Aportaciones al conocimiento de las comunidades de Pistacia Terenbinthus L. y de Acer Monspessulanum L. en el Sur de la Península Ibérica

Se aportan nuevos datos fitosociológicos sobre los terebintales-cornicabrales béticos, con la propuesta de una nueva asociación (Phillyreo latifoliae-Pistacietum terebinthi ass. nova) que representa a las formaciones de microfanerófitos mediterráneos perennifolios integrados en Quercetalia ilicis pero dominados por algunas especies caducifolias como Pistacia terebinthus. Se define también una nueva subasociación de los quejigares bético-torcalenses (Vinco difformis-Quercetum fagineae aceretosum monspessulani subass. nova) cuyo significado fitocenológico corresponde a un enriquecimiento en especies eurosiberianas y submediterráneas de Quercetalia pubescentis, fundamentalmente debido a un incremento en la altitud y a causa de las condiciones microclimáticas del biotopo en el que se asienta dicha comunidad.Contribution to the noules of the comunities of Pistacia terebinthus and Acer monspessulanum in Southern Iberian Peninsula. New phytosociological data about winter-deciduous pistachio tree forest (Phillyreo latifoliae-Pistacietum terebinthi ass. nova) endemic of the Betica province and Mediterranean region are presented. This new association is formed quantitatively by an evergreen forest; however there might predominate deciduous species such as Pistacia terebinthus. In addition, we propose a new subassociation of maple forest into the Torcalense phytogeographical subsector (Vinco difformis-Quercetum fagineae aceretosum monspessulani subass. nova). This subassociation develops on higher areas with north exposition. These conditions enable eurosiberian and submediterranean species, which belong to the phytosociological order of Quercetalia pubescentis

Las comunidades escionitrófilas de Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande en el sur de la Península Ibérica

Las comunidades caracterizadas por Alliaria petiolata en el sur de la Península Ibérica corresponden a la asociación Myrrhoidi nodosae-Alliarietum petiolatae (clase Galio-Urticetea). Dicha asociación presenta su óptimo en la Sierra de Ayllón (Provincia Carpetano-Ibérico-Leonesa), e irradia hacia el suroeste por los sistemas béticos (provincia corológica Bética), cambiando su composición florística y empobreciéndose en esa dirección, siguiendo los distintos sectores fitogeográficos. Estos aspectos son reflejados fielmente por tres subasociaciones y una variante: subass. smyrnietosum perfoliati (subsectores Cazorlense y Alcaracense), subass. nepetosum granatensis (sectores Nevadense y Almijaro-Granatense) y subass. ranunculetosum blepharicarpi comb. nova (subsector Torcalense), que llega de modo finícola como variante supramediterránea con Sysimbrium crassifolium al extremo suroeste de las cordilleras (sector Rondeño). Esta distribución manifiesta una vía migratoria para taxones y sintaxones orófilos y mesófilos por las montañas béticas. Además, Alliaria petiolata, por su propia autoecología, su cortejo florístico y el hábitat que precisa, es un fiel bioindicador de bosques caducifolios, riparios y de abetos, que se pueden considerar hoy día muy singulares por su carácter relicto, submediterráneo o por habitar condiciones ecológicas especiales.Plant communities with Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande in the South of the Iberian Peninsula. Plant communities characterized by Alliaria petiolata in the south of de Iberian Peninsula can be included in Myrrhoidi nodosae-Alliarietum petiolatae association (Galio-Urticetea class). This association is located in Ayllon mountains (Carpetano-Ibérico-Leonesa province) and distributed towards the southwest by the Betic mountain ranges (Betic chorological province) varying its floristic composition as the association reaches the different phytogeographical sectors. These aspects are clearly defined by three subassociations and one variant: subass. smyrnietosum perfoliati (Cazorlense and Alcaracense subsectors), subass. nepetosum granatensis (Nevadense y and Almijaro-Granatense sectors) and subass. ranunculetosum blepharicarpi comb. nova (Torcalense subsector) that reaches the southwest limit of Betic ranges as a supramediterranean variant with Sisymbrium crassifolium (Rondeño sector). This distribution may indicate a migratory route for orophyllous and mesophyllous taxa and syntaxa throughout the Betic Mountains. Moreover, Alliaria petiolata is an accurate bioindicator for the undergrowth of deciduous, riparian and mixed Abies pinsapo forests considered actually remarkable because of its relict character, sub-Mediterranean phytogeographical position, or special ecological requirements

Sobre las alisedas nevadenses (Sierra Nevada, Granada-Almería, España)

