Towards a holistic understanding of pastoralism

Pastoralism is a globally-important livelihood, with large social, environmental and economic importance across much of our planet. Yet, it is also a vulnerable practice with widespread crises, urgently calling for better systemic understanding. The current disciplinary compartmentalization of research not only hampers this but allows perpetuation of unfortunate misconceptions. Furthermore, a long-standing marginalization of the livelihood prevails, with pastoralism being largely overlooked in international environmental and economic forums or sustainability agendas. Here we call for transformative approaches to pastoralism research that can advance an integrated understanding of these social-ecological systems through a comparative lens. We develop a framework that uses: i) timescales from the distant past to the present, ii)social, economic and environmental dimensions, and iii) diverse geographic contexts and scales, to capture emerging properties allowing for cross-cultural comparisons. We provide specific guidelines for formally developing a coherent set of sustainability indicators that are transferable across time and space, and can track sustainability. In an exploratory exercise, we also show that very distinct pastoralist systems have undergone similar transitions across time, approaching critical thresholds and then either collapsing or recovering. An integrated view of the interactions between the environmental, social and economic dimensions of these transitions allows for an improved understanding of potential tipping points, hence supporting more proactive and informed decision-making. We conclude that the need for a paradigm shift in pastoralism science and policy is pressing. Determining when, where and how is pastoralism not only sustainable, but also the most adaptive livelihood, has become a priority. This paper is based on Manzano et al. (2021).Peer reviewe

Toward a holistic understanding of pastoralism

Pastoralism is globally significant in social, environmental and economic terms. However, it experiences crises rooted in misconceptions and poor interdisciplinary understanding, while being largely overlooked in international sustainability forums and agendas. Here we propose a transdisciplinary research approach to understand pastoralist transitions using i) social, economic and environmental dimensions, ii) diverse geographic contexts and scales to capture emerging properties, allowing for cross-system comparisons, and iii) timescales from the distant past to the present. We provide specific guidelines to develop indicators for this approach, within a social-ecological resilience analytical framework to understand change. Distinct systems undergo similar transitions over time, crossing critical thresholds and then either collapsing or recovering. Such an integrated view of multidimensional interactions improves understanding of possible tipping points, thereby supporting better-informed decision-making. The need for a paradigm shift in pastoralism science and policy is pressing. This research approach, including participatory methods, can provide the solutions urgently needed.Peer reviewe

Validation of a Mass Spectrometry Method To Quantify Oak Ellagitannins in Wine Samples

[EN] Detection and individual quantification of oak wood ellagitannins in oak barrel aged red wine samples are difficult mainly due to their low levels and the similarity between their structures. In this work, a quantification method using mass spectrometry has been developed and validated to quantify wine ellagitannins after sample fractionation with a previously reported method. The use of an internal standard is a requirement to correct mass signal variability. (−)-Gallocatechin, among the different tested compounds, was the only one that proved to be a suitable internal standard making possible the accurate and individual quantification of the main oak wood ellagitannins. The developed methodology has been used to detect and quantify these ellagitannins in different Spanish commercial wines, proving its usefulness

Full mitochondrial genome sequences of two endemic Philippine hornbill species (Aves: Bucerotidae) provide evidence for pervasive mitochondrial DNA recombination

