BUSCADOR RECOLECTA

Proactive silviculture treatments (e.g., thinning) may increase C sequestration contributing to climate change mitigation, although, there are still questions about this effect in Mediterranean pine forests. The aim of this research was to quantify the storage of biomass and soil organic carbon in Pinus forests along a climatic gradient from North to South of the Iberian Peninsula. Nine experimental Pinus spp trials were selected along a latitudinal gradient from the pre-Pyrenees to southern Spain. At each location, a homogeneous area was used as the operational scale, and three thinning intensity treatments: unthinned or control (C), intermediate thinning (LT, removal of 30–40% of the initial basal area) and heavy thinning (HT, removal of 50–60%) were conducted. Growth per unit area (e.g., expressed as basal area increment-BAI), biomass, and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) were measured as well as three sets of environmental variables (climate, soil water availability and soil chemical and physical characteristics). One-way ANOVA and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were used to study the effect of thinning and environmental variables on C sequestration. Biomass and growth per unit area were higher in the control than in the thinning treatments, although differences were only significant for P. halepensis. Radial growth recovered after thinning in all species, but it was faster in the HT treatments. Soil organic carbon (SOC10, 0–10 cm depth) was higher in the HT treatments for P. halepensis and P. sylvestris, but not for P. nigra. SEM showed that Pinus stands of the studied species were beneficed by HT thinning, recovering their growth quickly. The resulting model explained 72% of the variation in SOC10 content, and 89% of the variation in silvicultural condition (basal area and density) after thinning. SOC10 was better related to climate than to silvicultural treatments. On the other hand, soil chemical and physical characteristics did not show significant influence over SOC10- Soil water availability was the latent variable with the highest influence over SOC10. This work is a new contribution that shows the need for forest managers to integrate silviculture and C sequestration in Mediterranean pine plantations, This research was collaborative funded by the following projects: SilvAdapt.net (RED2018-102719-T) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Life-FOREST CO2 (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271), ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P), IN-ERTIA (PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDV), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R), RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063), TRANSHYMED (CGL2016-75957-R), AGL2017-83828-C2-2-R and ESPAS (CGL2015-65569-R), caRRRascal (RTI2018-095037-B-I00), TIMENUTRIENT (AGL2016-76463-P), and ISO-Pine (UCO-1265298). F.J.R.-G. was supported by a post-doctoral fellowship of the Junta de Andalucía (Spain) and the European Social Fund 2014-2020 Program (DOC_0055). A.J. Molina is beneficiary of an ‘APOSTD’ fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded by the Generalitat Valenciana.

Adaptive forest management (AFM) is an urgent need because of the uncertainty regarding how changes in the climate will affect the structure, composition and function of forests during the next decades. Current research initiatives for the long-term monitoring of impacts of silviculture are scattered and not integrated into research networks, with the consequent losses of opportunities and capacity for action. To increase the scientific and practical impacts of these experiences, it is necessary to establish logical frameworks that harmonize the information and help us to define the most appropriate treatments. In this context, a number of research groups in Spain have produced research achievements and know-how during the last decades that can allow for the improvement in AFM. These groups address the issue of AFM from different fields, such as ecophysiology, ecohydrology and forest ecology, thus resulting in valuable but dispersed expertise. The main objective of this work is to introduce a comprehensive strategy aimed to study the implementation of AFM in Spain. As a first step, a network of 34 experimental sites managed by 14 different research groups is proposed and justified. As a second step, the most important AFM impacts on Mediterranean pines, as one of the most extended natural and planted forest types in Spain, are presented. Finally, open questions dealing with key aspects when attempting to implement an AFM framework are discussed. This study is expected to contribute to better outlining the procedures and steps needed to implement regional frameworks for AFM., A.J. Molina is beneficiary of an “APOSTD” fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded
by the Generalitat Valenciana. M. Moreno-de las Heras is beneficiary of a Serra Hunter fellowship (UB-LE-9055) funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya. F.J. Ruiz-Gómez is supported by a
postdoctoral fellowship of the Junta de Andalucía (Sevilla, Spain), and the European Social Fund
2014–2020 Program (DOC_0055). The authors received national and international funding through
the following projects: SILVADAPT.NET (RED2018-102719-T), ESPECTRAMED (CGL2017-86161-R),
Life-FOREST CO2 (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271), ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P), INERTIA
(PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDV), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R), DEHESACLIM (IB16185),
RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063), Rhysotto (PID2019-106583RB-I00), AGL2017-83828-
C2-2-R, RTI2018-096884-B-C31, ESPAS (CGL2015-65569-R), and caRRRascal (RTI2018-095037-B-I00).

