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Publications (23) View all
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Article: The influence of environmental conditions on the body mass of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) during spring migration
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ABSTRACT: The present study examines the effects of seven microclimatic factors on the arrival body mass of migrant Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) in the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, a site located in northeastern Spain. We used principal component analysis, followed by a general linear model procedure, to create a model that examines the relationships between body mass and weather-related events recently experienced during the spring migration. Our results suggest that local weather variation during the migratory flight clearly affects the body mass of Barn Swallows on a short time scale. This effect demonstrates the importance of the environmental conditions en route for migrating swallows and how these conditions might influence diverse events of the life cycle, such as the arrival time at the breeding grounds or the reproductive success.04/2012; 149(3):473-478. -
Chapter: Ecological Impacts of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in Mediterranean Ecosystems
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ABSTRACT: Large-scale climate indices have received much attention in recent years in ecology-climate research due to the advantages they have over typically used local weather variables, such as temperature or rainfall. In the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a major forcing of climate patterns, especially precipitation. More than 60 studies to date have demonstrated the effects of the NAO on both terrestrial and aquatic Mediterranean ecosystems. In terrestrial ecosystems, the NAO affects the phenology and growth of plants and crop yields. It also affects the condition and diet of mammals and disease-related mortality in amphibians. The effects of the NAO are probably better known in marine ecosystems, where the impact on the hydrodynamics of the water column and currents is felt in the dynamics of populations from plankton to fishes in both pelagic and benthonic environments. Additionally, birds are an especially well studied taxon when it comes to effects of the NAO. The NAO has been shown to affect the population dynamics of water birds by impacting the availability and extent of their habitat and by influencing dispersal decisions of individuals. The NAO plays an essential role in the migration of birds throughout the Mediterranean basin, and it is probably a reason for the observed advance of arrival dates during the spring in Europe. In spite of the notable number of studies carried out to date, we are far from knowing accurately the ecological impacts of the NAO on Mediterranean ecosystems. More efforts are needed to understand regional differences in the NAO effects within the Mediterranean basin and how they compare with more northern latitudes of Europe. KeywordsBirds-Climate-Ecosystem-Phenology-Review06/2011: pages 153-170; -
Article: Spring Passage of Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Across the Western Mediterranean: Comparing Islands with the Mainland
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ABSTRACT: Spring migration of Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus over the western Mediterranean was studied using observations collected at a ringing station on the mainland of Spain (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà), and at an island station (Cabrera, one of the Balearics). During the years 1993–2001, birds were caught and measured between 16 April and 15 May. The peak of captures and mean arrival date was seven days earlier on the continental station than on the island. At both stations long-winged individuals passed before short-winged birds, and birds at the continental station had longer wings than at the island. The number of recaptures was low at both locations suggesting that most birds departed at the day of arrival. The mean stopover period for recaptured individuals at the continental and island station was 2.2 and 2.6 days, respectively. Body mass remained more or less constant during this stay. Our observations suggest that subpopulations of Willow Warblers, differing both in morphology and timing of migration, have different migration routes over the western Mediterranean; one migrates over the Iberian Peninsula and another crosses over the sea.Ardea -Wageningen- 01/2011; · 0.59 Impact Factor -
Article: Ecological impacts of the NAO in Mediterranean ecosystems
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ABSTRACT: Large scale climate indices have received much attention in recent years in ecology-climate research due to a number of advantages over typical local weather variables, such as temperature or rainfall. In the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is a major forcing of climate patterns, especially precipitation. More than 60 studies have demonstrated to date the NAO effects on both terrestrial and aquatic Mediterranean ecosystems. In terrestrial ecosystems, NAO affects phenology and growing of plants, crop yields, body condition and diet of mammals, and disease-related mortality in amphibians. NAO effects are probably better known in marine ecosystems, where the impact of NAO through hydrodynamics of water column and currents has effects on dynamics of populations from plankton to fishes both in pelagic and benthonic environments. Birds are an especially well studied taxon. NAO effects have been detected on population dynamics of waterbirds by affecting availability and extent of their habitat and influencing dispersal decisions of individuals. Similarly, the NAO influences demographics of Mediterranean kestrels. The NAO plays an essential role to understand the migration of birds throughout the Mediterranean basin and it is probably a causal origin for the observed advance of arrival dates during the spring in Europe. In spite of the notable number of studies carried out to date, we are far to know accurately the ecological impacts of the NAO in Mediterranean ecosystems. More efforts are needed to understand regional differences of the NAO effects within the Mediterranean basin as well as in comparison with more northern latitudes of Europe.Advances in Global Change Research. 01/2011; 46:153-170. -
Article: Ten years of demographic and genetic monitoring of Stachys maritima in Catalonia (2001-2010). Implications for a recovery plan
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ABSTRACT: Stachys maritima is a species typical of the coastal dunes, with a wide distribution within the Mediterranean Basin. In spite of this, the species shows a clear regression. In Catalonia, it has been observed an important reduction of its populations since early 20th century, where it has disappeared from several localities in which it was relatively common (Tarragonès, Barcelonès). Herein we present the results of the demographic monitoring of the species during the last 10 years (2001-2010) in the known localities in Catalonia. Besides corroborating the disappearance (northern Sant Martí d’Empúries), the re-discovering (Llobregat Delta beach) and the detection of new populations (inner dunes of the Montgrí), a large year-to-year fluctuation of the monitored populations is stated; the possible reasons are discussed. In addition, the present work also includes the results of the allozyme diversity analysis of the new detected populations as well as the rediscoveries of the period 2004-2008, which were not included in a former study of genetic diversity carried out in 2002-2003. It is necessary to emphasize that the contribution of the new populations to the genetic diversity of Stachys maritima is very small, which can be attributed to their limited population size and /or to founder effects. Despite that the species is included in the Annex 2 (“En Perill d’Extinció”) within the Catàleg de Flora Amenaçada de Catalunya (Catalogue of Endangered Flora of Catalonia), and some “soft” conservation measures have been applied at local level (signposting of the beach accesses, environmental education, etc.) coupled with other more significant measures (e.g. translocation of individuals discovered in an artificial sandbank), it would be necessary the coordinated action and the scientific support of any initiative of conservation that could be carried out. The general frame to initiate actions of conservation should be the recovery plan of Stachys maritima, whose draft and application is mandatory in accordance to the Catàleg.Stachys maritima es una especie característica de dunas litorales, con una amplia área de distribución en el Mediterráneo. A pesar de ello, la especie muestra una clara regresión. En Catalunya se ha observado una importante reducción de sus poblaciones desde principios del siglo XX, donde ha desaparecido de diversas localidades en las que era relativamente abundante (Tarragonès, Barcelonès). Se presentan los resultados del seguimiento demográfico de la especie durante los últimos 10 años (2001-2010) en las localidades conocidas en Catalunya. Al margen de corroborar la desaparición de algunos núcleos (núcleo norte de Sant Martí d’Empúries), el redescubrimiento de otros (playa del Delta del Llobregat) o la detección de nuevas poblaciones (dunas interiores del Montgrí), se constata una gran fluctuación interanual de los núcleos monitorizados, las posibles causas de la cual se discuten detenidamente. Por otro lado, el presente trabajo incluye también los resultados del análisis de la diversidad isoenzimática de las nuevas poblaciones detectadas así como los redescubrimientos del periodo 2004-2008, que no se habían incluido en los estudios de diversidad genética de los años 2002-2003. Cabe destacar que la contribución de los nuevos núcleos a la diversidad genética de Stachys maritima es muy pequeña y se puede atribuir a su reducido tamaño poblacional y/o a efectos fundadores. A pesar que la especie se ha incluido en el Anexo 2 (“En Perill d’Extinció”) del Catàleg de Flora Amenaçada de Catalunya, y que a escala local se han realizado algunas medidas de conservación “blandas” (señalización de los accesos a la playa, educación ambiental, etc.), junto a otras medidas más significativas pero realizadas con carácter de urgencia (p. ej. la translocación de individuos descubiertos en un arenal), sería necesario la acción coordinada y el apoyo científico de cualquier iniciativa de conservación que se lleve a cabo. El marco general para iniciar acciones de conservación debería ser el plan de recuperación de Stachys maritima, la redacción y aplicación del cual es preceptiva, tal y como consta en el Catàleg. [ct] Deu anys de seguiment demogràfic i genètic d’Stachys maritima a Catalunya (2001-2010). Implicacions per a un pla de recuperació.- Stachys maritima és una espècie característica de dunes litorals, amb una àmplia àrea de distribució a la Mediterrània. Malgrat això, la planta sembla estar en clara regressió. A Catalunya, s’ha observat un declivi significatiu des de principis del s. XX, i ha desaparegut de moltes localitats on era relativament abundant (Tarragonès, Barcelonès). Es presenten els resultats del seguiment demogràfic de l’espècie durant els darrers deu anys (2001-2010) a totes les localitats conegudes a Catalunya. A banda de constatar la desaparició d’algun dels nuclis (nucli nord de Sant Martí d’Empúries), el redescobriment d’altres (platja del Prat de Llobregat) o la troballa de noves poblacions (dunes interiors del Montgrí), es constata una gran fluctuació interanual dels diferents nuclis poblacionals monitoritzats, les possibles causes de la qual es discuteixen detingudament. D’altra banda, aquest treball també inclou els resultats de l’anàlisi de la diversitat isoenzimàtica de les noves troballes i/o redescobriments durant el període 2004-2008, i que no havien estat per tant inclosos en l'estudi de diversitat genètica dut a terme durant els anys 2002-2003. La contribució dels nous nuclis a la diversitat genètica d’Stachys maritima és molt petita, que pot atribuir-se a la reduïda mida poblacional i/o a efectes fundadors. Tot i que l’espècie ha estat inclosa dins l’Annex 2 (“En Perill d’Extinció”) del Catàleg de Flora Amenaçada de Catalunya, i a nivell local s’han dut a terme algunes mesures de conservació “toves” (senyalització d’accessos a les platges, educació ambiental, etc.) juntament amb d’altres mesures amb més significació però amb un caràcter d’urgència (p. ex. la translocació d’individus descoberts en una sorrera), seria necessari l’acció coordinada i el suport científic de qualsevol iniciativa de conservació que es dugui a terme. El marc genèric per a endegar qualsevol acció de conservació hauria d’ésser el pla de recuperació d’Stachys maritima, la redacció i aplicació del qual és preceptiva d’acord amb el que estableix el Catàleg.Collectanea Botanica. 01/2010;
