Twelve years of daily weather descriptions in North America in the eighteenth century (Mexico City, 1775-86)

© 2019 American Meteorological Society. The authors are very grateful to Ana Gavilán and César Paradinas for their help with the transcription of the FZO weather diary. Carlos Ordóñez reviewed the language. This work was supported by the research projects IMDROFLOOD financed by the Water Works 2014 cofunded call of the European Commission and INDECIS, which is part of ERA4CS, an ERA-NET initiated by JPI Climate by the European Union (Grant 690462). Marina Peña-Gallardo was granted by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), and Ahmed El Kenawy was supported by a postdoctoral Juan de la Cierva contract by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO). F. Domínguez-Castro, M. C. Gallego, J. M. Vaquero, R. García Herrera, M. Peña-Gallardo, A. El Kenawy, and S. M. Vicente-SerranoDepto. de Física de la Tierra y AstrofísicaFac. de Ciencias FísicasTRUEUnión Europea. H2020Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)JPI Climate by the European Unionpu

June 2017: The Earliest European Summer Mega-heatwave of Reanalysis Period

This paper examines the characteristics of the heatwave that affected western and central Europe in June 2017. Using a novel algorithm, we show that its extension, intensity, and persistence were comparable to those of other European mega-heatwaves, but it occurred earlier in the summer. The most affected area was Iberia, which experienced devastating forest fires with human casualties and the warmest temperatures of the reanalysis period from daily to seasonal scales. The peak of the mega-heatwave displayed an unprecedented warm air intrusion due to a record-breaking subtropical ridge with signatures closer to those of July and August. The atmospheric circulation was the main triggering factor of the event. However, thermodynamical changes of the last decades made a substantial contribution to the event, by increasing the likelihood of surpassing high-temperature thresholds. This episode could be a good example of a coming future, with high-summer mega-heatwaves occurring earlier

Development and evaluation of equations to predict body weight of Pelibuey ewes using heart girth

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate equations to predict body weight (BW) using heart girth (HG) in Pelibuey ewes. For model develop a data set composed by 366, 3-year-old, non-pregnant and non-lactating ewes; with a mean BW of 45.7±9.16 kg and HG of 87.55± 7.93 cm was used. A linear equation was fitted: BW= -47.97 (±2.01*) + 1.07 (±0.02**)×HG (R2 = 0.86, RMSE = 3.46, , y n = 366). A second data set composed by 67 animals, with similar characteristics (BW of 38.25± 8.62 kg and HG of 80.37± 7.03 cm) was used to evaluate the developed equations. For the evaluation, the relationship between observed and predicted values of BW by linear regression, the mean squared error of prediction (MSEP) and root MSEP (RMSEP), and concordance correlation coefficient analysis were used. The proposed equation was highly precise (r2 =0.913) and accurate (Cb=0.996) with a reproducibility index of 0.95. The MEF have indicates a higher efficiency of prediction with higher proportion of the total variance of the observed values been explained by the predicted data (0.91). The partition of the MSEP have indicated a very small mean bias (0.082). The systematic bias have shown that only 1.93% of the error of prediction was associated with the slope and most of the error was explained by the random component indicating small biases with the predictions. The proposed equation accurately and precisely estimated the BW of Pelibuey ewe using HG and therefore is recommended to be used

Efectos del genotipo, tamaño de la camada y el sexo sobre las características de la canal y el perfil de ácidos grasos en corderos de pelo

