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Widespread tree growth decline and absence of acorn production are observed in formerly coppiced Quercus pyrenaica stands. Attempts to convert oak coppices into high forests by thinning have failed to date, possibly due to the massive root system developed by trees after centuries of coppicing. We tested root trenching and stem girdling as silvicultural treatments to mitigate this hypothetical root-to-shoot imbalance and enhance the physiological performance of multi-stemmed clonal trees. We expected that severing the roots within a clone by trenching would reduce root respiratory carbon losses. Alternatively, stem girdling would increase carbon availability above the girdled zone, whilst the communal root system is maintained by non-girdled stems. After clonal structure delineation in a one-hectare experimental plot, root trenching and stem girdling were applied to stems belonging to different clones. Twig hydraulic traits, leaf water potential, non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) concentration in twigs, stems and roots, stem xylem [CO2] as an indicator of root respiration, stem growth, and acorn production were discretely monitored up to 12 years after treatment application for comparison with control stems. Stem girdling led to short-term enhancements in NSC pools above the girdled zone. However, hydraulic dysfunction symptoms and canopy dieback were observed four years after girdling, eventually causing mortality. Root trenching initially increased root respiration and reduced stem growth without an apparent decline in the hydraulic function and NSC pools above-ground. Ten years after trenching, stem [NSC] increased while stem growth limitations diminished. Although not statistically significant, slight enhancements in acorn production were observed 6 and 12 years after trenching. We discourage stem girdling as a silvicultural practice to mitigate a root-to-shoot imbalance in abandoned oak coppices, as long-term detrimental effects outweighed potential benefits.

The Galician estuaries are Europe’s foremost supplier of mussels, generating millions of euros annually and offering substantial employment opportunities for its population. One of the most critical threats to shellfish production is the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs), contaminating bivalves with phytotoxins. To successfully tackle this problem, there needs to be a collaborative effort between the scientific community and decision-makers to establish a dynamic and effective monitoring system. This could enable early warnings and preventive actions to avert the loss of millions of tons of shellfish. Remote sensing, despite its limitations, requires commitment and effort by experts to devise effective methods for detecting target optical constituents mixed with other undesired target but that exhibit strong signals. Therefore, the essential necessity arises to identify approaches for mitigating the shortcomings of the undertaken efforts. The objective of this study is to assess the main environmental drivers of potential harmful genera (Pseudo-nitzschia, Dinophysis, Alexandrium, and Gymnodinium) in the Rías Baixas from 2015 to 2022, developing regression-based models and customizing Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) to investigate their spatial-temporal dynamics. Risk-susceptible bloom zones were identified in the river mouth of the Ría Pontevedra and from the center to offshore of the Ría Vigo. Early upwelling events triggered peaks in chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), driving Dinophysis grazing on phytoplankton communities mainly dominated by diatoms, flagellates, and ciliates. Subsequently, the upwelling intensity favoring Pseudo-nitzschia or Alexandrium minutum growth as larger diatoms declined. A. minutum exhibited elevated incidence over the past five years. Gymnodinium catenatum presented a rare occurrence across the three studied estuaries, which limited the assessment of its spatial dynamics in the region. This study emphasizes the need to integrate remote s

This study exploits the combination of High-Frequency Coastal Radar (HFR) information with satellite-derived observations to characterize the patterns involved in the coastal countercurrents (CCCs) events in the Gulf of Cadiz (GoC), which is situated in the SW of the Iberian Peninsula. The westward alongshore currents are observed throughout the year, but the main drivers necessary to develop this flow and its extension in both parts of the basin are not fully clear. In order to identify the main physical processes (both local and remote) that induce the development of these countercurrents and to evaluate the connection of the circulation patterns between the eastern and the western part of the GoC, we make use of several data sources available for the region. First of all, a land-based system of HFR antennas located at four different sites of the GoC provides the velocity field of the surface circulation of the basin. To achieve a significant characterization of the CCCs in the Gulf, the dataset analyzed is processed by means of a series of operations, including the Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) analysis used to identify spatial and temporal variability of the flow, a low-pass filter used to isolate the sub-inertial signal of the current and temporal interpolation to fill in the missing values. Secondly, given the known importance of the zonal component of the local winds combined with the variations in the mean pressure at sea level over the Western Mediterranean during these events, time series of meteorological data are processed and correlated with the current velocity series via a statistical analysis. Finally, sea surface temperature fields and chlorophyll-a distribution patterns are used as tracers to obtain information on the extension of the countercurrents where HFR data are missing in four cases studied during the year 2017. The conducted analysis revealed the consistent occurrence of westward coastal currents throughout the year, driven in the

Premise of the study: On islands, flowering plants tend to be more generalist in their pollination needs, as insects (the main pollinators of flowering plants) are underrepresented in these ecosystems compared to the mainland. In addition, some vertebrate species that are typically insectivorous or granivorous on the mainland are forced to broaden their diet and consume other resources such as nectar or pollen on the islands. The shrub Malva arborea, with its large and colourful flowers, attracts different groups of potential pollinators. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of vertebrates versus insects in an insular population of M. arborea and to investigate its reproductive system. Methods: For three groups of taxa (insects, birds and lizards), we assessed the two components of pollination effectiveness: (i) the quantitative component (i.e. number of visits and number of flowers contacted) through direct observations of flowers; and (ii) the qualitative component (fruit and seed set, number and size of seeds and proportion of seedling emergence) through pollinator exclusion experiments. Key results: Vertebrates (birds and lizards) were quantitatively the most effective pollinators, followed by insects. However, when all three groups visited the flowers, fruit and seed set were higher than when any of them were excluded. We also found that M. arborea has hermaphrodite flowers and is able to reproduce by autogamy, although less efficiently than when pollinated by animals. Conclusions: Both vertebrates and insects play an important role in the reproduction of M. arborea. Although the plant does not need pollinators to produce seeds, its reproductive success increases when all pollinators are allowed to visit the flowers. Besides providing new information on M. arborea, these findings may help to better understand the role of different pollinator groups in the reproduction of other plant species, especially on islands where the co-occurrence of vertebrate a

A new regulation has led to the prohibition of recreational hunting on estates located within Spanish National Parks (NPs). Before the ban, eleven NPs in Spain had already reported negative ecological consequences associated with high densities of wild ungulates. The new situation that has occurred after the ban signifies that policies with which to control populations of wild ungulates in NPs, most of which do not have a sufficient natural capacity to regulate populations, depend exclusively on the parks' authorities. The banning of recreational hunting implies a series of social, ecological, economic and logistic challenges. The control of wild ungulate populations in NPs requires: i) the legal basis for culling; ii) social acceptance as regards removing animals and the extractive procedures employed in NPs; iii) the long-term monitoring of wild ungulates and the damages that they cause, and iv) sufficient financial and human resources. A more integrated management and policy plan is, therefore, required, which should be supported by two pillars: i) the sustainability of natural resources and the conservation of functional environments, and ii) providing society with explanations regarding the need to manage wild ungulates. In order to bridge the potential gap between these key pillars, it is important to involve stakeholders in the decision-making processes concerning wild ungulate management. The forthcoming changes in Spanish NPs provide a promising opportunity to make a substantial improvement to wild ungulate management in these protected areas. This management approach could, moreover, serve as an example and be transferred to other protected spaces.

