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In South Mediterranean conditions, during periods of severe drought mandatory watering restrictions can be established, such as the prohibition to irrigate crops. There is a need for growers of perennial crops such as A. donax to have data on crop response to dry conditions in order to decide on whether to keep or remove the crop. In this work, a four-year-old crop of nine A. donax ecotypes grown under optimal irrigation conditions was subjected to dry conditions for two years in a Xeric Mediterranean environment. Ecotypes performance in the two water conditions was assessed in order to provide data for growers to support their decision. Significant differences were found between ecotypes and water regimes for yield parameters. The interaction of water regime-ecotype was also significant, showing that the effect of the water regime change depended on the ecotype. The relative yield reduction of the mature crop ranged from 53% to 78%; this was as a result of the tough climate conditions in central Spain during the period of vegetative growth of A. donax . Over the whole experiment, an ecotype from South Greece outperformed and could be considered as a reference of the A. donax biomass potential in this environment. Further studies would be needed to assess the genetic distance among ecotypes, as well as to confirm the superiority of this ecotype in different environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Many fish passes have been built across the world in recent years. This study analyses the performance of a modified type of pool and weir fishway with two access branches, using passive integrated transponder telemetry. A circum‐Mediterranean barbel, Luciobarbus bocagei (Steindachner, 1864), was chosen as the target species. Both hydraulic values (flow and volumetric energy dissipation) and biological parameters (attraction, entrance and passage success) were measured in the fishway, these being related to the environmental variables affecting upstream fish movement. Flow discharge, water temperature and atmospheric pressure were important for fish entering the fishway. There was no preference between path routes, even though the main discharge was concentrated in the turbine channel. This type of fishway design could be an alternative for the conservation of fish populations where multiple fish approach options are possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An LCA of the cultivation of switchgrass in the Mediterranean region of Spain is carried out, based on 2010–2013 inventory data from experimental plots of two sites, Moncofar and Orihuela. Thus, a 4-year cycle is evaluated, considering different sources of variability. The functional unit is 1 t of switchgrass (dry basis) for electricity generation. Besides typical impact categories, blue and green water consumption impacts are also addressed by using watershed-specific characterization factors. In 2010, the production in Orihuela is more input-intensive than it is in Moncofar, while the biomass yield is lower. This causes greater climate change as CO 2 -eq. (709.1 vs. 65.0 kg t −1 ) and greater metal depletion as Fe-eq. (8.1 vs. 1.5 kg t −1 ). In the subsequent years, the yields are higher in Orihuela, and Moncofar performs worse for some specific impact categories, mainly the toxicity-related ones, and also metal depletion as Fe-eq., but only in 2011 (2.0 vs. 1.2 kg t −1 ). Due to larger irrigation doses, the blue water impact as ecosystem-eq. water is always higher in Orihuela (e.g. in 2010, 2020 vs. 390 m 3 t −1 ). On the contrary, the green water impact, also as ecosystem-eq. water, is greater in Moncofar, except for the first year (86.8 vs. 15.2 m 3 t −1 ). Switchgrass from the two locations could be eligible for bioelectricity production in the European Union in accordance with the sustainability requirements for greenhouse gas savings. Ad hoc decisions on crop management are, however, critical to the environmental impacts, evidencing the importance of taking a multi-year approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual Dehesa-type pastures comprise semi-natural vegetation communities dominated by annual species characteristic of the Mediterranean basin areas of Southern Europe. This study analyses all the datasets available on the effects of ozone (O 3 ) on annual pasture species in order to review and propose new exposure- and flux-based O 3 critical levels (CLes) following the methodology of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). Based on the potential effect on pastures main ecosystem services, the availability of data and the statistical significance of the regressions, three variables have been selected for establishing CLes: total above-ground biomass, consumable food value (CFV), as a nutritional quality index, and reproductive capacity based on flower and seed production. New CLes proposed for a 10% loss (with 95% confidence intervals between brackets) of above-ground biomass and reproductive capacity were, respectively, AOT40 = 3.1 (2.6, 3.8) and 2.0 (1.5, 2.8) ppm h and POD1 = 12.2 (8.9, 15.5) and 7.2 (1.1, 13.3) mmol m − 2 . The provisional AOT40- and POD1-based CLes for CFV were 2.3 (1.6, 4.0) ppm h and 4.6 (2.7, 6.5) mmol m − 2 respectively. By using only O 3 -sensitive species for the exposure and dose-response functions, the proposed CLes should be used for risk assessments. Their use for quantifying O 3 damage may lead to an overestimation of the effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the global risk of retinopathy in a Mediterranean population of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, according to clinical, biochemical, and lifestyle biomarkers. The effects of the oral supplementation containing antioxidants/omega 3 fatty acids (A/ω3) were also evaluated. Suitable participants were distributed into two main groups: (1) T2DMG (with retinopathy (+DR) or without retinopathy (−DR)) and (2) controls (CG). Participants were randomly assigned (+A/ω3) or not (−A/ω3) to the oral supplementation with a daily pill of Nutrof Omega (R) for 18 months. Data collected including demographics, anthropometrics, characteristics/lifestyle, ophthalmic examination (best corrected visual acuity, ocular fundus photographs, and retinal thickness as assessed by optical coherence tomography), and blood parameters (glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity) were registered, integrated, and statistically processed by the SPSS 15.0 program. Finally, 208 participants (130 diabetics (68 +DR/62 −DR) and 78 controls) completed the follow-up. Blood analyses confirmed that the T2DMG+DR patients had significantly higher oxidative stress (p<0.05), inflammatory (p<0.05), and vascular (p<0.001) risk markers than the T2DMG−DR and the CG. Furthermore, the A/ω3 oral supplementation positively changed the baseline parameters, presumptively by inducing metabolic activation and ameliorating the ocular health after 18 months of supplementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how patterns and processes relate across spatial scales is one of the major goals in ecology. 