Using spatial data mining to analyze area-diversity patterns among soil, vegetation, and climate: A case study from Almería, Spain

ABSTRACT: Area-pedodiversity, area?vegetation diversity, area-bioclimatic belts, diversity and pedodiversity-vegetation diversity-bioclimatic diversity relationships were analyzed for the most arid region ofWestern Europe (SE Spain). The study is novel in that it analyzed these relationships using as operational geographic units (OGUs) the set of polygons belonging to the same character state (i.e., typology) that defines a zone in a given thematic map. We considered three thematic maps: 1) the map of soil associations (SMU) with 303 different soil associations (i.e., 303 areas or zones); 2) the map of potential vegetation (PNV)with 40 vegetation series or zones and 3) the map of bioclimatic belts (BB) with 7 bioclimatic zones. Using GIS tools, we analyzed the contents (richness) of soil mapping units (polygons) with regard to vegetation series and bioclimatic belts as well as the contents of vegetation series and bioclimatic belts with regard to SMU. The results indicate that the relationships between the area and the richness of zones follow a power law, the ?fingerprint of fractal geometry?, irrespective of the way the area has been defined and their relative magnitude (the areas defined by SMU are the smallest, while the areas defined by bioclimatic belts are the largest). The results also indicate a significant correlation between the ? diversities of the zones and between their ? diversities. We conclude that the methods used to measure such correlations, based on ? and ? diversities are useful to investigate and quantify the relationships between the pedosphere, vegetation and climate

Los factores formadores de los suelos de la Sierra de Gádor (Almería)

Se han estudiado la Geología, el Relieve, el Clima, la Vegetación y el Tiempo como factores de formación de los suelos del Sector Occidental de la Sierra de Gádor. Los factores que de forma principal controlan la distribución y las propiedades de los suelos desarrollados en calizas son la roca y la topografía. También las actividades humanas influyen grandemente en la morfología de estos suelos.It has been studied as the factors of soil formation in the West area of Sierra de Gador, the parent material, the topography, the climate, the vegetation and the time. The distribution and properties of soil developed on limestones are essentially controlated by the parent material and the topography. AIso the human's activities have a great influence on the soil morphology

Variación altitudinal y diversidad vegetal en matorrales: Sierra de los Filabres (Almería, España)

The main objetives in this research is to determine vegetational diversity along the transect carried out on the south side of S' de Los Filabres, localiced in southeastern of Iberian Peninsula, from 800 m to the top. Samples were taken at 100 m intervals throughout the transect under study. Further, several climatic and bioclimatic parameters collected at every height station, have been brought into relationshipEl objetivo principal de la investigación ha sido determinar la diversidad vegetal a lo largo del itinerario llevado a cabo en la cara sur de S de Los Filabres situada en el sureste de la Península Ibérica, desde los 800 m de altitud hasta la cima. Las muestras fueron tomadas cada 100 m de desnivel. Además, se han tenido en cuenta magnitudes climáticas y bioclimáticas calculadas para cada estación, en relación con la diversidad registrada. Los aspectos corológicos se consideran también muy importantes para este análisis

Hot-Moments of Soil CO2 Efflux in a Water-Limited Grassland

The metabolic activity of water-limited ecosystems is strongly linked to the timing and magnitude of precipitation pulses that can trigger disproportionately high (i.e., hot-moments) ecosystem CO2 fluxes. We analyzed over 2-years of continuous measurements of soil CO2 efflux (Fs) under vegetation (Fsveg) and at bare soil (Fsbare) in a water-limited grassland. The continuous wavelet transform was used to: (a) describe the temporal variability of Fs; (b) test the performance of empirical models ranging in complexity; and (c) identify hot-moments of Fs. We used partial wavelet coherence (PWC) analysis to test the temporal correlation between Fs with temperature and soil moisture. The PWC analysis provided evidence that soil moisture overshadows the influence of soil temperature for Fs in this water limited ecosystem. Precipitation pulses triggered hot-moments that increased Fsveg (up to 9000%) and Fsbare (up to 17,000%) with respect to pre-pulse rates. Highly parameterized empirical models (using support vector machine (SVM) or an 8-day moving window) are good approaches for representing the daily temporal variability of Fs, but SVM is a promising approach to represent high temporal variability of Fs (i.e., hourly estimates). Our results have implications for the representation of hot-moments of ecosystem CO2 fluxes in these globally distributed ecosystems

