Suchergebnisse

9 páginas, 4 figuras, 4 tablas. ; In dry areas such as Mediterranean ecosystems, fluctuations in seed production are typically explained by resource (water) availability. However, acorn production in cork oak (Quercus suber) populations shows a very low relationship to weather. Because cork oak trees produce acorns with different maturation patterns (annual and biennial), we hypothesized that acorn production in coexisting individuals with a different dominant acorn maturation type should respond differently to climatic factors and that disaggregating the trees according to their acorn-maturation pattern should provide a more proximal relation to weather factors. We assessed acorn production variability in fragmented cork oak populations of the eastern Iberian Peninsula by counting the total number of acorns in 155 trees during an 8-year period. An initial assessment of acorn production variability in relation to weather parameters yielded very low explained variance (7%). However, after the trees were grouped according to their dominant acorn maturation pattern, weather parameters were found to account for 44% of the variability in acorn crops, with trees with annual acorns exhibiting mast fruiting in years with reduced spring frost and shorter summer droughts and trees with biennial acorns showing the opposite pattern. Thus, conditions that negatively affect annual production could be beneficial for biennial production (and vice versa). The results highlight the importance of the resource-matching hypothesis for explaining acorn production in Quercus suber and suggest that different seed maturation types within a population may allow the species to deal with highly variable weather conditions. They also emphasize the importance of understanding acorn maturation patterns for interpreting masting cycles. ; We thank Cristina Beseler and Aina Blasco for collaborating in the Weld sampling and Patricio García-Fayos for insights on an early version of manuscript. This work was funded by the European project CREOAK (QLRT-2001-01594) and the Spanish projects VARQUS (CGL2004-04325/BOS) and GRACCIE (Consolider- Ingenio2010). CEAM-UMH is supported by Generalitat Valenciana, Bancaixa, and the Spanish government (GRACCIE Consolider-Ingenio2010); CIDE is supported by Generalitat Valenciana, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Valencia. The study complies with the current laws of Spain. ; Peer reviewed

Received 27 December 2015, Revised 14 March 2016, Accepted 19 March 2016, Available online 31 March 2016 ; The effects of fragmentation on acorn production should be mediated by their impacts on the physiological status of oaks during seed development particularly in water-limited systems, such as Mediterranean forests. The creation of forests edges reduces tree-to-tree competition, which may in turn temper water shortage during summer and, as a result, enhance acorn production. To test these two hypotheses we monitored acorn production and predawn water potential during the 2012–2014 period in two holm oak (Quercus ilex) forest archipelagos of the Iberian Peninsula. Acorn production and fragmentation effects did not differ between localities despite of their contrasting climatic conditions (accumulated water deficit from April to August was a 60% higher in the South). In general, forest interiors showed a high proportion of non-producing trees (∼50%) while trees at small forest fragments showed high acorn crops (acorn score ⩾3, ∼40% of studied trees). Our results confirmed the expectation that intraspecific competition in small forest fragments was reduced, which alleviated summer water shortage of the trees studied. This reduced water stress entailed an increased acorn production. Overall, our results show that local processes such as fragmentation may counteract climatic differences among localities and could even override the impacts of increased aridity on acorn crops. ; We are also grateful to Laura Barrios for her help in the statistical analysis. Teresa Morán-López was beneficiary of a FPI grant (funded by the Spanish Government (BES-2011-048346). This paper is a contribution to the Spanish-funded projects VULGLO (CGL2010–22180-C03–03), VERONICA (CGL2013-42271-P) and REMEDINAL 2 & 3 (CM S2009 AMB 1783) (S2013/MAE-2719). ; Peer reviewed

