El papel de la regeneración natural en la restauración tras grandes incendios forestales : el caso del pino negral

El incendio forestal es una perturbación de gran impacto socioeconómico y ambiental, cuya severidad y recurrencia se prevé que irá en aumento como consecuencia de los efectos del cambio climático. El mayor número de incendios con altos niveles de severidad y que afectan a grandes superficies dificulta la toma de decisiones en la restauración de estos ecosistemas. El presente trabajo pretende aportar algunas soluciones y recomendaciones basadas en diversas experiencias llevadas a cabo en diferentes proyectos de investigación en masas de pino negral.Wildfires are a common disturbance in Mediterranean ecosystems with important socioeconomical and environmental impacts. In addition, future effects promoted by climate change could increase severity levels and fire frequency of wildfires. Mega-fires which affect large areas are a challenge for forest managers and decision support tools to restore affected ecosystems are needed. Present work describes the results of some research projects carried out in Pinus pinaster stands. Recommendations and some solutions related to post-fire management are proposed

(el caso del Macizo de Caroig)

Se estudian los regímenes selvícolas más adecuados para la utilización energética y maderable de las masas de pino carrasco (Pinus halepensis) del Macizo del Caroig, partiendo de los datos de un inventario LIDAR y de una revision bibliográfica amplia sobre la especie. Se proporcionan datos sobre los sistemas de aprovechamiento más adecuados, sus rendimientos y costes estimados para los distintos tipos de masas forestales inventariadas, se estudia la influencia de esos tratamientos sobre el riesgo de incendios forestales y se recomiendan prácticas para reducir su incidencia y gravedad a través de selvicultura preventiva e infraestructuras de defensa optimizadas mediante algoritmos basados en lógica fuzzy. Se proporcionan también datos sobre transformación energética y características de los combustibles

Atrasentan and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (SONAR): a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Short-term treatment for people with type 2 diabetes using a low dose of the selective endothelin A receptor antagonist atrasentan reduces albuminuria without causing significant sodium retention. We report the long-term effects of treatment with atrasentan on major renal outcomes. Methods: We did this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at 689 sites in 41 countries. We enrolled adults aged 18–85 years with type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)25–75 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 of body surface area, and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR)of 300–5000 mg/g who had received maximum labelled or tolerated renin–angiotensin system inhibition for at least 4 weeks. Participants were given atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily during an enrichment period before random group assignment. Those with a UACR decrease of at least 30% with no substantial fluid retention during the enrichment period (responders)were included in the double-blind treatment period. Responders were randomly assigned to receive either atrasentan 0·75 mg orally daily or placebo. All patients and investigators were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was a composite of doubling of serum creatinine (sustained for ≥30 days)or end-stage kidney disease (eGFR <15 mL/min per 1·73 m 2 sustained for ≥90 days, chronic dialysis for ≥90 days, kidney transplantation, or death from kidney failure)in the intention-to-treat population of all responders. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of their assigned study treatment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01858532. Findings: Between May 17, 2013, and July 13, 2017, 11 087 patients were screened; 5117 entered the enrichment period, and 4711 completed the enrichment period. Of these, 2648 patients were responders and were randomly assigned to the atrasentan group (n=1325)or placebo group (n=1323). Median follow-up was 2·2 years (IQR 1·4–2·9). 79 (6·0%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 105 (7·9%)of 1323 in the placebo group had a primary composite renal endpoint event (hazard ratio [HR]0·65 [95% CI 0·49–0·88]; p=0·0047). Fluid retention and anaemia adverse events, which have been previously attributed to endothelin receptor antagonists, were more frequent in the atrasentan group than in the placebo group. Hospital admission for heart failure occurred in 47 (3·5%)of 1325 patients in the atrasentan group and 34 (2·6%)of 1323 patients in the placebo group (HR 1·33 [95% CI 0·85–2·07]; p=0·208). 58 (4·4%)patients in the atrasentan group and 52 (3·9%)in the placebo group died (HR 1·09 [95% CI 0·75–1·59]; p=0·65). Interpretation: Atrasentan reduced the risk of renal events in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease who were selected to optimise efficacy and safety. These data support a potential role for selective endothelin receptor antagonists in protecting renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk of developing end-stage kidney disease. Funding: AbbVie

