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The presence of plastic in our environment is having a massive impact on today's marine biota. Whales and dolphins are becoming sentinels of litter pollution as plastic entanglement and ingestion affect them with unknown consequences. Although information exists about this anthropogenic interaction, the compilation of this data on metastudies is difficult due to the use of varied methodologies. A combination of our own data as well as a review of historical data was used to complete an extensive study of how cetaceans are interacting with macro and micro-litter at a global level. Here, we identify the plastic uptake by two cetacean families: Ziphiidae and Delphinidae, thus allowing for a better understanding in order to offer a global overview of their current status. Additionally, analysis was run on the plastic found in the digestive contents of stranded specimens of two Cuvier's beaked whales and fourteen striped dolphins in the Alboran Sea, in the Western Mediterranean, a hotspot for marine megafauna. Out of 623 stranded cetaceans from datasets, beaked whales displayed the highest concentration of macro, meso and microplastic in the Western Pacific Ocean. Regarding striped dolphins, Eastern Spain was the location with the highest plastic ingestion. Moreover, deep divers such as beaked whales ingested more plastic than striped dolphins which could be as a consequence of their feeding behavior or habitat. Thus, this overview provides useful information concerning conservation issues on how cetacean hotspots are highly affected by marine plastic ingestion.

Understanding how fisheries influence seabird distribution is critical in the development of sustainable fisheries management. Species distribution models were applied to analyse the influence of the fishing footprint, discards, and oceanographic factors on seabird attendance patterns to trawlers in the Gulf of Cádiz. More than 30 species of seabirds were attracted to trawlers, although only seven were registered with relatively high frequency and abundance. For these species, fishery footprint was a good predictor for the distribution of four out of seven (yellow-legged gull, lesser black-backed gull, northern gannet, and Cory’s shearwater). Yellow-legged and lesser black-backed gull flocked in large numbers to trawlers, mostly in shallow areas where they were also attracted by purse seines. Northern gannets and Cory’s shearwaters appeared with relatively high frequency and their distributions correlated with trawler effort and abundance of potential prey discards. Balearic shearwaters were attracted in low numbers and concentrated in shallow areas, where potential prey discards were also more abundant. For these three species, discards as surrogate of natural prey distribution were good predictors of trawler attendance. Our research revealed that, at a local scale, the degree of interaction of seabirds on fishing discards varies by species. Therefore, fine-scale studies are essential in identifying interactions between seabirds and fisheries, and thus assessing conservation issues such as bycatch or the consequences of discard bans.

The Capbreton Canyon System is an area currently under study for its proposal as a Site of Community Importance under the EU Habitats Directive in the context of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project. Identifying and mapping benthic Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) plays a key role in this process. Although obtaining information on species distribution in deep sea rocky habitats has traditionally been a complicated task, the development of underwater remote sensing techniques resulted in a massive increase in the collection of digital imagery; however, processing all this information has led to another bottleneck due to the time-consuming nature of biota manual annotation. At this point, the use of computer vision and deep learning to automate image processing has substantial benefits but has rarely been adopted within the field of marine ecology. This study presents the integration of deep learning techniques for benthic fauna identification, high resolution multibeam echosounder (MBES) data and Species Distribution Models (SDMs), to map the potential habitat of the yellow coral Dendrophyllia cornigera, a representative species of the VME 1170 Reef habitat, on the circalitoral area of the Capbreton Canyon System. The localization and identification of the coral colonies was based on more than 7500 photographs taken during the INTEMARES-CapBreton 0619 and 0620 surveys using the photogrammetric ROTV Politolana. For the automatic annotation of the image set a deep learning based framework was developed by testing two different deep neural networks architectures; a FasterRCNN+Resnet101 model, accomplishing a precision of 100% over human expert annotation for presence/absence discrimination, was selected. Environmental data included different quantitative terrain attributes derived from high resolution MBES bathymetry data. A presence-only species distribution model, Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), was used to infer the spatial distribution of D. cornigera over the study area. Pre

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a promising management tool for the conservation and recovery of marine ecosystems, as well as fisheries management. MPAs are generally established as permanent closures but marine systems are dynamic, which has generated debate in favour of more dynamic designs. As a consequence, the identification of priority areas should assess their persistence in space and time. Here, we develop a step-by-step approach to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of fisheries management priority areas using standard fishery-independent survey data. To do so, we fit Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal SDM models to different commercially important demersal species and use the resulting maps to fit different spatial prioritisation configurations. We use these results to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of fisheries priority areas. The proposed method is illustrated through a western Mediterranean case study using fishery-independent trawl survey data on six commercially important species collected over 17 years. We identified two fisheries priority area patterns in the study area, each predominant during a different time-period of the study, asserting the importance of regularly re-assessing MPA designs.

Astrospartus mediterraneus (Risso, 1826) (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) is an emblematic Mediterranean species yet, it has few reports and hasn’t received much attention from the marine scientific community to date. In the framework of a project to assess how to mitigate the impact of artisanal fishing on benthic communities at the Site of Community Importance (SCI) of Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean) (MITICAP Project), an unusually high abundance of the basket star (A. mediterraneus) was observed in 2018 as part of the by-catch of the local artisanal fishers. Indeed, the fishers involved in the project reported that this species had increased in abundance and expanded its distribution over the past years, ultimately interfering with their fishing activity. This work benefits from the Local Ecological Knowledge of the fishers, analyses field surveys and aims to elucidate the abundance, distribution, size, and structure of A. mediterraneus populations; as well as to examine the possible impact this species has on the artisanal fisheries performance. Data collection was performed through bycatch photo analysis of regular fishing events from May to August, analysis of video-transects recorded by means of Remote Operated Vehicles and conducting interviews with fishers to identify the impact. Basket stars were associated with rocky substrates with presence of gorgonians located between 50 to 80 m depth, preferentially occurring on sloping areas. Despite their high abundances (0.45±0.71 ind/m2), the aggregations witnessed in the Cap de Creus area could not be determined as an outbreak due to the lack of longtime monitoring data thus, yet it seems apparent based on the LEK of the fishers that the species has been on the rise for the past years and they unanimously consider that its proliferation causes them a handicap in terms of monetary and time losses

The European mink (Mustela lutreola) is one of Europe's most endangered species, and it is on the brink of extinction in the Iberian Peninsula. The species' precarious situation requires the application of new ex situ conservation methodologies that complement the existing ex situ and in situ conservation measures. Here, we report for the first time the establishment of a biobank for European mink mesenchymal stem cells (emMSC) and oocytes from specimens found dead in the Iberian Peninsula, either free or in captivity. New emMSC lines were isolated from different tissues: bone marrow (emBM-MSC), oral mucosa (emOM-MSc), dermal skin (emDS-MSC), oviduct (emO-MSc), endometrium (emE-MSC), testicular (emT-MSC), and adipose tissue from two different adipose depots: subcutaneous (emSCA-MSC) and ovarian (emOA-MSC). All eight emMSC lines showed plastic adhesion, a detectable expression of characteristic markers of MSCs, and, when cultured under osteogenic and adipogenic conditions, differentiation capacity to these lineages. Additionally, we were able to keep 227 Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in the biobank, 97 of which are grade I or II. The European mink MSC and oocyte biobank will allow for the conservation of the species' genetic variability, the application of assisted reproduction techniques, and the development of in vitro models for studying the molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases that threaten the species' precarious situation.

Dataset and code to explore the results of climate change and water management scenario runs [EN]., Conjunto de datos y código para la exploración y visualización de los resultados de las simulaciones bajo condiciones de cambio climático y gestión de los recursos hídricos [ES].

