Abundancia y distribución de especies depredadoras sometidas a control en gestión cinegética: estudio de caso representativo de la urraca (Pica pica) en la comarca de la Marina Baja

El presente estudio tiene como objeto analizar la abundancia y distribución de la urraca en función de las diferentes matrices de usos del suelo y gradientes ambientales. Este trabajo se ha centrado en la Comarca de la Marina Baja (Alicante), una región con 578,8 Km² de superficie. La zona cuenta con una vegetación climática de carrascal de termotipo mesomediterráneo y ombrotipo seco y subhúmedo. Se han realizado un total de 396 transectos para estimar la abundancia de la urraca durante los años 2006-2008, en diferentes matrices del paisaje: natural, abandono, regadío y secano. Las abundancias relativas, la evolución de la especie, el efecto sobre otras especies de caza y el efecto que tiene el control poblacional de las urracas se ha obtenido de 21 encuestas realizadas a los gestores de los terrenos cinegéticos. El análisis de los resultados, muestra una mayor abundancia de los individuos en zonas de cultivo de secano (IKA=0.76 aves/km) y cultivos abandonados (IKA=0.73 aves/km), siendo los valores medios anuales cada vez mayores desde el inicio del muestreo. El análisis múltiple de regresión lineal de la abundancia de urraca con la matriz de usos del suelo muestra una relación significativa y positiva con el abandono antiguo (p<0.01), el frutal de secano y las zonas húmedas (p<0.05), mientras que no hay relación significativa (p>0.05) con los índices del paisaje. El análisis ANOVA muestra que las variables significativas influyentes sobre el número de urracas son: matriz de usos del suelo, latitud/ombroclima, continentalidad y la interacción usos del suelo:continentalidad (p<0.05). La urraca ha experimentado un aumento en sus poblaciones desde principios de la primera década del actual siglo. Los cotos que realizan un control sobre la población de urracas tienen un efecto positivo que se ve reflejado en la menor afección sobre otras especies cinegéticas.

Diet of Common Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita wintering in a wetland in south-east Spain

The diet of Common Chiffchaffs Phylloscopus collybita wintering in a Mediterranean wetland (El Hondo Natural Park, SE Spain) was studied by analysing the gizzard content of 17 individuals that died accidentally when trapped for ringing. Prey availability was assessed via water-trap sampling over two winters. The bulk of the diet was composed of midges (Chironomidae), which were found in all the gizzards and represented approximately 95% of the prey. Brachycera flies were one of the most captured taxa in the water-traps but represented less than 0.5% of the total number of prey consumed. Compositional analysis revealed very strong prey selection, with Chiffchaffs selecting clumped and less mobile prey, such as chironomids, and avoiding abundant but fast-escaping prey, such as Brachycera.

Influence of characteristics of irrigation channels on the breeding bird community of a wetland zone in southeast of Spain

The “El Hondo Nature Park” is mainly composed of a series of irrigation channels and water reservoirs, subjected to various regimes of management as well as reed and vegetation control, thus creating a great variety of habitats and situations. To determine the influence of these habitats and management regimes on the local bird community, a set of characteristics of these channels and their surrounding area were analysed with a Correspondence Analysis (CA). The degree of reed development in channels and the presence in the surroundings of orchards and other reed formations were the most decisive factors to explain the probability of occurrence of reed birds and waterbirds, as well as bird species richness and abundance. Other bird species were not directly influenced by channel variables, but only by those of surrounding land uses.

The relationship between plants used to sustain finches (Fringillidae) and uses for human medicine in southeast Spain

We analyzed plants that are traditionally used by wild bird hunters and breeders to capture and promote captive breeding of Fringillidae (finches or songbirds) in the province of Alicante, Spain. The majority of plants used in songbird breeding have medicinal properties in traditional human medicine (48 different uses); thus, another main goal was to show their relationships with human medical uses. We compiled a list of 97 plant species from 31 botanical families that are used to attract finches and identified 11 different use categories for these plants in finch keeping. The most common uses were for trapping birds and as a source of food for birds in captivity. Cannabis sativa has the greatest cultural importance index (CI = 1.158), and Phalaris canariensis (annual canary grass or alpist) was the most common species used to attract Fringillidae and was used by all informants (n = 158). Most of the 97 species are wild plants and mainly belong to the families Compositae, Gramineae, Cruciferae, and Rosaceae and also have medicinal properties for humans. In the study area, the intensification of agriculture and abandonment of traditional management practices have caused the population of many songbirds to decline, as well as the loss of popular ethnographic knowledge.