[EN] Proactive silviculture treatments (e.g., thinning) may increase C sequestration contributing to climate change mitigation, although, there are still questions about this effect in Mediterranean pine forests. The aim of this research was to quantify the storage of biomass and soil organic carbon in Pinus forests along a climatic gradient from North to South of the Iberian Peninsula. Nine experimental Pinus spp trials were selected along a latitudinal gradient from the pre-Pyrenees to southern Spain. At each location, a homogeneous area was used as the operational scale, and three thinning intensity treatments: unthinned or control (C), intermediate thinning (LT, removal of 30-40% of the initial basal area) and heavy thinning (HT, removal of 50-60%) were conducted. Growth per unit area (e.g., expressed as basal area increment-BAI), biomass, and Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) were measured as well as three sets of environmental variables (climate, soil water availability and soil chemical and physical characteristics). One-way ANOVA and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) were used to study the effect of thinning and environmental variables on C sequestration. Biomass and growth per unit area were higher in the control than in the thinning treatments, although differences were only significant for P. halepensis. Radial growth recovered after thinning in all species, but it was faster in the HT treatments. Soil organic carbon (SOC10, 0-10 cm depth) was higher in the HT treatments for P. halepensis and P. sylvestris, but not for P. nigra. SEM showed that Pinus stands of the studied species were beneficed by HT thinning, recovering their growth quickly. The resulting model explained 72% of the variation in SOC10 content, and 89% of the variation in silvicultural condition (basal area and density) after thinning. SOC10 was better related to climate than to silvicultural treatments. On the other hand, soil chemical and physical characteristics did not show significant influence over SOC10- Soil water availability was the latent variable with the highest influence over SOC10. This work is a new contribution that shows the need for forest managers to integrate silviculture and C sequestration in Mediterranean pine plantations., This research was collaborative funded by the following projects: SilvAdapt.net (RED2018-102719-T) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, Life-FOREST CO2 (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271), ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P), IN-ERTIA (PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDV), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R), RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063), TRANSHYMED (CGL2016-75957-R), AGL2017-83828-C2-2-R and ESPAS (CGL2015-65569-R), caRRRascal (RTI2018-095037-B-I00), TIMENUTRIENT (AGL2016-76463-P), and ISO-Pine (UCO-1265298). F.J.R.-G. was supported by a post-doctoral fellowship of the Junta de Andalucia (Spain) and the European Social Fund 2014-2020 Program (DOC_0055). A.J. Molina is beneficiary of an "APOSTD" fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded by the Generalitat Valenciana. The information included reflects only the opinion of the authors and the European Commission/Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained in this scientific paper.

[EN] Adaptive forest management (AFM) is an urgent need because of the uncertainty regarding how changes in the climate will affect the structure, composition and function of forests during the next decades. Current research initiatives for the long-term monitoring of impacts of silviculture are scattered and not integrated into research networks, with the consequent losses of opportunities and capacity for action. To increase the scientific and practical impacts of these experiences, it is necessary to establish logical frameworks that harmonize the information and help us to define the most appropriate treatments. In this context, a number of research groups in Spain have produced research achievements and know-how during the last decades that can allow for the improvement in AFM. These groups address the issue of AFM from different fields, such as ecophysiology, ecohydrology and forest ecology, thus resulting in valuable but dispersed expertise. The main objective of this work is to introduce a comprehensive strategy aimed to study the implementation of AFM in Spain. As a first step, a network of 34 experimental sites managed by 14 different research groups is proposed and justified. As a second step, the most important AFM impacts on Mediterranean pines, as one of the most extended natural and planted forest types in Spain, are presented. Finally, open questions dealing with key aspects when attempting to implement an AFM framework are discussed. This study is expected to contribute to better outlining the procedures and steps needed to implement regional frameworks for AFM., A.J. Molina is beneficiary of an "APOSTD" fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded by the Generalitat Valenciana. M. Moreno-de las Heras is beneficiary of a Serra Hunter fellowship (UB-LE-9055) funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya. F.J. Ruiz-Gomez is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Junta de Andalucia (Sevilla, Spain), and the European Social Fund 2014-2020 Program (DOC_0055). The authors received national and international funding through the following projects: SILVADAPT.NET (RED2018-102719-T), ESPECTRAMED (CGL2017-86161-R), Life-FOREST CO2 (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271), ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P), INERTIA (PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDV), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R), DEHESACLIM (IB16185), RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063), Rhysotto (PID2019-106583RB-I00), AGL2017-83828C2-2-R, RTI2018-096884-B-C31, ESPAS (CGL2015-65569-R), and caRRRascal (RTI2018-095037-B-I00).