1/f models have been applied mostly to time series of environmental and ecological variables, but they can also be used to analyse spatial patterns. Since 1/f noise may display scale-invariant behaviour, ecological phenomena whose spatial variability shows 1/f type scaling are susceptible to further characterization using fractals or multifractals. Here we use spectral analysis and multifractal techniques (generalized dimension spectrum) to investigate the spatial distribution of epilithic microphytobenthos (EMPB) on rocky intertidal surfaces. EMPB biomass was estimated from calibrated colour-infrared images that provided indirect measures of rock surface chlorophyll a concentration, along two 8-m and one 4-m long transects sampled in January and November 2012. Results highlighted a pattern of spectral coefficient close to or greater than one for EMPB biomass distribution and multifractal structures, that were consistent among transects, implying scale-invariance in the spatial distribution of EMPB. These outcomes can be interpreted as a result of the superimposition of several biotic and abiotic processes acting at multiple spatial scales. However, the scale-invariant nature of EMPB spatial patterns can also be considered a hallmark of self-organization, underlying the possible role of scale-dependent feedback in shaping EMPB biomass distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study evaluates the effect of planting three cover crops (CCs) (barley, Hordeum vulgare L.; vetch, Vicia villosa L.; rape, Brassica napus L.) on the direct emission of N2O, CO2 and CH4 in the intercrop period and the impact of incorporating these CCs on the emission of greenhouse gas (GHG) from the forthcoming irrigated maize (Zea mays L.) crop. Vetch and barley were the CCs with the highest N2O and CO2 losses (75 and 47% increase compared with the control, respectively) in the fallow period. In all cases, fluxes of N2O were increased through N fertilization and the incorporation of barley and rape residues (40 and 17% increase, respectively). The combination of a high C:N ratio with the addition of an external source of mineral N increased the fluxes of N2O compared with −Ba and −Rp. The direct emissions of N2O were lower than expected for a fertilized crop (0.10% emission factor, EF) compared with other studies and the IPCC EF. These results are believed to be associated with a decreased NO3 − pool due to highly denitrifying conditions and increased drainage. The fluxes of CO2 were in the range of other fertilized crops (i.e., 1118.71–1736.52kg CO2–Cha−1). The incorporation of CC residues enhanced soil respiration in the range of 21–28% for barley and rape although no significant differences between treatments were detected. Negative CH4 fluxes were measured and displayed an overall sink effect for all incorporated CC (mean values of −0.12 and −0.10kg CH4–Cha−1 for plots with and without incorporated CCs, respectively). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Deep-water ecosystems are characterized by relatively low carbonate concentration values and, due to ocean acidification (OA), these habitats might be among the first to be exposed to undersaturated conditions in the forthcoming years. However, until now, very few studies have been conducted to test how cold-water coral (CWC) species react to such changes in the seawater chemistry. The present work aims to investigate the mid-term effect of decreased pH on calcification of the two branching CWC species most widely distributed in the Mediterranean, Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata. No significant effects were observed in the skeletal growth rate, microdensity and porosity of both species after 6 months of exposure. However, while the calcification rate of M. oculata was similar for all colony fragments, a heterogeneous skeletal growth pattern was observed in L. pertusa, the younger nubbins showing higher growth rates than the older ones. A higher energy demand is expected in these young, fast-growing fragments and, therefore, a reduction in calcification might be noticed earlier during long-term exposure to acidified conditions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arsenic (As) resistance ofSilene vulgarisis studied on two Mediterranean soils, spiked with As and grown under semicontrolled conditions. The results showed that this species accumulates high amounts of As in roots, but both transfer and translocation factors were far from the values found in the As hyperaccumulator species. Arsenic availability in both tested soils is related to soil parameters as follows: Phosphorus (P) > iron oxides > pH. Silene plants studied did not show visual symptoms of As toxicity except for growth reductions at the greater As doses and in the soil with greater P availability; this would indicate the As resistance ability of this plant population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Located in the center of the Mediterranean landscape and with an extensive coastal line, the territory of what is today Italy has played an important role in the history of human settlements and movements of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. Populated since Paleolithic times, the complexity of human movements during the Neolithic, the Metal Ages and the most recent history of the two last millennia (involving the overlapping of different cultural and demic strata) has shaped the pattern of the modern Italian genetic structure. With the aim of disentangling this pattern and understanding which processes more importantly shaped the distribution of diversity, we have analyzed the uniparentally-inherited markers in ∼900 individuals from an extensive sampling across the Italian peninsula, Sardinia and Sicily. Spatial PCAs and DAPCs revealed a sex-biased pattern indicating different demographic histories for males and females. Besides the genetic outlier position of Sardinians, a North West–South East Y-chromosome structure is found in continental Italy. Such structure is in agreement with recent archeological syntheses indicating two independent and parallel processes of Neolithisation. In addition, date estimates pinpoint the importance of the cultural and demographic events during the late Neolithic and Metal Ages. On the other hand, mitochondrial diversity is distributed more homogeneously in agreement with older population events that might be related to the presence of an Italian Refugium during the last glacial period in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale seasonal climatic indices, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation ( NAO) index or the Southern Oscillation Index ( SOI), account for major variations in weather and climate around the world and may influence population dynamics in many organisms. However, assessing the extent of climate impacts on species and their life-history traits requires reliable quantitative statistical approaches., We used a new analytical tool in mark-recapture, the multi-event modelling, to simultaneously assess the influence of climatic variation on multiple demographic parameters (i.e. adult survival, transient probability, reproductive skipping and nest dispersal) at two Mediterranean colonies of the Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, a trans-equatorial migratory long-lived seabird. We also analysed the impact of climate in the breeding success at the two colonies., We found a clear temporal variation of survival for Cory's shearwaters, strongly associated to the large-scale SOI especially in one of the colonies (up to 66% of variance explained). Atlantic hurricane season is modulated by the SOI and coincides with shearwater migration to their wintering areas, directly affecting survival probabilities. However, the SOI was a better predictor of survival probabilities than the frequency of hurricanes; thus, we cannot discard an