Current status of las tablas de daimiel national park wetland and actions required for conservation

Wetlands are complex ecosystems that play multiple roles. ‘Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park’ (TDNP) undoubtedly plays a role in several ecosystem services and provides a connection between nature, farmers, scientists, residents, and other stakeholders. The state of degradation and/or vulnerability of this ecosystem (with a series of socio-economic implications) have led the publication of numerous articles. The work reported here provides a description of the growing importance of this wetland within the rural landscapes of La Mancha and emphasizes its state of degradation, mainly since pedological point of view. In this way, particular attention is required to assure the conservation of the Tablas of Daimiel Wetland; thus, several measures are proposed to improve the conservation of this area as to control and prohibit any dumping of any type of waste in the park or in its vicinityThis Research was funded by Organismo Autonomo Parques Nacionales (Autonomous Organism National Parks) of Spain (OAPN

Formaciones edáficas sobre materiales carbonatados en clima Mediterráneo de la provincia de Castellón de la Plana

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento de Química Agrícola. Fecha de lectura: 11-1-197

Evaluation of the copper and zinc contents of soils in the vineyards of La Rioja (Spain)

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of Cu and Zn in soils in the vineyards of La Rioja and to calculate reference values for the two elements. Samples were taken from the surface horizon (0–20 cm) and the subsurface horizon (40–60 cm) in 106 locations. Some physico-chemical properties were analyzed along with the total and bioavailable contents of these elements. Various statistical parameters were calculated, and distribution maps were then created using the ordinary-Kriging method. The Cu content was in the range of 2.46–121.52 mg kg–1, and the Zn content was 9.05–125.67 mg kg–1. These values fell within the normal ranges in comparison with other areas of Spain and the rest of Europe. The concentrations in the surface and in the subsurface were compared; in the case of Cu, the concentration was higher at the surface, whereas significant differences in the vertical distribution of Zn were not observed. Both metals had a heterogeneous distribution across the entire area of study. In the case of Zn, the similarity of the maps between surface and depth was verified, while the case of Cu was different. The main source of these metals was the parent material from which the soil had been formed, but in the case of Cu, maps showed increased Cu at the surface, which was especially marked at certain points and seemed to indicate the presence of an exogenous contribution at these locations. That means that the copper concentrations in the topsoil resulted from the yearlong grapevine protection with copper-based agents. Reference values were calculated to be 85.28 and 48.88 mg kg–1 of Cu and 83.69 and 72.05 mg kg–1 for Zn at the surface and at depth, respectivelyThis Research was funded by Regional Government of La Rioja (Gobierno de La Rioja, Spain

Delimiting the geographical background in species distribution modelling

[Aim]: The extent of the study area (geographical background, GB) can strongly affect the results of species distribution models (SDMs), but as yet we lack objective and practicable criteria for delimiting the appropriate GB. We propose an approach to this problem using trend surface analysis (TSA) and provide an assessment of the effects of varying GB extent on the performance of SDMs for four species. [Location]: Mainland Spain. [Methods]: Using data for four well known wild ungulate species and different GBs delimited with a TSA, we assessed the effects of GB extent on the predictive performance of SDMs: specifically on model calibration (Miller's statistic) and discrimination (area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic plot, AUC; sensitivity and specificity), and on the tendency of the models to predict environmental potential when they are projected beyond their training area. [Results]: In the training area, discrimination significantly increased and calibration decreased as the GB was enlarged. In contrast, as GB was enlarged, both discriminatory power and calibration decreased when assessed in the core area of the species distributions. When models trained using small GBs were projected beyond their training area, they showed a tendency to predict higher environmental potential for the species than those models trained using large GBs. [Main conclusions]: By restricting GB extent using a geographical criterion, model performance in the core area of the species distribution can be significantly improved. Large GBs make models demonstrate high discriminatory power but are barely informative. By delimiting GB using a geographical criterion, the effect of historical events on model parameterization may be reduced. Thus purely environmental models are obtained that, when projected onto a new scenario, depict the potential distribution of the species. We therefore recommend the use of TSA in geographically delimiting the GB for use in SDMs.P.A. and A.J.-V. were supported by the Juan de la Cierva research program awarded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación – Fondo Social Europeo, and partly by the project CGL2009-11316/BOS – Fondos FEDER. P.A. is in Portugal thanks to a José Castillejo fellowship (2010–11) granted by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.Peer Reviewe

