Biocrust cover and successional stages influence soil bacterial composition and diversity in semiarid ecosystems

Biocrusts are an important drylands landscape component, which enriches the upper millimeters of the soil with organic matter and initiates biogeochemical cycles. However, little is known about the influence of biocrusts on soil bacterial community structure and diversity. Different biocrust types representing a successional gradient were studied. This gradient, from the earliest to the latest successional stages, consisted of an incipient cyanobacterial biocrust < mature cyanobacterial biocrusts < biocrust dominated by the Squamarina lentigera and Diploschistes diacapsis lichens < Biocrust characterized by the Lepraria isidiata lichen. Moreover, in each biocrust type, four different percentages of biocrust cover were also selected. Soil diversity gradually increased with biocrust successional stage and percentage of biocrust cover. The biocrust cover had an important role in the total abundance of bacteria, generally increasing in soils colonized by the highest percentages of cover. Biocrust successional stage was the most important factor, significantly influencing 108 soil bacteria genera, whereas biocrust cover showed significant differences in only 10 genera. Principal Component Analysis showed contrasting microbial composition across the biocrust successional gradient. Some bacterial taxa were dominant in the soil colonized by different biocrust types. Thus, Leptolyngbya, Rubrobacter, Solirubrobacter, Geodermatophilus, etc., were more abundant in incipient cyanobacteria; Nostocales, Chroococcidiopsaceae, Coleofasciculaceae etc., under mature cyanobacterial biocrusts; Truepera, Sphingobacteriaceae, Actinophytocola, Kribella, etc., below the S. lentigera and D. diacapsis community, and Bryobacter, Ohtaekwangia, Opitutus, Pedosphaeraceae, etc., in soils colonized by L. isidiata. Several soil bacteria taxa showed significant correlations (p < 0.05) with chemical soil properties (pH, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, available phosphorous and electrical conductivity). We discuss the role of biocrusts influencing these chemical soil parameters, including the presence of certain metabolites secreted by biocrusts, and also their effects on soil moisture and several physical soil features, as well as their association with different microclimates, all of which could favor a more selective environment for certain bacteria

Distribución de los suelos del sector noroccidental de Sierra Nevada. Granada

In a soil survey of the Northwest area of Sierra Nevada, fifteen soil units and four miscelaneous units have been mapped and described. Pedogenic controls, areal extension and the most important characteristics of these units have been analized. The 47,8% of the total area are inceptisols, 25,8% are miscelaneous units, 23,2% are entisols and 3.2% are mollisols. Typic Xerumbrept, entic Xerumbrept, typic Cryumbrept and entic Cryumprept are the most extrensive units. These are developed on acidic rock with a slope between 15 to 55%, under bush vegetation and so far as 2.800 m. of limit altitude.En el levantamiento de suelos del sector Noroccidental de Sierra Nevada, se han cartografiado y descrito 15 unidades básicas de suelos y 4 unidades misceláneas de tierras. Se analizan los controles edafogenéticos de las unidades, la extensión areal de las mismas y los caracteres más destacables de los suelos modales. Los inceptisoles ocupan el 47,8% del total del área, las unidades misceláneas el 25,8%, los entisoles el 23,2% y los mollisoles el 3,2%. Las unidades mayoritarias (Xerumbrept típico y éntico, Criumbrept típico y éntico) se desarrollan sobre rocas ácidas, en pendientes entre 15% a 55% y hasta 2.800 m. de altitud, bajo vegetación de matorral

Los inceptisoles y entisoles del sector occidental de la Sierra de Gador (Almería)