The effect of the genotype (Pelibuey vs Katahdin), type of lambing (single vs. double) and sex (males vs. females) on the characteristics of the carcass and its cuts, in addition to the fatty acid profile of the loin were evaluated in 66 lambs slaughtered at weaning. The yield of the carcass and ribs were higher (P<0.05) in the Pelibuey breed. Slaughter weight, carcass weight and rib yield were higher (P<0.01) in single-born lambs, while the yield of shoulder and leg were lower (P<0.01) than in double-born lambs. The proportion of soft tissue of the different cuts was higher (P<0.05), but that of bone was lower (P< 0.05) in single-born lambs than in double-born lambs. Females had a higher (P<0.05) proportion of soft tissue and a lower proportion of bone (P<0.01) than males. The concentrations of C18:1n7 and C20:4n-6 were higher (P<0.05) in the Pelibuey breed than in the Katahdin breed, while the C22:5n-3 and C22:6n-3 were lower. The percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids was higher (P<0.05) in the meat of single-born lambs, while that of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and n-3 was higher (P<0.05) in double-born lambs. The characteristics of the carcass, the tissue composition of the commercial cuts and the fatty acid profile in hair sheep slaughtered at weaning varied more due to the type of lambing than due to the genotype or sex.El efecto del genotipo (Pelibuey vs Katahdin), tipo de parto (simple vs dobles) y sexo (machos vs. hembras) sobre las características de la canal y de sus cortes, además del perfil de ácidos grasos del lomo fueron evaluados en 66 corderos sacrificados al destete. El rendimiento de la canal y del costillar fue mayor (P<0.05) en la raza Pelibuey. El peso al sacrificio, peso de canal y rendimiento del costillar fue mayor (P<0.01) en crías de parto simple, mientras que el rendimiento de paleta y pierna fue menor (P< 0.01) que en crías de parto doble. La proporción del tejido blando de los diferentes cortes fue mayor (P<0.05), pero el de hueso fue menor (P< 0.05) en crías de parto simple que las de parto doble. Las hembras tuvieron mayor (P<0.05) proporción de tejido blando y menor proporción de hueso (P<0.01) que los machos. Las concentraciones de C18:1n7 y C20:4n-6 fueron mayores (P< 0.05) en la raza Pelibuey que, en la Katahdin, mientras que los C22:5n-3 y C22:6n-3 fueron menores. El porcentaje de ácidos grasos monoinsaturados fue mayor (P<0.05) en la carne de crías de partos simples, en tanto que el de los ácidos grasos poliinsaturados totales y n-3 fue mayor (P<0.05) en crías de partos dobles. Las características de la canal, la composición tisular de los cortes comerciales y el perfil de ácidos grasos en ovinos de pelo sacrificados al destete mostraron más cambios por el tipo de parto que por el genotipo o el sexo

Una nueva hipótesis sobre la sucesión de los bosques tropicales húmedos y secos

In this paper 221 forest trees are grouped according to their habitat preferences into species preferring humid or dry and/or saline habitats or indifferent to the habitat type. Eleven functional traits classes (seeds per tree, seed size, seed weight, seeds per fruit, tolerance to shade, selectivity to habitat, sclerophylly, wood density, foliar area, tree height and tree volume) are arranged 1 to 4 according to a successional gradient. The strategies of forest trees are identified by analyzing the species matrices for humid forest ecosystems (joining species preferring humid habitats together with those indifferent to the habitat type) and for dry and/or saline ecosystems (joining species preferring dry and/or saline habitats and the ones indifferent to the habitat type). Both matrices are processed using the average taxonomic distance as the interval coefficient and by clustering analysis to discover successional organization patterns. The complexity of r-K continuum is discussed by focusing the K behavior of some variables among Pioneers (commonly r strategists) or the r behavior of some variables among Stabilizers (commonly K strategists). A new system of classification is presented as a hypothesis for discovering successional patterns in tropical forests.En el presente artículo agrupamos 221 especies forestales sobre la base de sus preferencias por tipos de hábitat húmedo o seco y/o salino, considerando aparte aquellas que son indiferentes al tipo de hábitat. El sistema de clasificación se sustentó en el empleo de clases de 11 variables funcionales (semillas por árbol, tamaño de las semillas, peso de las semillas, semillas por fruto, tolerancia a la sombra, selectividad al hábitat, esclerofilia, densidad de la madera, área foliar, altura del árbol y volumen del árbol) ordenadas de 1 a 4 de acuerdo con un gradiente sucesional. Las estrategias de las especies arbóreas se identificaron mediante el análisis de las matrices para ecosistemas forestales húmedos (uniendo las especies que prefieren hábitat húmedo con las que son indiferentes al tipo de hábitat) y para ecosistemas secos y/o salinos (uniendo las especies que prefieren hábitat seco y/o salino con las que son indiferentes al tipo de hábitat). Ambas matrices fueron procesadas mediante el uso del coeficiente de distancia taxonómica promedio y por análisis de clasificación para descubrir los patrones de organización sucesional. Se discutieron la complejidad del continuum r-K exponiendo el comportamiento K de algunas variables entre las Pioneras (que comúnmente son estrategas r) y el comportamiento r de algunas variables entre las Estabilizadoras (que comúnmente son estrategas K). Presentamos el nuevo sistema de clasificación como una hipótesis para descubrir los patrones sucesionales en bosques tropicales.Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y EvoluciónFac. de Ciencias BiológicasTRUEInternational Foundation for Science (IFS) (Sweden)MacArthur Foundation and D. W. Reynolds Foundation (USA)David Rockefeller Center for Latin-American Studies (Cambridge, USA)The Ecological Society of America (ESA)( Washington, USA)pu

Relationships between body mass index, ultrasound measurements and, internal body fat depots in pelibuey sheep