Arenas eólicas y sus suelos del humedal reserva de la biosfera: Las tablas de daimiel

Three soil profiles were characterized from a sandy area situated in a transitional zone in the “Tablas de Daimiel” UNESCO wetland biosphere reserve (TDNP) in the Mancha Plain (Central Spain). The original thickness of the soil layer in this area was as much as 100 cm, but the combined effect of unbalanced cultivation (including irrigation) and an increasingly dry climate has partially eroded their natural properties, almost leading to a desertification process. The main properties of these soils, classified as Xeropsamments (Soil Survey Staff 2006) or Arenosols (IUSS Working Group WRB 2006), are the dominance of sand in the soil matrix, its basic character, and low soil organic matter and carbonate contents. Scanning electron microscopy of the quartz grain surfaces indicated that the superficial textures were commonly well preserved and characteristic of specific conditions of Aeolian formation. Exoscopy revealed a mixture of sub-angular and rounded quartz morphotypes with wellpreserved mechanical impacts on the grain surfaces. These percussion effects are characteristic of aeolian processes and confirmed that mechanical actions were more significant than chemical processes in their pedogenesis. This micromorphological study of the textural sands in the transitional zone of the TDNP revealed that the (red) sands were transported to this area by wind, probably from material of degraded red soils, and deposited on soil horizons previously developed over marls and limestones. The relict character of these materials and specially their susceptibility to degradation should be considered as a priority argument to preserve this area and introduce management measurements to avoid soil erosio

Effects of water drinking on corneal biomechanics: The association with intraocular pressure changes

Purpose: We aimed to assess the impact of drinking water (500 and 1000 mL) on corneal biomechanics and determine the level of association between changes in intraocular pressure and variations in the different biomechanical properties of the cornea. Methods: A total of 39 healthy young adults ingested either 1000 mL (n = 21) or 500 mL (n = 18) of tap water in 5 min. The CorVis ST system was used to assess corneal biomechanics at baseline and at 15, 30, and 45 min after water ingestion. Results: Water drinking induced statistically significant changes in the deformation amplitude (P < 0.001, η² = 0.166), highest concavity time (P = 0.012, η² = 0.093), peak distance (P < 0.001, η² = 0.171), time and velocity of the first applanation (P < 0.001, η² = 0.288 and P = 0.016, η² = 0.087, respectively), and time and velocity of the second applanation (P = 0.030, η² = 0.074 and P = 0.001, η² = 0.132, respectively), being independent of the amount of water ingested (P > 0.05 in all cases). There were significant associations between changes in intraocular pressure and some parameters of corneal biomechanics. Conclusion: Small variations in whole‑body hydration status alter different biomechanical properties of the cornea, with these changes being associated with intraocular pressure levels. These findings indicate that whole‑body hydration status can be considered for the diagnosis and management of different ocular conditions

The short‑term effects of wearing swimming goggles on corneal biomechanics

Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA. The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in a product, method or material described herein. The article has not been presented in a meeting.Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of wearing swimming goggles (SG) on corneal biomechanics. Methods Corneal deformation response, central corneal thickness (CCT), intraocular pressure (IOP) and biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP) were measured with the Corvis system (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany) in thirtyone healthy young adults while wearing a drilled SG. All measurements were obtained before, at 30 s, 2 min, 3.5 min and 5 min of wearing SG, just after SG removal and after 2 min of SG removal. Results The corneal biomechanics is sensitive to SG wear, observing lower corneal deformability during SG use. Specifically, wearing SG caused an increase in the time and length of the first applanation and radius curvature at the highest concavity, as well as a decrease and in the velocity of the first applanation and time and deformation amplitude of the second applanation (p < 0.001 in all cases). After SG removal, corneal biomechanical parameters showed a rebound-effect, obtaining a higher corneal deformability in comparison with baseline reading (p-corrected < 0.05 in all cases). Additionally, IOP and bIOP significantly increased while wearing SG (p < 0.001 in both cases), whereas CCT remained stable (p = 0.850). Conclusions Wearing SG modifies the biomechanical properties of the cornea, with reduced corneal deformability during SG wear. The outcomes of this study should be taken into consideration when making clinical decisions in subjects at high risk of developing corneal ectasias or glaucoma, as well as in the post-surgical management of these ocular conditions.Universidad de Granada/CBU

