Negative responses of highland pines to anthropogenic activities in inland Spain: a palaeoecological perspective

Palaeoecological evidence indicates that highland pines were dominant in extensive areas of the mountains of Central and Northern Iberia during the first half of the Holocene. However, following several millennia of anthropogenic pressure, their natural ranges are now severely reduced. Although pines have been frequently viewed as first-stage successional species responding positively to human disturbance, some recent palaeobotanical work has proposed fire disturbance and human deforestation as the main drivers of this vegetation turnover. To assess the strength of the evidence for this hypothesis and to identify other possible explanations for this scenario, we review the available information on past vegetation change in the mountains of northern inland Iberia. We have chosen data from several sites that offer good chronological control, including palynological records with microscopic charcoal data and sites with plant macro- and megafossil occurrence. We conclude that although the available long-term data are still fragmentary and that new methods are needed for a better understanding of the ecological history of Iberia, fire events and human activities (probably modulated by climate) have triggered the pine demise at different locations and different temporal scales. In addition, all palaeoxylological, palynological and charcoal results obtained so far are fully compatible with a rapid human-induced ecological change that could have caused a range contraction of highland pines in western Iberia.

Coastal Factors and Coastal Inland. Flooding Managemenet

Siguiendo el proyecto europeo Smartest se plantea el problema de las inundaciones y su gestión en zonas urbanas en las proximidades de la costa

Meteocean Influence on Inland and Coastal Floods in the East of Spain

The Santa Irene flood, at the end of October 1982, is one of the most dramatically and widely reported flood events in Spain. Its renown is mainly attributable to the collapse of the Tous dam, but its main message is to be the paradigm of the incidence of the maritime/littoral weather and its temporal sea-level rise on the coastal plains inland floods. The Santa Irene flood was attributable to a meteorological phenomenon known as gota fría (cold drop), a relatively frequent and intense rainy phenomenon on the Iberian Peninsula, particularly on the Spanish E to SE inlands and coasts. There are some circumstances that can easily come together to unleash the cold drop there: cold and dry polar air masses coming onto the whole Iberian Peninsula and the north of Africa, high sea-water temperatures, and low atmospheric pressure (cyclone) areas in the western Mediterranean basin; these circumstances are quite common during the autumn and, as it happens, in other places around the world (E/SE Africa). Their occurrence, however, shows a great space-temporal variability (in a similar way to hurricanes on Caribbean and western North Atlantic areas or also in a similar way to typhoons). In fact, all of these are equivalent, although different, phenomena, able to have a different magnitude each time. This paper describes the results of a detailed analysis and reflection about this cold drop phenomenon as a whole, on the generation of its rains, and on the different natures and consequences of its flood. This paper also explains the ways in which the nearby maritime weather and the consequential sea level govern floods on different zones of any hydrographical basin. The Santa Irene case can be considered as a paradigm to explain the influence of nearby maritime climatic conditions on flooding phenomena not only in coastal but also in upward inland areas.

Fluoro-sensing applied to detection and identification of hydrocarbons in inland waters. Study of the impact of different UV light sources

This paper presents the detection and identification of hydrocarbons through flu oro-sensing by developing a simple and inexpensive detector for inland water, in contrast to current systems, designed to be used for marine waters at large distances and being extremely costly. To validate the proposed system, three test-benches have been mounted, with various UV-Iight sources. Main application of this system would be detect hydrocarbons pollution in rivers, lakes or dams, which in fact, is of growing interest by administrations.

Vegetation and fire history since the last glacial maximum in an inland area of the western Mediterranean Basin (Northern Iberian Plateau, NW Spain)

We reconstructed vegetation responses to climate oscillations, fire and human activities since the last glacial maximum in inland NW Iberia, where previous paleoecological research is scarce. Extremely sparse and open vegetation composed of steppic grasslands and heathlands with scattered pioneer trees suggests very cold and dry conditions during the Oldest Dryas, unsuitable for tree survival in the surroundings of the study site. Slight woodland expansion during the Bolling/Allerod was interrupted by the Younger Dryas cooling. Pinewoods dominated for most of the early Holocene, when a marked increase in fire activity occurred. Deciduous trees expanded later reaching their maximum representation during the mid-Holocene. Enhanced fire activity and the presence of coprophilous fungi around 6400-6000 cal yr BP suggest an early human occupation around the site. However, extensive deforestation only started at 4500 calyrBP, when fire was used to clear the tree canopy. Final replacement of woodlands with heathlands, grasslands and cereal crops occurred from 2700 cal yr BP onwards due to land-use intensification. Our paleoecological record can help efforts aimed at restoring the natural vegetation by indicating which communities were dominant at the onset of heavy human impact, thus promoting the recovery of currently rare oak and alder stands.

