Juvenile–adult tree associations in a continental Mediterranean ecosystem: no evidence for sustained and general facilitation at increased aridity

Question: How do tree species identity, microhabitat and water availability affect inter- and intra-specific interactions between juvenile and adult woody plants? Location: Continental Mediterranean forests in Alto Tajo Natural Park, Guadalajara, Spain. Methods: A total of 2066 juveniles and adults of four co-occurring tree species were mapped in 17 plots. The frequency of juveniles at different microhabitats and water availability levels was analysed using log-linear models. We used nearest-neighbour contingency table analysis of spatial segregation and J-functions to describe the spatial patterns. Results: We found a complex spatial pattern that varied according to species identity and microhabitat. Recruitment was more frequent in gaps for Quercus ilex, while the other three species recruited preferentially under shrubs or trees depending on the water availability level. Juveniles were not spatially associated to conspecific adults, experiencing segregation from them inmany cases. Spatial associations, both positive and negative, were more common at higher water availability levels. Conclusions: Our results do not agree with expectations from the stressgradient hypothesis, suggesting that positive interactions do not increase in importance with increasing aridity in the study ecosystem. Regeneration patterns are species-specific and depend on microhabitat characteristics and dispersal strategies. In general, juveniles do not look for conspecific adult protection. This work contributes to the understanding of species co-existence, proving the importance of considering a multispecies approach at several plots to overcome limitations of simple pair-wise comparisons in a limited number of sites.

Inoculum sources and Preservation in Soils of Phytophthora parasitica from Cherry Tomato in Continental Crop Areas in Southeast Spain

Inoculum sources and Preservation in Soils of Phytophthora parasitica from Cherry Tomato in Continental Crop Areas in Southeast Spain

Differences into HT and HTO concentrations in air into the Western Mediterranean Basin and Continental Europe and Safety Related Issues.

Real time Tritium concentrations in air in two chemical forms, HT and HTO, coming from an ITER-like fusion reactor as source were coupled the European Centre Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) numerical model with the Lagrangian Atmospheric-particle dispersion model FLEXPART. This tool was analyzed in nominal tritium discharge operational reference and selected incidental conditions affecting the Western Mediterranean Basin during 45 days during summer 2010 together with surface “wind observations” or weather data based in real hourly observations of wind direction and velocity providing a real approximation of the tritium behavior after the release to the atmosphere from a fusion reactor. From comparison with NORMTRI - a code using climatologically sequences as input - over the same area, the real time results have demonstrated an apparent overestimation of the corresponding climatologically sequence of Tritium concentrations in air outputs, at several distances from the reactor. For this purpose two development patterns were established. The first one was following a cyclonic circulation over the Mediterranean Sea and the second one was based on the plume delivered over the Interior of the Iberian Peninsula and Continental Europe by another stabilized circulation corresponding to a High Pressure System. One of the important remaining activities defined then, was the qualification tool. In order to validate the model of ECMWF/FLEXPART we have developed of a new complete data base of tritium concentrations for the months from November 2010 to March 2011 and defined a new set of four patterns of HT transport in air, in each case using real boundary conditions: stationary to the North, stationary to the South, fast and very fast displacement. Finally the differences corresponding to those four early patterns (each one in assessments 1 and 2) has been analyzed in terms of the tuning of safety related issues and taking into account the primary phase o- - f tritium modeling, from its discharge to the atmosphere to the deposition on the ground, will affect to the complete tritium environmental pathway altering the chronic dose by absorption, reemission and ingestion both from elemental tritium, HT and from the oxide of tritium, HTO

