospecific environments (i.e. dominated by myrtle). Predator satiation and a higher preference for heterospecific fruits by dispersers may explain these patterns. These results show that 1) the frugivore assemblage in warm Mediterranean lowlands is mostly composed of fragmentation-tolerant species that respond differently to landscape changes; and 2) that the feeding behaviour of both dispersers and predators influenced by local fruit availability may be of great importance for interpreting patterns of frugivory throughout the study area.
Keywords: Dispersers; fragmentation; patches (voyant); predators; seed dispersal

Fruit production under different environmental and management conditions of argan, Argania spinosa (L.) - Zunzunegui, M; Ain-Lhout, F; Jáuregui, J; Díaz Barradas, M C; Boutaleb, S; Álvarez-Cansino, L; Esquivias, M P (Journal of Arid Environments, 2010)
The study’s aim was to evaluate the effects of different management and environmental conditions on fruit and seed mass production of Argania spinosa, an endemic tree to Morocco that grows in arid and semiarid areas and is now undergoing a protracted regression due to overexploitation. Four study areas with different herbivory intensity, altitude and climatic conditions were selected. In each one the following measurements were carried out in 20 trees: tree and crown height, crown projection, trunk diameter, leaf area index, tree density, fruit production$m3 , number of fruits per tree, fruit, endocarp and kernel mass and seed size. The greatest fruit production and fruit size were found in populations with better climatic conditions, followed by the population under high human pressure. The lowest fruit production and fruit size were found in the population under the most severe climate conditions. Mean kernel mass was not affected by harsh climatic conditions or high human pressure, but when both stressing factors were combined all measured fruit traits were abated. Although A. spinosa is tolerant to high herbivory pressure, this perturbation induces a drastic decrease in fruit production. Managing plans addressing its reintroduction and/or maintenance should include a conservative strategy controlling herbivory
Keywords: herbivory; Kernel mass; leaf area index; Oil content; Oil production; seed mass

Functional response traits in relation to land use change in the Montado - Castro, Helena; Lehsten, Veiko; Lavorel, Sandra; Freitas, Helena (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2010)
The socio-economic changes of the last decades have resulted in changes in traditional land uses with consequent abandonment of large farmland areas in the Mediterranean region. We assessed the response of species richness and composition, and species functional traits to decreasing land use intensity in a Montado system, an agro-pastoral system characteristic of the Alentejo, Southern Portugal. Additionally, we investigated whether plant functional types can be established based on the response to decreasing land use intensity in these systems. Consistent with previous studies, species richness decreased sharply after land abandonment, and this was associated with a strong turnover in species composition from grazed to abandoned sites as the vegetation changed from herbaceous to shrub dominated communities. Pronounced differences in functional traits were found for different successional stages. Therophyte life form, short plant height, high speciﬁc leaf area (SLA), low leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and small seeds with dispersal structures were dominant in grazed plots. Within abandoned plots, chamaephytes dominated in plots abandoned for 10–15 years and decreased in favour of nanophanerophytes in plots abandoned for 20–30 years. Plant height, LDMC and seed mass increased with abandonment time while SLA decreased. Functional response groups sufﬁcient to describe vegetation change were identiﬁed combining life form and SLA. Therophytes with medium SLA were the dominant functional group in grazed areas, while nanophanerophytes with medium or low SLA were associated with later phases of abandonment. At intermediate stages of succession the dominant group was chamaephytes with medium SLA but functional diversity was highest as all the groups, except hemicryptophytes with medium SLA, were represented. These changes in functional composition can be translated into effects on key ecosystem properties. The increase in LDMC indicates an increase in ﬂammability while trends in both LDMC and SLA suggest decreased decomposition, and thereby carbon and nutrient cycling. These will need to be considered in combination with consequences for other ecosystem properties for future management.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Fourth-corner method; Functional groups; functional traits; Mediterranean; Null model; Plant; Secondary succession

Genetic variation and evolutionary history of holly oak: a circum-Mediterranean species-complex [Quercus coccifera L./Q. calliprinos (Webb) Holmboe, Fagaceae] - Toumi, Lamjed; Lumaret, Roselyne (Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2010)
Holly oak is the only evergreen oak possessing a circum-Mediterranean range; it has two predominant morphological forms, calliprinos and coccifera, described in the eastern and western Mediterranean Basin respectively. The concordance of allozyme and morphotype variation was analysed in the whole holly oak range, and the most plausible historical events responsible for the current geographic pattern of genetic variation were investigated. Individuals from 24 populations were scored for allozyme variation at seven polymorphic loci. Multilocus genotypes were analysed by using a correspondence analysis (CA) and a Bayesian clustering approach. The relative positions of the populations were obtained from multi-dimensional scaling coupled with UPGMA treatment. A continuous genotype distribution was observed in the CA, and two groups were identiﬁed using the Bayesian approach. With a 0.95 threshold, 66 and 69% of the individuals showing the calliprinos and the coccifera morphotypes respectively were assigned to the corresponding genetic groups, which differed by private alleles. As compared to coccifera, the genetic group calliprinos was characterized by higher allelic richness and a strong geographical genetic structure. In agreement with fossil records, the most parsimonious explanation for lack of geographical structure in coccifera is a substantial regression of holly oak in the western Mediterranean Basin during the glaciations and a fast westward post-glacial expansion of coccifera populations, probably from Greece. Two population groups were obtained from the scaling/ UPGMA treatment. One included all of the calliprinos populations and a Greek coccifera population, suggesting that the two morphotypes are closely related genetically and constitute two components of the same species.
Keywords: Allozyme variation; Evergreen Mediterranean oaks; Evolutionary history; Morphotype variation; Quercus coccifera L./Q. calliprinos (Webb) Holmboe

Geobotanical survey of wood-pasture habitats in Europe: diversity, threats and conservation - Bergmeier, Erwin; Petermann, Jörg; Schröder, Eckhard (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010)
Agro-silvopastoral land-use has a long tradition throughout Europe. Depending on the region, wood-pasture occurs as vanishing relic of historical land-use, or still more or less widespread as multiple-use rangeland. A new development is that former intensively managed land is being left to evolve towards wood-pasture as an economically and ecologically favourable alternative. In a review of European wood-pasture habitats we distinguish 24 types based on the geobotanical criteria of region, structure, land-use and tree species composition. The European wood-pasture types may be classiﬁed as hemiboreal and boreal (4 types), nemoral old-growth (7), nemoral scrub and coppice (5), meridional old-growth (2), meridional scrub and coppice (4), and grazed orchards (2). Wood-pasture forms part of the cultural heritage of Europe, and may add signiﬁcantly to the preservation of regional biodiversity. The role of wood-pasture in ecological restoration planning and the possibilities of maintaining or enhancing features of wood-pasture deserve more recognition. Many wood-pastures suffer from regeneration failure and are over-mature. Other threats to wood-pasture include abandonment, intensiﬁcation, oak disease, overgrazing and clearance. In the European Union Habitats Directive, woodpasture habitats are represented but rather inconsistently. We suggest neglected woodpasture habitat types to be considered for inclusion. Wood-pasture may form an important element for the economic integrity of rural areas aiming to improve ecological quality‚ provided they are managed sustainably
Keywords: Agroforestry; Dehesa; Habitats directive; Hudewald; Pasture-woodland; Silvopastoralism; Traditional land-use

Geoderma Assessment of the effects of environmental factors on humi fi cation processes by derivative infrared spectroscopy and discriminant analysis - Fernández-getino, A. P.; Hernández, Z.; Buena, A. Piedra; ALMENDROS, G. (Geoderma, 2010)
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.

Growth performances , carcasses parameters and meat fatty acid composition of lamb fed green oak acorns ( Quercus ilex ) based diet - Keddam, Ramdane; Bouderoua, Kaddour; El-affifi, Mohamed; Attou, Ghalem Selselet- (African Journal of Biotechnology, 2010)
The aim of this experiment is to compare the effects of diets containing green oak acorns (GO) and barley (BL) on the growth performances, carcasses parameters and the composition in fatty acids of lambs. Two groups of five lambs each were fed, respectively, during 105 days with diets containing 50% of oaks acorns and 50% of barley. At the end of the test, the animals of the two diets expressed comparable body weights and weight gain. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed for the thickness of fat cover which is 3 mm for the BL group against 1.6 mm for GO group even if no significant difference was revealed concerning the output with slaughtering. The intramuscular lipids were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the group of animals fed with GO diet compared to the BL diet (3.88 vs 2.83 g.100-1 g of muscle). Among the saturated fatty acids (SFA), the stearic acid significantly appeared in higher proportion (P < 0.05) in GO diet (20.8 vs 18.1%) whereas the palmitic acid is prevalent in the group of animals fed with the BL diet (25 vs 30%). For the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), no significant difference was observed between the two groups. The linoleic acid is prevalent among the PUFA of two groups without significant difference. The linolenic acid is higher in the animal fed BL. The n-6: n-3 ratio is higher in the BL group (8.9 vs 7.3). At the end, the low level of incorporation of PUFA in muscle of the lamb because of biohydrogenation, suggests us supplementing the diet by green grass.
Keywords: barley; fatty acid; lamb; meat; oak acorn

Habitat selection and abundance of common genets Genetta genetta using camera capture-mark-recapture data - Sarmento, PedroBernardo; Cruz, JoanaP.; Eira, CatarinaI.; Fonseca, Carlos (European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2010)
Using camera-trapping techniques, the present study, conducted from 2005 to 2007, provides common genet abundance estimates in Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve (central-eastern Portugal). We estimated genet abundance using the software CAPTURE. It was possible to obtain a capture success of 1.49 captures/100 trap-nights. Considering the heterogeneity model (Mh ), which presents higher biological significance, the estimated density varied between 0.50 (95% CI = 0.43–0.56 genets/km 2 ) to 0.92 (95% CI = 0.87–0.97 genets/km 2 ) genets/km 2 with an average density value of 0.70 genets/km 2 (95% CI = 0.58– 0.82 genets/km 2 ). These estimates emphasized this technique as a reliable method for assessing average genet density over large spatial scales and for monitoring future changes in genet numbers. In terms of habitat selection, genets selected Quercus rotundifolia and Arbutus unedo woodlands and avoided Erica spp. and Cistus ladanifer scrubland and Eucalyptus stands. Considering the landscape heterogeneity outside the reserve, our study emphasizes the importance of the protected area for small carnivore conservation.
Keywords: Camera trap; Capture-mark-recapture; Common genet; Density estimate; genetta genetta; Program CAPTURE

HABITAT USE BY THE EUROPEAN WILD RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS) IN A COASTAL SANDY DUNE ECOSYSTEM OF CENTRAL ITALY - Santilli, Francesco; Bagliacca, Marco (HYSTRIX-ITALIAN JOURNAL OF MAMMALOGY, 2010)
The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been recurrently introduced into Italy since the Roman times. Some populations occur along sandy coastal dunes (Central Italy). There is no information about the ecology and habitat preferences of wild rabbits in this particular ecosystem. During May and June 2009, we assessed the distribution of wild rabbits in a 120 ha protected area (province of Livorno, Tuscany), by faecal pellet counts in 170 circular plots (d = 1 m). Range size defined by Kernel Analysis was 27.3 ha (95%) and 13.2 ha (50%). Habitat selection was assessed through Jacobs' index of selection. Rabbits selected the first dunes that offer both food (psammophilous grasses) and the cover of tamarisk shrubs. Holm oak woods and pinewoods were avoided, probably because of the lack of undergrowth.
Keywords: coastal dunes; habitat selection; Italy; wild rabbit

The historical origins of aridity and vegetation degradation in southeastern Spain - Carrión, J. S. S.; Fernández, S.; Jiménez-Moreno, G.; Fauquette, S.; Gil-Romera, G.; González-Sampériz, P.; Finlayson, C. (Journal of Arid Environments, 2010)
The complex relationships within modern landscapes cannot be understood without the beneﬁt of retrospective studies. We review palaeoenvironmental data for southeastern Spain, a landscape vulnerable to desertiﬁcation and with antiquity of human pressure on the landscape. A xerophytic component is discernible in the pollen diagrams of the southeastern peninsula ever since the Middle Miocene. During glacial stages of the Pleistocene, mountain grasslands and lowland steppes expanded, but tree vegetation, although episodically contracted, was ever present across the region, explaining part of the modern plant-species diversity. The magnitude of human impacts on vegetation during the Holocene has been highly variable, starting earlier (e.g. after c. 5000 cal years BP) in low-elevation areas and river basins. Forest degradation of the mountains started rather late during the Argaric period, and reached its maximum during the Roman occupation. Over the last millennia, natural and/or human-set ﬁres, combined with overgrazing, probably have pushed forests over a threshold leading to the spread of grassland, thorny scrub, junipers, and nitrophilous communities. The high degree of xerophytization observed today in southeastern Spain results from the long-term determinism of the Mid to Late Holocene climate aridiﬁcation, and the contingency of historical factors like ﬁre events and changes in prehistoric local economies involving resource exhaustion.
Keywords: historical biogeography; Holocene; palaeoecology; quaternary; Spain; Tertiary

Holocene environmental instability in the wetland north of the Tiber delta (Rome, Italy): sea-lake-man interactions - Di Rita, Federico; Celant, Alessandra; Magri, Donatella (JOURNAL OF PALEOLIMNOLOGY, 2010)
Combined analyses of pollen, seeds, woods, micro-charcoal and non-pollen palynomorphs from Stagno di Maccarese, an artificially dried out coastal basin north of the Tiber delta now occupied by the Fiumicino Airport (Rome, Italy), document marked vegetation and environmental changes during the last 8300 years. Between 8300 and 5400 cal. a BP dense mixed deciduous and evergreen forests surrounded a eutrophic freshwater basin. An abrupt change around 5400 cal. a BP marks the transition to a marshy environment, due to a lowering of the water table. An increase of cereals and micro-charcoals matches the presence of a nearby Eneolithic settlement. Between 5100 and 2900 cal. a BP there is a remarkable expansion of riparian trees, indicating an increase of the water level. Between 2900 and 2000 cal. a BP, a new development of marshlands points to a progressive lowering of the lake. After 2000 cal. a BP, during the Roman exploitation of the area, an expansion of arboreal vegetation is recorded, characterized by evergreen and deciduous oak-dominated forests, while an extensive chenopods marshland matches the presence of saltworks. On the whole, the Stagno di Maccarese area appears very unstable, due to changes in lake level, introgression of marine water, eutrophic phases, flood events, desiccations and openings of the forest vegetation.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: VAN GODEWIJCKSTRAAT 30, 3311 GZ DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS publisher: SPRINGER
Keywords: Hydrological changes; Plant macrofossils; Pollen analysis; Saltworks; Tiber delta