Long-term persistence of Mediterranean pine forests in the Duero Basin (central Spain) during the Holocene: The case of Pinus pinaster Aiton

In the southern Duero Basin of central Spain, there are vast areas of aeolian sand sheets and dune fields. A comprehensive survey of the sand quarries in this area identified a number of palaeosols in sedimentary sequences. The identification and AMS radiocarbon dating of soil charcoal fragments collected in these palaeosols indicate the persistence of Pinus pinaster in this area throughout most of the Holocene. Although potential natural vegetation models have usually considered the Pinus pinaster forests in this inland area of artificial origin, soil charcoal analysis provides firm evidence of a natural origin. Our data fit perfectly with the pattern of Holocene vegetation development for inland areas of Iberia, which are characterised by stability of pine forests throughout the Holocene. Finally, the growing body of palaeobotanical evidence from Iberia (macrofossils and pollen) is contributing to improve our knowledge of P. pinaster ecology, showing that this species has been present in most Iberian regions during the Holocene, where it has inhabited areas characterised by a very diverse set of climatic and soil conditions.

Palaeobiogeographical perspectives on pinus pinea, a controversial and enigmatic mediterranean pine

The origins of some species of economic importance occurring over the Mediterranean Basin have been a traditional matter of debate that has important implications for land management. The case of Pinus pinea L. (Stone pine) is probably one of the most controversial, due to its documented long-term interaction with humans and its presence as a symbolic tree in certain areas of the Mediterranean (e.g., southwestern Iberia and Tuscany). Among the rest of the Mediterranean pines, several features make this pine unique (it has a characteristic crown shape, an edible kernel, cones that require three years to mature, and a very depauperate genetic diversity across its range). In addition, its palaeoecological information is rather limited, as the taxonomic precision attained by pollen analysts is insufficient for this tree and macroremains (such as kernels or anatomically well preserved wood) are needed to unequivocally detect the species in the fossil record. Recent findings of macrofossils of Pinus pinea in inland Iberia (Duero Basin) extend the late- Holocene range of the species, but the palaeobiogeographical information and the exhaustive genetic data available still suggest a very limited natural area (but still not sufficiently well defined) and a long and intense history of linkage to humans.

Influencia de los fármacos presentes en el agua residual sobre la resistencia de la bacteria Escherichia coli y su eliminación por oxidación avanzada