indirect additive effect of SOI via food availability. Accordingly, the proportion of transients was also correlated with SOI values, indicating higher costs of first reproduction (resulting in either mortality or permanent dispersal) when bad environmental conditions occurred during winter before reproduction., Breeding success was also affected by climatic factors, the NAO explaining c. 41% of variance, probably as a result of its effect in the timing of peak abundance of squid and small pelagics, the main prey for shearwaters. No climatic effect was found either on reproductive skipping or on nest dispersal., Contrarily to what we expect for a long-lived organism, large-scale climatic indexes had a more pronounced effect on survival and transient probabilities than on less sensitive fitness parameters such reproductive skipping or nest dispersal probabilities. The potential increase in hurricane frequency because of global warming may interact with other global change agents (such as incidental bycatch and predation by alien species) nowadays impacting shearwaters, affecting future viability of populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with pollinosis develop symptoms after intake of plant food more often than the general population. In order to study the prevalence of the presentation of allergic symptoms to plant foods in pollinosis, we selected a representative sample of the population from our Mediterranean area. Methods: All patients completed a questionnaire, provided a blood sample and underwent a battery of skin and other complementary tests (prick-prick, oral challenge test) when necessary. The pollen counts were obtained from the Elche pollen station. In addition, sera from a subgroup of patients were checked with an allergen molecule panel on an Advia Centaur XP platform. Results: Of the final sample (n = 233), 39.9% of the patients with pollinosis were sensitized and 30.9% had clinical allergy to at least one of the plant foods studied. Regression analysis showed that age and sensitization to the extracts of Platanus acerifolia and Artemisia vulgaris were the most important variables for discriminating between groups. Patients with pollinosis at a risk of allergy to plant foods had significantly higher Pru p 3 values [odds ratio (OR) 3.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.3-4.8], and the value increased according to the number of plant food sensitizations. Conclusion: Plant food allergy is more common in patients with pollinosis than in the general population. The use of the London plain tree (P. acerifolia) and mugwort (A. vulgaris) in the skin tests may help identify such patients in our Mediterranean area, but determination of rPru p 3 could also be very useful in patients suspected of having plant food allergy. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Urea is considered the cheapest and most commonly used form of inorganic N fertilizer worldwide. However, its use is associated with emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO), which have both economic and environmental impact. Urease activity inhibitors have been proposed as a means to reduce NH3 emissions, although limited information exists about their effect on N2O and NO emissions. In this context, a field experiment was carried out with a barley crop (Hordeum vulgare L.) under Mediterranean conditions to test the effectiveness of the urease inhibitor N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) on reducing these gaseous N losses from surface applied urea. Crop yield, soil mineral N concentrations, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), denitrification potential, NH3, N2O and NO fluxes were measured during the growing season. The inclusion of the inhibitor reduced NH3 emissions in the 30d following urea application by 58% and net N2O and NO emissions in the 95d following urea application by 86% and 88%, respectively. NBPT addition also increased grain yield by 5% and N uptake by 6%, although neither increase was statistically significant. Under the experimental conditions presented here, these results demonstrate the potential of the urease inhibitor NBPT in abating NH3, N2O and NO emissions from arable soils fertilized with urea, slowing urea hydrolysis and releasing lower concentrations of to the upper soil layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica on the cycling of a wide set of trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V and Zn). We measured the concentration of these trace elements in different compartments of P. oceanica (leaves, rhizomes, roots and epiphytes) in a non-polluted seagrass meadow representative of the Mediterranean and calculated the annual budget from a mass balance. We provide novel data on accumulation dynamics of many trace elements in P. oceanica compartments and demonstrate that trace element accumulation patterns are mainly determined by plant compartment rather than by temporal variability. Epiphytes were the compartment, which showed the greatest concentrations for most trace elements. Thus, they constitute a key compartment when estimating trace element transfer to higher trophic levels by P. oceanica. Trace element translocation in P. oceanica seemed to be low and acropetal in most cases. Zn, Cd, Sr and Rb were the trace elements that showed the highest release rate through decomposition of plant detritus, while Cs, Tl and Bi showed the lowest. P. oceanica acts as a sink of potentially toxic trace elements (Ni, Cr, As and Ag), which can be sequestered, decreasing their bioavailability. P. oceanica may have a relevant role in the cycling of trace elements in the Mediterranean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess the concurrent and construct validity of two diet-quality indices, a modified Mediterranean diet score (mMDS) and a Mediterranean-like diet score (MLDS) additionally incorporating unhealthy food choices, as determined by an FFQ.DesignA validation study assessing FFQ intake estimates compared with ten or more unannounced 24 h recalls. Pearson's correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland–Altman plots and the limits of agreement method were used to assess the between-method agreement of scores. Construct validity was shown using associations between nutrient intakes derived from multiple 24 h recalls and the mMDS and MLDS derived from the FFQ.SettingGerona, Spain.SubjectsA total of 107 consecutively selected participants from a population-based cross-sectional survey.ResultsPearson's correlations for the energy-adjusted mMDS and MLDS compared with multiple recalls were 0·48 and 0·62, respectively. The average FFQ energy-adjusted mMDS and MLDS were 102 % and 98 % of the recall-based mMDS and MLDS estimates, respectively. The FFQ under- and overestimated dietary recall estimates of the energy-adjusted MLDS by 28 % and 25 %, respectively, with slightly wider boundaries for the mMDS (31 % and 34 %). The ICC, which assesses absolute agreement, was similar to Pearson's correlations (mMDS = 0·48 and MLDS = 0·61). The mean differences between methods were similar across the range of average ratings for both scores, indicating the absence of bias. The FFQ-derived mMDS and MLDS correlated in the anticipated directions with intakes of eleven (73·3 %) and thirteen of fifteen nutrients (86·7 %), respectively.ConclusionsThe FFQ provides valid estimates of diet quality as assessed by the mMDS and MLDS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ozone effects on the perennial forb