Continental Perspective 3, Spain

Well, I firmly believe that, as a professor, one has the duty, the obligation to show and explain his work. Not, of course, as a model to imitate, but rather as an opportunity to reflect upon that work. So, I will try to explain some of the considerations that were crucial in the development of each project. It is my hope that these reflections may be of interest to you, and due to my optimistic nature, that you may even enjoy it. Today I am going to present some projects, from a specific point of view: that of MATERIALITY. This is why I decided to title this presentation ARCHITEXTURE: that is, architecture from the point of view of texture, the quality of its material. Our architecture wants to pay attention to materials; we like to use very physical materials. We try to explore the expressive possibilities of different materials. That allows us, on the one hand, to try to master different techniques, and exploit their potential. On the other hand, it also avoids the dangers of style. Style is the death of an architect. When he starts repeating formulas, avoiding experimentation, copying himself, he dies of boredom, of intellectual boredom. Nevertheless, I don’t believe that the material itself determines anything. Architecture is an exercise of the freedom of an architect. Almost nothing is a given. Of course, there is the law of gravity and economic restraints, and even the overwhelming building code. But the most determinant factor is always the freedom of the architect, derived from his mastery of knowledge and culture, and his decision to innovate and to take risks

The 15th International Geological Congress, South Africa (1929): The Resurgence of Wegener’s Continental Drift Theory

The 15th International Geological Congress was held in South Africa in 1929. Many interesting issues were tackled, thanks to the development of geophysical techniques, ideas about magmatic differentiation, and the origin of the Karroo System, among others. The importance of the Congress from the point of view of the history of geology lies in the fact that an ‘inflection point’ occurred as regards thinking about the continental drift theory that had been proposed by Wegener a few years earlier. It can be said that the contributions of Du Toit allowed a deepening in the theoretical bases of this scientific hypothesis, which celebrated its first hundred years in 2012.

Gas discharges for continental Spain: geochemical and isotopic features

In this work the results of a geochemical and isotopic survey of 37 gas discharges was carried out in continental Spain are presented and discussed. On the basis of the gas chemical composition, four different areas can be distinguished, as follows: 1) Selva-Emborda (SE) region; 2) Guadalentin Valley (GV); 3) Campo de Calatrava (CC) and 3) the inner part of Spain (IS). The SE, GV and CC areas are characterized by CO2-rich gases, while IS has N2 as main gas compound. The CO2-rich gases can be distinguished at their turn on the basis on the helium and carbon isotopic composition. The SE and CC areas have a strong mantle signature (up to 3 Ra). Nevertheless, the carbon isotopic composition of CC is within the mantle range and that of SE is slightly more negative (down to -8‰ PDB). The GV gases have a lower mantle signature (61 Ra) with respect to SE and CC and more negative carbon isotopes (6-10‰ PDB). It is worth to mention that the SE, GV and CC areas are related to the youngest volcanic activity in continental Spain, for example the Garrotxa Volcanic Field in Catalonia records the latest event dated at 10,000 years, and the isotopic features, particularly those of helium, are suggesting the presence of magmatic bodies still cooling at depth. The N2-rich gases, i.e. those from the IS area, has an atmospheric origin, as highlighted by the N2/Ar ratio that ranges between those of air and ASW (Air Saturated Water). The isotopic composition of carbon is distinctly negative (down to -21‰ PDB) and that of helium is typically crustal (0.02-0.08 Ra), confirming that these gas discharges are related to a relatively shallow source.

Green façades for urban comfort improvement. Implementation in a extreme Continental Mediterranean climate

Green façades constitute constructive technologies with a positive influence on sustainability in cities and several urban climate parameters such as thermal comfort, air quality and water management. According to the current research, the implementation of urban greenery contributes to increase the cooling effect and mitigate the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon. This paper focuses on the role of vegetation in improving the urban environment of Madrid (Spain). The simulation results show that green walls could be more effective in urban morphologies with narrow streets. During overheated periods, the streets with green walls have a higher relative humidity in the surrounding areas than those with trees. The air temperature is found to be a little lower. The reduction of wind speed means a positive effect on urban hygrothermal comfort. Therefore, green walls could be taken into account as suitable tools to modify the outdoor thermal environment in cities with an extreme Continental Mediterranean climate.