Se ha realizado un estudio fitosociológico sobre las alisedas (bosques de Alnus glutinosa) en Sierra Nevada (Granada-Almería, España). Para ello, se han recopilado los datos existentes en archivos históricos y en bibliografía, además de reunir inventarios bibliográficos e inventarios propios. La distribución conocida de las alisedas en Sierra Nevada está centrada en dos zonas: en la cara sur los barrancos de Poqueira y Trevélez (Granada) y en la cara norte los afluentes del río Alhama de Lugros (Granada). También existen en la Sierra Nevada almeriense (río Andarax). Tras un análisis detallado de las tablas fitosociológicas, de su fitoecología, composición florística, distribución y estructura, llegamos a la conclusión de que las alisedas de Sierra Nevada constituyen una nueva asociación que denominamos Carici camposii-Alnetum glutinosae ass. nova. Se trata de bosques caducifolios muy desarrollados, con estrato arbóreo, arbustivo y herbáceo, que se desarrollan en tramos riparios con agua permanente, sobre materiales silíceos, en el piso supramediterráneo del sector fitogeográfico Nevadense (provincia Bética). Existe una variante que habita laderas de gran inclinación con suelos rezumantes, donde las alisedas muestran mayor biomasa (altura, cobertura) y aparecen algunas especies fitoindicadoras (Geum urbanum). El análisis de la tabla sintética muestra su clara separación del resto de alisedas sur-ibéricas de Osmundo-Alnion, destacando la ausencia del bioindicador más característico de esa alianza (Osmunda regalis) en la nueva asociación.Alnus glutinosa forests in Sierra Nevada (Granada-Almeria, Spain). A phytosociological survey has been made on Alnus glutinosa forests in Sierra Nevada. Historical and bibliographical data have been compiled as well as published and new phytosociological inventories. The known distribution of Alnus glutinosa forests in Sierra Nevada is concentrated in two main zones: in the southern slope along the rivers Poqueira and Trevélez (Granada) and in the northern slope along the tributaries of the Alhama de Lugros river (Granada). They have been also inventoried in Almeria province (Andarax river). After detailed analysis of phytosociological inventories and tables as well as for the ecology, floristic composition, distribution and forest structure, we conclude that the A. glutinosa forests of Sierra Nevada represent a new association: Carici camposii-Alnetum glutinosae ass. nova. They are well developed forest with trees, shrubs, and grasses strata, appearing in river banks with permanent streams, on siliceous soils in the supramediterranean bioclimatic belt of the Nevadense phytogeographical sector (Betic province). A variant, indicated by Geum urbanum, develops in high incline slopes with permanent wet soils where A. glutinosa forests show the greatest biomass (canopy cover and height of trees). Analysis of synthetic table shows clear division from the rest of the Osmundo-Alnion south-Iberian forests, emphasizing the absence of the main indicator of the alliance (Osmunda regalis) in the new association

Flora y vegetación serpentinícola ibérica: Sierras de Alpujata y de la Robla (Málaga, España)

Se ha estudiado la flora y vegetación de dos de los afloramientos perido¬títicos del sur de la Península Ibérica, que incluyen la Sierra de Alpujata (71 Km2) y La Robla (7 Km2) en la provincia de Málaga. La flora serpentinícola muestra características diferentes del resto de la flora que vive sobre suelos zonales, debido a las limitaciones causadas por la composición de los suelos serpentínicos. Los resultados muestran una presencia elevada de serpentinófitos (18 de un total de 27) de los cuales 13 son ser¬pentinófitos estrictos aunque ninguno es exclusivo de las sierras estudiadas. En cuanto a la vegetación, casi todas las asociaciones y comunidades son endémicas de sustratos serpentínicos. Se describe una subasociación nueva y se reivindican, invierten y corrigen nombres de sintaxones. El paisaje vegetal está dominado por matorrales edafoxerófilos (Staehelino-Ulicion baetici), formaciones climácicas de pinos (Pinus pinaster) y coscojas (Quercus coccifera) (Pino-Juniperion phoeniceae), comunidades edafohigrófilas de sau¬cedas (Salicion pedicellatae) y juncales (Molinio-Holoschoenion). La Sierra de Alpujata es el tercer afloramiento del sur de la Península en cuanto a riqueza en vegetación ser¬pentinícola, por detrás solo de Sierra Bermeja y Sierra de las Nieves peridotítica (Sierra Parda). La presencia de especies endémicas y protegidas junto a sus hábitats incluidos en la Directiva 92/43CEE hacen de la Sierra de Alpujata una candidata a ser declarada como LIC (Lugar de Inetrés Comunitario). Este trabajo podría ser de gran valor para el seguimiento de la restauración y regeneración de la Sierra de Alpujata tras el incendio sufrido en el verano de 2012.Iberian serpentine flora and vegetation: Alpujata and La Robla mountains (Malaga, Spain). The flora and vegetation of two peridotite outcrops in the south of the Iberian Peninsula have been studied: Sierra de Alpujata (71 Km2) and La Robla (7 Km2) in the province of Malaga. Serpentine flora and vegetation show different characteris¬tics from the rest of the flora that lives on zonal soils, due to the limitations caused by the serpentine soil composition. The results show a high presence of serpentinophytes (18 out of 27) of which 13 are obligate serpentinophytes although none is exclusive from the studied outcrops. In terms of vegetation, almost all associations and com¬munities are endemic to serpentine substrates. A new subassociation is described and some syntaxa names are claimed, reversed or corrected. The landscape is dominated by xerophytic shrublands (Staehelino-Ulicion baetici), climax communities of pine (Pinus pinaster) and shrub oaks (Quercus coccifera) (Pino-Juniperion phoeniceae) and ripar¬ian forests (Salicion pedicellatae) mixed with higrophytic grasslands on wet soils and streams (Molinio-Holoschoenion). Sierra de Alpujata is the third outcrop of the south of the Iberian Peninsula regarding serpentine vegetation richness, after Sierra Bermeja and Sierra de las Nieves (peridotites of Sierra Parda). The presence of endemic and protected species together with their habitats included in the 92/43/EU Directive may drive Sierra de Alpujata to be a candidate to obtain the declaration of SCI (Site of Comunitarian Interest). This work could be of great value to monitor the restoration and regeneration of Sierra de Alpujata after the fire in the summer of 2012