The Turopolje pig is a local porcine breed originating from Croatia characterised by its rusticity and adaptation to the traditional outdoor farming system linked to local oak forests. While this once-widespread breed was almost completely replaced by industrial breeds in the second half of the 20th century, there is growing interest on promoting its production in the framework of sustainable porcine production. The objective of our study (made in project TREASURE) was to characterise the gut microbiota composition in 24 Turopolje pigs raised outdoor by using a conventional feed vs a conventional feed supplemented with acorns. The gut microbiota composition of all pigs was determined by re-sequencing the bacterial 16S gene in an Illumina MiSeq device. Bioinformatics analyses were performed by using Qiime's open-reference OTU calling subsampled method following author's recommendations. NMDS and PERMANOVA analyses performed by using the Vegan R package showed significant effects of diet, showing that the acorn supplementation has a relevant impact on gut microbiota, notably by reducing richness and diversity. This result was confirmed in the differential abundance analysis which showed that 152 out of 1,466 OTUs were significantly different between the two groups. Interestingly, the predicted microbiota metabolic functions that were differentially abundant involved fatty acid and amino-acid metabolisms. Funded by European Union's H2020 RIA program (Grant agreement no. 634476).

13 páginas.-- 2 figuras.-- 7 tablas.-- 47 referencias.-- Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.1490/suppinfo.-- Koenig_et_al ; Although the functional basis of variable and synchronous seed production (masting behavior) has been extensively investigated, only recently has attention been focused on the proximate mechanisms driving this phenomenon. We analyzed the relationship between weather and acorn production in 15 species of oaks (genus Quercus) from three geographic regions on two continents, with the goals of determining the extent to which similar sets of weather factors affect masting behavior across species and to explore the ecological basis for the similarities detected. Lag-1 temporal autocorrelations were predominantly negative, supporting the hypothesis that stored resources play a role in masting behavior across this genus, and we were able to determine environmental variables correlating with acorn production in all but one of the species. Standard weather variables outperformed "differential-cue" variables based on the difference between successive years in a majority of species, which is consistent with the hypothesis that weather is linked directly to the proximate mechanism driving seed production and that masting in these species is likely to be sensitive to climate change. Based on the correlations between weather variables and acorn production, cluster analysis failed to generate any obvious groups of species corresponding to phylogeny or life-history. Discriminant function analyses, however, were able to identify the phylogenetic section to which the species belonged and, controlling for phylogeny, the length of time species required to mature acorns, whether they were evergreen or deciduous, and, to a lesser extent, the geographic region to which they are endemic. These results indicate that similar proximate mechanisms are driving acorn production in these species of oaks, that the environmental factors driving seed production in oaks are to some extent phylogenetically conserved, and that the shared mechanisms driving acorn production result in some degree of synchrony among coexisting species in a way that potentially enhances predator satiation, at least when they have acorns requiring the same length of time to mature. ; This study was supported by National Science Foundation grant DEB- 1256394; Andalusian projects Anasinque- PE2010- RNM- 5782, P07- RNM02688, and P10- AGR6501; Spanish MEC projects Heteromed REN2002- 4041- C02- 02, Dinamed CGL2005- 5830- C03- 01, and Interbos CGL2008- 04503- C03- 01; a postdoctoral contract of the Andalusian Government (to IMPR); and a post-doctoral contract of the Operative Program of the European Social Fund (to MDC). ; Peer reviewed

