Effects of Environmental Stress on the Pollen Viability of Ornamental Tree-Species in the City of Granada (South-Eastern Spain)

Atmospheric conditions, as well as pollutants, can induce changes in the viability and germinability of the pollen grain. This process frequently occurs in cities due to the high rate of air pollution that can alter the quality of pollen, affecting its biological functions. In this work, the effect of different environmental stress factors, mainly UV-B radiation and polluting gases (CO, NO2 and SO2), on the viability and maturity of the pollen of four ornamental tree-species present in the green infrastructure of Granada, namely Acer negundo, Carpinus betulus, Olea europaea and Cupressus spp. is analyzed. Differential staining techniques were used with fresh pollen collected in areas with different exposure to environmental stress to detect intact cell membranes (Trypan blue) and the state of maturity (Pyrogallol red). It was observed that the species from sectors more exposed to environmental stress registered a low viability and were affected by factors such as UV-B radiation and atmospheric pollutants. On the contrary, the pollen from tree species growing in peri-urban forests presented a higher rate of viability and less effect of pollutant factors. Differences were also observed according to the species/genus and according to the sampling area. This modification in the morphological and/or organic composition of the pollen wall may cause a loss of quality in the reproductive processes of plants, and it may be bioindicator of the process of progressive degradation that plant species can experience in urban environments under conditions of environmental stress, and prevent the impacts that can affect other species

Cambios en los usos de suelo, vulnerabilidad del territorio e incendios forestales. El caso de estudio Las Máquinas, Región del Maule, Chile

Se analizan los cambios de usos de suelo registrados en la Región del Maule, Chile, entre los años 1999, 2009 y 2016, para establecer si existe relación entre los cambios de uso del suelo y la vulnerabilidad de los territorios frente a los incendios forestales. Lo anterior bajo el contexto del megaincendio forestal registrado durante el mes de enero de 2017 y que fue considerado una "Tormenta de Fuego" y el primer incendio de sexta generación. Además, se analiza el incendio Las Máquinas, que tuvo repercusión por ser de gran magnitud y consumir por completo la localidad de Santa Olga.S'analitzen els canvis d'usos de sòl registrat a la Regió del Maule, Xile, entre els anys 1999, 2009 i 2016, per establir si existeix una relació entre els canvis d'ús de sòl i la vulnerabilitat dels territoris front dels incendis forestals. Aquesta anàlisi es fa en el context del megaincendi forestal registrat durant el mes de gener de 2017 i que va ser considerat una "Tempesta de Foc" i el primer incendi de sisena generació. A més, s'analitza l'incendi Les Màquines, que va tenir repercussió per ser de gran magnitud i cremar completament la localitat de Santa Olga

Effects of Environmental Stress on the Pollen Viability of Ornamental Tree-Species in the City of Granada (South-Eastern Spain)

Atmospheric conditions, as well as pollutants, can induce changes in the viability and germinability of the pollen grain. This process frequently occurs in cities due to the high rate of air pollution that can alter the quality of pollen, affecting its biological functions. In this work, the effect of different environmental stress factors, mainly UV-B radiation and polluting gases (CO, NO2 and SO2), on the viability and maturity of the pollen of four ornamental tree-species present in the green infrastructure of Granada, namely Acer negundo, Carpinus betulus, Olea europaea and Cupressus spp. is analyzed. Differential staining techniques were used with fresh pollen collected in areas with different exposure to environmental stress to detect intact cell membranes (Trypan blue) and the state of maturity (Pyrogallol red). It was observed that the species from sectors more exposed to environmental stress registered a low viability and were affected by factors such as UV-B radiation and atmospheric pollutants. On the contrary, the pollen from tree species growing in peri-urban forests presented a higher rate of viability and less effect of pollutant factors. Differences were also observed according to the species/genus and according to the sampling area. This modification in the morphological and/or organic composition of the pollen wall may cause a loss of quality in the reproductive processes of plants, and it may be bioindicator of the process of progressive degradation that plant species can experience in urban environments under conditions of environmental stress, and prevent the impacts that can affect other species

Effect of post-harvest forestry residue management practices on the diversity of epigeal coleopterans

The aim of this work was to study the effect of post-harvest forestry residue management practices on the epigeal coleopterans diversity and abundance in a 1-yr old Pinus radiata plantation. Approximately 25-yr old P. radiata plantation was available, which was harvested by clear-cutting at the beginning of 2010 in Constitución, central Chile. Three post harvest residue management treatments were installed in a fully randomized design in blocks: 1) a control, where residues were intact left; 2) residue removed (> 2.5 cm diameter); and 3) burned. The coleopterans were sampled in spring and summer, using linear transects with pitfall traps. The abundance and richness, and diversity index of coleopterans were determined. A total of 23 species of 13 families were obtained. Both in the spring and summer, the treatment with residues left registered significantly greater abundance and species richness. In the residue management, the practices of intact leaving residue should be considered as the least impacting on diversity and abundance of epigeal coleopterans and is recommended for creating refugee areas to promote diversity of beetles in this area of study

Cambios en los usos de suelo, vulnerabilidad del territorio e incendios forestales. El caso de estudio Las Máquinas, Región del Maule, Chile

Se analizan los cambios de usos de suelo registrados en la Región del Maule, Chile, entre los años 1999, 2009 y 2016, para establecer si existe relación entre los cambios de uso del suelo y la vulnerabilidad de los territorios frente a los incendios forestales. Lo anterior bajo el contexto del megaincendio forestal registrado durante el mes de enero de 2017 y que fue considerado una "Tormenta de Fuego" y el primer incendio de sexta generación. Además, se analiza el incendio Las Máquinas, que tuvo repercusión por ser de gran magnitud y consumir por completo la localidad de Santa Olga.S'analitzen els canvis d'usos de sòl registrat a la Regió del Maule, Xile, entre els anys 1999, 2009 i 2016, per establir si existeix una relació entre els canvis d'ús de sòl i la vulnerabilitat dels territoris front dels incendis forestals. Aquesta anàlisi es fa en el context del megaincendi forestal registrat durant el mes de gener de 2017 i que va ser considerat una "Tempesta de Foc" i el primer incendi de sisena generació. A més, s'analitza l'incendi Les Màquines, que va tenir repercussió per ser de gran magnitud i cremar completament la localitat de Santa Olga