En el Parque Natural de la Font Roja se han elaborado muy pocos estudios que se centren en el análisis y descripción de sus suelos forestales. Este trabajo analiza las características generales de los suelos desarrollados sobre materiales calizos en la vertiente norte del Carrascal de la Font Roja. Para ello, se ha realizado una caracterización morfológica y físico-química del suelo superficial (20 cm) en 4 parcelas de estudio distribuidas en un gradiente altitudinal (1.300-1.000 msnm). Dichas parcelas se enclavan en dos unidades ambientales de gran valor y riqueza ecológica dentro del bosque mediterráneo, como son el bosque de caducifolios y el carrascal cerrado de umbría. Las características edáficas que muestran mayor relación con la altitud son el contenido de carbonatos (CaCO3) y el tamaño de los fragmentos rocosos superficiales. La información generada en este estudio se integrará en una base de datos que puede contribuir a la gestión y toma de decisiones de los gestores del Parque., Al Parc Natural de la Font Roja s’han elaborat molt pocs estudis que se centren en l’anàlisi i descripció dels sòls forestals. Aquest treball analitza les característiques generals dels sòls desenvolupats sobre materials calcaris al vessant nord del Carrascal de la Font Roja. Per això, s’ha realitzat una caracterització morfològica i fisicoquímica del sòl superficial (20 cm) en 4 parcel·les d’estudi distribuïdes en un gradient altitudinal (1.300-1.000 msnm). Aquestes parcel·les s’enclaven en dues unitats ambientals de gran valor i riquesa ecològica dins del bosc mediterrani, com són el bosc de caducifolis i el Carrascal tancat d’ombria. Les característiques edàfiques que mostren major relació amb l’altitud són el contingut de carbonats (CaCO3) i la dimensió dels fragments rocosos superficials. La informació generada en aquest estudi s’integrarà en una base de dades que pot contribuir en la gestió i presa de decisions dels gestors del Parc., In the Natural Park of the Font Roja few studies have been elaborated that focus on the analysis and description of its forest soils. This work analyzes the main characteristics of soils developed on limestone materials in the northern slope in the Carrascal de la Font Roja. For this purpose, a morphological and physicochemical characterization of the surface soil (20 cm) was carried out in 4 study plots distributed in an altitudinal gradient (.1300-1.000 msnm). These plots are located in two environmental units of great value and ecological richness within the Mediterranean forest, such as the deciduous forest and the holm oaks. The edaphic characteristics that show greater relation with the altitude are the carbonate content (CaCO3) and the size of the surface rock fragments. The information generated in this study will be integrated in a database that can contribute to the management and decision-making of Park managers., Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia (MINECO/FEDER), proyecto Alteraclim (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P) y Survive-2 (CGL2015-69773-C2-2-P).