Ethnobotanic importance of plants used in pigeon-breeding in Eastern Spain

Background: The importance that birds of the Columbidae family have had throughout history is visible on the Mediterranean coast. Pigeon fancying is the art of breeding and training carrier pigeons and currently, several breeds exist. The sport of racing pigeons consists in covering a distance at maximum possible speed. However, pigeon breeding has another modality called “sport pigeon”, where several males follow a female. This study focusses on ethnobotanical knowledge of native and exotic plant species that are used for diet, breeding, stimulation, healing illnesses and staining the plumage of pigeons bred in captivity. Methods: Using semi-structured interviews, we gathered information about the different plant species traditionally used for pigeon-breeding in the region of Valencia. Background material on remedies for bird illnesses was gathered from folk botanical references, local books and journals. The plant species were collected in the study area, then identified in the laboratory using dichotomous keys and vouchered in the ABH (Herbarium of Alicante University). We used Excel ® 2003 to perform a simple statistical analysis of the data collected. Results: We collected 56 species of plants (and one variety) that included 29 botanical families. The total number of species was made up of 35 cultivated and 21 wild plants. The most common were Gramineae (14 species), Leguminosae (6 species), and Compositae (4 species). Conclusions: Pigeon breeding is an immensely popular activity in Eastern Spain, and ethnobiological knowledge about breeding pigeons and caring for them is considerable. The names and traditional uses of plants depend on their geographical location, vernacular names serve as an intangible heritage. Feeding, environmental features, and genetic makeup of individuals are relevant aspects in the maintenance of avian health.

Census of breeding birds and population trends of the Dupont’s lark Chersophilus duponti in eastern Spain

We present the results of a breeding census of Dupont’s Lark carried out in the Autonomous Community of Valencia in 2011 using the mapping method and an analysis of the recent trend for this population. The population was estimated at 44-47 males, located in five habitat patches of the Rincón de Ademuz, in zones where the species had been detected previously. Density in these patches fits within values expected according to the relation between patch size and density found in the populations of the nearby provinces. Comparison to previous studies reveals that population of Valencia has suffered an annual decline rate of around 10% on average, thus the implementation of a conservation plan is required to ensure the survival of the species in the study area.

Jardinería popular en el norte de Alicante (L’Alcoiá y El Comtat): las plantas tradicionales de huertos, patios y balcones

Se presenta el catálogo y análisis de la flora ornamental popular del norte de Alicante, entendiendo por ello, las plantas dispuestas en macetas distribuidas por balcones, umbrales, terrazas, pequeños huertos, etc. La riqueza total del territorio es dos tercios superior, a la de otros estudios de comarcas próximas, superando algunas poblaciones las 200 especies y variedades ornamentales. El elemento autóctono y de introducción antigua es claramente mayoritario, aunque se han observado síntomas recientes de inversión de esta tendencia. Para el mantenimiento de este cultivo tradicional, rico en recursos fitogenéticos, ha quedado patente el papel fundamental de la mujer. Su experiencia acumulada en técnicas y modos de multiplicación y cultivo vegetal han permitido el mantenimiento del paisaje rural autóctono, confiriéndole un valor patrimonial elevado, que debería mantenerse como seña de identidad y calidad, para potenciar el turismo de interior.

