Integration of remote sensing images in the development of environmental indicators in Mediterranean basins. Application for monitoring water status and productivity

En las cuencas mediterráneas, el clima se caracteriza por veranos muy calurosos en los que no se suelen producir precipitaciones, lo que genera un fuerte y periódico estrés hídrico en sus cubiertas vegetales cuya intensidad está relacionada con el carácter hidrológico de la estación húmeda antecedente. Además, esta situación tiende a agravarse en los frecuentes episodios de sequía, provocando una disminución de la productividad de estos ecosistemas. Actualmente existe una gran cantidad de datos disponibles, gratuitos y a escala global, con un gran potencial para el seguimiento de los procesos asociados a los balances de agua y energía en estos tipos de cuencas. En esta tesis se plantea el uso de imágenes provenientes de sensores remotos de diferentes resoluciones espaciales, espectrales y temporales que, combinadas con registros puntuales procedentes de estaciones meteorológicas, permitan la generación de indicadores de distintas variables ecosistémicas relacionadas con la productividad y el estado hídrico en sistemas característicos de la zona mediterránea. En concreto, se plantea el desarrollo de tres indicadores estrechamente ligados entre sí: un indicador del estado hídrico del suelo al final de la estación seca a partir del estado de varios tipos de cubierta vegetal; un indicador de la productividad de los pastos naturales, principal sustento alimenticio de la ganadería extensiva, a partir de su estado y de las condiciones climáticas del período evaluado; y, por último, un indicador que relacione el estado hídrico del sistema y el estado fenológico en el que se encuentra el estrato herbáceo. Las zonas de estudio seleccionadas son, para el primer indicador, la cuenca del río Guadalfeo (Granada), que se caracteriza por presentar un gradiente de altitud desde el nivel del mar hasta más de 3000 m.s.n.m. a tan solo 50 km de distancia a la costa, lo que determina una gran heterogeneidad espacial en cuanto a meteorología, hidrología, tipos y usos de suelo, etc. En este contexto, la estimación indirecta del estado de humedad antecedente de forma rutinaria a partir de la información obtenida de ciertas cubiertas existentes en la zona puede ser una solución óptima en estudios hidrológicos a escala de cuenca. En cuanto al segundo y tercer indicador, la zona de estudio son los ecosistemas de dehesa de Andalucía. El seguimiento regular y de forma objetiva de la producción de pasto permitiría proporcionar a los propietarios y gestores una información clave para regular su uso y contribuir a su conservación, sin un aumento excesivo de los costes. Por otro lado, los cambios fenológicos que se pueden observar como consecuencia del calentamiento global, cuyo efecto se prevé especialmente intenso en esta región, y cómo el clima y la hidrología los condicionan, puede ser una herramienta clave para evaluar el impacto de esta amenaza y tomar las decisiones adecuadas para hacerle frente. Los resultados han mostrado la capacidad de los sensores remotos para la obtención de este tipo de indicadores: el contenido de agua en el suelo en época estival presentó correlaciones mayores a 0,7 con el estado de la vegetación arbustiva de la cuenca del Guadalfeo; la estimación de la producción de pasto natural en las dehesas de Andalucía arrojó errores en torno al 13% con respecto a la producción medida en campo; por último, los umbrales de cambio de estado en la humedad de suelo (capacidad de campo y punto de marchitez permanente) se determinaron con menos de 10 días de diferencia con respecto a los cambios de estado fenológico en el pasto natural (comienzo de la época de crecimiento y senescencia).In the Mediterranean basins, the climate is characterized by very hot summers in which rainfall is not usually produced, which generates a strong and periodic water stress in its vegetation cover. The intensity of this water stress is related to the hydrological regime of the previous wet season. In addition, this situation tends to worsen in frequent episodes of drought, causing a decrease in the productivity of these ecosystems. There is currently a large amount of data available, free of charge and on a global scale, with great potential for monitoring the processes associated with water and energy balances in these types of basins. This thesis proposes the use of remote sensing images of different spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions that, combined with specific records from meteorological stations, can be used to generate indicators of different ecosystem variables related to productivity and water status in different unique systems of the Mediterranean area. Specifically, the development of three indicators closely linked to each other is proposed: an indicator of the water status of the soil at the end of the dry season from the state of different vegetation covers; an indicator of the productivity of natural pastures, the main food support for extensive livestock, based on their status and the climatic conditions of the period evaluated; and, finally, an indicator of the relationship bewteen water state of the soil and the natural pasture phenological state. The selected study areas are, for the first indicator, the Guadalfeo river basin (Granada), characterized by presenting a gradient of altitude from sea level to more than 3000 m.a.s.l. only 50 km away from the coast, which determines a great spatial heterogeneity in terms of meteorology, hydrology, types and land soil, etc. In this context, the indirect estimation of the state of antecedent moisture from the information obtained from existing covers in the area may be an optimal solution in hydrological studies at basin scale. Regarding the second and third indicators, the study area is the dehesa ecosystems of Andalusia, since the monitoring of pasture production would provide key information to owners and managers to regulate their use and contribute to their conservation, without an excessive increase in costs. On the other hand, the phenological changes that can be observed as a result of global warming, whose effect is expected to be especially intense in this region, and how the climate and hydrology condition them, can be a key tool to assess the impact of this threat and make the right decisions to deal with it. The results have shown the ability of remote sensing to obtain this type of indicators: the water content in the soil during the summer season showed correlations greater than 0.7 with the state of shrub vegetation; the estimation of the production of natural pastures showed errors of about 13% with respect to the production measured in the field; finally, the thresholds of change of state in soil moisture (field capacity and permanent wilting point) were determined less than 10 days apart from changes in phenological state in natural grass (beginning of time of growth and senescence)