La distribución espacial de los suelos del sector occidental de la Sierra de Gador (Almería)

Se ha elaborado un mapa de suelos a escala 1 :50.000 empleando para la denominación de las unidades cartográficas la clave FAO-UNESCO. En total se han delimitado nueve unidades básicas de suelos y la unidad miscelánea de fosas y escombreras de minas. Se han separado las fases de pendiente, lítica y freática y las clases texturales, de rocosidad y de pedregosidad. Las fases y clases se han modificado respecto a lo que indica el Manual de Levantamiento de Suelos (9) y la Guía para la Descripción de Perfiles de la FAO (10) y adaptado a la problemática concreta del área de estudio. Finalmente se incluyen algunas consideraciones sobre la relación entre la distribución de los suelos y los factores formadores.It has been elaborated a soil map at scale 1 :50.000. The soils have been classified in the FAO-UNESCO classification. There are nine soil units and mines and refuse dumps as miscellaneus units of land. The slope, litic and freatic phases have been drawed, the textural, rockiness ans stonines classes have been pointed out in every soil units. The phases and classes have been modified in order to the studied area. Finally the study include sorne considerations about the relationship between the soil distribution and the soil formation factors

The potential of groundwater-dependent ecosystems to enhance soil biological activity and soil fertility in drylands

Water availability controls the functioning of dryland ecosystems, driving a patchy vegetation distribution, unequal nutrient availability, soil respiration in pulses, and limited productivity. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are acknowledged to be decoupled from precipitation, since their vegetation relies on groundwater sources. Despite their relevance to enhance productivity in drylands, our understanding of how different components of GDEs interconnect (i.e., soil, vegetation, water) remains limited. We studied the GDE dominated by the deep-rooted phreatophyte Ziziphus lotus, a winter-deciduous shrub adapted to arid conditions along the Mediterranean basin. We aimed to disentangle whether the groundwater connection established by Z. lotus will foster soil biological activity and therefore soil fertility in drylands. We assessed (1) soil and vegetation dynamics over seasons (soil CO2 efflux and plant activity), (2) the effect of the patchy distribution on soil quality (properties and nutrient availability), and soil biological activity (microbial biomass and mineralization rates) as essential elements of biogeochemical cycles, and (3) the implications for preserving GDEs and their biogeochemical processes under climate change effects. We found that soil and vegetation dynamics respond to water availability. Whereas soil biological activity promptly responded to precipitation events, vegetation functioning relies on less superficial water and responded on different time scales. Soil quality was higher under the vegetation patches, as was soil biological activity. Our findings highlight the importance of groundwater connections and phreatophytic vegetation to increase litter inputs and organic matter into the soils, which in turn enhances soil quality and decomposition processes in drylands. However, biogeochemical processes are jeopardized in GDEs by climate change effects and land degradation due to the dependence of soil activity on: (1) precipitation for activation, and (2) phreatophytic vegetation for substrate accumulation. Therefore, desertification might modify biogeochemical cycles by disrupting key ecosystem processes such as soil microbial activity, organic matter mineralization, and plant productivity.This research was developed in the framework of the LTSER Platform “The Arid Iberian South East LTSER Platform — Spain (LTER_ EU_ES_027)” and supported by the European project LIFE Adaptamed (LIFE14349610 CCA/ES/000612). MTT and BRL were financially supported by a FPU Predoctoral Fellowship of the Spanish Government (16/02214 and 17/01886). EG was supported by the European Research Council (ERC Grant agreement 647038 [BIODESERT])

Winds induce CO2 exchange with the atmosphere and vadose zone transport in a karstic ecosystem

