Rockfall monitoring by Terrestrial Laser Scanning ¿ case study of the basaltic rock face at Castellfollit de la Roca (Catalonia, Spain)

This case study deals with a rock face monitoring in urban areas using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner. The pilot study area is an almost vertical, fifty meter high cliff, on top of which the village of Castellfollit de la Roca is located. Rockfall activity is currently causing a retreat of the rock face, which may endanger the houses located at its edge. TLS datasets consist of high density 3-D point clouds acquired from five stations, nine times in a time span of 22 months (from March 2006 to January 2008). The change detection, i.e. rockfalls, was performed through a sequential comparison of datasets. Two types of mass movement were detected in the monitoring period: (a) detachment of single basaltic columns, with magnitudes below 1.5 m3 and (b) detachment of groups of columns, with magnitudes of 1.5 to 150 m3. Furthermore, the historical record revealed (c) the occurrence of slab failures with magnitudes higher than 150 m3. Displacements of a likely slab failure were measured, suggesting an apparent stationary stage. Even failures are clearly episodic, our results, together with the study of the historical record, enabled us to estimate a mean detachment of material from 46 to 91.5 m3 year¿1. The application of TLS considerably improved our understanding of rockfall phenomena in the study area.

Rockfall induced seismic signals: case study in Montserrat, Catalonia

After a rockfall event, a usual post event survey includes qualitative volume estimation, trajectory mapping and determination of departing zones. However, quantitative measurements are not usually made. Additional relevant quantitative information could be useful in determining the spatial occurrence of rockfall events and help us in quantifying their size. Seismic measurements could be suitable for detection purposes since they are non invasive methods and are relatively inexpensive. Moreover, seismic techniques could provide important information on rockfall size and location of impacts. On 14 February 2007 the Avalanche Group of the University of Barcelona obtained the seismic data generated by an artificially triggered rockfall event at the Montserrat massif (near Barcelona, Spain) carried out in order to purge a slope. Two 3 component seismic stations were deployed in the area about 200 m from the explosion point that triggered the rockfall. Seismic signals and video images were simultaneously obtained. The initial volume of the rockfall was estimated to be 75 m3 by laser scanner data analysis. After the explosion, dozens of boulders ranging from 10¿4 to 5 m3 in volume impacted on the ground at different locations. The blocks fell down onto a terrace, 120 m below the release zone. The impact generated a small continuous mass movement composed of a mixture of rocks, sand and dust that ran down the slope and impacted on the road 60 m below. Time, time-frequency evolution and particle motion analysis of the seismic records and seismic energy estimation were performed. The results are as follows: 1 ¿ A rockfall event generates seismic signals with specific characteristics in the time domain; 2 ¿ the seismic signals generated by the mass movement show a time-frequency evolution different from that of other seismogenic sources (e.g. earthquakes, explosions or a single rock impact). This feature could be used for detection purposes; 3 ¿ particle motion plot analysis shows that the procedure to locate the rock impact using two stations is feasible; 4 ¿ The feasibility and validity of seismic methods for the detection of rockfall events, their localization and size determination are comfirmed.

Ursinia nana (Anthemideae, Asteraceae), and adventive from South Africa which is becoming naturalized in the Iberian Peninsula. Observations about its reproductive biology and fruit dispersal mechanism.

The presence of Ursinia nana, an Anthemideae of South-African origin which has been introduced into the NE Iberian Peninsula, is reported for the fi rst time in Europe. The data offered cover its precise location, morphology, chromosome number, ecology and a population census, as well as its life cycle, fl oral structure, reproductive biology and fruit dispersal mechanisms. Of special note are the clear predominance of autogamy (geitonogamy) over xenogamy as a reproductive system and the large number of fruits produced with high and immediate germinative capacity. These characteristics permit rapid colonization by the introduced species, which can become invasive. However, fruit predation by the ant Messor barbarus points to a natural mechanism that helps regulate population growth and makes biological control possible. Finally its possibilities of expansion in the colonized area and of naturalization in the NE Iberian Peninsula are assessed.