Impact of short-term climatic events on latest Pliocene land settings and communities in Central Italy (Upper Valdarno basin) - Bertini, Adele; Magi, Maurizio; Mazza, Paul P. a; Fauquette, Séverine (Quaternary International, 2010)
The Upper Valdarno (Italy) Plio-Pleistocene continental deposits record the latest uniform subtropical humid conditions and the successive climatic signature of glacial/interglacial cycling. The palynological and sedimentological analyses on the Poggio Rosso alluvial plain sediments reveal two major climatic ﬂuctuations correlated to a glacial/interglacial cycle just before the Plio-Pleistocene boundary. The glacial phase, indicated by the expansion of herbs as well as by ephemeral streams associated with calcareous palaeosols, extends from the base of the succession and culminates close to an impressive mammalian bone accumulation dated at 1.87 Ma. The associated increasing aridity had severe consequences on the faunal communities, inducing the migration of open plain dwellers and the trapping of other residents around a few residual shrinking water bodies. A cooperative Pachycrocuta brevirostris clan acted as regulator of game populations debilitated by drought. Previous research indicates that hyenas were also the major bone accumulators. The following moister and warmer interglacial phase ca 1.83 Ma is documented by arboreal taxa and hydromorphic palaeosols in a ﬂoodplain crossed by migrating, perennial, sinuous streams. The Climatic Amplitude Method calculated mean annual temperatures around 12.5–14 C and mean annual precipitation around 800 mm, with a minimum of 400 mm during the glacial phase and 15/16–19 C and 750–1200 mm during the interglacial phase. The reconstruction reveals higher mean annual temperatures and precipitation during the interglacial as compared to the present-day climate. During the glacial, conditions were similar to today’s in all but lower precipitation values were reached during the acme drought phase just above the fossiliferous bed. Poggio Rosso documents the ecological consequences the buildup of the Apennine chain had under the effects of the latest Pliocene global climatic changes. It therefore represents one of the ﬁrst signals of the patchiness that, since then, gradually increased leading to the eventual habitat fragmentation typical of the late Pleistocene landscapes.
Keywords: climatic fluctuations; patchiness; Pleistocene landscapes (PG); Pollen analysis; sediment analysis

Impact of wildfire return interval on the ectomycorrhizal resistant propagules communities of a Mediterranean open forest. - Buscardo, Erika; Rodríguez-Echeverría, Susana; Martín, María P.; De Angelis, Paolo; Pereira, João Santos; Freitas, Helena (Fungal biology, 2010)
Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, in particular their spores and other resistant propagules, play an important role in secondary succession processes that facilitate regeneration after disturbance events. In this study, the effects of high and low wildfire frequencies (respectively short and long fire return intervals) on the resistant propagules communities (RPCs) of a Mediterranean open pine forest were compared. Soil samples were collected in four mountain sites with different fire return intervals and used to test ectomycorrhiza development in two hosts, Pinus pinaster and Quercus suber. RPCs were characterized by direct sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions from individual ECM root tips. Eighteen ECM species were detected in the bioassay. The most frequently found fungi were Cenococcum geophilum, Inocybe jacobi, Thelephora terrestris, Tomentella ellisii on both hosts and Rhizopogon luteolus and R. roseolus on maritime pine. A short fire return interval reduced the species richness of the ECM community found on Q. suber, promoted species like R. roseolus and reduced the abundance of other species (e.g. R. luteolus). The abundance of I. jacobi was positively affected by long fire return interval, but decreased significantly with recurrent fires. These results indicate that changes in fire frequency can alter the structure, composition and diversity of ECM communities, which could compromise the resilience of the ecosystem in highly disturbed areas.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 20943174
Keywords: Ectomycorrhizal resistant propagules community; Fire return interval; Mediterranean ecosystem; Pinus pinaster (maritime pine); Quercus suber (cork oak); succession

Impacts of orographical and anthropic factors on the natural regeneration of Cork Oak (Quercus suber) in Kroumiria, Tunisia. - Boussaidi, Naceur; Ncibi, Rabeh; Hasnaoui, Ibrahim; Gammar, Zeineb Ghrabi (REVUE D ECOLOGIE-LA TERRE ET LA VIE, 2010)
Impacts of orographical and anthropic factors on the natural regeneration of Cork Oak (Quercus suber) in Kroumiria, Tunisia. Cork Oak occupies a particular place within the Mediterranean forest. In Tunisia, it is rather well represented in Kroumiria (70 000 ha), particularly in the areas of Ain Braham and Tabarka. Confined to acid environments with moderate climate, it plays a very important ecological role, supporting a rather diversified floristic and faunal assemblage. In the same way it plays a considerable socio-economic role in the life of the rural population of the area and largely contributes to the national economy through production and export of cork. Enduring a very strong anthropic pressure and an important degradation of the environment, with the direct effect of the climatic change, Cork Oak forests are unable to regenerate naturally. Thus, and according to the results of the present study, it appears that the further away the Cork Oak settlements are from human population, the more opportunities there are to find young seedlings resulting from regeneration and vice-versa. It is the same for the orographical (slope, exposure and altitude) and coverage factors which can directly or indirectly induce Cork Oak natural regeneration.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 57 RUE CUVIER, 75005 PARIS 5, FRANCE publisher: SOC NATL PROTECTION NATURE ACCLIMATATION FRANCE
Keywords: Anthropogenic factor (citation); Quercus suber; Regeneration; Tunisia

The importance of mesophyll conductance in regulating forest ecosystem productivity during drought periods - KEENAN, Trevor; Sabaté, Santi; Gracia, Carlos (Global Change Biology, 2010)
Water availability is the most limiting factor to global plant productivity, yet photosynthetic responses to seasonal drought cycles are poorly understood, with conflicting reports on which limiting process is the most important during drought. We address the problem using a model-data synthesis approach to look at canopy level fluxes, integrating twenty years of half hour data gathered by the FLUXNET network across six Mediterranean sites. The measured canopy level, water and carbon fluxes were used, together with an inverse canopy ecophysiological model, to estimate the bulk canopy conductance, bulk mesophyll conductance, and the canopy scale carbon pools in both the intercellular spaces and at the site of carboxylation in the chloroplasts. Thus the roles of stomatal and mesophyll conductance in the regulation of internal carbon pools and photosynthesis could be separated. A quantitative limitation analysis allowed for the relative seasonal responses of stomatal, mesophyll, and biochemical limitations to be gauged. The concentration of carbon in the chloroplast was shown to be a potentially more reliable estimator of assimilation rates than the intercellular carbon concentration. Both stomatal conductance limitations and mesophyll conductance limitations were observed to regulate the response of photosynthesis to water stress in each of the six species studied. The results suggest that mesophyll conductance could bridge the gap between conflicting reports on plant responses to soil water stress, and that the inclusion of mesophyll conductance in biosphere–atmosphere transfer models may improve their performance, in particular their ability to accurately capture the response of terrestrial vegetation productivity to drought.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: 16 june 2009; conductance limitations; Drought; FLUXNET; june 2009 and accepted; Mediterranean climate; mesophyll conduc-; mesophyll conductance; photosynthesis; received 12 march 2009; revised version received 2; tance; water stress

An increase in canopy cover leads to masting in Quercus ilex - Camarero, J. Julio; Albuixech, Jorge; López-Lozano, Raúl; Casterad, M. Auxiliadora; Montserrat-Martí, Gabriel (Trees, 2010)
Masting is the intermittent and synchronous production of large crops, but its relation to tree growth remains elusive despite the ecological relevance of mast seeding. The production of huge fruit crops has been linked to the accumulation and consumption of resources as nutrients and carbohydrates, but no conclusive assessment has supported this assumption. To evaluate if masting takes place once trees’ canopies reach maximum foliage, changes in canopy cover were measured in Quercus ilex susbp. ballota stands before and after a masting event using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The results on the whole underline that masting in Q. ilex occurred once maximum levels of NDVI and canopy cover were reached. After the masting event, NDVI dropped, leaf shedding increased and trees produced shorter shoots, narrower tree rings and fewer acorns than before the masting event. These ﬁndings support our contention that an increase in canopy cover precedes masting.
Keywords: acorn; canopy cover; Mast seeding; quercus ilex subsp. ballota; Remote sensing

Increase in the fructooligosaccharides yield and productivity by solid-state fermentation with Aspergillus japonicus using agro-industrial residues as support and nutrient source - Mussatto, Solange I.; Teixeira, José a (Biochemical Engineering Journal, 2010)
Corn cobs, coffee silverskin, and cork oak were used as support and nutrient source during the fructooligosaccharides (FOS) production by Aspergillus japonicus, under solid-state fermentation (SSF) conditions. The objectives of this study consisted in evaluating the possibility of improving the FOS yield and productivity, besides to ﬁnding an alternative to reduce the production costs, and add value to these agro-industrial residues. Fermentation assays were performed by using the materials as solid support, supplemented or not with nutrients. For comparison, assays were also performed using a synthetic material as solid support, under the same operational conditions. All the material residues acted as nutrient source for the microorganism, since FOS production occurred when all of them were used without nutrient supplementation, but not when the synthetic material was used. Among the evaluated materials, coffee silverskin gave the most interesting fermentation results, with a FOS production similar in both supplemented and non-supplemented media. The elevated FOS production (128.7 g/l) and -fructofuranosidase activity (71.3 U/ml) obtained by using this material suggest SSF of coffee silverskin with A. japonicus as an interesting and promising strategy to synthesize both products at the industrial level.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Aspergillus japonicus; b-Fructofuranosidase; fructooligosaccharides; Nutrient; solid-state fermentation

The influence of precipitation pulses on soil respiration – Assessing the “Birch effect” by stable carbon isotopes - Unger, Stephan; Máguas, Cristina; Pereira, João S.; David, Teresa S.; Werner, Christiane (Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2010)
Sudden pulse-like events of rapidly increasing CO2-efﬂux occur in soils under seasonally dry climates in response to rewetting after drought. These occurrences, termed “Birch effect”, can have a marked inﬂuence on the ecosystem carbon balance. Current hypotheses indicate that the “Birch” pulse is caused by rapidly increased respiration and mineralization rates in response to changing moisture conditions but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we present data from an experimental ﬁeld study using straight-forward stable isotope methodology to gather new insights into the processes induced by rewetting of dried soils and evaluate current hypotheses for the “Birch“-CO2-pulse. Two irrigation experiments were conducted on bare soil, root-free soil and intact vegetation during May and August 2005 in a semi-arid Mediterranean holm oak forest in southern Portugal. We continuously monitored CO2-ﬂuxes along with their isotopic compositions before, during and after the irrigation. d 13 C signatures of the ﬁrst CO2-efﬂux burst, occurring immediately after rewetting, ﬁt the hypothesis that the “Birch” pulse is caused by the rapid mineralization of either dead microbial biomass or osmoregulatory substances released by soil microorganisms in response to hypo-osmotic stress in order to avoid cell lyses. The response of soil CO2-efﬂux to rewetting was smaller under mild (May) than under severe drought (August) and isotopic compositions indicated a larger contribution of anaplerotic carbon uptake with increasing soil desiccation. Both length and severity of drought periods probably play a key role for the microbial response to the rewetting of soils and thus for ecosystem carbon sequestration.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Birch effect; d13C; Irrigation experiment; Mediterranean woodland; Soil respiration; Stable isotopes

INFLUENCIA DEL ARBOLADO Y MATORRAL EN EL CONTENIDO DE NITRÓGENO DEL PASTO HERBÁCEO EN LA DEHESA - LÓPEZ DÍAZ, M. L.; Moreno Marcos, G.; ROLO ROMERO, V. (PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes, 2010)
The objective of this assay is to analyse the influence of tree and shrub presence on nitrogen concentration in different herbaceous species. Two shrub species are studied: Cistus ladanifer L. Re- tama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss. In Spring 2009, different species of grass (Avena sativa L.), legumes (Ornithopus compresus L.) and Asteraceae (Senecio vulgaris L. and Taraxacum officinale (Lam.) Schrank), during flowering state. They were sampled in different positions respect to tree and shrub. Tree and R. sphaerocarpa presence improved pasture quality. C. ladanifer shrub reduced the pasture nitrogen content. Ornithopus compresus L. was the most affected specie to the different treatments. Key words: Pasture quality, Cistus ladanifer, Retama sphaerocarpa, Ornithopus compressus
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes
Keywords: calidad del pasto; Cistus ladanifer; ornithopus compressus; retama sphaerocarpa

Insulation capability of the bark of trees with different fire adaptation - Bauer, Georg; Speck, Thomas; Blömer, Jan; Bertling, Jürgen; Speck, Olga (Journal of Materials Science, 2010)
When exposed to a surface ﬁre, the probability of a tree to survive widely varies, depending on its capability to protect the cambium from lethal temperatures above 60 C. Thereby, the bark, the entirety of all tissues outside the cambium, serves as an insulation layer. In laboratory experiments, the heat production of a surface ﬁre was simulated and the time span s60 until the temperature of 60 C is reached in the inner bark surface was measured. Thereby, s60—as a measure of the ﬁre resistance—was quantitatively determined for seven tree species. In addition, the inﬂuence of bark thickness and moisture content on bark heat insulation capacities was examined. Independent of the tree species and bark moisture content a power function correlation between bark thickness and s60 was found. Our results also show that ﬁre resistance increases with decreasing bark density. The seven tree species examined can be classiﬁed in two groups differing highly signiﬁcant in their bark structure: (1) tree species with a faintly structured bark, which show a low ﬁre resistance, and (2) tree species with an intensely structured bark, showing a high ﬁre resistance. Furthermore a mathematical model simulating heat conduction was applied to describe the experimental results, and some ideas for a transfer into biomimetic materials are presented.
Keywords: bark moisture; bark structure; bark thickness; fire resistance (voyant); surface fires

An integrated method to create habitat suitability models for fragmented landscapes - Amici, Valerio; Geri, Francesco; Battisti, Corrado (Journal for Nature Conservation, 2010)
Given the pervasive inﬂuence of human induced habitat fragmentation in ecological processes, landscape models are a welcome advance. The development of GIS software has allowed a greater use of these models and of analyses of the relationship between species and habitat variables. Habitat suitability models are thus theoretical concepts that can be used for planning in fragmented landscapes and habitat conservation. The most commonly used models are based on single species and on the assignment of suitability values for some environmental variables. Generally the cartographic basis for modeling suitability are thematic maps produced by a Boolean logic. In this paper we propose a model based on a set of focal species and on maps produced by a fuzzy classiﬁcation method. Focal species, selected by an expert-based approach, provide a practical way of extending the scope of habitat suitability models to the conservation of biodiversity at landscape scale. The utilisation of a classiﬁcation method that applies a continuity criterion may allow more consideration of the connectivity of an area because it allows a better detection of ecological gradients within a landscape. We applied this methodology to the Tuscany region focusing on terrestrial mammals. Performing a fuzzy classiﬁcation we produced ﬁve land cover maps and through image processing operations we obtained a suitability model which applies a continuity criterion. The resulting suitability fuzzy model seems better for the study of connectivity and fragmentation, especially in areas with high spatial complexity
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier
Keywords: Connectivity; Focal species; Fuzzy set; Habitat conservation; Landscape planning