Ecological records from before and after the creation of natural parks are valuable for informing conservation and management but are often unavailable. High-resolution paleoecological studies may bridge the gap and provide the required information. This paper presents a 20th-century subdecadal reconstruction of vegetation and landscape dynamics in a national park of the Pyrenean highlands. The park lands had traditionally been used for cultivation, extensive grazing, forest exploitation, and hydroelectricity generation following the damming of numerous glacial lakes. A significant finding is that forests have dominated the landscape, with negligible changes in composition, and only experienced fluctuations in forest cover, influenced by both climatic and anthropogenic factors. The creation of the park (1955) and the initial restrictions on forest exploitation did not significantly affect vegetation cover or composition. Major forest expansion did not occur until several decades later, 1980, when the park was enlarged and forest exploitation was further restricted. This expansion peaked in the 1990s, coinciding with a warming trend and a decrease in fire incidence, before declining due to warmer and drier climates. This decline was coeval with the ongoing global forest dieback and may be exacerbated by the predicted global warming in this century, which could also increase fire incidence due to dead-wood accumulation. Currently, the main threats are global warming/drying, fire, and tourism intensification. Similar high-resolution paleoecological records in protected areas are globally scarce and would be capable in providing the long-term ecological scope required to properly understand forest dynamics and optimize conservation measures.

Landfills have played a significant role in the recovery of white storks (Ciconia ciconia) populations across various European countries. While there is ample information about the populational-level effects, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the individual effects of using this food resource for feeding nestlings. This study aims to assess the nutritional status and oxidative stress balance of nestlings with varying degrees of exposure to landfill-provided food This study aims to assess the nutritional status and oxidative stress balance of nestlings with different use of landfill-provided food. Nestlings fed with food foraged by breeding pairs from landfills exhibited better nutritional status compared to individuals located farther from landfills. This can be attributed to a higher ingestion rate, resulting in increased plasmatic values of cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL in plasma. However, the oxidative stress balance varied across different years, with individuals raised in 2014 showing higher values of Vitamin E and lower values of LDH compared to those raised in 2013. Furthermore, the impact of landfills on certain oxidative stress parameters also depended on the year of study., In 2013, the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) of plasma showed a positive correlation with the distance to landfills, while the concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, exhibited a negative correlation. These findings suggest that the use of landfills as a food resource has a consistently positive effect on the nutritional status of white stork nestling. However, the relationship with oxidative stress is highly dependent on the climatic conditions of each year, emphasizing the importance of considering these factors when evaluating the use of landfills as a food resource.

The Guadalquivir estuary (southern Spain) occasionally experiences medium to high turbidity, reaching above 700 Formazin Nephelometric Unit (FNU) during extreme events, thus negatively influencing its nursery function and the estuarine community structure. Although several turbidity algorithms are available to monitor water quality, they are mainly developed for mapping turbidity ranges of 0-100 FNU. Thus, their use in a highly turbid region may not give accurate results, which is crucial for estuarine ecosystem management. To fill this gap, we developed a multi-conditional turbidity algorithm that can retrieve turbidity from 0 to 600 FNU using the Sentinel-2 red and red-edge bands. Four major steps are implemented: atmospheric and sun glint correction of the Level-1C Sentinel-2 data, spectral analysis for different water turbidity levels, regression modelling between in situ turbidity and remote sensing reflectance (Rrs) for algorithm development, and validation of the best-suited model. When turbidity was < 85 FNU, the Rrs increased firstly in the red wavelength (665 nm), but it saturated beyond a certain turbidity threshold (> 250 FNU). At this time, Rrs started to increase in the red-edge wavelength (704 nm). Considering this spectral behavior, our algorithm is designed to automatically select the most sensitive turbidity vs. Rrs, thus avoiding the saturation effects of the red bands at high turbidity levels. The model showed good agreement between the satellite derived turbidity and the in situ measurements with a correlation coefficient of 0.97, RMSE of 15.93 FNU, and a bias of 13.34 FNU. Turbidity maps derived using this algorithm can be used for routine turbidity monitoring and assessment of potential anthropogenic actions (e.g., dredging activities), thus helping the decision-makers and relevant stakeholders to protect coastal resources and human health.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset domestic dog´s (Canis lupus familiaris) data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset common genet´s (Genetta genetta) data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset Egyptian mongoose ´s (Herpestes ichneumon) data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset Felis genus´ data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset Eurasian otter´s (Lutra lutra) data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset Iberian lynx´s (Lynx pardinus) data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset European badger´s (Meles meles) data is presented.

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset Western European hedgehog´s (Erinaceus europaeus) data is presented.

This paper presents the first continuous (gap-free) Late Glacial-Early Holocene (LGEH) pollen record for the Iberian Pyrenees resolved at centennial resolution. The main aims are (i) to provide a standard chronostratigraphic correlation framework, (ii) to unravel the relationships between vegetation shifts, climatic changes and fire, and (iii) to obtain a regional picture of LGEH vegetation for the Pyrenees and the surrounding lowlands. Seven pollen assemblage zones were obtained and correlated with the stadial/interstadial phases of the Greenland ice cores that serve as a global reference. Several well-dated datums were also derived for keystone individual taxa that are useful for correlation purposes. Four vegetation types were identified, two of them corresponding to conifer and deciduous forests (Cf, Df) and two representing open vegetation types (O1, O2) with no modern analogs, dominated by Artemisia-Poaceae and Saxifraga-Cichorioideae, respectively. Forests dominated during interstadial phases (Bølling/Allerød and Early Holocene), whereas O1 dominated during stadials (Oldest Dryas and Younger Dryas), with O2 being important only in the first half of the Younger Dryas. The use of pollen-independent proxies for temperature and moisture allowed the reconstruction of paleoclimatic trends and the responses of the four vegetation types defined. The most relevant observation in this sense was the finding of wet climates during the Younger Dryas, which challenges the traditional view of arid conditions for this phase on the basis of former pollen records. Fire incidence was low until the Early Holocene, when regional fires were exacerbated, probably due to the combination of higher temperatures and forest biomass accumulation. These results are compared with the pollen records available for the whole Pyrenean range and the surrounding lowlands within the framework of elevational, climatic and biogeographical gradients. Some potential future developments are suggested

The long-term monitoring of carnivore tracks in Doñana is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting mammals' populations. The general aim of this protocol is to study the temporal evolution of the relative density of the main species of carnivores in the main habitats of the Doñana National Park. Tracks surveys were done annually after the first rains of the hydrological year, i.e. the first autumn rains, usually in October. Due to climate change, in recent years the rainy season has been delayed until the beginning of the year. This protocol has stablished in 2007 and it has done annually until the present (2022), except in 2021 when due to logistical problems no census was made. Censuses are carried out through 12 prefixed transect, with sand substrate, in Doñana National Park. Each transect consists of a 2 km of length and 1.5 m of width that is done by a car at a constant speed between 10 and 15 km/h. Transects are cleaned the day before of the census with a metal beam to facilitate the read of the tracks and to ensure that the foot prints were from the previous day. Each transect is repeated in three consecutive days, and during the transect the sand is cleaned for the next day. In the census an expert in mammals’ tracks identifies all the tracks, i.e. groups of carnivore foot prints, and he/she records them in Cybertracker. That way, tracks' information like coordinates, hour, species identification and observation was recorded; and also the information of each transect was recorded: sampler, drivers, date, start and end (hour and coordinates). This method enables to calculate Kilometric Abundance Indexes (KAI) for each species and transect. In order to clarify all carnivore datasets, the data was separated by species, this allows concrete analysis by species. In this dataset red fox´s (Vulpes vulpes) data is presented.

[EN] This dataset provide information about evapotranspiration, leaf area index, net primary productivity, precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, soil moisture, maximum and minimum temperature at 7 National Parks from peninsular Spain., [ES] Esta base de datos proporciona información de evapotranspiración, índice de área foliar, producción primaria neta, precipitación, evapotranspiración potencial, humedad del suelo, temperatura máxima y mínima para 7 parques nacionales de la España peninsular.