Los fármacos en el agua han sido considerados en los últimos años un problema medioambiental grave, y se ha incrementado el interés por los efectos que pueden producirse en el medio acuático. Aunado a este problema se encuentra el consumo excesivo de medicamentos no controlados, los cuales pueden ser desechados sin tener el tratamiento adecuado; por lo que se ingresan a los cursos de agua. Estos contaminantes emergentes son compuestos cuyo vertido supone un problema sanitario y ambiental. Se trata de contaminantes solubles en agua por lo que son capaces de estar presentes en todas las etapas del ciclo del agua. Han sido numerosos estudios los que se han realizado en diferentes países, ya que su presencia se ha convertido en un tema emergente en la química del medio ambiente, debido a que en las investigaciones realizadas muestran que no hay una eliminación completa a pesar de los distintos procesos que se aplican en las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales. Esta contaminación, incrementa la necesidad de conocer cuál es el efecto toxicológico sobre los organismos acuáticos y, en consecuencia, en las personas. La bacteria Escherichia Coli, es un organismo muy estudiado, debido a que se encuentra en los intestinos de los animales y humanos y por lo consiguiente en las aguas negras. Teniendo en cuenta la crítica situación, se planteó estudiar el efecto sobre la bacteria E. coli de 4 fármacos: Atenolol, Azitromicina, Estradiol e Ibuprofeno, para conocer cual era su comportamiento y el efecto que podían producir la presencia de los fármacos en la eliminación por procesos de oxidación. Así también, los efectos producidos sobre E. Coli, después de estar en contacto con los fármacos 1, 3 y 7 días. Se observó que los fármacos tienen efectos en el aumento o eliminación de los microrganismos dependiendo de los tiempos de exposición y la concentración del fármaco. Así mismo se observó que los microorganismos asimilan mejor las concentraciones menores de fármacos, a tiempos de contacto mayores de 24 horas. Con todos los desinfectantes de estudio se observaron ligeras resistencias de la bacteria ante la presencia de los fármacos. Drugs in water have been considered in recent years a serious environmental problem, and has increased interest in the effects that may occur in the aquatic environment. Added to this problem is the excessive consumption of non-controlled drugs, which can be disposed of without proper treatment, so they enter waterways. These are compounds emerging contaminants being discharged is a health and environmental problem. It is water soluble contaminants and are therefore able to be present in all stages of the water cycle. There have been numerous studies conducted in different countries, since their presence has become an emerging issue in environmental chemistry, because in the research shows that there isn’t a removal despite the different processes used in wastewater treatment plants. This contamination, increases the need to know what is the toxicological effects on aquatic organisms and, consequently, in people. The bacterium Escherichia coli, is a well-studied organism because it is found in the intestines of animals and humans and is therefore in the wastewater. Given the critical situation, was proposed to study the effect on the bacterium E. coli of 4 drugs: Atenolol, Azithromycin, Estradiol and Ibuprofen, to know what his behavior and the effect it could produce the presence of drugs in the removal by oxidation processes. Also, the effects on E. Coli, after being in contact with the drug 1, 3 and 7 days. It was noted that the drugs have effects on the growth or elimination of microorganisms depending on exposure time and the drug concentration. Also it was observed that the microorganisms assimilate lower concentrations of drug better over 24 hours. With all disinfectants study were observed resistances of the bacteria in the presence of the drugs.

Modelización del cálculo de Indicadores Ambientales, a partir de sensores ópticos de alta resolución temporal a bordo de satélite

La presente tesis doctoral tiene por objeto el estudio y análisis de técnicas y modelos de obtención de parámetros biofísicos e indicadores ambientales, de manera automatizada a partir de imágenes procedentes de satélite de alta resolución temporal. En primer lugar se revisan los diferentes programas espaciales de observación del territorio, con especial atención a los que proporcionan dicha resolución. También se han revisado las metodologías y procesos que permiten la obtención de diferentes parámetros cuantitativos y documentos cualitativos, relacionados con diversos aspectos de las cubiertas terrestres, atendiendo a su adaptabilidad a las particularidades de los datos. En segundo lugar se propone un modelo de obtención de parámetros ambientales, que integra información proveniente de sensores espaciales y de otras fuentes auxiliares utilizando, en cierta medida, las metodologías presentadas en apartados anteriores y optimizando algunas de las referidas o proponiendo otras nuevas, de manera que se permita dicha obtención de manera eficiente, a partir de los datos disponibles y de forma sistemática. Tras esta revisión de metodologías y propuesta del modelo, se ha procedido a la realización de experimentos, con la finalidad de comprobar su comportamiento en diferentes casos prácticos, depurar los flujos de datos y procesos, así como establecer las situaciones que pueden afectar a los resultados. De todo ello se deducirá la evaluación del referido modelo. Los sensores considerados en este trabajo han sido MODIS, de alta resolución temporal y Thematic Mapper (TM), de media resolución espacial, por tratarse de instrumentos de referencia en la realización de estudios ambientales. También por la duración de sus correspondientes misiones de registro de datos, lo que permite realizar estudios de evolución temporal de ciertos parámetros biofísicos, durante amplios periodos de tiempo. Así mismo. es de destacar que la continuidad de los correspondientes programas parece estar asegurada. Entre los experimentos realizados, se ha ensayado una metodología para la integración de datos procedentes de ambos sensores. También se ha analizado un método de interpolación temporal que permite obtener imágenes sintéticas con la resolución espacial de TM (30 m) y la temporal de MODIS (1 día), ampliando el rango de aplicación de este último sensor. Asimismo, se han analizado algunos de los factores que afectan a los datos registrados, tal como la geometría de la toma de los mismos y los episodios de precipitación, los cuales alteran los resultados obtenidos. Por otro lado, se ha comprobado la validez del modelo propuesto en el estudio de fenómenos ambientales dinámicos, en concreto la contaminación orgánica de aguas embalsadas. Finalmente, se ha demostrado un buen comportamiento del modelo en todos los casos ensayados, así como su flexibilidad, lo que le permite adaptarse a nuevos orígenes de datos, o nuevas metodologías de cálculo. Abstract This thesis aims to the study and analysis of techniques and models, in order to obtain biophysical parameters and environmental indicators in an automated way, using high temporal resolution satellite data. Firstly we have reviewed the main Earth Observation Programs, paying attention to those that provide high temporal resolution. Also have reviewed the methodologies and process flow diagrams in order to obtain quantitative parameters and qualitative documents, relating to various aspects of land cover, according to their adaptability to the peculiarities of the data. In the next stage, a model which allows obtaining environmental parameters, has been proposed. This structure integrates information from space sensors and ancillary data sources, using the methodologies presented in previous sections that permits the parameters calculation in an efficient and automated way. After this review of methodologies and the proposal of the model, we proceeded to carry out experiments, in order to check the behavior of the structure in real situations. From this, we derive the accuracy of the model. The sensors used in this work have been MODIS, which is a high temporal resolution sensor, and Thematic Mapper (TM), which is a medium spatial resolution instrument. This choice was motivated because they are reference sensors in environmental studies, as well as for the duration of their corresponding missions of data logging, and whose continuity seems assured. Among the experiments, we tested a methodology that allows the integration of data from cited sensors, we discussed a proposal for a temporal interpolation method for obtaining synthetic images with spatial resolution of TM (30 m) and temporal of MODIS (1 day), extending the application range of this one. Furthermore, we have analyzed some of the factors that affect the recorded data, such as the relative position of the satellite with the ground point, and the rainfall events, which alter the obtained results. On the other hand, we have proven the validity of the proposed model in the study of the organic contamination in inland water bodies. Finally, we have demonstrated a good performance of the proposed model in all cases tested, as well as its flexibility and adaptability.