Interannual variability and evolution during the montanera period of Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia Lam.) acorns - Tejerina, D.; García-Torres, S.; Cabeza de Vaca, M.; Cava, R.; Vázquez, F. M. (Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 2010)
Eighty-eight samples of Quercus rotundifolia acorns were analyzed during three consecutive years (2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08) to determine variations in their morphology, sanitary condition, and nutritional composition throughout the same period of montanera (free-range swine-raising system of SW Iberia) and between different years of study. Results showed that morphological characteristics remained constant throughout montanera season. Fungal damage increased, and Curculio sp. and Cydia sp. pests decreased over the course of the montanera season. Dry matter content decreased in both kernel and pericarp (P < 0.001), while the crude fiber and protein contents were not modified. The ash, nitrogen-free extract, and fat contents, however, were also affected by sampling date within a montanera season. With respect to the interannual variability, variations (P < 0.05) were observed in all the variables studied. It is therefore confirmed that there is variability in the sanitary condition and nutritional composition of acorns within the same montanera season and between different years of study. These could explain the differences in the chemical characteristics of Iberian pig tissues from animals raised in different montanera seasons, and even during the same montanera season.
Keywords: acorn sanitary condition; Dehesa; feeding; Iberian pigs; proximate composition

Irrigation regime as a key factor to improve growth performance of Quercus suber L. - Vessella, F.; Parlante, A.; Schirone, A.; Sandoletti, G.; Bellarosa, R.; Piovesan, G.; Santi, L.; Schirone, B. (Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2010)
Abstract Cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is a Mediterranean evergreen tree species which plays a key economic role due to its precious bark. Cork oak stands start to become productive 30?40 years after planting, i.e. when commercial cork can be removed every 10 years after the first bark stripping, according to the laws in force. Forcing plant growth with appropriate irrigation, fertilization, top-dressing and stand density minimizes the time between cork oak planting and first bark stripping and makes commercial cork available earlier. In this study, the objective was to determine the influence of different irrigation regimes on cork oak growth. An experimental field was established near Tarquinia (Tuscia District, North Latium, Italy), within the natural cork oak range, to test the effects of irrigation regime on growth performance of cork oak. Three treatments were applied that differed in the amount and timing of water supplied. Treatments were replicated three times. Dendrometric and biomass parameters were measured at three different times for 2 years after planting and statistical descriptive analysis, as well as anova, were used to evaluate the benefits of irrigation. Irrigation with 4 l m?2 three times per week for 2 years improved diameter growth by 33% and shortened the time to first bark stripping by 6?10 years, thus producing substantial economic benefits.
doi: 10.1080/02827581.2010.485819doi: 10.1080/02827581.2010.485819The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: growth performance; irrigation inﬂuence; maximized production; Quercus suber

La quercia da sughero (Quercus suber L.) nel Salento: analisi diacronica e sinfitosociologica (Adriatico Meridionale, Italia) - Beccarisi, L.; Biondi, E.; Casavecchia, S. (Fitosociologia, 2010)
Subject of this article is the study of the residual woods of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) in the southern part of the Puglia region, which in the area find their eastern distribution limit in Europe. They are survivors of a more extensive forest formations occupying the plain near the city of Brindisi and some areas in the territory of Ostuni. Of these are presented the environmental conditions in which they are and the historical analysis of their variation in the time, deduced by analyzing literature from the early nineteenth century. The diachronic analysis of their distribution is presented in maps at 1:25000 scale. The analysis of plant communities present in the investigated area, were carried out by the sinphytosociological method that led to recognize the communities that are connected in relation to the serial dynamics, to these forests belonging to the association of Carici halleranae-Quercetum suberis of which the new subassociation arbutetosum unedonis is described and the subassociation typus is explained. This is a post- fire shrub attributed to the new association Calicotomo infestae-Phillyreetum mediae characterized by Phillyrea media, Calicotome infesta and Pyrus amygdaliformis which are in dynamic relationship with the forest subassociation of arbutetosum unedonis of Carici halleranaeQuercetum suberis while to the subassociation caricetosum halleranae binds the more mesophilous shrub described with the new association Rhamno alaterni-Pyretum amygdaliformis.
Keywords: diachronic analysis; Quercus suber; southern italy; synphytosociology

The Ladybeetle Community (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in Southern Olive Agroecosystems of Spain - Cotes, B.; Campos, M.; Pascual, F.; Ruano, F. (ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY, 2010)
The aim of this survey is to faunistically describe ladybeetle assemblages from the canopies of olive orchards in southern Spain (Cordoba and Granada) and determine the indicator ladybeetle species that are representative of each region, taking into account (1) the ecological importance of predatory ladybeetle species in olive orchards and (2) the variability of ladybeetle community composition in relation to landscape configuration and different fanning systems (organic, integrated, and conventional), using ordination and classification methods. The total number of coccinellids collected was 481; they belonged to 9 genera and 13 species. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed a clear separation between orchards from Granada and orchards from Cordoba, taking into account ladybeetle species, environmental variables, and sampled orchards. The land use types and geographical locations showed that Scymnus mediterraneus lablokoff-Khnzorian 1972 and Platynaspis luteorubra (Goeze, 1777) captured at higher latitudes benefited more from a larger organic olive area and from the presence of holm oak forests in the surrounding area. Coccinella septempunctata L., 1758 and Hippodamia variegata (Goeze, 1777) were found at lower latitudes and at higher longitudes. Ladybeetle assemblages can vary in response to the type of farming system, especially with regard to pesticide use and landscape configuration. Nevertheless, evaluation of species composition might help identify the state of conservation of these agroecosystems. This knowledge could be used to improve the sustainability of agricultural landscapes to increase the presence of coccinellids and their ecological function in olive pest control.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 10001 DEREKWOOD LANE, STE 100, LANHAM, MD 20706-4876 USA publisher: ENTOMOLOGICAL SOC AMER
Keywords: Coccinellidae; Cordoba and Granada provinces

Land use practices and ectomycorrhizal fungal communities from oak woodlands dominated by Quercus suber L. considering drought scenarios. - Azul, Anabela Marisa; Sousa, João Paulo; Agerer, Reinhard; Martín, María P.; Freitas, Helena (Mycorrhiza, 2010)
Oak woodlands in the Mediterranean basin have been traditionally converted into agro-silvo-pastoral systems and exemplified sustainable land use in Europe. In Portugal, in line with the trend of other European countries, profound changes in management options during the twentieth century have led to landscape simplification. Landscapes are dynamic and the knowledge of future management planning combining biological conservation and soil productivity is needed, especially under the actual scenarios of drought and increasing evidence of heavy oak mortality. We examined the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal community associated with cork oak in managed oak woodlands (called montado) under different land use practices, during summer. ECM fungal richness and abundance were assessed in 15 stands established in nine montados located in the Alentejo region (southern Portugal), using morphotyping and ITS rDNA analysis. Parameters related to the montados landscape characteristics, land use history over the last 25 years, climatic and edaphic conditions were taken into account. Fifty-five ECM fungal taxa corresponding to the most abundant fungal symbionts were distinguished on cork oak roots. Cenococcum geophilum and the families Russulaceae and Thelephoraceae explained 56% of the whole ECM fungal community; other groups were represented among the community: Cortinariaceae, Boletaceae, Amanita, Genea, Pisolithus, Scleroderma, and Tuber. There were pronounced differences in ECM fungal community structure among the 15 montados stands: C. geophilum was the only species common to all stands, tomentelloid and russuloid species were detected in 87-93% of the stands, Cortinariaceae was detected in 60% of the stands, and the other groups were more unequally distributed. Ordination analysis revealed that ECM fungal richness was positively correlated with the silvo-pastoral exploitation regime and low mortality of cork oak, while ECM fungal abundance was positively correlated with extensive agro-silvo-pastoral exploitation under a traditional 9-year rotation cultivation system and recent soil tillage. The effects of land use on the ECM fungal community and its implications in different scenarios of landscape management options, oak mortality, and global warming are discussed.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 19575241
Keywords: Ectomycorrhizal fungal community; land use; Mediterranean ecosystems; Quercus suber; Soil diversity

Land-cover classification with an expert classification algorithm using digital aerial photographs - Perea, Alberto J.; Meroño, José E.; Aguilera, María J.; De la Cruz, José L. (South African Journal of Science, 2010)
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the spectral information of digital aerial sensors in determining land-cover classification using new digital techniques. The land covers that have been evaluated are the following, (1) bare soil, (2) cereals, including maize (Zea mays L.), oats (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeun vulgare L.), (3) high protein crops, such as peas (Pisum sativum L.) and beans (Vicia faba L.), (4) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), (5) woodlands and scrublands, including holly oak (Quercus ilex L.) and common retama (Retama sphaerocarpa L.), (6) urban soil, (7) olive groves (Olea europaea L.) and (8) burnt crop stubble. The best result was obtained using an expert classification algorithm, achieving a reliability rate of 95%. This result showed that the images of digital airborne sensors hold considerable promise for the future in the field of digital classifications because these images contain valuable information that takes advantage of the geometric viewpoint. Moreover, new classification techniques reduce problems encountered using high-resolution images; while reliabilities are achieved that are better than those achieved with traditional methods.
Keywords: Algorithm; digital aerial photography; expert classification; land-cover classification; object- oriented classification; UltracamD

Leaves of Quercus ilex as Indicators of Airborne Trace Element Distribution in Lucca (Central Italy) - Francini, A.; Lorenzini, G.; Nali, C.; Loppi, S. (II INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANDSCAPE AND URBAN HORTICULTURE, 2010)
Ambient air has always contained particles, ranging from sub-micrometric aerosols to clearly visible dust and sand grains. Plants have evolved to maximise light interception and CO2 assimilation and, as a consequence, they are also highly efficient receptors of airborne pollutants. The use of plant tissues has since long been shown to be an effective indicator of metal air pollution. Leaves of the evergreen species Quercus ilex were used as a passive sampler to describe the distribution of selected elements in the area around the walls of Lucca (Central Italy). Unwashed healthy mature leaves collected in June 2006 from 16 sampling sites were analysed by ICP-MS for Al, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Si, Ti, V and Zn. Values were normalised by subtracting baseline concentrations of biologically essential elements coming from Q. ilex plants collected into Botanical Garden of Lucca. Enrichment factors (EF) were calculated taking Al as crustal reference element. Cd, Cu and Zn exhibited the highest EF, with values ranging between 100 and 1000. Varimax rotated factor analysis allowed identifying three main source groups of elements, namely crustal components, sea-salt spray and anthropogenic sources (vehicular traffic, industrial activities). The factor one (crustal components) explained 48.3% of the total variance. Common high loadings for this factor were Al, Bi, Br, Co, Cu, Fe, Si, V, and Zn, which indicate a predominant soil contribution. Results are discussed with emphasis on the potential role of vegetation for the removal of particulate pollution.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: II INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LANDSCAPE AND URBAN HORTICULTURE pub-location: 999 RIVERVIEW DR, STE 208, TOTOWA, NJ 07512-1165 USA
Keywords: enrichment factor; factor analysis; ICP-MS; pollution

Local coexistence and niche differences between the Lusitanian and Mediterranean pine voles (Microtus lusitanicus and M. duodecimcostatus) - Santos, Sara M.; Mathias, Maria Da Luz; Mira, António P. (Ecological Research, 2010)
In the present study, we analyzed the coexistence pattern of the Lusitanian pine vole (Microtus lusitanicus) and the Mediterranean pine vole (Microtus duodecimcostatus) in a potential area of sympatry in a Mediterranean landscape (Portugal). We also determined the relative contribution of local, landscape, and spatial factors explaining the diﬀerences in the distribution patterns of the two species in the region. Using a kriging interpolation method, we obtained a map of sympatric and allopatric areas of species occurrence. The estimated sympatry area corresponded to a northwest–southeast belt representing 11.3% of the study area. Habitat niche diﬀerences were assessed with binomial GLMs followed by a variance partitioning. At a local scale, higher altitude, higher cover of shrubs, lower clay content in the soil, and lower cover of tree canopy were the most important factors distinguishing M. lusitanicus presence sites from those with M. duodecimcostatus. At a larger scale, the presence of forest landscape units and the low abundance of ‘‘montado’’ units were the most inﬂuencing landscape factors in the identiﬁcation of M. lusitanicus occurrence sites when compared to M. duodecimcostatus. Our results suggested that local coexistence of M. lusitanicus and M. duodecimcostatus in the ﬁeld is a rare event. The diﬀerences in distribution patterns of the two pine vole species were mostly explained by ﬁne-scale environmental factors and by shared spatial eﬀects.
Keywords: kriging; microtus duodecimcostatus; microtus lusitanicus; niche differences; sympatry

Lupinus luteus, a new host of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Spanish oak-rangeland ecosystems - Serrano, María Socorro; Fernández-Rebollo, Pilar; Vita, Paolo; Carbonero, María Dolores; Trapero, Antonio; Sánchez, María Esperanza (European Journal of Plant Pathology, 2010)
Phytophthora cinnamomi is an aggressive pathogen on Lupinus luteus (yellow lupin), causing root rot, wilting and death of this crop, common in oak-rangeland ecosystems ('dehesas') in south-western Spain. The oomycete, the main cause of Quercus decline in the region, was isolated from roots of wilted lupins in the field. Artificial inoculations on four cultivars of L. luteus reproduced the symptoms of the disease, both in pre- and post-emergence stages, recovering the pathogen from necrotic roots. These results suggest the potential of yellow lupin as inoculum reservoir for the infection of Quercus roots. This is the first report of P. cinnamomi as root pathogen of L. luteus.
Keywords: Oak decline; quercus ilex ssp ballota; Quercus rotundifolia; root rot

Mesophyll conductance to CO2 and leaf morphological characteristics under drought stress during Quercus ilex L. resprouting - Fleck, Isabel; Peña-Rojas, Karen; Aranda, Xavier (Annals of Forest Science, 2010)
• Quercus ilex L., the dominant species in Mediterranean forests and one with a great capacity for resprouting after disturbances, is threatened by the expected increase in ﬁre frequency and drought associated with climate change. • The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of photosynthesis limitants, especially mesophyll conductance (gmes ) during this species’ resprouting and under summer drought. • Resprouts showed 5.3-fold increased gmes and 3.8-fold increased stomatal conductance (gs ) at midday with respect to leaves of undisturbed individuals. With increased drought, structural changes (decreased density and increased thickness) in resprouts contributed to the observed higher photosynthesis and increased gmes . However, gmes only partially depended on leaf structure, and was also under physiological control. Resprouts also showed lower non-stomatal limitations (around 50% higher carboxylation velocity (Vc,max) and capacity for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate regeneration (Jmax)). A signiﬁcant contribution of gmes to leaf carbon isotope discrimination values was observed. • gmes exhibits a dominant role in photosynthesis limitation in Q. ilex and is regulated by factors other than morphology. During resprouting after disturbances, greater capacity to withstand drought, as evidenced by higher gmes , gs and lower non-stomatal limitants, enables increased photosynthesis and rapid growth.
Keywords: carbon isotopic composition; leaf structure; mesophyll conductance; photosynthesis limitants; Quercus ilex