The long-term monitoring of Doñana’s diurnal butterflies is part of a harmonised protocol of the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes. The general aim of this protocol is to monitor and assess the dynamics of diurnal butterflies (Papilionoidea) of Doñana (Paz et al., 2014).. This group of insects is suitable to include in a monitoring protocol, for several reasons: a relative easy identification, it is a good group as bioindicators due to their short life cycle and their high sensitivity to climate, and their relation with plants allow relate their presence with vegetation changes. The monitoring of diurnal butterflies (Papilionoidea) in Doñana, southwestern Spain, was initiated in 2005, but until 2007 the protocol is not well stablished, that is why the temporal range of this dataset start in december of 2007 with one transect. From this first transect, in 2008 the Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes applied the BMS methodology to new zones and transects. The principals aims of this protocol were: to inventory all species of diurnal butterflies present in Doñana, in order to detect the appearance of new species or the local extinction of some populations; and know the dynamics and variations of butterflies populations between years and between months, in order to detect declines in these animal populations. Following the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS) and Pollard's transects (Sevilleja et al., 2019), the data collection is based in walking transect of a determinate distance where the observer must note, count and identify (when is possible also sex) all butterflies that fly in an imaginary cube of 5 meters of side. The transects are divided into sections with a different or equal length, that usually correspond to different habitat areas. These sections are related to the EUNIS habitat classification (version 2012) and to SACRE habitat classification. In the period 2007-2013, the data was collected with the

It is widely recognized that ecosystems are influenced by both bottom-up (resource-driven) and top-down (predation-driven) controls. However, in the context of marine phytoplankton, there is often a strong emphasis on resource availability, with less attention given to the significant impact of top-down control on phytoplankton patterns. Studies in the Gulf of Cádiz have mainly focused on resource control perspectives, overlooking the role of zooplankton predation as a driving force in phytoplankton dynamics. This limitation in research approaches has resulted in an incomplete understanding of phytoplankton biomass patterns, as they cannot be fully explained by resource control alone. This study makes a first attempt at studying the combined bottom-up and top-down controls of phytoplankton in the Gulf of Cádiz and aims to test their relative influence on the variance of phytoplankton biomass. For this purpose, monthly samples of chlorophyll-a, mesozooplankton and environmental variables determining phytoplankton growth were taken over a six-year period. The variables involved in phytoplankton growth were compiled into a single factor (primary production limiting factor, pplf) representing the bottom-up control. Grazing (G) by mesozooplankton represented the top-down control of phytoplankton. Different statistical tools (multiple linear regression, decision trees and random forest) were used to analyse the relative importance of top-down vs. bottom-up control on the variance of phytoplankton biomass (using chlorophyll-a as a proxy). All three techniques found that the top-down control had more relative weight on the variance of phytoplankton biomass for the continental shelf as a whole. Resource availability (i.e., bottom-up control) determined phytoplankton growth rate, although grazing (i.e., top-down control) defined the maximum chlorophyll values in the studied region. Additionally, the results revealed a spatiotemporal pattern in the relative importance of top-d

This dataset includes records of the monitoring of the distribution and relative abundance of the Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Doñana since 2005 as part of the monitoring program of natural resources and processes in Doñana. One of the aims of this project was to obtain a temporal and continuous series of data of the distribution and abundance of this species to detect changes and trends in the population within the protected area. The study area is Doñana National Park, south-west of Spain, which is one of the two areas of distribution of this species in the south of Spain. The tortoise population of Doñana has been monitored since 1973 for other research studies (Andreu, A.C., 2000; Díaz-Paniagua, C. et al., 2001). Individuals are usually present along the border of temporal marshes and between dunes with vegetation composed by mediterranean scrub, scattered oaks and pine trees of medium and low cover. The method used to monitor long-term changes throughout time is the transect survey looking for tortoise tracks, which can be easily detected in the sandy substrates up to 3 days if there are good weather conditions (moderate temperatures, absence of rains or strong wind). The transects (n=10) are distributed within the whole study area (see decimal coordinates of the starting and end of the survey in the dataset as “verbatimCoordinate”) and runs along linear sand trails (n=8) across mediterranean vegetation and throughout circular dunes transects (n=2). Transects have different length ranged between 2-10 kms. The length of the transect is established since the beginning of the study, however it may be variable when a section of the trails is inaccessible because of flooding or when it overlaps with the breeding area of a protected bird species. In these cases, alternative sections of the trail are established to complete the survey. In total, approximately 60 kms are sampled in Doñana Natural Area. Surveys are designed to be performed eve

Chytridiomycosis is affecting hundreds of amphibian species worldwide, but while in tropical areas, adult individuals have been the focus of most investigations, the exact role played by infection intensity of breeding adults is not well understood in temperate areas. We conducted mark-recapture-capture surveys during spiny common toad breeding seasons from 2006 to 2018 at the site of the first recorded outbreak of chytridiomycosis in Europe, the Peñalara Massif (Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, central Spain), and collected infection samples and several variables related to the reproductive effort of male individuals. We used general linear mixed models to evaluate the contribution of study variables on the infection loads of adult male toads exhibited at their capturing date. We also analysed the differences on several male characteristics between the pond with the largest breeding population against the rest of the ponds. We found that the duration of time spent in the waterbody and the condition of the host predicted infection loads. Animals of good physical condition, that spent longer in water, have higher infection levels than individuals with the opposite set of traits. The pond supporting the largest breeding population housed smaller male toads and in poorer condition. Our results are consistent with a shift in reproductive strategy in response to infection and potentially a strategy of tolerance, rather than resistance to infection. These findings have applications for disease mitigation and theoretical implications related to the trade-offs made and the evolution of traits in response to the disease.

This dataset is a valuable component of the article titled "Monitoring Montane-Subalpine Forest Ecotone in the Pyrenees: Integrating Sequential Forest Inventories and Landsat Imagery." The dataset provides comprehensive information necessary for implementing the analysis and models described. These analyses encompass studying the variations in Abies alba Mill. and Pinus uncinata Ramond. basal area and Replacement Index over three reference years (1991, 2002, and 2015). Additionally, the study applies linear mixed-effects models, considering altitude, aspect, total basal area, year, and protection level (National Park vs. protection buffer zone) as fixed effects, and plot as a random effect. By utilizing the reflectance values from the Landsat composites of 1991, 2002, and 2015, a Support Vector Machine binary classifier can be trained using presence/absence indicators for A. alba and P. uncinata, enabling the prediction of species’ distribution throughout the entire study area. All methods are thoroughly described in the manuscript.

The genus Alytes consists of six primitive terrestrial-breeding species (five of them endangered or present in restricted distributions) with unique male parental care. Alytes obstetricans was used as a model for the development of assisted reproductive technologies for gamete collection, artificial fertilization and captive-rearing of embryos. Sperm collection was achieved with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but only 17 to 50% of males responded to the hormone. In addition, an effect of captivity on sperm quality was observed. A combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and hCG was tested for induction of ovulation, and 100% of females responded to the treatment. Recently collected sperm was used in artificial fertilization, and 10% of eggs showed complete embryo development. To design a method for captive-rearing of embryos, natural clutches (n = 13) were removed from males and divided into two sub-clutches. One was kept with all eggs together and in the other, the egg string was cut and eggs were split individually. All sub-clutches with eggs kept separated presented embryo survival (ranging from 27 to 61%) that hatched normally, while only one sub-clutch with embryos maintained together had some embryo survival (36%). These results may contribute to the management of this and related species.