El arte de prevenir incendios

Los incendios forestales son un elemento natural en los ecosistemas Mediterráneos y el fuego ha sido utilizado como herramienta selvícola en Europa desde la Edad de Hielo. En el contexto actual de cambio global (cambio climático, cambios de usos del suelo) no parece haber una tendencia a la disminución del número de focos de ignición a pesar del aumento de la despoblación rural, con lo que los incendios podrían acelerar o desacelerar procesos en nuestros ecosistemas, con implicaciones sociales y económicas difíciles de predecir. Por tanto prevenir el impacto negativo de los incendios e integrar el fuego en la gestión se ha convertido en un verdadero reto de futuro difícil de abordar, no sólo desde el punto de vista político y de restricciones presupuestarias, sino porque existen verdaderas dudas técnicas acerca de la eficacia real de las actuaciones basadas en ciencia e ingeniería forestal. En la presente ponencia se muestran posibles opciones de futuro para mejorar la gestión de nuestros montes y prevenir incendios forestales basadas en las investigaciones de diferentes grupos nacionales e internacionales. Se discute sobre la viabilidad y eficacia de algunos tratamientos selvícolas en la prevención de grandes incendios y se proponen estrategias para la introducción del uso del fuego en los ecosistemas mediterráneos

El Túnel de Viento del INIA-CIFOR como dispositivo experimental para el estudio de los incendios forestales

En el contexto de la investigación en materia de incendios forestales, los “túneles de viento” o “túneles de combustibilidad” constituyen una herramienta de gran utilidad para su análisis experimental. En esta nota técnica, se describe el Túnel de Viento del Laboratorio de Incendios Forestales del Centro de Investigación Forestal del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias (INIA-CIFOR) y su aplicación al estudio de diversos aspectos de los incendios forestales. Se presentan asimismo los resultados obtenidos en los trabajos más recientes y las aplicaciones al sector forestal de los resultados experimentales obtenidos en relación con el (1) riesgo de inicio de incendio, (2) el comportamiento del fuego de superficie y el proceso de subida de fuego al dosel de copas, (3) el fuego de rescoldo en suelos y (4) la eficacia de productos químicos empleados en la lucha contra incendios forestales

El papel de la regeneración natural en la restauración tras grandes incendios forestales: el caso del pino negral

Wildfires are a common disturbance in Mediterranean ecosystems with important socioeconomical and environmental impacts. In addition, future effects promoted by climate change could increase severity levels and fire frequency of wildfires. Mega-fires which affect large areas are a challenge for forest managers and decision support tools to restore affected ecosystems are needed. Present work describes the results of some research projects carried out in Pinus pinaster stands. Recommendations and some solutions related to post-fire management are proposed.El incendio forestal es una perturbación de gran impacto socioeconómico y ambiental, cuya severidad y recurrencia se prevé que irá en aumento como consecuencia de los efectos del cambio climático. El mayor número de incendios con altos niveles de severidad y que afectan a grandes superficies dificulta la toma de decisiones en la restauración de estos ecosistemas. El presente trabajo pretende aportar algunas soluciones y recomendaciones basadas en diversas experiencias llevadas a cabo en diferentes proyectos de investigación en masas de pino negral

A new bench-scale methodology for evaluating the flammability of live forest fuels

The present study proposes a new method in order to evaluate the flammability of live plant parts at bench-scale. Flammability parameters were estimated by the use of a mass loss calorimeter, and fuel moisture content was evaluated by the use of moisture analyser. Forest fuels (Pinus pinaster, Cistus laurifolius, Lavandula stoechas and Daphne gnidium) were monitored under field conditions to detect the changes in the fuel moisture contents during the fire risk season. The combination of two different bench-scale devices (moisture analyser and mass loss calorimeter) guarantees fixed conditions for carrying out laboratory tests (constant bulk density and constant sample dry mass), thus resolving problems detected with other devices and methodologies. © The Author(s) 2012

Flammability of some companion species in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forests

Key message The high flammability of some companion species in Quercus suber forests, estimated in laboratory tests, could potentially generate an increase in fire vulner_x0002_ability and in fire risk. & Context Recurrent wildfire is one of the main causes of forest degradation, especially in the Mediterranean region. Increased fire frequency and severity due to global change could reduce the natural resilience of cork oak to wildfire in the future. Hence, it is important to evaluate the flammability of companion species in cork oak forests in the particularly dry bioclimatic conditions of North Africa. & Aims This study aimed to assess and compare flammability parameters at laboratory scale among ten companion frequent species in cork oak forests. & Methods Fuel samples were collected in a cork oak (Quercus suber L) forest in the southern part of the mountains of Tlemcen (Western Algeria). A series of flammability tests were carried out using a Mass Loss Calorimeter device (FTT ®). A cluster analysis to classify flammability of the selected species was conducted using the K-means algorithm. & Results The results revealed differences in the four flamma_x0002_bility parameters (ignitability, sustainability, combustibility and consumability), in both fresh and dried fine fuel samples from Quercus suber, Pinus halepensis, Quercus ilex, Quercus faginea, Erica arborea, Arbutus unedo, Pistacia lentiscus, Calicotome spinosa, Juniperus oxycedrus and Tetraclinis articulata. Application of the K-means clustering algorithm showed that C. spinosa, T. articulata, J. oxycedrus and P. halepensis are highly flammable because of their high com_x0002_bustibility and sustainability. & Conclusion The findings identify species that could poten_x0002_tially increase the vulnerability of cork oak forests to forest fires