Investigating the potential of Sentinel-2 configuration to predict the quality of Mediterranean permanent grasslands in open woodlands

The assessment of pasture quality in permanent grasslands is essential for their conservation and management, as it can contribute to making real-time decisions for livestock management. In this study, we assessed the potential of Sentinel-2 configuration to predict forage quality in high diverse Mediterranean permanent grasslands of open woodlands. We evaluated the performance of Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) models to predict crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and enzyme digestibility of organic matter (EDOM) by using three different reflectance datasets: (i) laboratory measurements of reflectance of dry and ground pasture samples re-sampled to Sentinel-2 configuration (Spec-lab) (ii) field in-situ measurements of grasslands canopy reflectance resampled to Sentinel-2 configuration (Spec-field); (iii) and Bottom Of Atmosphere Sentinel-2 imagery. For the three reflectance datasets, the models to predict CP content showed moderate performance and predictive ability. Mean R2test = 0.68 were obtained using Spec-lab data, mean R2test decreased by 0.11 with Spec-field and by 0.18 when Sentinel-2 reflectance was used. Statistics for NDF showed worse predictions than those obtained for CP: predictions produced with Spec-lab showed mean R2test = 0.64 and mean RPDtest = 1.73. The mean values of R2test = 0.50 and RPDtest = 1.54 using Sentinel-2 BOA reflectance were marginally better than the values obtained with Spec-field (mean R2test = 0.48, mean RPDtest = 1.43). For ADF and EDOM, only predictions made with Spec-lab produced acceptable results. Bands from the red-edge region, especially band 5, and the SWIR regions showed the highest contribution to estimating CP and NDF. Bands 2, blue and 4, red also seem to be important. The implementation of field spectroscopy in combination with Sentinel-2 imagery proved to be feasible to produce forage quality maps and to develop larger datasets. This study contributes to increasing knowledge of the potential and applicability of Sentinel-2 to predict the quality of Mediterranean permanent grasslands in open woodlands

Zooplankton Biomass Depletion Event Reveals the Importance of Small Pelagic Fish Top-Down Control in the Western Mediterranean Coastal Waters