Microbial C, N and P in soils of Mediterranean oak forests: influence of season, canopy cover and soil depth - Aponte, Cristina; Marañón, Teodoro; García, Luis V. (Biogeochemistry, 2010)
In Mediterranean ecosystems the effect of aboveground and belowground environmental factors on soil microbial biomass and nutrient immobilization-release cycles may be conditioned by the distinctive seasonal pattern of the Mediterraneantype climates. We studied the effects of season, canopy cover and soil depth on microbial C, N and P in soils of two Mediterranean forests using the fumigation-extraction procedure. Average microbial values recorded were 820 lg C g -1 , 115 lg N g -1 and 19 lg P g -1 , which accounted for 2.7, 4.7 and 8.8% of the total pools in the surface soil, respectively. Microbial N and P pools were about 10 times higher than the inorganic N and P fractions available for plants. Microbial C values differed between forest sites but in each site they were similar across seasons. Both microbial and inorganic N and P showed maximum values in spring and minimum values in summer, which were positively correlated with soil moisture. Signiﬁcant differences in soil microbial properties among canopy cover types were observed in the surface soil but only under favourable environmental conditions (spring) and not during summer. Soil depth affected microbial contents which decreased twofold from surface to subsurface soil. Microbial nutrient ratios (C/N, C/P and N/P) varied with seasons and soil depth. Soil moisture regime, which was intimately related to seasonality, emerged as a potential key factor for microbial biomass growth in the studied forests. Our research shows that under a Mediterranean-type climate the interaction among season, vegetation type and structure and soil properties affect microbial nutrient immobilization and thus could inﬂuence the biogeochemical cycles of C, N and P in Mediterranean forest ecosystems.
Keywords: á; dynamics á; Microbial biomass; microbial biomass á nitrogen; nitrogen; Nutrient immobilization; nutrient immobilization á phosphorus; phosphorus; Plant; Plant–soil interactions; seasonal dynamics; soil interactions á seasonal; vegetation cover

Millennial-scale variability during the last glacial in vegetation records from Europe - Fletcher, William J.; Sánchez Goñi, Maria Fernanda; Allen, Judy R. M.; Cheddadi, Rachid; Combourieu-Nebout, Nathalie; Huntley, Brian; Lawson, Ian; Londeix, Laurent; Magri, Donatella; Margari, Vasiliki; Müller, Ulrich C.; Naughton, Filipa; et al. (Quaternary Science Reviews, 2010)

Mismatch between the timing of oviposition and the seasonal optimum. The stochastic phenology of Mediterranean acorn weevils - Bonal, Raul; Muñoz, Alberto; MARÍA ESPELTA, JOSEP (Ecological Entomology, 2010)
1. The timing of reproduction is predicted to match the period of maximum food availability. In this sense, the case of many phytophagous insects in temperate regions is very illustrative, as their larvae usually depend on a resource only available for a limited period of time each year. 2. For 3 years the interactions between the weevil Curculio elephas and the Mediterranean Holm oak Quercus ilex were studied. Weevil larvae grow within the acorns, feeding on the cotyledons. The timing of oviposition will determine food availability for the larvae, as acorns stop growing once they are attacked. 3. Acorn temporal growing patterns did not change between years and food availability for larvae was at its highest in October, when temperature was still suitable for larval development. However, oviposition phenology did change between years. In 2002 females oviposited later, larvae grew within larger acorns, and their body mass was significantly higher than in 2003 or 2004, when females oviposited into early acorns. 4. Thus, weevils do not always adjust oviposition to the best possible feeding conditions for their offspring. Rather, they seem to maximise their own lifetime fitness, ovipositing as soon as they emerge in late summer. Emergence, in turn, depends strongly on stochastic events such as summer storms in the Mediterranean region. 5. Under a climate change perspective, the trend towards higher August rainfall recorded in our study area may alter oviposition phenology, with the subsequent cascade effects on weevil body size and fitness
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: acorn; adult emergence; Curculio; oviposition; Phenology; stochastic events; Temperature; timing of reproduction

A model for wildfire prevention planning in game resources - Zamora, R; Molina-Martínez, J R; Herrera, M.a.; Rodríguez y Silva, F (Ecological Modelling, 2010)
The high incidence of hunting activity and forest ﬁres in different ecosystems (particularly in Mediterranean ecosystems) requires a model, which allows for the comprehensive management of hunting resources and estimating the potential damage caused by this type of disturbance. This paper proposes a model for evaluating the socio-economic effects of forest ﬁres on hunting. Its cornerstone lies in evaluating hunting resource availability for each ecosystem within its territorial mosaic. Each game management unit (GMU) is identiﬁed by vegetation structure and habitat type. It presents a novel approach in which the economic value of each game management unit is linked to potential forest ﬁre damages. The effect a forest ﬁre has on an entire ecosystem depends on the intensity of its ﬂames. A sample study was undertaken in the province of Huelva in Andalusia (southern Spain). The socio-economic hunting vulnerability of the province of Huelva was 45,188,000D . The results obtained conﬁrmed the need for an economic appraisal of non-forest products in the forest and other woodland areas. Geographic Information System increases the ﬂexibility and simplicity of our methodology which permits immediate extrapolation to other agroforestry territories.
Keywords: fire severity; Fire-preventive planning; Hunting assessment; natural resources; Wildﬁre modeling

Modelización de la producción de pastos herbáceos en una dehesa del centro peninsular - Benavides, R.; ROIG, S.; Ponce, R. Alonso; López-Carrasco, C. (PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes, 2010)
Modelling pasture production and dynamics is a key objective for agroforestry systems man- agement for economic and conservation purposes. However, this is a complex task due to the large number of influencing factors and the characteristic diversity and heterogeneity of this production. The objective of this work is to analyze and model the pasture production in a dehesa of Central Spain. The study site is located in the Dehesón del Encinar (Toledo) state, in a low density dehesa (17 trees/ha). A first geostatistical approximation is used with data from two contrasted sampling years: 2008 and 2009. Sampling data include zones under tree influence and pasture without any canopy cover. Geostatistical techniques and GIS result to be efficient tools for analyzing and predicting pas- ture production as well as for agroforestry systems management. Key
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: periodical: PASTOS: FUENTE NATURAL DE ENERGÍA 4ª Reunión Ibérica de Pastos y Forrajes pub-location: Zamora
Keywords: agro- forestry systems; geostatistical; herbaceous pastures; Mediterranean pastures; tree-pasture interaction

Mycorrhizal macrofungi diversity (Agaricomycetes) from Mediterranean Quercus forests; a compilation for the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) - Ortega, Antonio; Lorite, Juan; Valle, Francisco (Nova Hedwigia, 2010)
A compilation study has been made of the mycorrhizal Agaricomycetes from several sclerophyllous and deciduous Mediterranean Quercus woodlands from Iberian Peninsula. Firstly, we selected eight Mediterranean taxa of the genus Quercus, which were well sampled in terms of macrofungi. Afterwards, we performed a database containing a large amount of data about mycorrhizal biota of Quercus. We have defined and/or used a series of indexes (occurrence, affinity, proportionality, heterogeneity, similarity, and taxonomic diversity) in order to establish the differences between the mycorrhizal biota of the selected woodlands. The 605 taxa compiled here represent an important amount of the total mycorrhizal diversity from all the vegetation types of the studied area, estimated at 1,500-1,600 taxa, with Q. ilex subsp. ballota (416 taxa) and Q. suber (411) being the richest. We also analysed their quantitative and qualitative mycorrhizal flora and their relative richness in different ways: woodland types, substrates and species composition. The results highlight the large amount of mycorrhizal macrofungi species occurring in these mediterranean Quercus woodlands, the data are comparable with other woodland types, thought to be the richest forest types in the world. We point out that the presence of genera that are very well adapted to sclerophyllous Mediterranean woodlands with a potential use in afforestation or recovery programs, or being rare species, are listed in the Regional Red List of Endangered Macromycetes. Since, these woodlands suffer heavy environmental pressure, human and climate mediated, we conclude many species are approaching a high extinction risk, and it is urgent to apply legal and management measures, both, of national (Spain and Portugal) and European governments.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: Stuttgart publisher: Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung
Keywords: affinity; conservation; diversity; mycorrhizal macrofungi; quercus woodlands

N2O and CH4 fluxes in undisturbed and burned holm oak, scots pine and pyrenean oak forests in central Spain - Inclán, Rosa; Uribe, Carla; Sánchez, Laura; Sánchez, Dolores M.; Clavero, Ángeles; Fernández, Ana María; Morante, Ramón; Blanco, Alfredo; Jandl, Robert (Biogeochemistry, 2010)
We investigated N2O and CH4 ﬂuxes from soils of Quercus ilex, Quercus pyrenaica and Pinus sylvestris stands located in the surrounding area of Madrid (Spain). The ﬂuxes were measured for 18 months from both mature stands and post ﬁre stands using the static chamber technique. Simultaneously with gas ﬂuxes, soil temperature, soil water content, soil C and soil N were measured in the stands. Nitrous oxide ﬂuxes ranged from -11.43 to 8.34 lg N2O–N m -2 h -1 in Q.ilex, -7.74 to 13.52 lg N2O–N m -2 h -1 in Q. pyrenaica and -28.17 to 21.89 lg N2O–N m -2 h -1 in P. sylvestris. Fluxes of CH4 ranged from -8.12 to 4.11 lg CH4– C m -2 h -1 in Q.ilex, -7.74 to 3.0 lg CH4 –C m -2 h -1 in Q. pyrenaica and -24.46 to 6.07 lg CH4–C m -2 h -1 in P. sylvestris. Seasonal differences were detected; N2O ﬂuxes being higher in wet months whereas N2O ﬂuxes declined in dry months. Net consumption of N2O was related to low N availability, high soil C contents, high soil temperatures and low moisture content. Fire decreased N2O ﬂuxes in spring. N2O emissions were closely correlated with previous day’s rainfall and soil moisture. Our ecosystems generally were a sink for methane in the dry season and a source of CH4 during wet months. The available water in the soil inﬂuenced the observed seasonal trend. The burned sites showed higher CH4 oxidation rates in Q. ilex, and lower rates in P. sylvestris. Overall, the data suggest that ﬁre alters both N2O and CH4 ﬂuxes. However, the magnitude of such variation depends on the site, soil characteristics and seasonal climatic conditions.
Keywords: á; fire; greenhouse flux á fire; Greenhouse ﬂux; Pinus sylvestris; Quercus ilex; Quercus pyrenaica; quercus pyrenaica á pinus; Soil temperature; soil temperature á; Soil water content; soil water content á; sylvestris á

Natural, human and spatial constraints to expanding populations of otters in the Iberian Peninsula - Clavero, Miguel; Hermoso, Virgilio; Brotons, Lluís; Delibes, Miguel (Journal of Biogeography, 2010)
Aim To determine the relationships between otter (Lutra lutra) distribution dynamics and environmental and spatial constraints over a 20-year period. Location Andalusia, southern Iberian Peninsula. Methods We synthesized otter distribution data from three otter surveys (1985, 1995 and 2005) using subcatchment areas defined by hydrological barriers. Subcatchments were characterized by two ‘natural’ (climatic and orographic variables) and two ‘human’ (land use and population density) gradients. In addition, we calculated two contagion variables (the distance to previously occupied subcatchments and the percentage of occupied subcatchments within a 50 km buffer) for consecutively surveyed subcatchments. Results Between 1985 and 2005 the percentage of subcatchments with otters present increased from 42% to 72%. Otters tended to be rare or absent from human-dominated areas. Anthropogenic gradients were better predictors of otter distribution than natural ones. Human and natural gradients showed strong covariation, but for any value of the natural gradients otters tended to be present in subcatchments with lower human impacts. Colonization of new subcatchments was found to be strongly related to contagion variables and expansion rates were slower than those estimated in other studies. Newly colonized areas tended to be located in areas with intermediate human influence, while repeated absences occurred mainly in areas where human impact was most severe. Main conclusions Our results suggest that recent otter expansion across Andalusia is a reflection of large-scale improvement in environmental conditions. Otter populations that survived the period of strong and generalized declines appear to be acting as sources from which neighbouring areas are colonized, probably aided by improved water quality and increases in food availability. However, the further expansion of otters into their full original range is likely to be constrained by human-impacted landscapes.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Keywords: Andalusia; freshwater environments; landscape gradients; Lutra lutra; mammals; Mediterranean streams; otter surveys; recolonization; recovering species

Natural selection on cork oak: allele frequency reveals divergent selection in cork oak populations along a temperature cline - Ramírez-Valiente, J. a; Lorenzo, Z.; Soto, A.; Valladares, F.; Gil, L.; Aranda, I. (Evolutionary Ecology, 2010)
A recent study of population divergence at neutral markers and adaptive traits in cork oak has observed an association between genetic distances at locus QpZAG46 and genetic distances for leaf size and growth. In that study it was proposed that certain loci could be linked to genes encoding for adaptive traits in cork oak and, thus, could be used in adaptation studies. In order to investigate this hypothesis, here we (1) looked for associations between molecular markers and a set of adaptive traits in cork oak, and (2) explored the effects of the climate on among-population patterns in adaptive traits and molecular markers. For this purpose, we chose 9-year-old plants originating from thirteen populations spanning a broad range of climatic conditions. Plants established in a common garden site were genotyped at six nuclear microsatellites and phenotypically characterized for six functional traits potentially related to plant performance. Our results supported the proposed linkage between locus QpZAG46 and genes encoding for leaf size and growth. Temperature caused adaptive population divergence in leaf size and growth, which was expressed as differences in the frequencies of the alleles at locus QpZAG46.
Keywords: Adaptation; Additive effects; Dominance; Natural selection; Overdominance; Quercus suber

