Litterfall and mineral return in two cork-oak forests in northeast spain

Seasonal trends in littertall and potential mineral return were studied in two cork-oak forest sites in the northeastern Iberian peninsula. The estimated average litter production was 3.9.M- gy.e1ahar for one site and 4.6 .M- gy.e1ahar for the other; these figures are similar to those reported for holm-oak (Quercus ilex) forests in the same area. Seasonal litterfall patterns were typical of Mediterranean forest ecosystems. Leaves accounted for 46 to 78% of the total dry matter. Their annual weighted-average mineral composition was low in macronutrients (N 8-9; K 4-5; Mg 0.8-1.3; Ca 9-10 and P 0.4-1 m-)g.1g and relatively high in micronutrients such as Mn (2-2.2 m-)g.1g or Fe (0.3-0.4 m)-g..1g Minimum N and P concentrations were found during the growth period. Estimates of potential mineral return for an annual cycle were N 38-52, P 2.1-5.2, K 20-28, Ca 44-53 and Mg 5.4-5.0 k-,g.1ha depending on the site biomass and fertility

Contribution of microbial and invertebrate communities to leaf litter colonization in a Mediterranean stream

Leaf litter inputs and retention play an important role in ecosystem functioning in forested streams. We examined colonization of leaves by microbes (bacteria, fungi, and protozoa) and fauna in Fuirosos, an intermittent forested Mediterranean stream. Black poplar (Populus nigra) and plane (Platanus acerifolia) leaf packs were placed in the stream for 4 mo. We measured the biomasses and calculated the densities of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, meiofauna, and macroinvertebrates to determine their dynamics and potential interactions throughout the colonization process. Colonization was strongly correlated with hydrological variability (defined mainly by water temperature and discharge). The 1st week of colonization was characterized by hydrological stability and warm water temperatures, and allocation of C from microbial to invertebrate compartments on the leaf packs was rapid. Clumps of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) were retained by the leaf packs, and enhanced rapid colonization by microfauna and meiofaunal collector-gatherers (ostracods and copepods). After 2 wk, an autumnal flood caused a 20-fold increase in water flow. Higher discharge and lower water temperature caused FPOM-related fauna to drift away from the packs and modified the subsequent colonization sequence. Fungi showed the highest biomass, with similar values to those recorded at the beginning of the experiment. After 70 d of postflood colonization, fungi decreased to nearly 40% of the total C in the leaf packs, whereas invertebrates became more abundant and accounted for 60% of the C. Natural flood occurrence in Mediterranean streams could be a key factor in the colonization and processing of organic matter.

Does soil moisture overrule temperature dependence of soil respiration in Mediterranean riparian forests?

Soil respiration (SR) is a major component of ecosystems' carbon cycles and represents the second largest CO2 flux in the terrestrial biosphere. Soil temperature is considered to be the primary abiotic control on SR, whereas soil moisture is the secondary control factor. However, soil moisture can become the dominant control on SR in very wet or dry conditions. Determining the trigger that makes soil moisture as the primary control factor of SR will provide a deeper understanding on how SR changes under the projected future increase in droughts. Specific objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the seasonal variations and the relationship between SR and both soil temperature and moisture in a Mediterranean riparian forest along a groundwater level gradient; (2) to determine soil moisture thresholds at which SR is controlled by soil moisture rather than by temperature; (3) to compare SR responses under different tree species present in a Mediterranean riparian forest (Alnus glutinosa, Populus nigra and Fraxinus excelsior). Results showed that the heterotrophic soil respiration rate, groundwater level and 30 cm integral soil moisture (SM30) decreased significantly from the riverside moving uphill and showed a pronounced seasonality. SR rates showed significant differences between tree species, with higher SR for P. nigra and lower SR for A. glutinosa. The lower threshold of soil moisture was 20 and 17% for heterotrophic and total SR, respectively. Daily mean SR rate was positively correlated with soil temperature when soil moisture exceeded the threshold, with Q10 values ranging from 1.19 to 2.14; nevertheless, SR became decoupled from soil temperature when soil moisture dropped below these thresholds.

Els Actors de l’Euroregió Pirineus-Mediterrània. Xarxes, percepcions i expectatives

Segons la nostra hipòtesi, la viabilitat de l’Euroregió Pirineus Mediterrània (EPM) dependrà sobretot de la seva capacitat de mobilitzar, d’implicar i de connectar els actors públics i privats dels diferents nivells territorials als quals s’adreça aquesta iniciativa. Per tant, el grau de coneixement i el posicionament dels diferents actors respecte al projecte resulten essencials a l’hora de definir una estratègia de cooperació d’aquestes característiques. L’objectiu d’aquest document és explicar els resultats de l’enquesta duta a terme amb un miler d’actors públics i privats de l’EPM. Aquesta tenia per objectiu obtenir dades relatives a aspectes clau del context en el que s’insereix el projecte, així com informació rellevant per definir estratègies d’actuació que poden ajudar a desenvolupar les capacitats organitzatives i comunicatives necessàries per gestionar una organització complexa com aquesta. L’estudi empíric es va estructurar al voltant de tres línies d’anàlisi: 1r) el present de l’Euroregió; 2n) El posicionament respecte l’EPM i 3r) El futur de l’EPM