The long-term monitoring on plant cover of Doñana shrublands is part of a harmonised protocol for the Long-term Ecological Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes targeting Terrestrial Vegetation. The general aim of this protocol is to monitor and assess the dynamics of the main dominant terrestrial and aquatic vegetation types of Doñana. For shrublands, percent cover is recorded annually starting from 2008 to the present (2022) by staff of the Monitoring Team by one sampling campaign per year during the flowering season (between March and May) in 21 permanent square plots (15x15m). Cover is measured using the line intercept method in 3 transects of 15 m length oriented from East to West and located at fixed points of 2.5, 7.5 and 12.5 metres at both sides of the plot. Using the line-intercept method, the coverage of each species is measured with a measuring tape, including the class age (adult or seedling) and the canopy status (green or dead). This method enables to calculate the percent cover for each species across the transect and for the whole plot, including data on class age and percent of dry and green canopy, additionally to the percent of bare soil, plant density, species richness and vascular plant diversity for every plot.

The monitoring of biometric parameters (total body length, cephalothorax length, cephalothorax width and weight) of red-swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in Doñana wetlands was initiated in 2004 as part of the Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes. The aim was to obtain a temporal and continuous series of data in the biometry of the species to analyze the evolution in these variables. Data were recorded annually between 2004-2022 by more than 2 members of the monitoring team which performed samplings in different locations twice per year in winter-spring and summer seasons when the study sites are flooded. The individuals were sampled at the 64 stations classified according to their location (on either aeolian sands or marshland). Modified commercial traps, similar to funnel traps, with 4 mm mesh size were used as sampling method, following the method by Bravo et. al., 1994. Between 5-9 traps were randomly distributed (until 50 cm of depth) in each location, depending of the flooded area and depth. The traps were left for 24 hours and emptied the content into white sorting pans. Individuals were counted and identified until the maximun taxonomic level in the field and realease. Each individual captured was weigthed using an electronic balance within 0.2 g accuracy. Cephalothorax length (from the tip of the rostrum to the tip of the cephalatorax) and cephalothorax width (maximum width of the cephalothorax) were measured using a slide caliper within 0.1 mm accuracy. Total body length (from the tip of the rostrum to the tip of the telson) were recorded using a ruler within 0.5 mm accuracy. Data recorded during the surveys also included sex and maturation stage (inmature, mature) of the organisms when possible, as well as the time and georreferenced data of the capture. Between 2004-2007 data was registered in Excel file and since 2008 data was recorded in CyberTracker sequence. The protocol used has been supervised by researchers and the data have be

The monitoring of lizards and geckos’ community in Doñana was initiated in 2005 as part of the monitoring program of natural resources and processes. One of the aims of this project was to obtain a temporal and continuous series of data of the presence and abundance of these species to detect changes and trends in their wild populations within the protected area. Lizard and gecko counts are collected annually by members of the monitoring team three times per year in the periods when reptile activity is high (two samplings in March-June and one sampling in September-October), with good environmental conditions (temperature between 17 and 25 ºC and absence of rain or strong wind conditions). The method used to record the presence and abundance of lizard and gecko species (kilometric index: number of individuals/km) are the transect censuses. Individuals are visually searched along seven transects (linear or circular) that are carried out by one trained person on foot. Each transect have an established length, but the length surveyed is different (averaged 1858 ± 51.86 meters). Each transect is located in dunes or mediterranean vegetation habitats, representative of Doñana ecosystems. Two transects runs through wooden footpaths (within the Natural Park and five transects are placed on sand-trails (4 within the National Park and one in Natural Park which contains a small part of wooden footpath). Linear transects have been surveyed in the outward track direction and after waiting 15 minutes it has been again performed on the way back. This information is valid to account for species presence in the area. However, we suggest to choose the first survey performed for statistical analyses that require independence of samples. Eight species can be potentially observed during the samplings: Mediterranean house gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), Common Wall Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica), Fringe-fingered Lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus), Algerian Psammodromus (Psammodromus algir

The role of lizards as potential pollinators on islands has been documented for either one or a few plants in different parts of the world, but it has never been assessed for an entire plant community. Here, we quantified interaction rate by lizards and evaluated intraspecific differences in the use of flowers on Cabrera Gran (Cabrera archipelago, Balearic Islands) by means of visual observations, automated cameras and the analysis of pollen grain samples. Overall, we recorded interactions of the Balearic wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) with flowers of 44 plant species, 72.7% of which were unknown to date. Although florivory occurs in some of these species (35%), the majority of visits were legitimate (65%); in addition, we found intraspecific differences in the interactions related to the sex and age of lizards. Our findings support the role of Balearic wall lizards as potential pollinators across the entire plant community, and their contribution to particular plant species, for instance the endangered Cistus heterophyllus carthaginensis. This study also documents the first record of another sympatric lizard (Tarentola mauritanica) visiting flowers and contributes to the few existing records of flower interactions involving geckos in the Paleartic ecozone.

[EN] On 19 September 2021, a new monogenetic volcano (Tajogaite) erupted on the Island of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). After 85 days of Strombolian style eruption, with emissions of volcanic material, a pyroclastic cone 200 m high and 800 m in its basal diameter was formed. Successive lava flows descended the western slopes and reached the Atlantic Ocean on 29 September. On descending the coastal cliffs and entering the sea, the lava flows formed two lava deltas on the submarine island shelf, backed by fossilized coastal cliffs. This geological event has raised a new challenge: the environmental conservation of new volcanic landscapes in island territories with high anthropogenic pressure on land uses. This work uses comparative and numerical methods in geoheritage to support their conservation from a scientific basis. In a first phase, a cartographic inventory was made of all the volcanic formations similar to the new volcano in the geological framework of the Canary Islands. In a second phase, their representativeness (A), rarity (R), diversity (D), integrity (I), and observability (O) were quantitatively measured by means of dimensional estimators. The results obtained show that the new volcano presents a geological value of the first order in the context of the Canary Islands, which is one of the most prominent oceanic archipelago worldwide. Its value is based above all on its high conservation state with respect to the similar volcanoes in the Canary Islands. The high mismatch found between the intrinsic geological value and the environmental protection of this area, justifies the development and application of urgent basic guidelines for its protection, as well as the promotion of geotourism as opposed to alternative land uses.

[Question] Shrub encroachment has been confirmed in the past decades all over the world and is currently viewed as a “global process” threatening many grass-dominated biomes. In southern Europe has generally been related to rural depopulation, land-use changes and grazing abandonment. Nevertheless, in several mountain ranges of the Iberian Peninsula with secular pastoralism and high shrub cover, neither stocking rate nor traditional management has substantially altered in the past decades. Within this framework, to deepen our knowledge of shrub encroachment and to adopt, if necessary, appropriate control measures, we aim to discover: (i) the overall expansion rate in the main grassland–shrub communities; (ii) the course of shrub expansion; and (iii) the consequences for grassland floristic composition, plant diversity and frequency of the main forage functional groups throughout the period of woody expansion., [Location] This study was undertaken in Moncayo Natural Park (Spain), a climate and vegetation crossroads with remarkable presence of four widespread Mediterranean shrubs: Cytisus oromediterraneus, Erinacea anthyllis, Juniperus communis and J. sabina., [Methods] To determine the expansion rates of those shrubs, we examined four distinct and sufficiently separated grazing areas (and different shrub combinations), each with four different stages of shrub cover, over a 6-year period. To assess changes in vegetation structure between 2008 and 2014 during the different stages of shrub encroachment, we used a paired t-test comparing 14 parameters related to the diversity, life-form spectra and abundance of grazing plants. The influence of year, cover category and zone was jointly assessed using a Linear Mixed Model., [Results] For the whole territory, we found an increase in average yearly cover of 1.3% (with high variation between the four species), although at the zone scale (areas with a particular shrub dominance) this increase was significant in only half of them. When the four shrubs occur together, Juniperus species show faster expansion rates than the other two species, although in only a few cases was the increase significant over the 6 years of the study. We found a significant decrease in total plant diversity and a significant increase in dominance between cover categories and years. Looking at the vegetation life-forms, the increase in chamaephytes and phanerophytes, which include invader shrubs, caused a decrease in therophytes and hemicryptophytes. Finally, grasses and leguminous plants, which constitute the main livestock food intake, showed noticeable reductions, resulting in loss of pastoral value., [Conclusions] Although cessation of grazing has been noted as the main cause of shrub encroachment in Mediterranean grasslands, our results, suggest that encroachment occurs despite the maintenance of stocking rate and livestock management, and leads to a decrease in plant diversity and grassland quality. Focusing on use of the territory and taking into account the prevalence of negative effects after shrub encroachment, additional measures to safeguard ecological and pastoral values in Mediterranean mountain grasslands should be considered, particularly on sites of nature conservation interest with a long grazing history.