Perceptions of change in the environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for environmental policy

COVID-19 lockdown measures have impacted the environment with both positive and negative effects. However, how human populations have perceived such changes in the natural environment and how they may have changed their daily habits have not been yet thoroughly evaluated. The objectives of this work were to investigate (1) the social perception of the environmental changes produced by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the derived change in habits in relation to i) waste management, energy saving, and sustainable consumption, ii) mobility, iii) social inequalities, iv) generation of noise, v) utilization of natural spaces, and, vi) human population perception towards the future, and (2) the associations of these potential new habits with various socio-demographic variables. First, a SWOT analysis identified strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) generated by the pandemic lockdown measures. Second, a survey based on the aspects of the SWOT was administered among 2370 adults from 37 countries during the period from February to September 2021. We found that the short-term positive impacts on the natural environment were generally well recognized. In contrast, longer-term negative effects arise, but they were often not reported by the survey participants, such as greater production of plastic waste derived from health safety measures, and the increase in e-commerce use, which can displace small storefront businesses. We were able to capture a mismatch between perceptions and the reported data related to visits to natural areas, and generation of waste. We found that age and country of residence were major contributors in shaping the survey participants ´answers, which highlights the importance of government management strategies to address current and future environmental problems. Enhanced positive perceptions of the environment and ecosystems, combined with the understanding that livelihood sustainability, needs to be prioritized and would reinforce environmental protection policies to create greener cities. Moreover, new sustainable jobs in combination with more sustainable human habits represent an opportunity to reinforce environmental policy

Effect of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P = 0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P = 0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events

Effects of Once-Weekly Exenatide on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes.

Abstract BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular effects of adding once-weekly treatment with exenatide to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes are unknown. METHODS: We randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes, with or without previous cardiovascular disease, to receive subcutaneous injections of extended-release exenatide at a dose of 2 mg or matching placebo once weekly. The primary composite outcome was the first occurrence of death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. The coprimary hypotheses were that exenatide, administered once weekly, would be noninferior to placebo with respect to safety and superior to placebo with respect to efficacy. RESULTS: In all, 14,752 patients (of whom 10,782 [73.1%] had previous cardiovascular disease) were followed for a median of 3.2 years (interquartile range, 2.2 to 4.4). A primary composite outcome event occurred in 839 of 7356 patients (11.4%; 3.7 events per 100 person-years) in the exenatide group and in 905 of 7396 patients (12.2%; 4.0 events per 100 person-years) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.00), with the intention-to-treat analysis indicating that exenatide, administered once weekly, was noninferior to placebo with respect to safety (P<0.001 for noninferiority) but was not superior to placebo with respect to efficacy (P=0.06 for superiority). The rates of death from cardiovascular causes, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, fatal or nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, and hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, and the incidence of acute pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, and serious adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes with or without previous cardiovascular disease, the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events did not differ significantly between patients who received exenatide and those who received placebo. (Funded by Amylin Pharmaceuticals; EXSCEL ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01144338 .)

Perceptions of change in the environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for environmental policy.

COVID-19 lockdown measures have impacted the environment with both positive and negative effects. However, how human populations have perceived such changes in the natural environment and how they may have changed their daily habits have not been yet thoroughly evaluated. The objectives of this work were to investigate (1) the social perception of the environmental changes produced by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the derived change in habits in relation to i) waste management, energy saving, and sustainable consumption, ii) mobility, iii) social inequalities, iv) generation of noise, v) utilization of natural spaces, and, vi) human population perception towards the future, and (2) the associations of these potential new habits with various socio-demographic variables. First, a SWOT analysis identified strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) generated by the pandemic lockdown measures. Second, a survey based on the aspects of the SWOT was administered among 2370 adults from 37 countries during the period from February to September 2021. We found that the short-term positive impacts on the natural environment were generally well recognized. In contrast, longer-term negative effects arise, but they were often not reported by the survey participants, such as greater production of plastic waste derived from health safety measures, and the increase in e-commerce use, which can displace small storefront businesses. We were able to capture a mismatch between perceptions and the reported data related to visits to natural areas, and generation of waste. We found that age and country of residence were major contributors in shaping the survey participants ´answers, which highlights the importance of government management strategies to address current and future environmental problems. Enhanced positive perceptions of the environment and ecosystems, combined with the understanding that livelihood sustainability, needs to be prioritized and would reinforce environmental protection policies to create greener cities. Moreover, new sustainable jobs in combination with more sustainable human habits represent an opportunity to reinforce environmental policy