Els fongs de Catalunya occidental segons les prospeccions recents. II

This paper contains the conclusion of a mycological survey of western Catalonia. The first part of the results was published in Acta Bot. Barc. 45 (Homenatge a Oriol de Bolòs): 57-89. The present part covers the last two groups of Basidiomycota: the agarics (326 species) and the gasteromycetes (44 species). The data regarding the surveyed area, collection localities, abbreviations used in the information on ecology, collectors and identifiers are found in the mentioned first part, which contains records of 37 species of Myxomycota, 5 of Zygomycota, 101 of mitosporic fungi, 8 of Teliomycetes, 1 of Ustomycetes, 16 of Phragmobasidiomycetes and 92 of Aphyllophorales. Together with the first part, the results of our survey are a useful contribution to an improved understanding of the fungal component of plant communities of the dry, warm lowlands of the western Mediterranean region, and highlight the remarkable reproductive activity of the fungi observed during late Autumn and Winter, in the studied area.

Els fongs de Catalunya occidental segons les prospeccions recents. I.

The fungi of occidental Catalonia after recent prospections I. This work intends to collect the mycological data gathered during the last four years as a result of the project "Fungal biodiversity of Catalonia", in the western and southern, mainly lowland areas of this country. The climate is mainly dry (400-600 mm/year) and warm. The survey, that covers 160 localities, has enabled the identification of 37 species of Myxomycota, 5 of Zygomycora, 159 of Ascomyctra, 101 mitosporic fungi, 8 Teliomycetes, 1 Ustomycetes, 16 Phragmobasidiomycetes and 92 Apliyllopllorates, that are included in this paper. Because of space limitations, the remaining 326 agarics and 44 Gasteromycetes will be published in the next number of this journal. This work is a contribution to a best understanding of the fungal flora, chorology, ecology and phenology of the West-Mediterranean dry lowlands.

Correlation between species composition and soil properties in the pastures of Plana de Vic (Catalonia, Spain)

The correlation between the species composition of pasture communities and soil properties in Plana de Vic has been studied using two multivariate methods, Correspondence Analysis (CA) for the vegetation data and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for the soil data. To analyse the pastures, we took 144 vegetation relevés (comprising 201 species) that have been classified into 10 phytocoenological communities elsewhere. Most of these communities are almost entirely built up by perennials, ranging from xerophilous, clearly Mediterranean, to mesophilous, related to medium-European pastures, but a few occurring in shallow soils are dominated by therophytes. As for the soil properties, we analysed texture, pH, depth, bulk density, organic matter, C/N ratio and the carbonates content of 25 samples, correspondingto representative relevés of the communities studied.

Los hábitats del proyecto CORINE en el ámbito territorial catalán: delimitación y cartografía.

nd items. Once maps are drawn up they are digitized and put into a GIS and finally subjected to quality control. Table 4 shows the most important habitats (according to polygon number and area covered) and the least represented habitats in the sheets drawn so far. Sheets can be obtained through internet (www.gencat.net/mediamb/pn.htm).

Phenological patterns in Mediterranean pastures and scrubs of Catalonia

On the basis of two parallel data sets refering to phenological events in open scrubs and pastures at two sites (Balaguer and Vic), the authors present a comprehensive report of the phenology of these Mediterranean communities. Four main phenophases (vegetative growth, flowering, fruiting and resting) were recorded monthly in 11 communities over 15 months. The results allow comparisons to be drawn between localities and communities, both at community and species levels, and to consider the effects of contemporary climatic data. This yielded useful information on general trends and on the particular responses of each community type to their corresponding constraints.

Evaluación del interés natural del Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes i estany de Sant Maurici a partir de la cartografía de hábitats CORINE

diverse and in most cases including lakes, snow beds and fens.

L'avançament de la introducció d'una llengua estrangera: un fugida cap enrera?

The age at which school children begin instruction in the foreign language has been brought forward on two main grounds: (1) young children are better language learners than older children, and (2) bilingualism brings cognitive advantages to children. Both statements are critically analysed in this paper. First of all, recent research findings show that the advantage that younger learners show in a naturalistic language learning situation (or through school immersion) disappears in a formal language learning situation with very limited exposure to the target language. Secondly, the positive effects on cognitive development that have been revealed through research correspond to situations of balanced bilingualism, that is, situations in which children have a high command of the two languages. In contrast, children¿s command of the foreign language in our context is very limited and hence far from the situation of balanced bilingualism (or trilingualism) that is said to bring positive cognitive effects.