Many species' distributions are being impacted by the acceleration of climate change. Amphibians in particular serve numerous ecosystem functions and are useful indicators of environmental change. Understanding how their distributions have been impacted by climate change and will continue to be impacted is thus important to overall ecosystem health. Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-Backed Salamander) is a widespread species of lungless salamander (Plethodontidae) that ranges across northeastern North America. To better understand future potential lungless salamander range shifts, we quantify environmental favorability, the likelihood of membership in a set of sites where environmental conditions are favorable for a species, for P. cinereus in multiple time periods, and examine shifts in the species' distribution. First, utilizing a large data set of georeferenced records, we assessed which bioclimatic variables were associated with environmental favorability in P. cinereus. We then used species distribution modeling for two time periods (1961–1980 and 2001–2020) to determine whether there was a regional shift in environmental favorability in the past 60 years. Models were then used to project future distributions under eight climate change scenarios to quantify potential range shifts. Shifts were assessed using fuzzy logic, avoiding thresholds that oversimplify model predictions into artificial binary outputs. We found that P. cinereus presence is strongly associated with environmental stability. There has been a substantial northward shift in environmental favorability for P. cinereus between 1961–1980 and 2001–2020. This shift is predicted to continue by 2070, with larger shifts under higher greenhouse gas emission scenarios. As climate change accelerates, it is differentially impacting species but has especially strong impacts on dispersal-limited species. Our results show substantial northward shifts in climatic favorability in the last 60 years for P. cinereus

Over the last years, perennial ice deposits located within caves have awakened interest as places to study microbial communities since they represent unique cryospheric archives of climate change. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the temperature has gradually increased, and it is estimated that by the end of this century the increase in average temperature could be around 4.0°C. In this context of global warming the ice deposits of the Pyrenean caves are undergoing a significant regression. Among this type of caves, that on the Cotiella Massif in the Southern Pyrenees is one of the southernmost studied in Europe. These types of caves house microbial communities which have so far been barely explored, and therefore their study is necessary. In this work, the microbial communities of the Pyrenean ice cave A294 were identified using metabarcoding techniques. In addition, research work was carried out to analyze how the age and composition of the ice affect the composition of the bacterial and microeukaryotic populations. Finally, the in vivo effect of climate change on the cellular machinery that allow microorganisms to live with increasing temperatures has been studied using proteomic techniques.

This study analyzes the long-term observed changes of mean (Tmean), maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) air temperatures, relative humidity (RH) and vapour pressure deficit (VPD) at different elevation ranges across Bolivia from 1950 to 2019. The linear trends in air temperature series present a significant increase, with no substantial seasonal or spatial differences. On an annual basis, RH exhibited a non-significant decrease (−0.08% decade−1), while VPD showed a significant increase (0.01 hPa decade−1) (p < 0.05). Although prior research has suggested that highland elevations experience faster warming than the global average, we have not identified a distinct correlation between elevation gradients and differential warming rates in Bolivia. Future research could investigate elevation-dependent climate trends by examining seasonal and monthly patterns of climatic variables in relation to topographical gradients in various highland regions.

Growing interest in biodiversity mapping has spurred the development of species distribution atlases, often mainly based on citizen-science projects. Atlas data have been frequently exploited to model species' ecological niches and distributions on a species-by-species basis. However, spatial autocorrelation and phylogenetic relatedness among species complicate the statistical description of species' niches. Also, the effects of species' traits and co-occurrences on species-habitat relationship are commonly disregarded. In this work, we build a hierarchical multi-species model based on a major citizen-science project (the third Spanish breeding bird atlas) that simultaneously accounts for spatial, phylogenetic and trait-based dependencies. We predict the distributions of species niches, species richness and community traits along regional ecological gradients. Climate, habitat associations and species' traits all contribute (in this order) to structuring species' distributions. Species richness increases towards intermediate climatic conditions and with aquatic habitat cover and decreases with increasing forest and woody agricultural land cover. Species were distributed along regional climate gradients in accordance with their global thermal niches. Forest habitats favoured assemblages dominated by generalist, small-sized and cold-dwelling species with limited migratory behaviour. Increasing sampling effort augmented the model performance. Model performance was weaker for rare species and those with decreasing population sizes, likely due to their low niche saturation. Overall, we show that ecological relationships generalize from local to large scales and may be eludicated from atlases based on citizen-science mapping efforts.

Risk analyses for invasive species often assume that the characteristics of future invaders will resemble those already successful, but these features may change. Here, we use data from more than 3,500 fish sampling events, sequencing of mitochondrial and nuclear genes and analyses of several traits describing non-native fish to describe the irruption and rapid expansion of non-native loaches in Catalonia, north-east Iberian Peninsula, and framing this surge in the knowledge of previous invasions. We report the establishment of at least five (Cobitis bilineata, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, Misgurnus bipartitus, Paramisgurnus dabryanus, and a yet undescribed Barbatula species) non-native loach species in Catalonia, most of which are currently spreading. Furthermore, one of the two regionally native loach species (Cobitis paludica) has been introduced and is spreading through river basins where it is not native. Genetic analyses were fundamental to understand loach invasions, by clarifying specific statuses, identifying the origin of non-native populations and/or detecting independent introduction events. Genetic results also highlighted the unresolved taxonomy of loaches, particularly for European Barbatula. Loaches are recent, diverse, and successful invaders whose traits differ from those of most previously established invasive fish species, signalling potential weaknesses of prevention of biological invasions based on prohibited species lists. We call for the development of more flexible management tools (e.g. based on fish traits and not only on species identities) and prioritising prevention and rapid responses to new introductions.

Here, we assess whether fishery exploitation affects the trophic structure of carnivorous fish. We censused fish and analysed the stable isotope ratios of C and N of species targeted by fishermen in areas open to fishing and marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean Sea and the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean. Results demonstrated a major impact of fishing on the biomass and size structure of nektobenthic carnivorous fish. However, those changes did not modify the diversity of the trophic resources used by the assemblage, the pattern of resource partitioning between species, or the degree of trophic redundancy. These results add to recent evidence suggesting that MPAs implemented in fished seascapes may fail to restore the original structure of the food webs that once existed in pre-fished ecosystems because regional decimation and extinction of highly mobile predators prevent recovering the original diversity of predators at local scales, even in no-take areas. If so, more strict local fishing regulations are unlikely to restore the original diversity of high trophic level carnivores and restoration goals should be reframed in terms of an objective that is less unrealistic than restoring the pre-fished condition while still recovering aspects of the historical trophic structure.

