The Pyrenees as a cradle of plant diversity: phylogeny, phylogeography and niche modeling of Saxifraga longifolia

The current distribution of most species results from ecological niche, past distribution, and migrations during glacial–interglacial periods and in situ evolution. Here, we disentangle the colonization history of Saxifraga longifolia Lapeyr., a limestone plant abundant in the Pyrenees and rare in other Iberian mountains and the African Atlas. Our working hypothesis is that the current distribution results from the shrinkage of a more extensive distribution in previous cold periods. We sampled 160 individuals of 32 populations across the whole distribution range and sequenced four DNA regions (rpl32-trnL, rps16-trnQ, trnS-trnG, and ITS). Ecological conditions were modeled to identify factors promoting high genetic diversity and long-term persistence areas for S. longifolia. In addition, we inferred phylogenetic relationships, phylogeographic divergence, genetic diversity, and migration routes. Seven plastid haplotypes were found, of which six occur in the Pyrenees and one in the High Atlas (Morocco). Discrete phylogeographic analysis (DPA) estimated migration routes predominantly from the Pyrenees to the other areas. Colonization events to those areas appear to have taken place recently given that the rest of the Iberian mountains do not harbor exclusive haplotypes. Iberian–Northern African distribution was inferred to be the result of long-distance dispersal because the split between Iberian and High Atlas haplotypes is estimated to have taken place in the last 4 million years ago when the Strait of Gibraltar was already open. Migrations from the Pyrenees to the south may have been favored by a corridor of predominant limestone rocks along Eastern Iberia, followed by successful overcoming the Strait of Gibraltar to reach northern Afric

L'adaptation au changement climatique dans le bassin de Tensift au Maroc par une gestion améliorée du bassin versant et le paiement pour les services environnementaux - rapport final

Ce projet bénéficie d'une subvention du Centre de recherches pour le développement international (CRDI), Ottawa, Canada.Le défi que le présent projet de recherche a essayé de relever est de trouver des pistes pour repenser la GIRE dans un contexte du changement climatique, tout en prenant en considération le maintien de la production des biens et services environnementaux. Ceci ne pourra se réaliser qu’à travers des actions permettant de prendre en considération la donne climatique et les instruments basés sur le marché (e.g. le Paiement pour les Services Environnementaux (PSE)) dans les politiques de gestion de l’eau

Patrones espacio-temporales en los pinsapares del Macizo Bético-Rifeño

[ES] Conocer cómo la estructura del bosque modula su respuesta a diferentes perturbaciones es importante para evaluar los efectos previsibles de cambios en las condiciones climáticas y en el manejo. Especies forestales relictas de la Cuenca Mediterránea, como Abies pinsapo, pueden constituir un modelo experimental adecuado para conocer la interacción climamanejo, puesto que se trata de especies particularmente sensibles al cambio climático y que además han estado históricamente sometidas a una intensa influencia humana. Se han combinado técnicas de análisis espacial con métodos dentro-cronológicos con el fin de caracterizar patrones espaciales e inferir procesos relacionados con las tendencias climáticas, la competencia entre individuos y los cambios de uso del territorio, en bosques de A. pinsapo bajo una contrastada historia de manejo. El estudio ha sido desarrollado en poblaciones de A. pinsapo del sur de España (Parques Naturales de Grazalema y Sierra de las Nieves) y del norte de Marruecos (Parque Nacional de Talassemtane). En dieciocho parcelas se identificaron, numeraron y cartografiaron todos los árboles presentes. El nivel de competencia al que está sometido cada individuo se estimó mediante un índice espacialmente explícito. En cada parcela se extrajeron barrenas de 4-5 árboles representativos para determinar la edad y el patrón de crecimiento radial. Los análisis espaciales se realizaron mediante la K de Ripley. Por último, se aplicó una ordenación basada en el escalado multidimensional no métrico (NMDS). Los resultados muestran una elevada variabilidad estructural y espacial en estos bosques; las poblaciones españolas mostraron un descenso generalizado en la tasa de crecimiento desde comienzos de los ochenta, acentuado en los últimos años y relacionado con eventos de sequía y elevada competencia. Por contra las poblaciones norteafricanas presentan una mayor diversidad biológica y estructural y no mostraron esos síntomas de declive.Peer Reviewe