Lamottea dianae were studied in an open-top chamber experiment. Ozone was found to induce reductions in CO2 assimilation and water use efficiency in the leaves of this species. These reductions were mainly related to a decline in the in vivo CO2 fixation capacity of Rubisco (V c,max ), rather than to stomatal limitations or photoinhibitory damage (F v :F m ). In addition to chloroplast degeneration, other observed effects were callose accumulation, formation of pectinaceous wart-like cell wall exudates and phloem alterations. Moreover, ozone exposure significantly reduced root dry biomass. The possible relevance of these adverse effects for Mediterranean forbs is commented. These results show that endemic plants can be very sensitive to ozone, suggesting that risks associated with this pollutant should be taken into account for conservation purposes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We assessed the linkages between environmental variables and the spatio-temporal distribution patterns of larval abundance of coastal fish assemblages within and outside the Medes Islands marine protected area (MPA; NW Mediterranean) to explore possible fisheries effects such as larvae export of the latter. We analyzed small-scale fish larvae distribution of 28 representative taxa from the rocky fish assemblage and combined the former in different groups with the help of cluster analysis. Further we assessed the influence of selected abiotic variables on group and species distributions using Generalized Additive Models (GAM’s). We found a high level of variability in the response of larvae groups and species to environmental variables over the two studied periods (spring and summer); depth and habitat of the adults being the most important factors. In addition, distance to the MPA was found as an important variable in defining the location of larvae of strictly coastal species. Our results provided evidence of larval export of three commercial species affected by the MPA (Epinephelus marginatus, Pagellus erythrinus and Scorpaena porcus). Thus our study contributes to the few empirical assessments of larvae export from MPAs and adds to the understanding of the functioning of MPAs as fisheries management tools. Nevertheless, in the future integrated assessments of fisheries effects of MPAs are required that measure the effect of larvae and biomass export on increased fishing yield while taking into account fishing effort dynamics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fire and fire management are recognized as important factors in biodiversity conservation. Measuring species-level demographic, behavioural and population responses to different fire regimes is essential for designing adequate management policies. Here we assessed the impact of fire on survival rates, reproduction and movement patterns in Testudo graeca, an endangered terrestrial tortoise inhabiting the Mediterranean region, a system in which fire plays a relevant role in the functioning of their ecosystems. Then we predicted the probabilities of quasi-extinction of T. graeca under several fire regimes and population sizes by means of stochastic population models. Our results showed that fire caused direct and delayed reductions in local survival, young individuals being the most affected. There were not differences in fecundity and movement patterns of tortoises between burned and unburned areas. Population models showed a strong variation in the probability of quasi-extinction of populations depending on the fire regime and the population size. Under fire frequencies similar to those occurring in the wild (<1 fire every 20–30years) most tortoise populations seemed to buffer the effects of fires. However, when this threshold value of fire frequency was surpassed, the probability of quasi-extinction of populations exploded for all populations, except for those with the largest sizes. T. graeca populations may be able to cope with natural current fire frequencies, but the effects of more recurrent fires may severely threaten the species. Our results have straightforward applications for fire management purposes in those areas of the Mediterranean region where this endangered species is present. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plants of one evergreen oak (Quercus ilex) and three deciduous oaks (Q. faginea, with small leaves; Q. pyrenaica and Q. robur, with large leaves) were exposed both to filtered air and to enhanced ozone levels in Open-Top Chambers. Q. faginea and Q. pyrenaica were studied for the first time. Based on visible injury, gas exchange, chlorophyll content and biomass responses, Q. pyrenaica was the most sensitive species, and Q. ilex was the most tolerant, followed by Q. faginea. Functional leaf traits of the species were related to differences in sensitivity, while accumulated ozone flux via stomata (POD1.6) partly contributed to the observed differences. For risk assessment of Mediterranean vegetation, the diversity of responses detected in this study should be taken into account, applying appropriate critical levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) fluxes, and leaching losses of nitrate (NO3−) and dissolved organic C (DOC), during a fallow-onion crop-fallow cycle in a Mediterranean area. The importance of the fallow (intercrop) period and the type of fertilizer were also evaluated. Goat and chicken manure (M) from an organic farm, digested pig slurry (DPS) and urea (U) were applied at a rate of 110 kg N ha−1 and compared with a zero N treatment (Control). The crop period contributed more than each fallow period to the total N2O emission (ranging from 70 to 85% of the total emission, depending on the treatment). The variability of rainfall during fallow periods affected N2O emissions, with the highest fluxes observed in the second fallow, which was the wetter. Negative net fluxes of N2O (0 to −0.4 mg N2O-N m−2 day−1) were mainly observed during the irrigation period and in fallow periods. The type of fertilizer had no effect on N2O fluxes, but influenced the CH4 oxidation. The largest CH4 emission was from the manure treatment (2.4 mg CH4-C m−2 day−1) during the irrigation period. The lowest NO3− but highest DOC leaching rates were measured during the second fallow period from the manure treated plots (0.2 kg NO3−-N ha−1 and 3.9 kg C ha−1), which also had the highest drainage. The use of OM, therefore, seems to be a suitable method to reduce the environmental impacts associated with N leaching as well as increase the potential to denitrify NO3− in groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Well-preserved Quaternary staircased marine terraces appear on Ras Leona limestone relief. This is a peculiar sector of the Betic-Rif Cordillera, lying in the four-way junction between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, and Europe and Africa. The age and altitude correlation of the Ras Leona terraces with travertine-covered lateral equivalent terraces fashioned in the neighbouring Beni Younech area, and comparison with those along the Moroccan Atlantic coasts, would suggest that the Ras Leona terraces were mainly formed by eustatic factors. The importance of the eustasy is supported by further comparisons with Spanish and Moroccan Mediterranean terraces and with different marine terraces developed on passive-margin coasts around the world. A tectonic event occurred mainly during the period between the formation of the Maarifian and the Ouljian terraces (i.e., between 370 and 150ka). The moderate Quaternary tectonic uplift deduced from the marine terraces and its comparison with uplifted marine terraces developed in active subduction setting disagrees with the model of an active eastwards subduction below the Gibraltar tectonic arc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Peach is the most important fruit related to food allergy in the Mediterranean area. Pru p 3, its lipid transfer protein, has been described as the principal allergen responsible for cross-reactivities with other foods and pollen and the severity of clinical symptoms. However, the involvement of other allergenic families cannot be ruled out. Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) have been described as food allergen in several fruits, such as apple, cherry, kiwi and banana, and pollen. Objective To identify members of the TLP family in peach fruit and to characterize putative allergens. Methods Through two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis of peach extract and immunodetections with a pool of peach-allergic patients, IgE-binding spots were identified and the corresponding proteins purified and characterized as allergens by in vitro and in vivo assays. Three isoforms, belonging to the TLP family, were purified by different chromatographic systems and characterized by N-terminal amino acid sequences, molecular weight determination (MALDI) and enzymatic activity analysis (β-1,3-gluconase test and inhibition growth of fungi). In the same way, their IgE-binding capacity and allergenic activity were tested by ELISA assays, basophil activation tests and skin prick tests (SPT). Results Two peach-TLPs, Pru p 2.0101 and Pru p 2.0201, were identified as IgE-binding spots by 2D electrophoresis. Another peach-TLP, Pru p 2.0301, was cloned and produced as recombinant protein in a yeast system. The three isoforms were purified and characterized as TLPs by immunoblotting with anti-chestnut TLP antibodies and anti-plant N-asparagine complex glycan (anti-cross-reactive carbohydrate determinant). All of them showed β-1,3-glucanase activity and inhibition of fungal growth. The three TLPs were recognized by around 50% of the sera from 31 patients analysed in ELISA experiments. All three gave a positive response to an SPT and/or in basophil activation experiments. Conclusion Three isoforms, belonging to the TLP family, were identified in peach as principal allergens. Their prevalence, observed in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo analyses, suggests that they are important allergens and should therefore be included in the routine diagnosis of peach allergy, at least in the Mediterranean area. Cite this as: A. Palacín, L. Tordesillas, P. Gamboa, R. Sanchez-Monge, J. Cuesta-Herranz, M. L. Sanz, D. Barber, G. Salcedo and A. Díaz-Perales, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1422–1430. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ability of bivalve culture in the proximity of an open water fin fish farm to reduce the environmental impact caused by organic wastes was tested. The experiment involved floating net cages containing cultured gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) in the western Mediterranean. Two bivalve species, oyster (Ostrea edulis) and mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), were deployed for 3months along a distance transect running from 0 to 1800m from the fish cages. Shell growth, flesh dry weight, the concentration of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, and metal accumulation (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in the bivalves were analyzed. Bivalves showed significant growth compared with their respective starting sizes, although closeness to the fish farm did not enhance such growth. The stable isotopes content indicated that there was no relationship between the main input of organic matter from the fish farm (the feed) and the trophic behavior of the bivalves. Neither did metal accumulation show a trend along the distance gradient from the fish farm. All the results were consistent in indicating that neither oysters nor mussels fed on fin fish farming wastes. This work demonstrates that the polyculture of fin fish and bivalves does not represent an appropriate tool for reducing the environmental impact of fin fish aquaculture in open water. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plant phenology is strongly controlled by climate and has consequently become one of the most reliable bioindicators of ongoing climate change. We used a dataset of more than 200 000 records for six phenological events of 29 perennial plant species monitored from 1943 to 2003 for a comprehensive assessment of plant phenological responses to climate change in the Mediterranean region. Temperature, precipitation and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) were studied together during a complete annual cycle before phenological events to determine their relative importance and potential seasonal carry-over effects. Warm and dry springs under a positive phase of NAO advance flowering, leaf unfolding and fruiting dates and lengthen the growing season. Spatial variability of dates (range among sites) was also reduced during warm and dry years, especially for spring events. Climate during previous weeks to phenophases occurrence had the greatest impact on plants, although all events were also affected by climate conditions several months before. Immediate along with delayed climate effects suggest dual triggers in plant phenology. Climatic models accounted for more than 80% of variability in flowering and leaf unfolding dates, and in length of the growing season, but for lower proportions in fruiting and leaf falling. Most part of year-to-year changes in dates was accounted for temperature, while precipitation and NAO accounted for <10% of dates' variability. In the case of flowering, insect-pollinated species were better modelled by climate than wind-pollinated species. Differences in temporal responses of plant phenology to recent climate change are due to differences in the sensitivity to climate among events and species. Spring events are changing more than autumn events as they are more sensitive to climate and are also undergoing the greatest alterations of climate relative to other seasons. In conclusion, climate change has shifted plant phenology in the Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are altering their life cycles in response to current climatic change around the globe. More than 200 000 records for six phenological events (leaf unfolding, flowering, fruit ripening, fruit harvesting, leaf falling and growing season) of 29 perennial species for the period 1943–2003 recorded throughout Spain provide the longest temporal and the broadest spatial assessment of plant phenology changes in the Mediterranean region. The overwhelming majority of the 118 studied phenophases shifted their dates in recent decades. Such changes differed among phenological events. Leaf unfolding, flowering and fruiting are markedly advancing (−0.48, −0.59 and −0.32 days yr−1, respectively), but only since the mid-1970s. Anemophilous have advanced more days their flowering than entomophilous. However, some species have delayed and others have advanced their leaf falling dates and as a result only a weak shift was observed in this event for the whole of the studied species (+0.12 days yr−1). The growing season lengthened by 18 days, which implies an increase of 8% in the life of annual leaves. Such an increase was achieved