Somatic embryogenesis as a regeneration method for clonal propagation of Mediterranean forest species

La mejora y conservación de recursos genéticos en especies forestales lleva siglos de retraso con respecto a las especies agrícolas. Los recursos forestales se han considerado tradicionalmente como recursos �mineros�, en los que primaba la mera extracción dejando exclusivamente a la regeneración natural la labor de sostenibilidad en los montes y dehesas o montados. Hoy en día, el necesario desarrollo del medio rural obliga a la explotación racional de los recursos como medio de garantizar su sostenibilidad. Por ello se está empezando a extender el criterio de que las especies forestales se pueden y deben �cultivar� en determinados espacios. Las características biológicas de las especies forestales las hacen, a menudo, recalcitrantes a las técnicas de mejora y conservación de recursos genéticos tradicionalmente aplicadas a especies agrícolas. En particular, la propagación vegetativa se ha utilizado ampliamente en muchos cultivos leñosos como una herramienta muy poderosa para capturar todo el potencial genético de combinaciones genéticas valiosas. En especies forestales, en particular en las mediterráneas, esta posibilidad raramente se ha podido aplicar debido a la baja capacidad morfogénica de estas especies y la fuerte influencia de la maduración o cambio de fase. En los últimos años la biotecnología forestal ha tenido un desarrollo espectacular. En particular las técnicas de regeneración clonal de plantas basadas en técnicas de cultivo in vitro, fundamentalmente vía embriogénesis somática, se están ya aplicando por muchas empresas privadas e instituciones públicas a nivel semi-operativo con diversas especies, para la conservación de material selecto y el establecimiento de ensayos clonales. Nuestros grupos de trabajo están desarrollando protocolos de regeneración por embriogénesis somática en distintas especies forestales. En esta comunicación se presenta el estado actual de los conocimientos en dos especies típicamente mediterráneas, el alcornoque (Quercus suber L.) y el pino piñonero (Pinus pinea L.), destacando los principales cuellos de botella para su aplicación a gran escala.

Evolution of the Riparian forest corridor in a large Mediterranean river system

The well-documented re-colonisation of the French large river basins of Loire and Rhone by European otter and beaver allowed the analysis of explanatory factors and threats to species movement in the river corridor. To what extent anthropogenic disturbance of the riparian zone influences the corridor functioning is a central question in the understanding of ecological networks and the definition of restoration goals for river networks. The generalist or specialist nature of target species might be determining for the responses to habitat quality and barriers in the riparian corridor. Detailed datasets of land use, human stressors and hydro-morphological characteristics of river segments for the entire river basins allowed identifying the habitat requirements of the two species for the riparian zone. The identified critical factors were entered in a network analysis based on the ecological niche factor approach. Significant responses to riparian corridor quality for forest cover, alterations of channel straightening and urbanisation and infrastructure in the riparian zone are observed for both species, so they may well serve as indicators for corridor functioning. The hypothesis for generalists being less sensitive to human disturbance was withdrawn, since the otter as generalist species responded strongest to hydro-morphological alterations and human presence in general. The beaver responded the strongest to the physical environment as expected for this specialist species. The difference in responses for generalist and specialist species is clearly present and the two species have a strong complementary indicator value. The interpretation of the network analysis outcomes stresses the need for an estimation of ecological requirements of more species in the evaluation of riparian corridor functioning and in conservation planning.

Stem CO2 efflux and its contribution to ecosystem CO2 efflux decrease with drought in a Mediterranean forest stand