Nursery fertilization affects seedling traits but not field performance in Quercus suber L. - Trubat, R; CORTINA, J; Vilagrosa, A (Journal of Arid Environments, 2010)
The success of forest plantations in areas subjected to seasonal drought is strongly dependent on seedling traits. However, there is no consensus on the set of plant traits determining establishment success in these environments. We hypothesize that traits associated with nutritional stress, such as reduced biomass allocation and changes in root morphology, may promote seedling resistance to drought. We tested this hypothesis by assessing the effect of different fertilizer types and doses on the morphology and ﬁeld survival of Q. suber seedlings. This hypothesis had been previously tested with ﬁve Mediterranean species in a semi-arid environment. Nutrient deprivation decreased total biomass accumulation and slenderness ratio (ratio between stem height and root collar diameter). Nitrogen deprivation increased biomass allocation and decreased root growth potential. Short-term seedling survival was not related to nutritional regimes, seedling size or root growth potential. Differences in stem height between control seedlings and those subjected to nutrient manipulations increased in the ﬁeld as a result of shoot dieback and scarce growth. In contrast, differences in root collar diameter gradually vanished. Nutrient management in the nursery showed a strong potential for modifying the morphology of Q. suber seedlings but the relationship between these changes and seedling survival remains elusive
Keywords: functional attributes; nutrient deprivation; root growth potential; seedling establishment; seedling quality

Nutrients return from leaves and litterfall in a mediterranean cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forest in southwestern Spain - Andivia, Enrique; FERNÁNDEZ, MANUEL; VÁZQUEZ-PIQUÉ, JAVIER; González-Pérez, Aranzazu; TAPIAS, RAÚL (European Journal of Forest Research, 2010)
The knowledge of the cycle of nutrients is fundamental for the correct comprehension of the tree–soil relationship and for an adequate forest management. In order to analyse the nutrients return from leaves and litterfall in a Mediterranean cork oak forest in southwestern Spain, 12 trees were randomly selected and litterfall collected for 2 years. Samples were taken monthly and separated in different fractions (leaves, twigs, catkins, acorns and mis- cellaneous), then leaves nutrients were analyzed. Simulta- neously, we analyzed the nutrient content of living leaves from the same trees in each season during 1 year. The ana- lyzed nutrients were C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, S, Cu, Zn and Mo. Annual patterns of each nutrient in fallen leaves were characterized and compared with seasonal values of these nutrients in living leaves. Leaves fall has two annual maximum, first and most important in spring around April coinciding with renewal of foliar cover and second around October. Main concentration patterns of N, P and K are related with phenological patterns, in consequence mini- mumconcentration in leaves fall were obtained in periods of growing and maximum litterfall. Concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn increase with the age of the leaves and maximum concentrations were obtained before periods of maximum litterfall while concentrations of Cu, Mo and Mg stay stable. Communicated by A. Merino. A. Gonza This article belongs to the special issue ‘‘Plant–soil relationships in Southern European forests’’. E. Andivia (&)  M. Ferna ´lez-Pe Department of Forest Sciences, University of Huelva, Ctra. Palos–La Ra ´rez  R. Tapias Huelva, Spain e-mail: enrique.andivia@dcaf.uhu.es ´ndez  J. Va ´zquez-Pique ´  ´bida, s/n. 21819 Palos de la Frontera, Seasonal analysis of nutrients in living leaves collected from the same trees in four different periods of the year allowed to corroborate the patterns of leaves fall and the probable osmotic function of K.
Keywords: litterfall; Nutrients cycling; Nutrients return; Quercus suber

Nutritional analysis of six forest species grown in two different edaphological conditions in a Mediterranean environment: II. Do pigments serve as a non-destructive diagnostic method? - Blasco, Begona; Rubio-Wilhelmi, Maria M.; Sanchez-Rodriguez, Eva; Chirosa, Manuel; Ruiz, Juan M.; Rosua, Jose L.; Romero, Luis; Serrano, Francisco; Ruiz, Juan M.; Rosua, Jose L.; Romero, Luis (JOURNAL OF FOOD AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT, 2010)
The species studied were Quercus rotundifolia,Juniperus oxycedrus,Retama sphaerocarpa, Cistus albidus, Phlomis lychnitis and Daphne gnidium, which were grown in two different soils that differed in pH 6.0 (Llano de la Perdiz) and 8.0 (Sierra Elvira), both zones in Granada (Spain) and under analogous environmental conditions (1). The chlorophyll content in its different forms showed that in the Llano de la Perdiz C. albidus presented a greater content than did Q. rotundifolia. Comparable behaviour was found in the area of Sierra Elvira. In the case of the carotenoids, Q. rotundifolia presented the lowest values in both zones. For lycopene, great differences were found between species but not between zones. The lowest content was found in J. oxycedrus and Q. rotundifolia, and the highest one was registered by C. albidus and R. sphaerocarpa, with a content of 40% more than the others. In the case of anthocyanins, Q. rotundifolia and R lychnitis were notable for their low content in Llano de la Perdiz. This same phenomenon was repeated in Sierra Elvira. This clearly indicates a direct relationship between the chlorophyll level and the nutrient content, as well as the relationship of the environmental conditions with respect to the content of non-photosynthetic pigments. The high content of pigments, photosynthetic or not, in these plants makes them capable of resisting such extreme environmental conditions in which they grow.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: MERI-RASTILANTIE 3 C, HELSINKI, FI-00980, FINLAND publisher: WFL PUBL
Keywords: forest species; mediterranean environment; nitrogen metabolism; pigment

Nutritional Status of Mediterranean Trees Growing in a Contaminated and Remediated Area - Domínguez, MaríaT; Marañón, Teodoro; Murillo, JoséM; Schulin, Rainer; Robinson, BrettH (Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 2010)
t Soil contamination may contribute to forest decline, by altering nutrient cycling and acquisition by plants. This may hamper the establishment of a woody plant cover in contaminated areas, thus limiting the success of a restoration program. We studied the nutritional status of planted saplings of Holm oak (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.), white poplar (Populus alba L.), and wild olive tree (Olea europaea var. sylvestris Brot.) in the Guadiamar Green Corridor (SW Spain) and compared it with established adult trees. Soils in this area were affected by a mine-spill in 1998 and a subsequent restoration program. The spill resulted in soil acidification, due to pyrite oxidation, and deposited high concentrations of some trace elements. In some sites, we detected a phosphorus deficiency in the leaves of Q. ilex and O. europaea saplings, as indicated by a high N:P ratio (>16). For O. europaea, soil contamination explained 40% of the variability in leaf P and was negatively related to chlorophyll content. Soil pH was a significant factor predicting the variability of several nutrients, including Mg, P, and S. The uptake of Mg and S by P. alba was greater in acidic soils. The monitoring of soil pH is recommended since long-term effects of soil acidification may negatively affect the nutritional status of the trees
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Springer Netherlands
Keywords: Heavy metal; Olea europaea; phosphorus; Populus alba; Quercus ilex; soil remediation; Tree nutrition

Oak persistence in Mediterranean landscapes: the combined role of management, topography, and wildfires - Acácio, Vanda; Holmgren, Milena (Ecology and society, 2010)
Mediterranean ecosystems have been shaped by a history of human and ecological disturbances. Understanding the dynamics of these social-ecological systems requires an understanding of how human and ecological factors interact. In this study, we assess the combined role of management practices and biophysical variables, i.e., wildfire and topography, to explain patterns of tree persistence in a cork oak (Quercus suber L.) landscape of southern Portugal. We used face-to-face interviews with landowners to identify the management practices and the incentives that motivated them. We used aerial photographs and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to classify vegetation patch-type transitions over a period of 45 years (1958-2002) and logistic regression to explain such changes based on management and biophysical factors. The best model explaining vegetation transitions leading to cork oak persistence in the landscape included both biophysical and management variables. Tree persistence was more likely to occur on steeper slopes, in the absence of wildfires, and in the absence of understory management. We identified ecological, ideological, and economical barriers that preclude oak persistence and that are important to consider in implementing efficient environmental policies for adequate conservation and reforestation programs of Mediterranean cork oak landscapes.
Keywords: agroforestry system; alternative ecosystem state; Cistus ladanifer; Land degradation; Mediterranean; Portugal; Quercus suber; Shrub encroachment; succession; vegetation transition

Oak somatic and gametic embryos maturation is affected by charcoal and specific aminoacids mixture - Pintos, Beatriz; Manzanera, Jose a; Bueno, M. Angeles (Annals of Forest Science, 2010)
• Development of both somatic and gametic embryogenesis has many applications in clonal forestry and genetic improvement, for instance as mass-propagation of genetically improved plants and production of pure lines through doubled-haploid plant regeneration from gametic embryos. • The goal of this work was to improve growth, maturation and plantlet regeneration of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) embryos from both somatic and gametic origin. • Activated charcoal promoted a signiﬁcant increase in growth in terms of relative size and weight of both somatic and doubled-haploid embryos, as well as a more eﬃcient control of secondary somatic embryogenesis during development. A signiﬁcant interaction was also observed with amino acid nutrition. While some amino acids (i.e., glutamine, arginine or asparagine) did not show signiﬁcant diﬀerences with the controls, a mixture of these three amino acids or gamma amino butyric acid stimulated embryo growth. The highest survival rate during acclimation of plantlets from both somatic and doubled-haploid origin was obtained when the embryos had been previously cultured on basal medium with 3% sucrose and 1% activated charcoal for two months at 4 ◦ C and germinated on medium supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine and indole-3-butyric acid. • We obtained more than 900 cork oak plantlets acclimated from several embryogenic lines, with a high survival rate, demonstrating that this methodology is applicable for large scale plantlet production. We also report the ﬁrst regeneration of doubled-haploid plantlets in cork oak.
Keywords: activated charcoal; amino acids; Cork oak; gametic embryo; plantlet acclimation

Occurrence of Reticulitermes grassei (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) on Cork Oaks in the Southern Iberian Peninsula: Identification, Description and Incidence of the Damage - Gallardo, Patricia; Cardenas, Ana M.; Gaju, Miguel (SOCIOBIOLOGY, 2010)
This paper describes a new type of damage that affects cork oaks (Quercus suber L.) in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. The shape of the damage suggests that it could be caused by termites. The main aim of this research was to identify the causal agent of the damage, to describe it and to assess its presence and incidence in the area. Several field experiments were carried out in which specific baited-traps for termites were used. At the end of the sampling period, termites (identified as Reticulitermes c.f.grassei Clement) were found in most of the traps located under damaged trees. Descriptions related to the appearance, form and sizes of the galleries made by the termites are provided, as well as data on the infestation level and damage intensity. Differences with damage caused by other woodborer insects are also discussed.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: DEPT BIOL SCI, CHICO, CA 95929 USA publisher: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIV
Keywords: cork damage; iberian peninsula; Quercus suber; Reticulitermes grassei; Rhinotermitidae

Old-field secondary succession in SE Spain: can fire divert it? - Santana, Victor M; Jaime Baeza, M; Marrs, Rob H; Ramón Vallejo, V (Plant Ecology, 2010)
In the Mediterranean Basin, most cultivated areas were abandoned in the last century and are now in various stages of old-ﬁeld succession. The aim of this work was to analyse the successional trajectories of these ecosystems, and to assess possible deviations in these pathways due to ﬁre occurrence at high or low recurrence levels. Old-ﬁelds abandoned either about 50 or about 100 years ago were selected in SE Spain. Within the 50-year-old abandoned ﬁelds, plots were established which had been burned by 1, 2 and 3 ﬁres in the last 25 years. Cover values of vascular species were sampled and then analysed by means of multivariate analysis. Euclidean distances between resulting communities were used as an indicator of the possible deviation from the unburned successional pathway. Our results pointed to the possibility that different successional pathways may exist depending on ﬁre occurrence and recurrence. In the absence of ﬁre, the vegetation is dominated by pioneer species, mainly Pinus. With the passage of time this vegetation will become dominated by later successional tree species (Quercus). However, when early-successional communities are affected by ﬁre, the succession can be diverted. A single ﬁre is enough to change Pinusforests into alternative stable states dominated by Rosmarinus ofﬁcinalis shrub communities, where the colonisation of species in later successional stages is arrested. This deviation increases in high ﬁre recurrence regimes where the vegetation changes to dwarf shrubs and herbs.
Keywords: alternative stable state; Arrested succession; CCA; Fire recurrence; Mediterranean vegetation; Successional pathway

Origin and Incidence of 2-Methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, a Compound with a ``Fungal'' and ``Corky'' Aroma Found in Cork Stoppers and Oak Chips in Contact with Wines - Chatonnet, Pascal; Fleury, Antoine; Boutou, Stephane (JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY, 2010)
This study identifies a previously isolated bacterium as Rhizobium excellensis, a new species of proteobacteria able to form a large quantity of 2-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyrazine (MDMP). R. excellensis actively synthesizes MDMP from L-alanine and L-leucine and, to a lesser extent, from L-phenylalanine and L-valine. MDMP is a volatile, strong-smelling substance detected in wines with cork stoppers that have an unpleasant ``corky{''}, ``herbaceous{''} (potato, green hazelnut), or ``dusty{''} odor that is very different from the typical ``fungal{''} nose of a ``corked{''} wine that is generally due to 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA). The contamination of cork by MDMP is not correlated with the presence of TCA. It appears possible that R. excellensis is the microorganism mainly responsible for the presence of this molecule in cork bark. However, other observations suggest that MDMP might taint wine through other ways. Oak wood can also be contaminated and affect wines with which it comes into contact. Nevertheless, because 93% of the MDMP content in wood is destroyed after 10 min at 220 degrees C, sufficiently toasted oak barrels or alternatives probably do not represent a major source of MDMP in most of the cases. Due to MDMP's relatively low detection threshold estimated at 2.1 ng/L, its presence in about 40% of the untreated natural cork stoppers sampled at concentrations above 10 ng/cork suggests that this compound, if extracted from the stoppers, may pose a risk for wine producers.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: 1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA publisher: AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Keywords: 2-Methoxy-3; 5-dimethylpyrazine; Cork; cork stopper; oak wood; Rhizobium excellensis; wine

Parsons on Pigs and Acorns* - Gade, Daniel W. (Geographical Review, 2010)
Many articles in the Geographical Review hold stories that resonate in the history of geography only when the passage of time provides the necessary detachment to put these accounts into a context of larger signiﬁcance. The circumstances behind the selection of a particular topic, vicissitudes of the research phase, personality of the author, and exchanges during the editorial process that bring it to publication together provide insight into the diﬀerent layers of geographical scholarship. To all that can be added another dimension: explaining the impact that the piece of writing has had on individuals who have read it. One article in the Geographical Review profoundly aﬀected the formation of my geographical imagination. It did so without appealing to any theory, showcasing some dazzling new technique, harboring an advocacy agenda, or exhorting the reader in any way. Now, nearly half a century after its publication, this text opened another level of reﬂection about its content, author, journal, editor, and changes in the place that was under study.
Keywords: acorns; Dehesa; Iberian ham (voyant); Oak woodland; pigs