Groundwater resources are typically the main fresh water source in arid and semi-arid regions. Natural recharge of aquifers is mainly based on precipitation; however, only heavy precipitation events (HPEs) are expected to produce appreciable aquifer recharge in these environments. In this work, we used daily precipitation and monthly water level time series from different locations over a Mediterranean region of Southeastern Spain to identify the critical threshold value to define HPEs that lead to appreciable aquifer recharge in this region. Wavelet and trend analyses were used to study the changes in the temporal distribution of the chosen HPEs (≥20 mm day−1) over the observed period 1953–2012 and its projected evolution by using 18 downscaled climate projections over the projected period 2040–2099. The used precipitation time series were grouped in 10 clusters according to similarities between them assessed by using Pearson correlations. Results showed that the critical HPE threshold for the study area is 20 mm day−1. Wavelet analysis showed that observed significant seasonal and annual peaks in global wavelet spectrum in the first sub-period (1953–1982) are no longer significant in the second sub-period (1983–2012) in the major part of the ten clusters. This change is because of the reduction of the mean HPEs number, which showed a negative trend over the observed period in nine clusters and was significant in five of them. However, the mean size of HPEs showed a positive trend in six clusters. A similar tendency of change is expected over the projected period. The expected reduction of the mean HPEs number is two times higher under the high climate scenario (RCP8.5) than under the moderate scenario (RCP4.5). The mean size of these events is expected to increase under the two scenarios. The groundwater availability will be affected by the reduction of HPE number which will increase the length of no aquifer recharge periods (NARP) accentuating the groundwater drought in the region., This work was carried out as part of ECOBAL project (CGL2011-30531-C02-01 and CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P: Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness).

En un contexto de cambio climático el presente trabajo trata de abordar la respuesta de la vegetación a las precipitaciones mediante el análisis del el índice de vegetación de diferencia normalizada (NDVI) y las métricas de fenología de superficie (LPS, Land Surface Phenology) en el Parque Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja (FR) para el periodo 2000-2017. Los resultados muestran una tendencia positiva en los valores medios anuales del NDVI en el periodo de estudio con un cambio negativo a partir del 2011 como respuesta al descenso de las precipitaciones en estos últimos años. La longitud media de la estación de crecimiento (LOS) en el Parque Natural es del orden de 174.7 ± 21.4 días mostrando una tendencia negativa significativa al 10% lo que indica un acortamiento de la LOS debido a un atraso en el inicio de la estación (SOS) pero principalmente a un adelantamiento del final de la estación (EOS) como respuesta a una disminución en las precipitaciones de primavera y en particular las de abril-mayo., En un context de canvi climàtic el present treball tracta d’abordar la resposta de la vegetació a les precipitacions mitjançant l’anàlisi de l’índex de vegetació de diferència normalitzada (NDVI) i les mètriques de fenologia de superficie (LPS, Land Surface Phenology) al Parc Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja (FR) pel període 2000-2017. Els resultats mostren una tendència positiva en els valors mitjans anuals del NDVI al període d’estudi amb un canvi negatiu a partir del 2011 com a resposta al descens de les precipitacions en aquests últims anys. La longitud mitjana de l’estació de creixement (LOS) al Parc Natural és de l’orde de 174.7 ± 21.4 dies mostrant una tendència negativa significativa al 10%, la qual cosa indica un acurtament de la LOS degut a un retard de l’inici de l’estació (SOS) però principalment, per un avançament del final de l’estació (EOS) com a resposta d’una disminució en les precipitacions de primavera i en particular les de l’abril-maig., In the context of climate change this work aims to analyze the vegetation response to precipitations using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface phenology (LSP) metrics in the Font Roja Natural Parc (FR) over the 2000-2017 period. The results show a positive trend on mean annual NDVI values over the study period; however, a negative change is observed since 2011 as response to precipitation decrease during the last years. The mean growing season length (LOS) in the Natural Parc is about 174.7 ± 21.4 days showing a significant negative trend at 10% which indicates a shortening of the LOS due to a delay in the season start (SOS) but particularly due to earlier end of season (EOS) as a consequence of the decrease of spring precipitation and particularly April-May rainfall., Este trabajo se ha realizado dentro del marco del proyecto ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1) financiado por el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad.