Parapatric species and the implications for climate change studies: a case study on hares in Europe

Parapatry is a biogeographical term used to refer to organisms whose ranges do not overlap, but are immediately adjacent to each other; they only co-occur - if at all - in a narrow contact zone. Often there are no environmental barriers in the contact zones, hence competitive interaction is usually advocated as the factor that modulates species distribution ranges. Even though the effects of climate change on species distribution have been widely studied, few studies have explored these effects on the biogeographical relationships between closely related, parapatric, species. We modelled environmental favourability for three parapatric hare species in Europe - Lepus granatensis, L. europaeus and L. timidus - using ecogeographical variables and projected the models into the future according to the IPCC A2 emissions scenario. Favourabilities for present and future scenarios were combined using fuzzy logic with the following aims: (i) to determine the biogeographical relationships between hare species in parapatry, that is L. granatensis/L. europaeus and L. europaeus/L. timidus and (ii) to assess the effects of climate change on each species as well as on their interspecific interactions. In their contact area L. granatensis achieved higher favourability values than L. europaeus, suggesting that if both species have a similar population status, the former species may have some advantages over the latter if competitive relationships are established. Climate change had the most striking effect on the distribution of L. timidus, especially when interspecific interactions with L. europaeus were taken into account, which may compromise the co-existence of L. timidus. The results of this study are relevant not only for understanding the distribution patterns of the hares studied and the effects of climate change on these patterns, but also for improving the general application of species distribution models to the prediction of the effects of climate change on biodiversity.We are grateful to A.M. Barbosa for her ever-useful advice. P. A. and A. J.-V. were supported by the Juan de la Cierva research program awarded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación–Fondo Social Europeo, and partially by the project CGL2009-11316/BOS from the Spanish Government and FEDER. P. A. is a current holder of the Jose Castillejo fellowship (2010–2011) in Portugal awardedby the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. J. M.-F. has a post-doctoral grant funded by FCT and the European Social Fund (SFRH/BPD/43264/2008). This work was partially funded bythe research projects PTDC/BIA-EVF/111931/2009 and PTDC/BIA-EVF/115069/2009 funded by FCT and FEDER.Peer Reviewe

Discrimination capacity in species distribution models depends on the representativeness of the environmental domain

[Aim]: When faced with dichotomous events, such as the presence or absence of a species, discrimination capacity (the ability to separate the instances of presence from the instances of absence) is usually the only characteristic that is assessed in the evaluation of the performance of predictive models. Although neglected, calibration or reliability (how well the estimated probability of presence represents the observed proportion of presences) is another aspect of the performance of predictive models that provides important information. In this study, we explore how changes in the distribution of the probability of presence make discrimination capacity a context-dependent characteristic of models. For the first time, we explain the implications that ignoring the context dependence of discrimination can have in the interpretation of species distribution models. [Innovation]: In this paper we corroborate that, under a uniform distribution of the estimated probability of presence, a well-calibrated model will not attain high discrimination power and the value of the area under the curve will be 0.83. Under non-uniform distributions of the probability of presence, simulations show that a well-calibrated model can attain a broad range of discrimination values. These results illustrate that discrimination is a context-dependent property, i.e. it gives information about the performance of a certain algorithm in a certain data population. [Main conclusions]: In species distribution modelling, the discrimination capacity of a model is only meaningful for a certain species in a given geographic area and temporal snapshot. This is because the representativeness of the environmental domain changes with the geographical and temporal context, which unavoidably entails changes in the distribution of the probability of presence. Comparative studies that intend to generalize their results only based on the discrimination capacity of models may not be broadly extrapolated. Assessment of calibration is especially recommended when the models are intended to be transferred in time or space.The study was partially supported by projects CGL2009-11316/BOS-FEDER and CGL2011-25544. A.J.-V. was supported by the MEC Juan de la Cierva Program. P.A. was supported by the Vicerrectorado de Investigación of the University of Málaga. A.M.B. was supported by a post-doctoral fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e aTecnologia (Portugal), co-financed by the European Social Fund. The ‘Rui Nabeiro’ Biodiversity Chair receives funding from Delta Cafés.Peer Reviewe