The influence of hydrochemistry and trophic conditions on the coastal zooplankton community’s biomass and metabolic activities was investigated along the Spanish Mediterranean coastal waters, from Algeciras Bay to Barcelona, from autumn 2011 to autumn 2012. Two hydrographic regions were differentiated: NW Alboran (ALB) and W Mediterranean (MED). Zooplankton metabolism was assessed from measurements of the electron transport system (ETS) and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) activities, as proxies for potential respiration and somatic growth, respectively. Zooplankton showed three to fivefold higher biomass in ALB than in MED during autumn 2011 and spring 2012. However, in autumn 2012, a drastic decrease in biomass standing stock was observed in ALB, with no significant differences between the two regions. This biomass depletion event was not associated with environmental variables, food availability or zooplankton metabolic rates, but coincided with a twofold peak of Sardina pilchardus landings in ALB. A reduced standing stock coupled with high zooplankton growth rates suggests mortality by predation as the main cause for the low zooplankton biomass typically observed in MED, and in ALB during autumn 2012.Versión del edito

Polarimetric imaging for the detection of synthetic models of SARS-CoV-2: A proof of concept

Objective: To conduct a proof-of-concept study of the detection of two synthetic models of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using polarimetric imaging. Approach: Two SARS-CoV-2 models were prepared as engineered lentiviruses pseudotyped with the G protein of the vesicular stomatitis virus, and with the characteristic Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Samples were prepared in two biofluids (saline solution and artificial saliva), in four concentrations, and deposited as 5-µL droplets on a supporting plate. The angles of maximal degree of linear polarization (DLP) of light diffusely scattered from dry residues were determined using Mueller polarimetry from87 samples at 405 nm and 514 nm. A polarimetric camera was used for imaging several samples under 380–420 nm illumination at angles similar to those of maximal DLP. Per-pixel image analysis included quantification and combination of polarization feature descriptors in 475 samples. Main results: The angles (from sample surface) of maximal DLP were 3° for 405 nm and 6° for 514 nm. Similar viral particles that differed only in the characteristic spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2, their corresponding negative controls, fluids, and the sample holder were discerned at 10-degree and 15-degree configurations. Significance: Polarimetric imaging in the visible spectrum may help improve fast, non-contact detection and identification of viral particles, and/or other microbes such as tuberculosis, in multiple dry fluid samples simultaneously, particularly when combined with other imaging modalities. Further analysis including realistic concentrations of real SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in relevant human fluids is required. Polarimetric imaging under visible light may contribute to a fast, cost-effective screening of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens when combined with other imaging modalities.12 página

Hyperspectral image processing for the identification and quantification of lentiviral particles in fluid samples

Optical spectroscopic techniques have been commonly used to detect the presence of biofilm-forming pathogens (bacteria and fungi) in the agro-food industry. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy revealed that it is also possible to detect the presence of viruses in animal and vegetal tissues. Here we report a platform based on visible and NIR (VNIR) hyperspectral imaging for non-contact, reagent free detection and quantification of laboratory-engineered viral particles in fluid samples (liquid droplets and dry residue) using both partial least square-discriminant analysis and artificial feed-forward neural networks. The detection was successfully achieved in preparations of phosphate buffered solution and artificial saliva, with an equivalent pixel volume of 4 nL and lowest concentration of 800 TU.mu L-1. This method constitutes an innovative approach that could be potentially used at point of care for rapid mass screening of viral infectious diseases and monitoring of the SARS-CoV- 2 pandemic.This research was funded by grants number COV20-00080 and COV20-00173 of the 2020 Emergency Call for Research Projects about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease of the Institute of Health 'Carlos III', Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and by grant number EQC2019-006240-P of the 2019 Call for Acquisition of Scientific Equipment, FEDER Program, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. This work has been supported by the European Commission through the JRC HUMAINT project. ABR was supported by grant number RTI2018-094465-J funded by the Spanish National Agency of Research. The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the members of the EOD-CBRN Group of the Spanish National Police, whose identities cannot be disclosed, and who are represented here by JMNG. Authors thank continuous support from their institutions

Actas de las V Jornadas ScienCity 2022. Fomento de la Cultura Científica, Tecnológica y de Innovación en Ciudades Inteligentes

