The New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum): ecological impacts and distribution of this exotic species in the Iberian Peninsula

Las especies exóticas invasoras constituyen una de las principales causas de pérdida de biodiversidad. Debido a la complejidad del proceso de invasión, algunas especies muestran comportamiento invasor en unos ecosistemas pero no en otros. Una especie con un comportamiento ambiguo respecto a su carácter invasor es el caracol del cieno de Nueva Zelanda (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). La inclusión de esta especie en el reciente catálogo español de especies exóticas invasoras obliga a establecer su seguimiento e incrementar el conocimiento sobre su distribución en España. En el presente estudio se ha revisado la distribución de la especie en la península ibérica y los impactos ecológicos que ocasiona. En España la especie se ha citado en 30 de las 46 provincias, mientras que en Portugal aparece en 6 de 18. Muchas de las provincias afectadas son costeras, especialmente las que cuentan con las citas más antiguas. Respecto a los impactos más destacables que genera destaca su capacidad para cambiar la estructura de las comunidades de invertebrados a las que afecta, aunque en determinados casos no se han descrito tales cambios. La revisión de trabajos muestra una carencia de estudios que indiquen los mecanismos de dispersión de la especie entre distintas cuencas en la Península Ibérica, aspecto muy importante para evitar la expansión de la especie en los ecosistemas acuáticos peninsulares.Biological invasions are one of the main causes of biodiversity lost. Given the complexity of the invasion processes, some species have shown invasive behaviour in some ecosystems but not in others. A species with an ambiguous invasive behaviour is the New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum). This species has been recently included as an invasive exotic species in Spanish law, which makes necessary the management and the knowledge of its distribution in Spain. In this study we have reviewed the distribution and ecological impacts of this species in the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain this species has been cited in 30 out of the 46 provinces, whereas in Portugal it has been cited in 6 out of 18. Most of the affected provinces are in the coast, especially in the provinces with the oldest quotes. Among the most important impacts caused by this species are its ability to change the structure of the invaded invertebrate communities. However, such impacts have not been reported in some case studies. The present review shows a lack of studies on the dispersal mechanisms of mudsnail throughout the Iberian Peninsula. This is an essential point to prevent the spread of this species throughout the aquatic ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsula.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónUniversidad de AlcaláRed REMEDINAL de la Comunidad de Madri

Biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic drivers of demographic performance of non-native Eucalyptus and Pinus species in forested areas of Spain

Non-native trees enhance services that are fundamental for human well-being. Yet, the extensive use of non-native trees has the potential of causing environmental and socio-economic harm. Eucalyptus and Pinus are the most widely distributed and extensively planted tree genera worldwide, because their rapid growth allows profitable production of timber and pulp. Their naturalization is causing severe effects on the environment, but the relative importance of underlying factors determining their demographic performance is not well known. Thus, our aim was to evaluate the relative importance of biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors driving demographic changes of Eucalyptus and Pinus at the regional scale. We compiled environmental variables and demographic data for Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, and Pinus radiata across 6388 permanent forestland plots surveyed in the Spanish Forest Inventory (SFI). We used the second (1986?1996), third (1997?2007), and fourth (2008?2017) SFI datasets to quantify annual changes in basal area per plot between consecutive inventories (?BA; m2 ha?1 year?1). We also quantified the components of ?BA: tree ingrowth (transitions from juvenile to adult trees), growth, and mortality. We evaluated juvenile recruitment with in-situ regeneration (No. juvenile trees ha?1) within plots already occupied by the focal species in the previous inventory, and with natural colonization of plots where the focal species was absent at the beginning of the time interval. We found that the structure of the biotic community was especially important to explain demographic performance of non-native trees growing in benign environments (E. globulus and P. radiata), whereas abiotic factors were particularly important regulating basal area increments of E. camaldulensis, which occurs in harsher environments. Basal area increments decreased with species and functional richness, heterospecific density, mean annual temperature, and increased with soil capacity to retain nutrients and water. Colonization of new plots increased with propagule availability in the surrounding landscape. Tree cutting was beneficial for P. radiata. Collectively, our results suggest that non-native trees perform better in forests with high propagule pressure, low biotic resistance, favourable abiotic conditions, and human management.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónUniversidad de AlcaláMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónComunidad de Madri

Can the life-history strategy explain the success of the exotic trees Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia in Iberian floodplain forests?