Fish diversity and traditional fishing methods in semiarid irrigated system in the Bajo Vinalopó region, Southeastern Spain

The aim of this paper is to obtain a comprehensive picture of the importance of the fish fauna in the wetlands and coastal lagoons of the Bajo Vinalopó region (Alicante, South eastern Spain) and the ecological, historical and cultural value of the traditional knowledge on fishing maintained by local people. We have compiled data from different information sources: (1) the revision of historical archives, (2) personal interviews and collaborative research, and (3) ecological and water quality data. The results show that the area sustains important fish fauna diversity (17 species) and that local people have inherited a considerable traditional knowledge on fishing methods (11 modalities), on the maintenance and sound management of the water system and on the ecology and behaviour of fish. We conclude that a comprehensive consideration of all these ecological, historical and socio-cultural aspects related to fish and fishing shows clearly the value of this ecological and cultural heritage and provides a necessary base for a sustainable management of the area.

Traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in the Serra de Mariola Natural Park, South-eastern Spain

The present study aims to inventory and analyse the ethnobotanical knowledge about medicinal plants in the Serra de Mariola Natural Park. In respect to traditional uses, 93 species reported by local informants were therapeutic, 27 food, 4 natural dyes and 13 handcrafts. We developed a methodology that allowed the location of individuals or vegetation communities with a specific popular use. We prepared a geographic information system (GIS) that included gender, family, scientific nomenclature and common names in Spanish and Catalan for each species. We also made a classification of 39 medicinal uses from ATC (Anatomical, Therapeutic, Chemical classification system). Labiatae (n=19), Compositae (n=9) and Leguminosae (n=6) were the families most represented among the plants used to different purposes in humans. Species with the most elevated cultural importance index (CI) values were Thymus vulgaris (CI=1.431), Rosmarinus officinalis (CI=1.415), Eryngium campestre (CI=1.325), Verbascum sinuatum (CI=1.106) and Sideritis angustifolia (CI=1.041). Thus, the collected plants with more therapeutic uses were: Lippia triphylla (12), Thymus vulgaris and Allium roseum (9) and Erygium campestre (8). The most repeated ATC uses were: G04 (urological use), D03 (treatment of wounds and ulcers) and R02 (throat diseases). These results were in a geographic map where each point represented an individual of any species. A database was created with the corresponding therapeutic uses. This application is useful for the identification of individuals and the selection of species for specific medicinal properties. In the end, knowledge of these useful plants may be interesting to revive the local economy and in some cases promote their cultivation.

Inventario de plantas con interés etnobotánico de Carrizales (Elche), SE de la Península Ibérica

Se ha realizado un inventario de flora útil en la Partida de Carrizales en el término municipal de Elche (Alicante). A partir de entrevistas de tipo semiestructurado se han encontrado un total de 246 especies, de las cuales aparece una pequeña descripción botánica, ecológica y aplicación etnobotánica. Así, se pretende hacer una aproximación al conocimiento etnobotánico existente en una zona de regadío colonizada a partir del s. XVIII e intensamente antropizada. En nuestro trabajo hemos prestado atención no sólo a los cultivos que actualmente encontramos, sino también los que han estado presentes en el pasado, ya que conociendo sus características se pueden tratar de recuperar y crear productos con sello propio y dinamizar la economía local.

Inventario y descripción de los hornos de cal en el agrosistema tradicional de la Finca Buixcarró (P.N. Sierra de Mariola)

Se ha realizado un inventario de los hornos de cal en la Finca Buixcarró, término municipal de Bocairente (Valencia), situada en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Mariola. Para localizar los hornos, se ha contado con la colaboración del responsable técnico y también se fotointerpretarán mediante la aplicación Google Earth, con tal de encontrar los hornos. Para ello se elaborará una capa de puntos con formato *.kml, posteriormente introduciremos en al GPS, mediante el software (MapSource). Se muestreó la finca en búsqueda de hornos y se georreferenció cada uno de ellos mediante la utilización de un dispositivo GPS, generando un waypoint con su X-Y correspondiente. Una vez georreferenciados los hornos de la finca con formato *.gpx, se elaboró la cartografía correspondiente. Se utilizará GPSBabel y QuantumGis para elaborar la cartografía de los hornos de cal. Se han registrado un total de 24 hornos de cal, de los cuales el 60% presentan un estado de degradación bastante elevado. Se han identificado 20 categorías de usos del suelo, siendo el bosque mixto (Pinus halepensis – Quercus ilex) y el pinar carrasco (Pinus halepensis) las coberturas que mayor superficie ocupan. El inventariado de estas infraestructuras contribuye a la conservación del patrimonio material y cultural de este espacio natural protegido.