ScienCity es una actividad que viene siendo continuada desde 2018 con el objetivo de dar a conocer los conocimientos y tecnologías emergentes siendo investigados en las universidades, informar de experiencias, servicios e iniciativas puestas ya en marcha por instituciones y empresas, llegar hasta decisores políticos que podrían crear sinergias, incentivar la creación de ideas y posibilidades de desarrollo conjuntas, implicar y provocar la participación ciudadana, así como gestar una red internacional multidisciplinar de investigadores que garantice la continuación de futuras ediciones. En 2022 se recibieron un total de 48 trabajos repartidos en 25 ponencias y 24 pósteres pertenecientes a 98 autores de 14 instituciones distintas de España, Portugal, Polonia y Países Bajos.Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología-Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Consejería de la Presidencia, Administración Pública e Interior de la Junta de Andalucía; Estrategia de Política de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Huelva; Cátedra de Innovación Social de Aguas de Huelva; Cátedra de la Provincia; Grupo de investigación TEP-192 de Control y Robótica; Centro de Investigación en Tecnología, Energía y Sostenibilidad (CITES

Regeneration of woodland in the dehesa

In unit 1 is described in detail the role of woodland in this system, discussed in detail the process of natural regeneration of the trees, and the factors that favor and hinder in the dehesa, and characterized the state of the regeneration of woodland dehesa in Andalusia.In Unit 2 some strategies that could be used depending on the starting situation and the precautions that need to be considered to maximize the success of these are exposed.In unit 3 are some strategies that can improve the conservation of these plant formations consistent with other uses of the farm are exposed. The manual concludes with a practical exercise that seeks to consolidate the main knowledge exposed.En la unidad 1 se describe de forma pormenorizada el papel del arbolado en este sistema, se expone de manera detallada el proceso de regeneraci&oacute;n natural del arbolado, as&iacute; como los factores que lo favorecen y dificultan en la dehesa, y se caracteriza el estado de la regeneraci&oacute;n del arbolado de la dehesa en Andaluc&iacute;a.En la unidad 2 se exponen algunas de las estrategias que podr&iacute;an utilizarse en funci&oacute;n de la situaci&oacute;n de partida, y las precauciones que es necesario considerar para maximizar el &eacute;xito de las mismas.En la unidad 3 se exponen algunas estrategias que pueden mejorar la conservaci&oacute;n de estas formaciones vegetales de manera compatible con otros usos de la finca. El manual finaliza con un ejercicio pr&aacute;ctico que busca consolidar los principales conocimientos expuestos.</p

Soil management against erosion in dehesa

This manual is intended as a reference tool to identify risks of erosion on dehesa farms, and recommends actions to remedy them where possible. Specifically manual indicates good soil management practices and devotes a chapter to control gullies, whose appearance is a symptom of severe erosion.Este manual pretende ser una herramienta de consulta para identificar los riesgos de erosi&oacute;n en explotaciones de dehesa, y recomienda actuaciones para remediarlos en lo posible. Concretamente el manual indica buenas pr&aacute;cticas de manejo de suelo y dedica un cap&iacute;tulo al control de c&aacute;rcavas, cuya aparici&oacute;n es s&iacute;ntoma de erosi&oacute;n severa.</p

Zooplankton biomass depletion event reveals the importance of small pelagic fish top-down control in the Western Mediterranean coastal waters.

The influence of hydrochemistry and trophic conditions on the coastal zooplankton community’s biomass and metabolic activities was investigated along the Spanish Mediterranean coastal waters, from Algeciras Bay to Barcelona, from autumn 2011 to autumn 2012. Two hydrographic regions were differentiated: NW Alboran (ALB) and W Mediterranean (MED). Zooplankton metabolism was assessed from measurements of the electron transport system (ETS) and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS) activities, as proxies for potential respiration and somatic growth, respectively. Zooplankton showed three to fivefold higher biomass in ALB than in MED during autumn 2011 and spring 2012. However, in autumn 2012, a drastic decrease in biomass standing stock was observed in ALB, with no significant differences between the two regions. This biomass depletion event was not associated with environmental variables, food availability or zooplankton metabolic rates, but coincided with a twofold peak of Sardina pilchardus landings in ALB. A reduced standing stock coupled with high zooplankton growth rates suggests mortality by predation as the main cause for the low zooplankton biomass typically observed in MED, and in ALB during autumn 2012