Las proyecciones del cambio climático indican que en el área mediterránea se producirá un aumento en la frecuencia de sequías extremas, lo que causará impactos en sus masas forestales y en los servicios ecosistémicos que estas prestan. En los últimos años se han registrado eventos de decaimiento y mortalidad asociados a fuertes sequías, los cuales se pueden considerar representativos de los previstos por el cambio climático, por lo que su estudio es una oportunidad para comprender y predecir cómo se verán afectados los bosques mediterráneos en el futuro. Este es el principal objetivo del nuevo proyecto de investigación liderado por la Universidad de Alicante y el CEAM y cuyo propósito es profundizar en el conocimiento de estas cuestiones. Para ello se está llevando a cabo el análisis detallado de distintas variables ecohidrológicas y ecofisiológicas en masas forestales de distintas zonas experimentales de la Comunidad Valenciana, dos de las cuales se hallan en el Parque Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja. En este artículo se presentan los principales objetivos del citado proyecto, así como sus instalaciones experimentales en el Parque Natural., Les projeccions de canvi climàtic indiquen que a l’àrea mediterrània es produirà un augment en la freqüència de sequeres extremes, el que causarà impactes en les seues masses forestals i en els servicis ecosistèmics que aquestes presten. En els últims anys s’han registrat esdeveniments de decaïment i mortalitat associats a fortes sequeres, les quals es poden considerar representatives de les previstes pel canvi climàtic. Per tant, el seu estudi és una oportunitat per a comprendre com es veuran afectats els boscos mediterranis en el futur. Aquest és el principal objectiu d’un nou projecte d’investigació liderat per la Universitat d’Alacant i el CEAM i es tracta d’aprofundir en el coneixement d’aquestes qüestions. Per a això s’està duent a terme l’anàlisi detallat de distintes variables ecohidrológiques i ecofisiológiques en masses forestals de diferents zones experimentals de la Comunitat Valenciana, dues de les quals es troben en el Parc Natural del Carrascal de la Font Roja. En aquest article es presenten els objectius específics de l’esmentat projecte, així com les seues instal·lacions experimentals al Parc Natural., Global change projections point out an increase in the number of severe droughts in the Mediterranean region, which may have a deep impact in forests and in environmental services they provide. In the past years, events of drought-induced decay and plant mortality have been registered in this region, which are considered representative of climatic change consequences. Hence, their study is a good chance to understand and foresee how Mediterranean forests will be affected by climate change in the future. This is the main purpose of the new research project carried out by University of Alicante and CEAM foundation whose main goal is improve our actual knowledge in this topic. To achieve this, an exhaustive study of forest’s ecohydrological and ecophysological variables is being carried out in several experimental sites through the Valencian Communiy, two of them located within kermes oak forest of Font Roja Natural Park. In this paper, we introduce the main project goals and the experimental design of Natural Park’s study sites., Este trabajo que se está desarrollando está financiado dentro del marco de los proyectos Alteraclim (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P) y Survive-2 (CGL2015-69773-C2-2-P) con fondos del ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología (MINECO/FEDER).

We investigated stem radial growth and water storage dynamics of 2 conifer species differing in hydraulic carbon strategies, Juniperus monosperma and Pinus edulis, under conditions of ambient, drought (∼45% reduction in precipitation), heat (∼4.8 °C temperature increase), and the combination of drought + heat, in 2013 and 2014. Juniper maintained low growth across all treatments. Overall, the relatively isohydric piñon pine showed significantly greater growth and water storage recharge than the relatively anisohydric juniper across all treatments in the average climate year (2014) but no differences in the regionally dry year (2013). Piñon pine ceased growth at a constant predawn water potential across all treatments and at a less negative water potential threshold than juniper. Heat has a greater negative impact on piñon pines' growth and water storage than drought, whereas juniper was, in contrast, unaffected by heat but strongly impacted by drought. The whole‐plant hydraulic carbon strategies, in this case captured using the isohydric/anisohydric concept, translate into alternative growth and water storage strategies under drought and heat conditions., This study was supported by DOE—Office of Biological and Environmental Research and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) via competitive grant CGL2015‐69773‐C2‐1‐P. N.G.M. was additionally supported by Pacific Northwest National Laboratories LDRD program. This research is part of the doctoral thesis of A.M.‐A. at the University of Alicante, supported by an FPI scholarship.