Ailanthus altissima and Robina pseudoacacia are two successful invasive species of floodplains in central Spain. We aim to explain their success as invaders in this habitat by exploring their phenological pattern, vegetative and sexual reproductive growth, and allometric relations, comparing them with those of the dominant native tree Populus alba. During a full annual cycle we follow the timing of vegetative growth, flowering, fruit set, leaf abscission and fruit dispersal. Growth was assessed by harvesting two-year old branches at the peaks of vegetative, flower and fruit production and expressing the mass of current-year leaves, stems, inflorescences and infrutescences per unit of previous-year stem mass. Secondary growth was assessed as the increment of trunk basal area per previous-year basal area. A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia showed reproductive traits (late flowering phenology, insect pollination, late and long fruit set period, larger seeds) different from P. alba and other native trees, which may help them to occupy an empty reproductive niche and benefit from a reduced competition for the resources required by reproductive growth. The larger seeds of the invaders may make them less dependent on gaps for seedling establishment. If so, these invaders may benefit from the reduced gap formation rate of flood-regulated rivers of the study region. The two invasive species showed higher gross production than the native, due to the higher size of pre-existing stems rather than to a faster relative growth rate. The latter was only higher in A. altissima for stems, and in R. pseudoacacia for reproductive organs. A. altissima and R. pseudoacacia showed the lowest and highest reproductive/vegetative mass ratio, respectively. Therefore, A. altissima may outcompete native P. alba trees thanks to a high potential to overtop coexisting plants whereas R. pseudoacacia may do so by means of a higher investment in sexual reproduction

Los inventarios forestales nacionales como herramienta para evaluar el estado y la tendencia de las especies exóticas

Las invasiones biológicas son un componente importante del cambio global, el cual está amenazando la biodiversidad y servicios ecosistémicos del planeta. Para gestionar y mitigar los impactos del cambio global, es importante disponer de herramientas de monitorización que permitan evaluar sistemática, periódica, rápida y eficazmente los impactos de las especies exóticas a diversas escalas. Los inventarios forestales nacionales (IFNs) constituyen una herramienta emergente para el seguimiento de la estructura y dinámica de los bosques a grandes escalas espaciales. Los IFNs han sido usados globalmente para evaluar la diversidad biológica, la distribución de especies y el aprovisionamiento de servicios ecosistémicos en bosques. Además, tienen potencial para estudiar diversos aspectos de las invasiones biológicas, tanto desde un punto de vista teórico como aplicado. En este estudio revisamos la bibliografía disponible para conocer qué trabajos sobre especies exóticas se han publicado utilizando IFNs. Encontramos 96 estudios que usaban IFNs para evaluar el estado o dinámica de las especies exóticas en Estados Unidos (74), Europa (20), Canadá (1) y Australia (1). Más de la mitad de los estudios fueron realizados sobre distribución, riesgo de expansión, demografía o impactos de plantas exóticas (64). Los estudios restantes utilizaron IFNs para investigar riesgo de expansión o daños causados por otro tipo de especies exóticas, como insectos (20), patógenos fúngicos o protistas (6), insectos y patógenos (4), ciervos (1) y por el caracol gigante africano (1). Finalmente, discutimos las oportunidades y las limitaciones de los IFNs, resaltando su potencial para ampliar estudios teóricos y aplicados sobre invasiones biológicas.Biological invasions are an important component of global change, which is threatening the planet's biodiversity and ecosystem services. To manage and mitigate the impacts of global change, it is important to have monitoring tools that allow assessing the impacts of exotic species at several scales in a systematic, periodic, rapid, and effective way. National forest inventories (NFIs) are an emerging tool for monitoring forest structure and dynamics at large spatial scales. NFIs have been used globally to assess biological diversity, species distributions, and ecosystem services provision in forests. Moreover, NFIs have the potential to study various theoretical and applied aspects of biological invasions. We conducted a literature review to evaluate what studies about exotic species have been published using information from NFIs. We found 96 studies that used NFIs to assess the status or dynamics of exotic species in the United States (74), Europe (20), Canada (1) and Australia (1). Over half of the studies were conducted on the distribution, expansion risk, demography, or impacts of exotic plants (64). The remaining studies used NFIs to investigate expansion risk or impacts caused by other types of exotic species, including insects (20), fungal or protist pathogens (6), insects and pathogens (4), deer (1) and the giant African land snail (1). Lastly, we discuss the opportunities and limitations of NFIs, highlighting their potential to expand theoretical and applied studies on biological invasions.Agencia Estatal de InvestigaciónMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónFondo Europeo para el Desarrollo Regional-FEDERComunidad de Madri

Teamwork, a competence to be promoted at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Alcalá