mainly through the advance of leaf unfolding dates in the spring, one of the most productive times of year for vegetation in the Mediterranean. Shifts in the plant calendar were accompanied as well by long-term changes in the range of onset dates in 39% of studied phenophases. Leaf unfolding, flowering and growing season tended to reduce spatial variability, reflecting a faster and more synchronized onset (or duration) of phenophases across the study area. Changes in spatial variability may aggravate calendar mismatching with other trophic levels resulting from changes in dates. Because temporal responses differed markedly among species, calendar guilds of plants have changed, which suggests alterations of interspecific relationships in plant communities from Mediterranean ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to clarify the role of gardening and agriculture in the introduction of alien vascular plants to the western Mediterranean Basin during the last century. The main country in which this study is based is Spain. However, other countries in the Western Mediterranean Basin also form part of it. These are Portugal, France, Italy and Morocco. Three percentages were calculated. Firstly, the percentage of alien flora was calculated. Then, we calculated the percentages of species introduced as either a consequence of gardening or of agriculture. The figures were based on thirty-four floristic studies carried out in the western Mediterranean Basin between 1904 and 2006. A regression model, in which the explanatory variable is time and the dependent variables are the three percentages mentioned above, was drawn up with the data obtained. The results show the existence of positive correlation between time and the percentages of total exotic flora and the species introduced through gardening ( R = 0.64 and 0.56, respectively) and the negative correlation between time and the percentage of alien species introduced through agriculture ( R = −0.43). During the last century, the roles of agriculture and gardening as sources of the introduction of exotic flora to the western Mediterranean Basin were reversed. However, in the areas where the socio-economic scene is more predominantly agrarian, the role of gardening is still limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Forty-eight adult ewes rearing single lambs were assigned to four management systems with the aim of comparing their productive, metabolic and luteal function response within the anoestrus season: (1) Indoor ewes (IND): Ewes and lambs permanently indoors. Dams fed a total dry mixed ration (forage to concentrate ratio 40:60). (2) Indoor plus rationed grazing ewes (IND-GR): Ewes stocked 8h daily outdoors and receiving a supplement of barley meal indoors. Lambs from IND and IND-GR were weaned at 6 weeks old and fed concentrates ad libitum whereas their dams were stocked continuously on grassland until late spring. (3) Grazing plus supplement for lambs (GR+S): Ewes and lambs continuously stocked on grassland. Lambs received concentrate ad libitum and suckled their mothers until slaughter. (4) Grazing (GR): The same management as GR+S, but lambs did not receive any concentrate. The average daily gain of ewes throughout the rearing period was higher in IND, GR+S and GR than in IND-GR (P <0.05). By contrast, on the whole 3 months post-partum ewes managed in confinement during lactation (IND) showed a slight daily loss of live-weight while the rest of the groups displayed gains (P <0.05). Energy-corrected milk yield during 6 weeks post-partum was higher in IND and GR+S (P <0.05). The mean plasma triglycerides during 3 months post-partum was higher in IND and GR (P <0.05). Plasma NEFA were greater whereas plasma urea was lower in IND and IND-GR on weeks 3 and 5 of lactation (P <0.05). After weaning of indoor treatments (IND and IND-GR), plasma urea was rebalanced in these groups until values close to continuous stocked treatments (GR+S and GR). The proportion of ewes resuming their first luteal phase within spring (nearly 45%) was similar across treatments (P >0.05). In conclusion, the divergent post-partum metabolic status of ewes managed under grass-based compared to concentrate-based systems during the spring season did not carry over significant effects on their post-partum luteal function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Substitution of conventional mineral fertilizers with organic sources can avoid the environmental problems associated with high concentrations of intensive livestock production in some Mediterranean areas. Some management practices, such as the use of nitrification inhibitors or more efficient irrigation techniques (e.g., drip irrigation), have been suggested as effective alternatives to mitigate nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions released from soils amended with synthetic and organic fertilizers. In this experiment, we aimed to assess the effect of different organic amendments derived from pig manure (control without N fertilization (C); liquid fraction of pig slurry (LFPS); pig urine with the nitrification inhibitor 3,4 dimethylpyrazolephosphate (DMPP) (LFPSI); compost from the solid phase of pig slurry (COM)) compared to urea (U) and two different irrigation systems (the widespread sprinkler and alternative drip irrigation systems) on greenhouse gas (N 2 O, methane, CH 4 , and carbon dioxide, CO 2 ) and NO emissions in a maize ( Zea mays L.) crop. The effect of these treatments on crop yields and yield-scaled N 2 O emissions were also evaluated. The use of DMPP with LFPS was an effective practice to reduce N 2 O and NO losses (40 and 32% mitigation, respectively, compared to LFPS alone), and was also associated with the highest rates of CH 4 oxidation. Drip irrigation significantly reduced the global warming potential (in spite of a lower CH 4 sink) but increased the NO losses by 58%, as opposed to sprinkler irrigation. The higher biomass production and similar grain yields observed with drip irrigation resulted in lower yield-scaled N 2 O emissions in this treatment than in sprinkler irrigation. The use of organic fertilizers penalized grain yields compared to U (16–33%), although the differences were not significant in the case of LFPSI. Consequently, LFPSI in drip irrigation was (together with U applied by drip-fertigation) the treatment that led to the lowest yield-scaled N 2 O emissions. The use of organic N sources in irrigated maize is an environmentally advisable strategy in Mediterranean cropping systems, but an optimum balance between N oxides and greenhouse gas losses, N efficiency and crop yields requires the use of nitrification inhibitors (e.g., DMPP) with liquid organic sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary 1. The three-spined stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus) on the Iberian Peninsula is only distributed in freshwater habitats and has completely disappeared from most of its range, mainly as a consequence of habitat degradation and invasive fish introductions. Genetic investigations have shown that Mediterranean-Adriatic sticklebacks constitute an evolutionarily significant unit. Here, we present the first genetic data for Iberian populations living on the southern edge of the stickleback's range. We used microsatellite markers to study gene diversity, population structure and genetic demography of stickleback populations. 