Landscape- and field-scale control of spatial variation of soil properties in Mediterranean montane meadows

Las figuras que contiene el documento se localizan al final del mismoSoil properties of terrestrial ecosystems are controlled by a variety of factors that operate at different scales. We tested the role of abiotic and biotic factors that potentially influence spatial gradients of total ion content, acidity, carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorous in topsoil. We studied a network of Mediterranean montane meadows that spans a 2000-m altitudinal gradient. The analyzed factors were grouped into two spatial scales: a landscape scale (climate and land form) and a field scale (topography, soil texture, soil moisture, and plant community composition). Total ion content and acidity are the major and independent variation trends of soil geochemistry. Soil acidity, carbon, and nitrogen increased along the altitudinal gradient whereas there was no relationship between total ion content and phosphorous and elevation. Climate had no direct influence on the analyzed gradients; all effects of climate were indirect through plant community composition and/or soil moisture. The results point to three types of models that explain the gradients of soil chemical composition: (1) a predominantly biotic control of carbon and nitrogen, (2) a predominantly abiotic control of acidity, and (3) a combined biotic and abiotic control of total ionic content. No direct or indirect effects explained the gradient of phosphorous. In our study region (central Spain), climate is predicted to turn more arid and soils will lose moisture. According to our models, this will result in less acid and fertile soils, and any change in plant community composition will modify gradients of soil carbon, nitrogen, total ion content, and acidity

Contributions of Hedgerows to People: A Global Meta-Analysis

David García de León et al. (2021) 'Contributions of Hedgerows to People: A Global Meta-Analysis', Frontiers in Conservation Science, 2. doi:10.3389/fcosc.2021.789612.Hedgerows are linear landscape features of woody vegetation usually located around agricultural fields. An increasing number of studies have addressed the effects of hedgerows on biodiversity and ecosystem services. This study is aimed to synthesize these effects and compare the levels of biodiversity and ecosystem services in farmland with hedgerows and (1) farmland without hedgerows and (2) nearby natural habitat at the global scale. We hypothesized that farmland with hedgerows (1) enhances biodiversity and ecosystem services as compared to farmland without hedgerows but (2) supports lower levels of biodiversity and ecosystem services than natural habitat. Our systematic literature review retained 835 observations from 170 primary studies, which were analyzed following the standard methodology in meta-analyses. Our results partially support both hypotheses. Farmland with hedgerows exhibited higher levels of biodiversity and provisioning services than farmland without hedgerows (H1). Farmland with hedgerows provided similar levels of biodiversity (edge effects) but lower levels of ecosystem services than natural habitat (H2). The effects of hedgerows on biodiversity and ecosystem services depended on control ecosystem type (grassland/meadow or forest/woodland) but were largely independent of climate type (temperate or tropical) and the focus of spatial scale (field or landscape). In conclusion, conservation and restoration of hedgerows contribute to people in several ways by enhancing biodiversity and multifunctionality in agricultural landscapes.Comunidad de MadridUniversidad de Alcal

Assessing the limiting factors of natural regeneration in Mediterranean planted hedgerows

12 p.Conservation and restoration of hedgerows promote biodiversity and multifunctionality in agricultural landscapes. However, in Mediterranean environments, natural regeneration of hedgerows is often poor, and factors hindering the establishment and growth of hedgerow woody species remain unclear. This study aimed to address this gap by (1) quantifying natural regeneration, including seedling establishment and resprouting of planted hedgerow species and the establishment of woody species coming from outside the hedgerows; and (2) experimentally assessing the impact of drought, herbivory, and herb competition on seedling establishment. We selected 12 planted, 11?13-year-old hedgerows in four sites in Central Spain to sample their natural regeneration. In addition, we transplanted 1,356 seedlings of Colutea arborescens L., Crataegus monogyna Jacq. and Rhamnus alaternus L. to two field sites under three treatments that were applied factorially for two years: irrigation to alleviate summer drought, protection against herbivory, and herb clipping to reduce competition with transplanted seedlings. We found that only 66 juveniles of woody species, including 29 of species that were not planted in the hedgerows, developed from seed germination, and 316 sprouts recruited spontaneously along 10 years (14 individuals ha?1 year?1 ). Of the transplanted seedlings, only 22% survived after two years with protection against herbivory strongly enhancing seedling survival. To a lesser extent, irrigation and herb competition affected survival through interactions with herbivory and species identity. Irrigation and protection against herbivores accelerated seedling growth. Survival and growth of C. arborescens (14%; seedling height = 12 ± 9 cm) were lower than those of C. monogyna (41%; 21 ± 11 cm) and R. alaternus (17%; 13 ± 8 cm). We conclude that natural regeneration in Mediterranean planted hedgerows is low, herbivory is the main limiting factor for seedling survival, especially for deciduous species, and summer drought and herb competition mostly limit growth. These findings have important implications for the conservation and restoration of hedgerows in Mediterranean environments.Comunidad de MadridUniversidad de Alcal