10 pages, 2 figures, 26 references. We thank the Consejería de Medio Ambiente (Andalusian Government) and Felipe Oliveros, Director of Los Alcornocales Natural Park, for the facilities and support to carry out the field work. We also thank to Maite Domínguez and Carmen Navarro for field assistance. Regeneration Models were carried out by IRU, with the advice of Dr. Richard Kobe, during a short-time grant in Michigan State University. El libro referenciado ha sido publicado con motivo de Conference Proceedings: Conference held at the University of Huelva on 20-22 october, 2005. Organised bay: Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Universidad de Huelva, Spain. Centro de Estudos Florestais, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa, Portugal. ; The success of natural regeneration in forests depends on the sequential and complete achievement of several connected life-history stages of tree species. The collapse of any stage results in the limitation of the overall recruitment process. In this study, we focus on several regeneration stages of the cork oak (Quercus suber) tree species: seed production, pre-dispersal and post-dispersal predation rates, and establishment of seedlings. The fieldwork was carried out at three forest plots located within Los Alcornocales Natural Park (Southern Spain) where Q. suber is dominant. We have monitored seed production of 50 adult trees during three consecutive years, estimating the proportion of crop loss due to abortions and to damage by insect larvae. We have also studied the impact of predators (rodents and large herbivores) on seed survival in different types of microsites. Finally, we have studied the effect of microsite types and environmental factors (light, soil moisture and soil compaction) on the germination of sown seeds and the subsequent emergence and survival of seedlings. Results suggest that the high acorn predation rates (both pre-dispersal and post-dispersal) and the high mortality of seedlings (during the summer drought) are main causes of limitation in the natural regeneration of Q. suber in the study area. These factors act on a microsite-depending scale, altering acorns and seedlings probability of survivorship. The scientific knowledge of natural regeneration requirements of Q. suber will help to develop ecological restoration programs in disturbed areas caused by fire, tree disease, or changes of land use. ; This study was supported by the coordinated project Heteromed (REN2002-04041-CO2). This research is part of REDBOME and GLOBIMED networks on forest ecology. ; Peer reviewed

Escaping seed predation is a classic "economy of scale" hypotheses (predator satiation hypothesis, Psh) to explain the selection for the synchronous production of massive and nil seed crops (masting) in plants. The Psh postulates that predator satiation occurs through a combination of (1) "functional satiation," as not all seeds can be consumed during a massive crop, and (2) "numerical satiation," as predator populations collapse during poor crop years. Many studies advocate for the Psh, but few have investigated the importance of masting compared to other factors for the control of predation extent. Namely, environmental cues prompting masting could also determine predator's success and, ultimately, influence directly and independently seed predation intensity. We explored this question in Mediterranean oaks, as they exhibit strong masting behavior; acorns are heavily predated upon by weevils; and rainfall stochasticity drives masting and the emergence of adult weevils from the soil. Results of two mid-term studies (4 and 11 yr) showed that acorn production and predation were highly variable across years, while the abundance of adult weevils was positively related to autumn rainfall and to the number of infested acorns the previous years. Ultimately, acorn predation was negatively influenced by inter-annual fluctuation of seed production (masting) yet, mainly and positively, prompted by autumn rainfall and acorn crop size (only in one site). Our results highlight the relevance of masting to reduce seed predation. Yet evidences that rainfall stochasticity directly determines the success of weevils, and it independently influences seed predation extent, indicate that environmental cues prompting masting may also fine-tune the output of this reproductive behavior. Additionally, local differences suggest that the relevance of masting may change with tree characteristics (low vs. high seed production) and landscape structure (isolated vs. dense forests). We also discuss what can be the effects of increasing drought in Mediterranean areas for this antagonistic interaction, triggered by rainfall. ; This research was supported by the projects NOV-FORESTS (CGL2012-33398), FORASSEMBLY (CGL2015-70558-P), and PLAGANADO (AGL2014-54739-R) of the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (Spain), andthe projects BEEMED (SGR913) of the Generalitat de Catalunya and PII1C09-0256-9052 of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha and the European Social Fund. R.B. was funded by a contract of the Pro-grama Atraccion de Talento Investigador del Gobierno de Extremadura. M.F.M. was funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya FI-2013 grants. ; Peer Reviewed