L’Euroregió Pirineus-Mediterrània

Analitza una de les experiències de CTF més recent al sud d’Europa: l’Euroregió Pirineus Mediterrània. Constituïda per un nucli inicial de cinc regions: Catalunya, Aragó, Balears, Llenguadoc-Rosselló i Migdia Pirineus, no descarta la cooperació amb altres territoris seguint l’arc pirinenc i mediterrani (d’Itàlia fins al Magreb), les valls dels grans rius (Ebre, Garona, Roina) i les illes de la mediterrània occidental (EPM, 2004: 4.), fet que implica la combinació de tres tipus de cooperació: transfronterer, interregional i transnacional. Aquesta característica juntament amb la pretensió d’esdevenir un pol de desenvolupament econòmic és un indicador de l’especificitat de l’EPM en el marc euroregional europeu.

Congrés Internacional: "De la dictadura a la democràcia : les dones en l'Europa mediterrània, central i de l'est"

El mes de setembre de 1993, el departament d'Història Contemporània de la Universitat de Barcelona i l'european Network for Women's Studies (ENWS) del Consell d'Europa van organitzar el congrés internacional "De la dictadura a la democràcia: les dones en l'Europa mediterrània central i de l'est". Lóbjectiu del congrés va ser desenvolupar una reflexió entorn de la trajectòria de les dones en les crisis dels antics règims dictatorials i en la transició democràtica.

Irradiacions tropicals dins la vegetació nitròfila mediterrània

Tropical irradiations into Mediterranean nitrophilous vegetation. Irradiations of pantropical Ruderali-Manihotetea reach Mediterranean countries. Hygronitrophilous Ecliption prostratae, trodden and disturbed ground-colonizing Eleitsinion indicae and suburban Lycio-Ipomoeion curtain communities are specially examined.

Balanç hidroquímic d'una conca mediterrània en estat seminatural: el cas de la riera d'Arbúcies

A study of hydrochemical characteristics of the Arbúcies river (a seminatural mediterranean basin) has been undertaken during 1991. Mean solute yield for each ion has been determined using the correlation curves between discharge and concentration, and the flow duration curve. The hydrochemical budget of the Arbúcies drainage basin shows that the basin is a net source for al1 the elements. The cationic denudation rate obtained in this granitic basin is 5.24 keqhalyear. This high rate is due to the intensive chemical weathering of the granodionte, that delivers an important amount of cations which will release to be transported. The results demostrate clearly the strength of lithological control on stream loads, particulary on the dissolved component.

Relació entre els factors ecològics i la producció forestal en pi roig (Pinus sylvestris) de l’àmbit Pirinenc

Estudi de la relació de factors extrínsecs o variables ecològiques per estimar la qualitat d’estació de Pinus sylvestris, de l’àmbit Pirinenc. Ja que fins ara només s’han utilitzat mètodes intrínsecs (corbes de qualitat edat-alçada dominant) que presenten una sèrie de limitacions. Es preten d’aquesta forma posar de manifests possibles efectes derivats de variables climàtiques i fisiogràfiques, a partir de les parcel•les de l’IFN3. Per altre banda a partir de parcel•les mesurades a camp, s’estudia l’efecte d’una sèrie de variables climàtiques, edàfiques i fisiogràfiques en el site índex. Per últim, com un objectiu secundari s’estudia la relació entre l’índex d’estació i les característiques dasomètriques i la relació entre la posició fisiogràfic i profunditat efectiva de sòl.

Clima i condicions de conreu en els orígens de l'agricultura mediterrània: evidències a partir de la composició isotòpica del carboni en restes arqueobotàniques

Este trabajo ilustra cómo el análisis de la composición isotópica del carbono en restos arqueobotánicos aporta información sobre las condiciones climáticas y de cultivo en el pasado. Tras una introducción metodológica, se presentan distintos ejemplos que utilizan semillas carbonizadas (trigo y cebada) y/o carbones de especies forestales (pino carrasco, encina, etc.), ambos tipos de restos recuperados en yacimientos de la cuenca mediterránea. Mientras la composición isotópica en cereales proporciona inferencias sobre la disponibilidad hídrica de los cultivos, el análisis de carbones ayuda a cuantificar la precipitación. La combinación de ambas fuentes permite hipotetizar sobre la implementación de prácticas agronómicas específicas encaminadas a incrementar la disponibilidad hídrica de los cultivos en el pasado.