Identifying past social-ecological thresholds to understand long-term temporal dynamics in Spain

A thorough understanding of long-term temporal social-ecological dynamics at the national scale helps to explain the current condition of a country’s ecosystems and to support environmental policies to tackle future sustainability challenges. We aimed to develop a methodological approach to understand past long-term (1960-2010) social-ecological dynamics in Spain. First, we developed a methodical framework that allowed us to explore complex social-ecological dynamics among biodiversity, ecosystem services, human well-being, drivers of change, and institutional responses. Second, we compiled 21 long-term, national-scale indicators and analyzed their temporal relationships through a redundancy analysis. Third, we used a Bayesian change point analysis to detect evidence of past social-ecological thresholds and historical time periods. Our results revealed that Spain has passed through four socialecological thresholds that define five different time periods of nature and society relationships. Finally, we discussed how the proposed methodological approach helps to reinterpret national-level ecosystem indicators through a new conceptual lens to develop a more systems-based way of understanding long-term social-ecological patterns and dynamicsThis work was supported by the Biodiversity Foundation (http://www.fundacion-biodiversidad.es/) of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Partial financial support was also provided by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain (project CGL2014-53782-P: ECOGRADIENTES). The Spanish National Institute for Agriculture and Food Research and Technology (INIA) funded Marina García-Llorente as part of the European Social Fund. Blanca González García-Mon participated in this article as a “la Caixa” Banking Foundation scholar. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, preparation of the report, or the decision to submit the study for publicatio

A Multiinstitutional Spanish Master’s Program in Ecosystem Restoration: Vision and Four-Year Experience

Since 2006, an innovative, multiinstitutional Spanish Master in Ecosystem Restoration (MER) is jointly offered by four major public universities in Madrid. In view of the high student demand—about 900 applications this academic year for only 30 places, a remarkable 75% rate of professional poststudy employment in a period of economic crisis, and the high number (> 40) of prestigious organizations involved in the program, we consider the MER program, although still young, to be very promising for the long term. We explain the process to create the MER and achieve the results obtained thus far. We describe its organization, report its vital statistics in terms of students, and identify some strengths and weaknesses observed to date. The MER program has evolved as a network of knowledge and experience that links universities, lecturers, researchers, students, private and public companies, NGOs, and administration centers. Our aim is to help other groups that may want to launch similar graduate-level ecological restoration degree programs

Nanoprobes for biomedical imaging with tunable near-infrared optical properties obtained via green synthesis

Ideally, any material used should be nontoxic and produced with safe, inexpensive, and energy-effective processes. In the case of optically active nanoparticles, this is often not the case, as they are frequently composed of hazardous heavy metals and/or produced with methods far from being environmentally friendly. Herein, the preparation of Ag2S-based nanoparticles via a simple green synthesis route is explored. Aqueous extracts of roasted coffee are used as sources of coordinating molecules. Optimization of the reaction conditions yields dimeric Ag Ag2S nanoparticles, whose near-infrared photoluminescence can be switched on via H2O2-mediated oxidation. This oxidation transforms suitable photoacoustic contrast agents into fluorescence imaging probes. Theoretical calculations further clarify the role of metallic silver in determining the optical properties of Ag2S. Overall, it is demonstrated that nanomaterials with tangible applicative potential can be prepared via cost- and energy-effective synthesis strategies that entail benign, renewable chemical