Bovine mesenchymal stem cells are a relevant cell population found in the maternal reproductive tract that exhibits the immunomodulation capacity required to prevent embryo rejection. The phenotypic plasticity showed by both endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (eMSC) and embryonic trophoblast through mesenchymal to epithelial transition and epithelial to mesenchymal transition, respectively, is essential for embryo implantation. Embryonic trophoblast maintains active crosstalk via EVs and soluble proteins with eMSC and peripheral blood MSC (pbMSC) to ensure the retention of eMSC in case of pregnancy and induce the chemotaxis of pbMSC, critical for successful implantation. Early pregnancy-related proteins and angiogenic markers are detected as cargo in EVs and the soluble fraction of the embryonic trophectoderm secretome. The pattern of protein secretion in trophectoderm-EVs changes depending on their epithelial or mesenchymal phenotype and due to the uptake of MSC EVs. However, the changes in this EV-mediated communication between maternal and embryonic MSC populations infected by viruses that cause abortions in cattle are poorly understood. They are critical in the investigation of reproductive viral pathologies.

Increasing air temperatures and decreasing rainfall can alter Mediterranean ecosystems, where summer heat and drought already limit plant regeneration. Manipulative field studies can help to understand and anticipate community responses to climate changes. In a Mediterranean oak wooded pasture, we have investigated the effects of warming (W, via open-top chambers increasing 1.4 °C mean air temperature), reduced rainfall (D, via gutters removing 33% of rainfall) and the combination of both factors (WD) on the winter-annual Geranium dissectum L. We measured reproductive phenology and output, leaf physiology during the reproductive phase, and plant relative abundance. Warming had a positive effect on plant height and little effects on leaf physiology. Rainfall reduction enhanced leaf water use efficiency. However, the most noticeable effects occurred in WD plants, which exhibited lower leaf predawn water potential and earlier flowering phenology in the first year of treatment, and a higher ratio of leaf dark respiration (R) to net CO2 assimilation (Pn) at comparable temperatures in the third year, compared to control plants. Leaf R at ambient temperature was similar across climatic treatments. The relative abundance of G. dissectum decreased by 23% over three years, but similarly across treatments. A short life cycle helps G. dissectum to escape severe late-spring heat and drought stress. Moreover, stomata closure and thermal acclimation of R can attenuate plant stress impact on reproduction. Adaptability of the short-lived annual G. dissectum could mitigate climate change impact on community composition over short periods (e.g. three years); however, a reduction in net carbon gain could eventually affect its reproductive success and persistence in the community. © 2022 The Authors

Informed fishery management decisions require primary input data such as the fluctuations in the number of fish landed and fish length. Obtaining these data can be costly if conducted by hand, which is the case for length data in most fisheries. This cost often implies reduced sample sizes, which may introduce biases and lead to information loss at, for example, the boat level. The recent boost in artificial intelligence applied to fisheries provides a promising way to improve the assessment and management of stocks. We present an operational system using a deep convolutional network (Mask R-CNN) coupled with a statistical model that automatically estimates the number and the mean fork length of dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) caught in a Mediterranean fishery with a resolution of each landed fish box from each boat. The system operates on images of fish boxes collected automatically at the centralized fish auction. The statistical model corrects for biases due to undetected fish using the convolutional network and estimates the mean fork length of the fish in a box from the number of fish and the box weight, allowing for high-resolution monitoring of fishery dynamics during the entire fishing season. The system predictions were empirically validated and showed good accuracy and precision. Our system could be readily incorporated into assessment schemes. We discuss how this type of monitoring system opens new opportunities for improving fishery management.

The Strait of Gibraltar has some of the highest maritime activity in the world. Its populations of cetaceans are threatened by noise, chemical pollution, and collisions by the many boats crossing the strait. One of the greatest threats identified in cetaceans in the Mediterranean are epizootics that severely affect the most sensitive vital rate in long-lived species: adult survival. By a multi-event analysis of a 16-year database of long-finned pilot whale photo identification capture–recapture data, we analysed adult survival in the Strait of Gibraltar’s resident population and evaluated the possible effects of epizootics on this vital rate. We identified the large effect of a morbillivirus epizootic that occurred in 2006–2007, but we also revealed a second collapse in survival in 2011, probably due to another morbillivirus epizootic. These episodes seem to affect sexes differently, with females being less affected than males. Interestingly, the morbillivirus epizootic not only sharply decreased survival after the episode, but the effect extended over time, probably showing post-epizootic sequelae. These disease outbreaks have increased during the last decades worldwide and could be linked to anthropogenic threats such as organochlorine contamination. This may explain the high frequency of epizootics in the Gibraltar area. We warn about the conservation status of this long-finned pilot whale population and recommend the application of measures to reduce contamination on this nutrient-rich area to improve conditions for many marine species inhabiting this area.

A mass mortality event (MME) affecting the fan mussel Pinna nobilis was first detected in Spain in autumn 2016 and spread north- and eastward through the Mediterranean Sea. Various pathogens have been blamed for contributing to the MME, with emphasis in Haplosporidium pinnae, Mycobacterium sp. and Vibrio spp. In this study, samples from 762 fan mussels (necropsies from 263 individuals, mantle biopsies from 499) of various health conditions, with wide geographic and age range, taken before and during the MME spread from various environments along Mediterranean Sea, were used to assess the role of pathogens in the MME. The number of samples processed by both histological and molecular methods was 83. The most important factor playing a main role on the onset of the mass mortality of P. nobilis throughout the Mediterranean Sea was the infection by H. pinnae. It was the only non-detected pathogen before the MME while, during MME spreading, its prevalence was higher in sick and dead individuals than in asymptomatic ones, in MME-affected areas than in non-affected sites, and it was not associated with host size, infecting both juveniles and adults. Conversely, infection with mycobacteria was independent from the period (before or during MME), from the affection of the area by MME and from the host health condition, and it was associated with host size. Gram (-) bacteria neither appeared associated with MME.

La priorización es una tarea esencial para abordar cualquier actividad de conservación de la biodiversidad. Los diferentes catálogos de protección suelen ser los documentos de referencia para ello. A pesar de estar reiteradamente aconsejado por los especialistas, pocas veces se consideran criterios genéticos como la diversidad genética y la capacidad adaptativa de las especies ante el cambio climático. Esto hace que los trabajos de conservación ex situ no siempre optimicen la respuesta a las necesidades reales de conservación. El objetivo de este proyecto es desarrollar, con especies catalogadas que presentan incertidumbre taxonómica o alta vulnerabilidad ante el cambio climático, una metodología que incorpore los estudios adaptativos y genómicos inter e intra-poblacionales como criterios para la definición de prioridades de conservación ex situ a nivel de población y especie. De esta forma, las administraciones competentes podrán integrar estos criterios en sus programas y estrategias de conservación.

The Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is critically endangered. This subspecies has the lowest genetic variability and it is in regression. It belongs to Phasianidae family; therefore, the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) could be a good model for developing reproductive technologies for use in capercaillie populations with low availability of animals.