Oak regeneration and the expansion of forested sites in Eurasia rely on acorn dispersal by animals, especially the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius). However, in open agroforestry systems where jays are absent, such as old fields far from acorn sources, oak recruitment still occurs. We hypothesize that the Eurasian magpie (Pica pica), an abundant corvid in this system, substitutes the jay in its seed dispersal function. By ringing 169 magpies, video recording >7500 acorn removal events with trail cameras, and radiotagging 337 acorns, we quantified that (1) magpies cached 41–56% of the annual acorn production of Quercus ilex trees in single caches on the ground; (2) breeding pairs, and especially males, were the main acorn dispersers; (3) each breeding magpie cached 169–1372 acorns in 6 weeks; and (4) the effectiveness of dispersal (percentage of cached acorns resulting in seedlings) was 0.6–2.4%, which (5) yielded a high density of emerged seedlings (56–439 seedlings/ha). We evidence that magpie could be a key species in the regeneration of oak agroforestry mosaics because they massively and effectively dispersed acorns. However, in our particular study site, effectiveness was low probably due to herbivory and summer drought stress (i.e., a context limitation rather than an intrinsic limitation of the disperser). As the distributions of magpies and oaks overlap widely in Eurasia, effective acorn dispersal by magpies could have a significant role in largescale oak forest recovery in strongly fragmented landscapes. ; This study was funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (CGL2014-53308-P), the REMEDINAL network of the Madrid Autonomous Government (S2013/MAE-2719 and S2018/EMT-4338), and the University of Alcalá (CCG2014/BIO-02, UAH-GP2019- 6). LMB was supported by an FPI fellowship from the Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (BES-2015-075276). ABL acknowledges Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship and project RTI2018-096187-J-100 from Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades.

International audience To palliate the irregular periodicity of Quercus suber acorn production and to sow in the appropriate time, the safe storage of seed of the species is unavoidable. Thus, the aim of this work was to find out a storage method that allows to preserve as long as possible the viability of cork oak acorns, already known as recalcitrant seeds. Thus, the storability of cork oak seeds harvested from two seed sources have been followed through a period of 21 months. After a vigorous cleaning, apparently healthy and intact acorns were subjected to three drying periods and stored under low temperature (0-2°C) within four storage containers. Five hundred acorns from each storage combination were sampled at three-month intervals for moisture content determination, germination tests and acorn losses. Additionally, a nursery experiment was carried out with fifteen-month well preserved acorns to evaluate whether or not they were able to develop further into normal seedlings. The results obtained show that cork oak acorns can be safely stored up to twenty-one months without substantial reduction in germinability. Moreover, storage life span seems influenced by seed origin and drying prior to storage. Sealed drums are better for long storage as compared to unsealed drums and sealed bags here tested. An initial moisture content ranging between 37 and 40 % would be suitable for storage success. Furthermore, results got from nursery trials showed that acorns kept inside sealed drums even ones after one-year storage produce more vigorous seedlings and that sowing of acorns in April seems optimal for containerized seedling production. Certainly, this long safe storage period known for this species is of considerable practical implication to its regeneration, set a solid base for longer seed storage and to carry out further investigations to explain viability loss in these recalcitrant seeds. ; Afin de pallier l'irrégularité des glandées de Chêne-liège et de pouvoir faire le semis des glands au bon moment, le ...

Turopolje pig (TP) is an endangered Croatian autochthonous breed typically reared in an outdoor production system linked to local oak forests and marsh meadows in Turopolje region in Central Croatia. To self-sustain TP breed the utilization of meat products with added value has recently been proposed in TREASURE project. So far little information is available on the quality attributes of TP meat products, including the effect of locally available feeding resources. Hence present study aimed to examine the quality and aromatic profile of dry-fermented sausages of TP that were reared in similar conditions but fed either conventional (CF) or acorn supplemented (AF) finishing diet. The quality of end product, pH and aw values, moisture, fat and protein content, fatty acid (FA) profile, oxidative stability, texture profile analysis (TPA), sensory evaluation and aromatic profile were determined. Data were analysed by TTEST or NPAR1WAY (for sensory data) procedure at an alpha level of 0.05. Compared to CF, AF sausages tended (P<0.1) to have higher moisture content and TPA chewiness, but generally had similar physicochemical, rheological and sensorial traits and FA composition, except for higher share of C14:0. Lipid oxidation, measured as 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, was more pronounced in AF than CF sausages. Aromagram showed terpenes as the most abundant volatiles (around 52% of the total area) in both types of sausages, followed by aldehydes (11-14%), aromatic hydrocarbons (6-10%), phenols (6-7%), alcohols (5-6%), acids (4-6%), Sulphur compounds (2- 5%), ketones (around 3%), esters (less than 2%) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (less than 1%). Compared to CF, AF sausages had less aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and sulphur compounds, and more esters. These results suggest that acorn feeding may affect some properties of TP dry-fermented sausages but more research is needed. Funded by European Union's H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