Incluye cuestionario en el Anexo I: "ENCUESTA: ACTIVIDAD DE TRABAJO EN EQUIPO"El Grupo de Innovación Docente en Ciencias Ambientales analizó la competencia «trabajo en equipo» en la Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales de la Universidad de Alcalá. Para ello realizó una encuesta al profesorado de la Licenciatura y del Grado, para obtener información sobre el tipo de actividades que los docentes llevaron a cabo relacionadas con esta competencia. Se recibieron encuestas sobre 28 asignaturas, 17 de asignaturas del Grado y 11 de la Licenciatura. En el 88% de las asignaturas del Grado de las que se tuvo información se realizó alguna actividad de trabajo en equipo, porcentaje que ascendió al 91% en la Licenciatura. El 71% de los profesores de Grado encuestados y el 64% de los de la Licenciatura consideraron que los estudiantes no saben desarrollar adecuadamente esta competencia. El 65% de los profesores del Grado y el 74% de los de la Licenciatura opinan que la adquisición de conocimientos utilizando este método con respecto a la clase magistral es mejorThe «Environmental Sciences Teaching Innovation Group» analyzed the teamwork competence of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences of the University of Alcalá. Thus, a survey among lecturers was carried out to obtain information regarding the activities they implemented to promote this competence. 28 questionnaires were received, 17 from the from Degree in Environmental Sciences and 11 from the from Licenciatura (five-year studies) subjects. Teamwork was used in 88% of the Degree subjects from which we obtained information, whereas this percentage rose to 91% in Licenciatura studies. 71% of the surveyed lecturers of the Degree and 64% of Licenciatura studies believe that students do not use teamwork adequately. 65% of the lecturers of the Degree and 74% of Licenciatura studies consider that learning with this method is better than standard lecturin

El papel de las distintas formaciones forestales del Parque Nacional de Monfragüe como reservorios de carbono (Informe técnico)

27 p.En el Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, debido a una larga historia de uso, coexisten en un espacio relativamente pequeño formaciones arbóreas que difieren en la especie dominante, la estructura del bosque y la gestión recibida: dehesas de encina (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota), dehesas de alcornoque (Quercus suber), plantaciones de pino resinero (Pinus pinaster, especie nativa en España, pero introducida en esta región) y plantaciones de eucaliptos (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, especie nativa de Australia). Además, hemos estudiado otra formación de porte arbustivo dominada por jaras (Cistus ladanifer) que resultó de un intento fallido de restaurar plantaciones de eucaliptos hacia bosques de quercíneas. El objetivo del trabajo era comparar la capacidad de almacenamiento de carbono entre estas cinco formaciones, y su distribución entre compartimentos aéreos (biomasa aérea de árboles y arbustos, hojarasca depositada en el suelo) y subterráneos (raíces principales de los árboles, raíces de menor entidad encontradas en el suelo y materia orgánica del suelo en dos profundidades: 0-10 cm y 10-30 cm). Para ello realizamos un muestro de campo en 9-10 parcelas circulares por cada tipo de vegetación, donde medimos las dimensiones de árboles y arbustos, y tomamos muestras de hojarasca, suelos y raíces. Con la ayuda de ecuaciones alométricas y valores de contenido de carbono de la bibliografía o medidos en laboratorio, estimamos el stock de carbono por hectárea en cada compartimento. El pinar fue el tipo de vegetación que más carbono almacena, tanto en la parte aérea como subterránea, debido a la elevada densidad de árboles y a la alta talla de los mismos. Le sigue el eucaliptal, donde la densidad es menor, los árboles son altos, con más signos de decaimiento, pero alberga un sotobosque arbustivo con elevada altura, cobertura y riqueza de especies. A continuación, están las dehesas de encina y alcornoque, con valores menores debido a la baja densidad de árboles y la ausencia casi total de estrato arbustivo. Por último, el matorral, debido a su escaso porte, es el tipo de vegetación que almacena menos carbono, aunque su contenido en el suelo (posiblemente un legado del tipo de vegetación anterior) es similar al de la dehesa. La estructura del pinar y el eucaliptal hacen que estas formaciones sean vulnerables a sufrir incendios, por lo que se recomienda reducir la densidad de árboles del primero y de arbustos en el segundo. En el caso de las dehesas, menos vulnerables a los incendios, resulta patente un problema de regeneración que puede comprometer su futuro a largo plazo. Para ello, se recomienda controlar la presión de herbívoros y realizar plantaciones protegidas de los mismos.Universidad de Alcal

Manual de prácticas y Seminarios de Ecología. (2º de Grado en Ciencias Ambientales)

144 p

GEODIVULGAR: Geología y Sociedad

Fac. de Ciencias GeológicasFALSEsubmitte

Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF. We assessed the 90-day and 1-year risk of mortality and stroke in patients with AF, compared with those without AF (reference group). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 792 had preexisting AF. These patients had increased odds of 90-day all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% CI, 2.33-3.38) and PE-related mortality (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14) and increased 1-year hazard for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 5.48; 95% CI, 3.10-9.69) compared with those without AF. After multivariable adjustment, preexisting AF was associated with significantly increased odds of all-cause mortality (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.57-2.32) but not PE-related mortality (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.66). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 445 developed new incident AF within 2 days of acute PE. Incident AF was associated with increased odds of 90-day all-cause (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.97) and PE-related (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.01-6.59) mortality but not stroke. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Conclusions In patients with acute symptomatic PE, both preexisting AF and incident AF predict adverse clinical outcomes. The type of adverse outcomes may differ depending on the timing of AF onset.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group