El aprovechamiento de las aguas subterráneas de pequeños acuíferos ha jugado un papel fundamental en el desarrollo local, no siempre bien conocido y valorado. El acuífero de Aspe, en la provincia de Alicante, es un ejemplo en que este aprovechamiento ha estado relacionado históricamente con el crecimiento y desarrollo de la localidad de Aspe. La fuerte presión a la que se vio sometido durante buena parte del s. XX le llevó a una situación de sobreexplotación, de la cual apenas hay información. El abandono de muchas captaciones y la transformación del uso del territorio han permitido un cambio de su situación en las últimas décadas. El principal objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido actualizar el estado de conocimiento que se tiene de él y establecer su situación hidrodinámica. El seguimiento piezométrico ha permitido establecer una sectorización en función del comportamiento de los niveles piezométricos. Así, los sectores de las Fuentes y Tolomó han mostrado un ascenso progresivo, el cual no se corresponde con el comportamiento observado en los sectores de Alcaná y La Ofra. Estas diferencias de comportamiento apuntan a posibles desconexiones piezométricas entre sectores del acuífero., The use of groundwater in small aquifers has played a key role in local development, not always well known and valued. The aquifer of Aspe, in the province of Alicante, is an example in which this exploitation has been historically related to the growth and development of the town of Aspe. The strong pressure to which it was subjected during the twentieth century led to a situation of overexploitation, of which there is scarcely information. The abandonment of many wells and the transformation of land use have allowed a change of its situation in the last decades. The main objective of the present work has been to update the state of knowledge about it and establish its hydrodynamic situation. The piezometric monitoring has allowed to establish a sectorization according to the behaviors of the levels. Thus, the sectors of the Fuentes and Tolomó have shown a progressive piezometric level rise, which does not correspond to the behavior observed in the sectors of Alcaná and La Ofra. These differences in behavior point to possible piezometric disconnections between sectors of the aquifer., Este trabajo se ha realizado dentro del marco del proyecto ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1) financiado por el Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad.

Karst Aquifer GIS‐based model (KAGIS model) is developed and applied to Mela aquifer, a small karst aquifer located in a Mediterranean region (SE Spain). This model considers different variables, such as precipitation, land use, surface slope and lithology, and their geographical heterogeneity to calculate both, the run‐off coefficients and the fraction of precipitation which contributes to fill the soil water reservoir existing above the aquifer. Evapotranspiration uptakes deplete water, exclusively, from this soil water reservoir and aquifer recharge occurs when water in the soil reservoir exceeds the soil field capacity. The proposed model also obtains variations of the effective porosity in a vertical profile, an intrinsic consequence of the karstification processes. A new proposal from the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency index, adapted to arid environments, is presented and employed to evaluate the model's ability to predict the water table oscillations. The uncertainty in the model parameters is determined by the Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation method. Afterwards, when KAGIS is calibrated, wavelet analysis is applied to the resulting data in order to evaluate the variability in the aquifer behaviour. Wavelet analysis reveals that the rapid hydrogeological response, typical of a wide variety of karst systems, is the prevailing feature of Mela aquifer. This study proves that KAGIS is a useful tool to quantify recharge and discharge rates of karst aquifers and can be effectively applied to develop a proper management of water resources in Mediterranean areas., This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Projects CGL2013‐48802‐C3‐3‐R and CGL2015‐69773‐C2‐1‐P; and by the University of Alicante, Projects GRE15‐19 and GRE17‐12.

Land Surface Phenology (LSP) metrics are increasingly being used as indicators of climate change impacts in ecosystems. For this purpose, it is necessary to use methods that can be applied to large areas with different types of vegetation, including vulnerable semiarid ecosystems that exhibit high spatial variability and low signal-to-noise ratio in seasonality. In this work, we evaluated the use of hidden Markov models (HMM) to extract phenological parameters from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). We analyzed NDVI time-series data for the period 2000–2018 across a range of land cover types in Southeast Spain, including rice croplands, shrublands, mixed pine forests, and semiarid steppes. Start of Season (SOS) and End of Season (EOS) metrics derived from HMM were compared with those obtained using well-established smoothing methods. When a clear and consistent seasonal variation was present, as was the case in the rice croplands, and when adjusting average curves, the smoothing methods performed as well as expected, with HMM providing consistent results. When spatial variability was high and seasonality was less clearly defined, as in the semiarid shrublands and steppe, the performance of the smoothing methods degraded. In these cases, the results from HMM were also less consistent, yet they were able to provide pixel-wise estimations of the metrics even when comparison methods did not., This research was funded by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad grant numbers CGL2017-89804-R, CGL2014-59074-R, and CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P.