Atmospheric modelling of tritium forms transport: review of capabilities and R&D needs for the assessment of fusion facilities environmental impact

One of the key scrutiny issues of new coming energy era would be the environmental impact of fusion facilities managing one kg of tritium. The potential change of committed dose regulatory limits together with the implementation of nuclear design principles (As Low as Reasonably achievable - ALARA -, Defense in Depth -D-i-D-) for fusion facilities could strongly impact on the cost of deployment of coming fusion technology. Accurate modeling of environmental tritium transport forms (HT, HTO) for the assessment of fusion facility dosimetric impact in Accidental case appears as of major interest. This paper considers different short-term releases of tritium forms (HT and HTO) to the atmosphere from a potential fusion reactor located in the Mediterranean Basin. This work models in detail the dispersion of tritium forms and dosimetric impact of selected environmental patterns both inland and in-sea using real topography and forecast meteorological data-fields (ECMWF/FLEXPART). We explore specific values of this ratio in different levels and we examine the influence of meteorological conditions in the HTO behavior for 24 hours. For this purpose we have used a tool which consists on a coupled Lagrangian ECMWF/FLEXPART model useful to follow real time releases of tritium at 10, 30 and 60 meters together with hourly observations of wind (and in some cases precipitations) to provide a short-range approximation of tritium cloud behavior. We have assessed inhalation doses. And also HTO/HT ratios in a representative set of cases during winter 2010 and spring 2011 for the 3 air levels.

Dinámica vegetal desde el tardiglaciar en la cuenca del Duero: interacciones con clima, fuego e impacto humano