¿Por qué la alondra ricotí debe catalogarse como ‘En peligro de extinción’?

La fragmentada población española es la única presencia de la alondra ricotí en Europa. Con la información científica disponible, esta ave debería pasar ya a ser clasificada como “En peligro de extinción” en el Catálogo Español de Especies Amenazadas. Un declive previsto del 70%, tras analizar la evolución de más de treinta de sus reductos, supera con creces la línea roja marcada por los criterios establecidos para abordar ese cambio legal.

Ecological gradients and landscape structure affecting seasonal woodpigeon Columba palumbus densities in a coastal region (South-East Spain)

The aim of the present study is to identify and evaluate the relationship between Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus, Linnaeus, 1758) density and different environmental gradients (thermotype, ombrotype, continentality and latitudinal), land use and landscape structure, using geographic information systems and multivariate modelling. Transects (n = 396) were developed to estimate the density of Woodpigeon in the Marina Baja (Alicante, Spain) from 2006 to 2008. The highestdensity for Woodpigeon was in September-October (1.28birds/10ha) and the lowest inFebruary-March (0.34birds/10ha). Moreover, there were more Woodpigeons in areas with a mesomediterranean thermotypethan in thermomediterranean or supramediterranean ones. There was greater densityinthe intermediate zones compared to thecoast and interior. The natural or cultural landscape had the highest Woodpigeon density (1.53birds/10ha), with both denseand clear pine forest values standing out. Therefore, it is very important to conserve these traditional landscapes with adequate management strategies in order to maintain, resident and transient Woodpigeon populations. These natural areas are open places where the Woodpigeons find food and detect the presence ofpredators. Thus, this study will enable more precise knowledge of the ecological factors (habitat variables) that intervene in the distribution of Woodpigeon populations and their density.

Short-Term Effects of a Wildfire on the Endangered Dupont's Lark Chersophilus duponti in an Arid Shrub-Steppe of Central Spain

In Europe, Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti is a threatened open-habitat bird. Prescribed burning has sometimes been proposed for its conservation, but without evidence of its effectiveness. To evaluate the short-term effects of a summer wildfire on this species, we performed several transect counts in the burnt and unburnt parts of a shrubsteppe in central Spain. The same transects were counted within a three-year interval prior to the fire and were repeated during the first two springs after the fire. We also measured the vegetation during the first two springs after the fire. In the burnt area, we observed a decrease of about 85–100% in Dupont’s Lark abundance, and about 7–15% in the control area. The disappearance of the scrub cover after fire and its slow regeneration, as well as the large increase in grass cover during the second year, may explain the decrease in this habitat-specialist bird species. Fire should be avoided in areas occupied by the Dupont’s Lark, as its negative effects in the short-term may cause local extinctions. However, prescribed burning may be used in neighboring areas to create new open habitats that may be subsequently colonized by this species.

Distribución de la gineta (Geneta geneta Linnaeus, 1758) en el Parque Natural de la Sierra de Mariola (C. Valenciana)

Este trabajo de investigación es pionero y original ya que nunca antes se ha realizado un estudio de la gineta (Genetta genetta) dentro del ámbito valenciano y más concretamente sobre la relación de su distribución con los factores geográficos que la condicionan en el PN Sierra de Mariola. Un mejor conocimiento de su ocupación en el espacio será de interés para la definición de medidas de gestión de fauna del Parque. Utilizando técnicas de fototrampeo se han recopilado 95.372 imágenes con algún contacto animal. De estas imágenes, el 0,10% de las fotografías registradas son de gineta y se ha detectado su presencia en 8 de las 63 cuadrículas (4 Km2) del PN Sierra de Mariola (12,70%). Este estudio ha permitido integrar la información recopilada en campo con las bases de datos existentes para concluir que la situación de la gineta en Sierra de Mariola no es preocupante.