Worldwide climate change will influence the spatial distribution and status of exploited fish stocks, often in uncertain ways with cascading effects on the social-ecological systems depending on them. Likewise, changes in sociopolitical conditions influencing consumer demand, fuel, and fish prices may jeopardize the viability of fisheries. Predicting whether existing management systems can adapt to these changes is key and especially challenging in data-poor fisheries. In the Mediterranean Sea, the tropical and subtropical dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) is at its northernmost reproductive distribution area and has sustained a seasonal age-0 based artisanal small-scale fishery since ancient times. We built a quantitative Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) model integrating a diverse set of ecological, social, and economic input data to assess the impact of plausible midterm futures (2040-2059) on the seasonal economic profit for dolphinfish fishers in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean). These future scenarios accounted for increasing sea surface temperature based on global IPCC projections, population dynamics and growth of dolphinfish, economic forecasts of future fish and fuel prices, and stakeholders' views on feasible adaptations of the local management system. Seven out of twelve scenarios point towards increased profitability for fishers. To date, the fishery is managed locally although within a wider EU regulatory framework, and options such as advancing the opening date of the fishing season in response to climate-induced changes in growth and body size of dolphinfish might be economically beneficial. This will, however, depend critically on the evolution of unknown factors such as changes in other target species, consumption habits of people, and market dynamics. We show here that, even in fisheries without information on stock status, an integrated and holistic assessment of adaptive capacities of management systems is possible

[EN] Marine protected areas (MPAs) are a promising management tool for the conservation and recovery of marine ecosystems, as well as fishery management. MPAs are generally established as permanent closures but marine systems are dynamic, which has generated debate in favour of more dynamic designs. As a consequence, the identification of priority areas should assess their persistence in space and time. Here, we develop a step-by-step approach to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of fishery management priority areas using standard fishery-independent survey data. To do so, we fit Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal SDM (species distribution model) models to different commercially important demersal species and use the resulting maps to fit different spatial prioritisation configurations. The proposed method is illustrated through a western Mediterranean case study using fishery-independent trawl survey data on six commercially important species collected over 17 years. We use these results to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of fishery priority areas. We identified two fishery priority area patterns in the study area, each predominant during a different time period of the study, asserting the importance of regularly reassessing MPA designs, [FR] Les aires marines protégées (AMP) constituent un outil de gestion prometteur pour la conservation et le rétablissement des écosystèmes marins, ainsi que pour la gestion des pêches. Si les AMP sont généralement établies comme zones interdites à la pêche permanentes, le caractère dynamique des systèmes marins est à l’origine d’arguments en faveur d’une conception plus dynamique de ces aires. La délimitation de secteurs prioritaires devrait ainsi comprendre une évaluation de leur persistance dans l’espace et le temps. Nous présentons une approche par étape pour évaluer la dynamique spatiotemporelle de secteurs prioritaires pour la gestion des pêches qui fait appel à des données d’évaluation indépendantes des pêches standards. Pour ce faire, nous ajustons des modèles de répartition d’espèces (MRE) spatiotemporels hiérarchiques bayésiens à différentes espèces démersales d’importance commerciale et utilisons les cartes ainsi produites pour ajuster différentes configurations de priorisation spatiale. La méthode proposée est illustrée par une étude de cas de l’ouest de la mer Méditerranée qui fait appel à des données de relevés au chalut indépendantes de la pèche pour six espèces d’importance commerciale, recueillies sur 17 années. Nous utilisons ces résultats pour évaluer la dynamique spatiotemporelle de secteurs prioritaires pour la pêche. Nous cernons deux motifs de secteurs prioritaires pour la pêche dans la région d’étude, chacun étant prédominant durant différentes périodes de l’étude, ce qui souligne l’importance d réévaluer régulièrement la conception des AMP

The development and effective compliance of efficient fishing policies that guarantee both the sustainability of marine resources and fishing activity is one of the main challenges that policymakers nowadays face. At EU level, successful implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) depends, at a large extent, on the capacity to quantify catches on board commercial vessels. Because of the large number of fishing vessels and the high number of trips to be monitored classic, monitoring methods, mainly based on inspections, are not effective. Therefore, the use of electronic devices to quantify fishing catches is gaining relevance. The data provided by such devices, in combination with mathematical models, may be used to assess the state of the different fishing stocks and to optimize the fishing activity. In this work, we consider different algorithms based on Deep Learning (DL) for species identification and length estimation. On the one hand, for the instance segmentation task, we have adapted the Mask R-CNN algorithm to the problem of fish species identification. On the other hand, the MobileNet-V1 convolutional neural network is used for the estimation of the length of each individual. The results show that, when overlapping among individuals is moderate to low, both the identification and length estimation models are able to satisfactorily quantify the catch. In situations where overlapping among individuals is large, results need further improvements

This study raises the question of the potential long-term effects of a feeding pulse with diets containing algal biomass on the quality of frozen turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fillets. A feeding trial was carried out with this aim, in which juvenile turbot were fed during 60 d with six different experimental diets, two of which were enriched with the macroalgae Ulva rigida (U diets), the other two with a microalgae blend (M diets), plus a non-supplemented control diet (CT), and finally, a commercial aquafeed (COM). Two inclusion levels were considered in algae-enriched diets (50 and 100 g kg-1) so that they were designed as U5 and U10 for U. rigida, and M5 and M10 for microalgae-enriched diets. The duration of the feeding pulse with the functional diets was 60 days, and then, all specimens were fed with a COM diet for a further 150-d period until reaching a body size close to the commercial standard (approximately 750 g). Subsequently, fish were sacrificed; fillets were removed from the pigmented flank and kept at -20 °C for 5 months. Then, fillets were thawed and the muscle proximal composition and fatty acid profile were analyzed, and fillet quality parameters were assessed during a 10-d co\ld storage period at 4°C. The possible deferred effects of algae-enriched diets on fillet quality were compared with a control diet without algae (CT) and with a commercial diet (COM). Roughly, the results obtained indicated that a 60-d administration pulse of algae-enriched diets induced some long-term changes in both the nutritional and organoleptic quality of turbot fillets. In this regard, the algae-enriched aquafeeds improved the muscle antioxidant response throughout the cold storage period, prolonging the shelf life of thawed turbot fillets. In addition, in terms of consumers’ acceptability, this feeding pulse on pre-growing stage of the productive cycle was able to modify the skin and muscle pigmentation of fish of commercial size. Namely, the U10 diet increased the pro

Knowledge of the genetic structure and dispersal patterns for keystone and vulnerable species is essential to the establishment of conservation strategies. Since autumn 2016, the Critically Endangered Pinna nobilis bivalve has suffered mass mortality events throughout the Mediterranean Sea, causing mortality of up to 100% in affected populations. To propose appropriate reintroduction programs for its recovery, the present study sought to determine the genetic structure and local dispersal patterns from a well-documented population of P. nobilis. Using 19 microsatellite markers, we obtained genotypic information for 771 individuals from 9 localities within Cabrera National Park (CNP). The CNP population of P. nobilis was a single and homogeneous population, with nearly half of the sampled individuals being related through 333 halfsib and 14 full-sib relationships. The siblings belonged to 126 different family clusters composed of 2−8 individuals recruited during several recruitment events from up to 4 different localities. No evidence was found to suggest that the population was self-sustaining, since no parent−offspring dyad was found. However, the fine-scale dispersal patterns observed in Santa Maria Bay highlight the importance of this locality for the sustainment of the population as a whole. These findings suggest that the CNP could be a good choice for future reintroduction programs. Future studies that compile data from this and other studies conducted in CNP should be considered when modeling for reintroduction.