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), ultrasound measurements (USM), and internal fat (IF) in hair sheep. The BMI and USM were determined 24 hours before laughter in 35 animals finished in intensive fattening. At slaughter, the IF (inner adipose tissue) was dissected, weighed, and grouped as mesenteric, omental, or perirenal fat; these three depots were summed to obtain their total weight. The relationship of the variables was evaluated through Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) using the CORR procedure and by regression models using the REG procedure of SAS ver. 9.3. The IF and BMI presented r= 0.75 (P 0.05). The regression equation between IF and BMI had a coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.67 (P <.0001). The inclusion of the subcutaneous fat thickness together with the BMI improved the r2 with a range of 0.77. The BMI and the subcutaneous fat thickness could be used to predict the weight of the internal fat in hair sheep

Going up the Andes: patterns and drivers of non-native plant invasions across latitudinal and elevational gradients

The Andes mountain range in South America has a high level of endemism and is a major source of ecosystem services. The Andes is increasingly threatened by anthropogenic disturbances that have allowed the establishment of non-native plants, mainly in the lower elevation areas. However, synergies between climate change and anthropogenic pressure are promoting the spread of non-native plants to higher elevation areas. In this article, we evaluate and identify the main non-native plants invading Andean ecosystems, and assess their taxonomic families, growth forms and distribution patterns. Based on a systematic literature review, we identified the importance of climatic and anthropogenic factors as drivers of non-native species establishment in Andean ecosystems and the main impacts of non-native plants in the Andes. We then identified research gaps across each biogeographic region in the Andes. Finally, we highlight key elements to better tackle the problem of non-native plant invasions in Andean ecosystems, including the need for a systematic monitoring of invasion patterns and spread (e.g. MIREN protocol) and a common policy agenda across international borders for the prevention and management of non-native plants in this highly vulnerable region.Fil: Fuentes Lillo, Eduardo. Universidad de Concepción; Chile. Universiteit Antwerp; BélgicaFil: Lembrechts, Jonas J.. Universiteit Antwerp; BélgicaFil: Barros, Ana Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Aschero, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Bustamante, Ramiro O.. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Cavieres, Lohengrin A.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Clavel, Jan. Universiteit Antwerp; BélgicaFil: Herrera, Ileana. Universidad Espíritu Santo; EcuadorFil: Jiménez, Alejandra. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Tecco, Paula Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Hulme, Philip E.. Lincoln University.; Nueva ZelandaFil: Nuñez, Martin Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Rozzi, Ricardo. University of North Texas; Estados UnidosFil: García, Rafael A.. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Simberloff, Daniel. University of Tennessee; Estados UnidosFil: Nijs, Ivan. Universiteit Antwerp; BélgicaFil: Pauchard, Aníbal. Universidad de Concepción; Chil

Long-term variability and trends in meteorological droughts in Western Europe (1851-2018)

We analyzed long-term variability and trends in meteorological droughts across Western Europe using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Precipitation data from 199 stations spanning the period 1851-2018 were employed, following homogenisation, to derive SPI-3 and SPI-12 series for each station, together with indices on drought duration and severity. Results reveal a general absence of statistically significant long-term trends in the study domain, with the exception of significant trends at some stations, generally covering short periods. The largest decreasing trends in SPI-3 (i.e. increasing drought conditions) were found for summer in the British and Irish Isles. In general, drought episodes experienced in the last two or three decades have precedents during the last 170 years, emphasising the importance of long records for assessing change. The main characteristic of drought variability in Western Europe is its strong spatial diversity, with regions exhibiting a homogeneous temporal evolution. Notably, the temporal variability of drought in Western Europe is more dominant than long-term trends. This suggests that long-term drought trends cannot be confirmed in Western Europe using precipitation records alone. This study provides a long-term regional assessment of drought variability in Western Europe, which can contribute to better understanding of regional climate change during the past two centuries.This work was supported by the research projects PCIN-2015-220 and CGL2017- 82216-R financed by the Spanish Commission of Science and Technology and FEDER, IMDROFLOOD financed by the WaterWorks 2014 co-funded call of the European Commission, CROSSDRO financed by the AXIS (Assessment of Cross(X) – sectorial climate Impacts and pathways for Sustainable transformation) JPI-Climate co-funded call of the European Commission, INDECIS, which is part of ERA4CS, an ERA-NET initiated by JPI Climate, and funded by FORMAS (SE), DLR (DE), BMWFW (AT), IFD (DK), MINECO (ES), ANR (FR), FCT (PT) with co-funding by the European Union (Grant 690462), Irish Research Council COALESCE grant 2019/43