2. High genetic differentiation among collections yielded a model of four genetically homogeneous units related to geography. The observed pattern of isolation by distance resulted mainly from the hydrographical pattern and limited gene flow among rivers. Moreover, low levels of gene diversity, high isolation and recent bottleneck events, which have led to small or even critical effective population sizes in several locations, could be explained by additional recent anthropogenic fragmentation. 3. We defined at least four evolutionarily significant units threatened by habitat fragmentation in north-eastern Iberian sticklebacks. Because they retain long evolutionary histories, these populations should be considered of high conservation priority, and urgent management measures should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We studied the relative value of natural habitats, river and coastal wetlands, and artificial habitats, irrigation canal and ponds, for the conservation of an endangered fish, Iberian toothcarp, in its southernmost area of distribution, characterised by agricultural intensification. Our results show that the bulk of the population of the Iberian toothcarp is concentrated in irrigation ponds. Natural habitats sustained null or impoverished subpopulations, and individuals showed signs of low metabolic activity. This coincided with the relatively high habitat quality observed in ponds, particularly those with submerged aquatic vegetation, in contrast with the chronic eutrophication of the coastal lagoons. In spite of a generalised aggressive management in the irrigation system, featured by periodic vegetation clearance, desiccation and biocide treatment, the subpopulation of the Iberian toothcarp thrives in it probably thanks to adequate water quality and to an active path dynamics maintained by connectivity through the canal. Agro-environmental measures are discussed for the improvement of this species conservation in natural and artificial habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The terrains of the Western Costa del Sol in the westernmost Mediterranean represent an outstanding example of the influence of major tectonic and climatic factors in the development of the landscape. This region belongs to the Alboran domain, which is a small continental lithosphere fragment embedded between the large Eurasian and African plates. The territory between Malaga and Marbella is composed mainly of the Sierra de Mijas and three adjacent subsidence areas: Malaga, Torremolinos, and Fuengirola basins. From the late Miocene, dip-faults of approximate directions N-S, NE-SW and NW-SE limited the Sierra de Mijas with respect to the adjacent subsidence areas and have marked the main features of the coastal morphology. Since then, the Sierra underwent mainly erosive processes linked to strong uplifting, while the surrounding basins were subjected to alternate stages of sedimentation and erosion. Thus, the paleogeographic and geomorphological evolution has been driven both by the regional tectonics and by significant base-level changes ranging from the spectacular Messinian low-stand to the catastrophic overflow at Gibraltar, followed by the global Late Tertiary and Quaternary sea-level changes. In the mountain relief, three different erosive leveling surfaces have been recognized, which developed in a staggered sequence during the Miocene, and are currently fragmented by tectonics at different elevations. The first two leveling surfaces, continental in origin, were carved during the Middle Miocene pro-part. The late one, correlating with Upper Miocene marine deposits from the Malaga basin, appears to correspond partially to an abrasion platform developed during the highstand of the late Tortonian. The strong incision of the fluvial network, especially due to the low sea-level during the Messinian salinity crisis, but also to the tectonic rise of the Sierra, has largely eroded these surfaces, which can be recognized only in narrow inter-fluvial areas. The noteworthy marine transgression in the Miocene-Pliocene transition reached the edge of the Sierra de Mijas, developing both a broad marine abrasion platform around it and the main stage of sedimentary filling in the Malaga basin. Tectonics combined with sea-level changes influenced the formation of a lower, second abrasion platform in the Torremolinos sector and along the S edge of the Sierra, showing continuity with the late Zanclean marine deposits in the Torremolinos and Fuengirola areas. During most of the late Pliocene and the Gelasian, the region remained emerged and subjected to erosion. Conversely, climate-eustatic changes throughout the Pleistocene and Holocene led to the development of three major generations of progradant alluvial fans interrupted by stages of erosion and incision of the fluvial network. In parallel, up to five episodes of travertine build-up occurred, usually coinciding with the humid and warm, odd-numbered isotopic stages. Highlights • Neogene tectonics form the main features of the landscape of the Costa del Sol. • The MSC and Pliocene re-flooding left strong traces in the relief of the region. • Quaternary climate cycles drive the development of alluvial fans and travertine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petrels are highly philopatric and return from migratory journeys of thousands of kilometres to breed in the same burrow year after year. During the breeding season, some burrowing petrel species rely on their sense of smell to locate their nest at night, but the mechanisms involved in the homing behaviour after several months at sea are virtually unknown. To understand whether the sense of smell is involved in nest finding at the return from migration and to study the interplay with other positional cues, we explored the homing behaviour and nest choice by Mediterranean storm petrels, Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis . During two consecutive winters, we conducted our research in a colony with well-used artificial nestboxes that has been studied for the past two decades. We experimentally displaced previously occupied nestboxes in late winter and then checked for nest choice and occupancy by breeding individuals in the following breeding season. This experimental design allowed the manipulation of the location of the burrow, and the olfactory information contained within, without manipulating other positional cues. We observed that almost all individuals nested in the nestbox located at the same position as the year before, regardless of whether the nestbox was the one they had previously occupied or another one. During the breeding period, we also tested in a Y-maze the olfactory preference for the occupied nestbox with respect to another random one. Again, storm petrels did not show any olfactory preference for their nest. Our study implies that storm petrels breeding in a cave rely on other positional cues than olfactory ones to home and suggests a mechanism combining tactile and proprioceptive cues to find the nest in the dark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use and land cover change (LULCC) dynamics have been particularly strong in the Mediterranean region, due to its historical development and to agro-pedoclimatic conditions favorable to human settlement. This area has undergone in the 1950s and the 1980s intense urbanization processes that has followed different trajectories. Urban expansion commonly occurs at the expense of agricultural land, leading to the fragmentation of natural areas and conflicts over access to land resources. These dynamics mainly concern the fringe between urban