[Context] Land-use change is one of the main threats to biodiversity on the global scale. Legacy effects of historical land-use changes may affect population dynamics of long-lived species, but they are difficult to evaluate through observational studies alone. We present here an interdisciplinary modelling approach as an alternative to address this problem in landscape ecology., [Objectives] Assess effects of agricultural abandonment and anthropisation on the population dynamics of long-lived species. Specifically, we evaluated: (a) how changes in movement patterns caused by land-use change might impact population dynamics; (b) time-lag responses of demographic variables in relation to land-use changes., [Methods] We applied an individual-based and spatial-explicit simulation model of the spur-tighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), an endangered species, to sequences of real-world landscape changes representing agricultural abandonment and anthropisation at the local scale. We analysed different demographic variables and compared an “impact scenario” (i.e., historical land-use changes) with a “control scenario” (no land-use changes)., [Results] While agricultural abandonment did not lead to relevant changes in demographic variables, anthropisation negatively affected the reproductive rate, population density and the extinction probability with time-lag responses of 20, 30 and 130 years, respectively, and caused an extinction debt of 22%., [Conclusions] We provide an understanding of how changes in animal movement driven by land-use changes can translate into lagged impacts on demography and, ultimately, on population viability. Implementation of proactive mitigation management are needed to promote landscape connectivity, especially for long-lived species for which first signatures of an extinction debt may arise only after decades.

[ES] La transformación del secano en regadío en el sector central de la Depresión del Ebro ha representado un cambio espectacular en las condiciones de cultivo de un territorio de características semiáridas y precipitaciones muy irregulares. Sin embargo, los nuevos regadíos se enfrentaron desde un principio a graves problemas estructurales debido al peculiar diseño del sistema de regadío, las limitaciones de sus objetivos, la lentitud con que se fueron construyendo las infraestructuras necesarias (embalses, canales y acequias secundarias) y el acondicionamiento de los campos de cultivo. Este trabajo se centra en el estudio de las limitaciones a que se enfrentan los regadíos de Riegos del Alto Aragón (R.A.A.) debido a la tendencia que muestran los recursos hídricos y su distribución estacional como consecuencia de la evolución de temperaturas y precipitaciones, la expansión de la superficie forestal y de matorrales en áreas de montaña y el progresivo aterramiento a que se enfrentan los embalses. Para ello se ha revisado la información disponible sobre el Cambio Global en el Pirineo y se han aplicado diversos modelos climáticos e hidrológicos. La necesaria modernización ha mejorado los sistemas de riego, ha incrementado la eficiencia en el uso de los recursos hídricos, y ha permitido la introducción de nuevos cultivos mucho más productivos y rentables. Paradójicamente, la modernización también ha conllevado un aumento del consumo de agua y ha obligado a incrementar las reservas internas del sistema mediante la construcción de pequeños embalses y balsas. Esta mayor demanda de agua coincide con una progresiva reducción en la disponibilidad de recursos hídricos, debida no solo al incremento de la temperatura media sino también a los cambios en la dinámica de la acumulación y fusión de nieve en alta montaña y a la expansión de bosques y matorrales en antiguos campos de cultivo abandonados en los valles pirenaicos, lo que reduce la capacidad de generación de escorrentía y, [EN] The transformation of rainfed agriculture lands into irrigated lands in the central sector of the Ebro Depression has represented a spectacular change in the cultivation conditions of a semi-arid territory affected by scarce and irregular precipitation. However, the new irrigation systems faced serious structural problems from the beginning due to the peculiar design of the irrigation system, the limitations of its objectives, the slow pace with which the infrastructures were built (reservoirs, canals and secondary ditches) and the conditioning of cultivated fields. This work focuses on the study of the limitations faced by Riegos del Alto Aragón due to the trend shown by water resources and their seasonal distribution as a result of the evolution of temperature and precipitation, the expansion of woody vegetation in mountain areas and the progressive silting up of the reservoirs. For this, the information available on Global Change in the Pyrenees has been reviewed and climatic and hydrological models have been applied. The necessary modernization has improved the irrigation systems and water use efficiency, and has allowed the expansion of much more productive and profitable crops. Paradoxically, modernization has also increased the water demand, and has made necessary to increase the system’s internal reserves through the construction of small reservoirs and ponds. This greater water demand coincides with a decreasing trend in water resources availability, due not only to the increase in average temperature, but also to changes in snowpack accumulation and melting dynamics in the Pyrenean headwaters and to forest expansion in old abandoned fields in the Pyrenean valleys, which reduces runoff generation and streamflow. It is foreseeable that most of these processes will continue or even accentuate in the medium- to long-term due to climate change. In addition, the progressive silting up of the reservoirs reduces the water storage capacity year after year. The

[EN] Sea level rise (SLR) produced by climate change affects severely coastal ecosystems which are currently being impacted by sea level rise in many parts of the world. In relation with coastal wetlands, the most relevant induced effect will occur on water and soil's salt content, especially in areas below sea level. This could lead into a reduction of habitat for the wetlands' biota. In this context, this research assesses the SLR related risk in the Júcar River Basin District (JRBD). Hazard, exposure, impact, vulnerability, and risk maps have been elaborated. The design and application of measures is prioritized in those areas classified as Very High risk with the aim of improving coastal ecosystems' climate change adaptation. In Western Mediterranean coast, average sea level (ASL) will rise 0.16 m (2026¿2045) and 0.79 m (2081¿2100) referred to the reference period (1986¿2005). High-end scenarios indicate that ASL will rise 1.35 m¿1.92 m (2081¿2100). The risk analysis results show that 90% of JRBD area affected by SLR, corresponds to coastal wetlands. Half of the affected area belongs to L'Albufera de Valencia wetland with 32.44 km2 below sea level, which represents a water volume of 42.64 hm3 (2026¿2045) and a surface between 72.53 and 138.96 km2 representing from 118.36 to 289.70 hm3 (2081¿2100). In the case of L'Albufera de Valencia the impact will be throughout the 21st century, the average rate of SLR will leap from 4 to 11 cm per decade, therefore MSL will reach the current wetland levels by 2040¿2045. This makes necessary to modify the lake's management rules, which will lead to an increase of 40 hm3 in water storage and a reduction in water's renewal time compared to current rates (from 15 to 5 times a year).

[ES] La restauración fluvial y la generación de sombras en ríos son las principales medidas de adaptación frente al incremento de temperatura debido al Cambio Climático que deben aplicarse de forma prioritaria en las masas con riesgo alto o muy alto.

[EN] Elasmobranchs are one of the most endangered vertebrate groups on the planet, but despite this situation the use of reproductive techniques in elasmobranch conservation strategies has been scarce. Among these techniques, sperm preservation is a potential tool for ex situ conservation and aquaria sustainability. However, there are no widespread preservation protocols for elasmobranch sperm, and shark sperm cryopreservation has never been achieved before. Here we present the establishment of successful cryopreservation protocols for elasmobranch sperm, tested in several species. We have formulated a sperm extender that can be used for different elasmobranch species, capable of maintaining sperm motility for several weeks. Additionally, we achieved the cryopreservation of sperm by previously diluting it in our extender and supplementing it with different combinations of cryoprotectants. The effects of methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide as permeating cryoprotectants were evaluated, as well egg yolk as a nonpermeating cryoprotectant. Sperm quality was assessed by studying the motility and membrane integrity post-thawing, demonstrating its effectiveness in the 10 species tested, including two which are considered Critically Endangered. This is the first time that shark sperm cryopreservation has been reported, broadening our knowledge of the reproductive techniques that can be applied to elasmobranchs and laying the foundations for the first cryobanks for shark and ray sperm. Outcomes from this study will be useful for ex situ conservation efforts developed by public aquaria. A regular supply of frozen sperm will reduce the problems that result from the transport of specimens, inbreeding or lack of synchronized reproductive cycles in captivity.