La cuenca del Duero constituye un vasto territorio ibérico cuyo paisaje se encuentra actualmente muy alterado por la mano del hombre y es prácticamente imposible localizar alguna manifestación de su cubierta vegetal natural. Aunque la historia de la vegetación en los sectores central y oriental es relativamente bien conocida, en su mitad occidental los registros paleoecológicos estudiados hasta la fecha son prácticamente inexistentes. Esto hace que se desconozca la respuesta de la vegetación a las diferentes oscilaciones climáticas que se han producido desde el Último Máximo Glaciar, cuál fue el impacto de las diferentes culturas sobre el medio, cuándo se produjo una alteración profunda de la vegetación natural y cuál ha sido la historia de los incendios. Este último aspecto, el papel e importancia de los incendios, reviste un especial interés en la península Ibérica dada su situación geográfica y climática dentro de la cuenca Mediterránea, donde el fuego es un factor ecológico de primer nivel. Las distintas técnicas paleoecológicas son las más adecuadas para abordar todas estas preguntas. De este modo, los avatares de la vegetación a través del tiempo se han reconstruido mediante el análisis polínico y de macrofósiles, el impacto humano se ha trazado utilizando indicadores polínicos ligados a actividades antrópicas y esporas de hongos coprófilos, estudiándose los incendios a partir del registro de partículas microscópicas de carbón. La alta resolución temporal y taxonómica alcanzada en estos análisis, así como la amplia superficie abarcada con los yacimientos estudiados, hacen que la información obtenida sea altamente detallada y complete el conocimiento que se tiene sobre la cuenca del Duero. El Tardiglaciar se registra por primera vez en la Meseta Norte Ibérica en la secuencia de Ayoó de Vidriales, donde una vegetación esteparia prácticamente desarbolada domina durante los periodos fríos. Durante el interestadial Bølling/Allerød la expansión forestal (pinos, abedules) fue muy leve y tardía y fue interrumpida bruscamente por el Dryas Reciente. Al final del Dryas Reciente o al inicio del Holoceno se produjo una acusada y rápida expansión de los bosques. Esta dinámica sugiere que no hubo refugios glaciares importantes en esta zona de la Meseta durante el “Mystery Interval”, aparentemente el periodo más frío y seco. Los incendios fueron muy escasos, aumentando de forma muy brusca al inicio del Holoceno por el aumento de biomasa y las condiciones relativamente cálidas y secas. A partir de los registros de Ayoó y El Maíllo se consolida la importancia del gradiente oceanicidad-continentalidad en el Sistema Central y la Meseta Norte, que se manifiesta principalmente en la dominancia más prolongada de los pinares hacia el interior. Además, otra de las principales contribuciones de la presente tesis es proporcionar evidencia sobre la sucesión de distintos tipos de bosques en el noroeste de la Meseta, precisando el marco temporal en el que suceden. Así, se ha constatado que hubo un máximo desarrollo del bosque caducifolio durante el Holoceno medio en Ayoó de Vidriales y una baja incidencia del fuego que sugieren que el clima fue más húmedo que en el Holoceno inicial. El estudio de macrofósiles leñosos ha permitido detectar procesos que con el análisis polínico habrían pasado desapercibidos, como la persistencia hasta el Holoceno final de Pinus sylvestris en la sierra del Teleno y la sustitución de P. sylvestris por P. pinaster en la sierra de Francia durante el Holoceno inicial. También el estudio de los carbones procedentes de los arenales de Tierra de Pinares han proporcionado la prueba definitiva de la naturalidad de los pinares de P. pinaster. El impacto humano se detecta temprano en las secuencias del oeste de la cuenca del Duero, durante el Neolítico, aunque ha sido mucho más acusado desde la Edad del Hierro (ca 2700-2500 años cal BP). Para la detección del impacto humano temprano ha sido clave el análisis de esporas de hongos coprófilos, cuyo análisis fue incorporado en la secuencia de Ayoó de Vidriales. Una de sus principales consecuencias fue el establecimiento de comunidades de matorral (brezales, piornales) sobre amplias extensiones del occidente de la cuenca del Duero, vinculado al recrudecimiento de los regímenes de incendios. A pesar de que los incendios han sido ecológicamente importantes desde el inicio del Holoceno, los cambios introducidos por el hombre en sus regímenes sobrepasaron la resiliencia de los bosques originales, lo cual condujo a su sustitución sostenida por matorrales. ABSTRACT The Duero Basin constitutes a vast Iberian territory which is currently strongly disturbed due to human activities, so it is very difficult to find any remnant of the natural vegetation. Vegetation history for the eastern and western sectors of the Basin is relatively well-known but, in contrast, there is an almost complete lack of palaeoecological record in the western area. Consequently, there exists a profound ignorance about vegetation responses to the climatic oscillations occurred since the Last Glacial Maximum, the environmental impact of the different cultures, when a severe disturbance of the natural vegetation took place and fire history. The last question, the role and importance of fire, has a special interest in the Iberian Peninsula due to its geographic and climatic framework, the Mediterranean Basin, where fire is a major ecological factor. The diverse palaeoecological techmiques are the most suitable tools to address all these questions. Thus, vegetation shifts through time have been reconstructed using pollen and macrofossil analyses, human impact has been tracked by means of anthropogenic pollen indicators and dung fungal spores, while fire history has been studied from the quantification of microscopic charcoal particles. The high taxonomic and time resolution attained along with the extensive surface covered by the studied sites provide detailed information very useful to complete the knowledge on landscape dynamics in the Duero Basin. The Lateglacial is recorded for the first time in the Northern Iberian Plateau in the sequence from Ayoó de Vidriales, showing that almost treeless steppic vegetation dominated during the cold periods. Tree expansion (pines, birches) was late and slight during the Bølling/Allerød interstadial and was sharply interrupted by the Younger Dryas (YD) climatic reversal. By the end of the YD or the onset of the Holocene, a rapid forest expansion occurred. This forest dynamics suggests an absence of important glacial refugia for trees in this area of the Plateau during the Mystery Interval, apparently the coldest and driest period. Fires were fairly rare, increasing abruptly at the beginning of the Holocene due to the relatively warm and dry climate and the accumulation of biomass. The records from Ayoó and El Maíllo reinforce the role of the oceanicity-continentality gradient in the vegetation history of the Iberian Central Range and the Iberian Northern Plateau, reflected mainly in the longer dominance of pine forests towards inland areas. Further, another important contribution of this PhD Thesis is providing evidence on the succession of different forest types in the northestern fringe of the Plateau, specifying the chronological framework. A maximum of deciduous forest development and low fire activity have been detected in Ayoó de Vidriales during the mid-Holocene, suggesting that climate was wetter than in the early Holocene. The study of woody macrofossils has allowed detecting processes which would have remained unnoticed using pollen analysis alone, such as the persistence of Pinus sylvestris until the late Holocene in the Teleno Mountains and the early Holocene replacement of P. sylvestris with P. pinaster in the sierra de Francia range. The study of macroscopic charcoal fragments from palaeosols of the Tierra de Pinares has also provided the definitive proof of naturalness for the P. pinaster stands gorwing over this area at present. Early human impact, during the Neolithic, has been detected in the sequences from the western sector of the Duero Basin, although human disturbance has been more severe from the Iron Age onwards (ca 2700-2500 cal yr BP). The analysis of coprophilous fungi incorporated in the sequence of Ayoó de Vidriales has played a key role in recognizing that early human impact. One of the main consequences of human disturbance was the establishment of shrubland communities (heaths, brooms) over huge areas of the western Duero Basin, linked to severe and/or frequent fires. Despite fires has been ecologically important since the onset of the Holocene, human-induced changes in fire regimes have exceeded the resilience of original forests leading to a sustained replacement with shrublands.