18 páginas.-- 4 figuras.-- 1 tabla.-- 52 referencias.-- Material Suplementario http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0115371#s6 ; ©2014 Perez-Ramos et al. Mast-seeding species exhibit not only a large inter-annual variability in seed production but also considerable variability among individuals within the same year. However, very little is known about the causes and consequences for population dynamics of this potentially large between-individual variability. Here, we quantified seed production over ten consecutive years in two Mediterranean oak species - the deciduous Quercus canariensis and the evergreen Q. suber - that coexist in forests of southern Spain. First, we calibrated likelihood models to identify which abiotic and biotic variables best explain the magnitude (hereafter seed productivity) and temporal variation of seed production at the individual level (hereafter CVi), and infer whether reproductive effort results from the available soil resources for the plant or is primarily determined by selectively favoured strategies. Second, we explored the contribution of between-individual variability in seed production as a potential mechanism of satiation for predispersal seed predators. We found that Q. canariensis trees inhabiting moister and more fertile soils were more productive than those growing in more resource-limited sites. Regarding temporal variation, individuals of the two studied oak species inhabiting these resource-rich environments also exhibited larger values of CVi. Interestingly, we detected a satiating effect on granivorous insects at the tree level in Q. suber, which was evident in those years where between-individual variability in acorn production was higher. These findings suggest that individual seed production (both in terms of seed productivity and inter-annual variability) is strongly dependent on soil resource heterogeneity (at least for one of the two studied oak species) with potential repercussions for recruitment and population dynamics. However, other external factors (such as soil heterogeneity in pathogen abundance) or certain inherent characteristics of the tree might be also involved in this process. ; This study was supported by a postdoctoral contract of the Andalusian Government to IMPR, by the Spanish MEC projects Heteromed (REN2002-4041-C02-02), Dinamed (CGL2005-5830-C03-01), Interbos (CGL2008-04503-C03-01) and Diverbos (CGL2011-30285-C02), by the Andalusian Anasinque-PE2010-RNM-5782 project and the European FEDER funds. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript ; Peer Reviewed

Received 11 December 2015, Revised 1 March 2016, Accepted 3 March 2016, Available online 12 March 2016 ; Demographic and genetic connectivity of fragmented plant populations will depend on effective propagule flow across the landscape. We analyze functional connectivity in a holm oak (Quercus ilex) fragmented landscape by considering three important stages driving recruitment: effective pollination, acorn production and acorn dispersal. We used a network approach to (1) determine if pollen-mediated gene exchange across the landscape was spatially structured; (2) estimate the effects of limited acorn dispersal on functional connectivity; (3) identify which landscape traits could drive source–sink dynamics of gene flow. Although long distance dispersal was relatively frequent, most effective pollen flow occurred over short distances (10 ha) are the main pollen sources, while small ones (<1 ha) are important pollen sinks. Thus, big fragments are critical to maintain functional connectivity, while small forest fragments may provide acorn crops better representing regional genetic diversity. In addition to area effects, less isolated and more central fragments showed higher migration rates and exchanged effective pollen with more fragments. Hence, we expected that landscapes with uniform or clumped distribution of big forest fragments would show optimal connectivity traits. However, despite that simulated gene flow was more evenly distributed across the landscape, connectance and migration rates decreased. Our results call for caution before translating patch-level management guidelines to the landscape scale. They also show that the level of functional connectivity may change throughout the recruitment process, suggesting that large-scale conservation strategies may fail if local effective seed establishment is disregarded. ; TM-L was beneficiary of a FPI grant funded by the Spanish Government (BES-2011-048346). This paper is a contribution to the Spanish-funded projects VULGLO (CGL2010e22180-C03e03), VERONICA (CGL2013-42271-P) and REMEDINAL3eCM (S2013/MAE-2719). ; Peer reviewed