Polymetallic ferromanganese deposits research on the Atlantic Spanish continental margin

Seamounts, submarine banks, volcanoes and undercurrent channels are prominent geomorphic features that have become an important target for minerals research and exploration with the goal of future exploitation. Polymetallic ferromanganese deposits are common types of mineralization on these settings. Co-rich ferromanganese crusts are important as potential resources of Mn and Co, but also Ti, Ni, Tl, REEs, PGEs, and other metals. Many seamounts and channels along the Atlantic Spanish continental margin are known to hold mineral deposits but are poorly studied. This work presents and briefly describes the most recent activities of the Spanish Geological Survey (IGME) on exploration and investigation of ferromanganese deposits along the Atlantic Spanish continental margin. Different submarine areas from the northwestern margin of the Iberian Peninsula to the west off Canary Islands have been surveyed by geophysical, sampling and underwater observations from 89 to 4000 m water depth. The mineral deposits cover a large diversity of submarine geological and geomorphical features: mud volcanoes and diapirs related to hydrocarbon seeps, seamounts associated with hot spot volcanism, hydrothermal vents in active magmatic volcanoes, structural basement highs and banks or contourite channels. Considering the collected dataset, we present the preliminary results of the study of these mineral deposits, including ferromanganese nodules and crusts and phosphate pavements and nodules, which can be considered as potential sources of raw materials.

Experimental study of the thermal-energy performance of an insulated vegetal facade under summer conditions in a continental mediterranean climate

The use of vegetal systems in facades affects the reduction of the buildings' energy demand, the attenuation of the urban heat island (UHI) and the filtration of pollutants present in the air. Even so, up to now the knowledge about the effect of this type of systems on the thermal performance of insulated facades is limited. This article presents the results of an experimental study carried out in a vegetal facade located in a continental Mediterranean climate zone. The objective is to study the effect of a vegetal finishing, formed by plants and substrate, on the thermal-energy performance of an insulated facade under summer conditions. To this effect, the thermal data obtained from two full-scale experimental mock-ups of the same dimensions and composition of the enclosure and only different in the south facade's enclosure where one incorporates a vegetation layer are compared and analysed. The results show that, in spite of the high thermal resistance of the enclosure, the effect of the vegetation is very positive, particularly in the warmer hours of the day. Therefore, vegetal facades can be used as a passive cooling strategy, reducing the consumption of energy for refrigeration and improving the comfort conditions of the users. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Desarrollos metodológicos y aplicaciones hacia el cálculo de la peligrosidad sísmica en el ecuador continental y estudio de riesgo sísmico en la ciudad de Quito