Alta velocidad ferroviaria en California(USA): cuarta parte (IV) Fresno-Sacramento (Roseville) = High speed railway in California (USA): fourth part (IV) Fresno-Sacramento (Roseville)

Implantación de la Red de Alta velocidad Ferroviaria en California. Tramo Fresno-Sacramento. El presente articúlo es la cuarta parte de la serie "Alta Velocidad Ferroviaria en California (CHSRS)". Recoge la Alternativa "Stockton Arch", que el Proyecto FARWEST presenta a la prevista por la Authority (CHSRA), para la Línea HSR Fresno-Sacramento, en programación y en trazado. Éste discurre, desde la gran Terminal de Fresno (implantada en las afueras al suroeste de la ciudad) por el segmento sur del "mar interior" (que en el Terciario Superior ocupaba el actual Valle Central), hasta Stockton, y por el segmento norte, hasta Sacramento. El Paet de Ripperdan (~ pK 40) queda conectado por carretera con el PAET de Oroloma de la Línea HSR Fresno-San Francisco (Golden Gate Alternative). La última parte del trazado de la Línea HSR Fresno-Sacramento (Stockton Arch Alternative), coincide en alineación y rasante con la Línea HSR San Francisco-Sacramento (Crossing Bay Alternative) a la altura de Roseville, donde se emplaza la gran terminal norte de la red de California, desde la que se unirá ésta con la de Nevada, por Reno. This article forras the fourth part of the series entitled "High Speed Railway in California (CHSRS)". It addresses the "Stockton Arch" alternative, which the FARWESTProjectpresents in scheduling and in alignment as to that provided for by the Authority (CHSRA) for the Fresno-Sacramento HSR Line. The latter runs from the grand Fresno Terminal (located in the outskirts to the southwest ofthe city) through the south segment ofthe "inland sea" (which oceupied the current Central Valley in the Upper Tertiary) to Stockton and through the north segment to Sacramento. The Ripperdan TSAP (post ofpassing and stabling trains), — kilometer point 40, conneets with the Oroloma TSAP ofthe Fresno-San Francisco HSR Line (Golden Gate Alternative) by road. The last part of the Fresno-Sacramento HSR Line alignment (Stockton Arch Alternative), coincides in alignment and grade with the San Francisco-Sacramento HSR Line (Crossing Bay Alternative) at Roseville, where the great north terminal ofthe California network is located, from which the latter will be linked with Nevada s network through Reno.