[EN] Sperm extraction and artificial insemination may serve ex situ conservation initiatives for threatened sharks and related species. A comparison of the reproductive anatomy of eight chondrichthyans is presented in this study, emphasizing the important differences when performing these reproductive techniques. Additionally, we show how to obtain sperm samples from both living and dead specimens using cannulation, abdominal massage, or oviducal gland extraction. These tools can improve the success of breeding programs developed in aquaria and research facilities. The chondrichthyan fishes, which comprise sharks, rays, and chimaeras, are one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates on the planet. Given this situation, an additional strategy for the protection of these species could be the ex situ conservation projects developed in public aquaria and research centers. Nevertheless, to increase sustainability and to develop properly in situ reintroduction strategies, captive breeding techniques, such as sperm extraction and artificial insemination, should be developed. These techniques are commonly used in other threatened species and could be also used in chondrichthyans. However, the different reproductive morphologies found in this group can complicate both processes. Therefore, a comparison of the reproductive anatomy of eight distinct chondrichthyans, with an emphasis on those important differences when performing sperm extraction or artificial insemination, is carried out herein. Sharks and chimaeras belonging to the Scyliorhinidae, Carcharhinidae, Centrophoridae, Etmopteridae, Hexanchidae, and Chimaeridae families were obtained from commercial fisheries, public aquaria, and stranding events. In addition, the process of obtaining viable sperm samples through cannulation, abdominal massage, and oviducal gland extraction is described in detail for both living and dead animals.

[EN] Many species of rays and skates are endangered, and ex situ conservation programs developed by research centers and public aquaria could improve this situation. To reproduce these species in captivity, scientists need to know how to extract their sperm and how to conduct their artificial insemination; however, the anatomical diversity of the reproductive organs of this group of animals is a handicap. A comparison of the reproductive anatomies of 11 distinct species is presented here, emphasizing the important differences between the species when performing sperm extraction or artificial insemination. In addition, the process of obtaining sperm samples from both live and dead males is described in detail, using both cannulation and abdominal massage. The superorder Batoidea (rays, skates, and relatives), constitutes one of the most threatened group of vertebrates. Strengthening ex situ conservation programs developed in research centers and public aquaria could be a way of addressing this situation. However, captive breeding programs must be improved to prevent the capture of wild animals and to develop proper in situ reintroduction strategies. Sperm extraction and artificial insemination are two techniques commonly used in other threatened species, which could also be used in rays and the like. However, the different reproductive morphologies present within this group of animals may hamper both processes. Here, we present a comparison of the reproductive anatomies of 11 distinct batoid species, emphasizing the important differences between the species when performing sperm extraction or artificial insemination. Both male and female animals, belonging to the Rajidae, Dasyatidae, Torpedinidae and Myliobatidae families, from the Mediterranean Sea were studied. In addition, we describe the procedure to extract sperm using both cannulation and abdominal massage, either from live or dead batoids Finally, the obtention of motile sperm recovered from the oviducal gland

Spatial modelling is an important research tool to improve our knowledge about the distribution of wildlife in the ocean. Using different modelling techniques (MaxEnt and a generalized linear mixed model), a predictive habitat suitability model was developed for one of the most threatened seabirds in the world: the Balearic shearwater, Puffinus mauretanicus. Models were developed using a 10-year dataset from the Gulf of Cádiz (on the south-western Iberian Peninsula), a key foraging area for Balearic shearwaters during migration and the non-breeding season. Predictive habitat maps strongly matched the observed distribution patterns, pointing to bathymetric features as the main modelling drivers. The species was concentrated on shallow areas (up to approximately 100 m in depth) of the continental shelf, very close to the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. In contrast with previous studies, Balearic shearwater distribution in the highly dynamic Gulf of Cádiz was not correlated with areas of high chlorophyll a concentration. This lack of spatial correlation probably arises from the delay between the phytoplankton bloom and the response of the zooplankton and small fish that are preyed upon by Balearic shearwaters, which may result in important displacements of this trophic chain across the Gulf of Cádiz. The analysis presented contributes to a better understanding of the spatial distribution and ecology of the critically endangered top predator in the Gulf of Cádiz and offers important information to improve management plans.

The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) provides a good model for developing new reproductive technologies for use with threatened related species. Such technologies could also be used in the reproductive management of this pet species. The present work reports an improved freezing protocol for ferret sperm. Semen was collected by electroejaculation plus rectal massage (in an attempt to reduce the electrical stimulation necessary) from five adult male ferrets, and then subjected to one of two freezing protocols: (a) from 5 to -35°C at 40°C/min, then from -35 to -65°C at 17°C/min, and finally from -65 to -85°C at 3°C/min-a decelerating freezing rate; and (b) from 5 to - 10°C at 5°C/min, and then from -10 to -130°C at 60°C/min-an accelerating freezing rate. After thawing, the viability and acrosomal integrity of the sperm frozen via the two-step accelerating method were better than those frozen via the three-step decelerating method (43.3 ± 3.5% and 71.2 ± 3.4% compared with 29.7 ± 3.7% and 58.8 ± 3.4% respectively; p < .05). No differences were seen between the methods with respect to sperm motility variables; most sperm (>90%) remained static with both freezing methods. In conclusion, although the method with accelerating freezing rate was associated with better post-thaw sperm viability and acrosome integrity values, neither of the two freezing methods tested provided adequate motility results after thawing. Combining rectal massage with electrical stimuli seemed to reduce the number of the latter required for successful sperm collection.

La distribución del alcotán en España como reproductor no es uniforme, diferenciándose la mitad septentrional del país -con una distribución algo más continuada de la mitad meridional -donde es muy fragmentada, dispersa y puntual en muchas zonas-. Tiene presencia en hábitats apropiados de Cataluña, País Vasco, La Rioja, Navarra, Burgos y Soria. En Galicia, Asturias y resto de Castilla y León está repartido, aunque la distribución resulta más dispersa. En Madrid se encuentra en la sierra del Guadarrama. En Castilla-La Mancha es una especie rara y escasa, siendo algo más abundante en las provincias orientales de la comunidad (López de Carrión et al., 2006). En Extremadura es más frecuente en Cáceres, en pinares del sistema Central, y con densidades localmente más elevadas en pinares del Tiétar y de Monfragüe, siendo muy escaso en Badajoz (Prieta, 2011). En la Comunidad Valenciana, Murcia y Andalucía es muy escaso, con presencia extremadamente localizada.

Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are top predators, feeding on a wide variety of prey species, several of which are also targeted by fisheries. The last remaining healthy group of the endangered Mediterranean common dolphin subpopulation is located in the Alboran Sea. Their feeding grounds overlap with the fishing grounds of trawlers targeting European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and blue whiting (Micromessistius poutassou) as well as purse seiners targeting small pelagic species such as European sardine (Sardina pilchardus), European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), horse mackerel (Trachurus spp.) and mackerel (Scomber spp.). In the present study, we estimated that individual common dolphins in the Alboran Sea have a food consumption of 3.35 ± 0.67 kg/day, based on scaling equations applied to stranded animals. This figure is similar to the ones reported for other European populations. Although common dolphins mainly feed on mesopelagic species of none or little commercial interest, they also feed on commercial species, which could lead to a potential conflict with fisheries in the area. We estimated common dolphins in the Alboran Sea could consume more than 16,000 tonnes of fish annually, including ca 7365 (95% CI: 3838–11,639) tonnes of Madeira lanternfish (Ceratoscopelus maderensis), 2,888 (1123–5223) tonnes of bogue (Boops boops), 2770 (879–5270) tonnes of European sardine, 1,850 (170–4116) tonnes of gobies (Gobiidae), and 1497 (65–3352) tonnes of European hake (reference period 2006-2011). Estimated sardine, anchovy and blue whiting consumption was low when compared to the landings in the area, however estimated hake consumption was above the reported hake landings in recent years (393.4 ± 146 tonnes landed annually between 2006 and 2011). Additionally, direct interactions between common dolphins and main fisheries were evaluated in a total of 111 observed fishing trips (70 in trawlers and 41 in purse seiners) in the area. Although no bycatch of common do