and agricultural land, e.g. the peri-urban areas usually included within functional urban regions. Here, to identify common features of LULCC in Western Mediterranean urban regions, we investigated two main features: direct changes due to urbanization and indirect changes affecting non-artificial land uses. We compared LULCC dynamics in 6 case studies from the north and south of the Western Mediterranean region: the urban regions of Montpellier and Avignon (France), Pisa (Italy), Madrid (Spain), Meknes (Morocco), and Constantine (Algeria), using a 30-year multitemporal spatial analysis (1980–2010). Two series of Landsat TM images were acquired for each case study and land cover data were analyzed both for dynamics and for land patterns, using landscape and class metrics. We found no significant north-south differences in LULCC dynamics between the investigated Western Mediterranean urban regions. Differences are more pronounced between small–medium cities and large metropolitan areas in type of urban diffusion, which is more sprawled in small–medium cities and more compact in large metropolitan areas. Rather, differences occur in LULCC not directly affected by urbanization, since in Northern Mediterranean urban regions afforestation and abandonment of agricultural areas are prevalent and closer to the urban areas, whereas transformation of natural areas into agricultural ones occurs mainly in Southern Mediterranean urban regions at a similar distance from urban areas than it happens for afforested or abandoned areas. In attempting for the first time to assess LULCC in these Mediterranean urban regions, we provide a preliminary comprehensive analysis that can contribute to the active LULCC research in the Mediterranean basin and that can be easily applied to other Mediterranean urban regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Correct estimation of leaf-level stomatal conductance (g sto) is central for current ozone (O3) risk assessment of wheat yield loss based on the absorbed O3 phytotoxic dose (POD). The g sto model parameterizations developed in Europe must be checked in the different climatic regions where they are going to be applied in order to reduce the uncertainties associated with the POD approach. This work proposes a new g sto model parameterization for estimating POD of Triticum aestivum and Triticum durum under Mediterranean conditions, based on phenological observations over 25 years and g sto field measurements during 5 growing seasons. Results show that POD in the Mediterranean area might be higher than previously estimated. However, caution must be paid when assessing the risk of yield loss for wheat in this area since field validation of O3 impacts is still limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The self-heating correction is known to modify open-path eddy covariance estimates of net ecosystem CO2 exchange, typically towards reduced uptake or enhanced emissions, but with a magnitude heretofore not generally documented. We assess the magnitude of this correction to be of order 1μmolm−2 s−1 (daytime) for half-hourly fluxes and consistently over 100gCm−2 for annual integrations, across a tower network (CARBORED-ES) spanning climate zones from Mediterranean temperate to cool alpine. We furthermore examine the sensitivity of the correction to its determining factors. Due to significant diurnal variation, the means of discriminating day versus night can lead to differences of up to several tens of gCm−2 year−1. Since its principal determinants – temperature and wind speed – do not include gas flux data, the annual correction can be estimated using only meteorological data so as to avoid uncertainties introduced when filling gaps in flux data. For fast retro-correction of annual integrations published prior to the recognition of this instrument surface heating effect, the annual impact can be roughly approximated to within 12gCm−2 year−1 by a linear function of mean annual temperature. These determinations highlight the need for the flux community to reach a consensus regarding the need for and the specific form of this correction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Modelling ozone (O3) deposition for impact risk assessment is still poorly developed for herbaceous vegetation, particularly for Mediterranean annual pastures. High inter-annual climatic variability in the Mediterranean area makes it difficult to develop models characterizing gas exchange behaviour and air pollutant absorption suitable for risk assessment. This paper presents a new model to estimate stomatal conductance (gs) of Trifolium subterraneum, a characteristic species of dehesa pastures. The MEDPAS (MEDiterranean PAStures) model couples 3 modules estimating soil water content (SWC), vegetation growth and g s. The g s module is a reparameterized version of the stomatal component of the EMEP DO3SE O3 deposition model. The MEDPAS model was applied to two contrasting years representing typical dry and humid springs respectively and with different O3 exposures. The MEDPAS model reproduced realistically the g s seasonal and inter-annual variations observed in the field. SWC was identified as the major driver of differences across years. Despite the higher O3 exposure in the dry year, meteorological conditions favoured 2.1 times higher g s and 56 day longer growing season in the humid year compared to the dry year. This resulted in higher ozone fluxes absorbed by T. subterraneum in the humid year. High inter-family variability was found in gas exchange rates, therefore limiting the relevance of single species O3 deposition flux modelling for dehesa pastures. Stomatal conductance dynamics at the canopy level need to be considered for more accurate O3 flux modelling for present and future climate scenarios in the Mediterranean area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The magnitude of CO2 efflux pulses after rewetting a dry soil is highly variable and the factors regulating these pulses are poorly understood. In this field experiment, we aimed to study the C dynamics after simulated summer rainstorms in a Mediterranean open holm oak woodland (dehesa). We hypothesized that because the herbaceous cover is mostly dead during the summer in this ecosystem, the short-term CO2 efflux (SR) after rewetting could mainly be explained by different measurable soil C fractions: i) K2SO4-extracted soil C (EOC); ii) microbial biomass C (MBC); or iii) chloroform-fumigated extracted C (CFE). On both grazed and abandoned dehesa sites, we simulated three summer rain events at two-week intervals and we measured SR discontinuously in three plots under tree canopy and in another three plots in open grassland. In each plot, C fractions and water content were estimated before (2h) and after (36h) each irrigation event. Following rewettings, SR increased up to ten times compared with non-irrigated plots. The CFE actually increased after rewetting in the first two irrigations but not in the third event, suggesting that the capacity of the soil to release labile organic C from soil aggregates or litter was reduced after each irrigation event. Overall, the C released as CO2 in the first 24h was related to the CFE existing before rewetting, which may help to explain the spatial variability in SR. However, the explained variability decreased after each irrigation, suggesting a change to a less labile composition of the CFE fraction as a consequence of multiple drying-rewetting cycles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]