The province of Alicante is mainly occupied by rocks of carbonated nature. This implies that most of the provincial groundwater resources are located in aquifers of karstic nature. Due to the geological characteristics of the area, these aquifer systems show a wide variety of lithologies, rock ages and reservoir geometry (both in extension and thickness). In addition, these aquifers are distributed in a region with an important rainfall gradient between the north, with recorded average annual rainfall of about 900 mm, and the south, with averages of about only 300 mm. Thus, there is a strong contrast in terms of underground resources, more abundant towards the north of the province. In this study, two aquifers have been selected to stablish the influence of the climate regime and of karstic development on their recharge processes, and therefore in their resources. Both are of small dimensions, well monitored and have a similar hydrogeological behavior. The main objective has been to estimate the recharge in each of them and to evaluate to what extent climate and soil affects this variable. To achieve it, a soil water balance model, called RENATA, has been used. The two aquifers selected are the aquifer of Ventós-Castellar, located in one of the most arid areas of the province where average annual rainfall is around 300 mm, and the Mela aquifer, located in a more humid environment with an average annual rainfall around 600 mm., This work has been carried out within the framework of the ALTERACLIM project (CGL2015-69773-C2-1) financed by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.

For decades, the Province of Alicante, located in the Southeast of Spain, has experienced important economic development associated with groundwater exploitation. The scarcity of superficial resources and irregular distribution in the time and space of rainfall, typical of the Mediterranean environment, together with the extensive limestone outcrops, have made groundwater a key resource for the area. However, insufficient knowledge about aquifers, especially the lack of precise recharge estimates, hinders regional water management. This study establishes updated recharge estimates and water budgets for the 200 aquifers found in Alicante, using readily usable methodologies and available data. These are soil water budget models, groundwater flow models, water table fluctuation methods, and spring flow analyses. The results show low mean annual values of recharge from precipitation (69 mm/year and a coefficient of 12%) and two main differentiated domains. The first one, in the northeast of the province, under more humid climatic conditions with larger carbonate aquifer systems, has higher recharge coefficients, ranging from 14% to 24%, and greater resources. For the rest of the province, where aquifers are smaller and annual averages of rainfall range between 250 and 400 mm, average recharge rates are low (9–12%)., This research was funded partially by the projects of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (ALTERACLIM; CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P) and the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2019-111332RB-C21). In the same way, this work was partially funded by Cátedra del Agua (Water Chair) of the University of Alicante and Diputación de Alicante (https://catedradelaguaua.org/ accessed on 10 February 2021).

Adaptive forest management (AFM) is an urgent need because of the uncertainty regarding how changes in the climate will affect the structure, composition and function of forests during the next decades. Current research initiatives for the long-term monitoring of impacts of silviculture are scattered and not integrated into research networks, with the consequent losses of opportunities and capacity for action. To increase the scientific and practical impacts of these experiences, it is necessary to establish logical frameworks that harmonize the information and help us to define the most appropriate treatments. In this context, a number of research groups in Spain have produced research achievements and know-how during the last decades that can allow for the improvement in AFM. These groups address the issue of AFM from different fields, such as ecophysiology, ecohydrology and forest ecology, thus resulting in valuable but dispersed expertise. The main objective of this work is to introduce a comprehensive strategy aimed to study the implementation of AFM in Spain. As a first step, a network of 34 experimental sites managed by 14 different research groups is proposed and justified. As a second step, the most important AFM impacts on Mediterranean pines, as one of the most extended natural and planted forest types in Spain, are presented. Finally, open questions dealing with key aspects when attempting to implement an AFM framework are discussed. This study is expected to contribute to better outlining the procedures and steps needed to implement regional frameworks for AFM., A.J. Molina is beneficiary of an “APOSTD” fellowship (APOSTD/2019/111) funded by the Generalitat Valenciana. M. Moreno-de las Heras is beneficiary of a Serra Hunter fellowship (UB-LE-9055) funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya. F.J. Ruiz-Gómez is supported by a postdoctoral fellowship of the Junta de Andalucía (Sevilla, Spain), and the European Social Fund 2014–2020 Program (DOC_0055). The authors received national and international funding through the following projects: SILVADAPT.NET (RED2018-102719-T), ESPECTRAMED (CGL2017-86161-R), Life-FOREST CO2 (LIFE14 CCM/ES/001271), ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P), INERTIA (PID2019-111332RB-C22-BDV), CEHYRFO-MED (CGL2017-86839-C3-2-R), DEHESACLIM (IB16185), RESILIENTFORESTS (LIFE17 CCA/ES/000063), Rhysotto (PID2019-106583RB-I00), AGL2017-83828-C2-2-R, RTI2018-096884-B-C31, ESPAS (CGL2015-65569-R), and caRRRascal (RTI2018-095037-B-I00).