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although nowaday it is broadly accepted that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may undergo recombination, the frequency of such recombination remains controversial. Its estimation is not straightforward, as recombination under homoplasmy (i.e., among identical mt genomes) is likely to be overlooked. In species with tandem duplications of large mtDNA fragments the detection of recombination can be facilitated, as it can lead to gene conversion among duplicates. Although the mechanisms for concerted evolution in mtDNA are not fully understood yet, recombination rates have been estimated from "one per speciation event" down to 850 years or even "during every replication cycle".</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we present the first complete mt genome of the avian family Bucerotidae, i.e., that of two Philippine hornbills, <it>Aceros waldeni </it>and <it>Penelopides panini</it>. The mt genomes are characterized by a tandemly duplicated region encompassing part of <it>cytochrome b</it>, 3 tRNAs, <it>NADH6</it>, and the control region. The duplicated fragments are identical to each other except for a short section in domain I and for the length of repeat motifs in domain III of the control region. Due to the heteroplasmy with regard to the number of these repeat motifs, there is some size variation in both genomes; with around 21,657 bp (<it>A. waldeni</it>) and 22,737 bp (<it>P. panini</it>), they significantly exceed the hitherto longest known avian mt genomes, that of the albatrosses. We discovered concerted evolution between the duplicated fragments within individuals. The existence of differences between individuals in coding genes as well as in the control region, which are maintained between duplicates, indicates that recombination apparently occurs frequently, i.e., in every generation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The homogenised duplicates are interspersed by a short fragment which shows no sign of recombination. We hypothesize that this region corresponds to the so-called Replication Fork Barrier (RFB), which has been described from the chicken mitochondrial genome. As this RFB is supposed to halt replication, it offers a potential mechanistic explanation for frequent recombination in mitochondrial genomes.</p

Phenolic and furanic compounds of Portuguese chestnut and French, American and Portuguese oak wood chips

Botanical species used on aging process must be wisely and judiciously chosen, and for this selection, a basic knowledge of the chemical composition of woods is warranted. Aiming to contribute to extend the knowledge of the chemical composition of several wood species useful for enological purposes, we have focused our studies on Portuguese chestnut and French, American and Portuguese oak chips. The profile of low molecular weight phenolic composition of these chips was achieved, using an optimized extraction method based on pressurized liquid extraction, followed by the quantification of phenolic acids, phenolic aldehydes and furanic derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD). The identification of those compounds was also confirmed by LC-DAD/ESI-MS. This study allowed the determination of the low molecular phenolic composition of Portuguese chestnut and French, American and Portuguese oak wood. According to our results, the influence of the botanical species seems to be more relevant than the geographic origin of the wood species

Living on the Edge: Assessing the Extinction Risk of Critically Endangered Bonelli’s Eagle in Italy

Background: The population of Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) has declined drastically throughout its European range due to habitat degradation and unnatural elevated mortality. There are less than 1500 breeding pairs accounted for in Europe, and the species is currently catalogued as Critically Endangered in Italy, where the 22 territories of Sicily, represent nearly 95% of the entire Italian population. However, despite national and European conservation concerns, the species currently lacks a specific conservation plan, and no previous attempts to estimate the risk of extinction have been made. Methodology/Principal Findings: We incorporated the most updated demographic information available to assess the extinction risk of endangered Bonelli’s eagle in Italy through a Population Viability Analysis. Using perturbation analyses (sensitivity and elasticity), and a combination of demographic data obtained from an assortment of independent methods, we evaluated which demographic parameters have more influence on the population’s fate. We also simulated different scenarios to explore the effects of possible management actions. Our results showed that under the current conditions, Bonelli’s eagle is expected to become extinct in Italy in less than 50 years. Stand-alone juvenile mortality was the most critical demographic parameter with the strongest influence on population persistence with respect to other demographic parameters. Measures aimed at either decreasing juvenile mortality, adult mortality or decreasing both juvenile and adult mortality resulted in equivalent net positive effects on population persistence (population growth rate l.1). In contrast, changes aimed at increasing breeding success had limited positive effects on demographic trends. Conclusions/Significance: Our PVA provides essential information to direct the decision-making process and exposes gaps in our previous knowledge. To ensure the long-term persistence of the species in Italy, measures are urgently needed to decrease both adult mortality due to poaching and juvenile mortality due to nest plundering, the top ranking mortality causes.PLL is supported by a “Juan de la Cierva” postdoctoral grant of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (reference JCI-2011–09588)

It's not too Late for the Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja): High Levels Of Genetic Diversity and Differentiation Can Fuel Conservation Programs