tThe rate of metabolic processes demanding energy in tree stems changes in relation with prevailing cli-matic conditions. Tree water availability can affect stem respiration through impacts on growth, phloemtransport or maintenance of diverse cellular processes, but little is known on this topic. Here we moni-tored seasonal changes in stem CO2efflux (Fs), radial growth, sap flow and non-structural carbohydrates intrees of Quercus ilex in a Mediterranean forest stand subjected since 2003 to either partial (33%) through-fall exclusion (E) or unchanged throughfall (C). Fsincreased exponentially during the day by an effectof temperature, although sap flow attenuated the increase in Fsduring the day time. Over the year, Fsalso increased exponentially with increasing temperatures, but Fscomputed at a standard temperatureof 15?C (F15s) varied by almost 4-fold among dates. F15swas the highest after periods of stem growth anddecreased as tree water availability decreased, similarly in C and E treatments. The decline in F15swas notlinked to a depletion of soluble sugars, which increased when water stress was higher. The proportionof ecosystem respiration attributed to the stems was highest following stem growth (23.3%) and lowestduring the peak of drought (6.5%). High within-year variability in F15smakes unadvisable to pool annualdata of Fsvs. temperature to model Fsat short time scales (hours to months) in Mediterranean-type for-est ecosystems. We demonstrate that water availability is an important factor governing stem CO2effluxand suggest that trees in Mediterranean environments acclimate to seasonal drought by reducing stemrespiration. Stem respiratory rates do not seem to change after a long-term increase in drought intensity,however.

Short communication. Collection and characterisation of a population of Triticum boeoticum Boiss., a wild wheat species not previously found in the Mediterranean western region

En julio del 2010 se recolectó una población de trigo silvestre en una zona abandonada cerca de Madrid, España. Esta zona posee una biodiversidad botánica elevada y un tipo de suelo muy peculiar denominado “arcillas verdes”. Se recogió una muestra de trigo y se multiplicó y caracterizó para varios caracteres agro-morfológicos y subunidades de gluteninas. El número cromosómico 2n de las semillas demostró que es una especie diploide de trigo y los datos de caracterización indicaron que es Triticum boeoticum Boiss. Esta especie llegó probablemente como mala hierba del cultivo de escaña que se producía en la zona hasta al menos la primera mitad del s. xix. Las características edáficas y climáticas del lugar y el hecho de que no haya referencias hasta ahora de esta especie en la zona oeste de la región Mediterránea aumentan el valor de esta adquisición para la mejora del trigo. La nueva accesión se conserva en el Centro Nacional de Recursos Fitogenéticos y se ha depositado una hoja de herbario en el Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid

Facilitation Among Saproxylic Insects Inhabiting Tree Hollows in a Mediterranean Forest: The Case of Cetonids (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and Syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae)

Tree hollows offer an ideal niche for saproxylic insects in mature Mediterranean forests, where Diptera and Coleoptera are the richest groups. Co-occurrence is frequently observed among many species of both groups in these microhabitats, and some of these species have been considered to facilitate the presence of other species by acting as ecosystem engineers. One of the systems that is found in Mediterranean tree hollows is formed by cetonid (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and syrphid (Diptera: Syrphidae) larvae. Here, cetonid larvae feed on wood and litter and produce a substrate that is easier to decompose. To assess the possible role of these larvae as facilitating agents for the saproxylic guild, we studied whether the presence of saprophagous Syrphidae inside tree hollows is associated with the activity of cetonid larvae. Furthermore, in laboratory conditions, we tested whether cetonid larvae activity can improve the development and fitness of the saprophagous syrphid species. Our results show that “cetonid activity” was the variable that best explained the presence of saprophagous syrphid species in natural conditions. Myathropa florea (L., 1758) was one of the species most influenced by this activity. The laboratory experiment gave similar results, demonstrating that an enriched substrate with Cetonia aurataeformis Curti, 1913 larval feces improves syrphid larval growth rate and fitness of adults (measured as longer wing length) of M. florea.