Past tree range dynamics in the Iberian Peninsula inferred through phylogeography and palaeodistribution modelling: A review - Rodríguez-Sánchez, Francisco; Hampe, Arndt; Jordano, Pedro; Arroyo, Juan (Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 2010)
The forests in the Iberian Peninsula have been strongly inﬂuenced by past climatic changes, but reconstructing their historical distributions and dynamics is very difﬁcult due to the complex climatic characteristics and relief of the region. Research disciplines such as phylogeography and species distribution modelling can describe the past range dynamics of individual tree species in relatively great detail and help elucidate how these species have reacted to climatic changes. Here we review phylogeographical and modelling studies from species representative of the major Iberian forest types and attempt to extract general trends from the diversity of individual species histories in the Peninsula. To date most studies focus on geographical range dynamics during the Pleistocene, but an increasing body of evidence shows that some species have also retained the genetic imprints of much more ancient processes. Many widespread Iberian species show a deep and often remarkably clear-cut divide between populations from the Mediterranean and from the Atlantic regions of the Iberian Peninsula, suggesting that both areas have independently sustained viable populations over extended periods. In fact, phylogeographical studies commonly ﬁnd that species had several glacial refugia across the Iberian Peninsula. On the other hand, distribution models help identifying further suitable areas that could have sustained so far undetected refugia. Such studies are of interest for species conservation, because refugium populations are high-priority targets due to their longterm persistence and unique evolutionary trajectory. Overall, we conclude that palaeoecology, phylogeography and species distribution modelling have a great potential to inform each other because of their complementary perspectives and results. A true integration of these approaches is therefore fundamental for further progress in our understanding of past Iberian environments and the organisms they harboured.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: genetic diversity; glacial refugia; hindcasting; palaeobiogeography; Spain; species distribution modelling

Pharmaceutical ethnobotany in the western part of Granada province (southern Spain): ethnopharmacological synthesis. - Benítez, G.; González-Tejero, M. R.; Molero-Mesa, J. (Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2010)
The aim of this work is to catalogue, document, and make known the uses of plants for folk medicine in the western part of the province of Granada (southern Spain). An analysis was made of the species used, parts of the plant employed, preparation methods, administration means, and the ailments treated in relation to pathological groups. Materials and methods: The work was performed in 16 municipalities within the study zone. The partici- pants were located mainly by questionnaires distributed in public and private centres. The information, gathered through semi-structured open interviews of a total of 279 people, was included in a database for subsequent analysis.Afloristic catalogue of the territorywascompiled, enabling analyses of the relevance of certain botanical families in popular medicine. Results and conclusions: Great diversity was established among medicinal species in the region. A total of 229 species of plants were catalogued for use in human medicine to prevent or treat 100 different health problems covering 14 different pathological groups. The number of references reached 1963. The popular pharmacopoeia of this area relies primarily on plants to treat digestive, respiratory, and circulatory problems, using mainly the soft parts of the plant (leavesandflowers)prepared in simpleways (decoction, infusion). An analysis of the medicinal ritual uses of 34 species and the different symptoms reflected a certain acculturation in relation to ethnobotanical knowledge in the last 20 years. Ethnopharmacological relevance: The traditional knowledge of plants was shown in relation to medicinal use, reflecting a striking diversity of species and uses, as well as their importance in popular plant therapy in the study zone. These traditions could pave the way for future phytochemical and pharmacological studies and thereby give rise to new medicinal resources.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 20226847
Keywords: Acculturation; Ethnopharmacology; Folk medicine; Granada; Medicinal plants; Spain

Phenological trends in southern Spain: A response to climate change - García-Mozo, H.; Mestre, a; Galan, C. (Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 2010)
The impact of climate change, and particularly of climate warming, is being tracked in many physical and biological systems. Plant phenology is seen as one of the most important bio-indicators, since trends can provide considerable temporal and spatial information regarding ongoing changes. Analyses performed at six sites in southern Spain from 1986 to the present have focused on vegetative and overall reproductive phenology in Olea europaea L., and Vitis vinifera L. and in various species of Quercus spp. and Poaceae. Early results suggest that trends in ﬂowering patterns derived from ﬁeld phenological observations were similar to trends in aerobiological data for most study species, and indicate a trend towards earlier foliation, ﬂowering and fruit ripening. This advance is more evident in arboreal than in herbaceous species. Statistical analysis showed temperature increase was the major factor affecting earlier foliation, ﬂowering and fruit ripening, as well as prompting delayed leaf fall. Herbaceous species were more affected than trees by changes in rainfall records
Keywords: Aerobiology; climate change; Phenology; pollen

Phenology of two syntopic Eukoenenia species in a northern Italian forest soil (Arachnida: Palpigradi) - Christian, Erhard; Capurro, Matteo; Galli, Loris (REVUE SUISSE DE ZOOLOGIE, 2010)
Phenology of two syntopic Eukoenenia species in a northern Italianforest soil (Arachnida: Palpigradi). - The present paper provides evidence for the co-occurrence of edaphic palpigrade species in Europe. Eukoenenia mirabilis and E. gallii coexist in the soil of a cork oak plantation on the Ligurian coast in northwestern Italy. Year-round sampling there produced, for the first time in a temperate zone, complete annual cycles of palpigrade populations. In the study area E. mirabilis and E. gallii are univoltine. Both species reproduce in summer and overwinter predominantly in the adult stage. The balanced sex-ratio of the resident E. mirabilis population is remarkable, because males of this widespread species are usually rare or absent.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: CASE POSTALE 6434, ATTN:DENISE MAIER ADMN REV SUISSE DE ZOOLOGIE, CH-L211 GENEVA 6, SWITZERLAND publisher: MUSEUM HISTOIRE NATURELLE
Keywords: Palpigrades; edaphic; life cycle; sex ratio; Roman

Pollen analysis from two littoral marshes (Bourdim and Garaat El-Ouez) in the El-Kala wet complex (North-East Algeria). Lateglacial and Holocene history of Algerian vegetation. - Benslama, Mohamed; Andrieu-Ponel, Valérie; Guiter, Frédéric; Reille, Maurice; de Beaulieu, Jacques-Louis; Migliore, Jérémy; Djamali, Morteza (Comptes rendus biologies, 2010)
The study of two pollen sequences from El-Kala marshes allowed the reconstruction of the regional vegetation history supported by eight radiocarbon dates. Pollen assemblages from Bourdim site were dominated by local input of Alnus and Salix, while regional vegetation was characterized by scattered Quercus suber forests with a well-developed Erica arborea matorral. While the vegetation dynamics recorded at Bourdim is recent (Late Holocene), the majority of the pollen diagram from Garaat El-Ouez is contemporaneous to the Late Pleniglacial and is characterized by open woodlands with Pinus, Poaceae and several heliophilous herbs. The significant values of Cedrus pollen identified in this period indicate that the region of El-Kala most probably played the role of a refugium for this tree.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: accession-num: 20965444
Keywords: Afrique du Nord; Analyse pollinique; Cedrus; Histoire de la végétation; Refuges

Post-fire restoration of Mediterranean forests: Testing assembly rules mediated by facilitation - Siles, G; Rey, P J; Alcántara, J M (Basic and Applied Ecology, 2010)
In view of the importance of facilitative interactions between plants, nurse-based planting has been proposed as a restoration technique for Mediterranean vegetation. However, facilitation efﬁciency is known to depend on the environmental context and the particular pair of interacting species. Understanding these context- and pair-speciﬁc dependences is fundamental to understanding Mediterranean vegetation dynamics and to improving the use of nurse-based plantation for restoration. We assessed the effectiveness of nurse-based plantation and the signiﬁcance for post-ﬁre restoration of some assembly rules mediated by facilitation. In two nearby areas of different burning ages, we compared seedling establishment of 13 tall shrubs and trees planted in open ground and under nurses. Nurses and planted seedlings were selected from different life-forms. Tests of the assembly rules were provided by the partitioning of the statistical interaction effect between nurse and planted seedling life-forms in a two-factor design. Nurse-based plantation increased seedling survival 2–9 times compared to plantation in open ground, depending on the year. The higher efﬁciency of nurse-based plantation was consistent for the two burned areas and occurred in many species even in years with contrasting rainfall. We detected pair-speciﬁc differences in the efﬁciency of facilitation. This pair-speciﬁcity was partly explained by the dependence between life-forms of nurse and guest species, suggesting the existence of assembly rules. Our results conﬁrm that nurse-based plantation would be an appropriate post-ﬁre restoration technique in Mediterranean mountains under dry-subhumid climate, but suggest that attention to the life-form assemblage rules is needed for an efﬁcient implementation of such technique.
Keywords: Forest restoration; mediterranean fires; nurse effects; nurse plants; plant-plant interactions; post-fire regeneration; succession

Post-fire tree mortality in mixed forests of central Portugal - Catry, F. X.; Rego, F.; Moreira, F.; Fernandes, P. M.; Pausas, J. G. (Forest Ecology and Management, 2010)
Wildﬁres are a recurrent disturbance in the Mediterranean Basin. However, managers from this region are confronted with a lack of information on the effects of ﬁre on most woody species, which is required for deﬁning sustainable forest management strategies. Following a large wildﬁre in central Portugal (2003), we surveyed the area during the ﬁrst year and assessed the vegetative condition of 1040 burned trees from 11 different species. Among those trees, 755 individuals were selected and monitored annually for 4 years. At the end of the study, almost all the broadleaved trees survived, while most coniferous died. In spite of the low mortality observed in broadleaves, most were top-killed and regenerated only from basal resprouts, which implies a slow recovering process. Quercus suber, however, showed vigorous post-ﬁre crown resprouting and was the most resilient species. We ﬁtted logistic regression models to predict the probability of individual tree mortality and top-kill from ﬁre injury indicators and tree characteristics. Besides the differences between the two main functional groups (coniferous, broadleaved), bole char height and crown volume scorched or consumed were important predictors of tree responses. Additionally, the main factor determining crown mortality on broadleaved species was bark thickness. The selected models performed well when tested with independent data obtained on four other wild- ﬁres. These models have several potential applications and can be useful to managers making pre-ﬁre or post-ﬁre decisions in mixed forest stands in the western Mediterranean Basin.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Fire effects; Mediterranean ecosystems; Modelling; resprouting; Tree survival; Wildﬁres

Potential gene exchange between Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and Bacillus spp. in soil in situ - Donnarumma, Francesca; Paffetti, Donatella; Stotzky, Guenther; Giannini, Raffaello; Vettori, Cristina (Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2010)
The possible transfer of genes from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (Btk) to indigenous Bacillus spp. was investigated in soil samples from stands of cork oak in Orotelli (Sardinia, Italy) collected 5 years after spraying of the stands with a commercial insecticidal preparation (FORAY 48B) of Btk. Two colonies with a morphology different from that of Btk were isolated and identiﬁed as Bacillus mycoides by morphological and physiological characteristics and by 16S rDNA analysis. Ampliﬁcation by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the DNA of the two isolated B. mycoides colonies with primers used for the identiﬁ- cation of the Btk cry genes showed the presence of a fragment of 238 bp of the cry1Ab9 gene that had a similarity of 100% with the sequence of the cry1Ab9 gene present in GenBank, indicating that the isolates of B. mycoides acquired part of the sequence of this gene from Btk. No cells of Btk or B. mycoides carrying the 238-bp fragment of the cry1Ab9 gene were isolated from samples of unsprayed control soil. However, the isolates of B. mycoides were not able to express the partial Cry1Ab protein. Hybridization with probes for IS231 and the cry1Ab9 gene suggested that the inverted repeated sequence, IS231, was probably involved in the transfer of the 238-bp fragment from Btk to B. mycoides. These results indicate that transfer of genes between introduced Btk and indigenous Bacillus spp. can occur in soil under ﬁeld conditions.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Bacillus mycoides; Bacillus spp; bacillus thuringiensis subsp; Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki; cry genes; Horizontal gene transfer; kurstaki; Natural soil environment

Potential of biomass residues for energy production and utilization in a region of Portugal - Fernandes, U.; Costa, M. (Biomass and Bioenergy, 2010)
This article concentrates on the evaluation of the potential of biomass residues, both forest and agricultural residues, for energy production and utilization in a region of Portugal (Marva˜o). Marva˜o has been identiﬁed as an excellent region for the installation of smallscale biomass plants for heating purposes given the relatively high potential of biomass residues that it presents. The assessment of the potential of the biomass residues was carried out using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) database and statistical analysis. It was concluded that the annual biomass residues potential for Marva˜o is about 10,600 tonnes, which corresponds to an energy production potential of about 106,000 GJ per annum. In addition, to illustrate the potential of biomass residues for energy utilization in the region of Marva˜o, the heating system of a hotel located in Marva˜o village has been analyzed as a case study. It was concluded that the conversion of the existing fossil fuelbased heating system to a biomass-based system would have economical and environmental advantages for local investors.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Keywords: Biomass residues; Energy potential; GIS; Pellets boiler

Predicting understory maximum shrubs cover using altitude and overstory basal area in different Mediterranean forests - Coll, Lluís; González-Olabarria, José Ramón; Mola-Yudego, Blas; Pukkala, Timo; Messier, Christian (European Journal of Forest Research, 2010)
In some areas of the Mediterranean basin where the understory stratum represents a critical ﬁre hazard, managing the canopy cover to control the understory shrubby vegetation is an ecological alternative to the current mechanical management techniques. In this study, we determine the relationship between the overstory basal area and the cover of the understory shrubby vegetation for different dominant canopy species (Pinaceae and Fagaceae species) along a wide altitudinal gradient in the province of Catalonia (Spain). Analyses were conducted using data from the Spanish National Forest Inventory. At the regional scale, when all stands are analysed together, a strong negative relationship between mean shrub cover and site elevation was found. Among the Pinaceae species, we found fairly good relationships between stand basal area and the maximum development of the shrub stratum for species located at intermediate elevations (Pinus nigra, Pinus sylvestris). However, at the extremes of the elevationclimatic gradient (Pinus halepensis and Pinus uncinata stands), stand basal area explained very little of the shrub cover variation probably because microsite and topographic factors override its effect. Among the Fagaceae species, a negative relationship between basal area and the maximum development of the shrub stratum was found in Quercus humilis and Fagus sylvatica dominated stands but not in Quercus ilex. This can be due to the particular canopy structure and management history of Q. ilex stands. In conclusion, our study revealed a marked effect of the tree layer composition and the environment on the relationship between the development of the understory and overstory tree structure. More ﬁne-grained studies are needed to provide forest managers with more detailed information about the relationship between these two forest strata.
Keywords: á altitude á; á fagaceae; Altitude; Basal area; e47; european network for forest; Fagaceae; Overstory; overstory á basal area; Pinaceae; Shrub cover; shrub cover á pinaceae; the cost action; the final conference of; this article originates from; vegetation management