Article on the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) and how high levels of genetic diversity and differentiation can fuel conservation programs

Anales de Edafología y Agrobiología Tomo 33 Número 9-10

Estudio del equilibrio nutritivo en cultivos de chirimoyo (Annona cherimolia), por César González O., Miguel Fuentes y Soledad Díaz.-- Resistencia a la desecación del tejido foliar y cierre de estomas en alfalfa (M edicago sativa L.) y trébol blanco (Trijolium repens L.) con relación al déficit agua, por M. Sánchez-Díaz y M. Sánchez-Marín.-- Determinación del calor isostérico y consideraciones sobre el mecanismo de la adsorción de fosfato por óxidos de hierro, por L. Madrid, F. Cabrera, P. de Arambarri y E. Díaz.-- Studies on sodium-calcium exchange equilibria. II. In Egyptian soils, by M. H. Nafady.-- Indices nutritivos en manzano (var. R. Delicious), por C. González, O. M. Rodríguez M., J. Solé D. y A. Wylie W.-- Caracteres de los suelos de las zonas citrícolas del valle de Murcia (España), por J. A. Sánchez F., F. Artes y J. López-Tarruella.-- Estudio micromorfológico de suelos desarrollados sobre andesitas en Andalucía oriental, por J. Aguilar y M. Delgado.-- Estudio edafológico de los relieves próximos a la vega de Motril, por J. Aguilar, Ruiz, A. Monge Ureña y C. Sierra Ruiz de la F.-- Consideraciones experimentales sobre el análisis de boro en plantas, por A. León, F.J. López-Andréu, F. Romojaro y C. Alcaraz.-- Efectos de la aplicación conjunta de fertilizantes químicos y microbianos (Azotobaeter Fosjobaeterias) en cultivos enarenados de tomate, por R. Azcón, M. Gómez y J. M. Barea.-- Formas de calcio en suelos del piso tropical de Barbacoas, Colombia, por G. Hugo Eraso, L. Federman Ortiz y O. Hernán Burbano.-- Compuestos íenólicos en Eriea vagans L., por J. Arinés, J. L. G. Mantilla y E. Vieitiz.-- Determinación de glúcidos en plantas por fotocolorimetría. Estudio comparativo de métodos clásicos y automáticos, por C. Cadahía y M. T. Piñeiro.-- Notas. Nombramiento de Consejeros Adjuntos del Patronato Alonso de Herrera.-- Nombramiento y cese de Vocales de la Junta de Gobierno del Patronato Alonso de Herrera.--Fallo de los Premios Alonso de Herrera y Antonio José de Cavanilles.-- Propuesta del Instituto de Alimentación y Productividad Animal sobre nombramiento de Vicedirector del mismo.-- Congresos y Reuniones internacionales.-- Creación de la Comisión Conjunta de Investigación Agraria de los Ministerios de Educación y Ciencia y de Agricultura.-- Restauración y adecuación del Jardín Botánico de Madrid.-- III Reunión Nacional de Centros de Investigación Ganadera Tribunales.-- Clausura del XI Curso Internacional de Edafología y Biología Vegetal.-- 7th International Colloquium on Plant Analysis and Fertilizer Problems.-- X Congreso Internacional de Ciencia del Suelo.-- Clausura del IV Congreso de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos.-- 50th Anniversary Meeting of the British Society for Experimental Biología.-- XXIX Symposium on Symbiosis, Society for Experimental Biología.-- IV Reunión de la Sociedad Español de Microscopía Electrónica.-- Subvención de la Fundación Barrie de la Maza a la Misión Biológica de Galicia.-- Conferencia.-- Los universitarios y la defensa de la naturaleza.-- Seminario, sobre Tipos diferentes de costras calizas y su distribución regional.-- BibliografíaPeer reviewed2019-08.- CopyBook.- Libnova.- Biblioteca ICA