Luminescence thermometry for brain activity monitoring: A perspective

Minimally invasive monitoring of brain activity is essential not only to gain understanding on the working principles of the brain, but also for the development of new diagnostic tools. In this perspective we describe how brain thermometry could be an alternative to conventional methods (e.g., magnetic resonance or nuclear medicine) for the acquisition of thermal images of the brain with enough spatial and temperature resolution to track brain activity in minimally perturbed animals. We focus on the latest advances in transcranial luminescence thermometry introducing a critical discussion on its advantages and shortcomings. We also anticipate the main challenges that the application of luminescent nanoparticles for brain thermometry will face in next years. With this work we aim to promote the development of near infrared luminescence for brain activity monitoring, which could also benefit other research areas dealing with the brain and its illnessesThis work was financed by the Spanish Ministerio de Innovación y Ciencias under project NANONERV PID 2019-106211RB-I00. BD acknowledges support from the Australian Research Council (DE200100985), RMIT University (Vice-Chancellor’s Fellowship Programme) and the Australian Academy of Sciences (JG Russell Award). PR-S is grateful for a Juan de la Cierva—Incorporación scholarship (IJC2019-041915-I). AB acknowledges funding from Comunidad de Madrid through TALENTO grant ref. 2019-T1/IND-14014. EX is grateful for a Juan de la Cierva - Incorporación scholarship (IJC2020-045229-I

Future farming: protein production for livestock feed in the EU

Climate change can have a negative impact on agricultural production and food security. Vice versa, agricultural practices themselves contribute to climate change because of land, water, and energy use and anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gasses and waste. The European Green Deal focusses on ?transition to a sustainable food system that has a neutral or positive environmental impact, helps mitigate climate change and adapt to its impact, and reverses the loss of biodiversity?. Local production of feed proteins in the European Union may result in new agro-ecosystem services that can be integrated to maximize sustainability of agricultural practices. Feed crops with nutritional properties that are both benefcial to functional biodiversity, biocontrol, pollination, and other ecosystem services can be incorporated into livestock diets. However, implementation is hampered by lack of information, embedded habits of specialization, proft maximization priorities, a lack of awareness about the environmental impacts of existing production systems, and a lack of fow of resources and services between the sectors. When economic benefts from investments are not immediately evident, transition can only be successful with government policies that focus on providing knowledge and education, and fnancial support. To convince agriculturists and agricultural workers to adopt sustainable practices, policy changes are needed with close cooperation between, and support from, all actors involved, including producers, non-governmental and civil society organisations, and the retail industry.Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria-INIAConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-CSI

Hedgerows increase the diversity and modify the composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Mediterranean agricultural landscapes

Sustainable agriculture is essential to address global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Hedgerows enhance aboveground biodiversity and provide ecosystem services, but little is known about their impact on soil biota. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are one of the key components of belowground biodiversity. We compared the diversity and composition of AM fungal communities at four farmland sites located in Central Spain, where 132 soil samples in total were collected to assess soil physical and chemical properties and the AM fungal communities. We compared the richness (number of AM fungal taxa), taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity, and structure of the AM fungal communities across three farmland habitat types, namely hedgerows, woody crops (olive groves and vineyard), and herbaceous crops (barley, sunfower, and wheat). Our results showed positive efects of hedgerows on most diversity metrics. Almost 60% of the AM fungal taxa were shared among the three farmland habitat types. Hedgerows increased AM fungal taxonomic richness (31%) and alpha diversity (25%), and especially so compared to herbaceous crops (45% and 28%, respectively). Hedgerows harbored elevated proportions of AM fungi with non-ruderal life-history strategies. AM fungal communities were more similar between hedgerows and woody crops than between hedgerows and adjacent herbaceous crops, possibly because of diferences in tillage and fertilization. Unexpectedly, hedgerows reduced phylogenetic diversity, which might be related to more selective associations of AM fungi with woody plants than with herbaceous crops. Overall, the results suggest that planting hedgerows contributes to maintain belowground diversity. Thus, European farmers should plant more hedgerows to attain the goals of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.Ministerio de Educación y Formación ProfesionalComunidad de Madrid, REMEDINALUniversidad de AlcaláFondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional-FEDEREstonian Research Counci