Alta velocidad ferroviaria en California(USA): tercera parte (III) Fresno-Los Ángeles-San Diego = High speed railway in California(USA): third part (III) Fresno-Los Ángeles-San Diego

Implantación de la Red de Alta velocidad Ferroviaria en California. Tramo Fresno-Los Angeles-San Diego. Este artículo, tercera parte de la serie que describe la red de Alta Velocidad Ferroviaria de California (CHSRS), se ocupa de la línea Fresno-Los Angeles Airport-San Diego Airport, con el trazado propuesto en la Alternativa Missions Trail del Proyecto FARWEST, caracterizada por el paso directo de las montañas de Tehachapi, mediante dos grandes túneles de 27,5 Km (17 mile) y 25,6 Km (15,9 mile) de longitud. También por el emplazamiento de la estación terminal de Los Angeles, junto al Aeropuerto Internacional de Los Angeles y la sustitución de la circunvalación ferroviaria de la aglomeración urbana de Los Angeles, a través de Inland Empire, por el ramal Anaheim-Riverside, que da acceso a esa región, y que es cabecera de la futura Dessert Express a Las Vegas. The third of a series describing the California High Speed Railway (CHSRS), this article refers to the Fresno-Los Angeles Airport-San Diego Airport line, with the alignment as proposed in the Missions Trail Alternative of the FARWEST Project, characterized by the direct Tehachapi mountain pass through two large tunnels 27.5 Km (17 miles) and 25.6 Km (15.9 miles) long and also to the siting of the Los Angeles terminal station next to the Los Angeles International Airport and the replacement of the Los Angeles urban conglomeration railway by-pass through Inland Empire, by the Anaheim-Riverside branch providing access to that region and which is the head of the future Desert Express to Las Vegas.

Understanding extreme Spanish coastal flood events

The Santa Irene flood event, at the end of October 1982, is one of the most dramatically widely reported flood events in Spain. Its renown is mainly due to the collapse of the Tous dam, but its main message is to be the paradigm of the incidence of the maritime/littoral weather and its temporal sea level rise by storm surge accompanying rain process on the coastal plains inland floods. Looking at damages the presentation analyzes the adapted measures from the point of view of the aims of the FP7 SMARTeST Project related to the Flood Resilience improvement in urban areas through looking for Technologies, Systems and Tools an appropriate "road to de market".