Presence of env-like sequences in Quercus suber retrotransposons - Carvalho, M.; Ribeiro, T.; Viegas, W.; Morais-Cecílio, L.; Rocheta, M. (Journal of Applied Genetics, 2010)
The main difference between LTR retrotransposons and retroviruses is the presence of theenvelope (env) gene in the latter, downstream of thepol gene. Theenv gene is involved in their infectious capacity. Here we report the presence ofenv-like sequences in the genome ofQuercus suber (cork oak), one of the most economically important Portuguese species. These gene sequences were isolated through DNA amplification betweenRNaseH conserved motifs and 3’ LTR, based on the structure ofcopia retrotransposons. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that almost all the clones isolated are clustered withCyclops-2, aTy3-gypsy element identified inPisum sativum, except one clustered withgypsy andcopia retroelements found in different species. This suggests the existence of a potential ancestral sequence of theenv gene, prior to the separation ofTy3-gypsy andTy1-copia retrotransposons. Additionally, the isolatedenv-like sequences showed 26–39% of homology withenv-like sequences characterized in viruses. The origin ofenv-like sequences in retrotransposons from host plant taxa is discussed.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Springer-Verlag
Keywords: copia retroelements; Cork oak; envelope-like gene; retrotransposons; retrovirus

Private Net Benefits from Afforesting Marginal Cropland and Shrubland with Cork Oaks in Spain - Ovando, Paola; Campos, Pablo; Oviedo, José L.; Montero, Gregorio (Forest Science, 2010)
We estimate the private net benefits from afforesting marginal shrubland and cropland with cork oaks at two Spanish cork oak sites, Aljibe and Gavarres, in different time horizon frames. The analysis integrates market and nonmarket (landowner amenity) private capital incomes, including government afforestation grants. We apply cost-benefit analysis techniques for estimating the investment present value in the periods analyzed, taking residual values of cork oak woodland into account. The results show that the profitability rate of cork oak afforestation strongly depends on government subsidies. The value of private amenities, at least in Aljibe, seems to be positively affected by the forest area's share of the total estate surface. Thus, an increase in the afforested area would enhance the private amenity annual income with respect to maintaining the original property land's treeless uses. A higher level of private amenities attached to the forest area may imply a reduction in government grants for encouraging cork oak afforestation.
Keywords: cost-benefit analysis; government grants; market incomes; private amenity

Quantitative and enantioselective analysis of monoterpenes from plant chambers and in ambient air using SPME - Yassaa, N.; Custer, T.; Song, W.; Pech, F.; Kesselmeier, J.; Williams, J. (ATMOSPHERIC MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES, 2010)
A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system has been developed for quantifying enantiomeric and nonenantiomeric monoterpenes in plant chamber studies and ambient air. Performance of this system was checked using a capillary diffusion system to produce monoterpene standards. The adsorption efficiency, competitive adsorption and chromatographic peak resolution of monoterpene enantiomer pairs were compared for three SPME fibre coatings: 75 mu m Carboxen-PDMS (CAR-PDMS), 50/30 mu m divinylbenzene-carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-CAR-PDMS) and 65 mu m divinylbenzene-polydimethylsiloxane (DVB-PDMS). Key parameters such as the linearity and reproducibility of the SPME system have been investigated in this work. The best compromise between the enantiomeric separation of monoterpenes and competitive adsorption of the isoprenoids on the solid SPME fibre coating was found for DVB-PDMS fibres. The optimum conditions using DVB-PDMS fibres were applied to measure the exchange rates of monoterpenes in the emission of Quercus ilex using a laboratory whole plant enclosure under light and dark conditions, as well as in ambient air. With 592 and 223 ng m(-2) s(-1) respectively, beta-myrcene and limonene were the predominant monoterpenes in the emission of Q. ilex. These values were closely comparable to those obtained using a zNose and cartridge GC-FID systems.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: BAHNHOFSALLEE 1E, GOTTINGEN, 37081, GERMANY publisher: COPERNICUS GESELLSCHAFT MBH
Keywords: GC/MS; Quercus ilex

Quantitatively defining the conservation status of Natura 2000 forest habitats and improving management options for enhancing biodiversity - Hernando, Ana; Tejera, Rosario; Velazquez, Javier; Núñez, María Victoria (Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010)
The main goal of Natura 2000 network is to guarantee the favourable conservation status of habitats and species ensuring European biodiversity. As a result, certain forest areas have been included in this network listed as 9230-Quercus pyrenaica habitat and 9340-Quercus ilex subsp. rotundifolia forest habitat. These areas were previously used for ﬁrewood extraction or livestock grazing and browsing. Nowadays these habitats are coppice forests with asexual regeneration, which is far from the desired conservation status. Traditional timber harvesting plans do not take account of the new objectives required for these Natura sites, which attempt to ensure biodiversity and recreational uses instead of simply focusing on timber production. This paper proposes a ﬂexible methodology (applied to the study area ‘‘Dehesa Boyal’’ in A´ vila, Spain) for managing Natura 2000 forest sites by stands for sustainable forest management and the new requirements. The methodology has two phases. The ﬁrst, ‘‘Division of the forest area into stands’’, deﬁnes homogeneous patches of vegetation distinct in species composition, physiognomic structure and future management. The second, ‘‘Conservation status assessment of stands’’, quantiﬁes the conservation status of each previously classiﬁed stand considering a series of factors such as: functional health, restoration, ﬂoral richness and structure. A total value integrating the conservation status of stands is then calculated for the habitat. Both phases use Geographic Information System tools for managing information and visualizing results. The proposed methodology provides forest managers with a good knowledge of the territory and subsequently enables them to take appropriate conservation measures to maintain biodiversity.
Keywords: Adaptive management; Asexual regeneration; Cattle; Coppice forest; GIS; Mediterranean biogeographic region; oak; Quercus pyrenaica; Spain; Stand

Raman spectroscopy a promising technique for investigations of metallothioneins. - Torreggiani, Armida; Tinti, Anna (Metallomics : integrated biometal science, 2010)
Metallobiomolecules are highly elaborated coordination complexes, and their fundamental metal-ligand interactions are critical components of metalloprotein folding, assembly, stability, electrochemistry, and catalytic function. Herein, we have described the benefits in using Raman spectroscopy to define the metal-ion binding properties of MTs toward metal ions such as Zn(ii) and Cd(ii). In particular, this vibrational technique can shed light on the secondary structures eventually present in MTs and the ligands involved in metal coordination. The oxidation state of Cys residues and their participation in the metal chelation can be clearly defined, as well as the eventual involvement of His residues. With regards to exogenous metal ligands such as sulfide anions, their presence can be identified by some marker bands whose intensity is linearly correlated with sulfide/metal molar ratio. Finally, Raman can be also an useful tool for providing information on the favourite sites of the radical attack and radical-induced modification in protein folding. In conclusion, many advantages such as the capability of defining local regions in large complexes and detecting several structural features at the same time, the ability in supporting mechanisms, as well as the requirement of low sample amount, make to propose Raman spectroscopy, in coupling with analytical techniques such as atomic emission spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and circular dichroism, as one of the most promising experimental strategies in the research on structure-activity relationships in MTs.
Keywords: copper; Copper: chemistry; Copper: metabolism; metallothionein; Metallothionein: chemistry; Metallothionein: metabolism; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Spectrum Analysis, Raman: methods; Structure-Activity Relationship; Zinc; Zinc: chemistry; Zinc: metabolism

Reconstructing past cultural landscape and human impact using pollen and plant macroremains - Sadori, L.; MERCURI, A. M.; MARIOTTI LIPPI, M. (Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology, 2010)
Abstract Three examples of plant landscape shaping, carried out by Iron Age populations living in different geographical areas, are presented. The examples differ in population type (Garamantes, Etruscans, and Romans), archaeological context (settlement, necropolis, furnace, port), and area of plant exploitation (respectively, Fezzan ? Libyan Sahara and Tuscany, Latium ? central Italy). The leitmotiv of the three parallel investigations highlighted that humans induced clear changes in plant cover modifying the quantitative ratio among native elements and spreading the plants of economic interest even outside of their natural habitats. Micro- and macroremain analyses once more enhanced that landscape reconstruction depends on both wild and cultivated plants, and that the cultural plant landscape is composed of a complex mixture of indigenous and exotic elements. Archaeobotany results in great help in reviewing ancient prejudices, rewriting history in a modern ecological view, also discovering a different role in the landscape evolution of past civilizations. In this light, the Garamantes deeply transformed the oases in agrarian producer sites, and the Etruscans, in the area of the Gulf of Follonica, modified the previous forest vegetation, probably enhancing the xeric features. The Romans, believed as the main creators of the environmental changes in the Mediterranean basin, surprisingly did not produce consistent plant changes in the area of the Tiber delta, in the surroundings of the imperial port of Rome, during the first century AD.
doi: 10.1080/11263504.2010.491982doi: 10.1080/11263504.2010.491982The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Taylor & Francis
Keywords: Archaeobotany; cultural landscape; Etruscans; Garamantes; Iron Age; macroremains; pollen; Romans

Regeneration niche of the Canarian juniper: the role of adults, shrubs and environmental conditions - Otto, Rüdiger; Krüsi, Bertil O.; Delgado, Juan D.; Fernández-Palacios, José María; García-Del-Rey, Eduardo; Arévalo, José Ramón (Annals of Forest Science, 2010)
• Canarian Juniper woodlands, now very scarce, are rich in endemic and endangered plants. However, many aspects of juniper regeneration are almost unknown. • This paper relates occurrence and abundance of recruits of Juniperus turbinata ssp. canariensis to (1) small-scale soil characteristics; (2) vegetation cover; and (3) distance to conspeciﬁc adults in two contrasting juniper stands in the eastern mountains of Tenerife. We used non-parametric classiﬁcation trees and generalised linear models (GLM) to evaluate the eﬀect and importance of each explanatory variable on the occurrence of juniper saplings. • Sapling density, vitality and growth rate, as well as fruit production by adult trees, but neither cone density on the ground nor sapling size, varied signiﬁcantly with respect to slope orientation, representing environmental stress. Within each stand, distance to nearest adult tree was the most important variable explaining the spatial distribution of juniper saplings and availability of seeds in cones. Additionally, saplings were positively associated with shrub cover at the microsite-level, but not with spiny shrub cover. Soil depth and rock cover had a weak negative eﬀect on sapling establishment, but only at the south-facing site and in the open space microhabitat. • Results suggest that recruitment of Canarian juniper is facilitated by microhabitats oﬀered by adults and shrubs. The key factors aﬀecting recruitment are thought to be (1) favourable microenvironmental conditions and (2) high ambient seed availability. Browsing intensity in recent decades was very low. The presence of spiny shrubs did not favour juniper establishment. Facilitation therefore appears to result from amelioration of abiotic conditions rather than from protection against herbivory.
Keywords: Canary Islands; GLM; juniperus turbinata ssp canariensis; microhabitat; Regeneration

Relationships of Selected Soil Parameters and Natural Pastures Yield in the Montado Ecosystem of the Mediterranean Area Using Multivariate Analysis - Ferreira, Eugénio Mendes; Simões, Nuno; Castro, Isabel Videira e; Carneiro, Luís (Silva Lusitana, 2010)
Chemical, physical and biological soil parameters (OM, total N, pH, P2O5, K2O, Mg, B, WHC, free–living nitrogen fixing and rhizobial microflora properties) and pastures yield were characterized and used to determine relationships in 40 locations covering different growth conditions of the "montado" ecosystem. Soil samples were collected in Spring. Reasonable soil fertility was found. The soils presented, in general, intermediate values for OM, K2O, Mg, and Bo and low values for pH and P2O5. Populations of free-living nitrogen fixing bacteria were high, with an average of 4.2 x 107 CFU g-1 of soil, being nitrogenase activity highly variable, with an average of 34 nmoles of C2H4 g-1 of soil h-1. Rhizobial population associated to Trifolium subterraneum was high, with an average of 106 bacteria g-1 of soil, having adequate nitrogen fixing potential for the majority of the soils. Rhizobial population associated to Medicago polymorpha was low, with an average of 6.5 x 104 bacteria g-1 of soil, an insufficient value for a good nodulation, having low nitrogen fixing potential for the majority of the soils. Annual yield of natural pastures varied highly among locals, with an average of 3245 kg ha-1, a usual value for this ecosystem. In general, soil properties were independent of the soil samples. The chemical parameters OM, P2O5, K2O and total N were important factors to pasture yield. A great variability, even in soil samples collected within a short distance, was observed. A relationship between geological origin and productivity was found, being the granitic soils more productive in non-legume plants
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: scielopt
Keywords: Montado ecosystem; pasture yield; soil parameters; sustainable agriculture

Relative Effect of Food Supplementation and Natural Resources on Female Red Deer Distribution in a Mediterranean Ecosystem - Pérez-González, Javier; Barbosa, a Márcia; Carranza, Juan; Torres-Porras, Jerónimo (Journal of Wildlife Management, 2010)
Supplementary feeding is a widespread game management practice in several red deer (Cervus elaphus) populations, with important potential consequences on the biology of this species. In Mediterranean ecosystems food supplementation occurs in the rutting period, when it may change mating system characteristics. We studied the role of food supplementation relative to natural resources in the spatial distribution, aggregation, and mean harem size of females in Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) during the rut. We studied 30 red deer populations of southwestern Spain, 63% of which experienced supplementary feeding. Using multivariate spatial analyses we found that food supplementation affected distribution of females in 95% of the populations in which it occurred. Green meadows present during the mating season acted as an important natural resource influencing female distribution. Additionally, the level of female aggregation and mean harem size were significantly higher in those populations in which food supplementation determined female distribution than in populations in which female distribution did not depend on supplementary feeding. Because female aggregation and mean harem size are key elements in sexual selection, supplementary feeding may constitute an important anthropogenic element with potential evolutionary implications for populations of Iberian red deer.
Keywords: cervus elaphus; environmental resources; female aggregation; mating system; Mediterranean ecosystems; spatial analyses

Remobilization of acorn nitrogen for seedling growth in holm oak (Quercus ilex), cultivated with contrasting nutrient availability. - Villar-Salvador, Pedro; Heredia, Norberto; Millard, Peter (Tree physiology, 2010)
The relative contribution of nitrogen (N) reserves from seeds or uptake by the roots to the growth and N content of young seedlings has received little attention. In this study, we investigated the contribution of N from the acorn or uptake by the roots to the N content of holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings and determined if remobilization of acorn N was affected by nutrient availability in the growing media. Q. ilex seedlings were cultivated for 3 months, until the end of the second shoot flush of growth, with three N fertilization rates: 8.6 mM N, 1.4 mM N or no fertilization. Fertilizer N was enriched in (15)N. Between 62 and 75% of the N contained in high and low fertilized seedlings, respectively, at the end of the second flush of growth was derived from the acorn. However, the dependence on acorn N was greater during the early root growth and first shoot flush of growth and decreased during the second shoot flush of growth, with root uptake contributing 32-54% of plant new N in this latter developmental stage in high and low fertilized plants, respectively. Fertilization rate did not affect the amount of N taken up during the earliest developmental stages, but it increased it during the second shoot flush of growth. Fertilization increased the mass of the shoot segment formed during the second shoot flush of growth and reduced the root mass, with no effect on whole plant growth. Remobilization of acorn N was faster in unfertilized plants than in fertilized plants. It is concluded that the holm oak seedlings depend greatly upon acorn N until the end of the second shoot flush of growth, that significant root N uptake starts at the beginning of the second shoot flush of growth and that acorn N remobilization is a plastic process that is accelerated under extremely low substratum nutrient content.
Keywords: germination; nitrogen; Nitrogen Isotopes; Nitrogen Isotopes: metabolism; Nitrogen: metabolism; Quercus; Quercus: growth & development; Quercus: metabolism; Seedling; Seedling: growth & development; Seedling: metabolism; Seeds; Seeds: metabolism; Soil