[EN] This work summarizes the research carried out to examine the effect of the river inputs from the Guadiamar and the Guadalquivir estuary on the dynamics of the biogeochemical processes in the saltmarshes of Doñana National Park (Marisma), after allowing the connection between both systems that had been interrupted from 1998 to 2014. Analysis of previous data revealed that during the isolation period, the hydrological cycle determined the level of heterotrophy in the flooded saltmarshes. Humid cycles favored a high heterotrophy that caused hypoxia and high CO2 production, whereas dry cycles led to a marked reduction in the carbon export and emissions although also, to a prolonged drought. Connecting the Marisma with its historic catchments caused a spatio-temporal salinity gradient in the inundated marshes adjacent to the estuary, which was due to the variability of the tidal cycle in the estuary and variations in the meteorological pattern. According to the salinity values observed, the saltmarshes were classified in two groups: polyhaline and oligo-mesohaline systems. Fluvial inputs fertilized the inundated marshes, which led to a subsequent proliferation of photoautotrophs that was higher in the mesohaline systems. Biological production contributed to the withdraw of atmospheric CO2, particularly in the marshes flooded by the estuary. Likewise, the removal of dissolved nitrogen compounds caused a decrease in nitrification/denitrification reactions and hence, in the N2O generation. In fact, the marshes provided a new ecosystem service by acting as a sink of this powerful greenhouse gas. Although the accumulation of both allochthonous and autochthonous dissolved organic matter was associated to an increase in methanogenesis, thermohaline conditions were the main drivers of this process, with a decrease in methane levels being observed in the polyhaline marshes. The observed patterns suggest to maintain a continuous connection between the rivers and the Marisma t, [ES] Este trabajo resume la investigación llevada a cabo para examinar el efecto de la entrada de los aportes del Guadiamar y del estuario del Guadalquivir sobre la dinámica de los procesos biogequímicos en las marismas del Parque Nacional de Doñana, tras la conexión entre estos ambientes interrumpida desde 1998 hasta 2014. El análisis de datos históricos reveló que, durante la etapa de aislamiento, el ciclo hidrológico determinaba el grado de heterotrofia de los sistemas inundados de la marisma. Ciclos muy húmedos favorecían una elevada heterotrofia que causaba condiciones de hipoxia y elevada producción de CO2, mientras que ciclos secos disminuían la exportación de carbono pero desembocaban en sequía prolongada. Tras la conexión con los cauces fluviales, se apreció un gradiente espacio-temporal de salinidad en las marismas inundadas debido a la variabilidad del ciclo mareal y su efecto sobre el estuario y al patrón meteorológico, distinguiéndose dos grupos de marismas: polihalinas y oligo-mesohalinas. Los aportes fluviales fertilizaron las marismas, con la consiguienteproliferación de fotoautótrofos, que fue superior en las mesohalinas. La producción biológica contribuyó a que las marismas adyacentes al estuario actuaran como sumideros de CO2 atmosférico.Así mismo, la retirada de compuestos nitrogenados disueltos provocó la disminución de procesos de nitrificación/denitrificación y de generación de N2O. Las marismas inundadas brindaron un nuevo servicio ecosistémico actuando como secuestradores de este gas de potente efecto invernadero. Aunque la acumulación de materia orgánica disuelta, tanto alóctona como autóctona, se relacionó con un incremento en la metanogénesis, las condiciones termohalinas fueron los principales factores reguladores del proceso, apreciándose un descenso en los niveles de metano en las marismas polihalinas bajo influencia del estuario. Los patrones observados sugieren mantener una conexión continua para evitar en la Marisma posibles episodi

[EN] Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae), including seahorses and pipefishes, are flagship vulnerable species highly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Our multidisciplinary study provides the first insights for syngnathid populations in Atlantic Islands of Galicia (Cíes Archipelago, Atlantic Ocean) and Cabrera Archipelago (Mediterranean Sea) Spanish National Parks. Syngnathid fishes were collected on several sites in the first year of the study, and habitat characteristics were also determined. From the results achieved, a further two-years monitoring was performed seasonally in selected sites. The fishes were analyzed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, stable isotope signatures and genetics. Epifauna and gut contents were also analyzed for further dietary assessment of syngnathids. Diversity and abundances were generally low, with four species (including seahorses) identified in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park and five (only pipefishes) at Cabrera National Park. Syngnathids from both national parks differed in size, isotopic values and prey regime. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages (Atlantic) or Cymodocea meadows (Mediterranean). Population characteristics in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park suggests that syngnathids mainly comprise breeders that migrate seasonally, with preference for less exposed sites on shallow complex rocky-sandy substrates covered by macroalgae. Prey preferences would rely mainly on the consumption of copepods and gammarids. In the Mediterranean, syngnathids were likely limited by the depth of the studied sites, showing preference for Cymodocea meadows over Posidonia, and for the capture of a wider range of prey compared to the Atlantic populations. Borrón (Atlantic) and Es Burri (Mediterranean) would be preferential sites to undertake conservations plans for syngnathids. Several research topics are suggested for further management of syngnathids pop, [ES] Los signátidos (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) son una familia de peces que incluye caballitos de mar y peces pipa. Se trata de especies vulnerables estrechamente asociadas a las comunidades vegetales. Este estudio multidisciplinar en signátidos es el primero realizado en los Parques Nacionales Marítimo-Terrestres de las Islas Atlánticas de Galicia (Archipiélago de Cíes, Atlántico) y del Archipiélago de Cabrera (Mediterráneo). En el primer año de estudio, se estudiaron los signátidos en diversas zonas de ambos parques nacionales, así como las características de sus hábitats. Los resultados alcanzados permitieron establecer zonas preferentes para la realización de un estudio bianual posterior. En los peces capturados se determinaron las siguientes características: talla, peso, sexo y madurez sexual, isótopos estables y características genéticas. También se analizó la epifauna y los contenidos digestivos para determinar preferencias alimentarias. La diversidad y las abundancias fueron reducidas, con cuatro y cinco especies identificadas en el Atlántico y Mediterráneo, respectivamente, con presencia de caballitos de mar solo en la vertiente atlántica. Se observaron diferencias importantes en los signátidos de ambas zonas en lo relacionado con talla, valores isotópicos y preferencias alimentarias, Los signátidos atlánticos mostraron preferencia por zonas someras menos expuestas en hábitats macroalgales complejos arenoso-rocosos, con preferencia por el consumo de gammáridos y copépodos. Las especies del mediterráneo estuvieron mejor representadas en praderas de Cymodocea comparado con las de Posidonia, con una mayor variedad de fuentes alimenticias que en el atlántico, dependiendo de la especie. Las zonas de mayor interés, de cara a futuros planes de conservación, fueron Borrón (Atlántico) y Es Burri (Mediterráneo). Se proponen diversas actuaciones para el estudio futuro de las poblaciones estudiadas