Is response to fire influenced by dietary specialization and mobility? A comparative study with multiple animal assemblages

Fire is a major agent involved in landscape transformation and an indirect cause of changes in species composition. Responses to fire may vary greatly depending on life histories and functional traits of species. We have examined the taxonomic and functional responses to fire of eight taxonomic animal groups displaying a gradient of dietary and mobility patterns: Gastropoda, Heteroptera, Formicidae, Coleoptera, Araneae, Orthoptera, Reptilia and Aves. The fieldwork was conducted in a Mediterranean protected area on 3 sites (one unburnt and two burnt with different postfire management practices) with five replicates per site. We collected information from 4606 specimens from 274 animal species. Similarity in species composition and abundance between areas was measured by the Bray-Curtis index and ANOSIM, and comparisons between animal and plant responses by Mantel tests. We analyze whether groups with the highest percentage of omnivorous species, these species being more generalist in their dietary habits, show weak responses to fire (i.e. more similarity between burnt and unburnt areas), and independent responses to changes in vegetation. We also explore how mobility, i.e. dispersal ability, influences responses to fire. Our results demonstrate that differences in species composition and abundance between burnt and unburnt areas differed among groups. We found a tendency towards presenting lower differences between areas for groups with higher percentages of omnivorous species. Moreover, taxa with a higher percentage of omnivorous species had significantly more independent responses of changes in vegetation. High- (e.g. Aves) and low-mobility (e.g. Gastropoda) groups had the strongest responses to fire (higher R scores of the ANOSIM); however, we failed to find a significant general pattern with all the groups according to their mobility. Our results partially support the idea that functional traits underlie the response of organisms to environmental changes caused by fire.

Landscape Systems and Human Land-Use Interactions in Mediterranean Highlands and Littoral Plains during the Late Holocene: Integrated Analysis from the InterAmbAr Project (North-Eastern Catalonia).

The main goal of the InterAmbAr reseach project is to analyze the relationships between landscape systems and human land-use strategies on mountains and littoral plains from a long-term perspective. The study adopts a high resolution analysis of small-scale study areas located in the Mediterranean region of north-eastern Catalonia. The study areas are distributed along an altitudinal transect from the high mountain (above 2000m a.s.l.) to the littoral plain of Empordà (Fig. 1). High resolution interdisciplinary research has been carried out from 2010, based on the integration of palaeoenvironmental and archaeological data. The micro-scale approach is used to understand human-environmental relationships. It allows better understanding of the local-regional nature of environmental changes and the synergies between catchment-based systems, hydro-sedimentary regimes, human mobility, land-uses, human environments, demography, etc.

Informe de justificació de la Beca per estades per a la recerca fora de Catalunya pre-doctorals

Estudi elaborat a partir d’una estada a la Università degli Studi di Urbino, Bologna, Itàlia, entre juliol i desembre del 2005. Es revisa el concepte d’igualtat i multiculturalisme en el Mediterrani, especialment en la conca nord mediterrània com a zona de recepció de la immigració. Paral·lelament s’analitza el concepte de democràcia a la conca nord i sud mediterrània, i la relació entre aquestes dues voreres pel que fa a la percepció mateixa de democràcia i l’Estat de dret. Inclou entrevistes amb Gustavo Gozzi, Enrico Pugliese i Joseph Piqué.

The EU as a security provider in its neighbourhood: the case of non-proliferation of WMD in the Mediterranean area

As a consequence of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the US-led war against Iraq, WMD and their proliferation have become a central element of the EU security agenda. In December 2003, the European Council adopted even a EU Strategy against Proliferation of WMD. The approach adopted in this Strategy can be largely described as a ‘cooperative security provider’ approach and is based on effective multilateralism, the promotion of a stable international and regional environment and the cooperation with key partners. The principal objective of this paper is to examine in how far the EU has actually implemented the ‘cooperative security provider’ approach in the area which the Non-proliferation Strategy identifies as one of its priorities – the Mediterranean. Focusing on the concept of security interdependence, the paper analyses first the various WMD dangers with which the EU is confronted in the Mediterranean area. Afterwards, it examines how the EU has responded to these hazards in the framework of the Barcelona process and, in particular, the new European Neighbourhood Policy. It is argued that despite its relatively powerful rhetoric, the EU has largely failed, for a wide range of reasons, to apply effectively its non-proliferation approach in the Mediterranean area and, thus, to become a successful security provider.

Optimización del uso del agua en restauraciones de paisajes y xerojardinería en condiciones de clima mediterráneo

Durante todo el proyecto y su prórroga, el plan de trabajo se ha desarrollado de acuerdo con el programa descrito en la memoria del presente proyecto, así­ se ha incidido en la caracterización ecofisiológica de diversas especies mediterráneas leñosas frente a los estreses ambientales; se ha tratado de optimizar la productividad de dichas especies en condiciones de vivero y por ultimo se ha evaluado la respuesta de este material vegetal tanto a las condiciones de transplante como su respuesta a diversas técnicas de gestión de la revegetación y/o ajardinamiento.