Retention of native vegetation within the plantation matrix improves its conservation value for a generalist woodpecker - Barrientos, Rafael (Forest Ecology and Management, 2010)
The suitability of plantation monocultures for the conservation of forest animals is an issue under continous debate. The adaptability of forest dwellers and the forest management regime seem to play key roles. In this study, I investigated the habitat selection of a generalist bird, the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), within a pine (Pine spp.) monoculture, as well as the importance of the native habitat features within the pine matrix for the species’ conservation. I compared 52 plots with woodpecker presence against 121 plots where the species was absent, as well as 68 nest-trees against 90 random ones. Regression analyses were used to investigate the habitat attributes involved in the habitat selection. Although the great spotted woodpecker is considered a generalist forest dweller, it shows a marked habitat selection. Based on presence/absence records, the woodpecker prefers wellforested patches with high levels of tree diversity and with good coverage of a secondary species such as the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo). To excavate their nests, woodpeckers select large trees in patches where other trees are also larger, rejecting patches with a high number of small trees. The most striking conclusion from this work is the preference shown for native trees, especially Portuguese oaks (Quercus faginea), as nest-trees. This is noteworthy because native trees are smaller and they are surrounded by smaller trees than pines. These ﬁndings support that woodpecker conservation beneﬁts from an increase of habitat heterogeneity, particularly by the retention of native woodland patches within the plantation matrix.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: Afforestation; Biodiversity conservation; Forest management; Forest policy; landscape ecology; Plantation design

Root decomposition in grazed and abandoned dry Mediterranean dehesa and mesic mountain grasslands estimated by standard labelled roots - Casals, Pere; Garcia-Pausas, Jordi; Montané, Francesc; Romanyà, Joan; Rovira, Pere (Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 2010)
Because root turnover represents the major source for building up soil organic matter in ecosystems with high belowground allocation, like grasslands, sensitive analyses on root decomposition rates may contribute to point out the effect of grazing abandonment on soil C and N dynamics. The objective was to detect changes in root C and N mineralization due to pasture abandonment in Mediterranean dehesa mountain grasslands. Root decomposition was estimated by ﬁeld incubation of 13 C- and 15 N-labelled wheat roots mixed with unlabelled soil over one year at 5 cm depth in grazed and short-term excluded grasslands in three contrasting situations: (i) a Mediterranean dehesa, (ii) altimontane and (iii) subalpine sites. In addition, the long-term effect of grazing abandonment was estimated in a subalpine shrub encroached site. Overall, root decomposition rates decrease from Mediterranean to mountain sites. Moreover, on mountain sites, either grazing exclusion or shrub encroachment reduced 13 C losses from root–soil bags in about four to seven percentage units; in contrast, such an effect was not detected in the Mediterranean grassland. The dynamics of 15 N derived from root–soil bags was site-dependent without a clear pattern related to site climate or grazing abandonment. In general, the fate of mineralized root-N, leached or immobilized in the surrounding soil, seems to be related to soil variables such as the C:N ratio.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: 13C; 15N; Grazing exclusion; Shrub encroachment; Subalpine grasslands; Tracer techniques

RUNOFF PRODUCTION AND EROSION PROCESSES ON A DEHESA IN WESTERN SPAIN* - Ceballos, Antonio; Cerdà, A.; Schnabel, Susanne (Geographical Review, 2010)
Runoff generation and soil erosion were investigated at the Guadalperal6n ex- perimental watershed (western Spain), within the land-use system known as dehesa, or open, managed evergreen forests. Season and type of surface were found to control runoff and soil- loss rates. Five soil units were selected as representative of surface types found in the study area: hillslope grass, bottom grass, tree cover, sheep trails, and shrub cover. Measurements were made in various conditions with simulated rainfall to gain an idea of the annual varia- tion in runoff and soil loss. Important seasonal differences were noted due to surface cover and moisture content of soil, but erosion rates were determined primarily by runoff. Surfaces covered with grass and shrubs always showed less erosion; surfaces covered with holm oaks showed higher runoff rates, due to the hydrophobic character of the soils. Concentrations of runoff sediment during the siniulations confirmed that erosion rates at the study site de- pended directly on the sediment available on the soil surface
Keywords: Dehesa; erosion; land use; rainfall simulation; runoff; Spain

Seasonal physiological responses of Argania spinosa tree from Mediterranean to semi-arid climate - Díaz-Barradas, Mari Cruz; Zunzunegui, María; Ain-Lhout, Fatima; Jáuregui, Juan; Boutaleb, Said; Álvarez-Cansino, Leonor; Esquivias, Mari Paz (Plant and Soil, 2010)
Argania spinosa (the argan tree) is a slowgrowing tree endemic of Morocco, growing on semiarid areas where no other tree species can live. With the aim of predicting temporal changes in A. spinosa woodlands under a probable increase in aridity, we set off to investigate these questions: how do A. spinosa physiological attributes respond to variations in climatic conditions and seasonality, and which is the set of attributes that most affects tree response to environmental conditions? In three study sites, Beni Snassen (North), High-Atlas (Mountain) and Admine Forest in Agadir (Coastal), gas exchange measurements, photochemical efficiency, leaf water potential and different leaf attributes were monitored in February, July and November of 2006. The Mountain site presents the most continental climate. Trees in this site were the most stressed in summer, having the lowest midday leaf water potential values, photochemical efficiency and assimilation rates. We found a Ψmd threshold around -4 MPa, below which stomatal conductance responds linearly to Ψmd . Plants from the North area never reached this threshold during the study period. Although leaf pigments presented a clear seasonal pattern, leaves from Coastal trees exhibit the highest content for each season. The three study sites were separated by two discriminate functions obtained by canonical discriminant analysis. In summer, the Mountain population is separated from the other sites mainly by assimilation rate and Fv /Fm, while in winter transpiration rates and chlorophyll content are the main discriminant variables. Our study shows that A. spinosa trees adjust their physiological status and leaf attributes to environmental conditions allowing plants to thrive under a dry climate. Under a scenario of global change, the distribution of the argan tree likely shifts to milder areas.
Keywords: Browsing; Drought; leaf traits; photochemical efficiency; Stomatal conductance; water relations

Seasonal trends and spatial relations between environmental/meteorological factors and leishmaniosis sand fly vector abundances in Central Spain - Galvez, R.; Descalzo, M. A.; Miro, G.; Jimenez, M. I.; Martin, O.; Dos Santos-Brandao, F.; Guerrero, I.; Cubero, E.; Molina, R. (ACTA TROPICA, 2010)
This paper reports on an entomological survey performed over the period 2006-2008 in Central Spain (mainly in the Madrid province) where canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is endemic. The study area was selected on the grounds of its wide altitude range, which determines both broad climate and vegetation ranges that could affect sand fly distributions. This area was surveyed from NE to SW across its mountain range (Sistema Central) and plateau area using sticky traps mainly on embankments. In 2006 and 2007, 123 sites were sampled (9557 sand flies captured) to establish possible relations between environmental or meteorological factors and vector densities (Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi). The factors correlated with higher vector densities were: a sample site between villages or at the edge of a village, the lack of a paved road, a rural habitat, an east or south-facing wall or wall sheltered from the wind, the presence of livestock or birds, a holm-oak wood vegetation, a lower summer mean temperature and lower annual mean precipitation. This study was followed by a seasonal survey conducted at 16 selected sites (14,353 sand flies) sampled them monthly from May to November 2008. P. perniciosus showed a diphasic seasonal trend with two abundance peaks in July and September whereas P. ariasi showed a monophasic trend with one peak in August. Comparing with data from studies performed in 1991 in the same area, vector densities are significantly higher. A possible explanation for this is that the vectors (mainly P. ariasi) are moving towards higher altitudes perhaps because of global change. This increasing trend could have an impact on CanL and its geographical distribution. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: pub-location: PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Keywords: Canine leishmaniosis; Environmental and meteorological factors; Phlebotomus ariasi; Phlebotomus perniciosus; Sand fly vector; Spain

Self-shading in cork oak seedlings: Functional implications in heterogeneous light environments - Esteso-Martínez, Jordán; Peguero-Pina, José Javier; Valladares, Fernando; Morales, Fermín; Gil-Pelegrín, Eustaquio (Acta Oecologica, 2010)
The high self-shading found in Quercus suber seedlings has been interpreted as a feature common for plants growing in high light environments. But many studies reveal that Q. suber has high survival rates under low-light conditions, so a high degree of self-shading could be the consequence of a foliage composed of many small leaves, with no drawbacks for coping with low light. A characterization of the light environment in a Q. suber stand together with a study of photosynthetic parameters of full sunlightexposed (FSLE) and self-shaded (SS) leaves were carried out to tackle this apparent contradiction. Although the number of sunﬂecks longer than 120 min during the 3 months of measurements was low, the occurrence of at least one sunﬂeck longer than 120 min per day in the understory of the forest studied was very common. Sunﬂecks shorter than 30 min promoted an increase in net photosynthesis (A) in FSLE leaves, but not in SS leaves. However, sunﬂecks longer than 60 min led to a very strong decrease in A and in actual photosystem II efﬁciency (FPSII ) in FSLE leaves, when compared to sunﬂecks shorter than 30 min. In SS leaves, changes were, again, negligible. The multi-layered foliage of Q. suber seedlings allowed i) FSLE leaves to obtain the maximum photosynthetic yield for short sunﬂecks, and ii) SS leaves to increase their contribution to the photosynthesis of the whole plant for long sunﬂecks, thus, optimizing the use of light by FSLE and SS leaves during short and long sunﬂecks respectively. Therefore, shoot architecture of Q. suber seedlings involving high levels of self-shading allows to adequately cope with the low but highly heterogeneous light conditions of the understory, particularly when sunﬂecks of contrasting durations take place as it is frequently the case for evergreen Mediterranean forests
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier Masson SAS
Keywords: Canopy structure; Light stress; Mediterranean; Quercus suber; Self-shading

Short-term effects on sheep pastureland due to grazing abandonment in a Western Mediterranean island ecosystem: A multidisciplinary approach - Farris, Emmanuele; Filigheddu, Rossella; Deiana, Pietrino; Farris, Giovanni a; Garau, Giovanni (Journal for Nature Conservation, 2010)
Changes of pasture communities consequent to management practices resulting from land abandonment considerably affect the structure and function of the ecosystem. This study analyses the consequences of grazing abandonment in terms of plant and soil microbial diversity and fertility, on a Mediterranean upland sheep pasture, over a short period (ﬁve years). Grazing was experimentally excluded by fencing ten 10 10 m permanent plots within an area that had supported grazing until 2000, by 0.23 sheep ha 1 . Plant and soil microbial communities and physicochemical parameters were monitored within the fenced and unfenced control plots, during three sampling times from 2000 (before the fencing) to 2005. Grazing cessation notably altered the ﬂoral composition, with an average dissimilarity of 96.7% between the vegetation communities, over ﬁve years. No signiﬁcant change occurred in the control plots that were grazed throughout the sampling period. This work highlighted that, over a short term, the structural change in the speciﬁc plant composition affected only the grass species, conﬁrming that grazing favours the small-sized species over the annual species. Further, it was evident that species groups of conservational and phytogeographic interest, like the endemic and Mediterranean-Atlantic species, tended to disappear with pasture abandonment and were substituted by more widespread species throughout the Mediterranean or even the world. Pasture abandonment was accompanied by an increase of soil pH and a decrease in soil organic matter and soil nitrogen. The microbial parameters recorded at three different sampling times revealed a substantial effect of the plant community, or the time of grazing abandonment, on soil microbial abundance and diversity. Considerable importance is given to the consequences of pasture abandonment on the conservation of plant and microbial diversity and on soil fertility.
The following values have no corresponding Zotero field: publisher: Elsevier
Keywords: animal-plant interactions; Habitat directive; Land-use change; Mediterranean basin; Microbial community; plant diversity; Poetea bulbosae; Soil fertility

Snail and millipede complementarity in decomposing Mediterranean forest leaf litter mixtures - De Oliveira, Tatiana; Hättenschwiler, Stephan; Tanya Handa, Ira (Functional Ecology, 2010)
1. The projected increase in loss of biodiversity worldwide has prompted the need to understand the role that diversity plays in key ecosystem functions such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Here we asked how two contrasting species of saprophagous macrofauna and four Mediterranean forest leaf litter species interactively affect decomposition in a 6-week microcosm study. 2. Litter mass loss and macrofauna relative consumption rates (RCR) were measured on treatments with freshly fallen or partially decomposed leaf litter of Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus angustifolia, Pistacia terebinthus and Quercus ilex as single-species or mixtures in absence and presence of the gastropod, Pomatias elegans, the diplopod, Glomeris marginata, or both macrofauna species. 3. Macrofauna consumed all litter substrates except freshly fallen P. terebinthus as a single-species litter that was fatal to both animals, although its presence in litter mixtures increased overall RCR. Consumption was higher in partially decomposed than freshly fallen litter, and higher in litter mixtures than in single-species litter. Both litter state and mixing interacted significantly with macrofauna treatment where generally, RCR by P. elegans alone was inferior to that of G. marginata alone or in combination with P. elegans. 4. An overall positive complementarity effect on litter RCR between G. marginata and P. elegans was observed in freshly fallen litter. Particularly strong complementarity was observed in two mixtures of freshly fallen litter and also in one mixture of partially decomposed litter. 5. There were no non-additive effects of litter mixing on litter mass loss in the absence of animals, indicating no interactions among litter substrates during decomposition. However, in the presence of either G. marginata and/or P. elegans, positive and negative interactions among litter substrates occurred and were enhanced or reversed by the addition of the second macrofauna species. 6. We conclude that saprophagous macrofauna play a critical role in the decomposition dynamics of Mediterranean forest litter by interacting with each other and by driving interactions among litter substrates.
Keywords: Biodiversity; diplopod; gastropod; litter consumption; non-additive effects; synergy