Paisajes de la sal en Andalucía

Los paisajes protagonistas de esta investigación han sido creados gracias a la actividad de las salinas, explotaciones “donde se beneficia la sal de las aguas del mar o de ciertos manantiales, cuando se ha evaporado el agua.” (RAE). Son lugares de características únicas, tanto por sus valores naturales y medioambientales, como por los valores culturales, patrimoniales, históricos, sociales e identitarios, “resultado de la acción e interacción de factores naturales y humanos en el territorio” (CEP, 2000). Existen salinas en muchos lugares del mundo, pero es en la Península Ibérica donde se encuentra la mayor concentración de estas explotaciones en toda Europa y, por consiguiente, de los singulares paisajes asociados y generados por ellas. Es también la única región europea donde existen salinas de interior que utilizan métodos de evaporación para la obtención de sal: las energías y circunstancias naturales aprovechadas en ellas, sol, viento, gravedad y humedad relativa, propician la evaporación del agua salada, una de las estrategias fundamentales para su funcionamiento. Esta circunstancia determina su posición geográfica en el territorio y su dependencia de los ciclos climáticos estacionales, del régimen hidrológico, la estructura geológica del subsuelo, la geomorfología y la acción humana para potenciar la eficiencia de los procesos productivos, creando para ello un extenso e interesante patrimonio natural y cultural en torno a ellas. Por tanto, son también paisajes culturales, resultado de un proceso artesanal de producción y comercialización de la sal, que se articula a través de la construcción de una serie de instalaciones preindustriales diseminadas y conectadas en puntos estratégicos del territorio costero e interior. La presente tesis aborda la grave situación a la que se enfrentan en la actualidad los paisajes ibéricos de la sal, concretamente los ubicados en la Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucía, que están sufriendo un ávido proceso de abandono y desaparición desde mediados del s. XX, con la consiguiente pérdida para la sociedad de este valioso patrimonio cultural y natural, que se ha ido construyendo durante siglos, prácticamente desde el inicio de la humanidad. De las diversas tipologías de salinas que existen, se han seleccionado las explotaciones, tanto marítimas como de interior, que utilizan o han utilizado en su origen técnicas de explotación artesanal basadas en la evaporación. El interés de esta acotación tipológica se ha basado en las relaciones de dependencia que estas explotaciones de sal establecen con el entorno físico y climático donde se ubican para poder existir y funcionar. El objetivo principal de esta investigación ha perseguido el establecimiento y definición de un marco territorial, global e integrador, para los paisajes culturales salineros andaluces, a través de la observación directa realizada durante el trabajo de campo, el análisis de textos, imágenes, documentos, gráficos, palabras y entrevistas abiertas. Lo anterior ha permitido identificar, clasificar, analizar y valorar sus principales características y su evolución en el tiempo, identificando las causas del deterioro y desaparición del patrimonio salinero, evaluando la efectividad de las iniciativas, públicas y/o privadas, y de las figuras de protección, así como analizar las relaciones que establecen con su entorno próximo, con los núcleos de población y habitantes a los que sirven, la red de carreteas y caminos que las conectan y los ríos y mares que las proveen de materia prima. Finalmente, se ha establecido una sistemática integral de análisis, con el fin de poder actuar, a partir del conocimiento, a favor de la gestión, salvaguarda y pervivencia de los excepcionales valores culturales y naturales, que definen el carácter e identidad de estos singulares paisajes. ----------------------ABSTRACT----------------- The landscapes of this research have been created by the activity of saltworks, sites “where salt from sea water or certain springs is obtained, when water evaporates.” (RAE). They are places with unique characteristics, because of their natural and environmental values, as well as their cultural, historic and social values, their heritage and identity, “the result of the action and interaction of natural and human factors on the territory” (European Landscape Convention, 2000). There are many saltworks in many places around the world, but it is in the Iberian Peninsula where we find the highest concentration of salt industries within Europe and, therefore, the particular landscapes associated and created by them. It is as well the only European region where we can find inland saltworks with evaporation methods to obtain salt: the energies and natural circumstances used in them are sun, wind, gravity and relative humidity, favouring salt water evaporation, one of the main strategies of their functioning. This circumstance determines their geographic position in the territory and its dependence on seasonal climatic cycles, hydrological regimes, geological subsoil structure, geomorphology and human action to strengthen productive processes efficiency, creating an extensive and interesting natural and cultural heritage around them. Therefore, they are also cultural landscapes, result of a traditional salt production process and marketing, organized through the construction of certain preindustrial buildings scattered and connected in strategic inland and seaside spots. This thesis deals with the plight today’s salt landscapes are facing, particularly those within the Andalucian Region, since the middle of the 20th century undergoing an avid process of abandonment and disappearance, meaning a great loss for society of a cultural and natural heritage constructed along centuries, almost since the beginning of mankind. Among the diverse typologies of saltworks, the selection made consists on those inland and seaside ones, which use or have originally used traditional production techniques based on evaporation. The interest in this particular saltwork typology is based on the dependency relationships these industries establish with the environment and climate where they are located, in order to be able to exist and function. The main goal of this research has pursued to establish and define a global and inclusive territorial framework for Andalucian cultural saltworks landscapes, through direct observation carried out during fieldwork, analysis of texts, images, documents, graphs, words and open interviews. All of it has allowed to identify, classify, analyze and evaluate their main characteristics and evolution over time, identifying the causes of deterioration and disappearance of the saltworks heritage, assessing the effectiveness of public and private initiatives, and protection projects, as well as analyzing the relationships with their surroundings, population centers and residents they serve, road networks connecting them and rivers and seas supplying the raw material. Finally, a comprehensive analysis systematic has been established, in order to be able to take action, with knowledge as starting point, for the management, preservation and survival of the unique cultural and natural values that define the character and identity of these singular landscapes.