Research on the subterranean CO dynamics has focused individually on either surface soils or bedrock cavities, neglecting the interaction of both systems as a whole. In this regard, the vadose zone contains CO-enriched air (ca. 5% by volume) in the first meters, and its exchange with the atmosphere can represent from 10 to 90% of total ecosystem CO emissions. Despite its importance, to date still lacking are reliable and robust databases of vadose zone CO contents that would improve knowledge of seasonal-annual aboveground-belowground CO balances. Here we study 2.5 years of vadose zone CO dynamics in a semiarid ecosystem. The experimental design includes an integrative approach to continuously measure CO in vertical and horizontal soil profiles, following gradients from surface to deep horizons and from areas of net biological CO production (under plants) to areas of lowest CO production (bare soil), as well as a bedrock borehole representing karst cavities and ecosystem-scale exchanges. We found that CO followed similar seasonal patterns for the different layers, with the maximum seasonal values of CO delayed with depth (deeper more delayed). However, the behavior of CO transport differed markedly among layers. Advective transport driven by wind induced CO emission both in surface soil and bedrock, but with negligible effect on subsurface soil, which appears to act as a buffer impeding rapid CO exchanges. Our study provides the first evidence of enrichment of CO under plant, hypothesizing that CO-rich air could come from root zone or by transport from deepest layers through cracks and fissures.These data were funded by the Andalusian regional government project GEOCARBO (P08-RNM-3721), including European Union ERDF funds, with support from Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation projects SOILPROF (CGL2011-15276-E), CARBORAD (CGL2011-27493), and GEISpain (CGL2014-52838-C2-1-R). This research was supported by a Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship within the 7th European Community Framework Programme, DIESEL project (625988).Peer Reviewe

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

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.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

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

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.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 limes tony 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

Los Mollisoles del sector occidental de Sierra Gador (Almería)

Los cinco perfiles de Mollisoles estudiados en el Sector occidental de la Sierra de Gádor son: Lithic vermic Haploxeroll, Entic haploxeroll, Ruptic Palexeralfic lithic Argixeroll, Entic vermic Haploxeroll y Lithic ruptic xerorthentic vermic Haploxeroll. Los factores que condicionan la existencia de este tipo de suelos son roca madre carbonatada (caliza, dolomía, margocaliza, etc.), posición fisiográfica de ladera con pendientes variables (20-60 %), vegetación de matorral, clima mediterráneo con diferentes variantes dependiendo de la altitud, régimen de humedad del suelo Xérico y de temperatura Térmico y Mésico. La secuencia de horizontes es variable. En una parte importante de los suelos, debajo del epipedón móllico se presenta un contacto lítico, en otros existe un horizonte Bw y en menor medida un horizonte Bt las texturas más comunes pertenecen a las clases francas. El contenido de carbonatos es importante salvo en el Argixeroll. El carbono orgánico se presenta en el epipedón móllico en contenidos elevados (2.3 a 6.8 %) a excepción del Entic Haploxeroll, cercano al 1 %. Son suelos de pH 8 y saturados en bases.It has been studied five soil profils clasified in the order Mollisol as Lithic ver mi e Haploxeroll, Entic Haploxeroll, Ruptic Palexeralfic lithic Argixeroll, Entic vermic Haploxeroll y Lithic ruptic xerorthentic vermic Haploxeroll.The parent material is derived from carbonated rocks (limestone, dolomite, limestone-marl, etc.). The slope grades are variables (20-60 %). The vegetation is mainly shrubbery. The climate is Mediterranean. The soil moisture regime is Xeric and soil temperature regimes are Mesic and Thermic. The soil horizon sequences are variables. Greater part of the profils have a lithic contact below the mollic epipedon, another ones have a Bw horizon and only one profil develops Bt horizon. Loam class is the most frecuent. The soil carbonate content is high except for the Argixeroll. The organic matter is high in the mollic epipedon (2.3 to 6.8 %) except for the Entic Haploxeroll (1 %). These soils are saturated in bases and its medium pH medium is near 8