Morphological and physicochemical properties of five Entisols and Inceptisols from west area of Sierra de Gádor are studied. "Soil Taxonomy" is the employed classification. Most soils are developed 'in situ' or upon colluvium derived from limestony and dolomitic marbles. 400 to 2.124 m. is the range of altitude. The slopes are variables. The vegetation is a degradated brushwood and reforestated pine woods. The moisture regime is Xeric; the temperature regime changes from Termi to Mesic at 1.000 m. The soils are tipic Xerorthents (three profils) and calcixerollic Xerochrepts (two profils). The analytical and morphological characteristics are variables owing to differencies in pedological evolution within the studied soils. But there are two characteristics in common: the high quantities of the alcalinoterreal bases controled by the parent material, and the absence of mollic epipedón owing to the degradation of climatic vegetation and parallel degradation or /and destruction of mineral organic soil horizons.En el presente estudio se analizan los caracteres morfológicos, las propiedades fisico-quírnicas y la clasificación a nivel de subgrupo de los suelos presentes en el Sector Occidental de la Sierra de Gádor, que pertenecen a los órdenes Entisol e Inceptisol de la taxonomía americana de suelos. Son suelos desarrollados sobre materiales calizo-dolomíticos "in situ" o coluvionados. La altitud oscila entre 400 y 2. 124 m. La pendiente es muy variable, desde llano o casi llano a fuertemente escarpado. Soportan un matorral degradativo y pinares de repoblación. El régimen de humedad es Xérico y el de temperatura Térmico hasta los 1.000 m. y Mésico por encima de esta cota. Los cinco perfiles muestreados se han clasificado como Xerorthent típicos y dos como Xerochrept calcixeróllicos. Los cinco perfiles muestreados se han clasificado, tres como Xerorthent típidiados, como respuesta a diferencias en evolución edáfica, exceptuando aquellos que dependen estrechamente del elevado contenido en bases alcalino térreas del material de origen. El carácter común más relevante es la carencia de epipedón móllico, provocada por la degradación del horizonte orgánicomineral al destruir la vegetación climácica

Caracterización de la capacidad agrológica de los suelos del sector noroeste de Sierra Nevada (Granada)

The soil map of the Northwest area of the Sierra Nevada it has been interpreted for agronomic purposes by the Spain Agricultural Ministry Scheme, called "Agrological Capacity characterization of the Soil of the Spain, Scale 1.50.000" . In this area the agrological capacity subclasses are: IVs, VIIw, VIs, VIc, Vle and VlIIe. The dominant classes are VII and VIII because the medium slopes are greater than 30 OJo. The subclasse Vle is frequent also (22-23 % of slope). Another subclasses and classes are in minor quantities. The slope and the mean anual temperature are the most important restraints. The surface stoniness, the surface rockiness and the soil moisture regime are important also. AH the results point out the suitability of this area for forestry, grassland and wildlife conservation.Se emplea el esquema del Ministerio de Agricultura Español denominado: "Caracterización de la Capacidad Agrológica de los Suelos de España a escala 1 :50.000", para interpretar desde un punto de vista agronómico la cartografía de suelos del Sector Noroeste de Sierra Nevada. Las subclases de capacidad agrológica presentes en el área son: IVs, VIw, VIs, Vlc, Vle, VIIe, VIIle. Las clases dominantes son la VII y la VIII, ya que las pendientes de casi toda el área superan el 30 OJo. Le sigue en abundancia la subclase Vle, localizada en las pendientes de la clase D (valor medio de 22 a 23%). El resto de las clases y subclases son minoritarias y aparecen de forma puntual. Las limitaciones de mayor importancia en el establecimiento de las clases de capacidad son en primer lugar, la pendiente y la temperatura y en segundo lugar la pedregosidad superficial, la rocosidad superficial y el exceso de humedad en el suelo. Estos resultados indican que los cultivos agrícolas (sólo posibles en los suelos de la clase IVs) se restringen a pequeñas zonas diseminadas por todo el área y que la mayor parte tiene vocación forestal, pastoral y de reserva natural