The Pyrenees as a cradle of plant diversity: phylogeny, phylogeography and niche modeling of Saxifraga longifolia

The current distribution of most species results from ecological niche, past distribution, and migrations during glacial–interglacial periods and in situ evolution. Here, we disentangle the colonization history of Saxifraga longifolia Lapeyr., a limestone plant abundant in the Pyrenees and rare in other Iberian mountains and the African Atlas. Our working hypothesis is that the current distribution results from the shrinkage of a more extensive distribution in previous cold periods. We sampled 160 individuals of 32 populations across the whole distribution range and sequenced four DNA regions (rpl32‐trnL, rps16‐trnQ, trnS‐trnG, and ITS). Ecological conditions were modeled to identify factors promoting high genetic diversity and long‐term persistence areas for S. longifolia. In addition, we inferred phylogenetic relationships, phylogeographic divergence, genetic diversity, and migration routes. Seven plastid haplotypes were found, of which six occur in the Pyrenees and one in the High Atlas (Morocco). Discrete phylogeographic analysis (DPA) estimated migration routes predominantly from the Pyrenees to the other areas. Colonization events to those areas appear to have taken place recently given that the rest of the Iberian mountains do not harbor exclusive haplotypes. Iberian–Northern African distribution was inferred to be the result of long‐distance dispersal because the split between Iberian and High Atlas haplotypes is estimated to have taken place in the last 4 million years ago when the Strait of Gibraltar was already open. Migrations from the Pyrenees to the south may have been favored by a corridor of predominant limestone rocks along Eastern Iberia, followed by successful overcoming the Strait of Gibraltar to reach northern Africa.This research was partially financed by the “Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Spain),” project VULBIMON (CGL2017‐90040‐R). FP‐G. was supported by the Youth Employment Initiative (European Social Fund and Community of Madrid; reference PEJ‐2018‐AI/ AMB‐10790).Peer reviewe

An intensive tree-ring experience: Connecting education and research during the 25th European Dendroecological Fieldweek (Asturias, Spain).

The European Dendroecologial Fieldweek (EDF) provides an intensive learning experience in tree-ring research that challenges any participant to explore new multidisciplinary dendro-sciences approaches within the context of field and laboratory settings. Here we present the 25th EDF, held in Asturias, NW Spain, in summer 2014. The course, with 33 participants and 10 instructors from 18 countries included advanced training in dendrochronology skills, an overview of tree-ring broad fields and methodological basics to deal with specific research questions as well as applied advanced micro-projects in dendroarchaeology (DAR), dendroclimatology (DCL), dendrogeomorphology (DGM), forest dynamic (FD) and plant anatomy (PA). The results demonstrated the potential of tree-ring research in the Asturias region. The DAR group researched archaeological samples from different contexts (Oviedo cathedral choir stalls, Segovia cathedral roof timbers, Ribadeo shipwreck ship timbers and Bronze Age site charcoal) and explored the supply of wood in different periods. The DCL group established that the Quercus robur and Castanea sativa ring-width measurements show weak climate-growth correlations, where for many trees this is likely caused by management. The strength of the climatic signal could be enhanced using undisturbed settings. The DGM group found that Corylus avellana and Salix spp. are challenging species for dendrogeomorphological studies. Debris-flow events were detected by the presence of tension wood, growth reduction and scars, and their incidences were also supported by local meteorological data. The FD group found that tree growth decreases with increasing competition, a pattern more pronounced in C. sativa than in Pinus sylvestris forest plantations. The results indicate that wood production could be increased by applying thinning treatments on C. sativa. The PA group showed that xylem conduits and phloem area are organized according to the common needs for water supply to leaves and obtain photosynthetic products, regardless site growing conditions for P. sylvestris and Tusilago farfara. In conclusion, this EDF has been a model for interdisciplinary research and international collaboration that has demonstrated that high-quality research and education can be conducted within one week. The EDFs provide an important service to the dendrochronological community and demonstrate the usefulness of this educational-scientific and multi-cultural experience