Behavioural and socio‑cultural traits are recognized in the restriction of gene flow in species with high cognitive capacity and complex societies. This isolation by social barriers has been generally overlooked in threatened species by assuming disrupted gene flow due to population fragmentation and decline. We examine the genetic structure and ecology of the global population of the Critically Endangered red‑fronted macaw (Ara rubrogenys), an endemic species to the inter‑Andean valleys of Bolivia. We found a fine‑scale genetic structuring in four genetic clusters. Genetic diversity was higher in wild compared to captive‑bred macaws, but similar to that of captive wild‑caught macaws. We found no clear evidence of severe genetic erosion in the population in recent decades, but it was patent in historic times, overlapping with drastic human habitat transformation and macaw persecution over millennia. We found no evidence of geographical and ecological barriers, owing to the high dispersal ability, nesting and foraging habits between genetic clusters. The lack of genetic intermixing despite long‑distance foraging and seasonal movements suggests recruitment in natal colonies and other social factors reinforcing philopatry‑related genetic structure. Conservation efforts should be specifically focussed on major threats in each genetic cluster as independent conservation units, and also considered in ex‑situ management.

Especie generalista en el uso de hábitats abiertos. Puede encontrarse en acantilados, ecosistemas agroesteparios, semidesiertos, zonas agrícolas, ganaderas, bosques poco densos y zonas antrópicas. Presenta una gran variedad de hábitats de cría, incluyendo pastizales, bosques abiertos y ambientes urbanos, con todos los gradientes posibles entre ellos, siendo el hábitat óptimo las áreas agrícolas y pastizales tradicionales (Village, 1990). En general, evita las masas arbóreas densas y necesita de espacios abiertos para cazar, especialmente herbazales y terrenos baldíos.El cernícalo vulgar está ampliamente distribuido en España, ocupando prácticamente la totalidad de la península ibérica, islas Baleares e islas Canarias, grandes grupos de mayor densidad en España: Castilla-León, excluyendo su parte más oriental; el centro-oeste de Andalucía. Una menor abundancia se podría destacar en Galicia y Asturias, el eje comprendido entre Guadalajara, Cuenca, Albacete y Murcia, la parte occidental de Extremadura y por último su baja densidad en el corredor comprendido entre Ávila, Toledo, Ciudad Real y Córdoba. En las islas Canarias está ampliamente distribuido, llegando a alcanzar elevadas densidades según las islas, siendo inferior en las orientales (Martín y Lorenzo 2001; Carrillo, 2007). La distribución invernal es irregular, con una más alta y continua ocupación en la meseta norte y la depresión del Guadalquivir, seguido de la meseta sur y la depresión del Ebro. En tercer lugar, destacan varias comarcas de Badajoz y del litoral mediterráneo. Es muy escaso en Galicia, la cornisa Cantábrica y en todos los sistemas montañosos (Palomino, 2012), aunque su presencia puede detectarse hasta a una altitud de 2.400 m en Pirineos y Canarias.

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with a well-known toxicity for old world vultures that ingest the carrion of domestic animals treated with it. Diclofenac intoxication was directly related to the dramatic declines in the populations of three native South Asian Gyps vulture species two decades ago. In 2013, this NSAID was authorised for veterinary use in Spain, which has the largest vulture populations in Europe. One of these species is the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), which is classified as “near threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This species has been reintroduced and monitored in Catalonia (NE Spain) since 2007, and in 2020 its current population consisted of 15 breeding pairs and a total number of 61 individuals. In September 2020, one fledgling was found dead in the nest. Post-mortem examination revealed severe generalised visceral and articular gout, which was confirmed histologically. Diclofenac was detected at average concentrations of 26.5 ng/g in the liver and 51.4 ng/g in kidney replicates (n = 3), respectively. These findings support a diagnosis of fatal gout caused by diclofenac intoxication. This is the first case of diclofenac poisoning in Spain (and in Europe), in addition to being the first report of diclofenac poisoning in cinereous vultures. This case report, therefore, supports the need to closely monitor vulture populations and carry out strict regulatory measures with which to prevent these poisonings.

Current climate modelling frameworks present significant uncertainties when it comes to quantifying flood quantiles in the context of climate change, calling for new information and strategies in hazard assessments. Here, state-of-the-art methods on hydraulic and statistical modelling are applied to historical and contemporaneous flood records to evaluate flood hazards beyond natural climate cycles. A comprehensive flood record of the Duero River in Zamora (Spain) was compiled from documentary sources, early water-level readings and continuous gauge records spanning the last 500 years. Documentary evidence of flood events includes minute books (municipal and ecclesiastic), narrative descriptions, epigraphic marks, newspapers and technical reports. We identified 69 flood events over the period 1250 to 1871, of which 15 were classified as catastrophic floods, 16 as extraordinary floods and 38 as ordinary floods. Subsequently, a two-dimensional hydraulic model was implemented to relate flood stages (flood marks and inundated areas) to discharges. The historical flood records show the largest floods over the last 500 years occurred in 1860 (3450 m3 s−1), 1597 (3200 m3 s−1) and 1739 (2700 m3 s−1). Moreover, at least 24 floods exceeded the perception threshold of 1900 m3 s−1 during the period (1500–1871). Annual maximum flood records were completed with gauged water-level readings (pre-instrumental dataset, PRE: 1872–1919) and systematic gauge records (systematic dataset, SYS: 1920–2018). The flood frequency analyses were based on (1) the expected moments algorithm (EMA) and (2) the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) method, using five datasets with different temporal frameworks (historic dataset, HISTO: 1511–2018; PRE–SYS: 1872–2018; full systematic record, ALLSYS: 1920–2018; SYS1: 1920–1969; and SYS2: 1970–2018). The most consistent results were obtained using the HISTO dataset, even for high quantiles (0.001 % annual exceedance probability, AEP). PRE–SYS was robust for

El control biológico de roedores por depredación en ecosistemas agrícolas se ha sugerido desde hace varias décadas como una alternativa sostenible al uso generalizado de rodenticidas anticoagulantes, por su menor impacto ambiental. Las aves rapaces que nidifican en cavidades pueden ser considerados óptimos agentes biológicos, ya que sus abundancias tienden a incrementarse rápidamente mediante la instalación de cajas nido, especialmente en ambientes agrícolas donde la disponibilidad de cavidades naturales para nidificar suele ser escasa. En esta tesis doctoral, evaluamos la capacidad del control biológico de topillo campesino (Microtus arvalis), así como del topillo mediterráneo (Microtus duodecimcostatus), favoreciendo la presencia de dos depredadores, uno generalista y otro especialista, con alta capacidad de movilidad: el cernícalo vulgar (Falco tinnunculus) y la lechuza común (Tyto alba), en regiones de la península Ibérica donde se han registrado explosiones demográficas recurrentes de topillo campesino que han estado asociadas con daños agrícolas. El control biológico por depredación puede ser considerado como una técnica prometedora dentro de los planes de manejo ecológico de plagas de roedores, Ecologically-based rodent pest management (EBRM), basados en la búsqueda de tratamientos donde se prioriza el conocimiento ecológico de la especie que causa el daño, considerando un marco de aplicación ambiental, cultural y económicamente sostenible. Sin embargo, los depredadores también pueden producir efectos adversos sobre otras especies no diana, afectando tanto a su abundancia como a su detectabilidad, e influir en la dinámica de trasmisión de numerosas enfermedades. Nuestros resultados mostraron que el control biológico por depredación en ecosistemas agrícolas, tuvo la capacidad de reducir significativamente la abundancia tanto del topillo campesino como del topillo mediterráneo, en cultivos de alfalfa y cultivos de frutales. También hallamos una menor abundancia