Coasts, Mediterranean Sea Region, East, 1680-1689 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Orientalior districtus Maris Mediterranei = T' Ooster gedeelte van de Middelandse Zee. It was published by Fred. de Wit, between 1680 and 1689. Scale [ca. 1:4,500,000]. Covers Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and coasts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Map in Latin and Dutch.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Includes index.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Coasts, Mediterranean Sea Region, West, 1680-1689 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Occidentalior Tractus Maris Mediterranei = Wester gedeelte van de Middelandse Zee. It was published by Fred. de Wit, between 1680 and 1689. Scale [ca. 1:4,500,000]. Scale [ca. 1:4,500,000]. Covers Mediterranean Sea and coasts of Europe and North Africa. Map in Latin and Dutch. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Includes index.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Mediterranean Sea Region, West, 1690-1699 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Accuratissima occidentalioris districtus maris Mediterranei tabula, authore Iusto Danckerts. It was published by Iusto Danckerts, between 1690 and 1699. Scale [ca. 1:5,300,000]. Covers the western Mediterranean Sea region. Map in Latin. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Mediterranean Sea Region, East, 1690-1699 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Accuratissima orientalioris districtus maris Mediterranei tabula, authore Iusto Danckerts. It was published by Iusto Danckerts, between 1690 and 1699. Scale [ca. 1:5,300,000]. Covers the eastern Mediterranean Sea region. Map in Latin. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Mediterranean Sea Region, 1690-1699 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the untitled historic paper map: [Mediterranean sea], authore Iusto Danckerts. It was published by Iusto Danckerts, between 1690 and 1699. Scale [ca. 1:5,300,000]. Covers the Mediterranean Sea region. Map in Latin. Source map issued on two sheets, now pasted together. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads, territorial features, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Mediterranean Sea Region, 1700-1710 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte nouvelle de la mer Mediterranée : divisée en mer de Levant et de Ponant, subdivisés en leurs principales parties ou mers : avec les observations des Mrs. de l'Académie, dressée par ... Sanson. It was published by chez Pierre Mortier, between 1700 and 1710. Scale [ca. 1:4,375,000]. Covers the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea regions. Map in French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, roads, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Coasts, Mediterranean Sea Region, 1709 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte de la mer Mediterranée : presentée à Monseigneur le Bailli de Noailles, Lieutenant General des Galeres de France, par Nicolas Therin et H. Michelot, pilotes entretenus sur les Galeres du Roy. It was published by Chez Pierre Mortier, ca. 1709. Scale [ca. 1:3,600,000]. Covers Mediterranean Sea and coasts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Map in French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Includes index.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Coasts, Mediterranean Sea Region, 1763 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte de la mer Méditerranée : appuyée sur les observations astronomiques, combinées avec les itinéraires anciens et modernes, par M. Bonne, Mtre. de Mathemat., Membre de la Société litéraire militaire, Ingénieur-Géographe. It was published by Chez Lattré in 1763. Scale [ca. 1:6,000,000]. Covers Mediterranean Sea region, part of the Black Sea, and coasts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Map in French.The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, shoreline features, and more.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Coasts, Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea Region, 1814 (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Carte réduite de la mer Méditerranée et de la mer Noire : dédiée et présentée a S.A.R. M. le duc d'Angoulême..., par P. Lapie, géographe, Directeur du Cabinet topographique du Roi ; gravé par P.A.F. Tardieu. It was published by Rey et Gravier, libraires Quai des Augustins, no. 55 in 1814. Scale [ca. 1:35,500]. Covers Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and coasts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Map in French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially. Depths shown by soundings. Includes also inset map of the Sea of Azov.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.

Europe & Mediterranean Sea Region, 1705 (Image 1 of 2) (Raster Image)

This layer is a georeferenced raster image of the historic paper map entitled: Toonneel des oorlogs in't zuider deel van Europa, door Carel Allard = Theatre de la guerre dans l'Europe meridionale, par Charles Allard. It was published by C. Allard in 1705. Scale [ca. 1:6,800,000]. Covers a portion of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea region. This layer is image 1 of 2 total images of the two sheet source map, representing the western portion of the map. Map in Dutch and French. The image inside the map neatline is georeferenced to the surface of the earth and fit to the World Miller Cylindrical projected coordinate system. All map collar and inset information is also available as part of the raster image, including any inset maps, profiles, statistical tables, directories, text, illustrations, index maps, legends, or other information associated with the principal map. This map shows features such as drainage, cities and other human settlements, territorial boundaries, shoreline features, and more. Relief shown pictorially.This layer is part of a selection of digitally scanned and georeferenced historic maps from the Harvard Map Collection. These maps typically portray both natural and manmade features. The selection represents a range of originators, ground condition dates, scales, and map purposes.