Cap a una ciutadania intercultural. Un tema emergent a la recerca educativa

En aquest article oferim una aproximació a l'estudi de la ciutadania intercultural des de l'investigació educativa. Per això, hem resumit en primer lloc, els nous plantejaments de la ciutadania que fonamentnen la investigació realitzada pel GREDI en aquests darrers anys. El nostre model recull, com trets claus de la ciutadania que pretenim es desenvolupi des de l'educació, el fet de ser, alhora, activa i responsable, crítica i intercultural; desenvolupada en l'àmbit local però oberta a nivells més amplis. Posteriorment, l'article sintetitza algunes de les investigacions dutes a terme en aquest camp. La segona part d'aquest article ofereix un resum d'una de les investigacions realitzades pel GREDI i que ha permès diagnosticar els elements que configuren el contepcte i la pràctica de la ciutadania en els joves de 14 a 16 anys a Barcelona. Es conclou assenyalant els elements significatius que poden trobar-se en les invesetigacions presentades i que permeten dibuixar les línees de progrés per a qui desitja endinsar-se en la investigació en aquesta àrea temàtica.

Les dones i la nova ciutadania: cap a una educació per a la igualtat des de la diferència

En aquest article es presenten els interrogants clau que avui dia planteja l'educació per a la ciutadania paritària. S'analitzen dues dicotomíes bàsiques en aquest camp: "àmbit públic/àmbit privat" i "igualtat/diferencia". Aquestes dicotomíes s'han construït sobre la diferenciació sexual entre home i dona. De tal forma que l'esfera d'allò públic, de la política, de la ciutadanía, se l'hi ha adjudicat a l'home, mentre que la dona ha quedat relegada a l'àmbit del privat, d'allò quotidià, de la família. S'aporten evidencies que posen de manifest en què moment estem. Així, se planteja la situació de les dones en diferents esferes: en el món educatiu i de la docència, en el món del treball i en els mitjans de comunicació. Per altra lloc, es recullen els principis i assumpcions bàsiques d'una educació per a la igualtat des de la diferència. Conclou l'article amb una sèrie de reptes que té pendent l'educació per a la ciutadanía paritària en aquest mil·lenni.

Cap a una tipologia dels governs autonòmics a Espanya, 1980-2003

La nostra tasca és analitzar, en termes agregats i generals, els governs autonòmics a partir de les diferents característiques que resulten del seu estudi amb les eines de les teories de les coalicions.

Psychology in Catalonia: 1996-2002

En aquest article es presenta el resum del Report de la Recerca en Psicologia a Catalunya durant el període 1996-2002, publicat l'any 2004 per l'Institut d'Estudis Catalans. A partir de informacions diverses, procedents especialmentd'institucions educatives de nivell universitari, Administració de Catalunya (Departament d'Universitats, Recercai Societat de la Informació, DURSI), i els propis coordinadors de Grups de Recerca -prèviament detectats mitjançant laelaboració d'un qüestionari ad hoc-, s'ha perfilat un mapa de la recerca en Psicologia a Catalunya durant el períodeestudiat, el qual inclou investigadors procedents de les sis Universitats catalanes en les quals s'imparteixen estudis dePsicologia (o, en el cas de la Universitat de Lleida, de Psicopedagogia). Els eixos organitzadors de la informació hanestat les Àrees de Coneixement i les Universitats. La informació recollida s'ha articulat al voltant de diversesqüestions cabdals relatives als Grups de Recerca: Projectes de recerca obtinguts per part de diversos organismes subvencionants, la productivitat contemplada des de la vessant de la publicació d'articles científics, el finançament obtingut per part de diverses Administracions i entitats privades, la infrastructura amb la que compten, les característiques d'arranjament d'aquests Grups, i, finalment, les condicions, valoracions, expectatives i gestió dels recursos dels Grups de Recerca.