Individual acoustic tracking is a valuable tool to understand the behavioral ecology of aquatic species and to inform conservation actions. In this study, we examined the spatial behavior of single individuals of four common coastal fish species (striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus;corkwing wrasse, Symphodus melops;pollack Pollachius pollachius;and white seabream, Diplodus sargus) in the National Park “Illas Atlánticas de Galicia” (NW Spain). The use of space of these species varied between 237,975 m2 and 48,725 m2, and the number of days that each fish was detected in the study area ranged between 35 and 110 days with weighted residence index ranged between 0.02 and 0.43. Pollackleft the array after 235 days, and was recaptured 342 days after tagging ~10 km south from the study area. The movement of the studied species followed contrasting diel patterns. While white seabream and striped red mullet moved over larger areas during the day, pollackranged over larger areas during the night. This single individual study (‘Solo datasets’) represents a useful baseline for future research projects by providing preliminary knowledge of these poorly known species in the study area.

Cold-water gorgonians dwelling on the continental shelf are a common by-catch of bottom-contact fishing practices. Given the slow growth and limited recruitment of cold-water gorgonians, the impact of fishing activities may seriously compromise the conservation of the highly complex coral gardens communities. For this reason, the development of effective active and passive restoration methods is nowadays a priority in order to enhance the natural recovery of impacted cold-water coral gardens. However, the ecological restoration of mesophotic and deep-sea communities remains extremely limited, due to its technological requirements and associated costs, which bring its wide-scale and long-term application into question. This study reports the preliminary results of the first large-scale active restoration of more than 400 cold-water gorgonians on the Mediterranean continental shelf. By actively involving local fishers during two consecutive fishing seasons, by-catch gorgonians were recovered and returned to the continental shelf (at 80–90 m depth). The monitoring surveys performed by using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) revealed that 460 gorgonian transplants survived over an area of 0.23 ha. The reintroduced cold-water gorgonian population was compared to a reference natural population in terms of size and spatial structure. The cost of the restoration amounted to 140,000 €/ha, which is significantly lower than that of any deep-sea restoration actions performed to date. The results of this cost-effective active restoration highlight the viability of large-scale restoration of impacted cold-water coral communities, with promising results for the conservation and recovery of mesophotic and deep-sea ecosystems

Drilled seeds are an important food resource for many farmland birds but may pose a serious risk when treated with pesticides. Most compounds currently used as seed treatment in the EU have low acute toxicity but may still affect birds in a sub-chronic or chronic way, especially considering that the sowing season lasts several weeks or months, resulting in a long exposure period for birds. Tebuconazole is a triazole fungicide widely used in agriculture but its toxicity to birds remains largely unknown. Our aim was to test if a realistic scenario of exposure to tebuconazole treated seeds affected the survival and subsequent reproduction of the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa). We fed captive partridges with wheat seeds treated with 0%, 20% or 100% of tebuconazole application rate during 25 days in late winter (i.e. tebuconazole dietary doses were approximately 0.2 and 1.1 mg/kg bw/day). We studied treatment effects on the physiology (i.e. body weight, biochemistry, immunology, oxidative stress, coloration) and reproduction of partridges. Exposed birds did not reduce food consumption but presented reduced plasmatic concentrations of lipids (triglycerides at both exposure doses, cholesterol at high dose) and proteins (high dose). The coloration of the eye ring was also reduced in the low dose group. Exposure ended 60 days before the first egg was laid, but still affected reproductive output: hatching rate was reduced by 23% and brood size was 1.5 times smaller in the high dose group compared with controls. No significant reproductive effects were found in the low dose group. Our results point to the need to study the potential endocrine disruption mechanism of this fungicide with lagged effects on reproduction. Risk assessments for tebuconazole use as seed treatment should be revised in light of these reported effects on bird reproduction.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The documentation and protection of traditional knowledge face new challenges in the era of open science. Focusing on medicinal and food uses, we discuss two innovative initiatives in Spain to document, protect and return to the society traditional knowledge. Materials and methods The Spanish Inventory of Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity has compiled and published information on the traditional use and management of flora, fauna, fungi, geodiversity, and ecosystems. CONECT-e (www.conecte.es) is an online platform where citizens can document knowledge and uses of wild and domesticated species. We describe the extent of these initiatives in terms of participation and accomplishment, and discuss their complementarities and challenges. Results The initiatives described have fostered the establishment of a common standard for organizing traditional knowledge in databases that facilitate knowledge documentation: 131,066 uses and 152,246 local names have been documented so far. Using open data and copyleft licenses, these initiatives also contribute to the maintenance of traditional knowledge in the commons domain, guaranteeing the free exchange and reproduction of knowledge. However, the extensive focus of these initiatives on data sharing does not necessarily guarantee knowledge holders¿ data sovereignty. Conclusion To protect TEK in a context of open science more efforts should be done to operationalize traditional knowledge holders' rights to data sovereignty.

Uno de los mayores desafíos al que se enfrentan las políticas de gestión sostenible de la actividad pesquera es la obtención de datos reales de capturas (tanto retenidas como descartadas) realizadas por las diversas flotas.En proyectos anteriores (LIFE FAROS, LIFE iSEAS y SICAPTOR), se desarrollaron diversas herramientas para la reducción de descartes y la cuantificación de la captura total. En concreto, se desarrolló y optimizó un sistema de monitorización electrónica en tiempo real, basado en inteligencia artificial, para la cuantificación e identificación de especies en buques pesqueros denominado iObserver

[EN] Relationships between environmental factors and oscillations in jellyfish abundance, especially in the early life stages, could help to interpret past increases and also predict scenarios in a changing future. For the first time, we present cubozoan spatial and temporal distributions in the earliest stages and their relationships with different factors. Abundances ofCarybdea marsupialismedusae showed high interannual variability from 2008 to 2014 along the Denia coast (SE Spain, W Mediterranean). During 2015, samples were collected from 11 beaches along 17 km of coastline, 8 times from January to November in order to determine the effects of environmental factors on the distribution of juvenileC.marsupialis. Juveniles (<= 15 mm diagonal bell width) were present from May to July, with more sampled near shore (0-15 m). Most of them occurred in June when their numbers were unequal among beaches (average 0.05 ind m(-3), maximum 6.71 ind m(-3)). We tested distributions of juveniles over time and space versus temperature, salinity, nutrients (N, P and Si), chlorophyll-a(Chl-a), and zooplankton abundance. Temperature and cladocerans (zooplankton group) were significantly positively correlated with juvenile distribution, whereas Chl-aconcentration was weakly negative. By contrast, in 2014, high productivity areas (Chl-aand zooplankton) overlapped the maximum adult abundance (5.2 ind m(-3)). The distribution of juveniles during 2015 did not spatially coincide with the areas where ripe adults were located the previous year, suggesting that juveniles drift with the currents upon release from the cubopolyps. Our results yield important insights into the complexity of cubozoan distributions.