En el presente trabajo de tesis se desarrolla, en primer lugar, un estudio de peligrosidad sísmica en Ecuador continental, siguiendo una metodología probabilista zonificada. El estudio se plantea a escala regional y presenta como principales aportaciones: 1) la elaboración de un Estado del Arte sobre Tectónica y Geología de Ecuador, concluyendo con la identificación de las principales fuentes sísmicas; 2) La confección de un Catálogo Sísmico de proyecto, recopilando información de distintas agencias, que ha sido homogeneizado a magnitud momento, Mw, depurado de réplicas y premonitores y corregido por la falta de completitud para la estimación de tasas en diferentes rangos de magnitud; 3) la propuesta de un nueva zonificación sísmica, definiendo las zonas sismogenéticas en tres regímenes tectónicos: cortical, subducción interfase y subducción in-slab; 4) la caracterización sísmica de cada zona estimando los parámetros de recurrencia y Magnitud Máxima (Mmax), considerando para este último parámetro una distribución de valores posibles en función de la sismicidad y tectónica, tras un exhaustivo análisis de los datos existentes; 5) la generación de mapas de peligrosidad sísmica de Ecuador continental en términos de aceleración pico (PGA) y espectral SA (T= 1s) , en ambos casos para periodos de retorno (PR) de 475, 975 y 2475 años; 6) La estimación de espectros de peligrosidad uniforme (UHS) y sismos de control mediante desagregación de la peligrosidad, para PR de 475 y 2475 años en 4 capitales de provincia: Quito, Esmeraldas, Guayaquil y Loja. Una segunda parte del trabajo se destina al cálculo del riesgo sísmico en el Barrio Mariscal Sucre de Quito, lo que supone incidir ya a una escala municipal. Como principales contribuciones de este trabajo se destacan: 1) definición del escenario sísmico que más contribuye a la peligrosidad en Quito, que actuará como input de cálculo del riesgo; 2) caracterización de la acción sísmica asociada a ese escenario, incluyendo resultados de microzonación y efecto local en la zona de estudio; 3) Elaboración de una Base de Datos partiendo de información catastral e identificación de las tipologías dominantes; 4) Asignación de clases de vulnerabilidad y obtención de porcentajes de daño esperado en cada clase ante la acción sísmica definida previamente, con la consiguiente representación de mapas de vulnerabilidad y daño; 5) mapas de indicadores globales del riesgo sísmico; 6) Base de datos georreferenciada con toda la información generada en el estudio. Cabe destacar que el trabajo, aunque no formula nuevos métodos, si plantea una metodología integral de cálculo del riesgo sísmico, incorporando avances en cada fase abordada, desde la estimación de la peligrosidad o la definición de escenarios sísmicos con carácter hibrido (probabilista-determinista), hasta la asignación de vulnerabilidades y estimación de escenarios de daño. Esta tesis trata de presentar contribuciones hacia el mejor conocimiento de la peligrosidad sísmica en Ecuador y el riesgo sísmico en Quito, siendo uno de los primeros estudios de tesis que se desarrolla sobre estos temas en el país. El trabajo puede servir de ejemplo y punto de partida para estudios futuros; además de ser replicable en otras ciudades y municipios de Ecuador. -------------------- ABSTRACT: ------------------ This thesis first develops a study of seismic hazard in mainland Ecuador, following a zoned, probabilistic methodology. The study considers a regional scale and presents as main contributions: 1) The development of a State of Art on the Tectonics and Geology of Ecuador, concluding with the identification of the main seismic sources; 2) The creation of a Seismic Catalog project, collecting information from different agencies, which has been homogenized to Moment magnitude, Mw, purged from aftershocks and premonitories and corrected for the lack of completeness to estimate rates in different maggnitude ranges; 3) The proposal of a new seismic zoning, defining the seismogenic zones in three tectonic regimes: cortical, subduction interface and subduction in-slab; 4) The seismic characterization of each zone, estimating the parameters of recurrence and Maximum Magnitude (Mmax), considering the latter as a distribution of possible values, depending on the seismicity and tectonics, and after a thorough analysis of the existing data; 5) Seismic hazard maps of continental Ecuador in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral SA(T=1), and return periods (PR) of 475, 975 and 2475 years; 6) Uniform hazard spectra (UHS) and control earthquakes obtained by hazard disaggregation, for PR 475 and 2475 years in four provincial capitals: Quito, Esmeraldas, Guayaquil and Loja. The second section focuses on the calculation of seismic risk in the Quito Mariscal Sucre parish, which is already supposed to be influencing at a municipal level. The main contributions here are the: 1) Definition of the seismic scenario that contributes most to the hazard in Quito, which acts as an input in the risk calculation; 2) Characterization of the seismic action associated with that scenario, including results of micro-zoning and local effect in the study area; 3) Development of a database, based on cadastral data and identification of key typologies; 4) Allocation of vulnerability classes and obtaining percentages of damage expected in each class faced with the seismic action previously defined, with the consequent representation of maps of vulnerability and damage; 5) Global maps of seismic risk indicators; 6) Geo-referenced database with all the information generated in the study. It should be noted that although new methods are not prescribed, this study does set a comprehensive methodology for the calculation of seismic risk, incorporating advances in each phase approached, from the hazard estimation, or definition of seismic scenarios applying a hybrid (deterministic-probabilistic) method, to the allocation of vulnerabilities and estimation of damage scenarios. This thesis aims to present contributions leading to a better understanding of seismic hazard in Ecuador and seismic risk in Quito, and is one of the first studies in the country to develop such themes. This study can serve as an example and starting point for future studies, which could replicate this methodology in other cities and municipalities.