Sustainable production system: characteristics of animals and products of the Porc Negre Mallorquí The Porc Negre Mallorquí (PNM), recognized as an endangered breed, is the only pig breed native in the Balearic Islands. The formation of this population derives from adaptation process since the arrival of the first inhabitants. Medium size, black hair, drooping ears and "tassels" under the neck, characterize this breed. The current 2018 census identifies 61 farms with 1523 breeding and 3497 fattening pigs. This breed has adapted to Mediterranean agro-climatic conditions, with a diet based on pastures, cereals, legumes, figs, almonds, acorns and Mediterranean bushes, with barley supplements and green peas. Performance depends on available resources, with an average productivity of 14 piglets/sow/year and post-weaning growth of about 400-500 g/day until slaughter (140-160 kg live weight). In the European Union TREASURE project, a lower slaughter yield (~75.1%) and an exceptionally higher fat content (thickness of back fat ~5.5 cm) than those of conventional breeds were confirmed. Significant differences also exist in the quality of the meat, with higher content of fat (~6-8%) and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (~50%) in the loin, a darker colour, and a weaker shearing force. This black pig breed has been consolidated due to the development of the Protected Geographical Indication quality brand for "Sobrassada de Mallorca de Porc Negre" as a main traditional product and local sales of the PNM piglet ("Porcella"), within a sustainable production system.

Majorcan Black Pig (MBP) is a native breed from Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, characterized by its high rusticity and adaptation to Mediterranean climatic conditions, with ability to exploit the scarce natural resources. This pig population had a great importance in the economy and cultural heritage until mid-20th century. The introduction of leaner pig breeds, the impact of different diseases and rural migration led to a progressive decline of this breed. Recognized as an endangered autochthonous pig breed in Spain, MBP has a conservation and improvement program supported by Balearic Government technical services. The current census is close to 80 farms with more than 1,300 breeding pigs. MBP farms are managed in extensive conditions and the feeding regime is based on pasture, cereals, legumes, figs, almonds, acorns and Mediterranean shrubs, with eventual supplementation based on barley and green peas. Performances are largely dependent on available natural resources; mean productivity is 16 piglets/sow-year and a post-weaning growth around 500 g/day until the slaughtering target weight (140-160 kg). Compared with commercial breeds, MBP has a largely higher subcutaneous fat depot, with carcasses showing back fat depths reaching 7 cm and flare fat weights usually up to 6 kg. Important differences are also observed in meat quality, with the loin of MBP presenting higher intramuscular fat content (~8%), darker colour, slightly lower shear force, higher levels of MUFA (~50%) and lower levels of PUFA (<10%). The main products are the 'Sobrassada de Porc Negre Mallorquí', a specialty fat-rich cured sausage granted with a PGI certification, and the roasted 'porcella' (3 month purebred piglets). The proportion of animals devoted either to produce 'porcella' or to be fattened until a heavy slaughter weight depends upon the available natural resources. This practice represents a really sustainable production system. Funded by European Union's H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

18. Superficies 19. Private Right of Way in Person and with Cattle ; 20. Daily and Summer Water ; 21. Watercourses ; 22. Springs ; 23. Drains ; 24. Against Force or Stealth ; 25. Withdrawal of Notice ; 26. Precarium ; 27. Felling Trees ; 28 Gathering Acorns ; 29. Production of a Freeman ; 30. Production of Children and Their Abduction ; 31. Possession ; 32. Moving ; 33 The Salvian Interdict ; Bok Forty-Four ; 1. Defenses, Pruescriptiones, Prejudgments ; 2. The Defense of Res Judicata ; 3. The Various Periods of Pruescriptiows and the Accession of Possession