[EN] The water quality deteriorated in the middle of the 1970s in the Albufera lake, a shallow Mediterranean coastal lagoon in the east coast of Spain. In few years, the water changed from an oligotrophic status to hypereutrophic as the lagoon received sewage and agrochemicals, lacking adequate sanitation facilities. For more than 40 years, the lake was used as a wastewater treatment plant given the urban development in the surrounding area. It was not until the early 1990s, 20 years after the hypereutrophic state was reached, when the first sanitation facility protecting the lake was implemented: a perimeter intercepting sewer carrying out the sewage to a waste water treatment plant. This paper describes the different engineering solutions and tools implemented to improve the water quality in the Albufera lagoon. We describe the measures and their effects on the water quality as well as their limits. Those are sanitation solutions as sewers, wastewaters treatment plants, stormwater detention tanks, and nature based solutions as constructed wetlands that have been used in these years. In addition, the role of agricultural activity in the water balance (quantity and quality), the importance of sediments management and the use of water quality models in environmental engineering have been assessed. Evidences of the improvement of environmental quality are the decrease of mean clorophyll a concentration from 800 mu g Chl a l(-1) in 1980s to less than 100 mu g Chl a l(-1) currently observed, the increase of water transparency and the recovery of macrophytes within the lake or the presence of winterbirds which disappeared years ago.

Spatial ecology and behaviour of a species is essential to assess its vulnerability to environmental and anthropogenic stressors and consequently develop efficiency management strategies. Elasmobranchs, as k-strategy species are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, especially in coastal areas. Speciesspecific conservation management has proven to be challenging, due to insufficient information on their biology and ecology. In this study we used a VPS acoustic telemetry array to identify biological and environmental drivers for presence, space use and activity of the endangered undulate ray, Raja undulata, within an MPA in the southern Galician coast (NW Spain). Movement and behaviour were mainly driven by diel and seasonal patterns, activity levels differed between sexes and temperature and upwelling conditions were less important drivers for behaviour. No effect of body size was observed. While the presence in the study area and home range size decreased from summer to autumn, activity increased towards mid-September and followed a clear diel cycle with nocturnal activity peaks. We hypothesised that foraging and reproduction are likely to be the main underlying biological drivers. Our work thus represents an important contribution to the understanding of the ecology of this endangered, yet commercially important skate in Europe and provides important insights for management strategies.

Self-incompatibility in Rosaceae is determined by a Gametophytic Self-Incompatibility System (GSI) that is mainly controlled by the multiallelic locus S. In apricot, the determination of self- and inter-(in)compatibility relationships is increasingly important, since the release of an important number of new cultivars has resulted in the increase of cultivars with unknown pollination requirements. Here, we describe a methodology that combines the determination of self-(in)compatibility by hand-pollinations and microscopy with the identification of the S-genotype by PCR analysis. For self(in)compatibility determination, flowers at balloon stage from each cultivar were collected in the field, hand-pollinated in the laboratory, fixed, and stained with aniline blue for the observation of pollen tube behavior under the fluorescence microscopy. For the establishment of incompatibility relationships between cultivars, DNA from each cultivar was extracted from young leaves and S-alleles were identified by PCR. This approach allows establishing incompatibility groups and elucidate incompatibility relationships between cultivars, which provides a valuable information to choose suitable pollinizers in the design of new orchards and to select appropriate parents in breeding programs.

The dynamics of fish length distribution is a key input for understanding the fish population dynamics and taking informed management decisions on exploited stocks. Nevertheless, in most fisheries, the length of landed fish is still made by hand. As a result, length estimation is precise at fish level, but due to the inherent high costs of manual sampling, the sample size tends to be small. Accordingly, the precision of population-level estimates is often suboptimal and prone to bias when properly stratified sampling programmes are not affordable. Recent applications of artificial intelligence to fisheries science are opening a promising opportunity for the massive sampling of fish catches. Here, we present the results obtained using a deep convolutional network (Mask R-CNN) for unsupervised (i.e. fully automatic) European hake length estimation from images of fish boxes automatically collected at the auction centre. The estimated mean of fish lengths at the box level is accurate; for average lengths ranging 20–40 cm, the root-mean-square deviation was 1.9 cm, and maximum deviation between the estimated and the measured mean body length was 4.0 cm. We discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise with the use of this technology to improve data acquisition in fisheries.

The establishment of non-native, habitat-forming seaweeds into new areas may trigger changes in ecosystem functioning, including the spatial redistribution of native biodiversity. These changes can in turn affect socio-economic systems. We studied the question whether the spatial behaviour of marine anglers is altered by the presence of a non-native seaweed using a novel image-based method to measure fisher movements. A Hidden Markov Model (HMM) was applied to high resolution tracking data of marine recreational boat anglers exploiting a coastal fishery half covered by a recently introduced tropical seaweed, Halimeda incrassata. We then examined if the presence of the non-native seaweed affected the transition probability between two key behavioural states of the anglers: searching and fishing. The analysis revealed a significant effect of the seaweed presence at site-level on angler movement behaviour, but in the opposite direction that we predicted: the presence of the non-native seaweed led a decrease in the use of invaded patches although these patches are known to host an increased fish abundance. Invaded sites thus were attractive to the target fishes, but not for anglers, leading to repulsion. We conclude that, at the patch level non-native habitat forming seaweeds can exert substantial impacts on fisher behaviour in marine recreational fisheries. We discuss future studies needed to shed light to the social-economic impact of H. incrassata for local temperate recreational fisheries.

Negative impacts of invasive species are widely accepted, but there is increasing evidence that neutral or positive effects are more prevalent than initially recognized, particularly for species which are of different functional / trophic group than the invader. We used a BACI design to examine how fish communities responded to the invasion of Halimeda incrassata, an ecosystem engineer which colonizes sandy habitats in the Western Mediterranean. While invasion did not alter overall species richness or diversity, we detected positive, negative and neutral responses by different fish species, which has important ecological and socio-economic implications. Contrasting responses likely result from different alterations that this alga conferred, putatively increasing prey availability via habitat creation, or limiting burial and camouflage abilities of fish. Our results highlight that effects of ecosystem engineers can be multiple and complex, and that predictions of invasive species are not straight forward.

African swine fever (ASF) is a severe viral disease that is currently spreading among domestic pigs and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in large areas of Eurasia. Wild boar play a key role in the spread of ASF, yet despite their significance, little is known about the key mechanisms that drive infection transmission and disease persistence. A mathematical model of the wild boar ASF system is developed that captures the observed drop in population density, the peak in infected density and the persistence of the virus observed in ASF outbreaks. The model results provide insight into the key processes that drive the ASF dynamics and show that environmental transmission is a key mechanism determining the severity of an infectious outbreak and that direct frequency dependent transmission and transmission from individuals that survive initial ASF infection but eventually succumb to the disease are key for the long-term persistence of the virus. By considering scenarios representative of Estonia and Spain we show that faster degradation of carcasses in Spain, due to elevated temperature and abundant obligate scavengers, may reduce the severity of the infectious outbreak. Our results also suggest that the higher underlying host density and longer breeding season associated with supplementary feeding leads to a more pronounced epidemic outbreak and persistence of the disease in the long-term. The model is used to assess disease control measures and suggests that a combination of culling and infected carcass removal is the most effective method to eradicate the virus without also eradicating the host population, and that early implementation of these control measures will reduce infection levels whilst maintaining a higher host population density and in some situations prevent ASF from establishing in a population.