[EN] This project addressed a genetic evaluation of syngnathid fish (seahorses and pipefish) in the Maritime and Terrestrial National Parks of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia (Cíes Islands) and the Cabrera Archipelago, as well as their respective adjacent unprotected areas (Ría de Vigo and Majorca Island), using mitochondrial and microsatellite markers. The genetic analysis between 2016 and 2018 identified a diversity of species distributed differentially in the National Parks and adjacent areas, with limited presence of seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) and predominance of pipefish (Syngnathus acus, S. abaster, S. typhle, Entelurus aequoreus, Nerophis lumbriciformis, N. maculatus and N. ophidion). ntegrative genetic and morphological data allowed clarifying in situ identification difficulties between some species and detecting a cryptic differentiated lineage of S. abaster in Cabrera Islands with respect to more eastern Mediterranean populations of this species. The levels of population genetic diversity and structure were evaluated within each species, providing useful information to trace individuals, and as a basis for delineating management units. For preferential species in each National Park, signs of population genetic stability were detected on a temporal scale and gene flow with adjacent areas, but significant differentiation between Atlantic and Mediterranean populations of the species analyzed in both slopes. Parental assignment analysis of pipefish progenies in the Cíes Islands and their adjacent area demonstrated multiple maternity events, compatible with a preferential polygamous genetic mating system in these populations. This study provides useful reference genetic data for future monitoring and conservation of syngnathid populations in marine protected areas, as reservoirs of valuable associated ecosystems and habitats, [ES] Este proyecto abordó la caracterizaron genética de peces signátidos (caballitos de mar y peces pipa) en los Parques Nacionales Marítimo-Terrestres de las Islas Atlánticas de Galicia (Islas Cíes) y Archipiélago de Cabrera, así como en sus respectivas áreas adyacentes no protegidas (Ría de Vigo e Isla de Mallorca), mediante marcadores mitocondriales y microsatélite. El análisis genético entre 2016 y 2018 permitió identificar una diversidad de especies distribuidas diferencialmente en los Parques Nacionales y áreas adyacentes, con presencia muy limitada de caballitos de mar (Hippocampus guttulatus) y preferente de peces pipa (Syngnathus acus, S. abaster, S. typhle, Entelurus aequoreus, Nerophis lumbriciformis, N. maculatus y N. ophidion). La integración de datos genéticos y morfológicos permitió clarificar dificultades de identificación in situ entre algunas especies, así como detectar un linaje críptico diferenciado de S. abaster en el Archipiélago de Cabrera respecto a poblaciones mediterráneas más orientales de esta especie. Para cada especie, se evaluaron los niveles de diversidad y estructura genética poblacional, aportando información útil para la trazabilidad individual y como base para delinear unidades de gestión. En las especies con distribución preferente en cada Parque Nacional se detectaron signos de estabilidad genética poblacional a escala temporal y flujo génico con áreas adyacentes, pero diferenciación significativa entre poblaciones atlánticas y mediterráneas de las especies analizadas en ambas vertientes. El análisis de asignación parental de progenies de peces pipa en las Islas Cíes y su área adyacente demostró eventos de maternidad múltiple, compatible con un sistema de apareamiento genético polígamo preferente en estas poblaciones. Este estudio aporta datos genéticos de referencia útiles para el futuro seguimiento y conservación de las poblaciones de signátidos presentes en áreas marinas protegidas, como reservorios de ecosistemas y hábitats

Climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme events, such as droughts or hurricanes, with substantial impacts on human and wildlife communities. Extreme events can affect individuals through two pathways: by altering the fitness of adults encountering a current extreme, and by affecting the development of individuals born during a natal extreme, a largely overlooked process. Here, we show that the impact of natal drought on an avian predator overrode the effect of current drought for decades, so that individuals born during drought were disadvantaged throughout life. Incorporation of natal effects caused a 40% decline in forecasted population size and a 21% shortening of time to extinction. These results imply that climate change may erode populations more quickly and severely than currently appreciated, suggesting the urgency to incorporate “penalties” for natal legacies in the analytical toolkit of impact forecasts. Similar double impacts may apply to other drivers of global change.

[EN] We review the knowledge obtained during two decades on the evolution, impact and ecology of invasive marine macroalgae in the Balearic Islands. From the year 2000 we have participated in a large number of cartographic and bionomic studies in several marine reserves and Natura 2000 sites, in research projects based on different natural areas of the Balearic Islands and in long-term monitoring of invasive species in the archipelago of Cabrera and the island of Menorca. This has allowed us to collect information on the evolution of invasive macroalgae in the Balearic Islands, to identify the main impacts on native communities, and to discern which biotic and/or abiotic conditions affect the dispersion and distribution, both present and future, of these species. This research carried out in the Balearic Islands is unique and will be a reference for many Mediterranean areas., [CAT] Repassem el coneixement obtingut durant dues dècades sobre l’evolució, impacte i ecologia de les macroalgues marines invasores a Balears. A partir de l’any 2000 hem participat en un gran nombre d’estudis cartogràfics i bionòmics de diverses reserves i LICs marins, projectes de recerca en diferents espais naturals marins de Balears i monitoratges llarg termini de les espècies invasores a l'arxipèlag de Cabrera i a l’illa de Menorca. Tot això ens ha permès recopilar informació sobre l’evolució de les macroalgues invasores a Balears, identificar quins són els principals impactes sobre les comunitats autòctones, i discernir quines condicions biòtiques i/o abiòtiques afecten la dispersió i distribució, present i futura, d'aquestes espècies. Aquesta investigació duta a terme a Balears és única i serà de referència per a moltes zones de la Mediterrània.

The number of epizootics in amphibian populations caused by viruses of the genus Ranavirus is increasing worldwide. Yet, causes for pathogen emergence are poorly understood. Here, we confirmed that the Common midwife toad virus (CMTV) and Frog virus 3 (FV3) are responsible for mass mortalities in Iberia since the late 1980s. Our results illustrate the Iberian Peninsula as a diversity hotspot for the highly virulent CMTV. Although this pattern of diversity in Europe is consistent with spread by natural dispersal, the exact origin of the emergence of CMTV remains uncertain. Nevertheless, our data allow hypothesizing that the Iberian Peninsula might harbor the ancestral population of CMTVs that could have spread into the rest of Europe. In addition, we found that climate warming could be triggering the CMTV outbreaks, supporting its endemic status in the Iberian Peninsula.

Nature-Based Solutions for Integrated Water Resources Management (NbS-IWRM) involve natural, or nature-mimicking, processes used to improve water availability in quantity and quality sustainably, reduce the risks of water-related disasters, enhance adaptation to climate change and increase both biodiversity and the social-ecological system’s resilience. United Nations and the European Commission promote their research as a cornerstone in the changeover to the Ecological Transition. In the Sierra Nevada range (Spain) and the Andean Cordillera, there is a paradigmatic and ancestral example of NbS-IWRM known as “careo channels” and “amunas”, respectively. They recharge slope aquifers in mountain areas and consist of an extensive network of channels that infiltrate the runoff water generated during the snow-thawing and rainy season into the upper parts of the slopes. The passage of water through the aquifers in the slope is used to regulate the water resources of the mountain areas and thus ensure the duration of water availability for the downstream local population and generate multiple ecosystem services. This form of water management is known as Water Sowing and Harvesting (WS&H). As shown in this work, it is a living example of a resilience and climate change adaptation tool that can be qualified as a nature-based solution.

In non-fire prone ecosystems, like some subtropical humid forests, fire produces habitat destruction and intensifies land degradation by inducing changes in native species composition, soil properties and erosive processes. Bryophytes are key components of the Macaronesian laurel forests playing an important role in regulating water cycling and microclimate. Ecological and taxonomical bryophytes groups have distinct ecological and physiological requirements and may respond in a different way to the same fire events. Therefore, analysing post fire recovery of bryophyte communities represents a key step towards a better understanding of forest fire drivers and post fire management. We investigated how species richness and composition of different ecological and taxonomical bryophyte groups varied in 1158 samples within a fire chronosequence from 5 to 57 years in the best-preserved laurel forest from Canary Islands (Garajonay National Park) analysing communities in terms of differences with comparable surrounding old growth unburnt stands. Epiphyte, terricolous and saxicolous bryophytes were sampled at each plot and the influence of the time since fire was analyzed together with environmental variables (temperature, precipitation, mist precipitation and elevation) and forest structure variables. Our results indicate that there is no general pattern of post fire recolonization, as recolonization varies depending on the ecological and phylogenetic groups considered. Climate and forest structure play an important role in post-fire recolonization, such that time since fire is not the most important variable influencing richness and composition. The results increase the understanding of the processes that shape compositional patterns in groups with high dispersal capacities and high microclimate dependence, such as mosses and liverworts.