Short-term follow-up of chagasic patients after benznidazole treatment using multiple serological markers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conventional serological tests, using total soluble proteins or a cocktail of recombinant proteins from <it>T. cruzi </it>as antigens, are highly sensitive for Chagas disease diagnosis. This type of tests, however, does not seem to be reliable tools for short- and medium-term monitoring of the evolution of patients after antiparasitic treatment. The aim of the present study was to search for immunological markers that could be altered in the sera from Chagas disease patients after benznidazole treatment, and therefore have a potential predictive diagnostic value.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed the reactivity of sera from chagasic patients during different clinical phases of the disease against a series of immunodominant antigens, known as KMP11, PFR2, HSP70 and Tgp63. The reactivity of the sera from 46 adult Chronic Chagas disease patients living in a non-endemic country without vector transmission of <it>T. cruzi </it>(15 patients in the indeterminate stage, 16 in the cardiomiopathy stage and 16 in the digestive stage) and 22 control sera from non-infected subjects was analyzed. We also analyzed the response dynamics of sera from those patients who had been treated with benznidazole.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Regardless of the stage of the sickness, the sera from chagasic patients reacted against KMP11, HSP70, PFR2 and Tgp63 recombinant proteins with statistical significance relative to the reactivity against the same antigens by the sera from healthy donors, patients with autoimmune diseases or patients suffering from tuberculosis, leprosy or malaria. Shortly after benznidazole treatment, a statistically significant decrease in reactivity against KMP11, HSP70 and PFR2 was observed (six or nine month). It was also observed that, following benznidazole treatment, the differential reactivity against these antigens co-relates with the clinical status of the patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The recombinant antigens KMP11, PFR2, Tgp63 and HSP70 are recognized by Chagas disease patients' sera at any clinical stage of the disease. Shortly after benznidazole treatment, a drop in reactivity against three of these antigens is produced in an antigen-specific manner. Most likely, analysis of the reactivity against these recombinant antigens may be useful for monitoring the effectiveness of benznidazole treatment.</p

Precision restoration: a necessary approach to foster forest recovery in the 21st century

We thank S. Tabik, E. Guirado, and Garnata Drone SL for fruitful debates about the application of remote sensing and artificial intelligence in restoration. E. McKeown looked over the English version of the manuscript. Original drawings were made by J. D. Guerrero. This work was supported by projects RESISTE (P18-RT-1927) from the Consejeria de Economia, Conocimiento, y Universidad from the Junta de Andalucia, and AVA201601.19 (NUTERA-DE I), DETECTOR (A-RNM-256-UGR18), and AVA2019.004 (NUTERA-DE II), cofinanced (80%) by the FEDER Program. F.M.-R. acknowledges the support of the Agreement 4580 between OTRI-UGR and the city council of La Zubia. We thank an anonymous reviewer for helpful comments that improved the manuscript.Forest restoration is currently a primary objective in environmental management policies at a global scale, to the extent that impressive initiatives and commitments have been launched to plant billions of trees. However, resources are limited and the success of any restoration effort should be maximized. Thus, restoration programs should seek to guarantee that what is planted today will become an adult tree in the future, a simple fact that, however, usually receives little attention. Here, we advocate for the need to focus restoration efforts on an individual plant level to increase establishment success while reducing negative side effects by using an approach that we term “precision forest restoration” (PFR). The objective of PFR will be to ensure that planted seedlings or sowed seeds will become adult trees with the appropriate landscape configuration to create functional and self-regulating forest ecosystems while reducing the negative impacts of traditional massive reforestation actions. PFR can take advantage of ecological knowledge together with technologies and methodologies from the landscape scale to the individual- plant scale, and from the more traditional, low-tech approaches to the latest high-tech ones. PFR may be more expensive at the level of individual plants, but will be more cost-effective in the long term if it allows for the creation of resilient forests able to providemultiple ecosystemservices. PFR was not feasible a few years ago due to the high cost and low precision of the available technologies, but it is currently an alternative that might reformulate a wide spectrum of ecosystem restoration activities.Junta de Andalucia P18-RT-1927European Commission AVA201601.19 A-RNM-256-UGR18 AVA2019.004OTRI-UGR 4580city council of La Zubia 458

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic