BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

Current global change scenarios demand knowledge on how anthropogenic impacts affect ecosystem functioning through changes in food web structure. Frugivorous mesocarnivores are a key link in trophic cascades because, while their abundance and behaviour are usually controlled by apex predators, they can provide high-quality seed-dispersal services to plant communities. Thus, the recent rewilding of large carnivores worldwide can trigger cascading effects for plants. We investigated the top-down effects of an apex predator (Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus) on seed-dispersal services mediated by two mesocarnivore species (red fox Vulpes vulpes and stone marten Martes foina) at the plant community level by comparing areas with and without lynx in a Mediterranean mountain range in Southern Spain. We collected scats of mesocarnivores (n = 1575) to assess frugivory and seed dispersal of 15 plant species over two consecutive fruiting seasons and two habitat types (open and forest). Specifically, we assessed the effect of lynx presence on (i) seed occurrence and fleshy-fruit biomass per scat, (ii) the number of scats containing seeds, and (iii) the diversity of dispersed seeds. The quantity and diversity of dispersed seeds drastically decreased under predation risk for both mesocarnivore species. Seed dispersal by stone martens was negatively affected by the presence of lynx, with a marked reduction in the number of scats with seeds (93%) and the diversity of dispersed seeds (46%). Foxes dispersed 68% fewer seeds in open habitats when coexisting with lynx, probably leading to differential contributions to seed-dispersal effectiveness among habitats. Our study reveals a novel trophic cascade from apex predators to plant communities. The behavioural responses of frugivorous mesocarnivores to predation risk and the reduction in the intensity of their faecal deposition pattern are probably related to their lower abundance when co-occurring with apex predators. While rewilding apex predators is a successful conservation tool, attention should be paid to cascading effects across food webs, particularly where frugivore megafauna are missing and mesocarnivores provide unique services to plant communities., Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: CGL2017-84633-P, Generación de conocimiento Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación: FPU17/04375, Formación del profesorado universitario, Peer reviewed

Riera-Ferrer et al 2024_tables_figures_ESM.pdf, Peer reviewed

Peer reviewed

[EN] Data collection from the UV-vis spectra and corresponding plot, powder X-ray diffraction data, data collection of cell viability, values of Z-potential and data collection of XPS core level analysis of Ag 3d; Au 4f; C 1s and O 1s with fittings and plots., Programa Bilateral CSIC-TEC Monterrey (ref. BILTC22001); Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation to grant PID2021-126524NB-100 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by "ERDF A way of making Europe. BILTC22001; PID2021-126524NB-100 SCALAR; RYC2018-024561-I; CEX2023-001286-S, Au_AgNPs UV-Vis.mppz Au_Ag DRX magic plot.mppz Cell viability.xlsx potencial z.xlsx XPS.pxp, No

Description of the project Context: In the face of anthropogenic global change, Mediterranean oak-dominated ecosystems confront increased biotic (ungulate herbivory) and abiotic (drought) stressors, compromising forest regeneration. Restoration measures are imperative to address this scenario. Aims: This study assesses the impact of different mitigation measures on the survival and biochemical traits of two widespread Mediterranean oak species. 4. Description of the dataset The dataset encompasses information from the planting of 300 Quercus seedlings in Cabañeros (Quercus ilex; N=200) and Doñana (Quercus suber; N=100), subjected to various treatments: cotyledon/acorn removal, seedling age (1 vs. 2-year-old), and herbivore protection (fenced vs. non-fenced). Monthly measurements of the seedlings were conducted from February to September 2021. Each visit consisted of recording: the seedling survival status (alive vs. dead), the damage caused by biotic and abiotic stress agents and the identification of the main stress agent, namely wild boar, deer, rabbit, fungi, insect or drought. We considered the main stress agent the one leading to the plant death, or, in the case of surviving seedlings, the one identified with the highest intensity score. To compare seedling physiological leaf biochemical responses to different treatments and plant ages, several non-destructive measures of chlorophyll, anthocyanin and flavonoid concentrations and the nitrogen balance index (NBI) were taken using the leaf clamp fluorescence sensor Dualex ® TMScientific+, Force One. The Dualex measures were taken on 5 leaves previously marked, from top to bottom, only in alive seedlings., Peer reviewed

This article presents a dataset on 71 pesticide levels and the identification of additional synthetic organic chemicals, including pharmaceuticals and industrial compounds, in L'Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain). Sampling was conducted during May–June (spring) and end of September–October (autumn) 2019, timed to the rice cultivation cycle, the region's main agricultural activity. A total of 130 samples (100 water and 30 sediments) were collected from 51 strategically selected sites, including rivers, irrigation channels, Albufera Lake, and Mediterranean outlets, utilizing a combination of targeted and non-targeted screening (NTS) methods. The dataset encompasses physical-chemical parameters for both spring and autumn seasons. Advanced analytical techniques, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), were employed to detect contaminants beyond traditional methods, providing critical insights for environmental management and policy development. The findings contribute to addressing gaps in knowledge regarding contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and their distribution across different environmental compartments. These data supplement the findings of the research article “Fingerprinting of Emerging Contaminants in L'Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain): Implications for Wetland Ecosystem Health”., This study was supported by the Prometeo program for research groups of excellence (CIPROM/2021/032) of the Conselleria d'Educació, Universitats i Ocupació (Valèncian Generalitat). Y. Soriano acknowledges her pre-doctoral contract by the grant PRE2019-089042 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”. Also supported by the project SERENA (Soil ecosystem services and soil threats modelling and mapping) – EJP-SOIL (Horizon 2020-European Union- grant agreement 862695)., Peer reviewed

When populations colonise new environments they may be exposed to novel selection pressures but also suffer from extensive genetic drift due to founder effects, small population sizes, and limited interpopulation gene flow. Genomic approaches enable us to study how these factors drive divergence, and disentangle neutral effects from differentiation at specific loci due to selection. Here, we investigate patterns of genetic diversity and divergence using whole-genome resequencing (> 22X coverage) in Berthelot’s pipit (Anthus berthelotii), a passerine endemic to the islands of three north Atlantic archipelagos. Strong environmental gradients, including in pathogen pressure, across populations in the species range, make it an excellent system in which to explore traits important in adaptation and/or incipient speciation. Firstly, we quantify how genomic divergence accumulates across the speciation continuum, i.e., among Berthelot’s pipit populations, between subspecies across archipelagos, and between Berthelot’s pipit and its mainland ancestor, the tawny pipit (Anthus campestris). Across these colonisation timeframes (2.1 million – ca. 8,000 years ago), we identify highly differentiated loci within genomic islands of divergence and conclude that the observed distributions align with expectations for non-neutral divergence. Characteristic signatures of selection are identified in loci associated with craniofacial/bone and eye development, metabolism, and immune response between population comparisons. Interestingly, we find limited evidence for repeated divergence of the same loci across the colonisation range but do identify different loci putatively associated with the same biological traits in different populations, likely due to parallel adaptation. Incipient speciation across these island populations, in which founder effects and selective pressures are strong, may therefore be repeatedly associated with morphology, metabolism, and immune defence., Natural Environment Research Council: NE/L002582/1; Natural Environment Research Council: NE/S007334/1; Norwich Research Park, Science Links Seed Fund; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación / European Commission: PGC2018-097575-B-I00; Gobierno del Principado de Asturias: AYUD/2021/51261, Peer reviewed

The dataset presents information on the spacial distribution of organic contaminants from different areas of L' Albufera Natural Park. It includes target analysis of pesticides and a non-target analysis of organic contaminants including pharmaceuticals, industrial compounds, etc in surface water samples considering two sampling campaigns (spring and autumn), and in sediment samples (only in spring). Additionally, an ecological risk assessment for pesticides is conducted to determine potential toxicity in the surface water samples., Conselleria d'Educació, Investigació, Cultura i Esport CIPROM/2021/032. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PRE2019-089042. Horizon 2020 grant agreement 862695., Peer reviewed

There is some evidence that seed traits can affect the long-term persistence of seeds in the soil. However, findings on this topic have differed between systems. Here, we brought together a worldwide database of seed persistence data for 1474 species to test the generality of seed mass-shape-persistence relationships. We found a significant trend for low seed persistence to be associated with larger and less spherical seeds. However, the relationship varied across different clades, growth forms and species ecological preferences. Specifically, relationships of seed mass-shape-persistence were more pronounced in Poales than in other order clades. Herbaceous species that tend to be found in sites with low soil sand content and precipitation have stronger relationships between seed shape and persistence than in sites with higher soil sand content and precipitation. For the woody plants, the relationship between persistence and seed morphology was stronger in sites with high soil sand content and low precipitation than in sites with low soil sand content and higher precipitation. Improving ability to predict the soil seed bank formation process, including burial and persistence, could benefit the utilization of seed morphology-persistence relationships in management strategies for vegetation restoration and controlling species invasion across diverse vegetation types and environments., National Natural Science Foundation of China: 31922062, 32171681, 32171518; Basic Research and Innovation Group Project of Gansu Province*: 22JR5RA390; Zhengzhou University: 32212526/134, Early career research project; Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands: 14-09-09-9354-93001, Peer reviewed

Data for Måsviken et al. 2024. Processes regulating local community assembly of plants and spiders in high latitude mountains. Journal of Biogeography doi:10.1111/jbl.14981, RYC-2013-14662_MINECO; PID2019-­107862RB-­100_MICINN; PID2022-­137336OB-­I00_MICINN; FR-­2017-­00704_Formas; 1904_Göran-Gustafssons-Stiftelse; LINKA20417_CSIC, Peer reviewed