[ES] Este trabajo resume la investigación llevada a cabo para examinar el efecto de la entrada de los aportes del Guadiamar y del estuario del Guadalquivir sobre la dinámica de los procesos biogequímicos en las marismas del Parque Nacional de Doñana, tras la conexión entre estos ambientes interrumpida desde 1998 hasta 2014. El análisis de datos históricos reveló que, durante la etapa de aislamiento, el ciclo hidrológico determinaba el grado de heterotrofia de los sistemas inundados de la marisma. Ciclos muy húmedos favorecían una elevada heterotrofia que causaba condiciones de hipoxia y elevada producción de CO2 , mientras que ciclos secos disminuían la exportación de carbono pero desembocaban en sequía prolongada. Tras la conexión con los cauces fluviales, se apreció un gradiente espacio-temporal de salinidad en las marismas inundadas debido a la variabilidad del ciclo mareal y su efecto sobre el estuario y al patrón meteorológico, distinguiéndose dos grupos de marismas: polihalinas y oligo-mesohalinas. Los aportes fluviales fertilizaron las marismas, con la consiguiente proliferación de fotoautótrofos, que fue superior en las mesohalinas. La producción biológica contribuyó a que las marismas adyacentes al estuario actuaran como sumideros de CO2 atmosférico. Así mismo, la retirada de compuestos nitrogenados disueltos provocó la disminución de procesos de nitrificación/denitrificación y de generación de N2 O. Las marismas inundadas brindaron un nuevo servicio ecosistémico actuando como secuestradores de este gas de potente efecto invernadero. Aunque la acumulación de materia orgánica disuelta, tanto alóctona como autóctona, se relacionó con un incremento en la metanogénesis, las condiciones termohalinas fueron los principales factores reguladores del proceso, apreciándose un descenso en los niveles de metano en las marismas polihalinas bajo influencia del estuario. Los patrones observados sugieren mantener una conexión continua para evitar en la Marisma posibles epi, [EN] This work summarizes the research carried out to examine the effect of the river inputs from the Guadiamar and the Guadalquivir estuary on the dynamics of the biogeochemical processes in the saltmarshes of Doñana National Park (Marisma), after allowing the connection between both systems that had been interrupted from 1998 to 2014. Analysis of previous data revealed that during the isolation period, the hydrological cycle determined the level of heterotrophy in the flooded saltmarshes. Humid cycles favored a high heterotrophy that caused hypoxia and high CO2 production, whereas dry cycles led to a marked reduction in the carbon export and emissions although also, to a prolonged drought. Connecting the Marisma with its historic catchments caused a spatio-temporal salinity gradient in the inundated marshes adjacent to the estuary, which was due to the variability of the tidal cycle in the estuary and variations in the meteorological pattern. According to the salinity values observed, the saltmarshes were classified in two groups: polyhaline and oligo-mesohaline systems. Fluvial inputs fertilized the inundated marshes, which led to a subsequent proliferation of photoautotrophs that was higher in the mesohaline systems. Biological production contributed to the withdraw of atmospheric CO2 , particularly in the marshes flooded by the estuary. Likewise, the removal of dissolved nitrogen compounds caused a decrease in nitrification/denitrification reactions and hence, in the N2 O generation. In fact, the marshes provided a new ecosystem service by acting as a sink of this powerful greenhouse gas. Although the accumulation of both allochthonous and autochthonous dissolved organic matter was associated to an increase in methanogenesis, thermohaline conditions were the main drivers of this process, with a decrease in methane levels being observed in the polyhaline marshes. The observed patterns suggest to maintain a continuous connection between the rivers and the Marisma

Wildlife trapping and handling entails multi-level consequences on captured individuals. These impacts may be expressed at the physiological and behavioural levels, starting at capture and potentially waning post-release over a variable period. We investigated the impact of trapping and handling on the physiological parameters of 6 species of southwestern European mesocarnivores from the families Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae, Herpestidae, and Viverridae. These parameters were quantified in real time during the handling procedures, after the induction of chemical immobilization. Using a time-step approach, we further assessed the impact of trapping on the movement behaviour of a subsample of the mesocarnivores. A total of 195 mesocarnivores were captured with cage traps or neck snares, and aspects of their haematology, and blood chemistry parameters quantified in a subset of the cage-trapped animals. These biomarkers suggested mild dehydration, tissue damage, exertion, and activation of the immune response as consequences of live trapping. Eight European wildcats (Felis silvestris), 4 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and 4 stone martens (Martes foina) were also fitted with GPS-VHF radio-collars, and their movements tracked by conventional ground-based VHF and GPS telemetry. Movement behaviour was assessed as the mean distance to trapping sites over each week of monitoring and compared with the value under normal use of their home ranges (set as >13 wks post-capture). Our results showed evidence of reduced movements for up to 5 wks post-capture. Selected haematology, serum chemistry, anaesthesia monitoring, and movement behaviour parameters should become standard biomarkers of the reactive homeostatic response to live trapping, offering a finer comparison of live-capture techniques and protocols.

The monitoring of the macroinvertebrates and fish community in Doñana wetlands was initiated in 2004 as part of the Monitoring Program of Natural Resources and Processes. The aim was to obtain a temporal and continuous series of data in the abundance and distribution of macroinvertebrates and fish species to analyze the evolution of their numbers and estimates biodiversity values. Data were recorded annually between 2004-2019 by more than 2 members of the monitoring team which performed samplings in different locations twice per year in winter-spring and summer seasons when the study sites are flooded. The macroinvertebrates and fishes were sampled at the 140 stations classified according to their location (on either aeolian sands or marshland). Funnel traps were used as a sampling method. Between 5-9 funnel traps were randomly distributed (until 50 cm of depth) in each location, depending of the flooded area and depth. The traps were left for 24 hours and emptied the content into white sorting pans. Individuals were counted and identified until the maximun taxonomic level in the field and realease. During samplings, it was identified 66 and 16 families, of macroinvertebrates and fishes respectively. The most abundances were Notonectidae and Corixidae in macroinvertebrates, and Poecilidae and Cyprinidae in fishes. Data recorded during the surveys included species identification, number of individuals, sex and life stage (pupa, larvae, inmature, adult) of the organisms when possible, as well as the time and georreferenced data of the observation. Between 2004-2007 data was registered in Excel file and since 2008 data was recorded in CyberTracker sequence). The protocol used has been supervised by researchers and the data have been validated by the members who performed the sampling.

Seagrass beds act as blue carbon sinks globally as they enhance the trapping of recalcitrant (i.e., low biodegradability) organic carbon in their sediments. Recent studies also show that the recalcitrant fraction of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) pool in seawater has an important role as long-term carbon sequestration in oceans. Although seagrasses are known for the large amount of DOC they export, little attention has been given to its biodegradability, which ultimately determinates its fate in the coastal carbon cycle. In turn, invasive algae are a major global concern in seagrass ecosystems since they can deeply modify their structure and functions, which may affect carbon metabolism and DOC release. This work assesses how the presence of Halimeda incrassata, an invasive tropical calcareous macroalga, modifies carbon metabolism and DOC fluxes in invaded areas dominated by the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Our results show that stands with the presence of this seagrass (i.e., both monospecific and mixed meadow) had the highest production values, acting as high DOC producers in both winter (mainly of labile DOC; DOCL) and summer (mainly as recalcitrant DOC; DOCR). In contrast, monospecific H. incrassata beds exhibited low production values, and the presence of this macroalga (either as monospecific beds or mixed with C. nodosa) triggered the shift from a net DOC-producing-system in summer (mainly DOCL) to a net DOC-consuming-system in winter. This work thus suggests that C. nodosa meadows have the potential to export a significant fraction of both labile and recalcitrant DOC, and that the spread of this invasive alga might decrease the C export capacity of seagrass meadows. Such shift would imply the reduction of a quick and efficient transfer of carbon and energy to higher trophic levels, and might reduce the blue carbon potential of seagrasses as dissolved form in the water column