The use of ecohydrologically suitable microsites, such as sink patches (i.e. zones intercepting and infiltrating runoff) and nurse shrubs, have largely been proposed as tools to improve the establishment of late-successional trees in Mediterranean reclaimed landscapes. Nonetheless, this technique needs to be accurately tested along with the influence of seedling water-use strategy. To that purpose, we monitored the short- and mid-term (i.e. 4 and 8 years, respectively) influence of sink patches and nurse shrubs (Genista scorpius) on seedlings of two species with contrasted water-use strategies, Pinus nigra, a more drought avoider and isohydric species, and Quercus ilex, a more drought tolerant and anisohydric species. In the short term, G. scorpius shrubs enhanced the establishment of seedlings planted in shaded spots under its canopy. This positive interaction was more relevant for Q. ilex in drier years, while P. nigra was more facilitated in wetter years. Sink patches ameliorated the survival of both species, but only promoted greater growth during wetter years. P. nigra seedlings showed a high sensitivity to precipitation reduction. Their survival and growth were strongly constrained in dry years, resulting in a very high cumulative mortality at the end of the 8-year study period regardless of the microsite the seedlings were planted in. Q. ilex showed better seedling performance than P. nigra in the mid-term, keeping also the positive effects of suitable microsites on plant survival in the mid-term, after 8 years of plantation. Our results support the use of suitable microsites that ameliorate ecohydrological conditions as key spots for enhancing ecological succession in reclaimed mining sites, particularly the use of G. scorpius as nurse shrub for improving Q. ilex seedling establishment and growth. Our results also suggest that seedling functional strategy to cope with drought is a critical factor conditioning the overall plantation performance in the mid-term. Thus, seedling water-use strategy should constitute a key species selection criteria in future restoration programs focused on Mediterranean ecosystems, especially under climate change., This work was funded by the project CGL2010-21754-C0-02 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. EV is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness within project ALTERACLIM (CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P). MMH is beneficiary of a Serra Hunter fellowship on Physical and Environmental Geography funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya (UB-LE-9055).

El estudio del impacto de los eventos extremos de sequía sobre los ecosistemas secos mediterráneos es fundamental para desarrollar herramientas de gestión adaptativa frente al cambio climático. La complejidad en la respuesta de los ecosistemas y las dificultades experimentales para llevar a cabo estudios de campo sobre eventos extremos de sequía, son los principales obstáculos en este campo de investigación. Es necesario desarrollar metodologías que permitan estudiar la relación de los ecosistemas con la disponibilidad hídrica y parametrizar los eventos de sequía extrema para poder resolver las inconsistencias surgidas hasta el momento en este ámbito. En la presente tesis se han estudiado las respuestas de los ecosistemas a distintos niveles ecológicos, desde el sistema suelo planta hasta los procesos ecosistémicos, frente a cambios en la disponibilidad hídrica durante eventos extremos de sequía. Para ello, se han realizado dos experimentos manipulativos de lluvia y se ha analizado un evento de sequía extrema natural en seis comunidades vegetales dominadas por arbustos del Sureste de la Península Ibérica, en la Comunidad Valenciana. Los resultados de estos estudios, mostrados a lo largo de seis capítulos en esta tesis, indican que la sequía extrema, y los cambios en la disponibilidad hídrica que ella produce, afectan a estos ecosistemas a todos los niveles ecológicos estudiados. Además, apuntan a la relevancia del patrón de precipitaciones y de la dinámica de la humedad del suelo como principales responsables de la respuesta de los ecosistemas. La respuesta de los ecosistemas a la sequía extrema fue mayor a niveles ecológicos superiores, siendo la reducción en la tasa de descomposición de hojarasca y la acumulación de combustible seco las principales consecuencias tanto a nivel experimental como natural. La sequía extrema también afectó a la fenología y esfuerzo reproductivo de la vegetación, así como a su crecimiento y procesos productivos. Finalmente se observaron cambios en la dinámica de nutrientes edáficos asociados al aumento de intensidad de la sequía. Estos resultados nos permitirán avanzar en la comprensión de las relaciones autoecológicas de la vegetación. La metodología desarrollada en este estudio ha demostrado simular satisfactoriamente las condiciones y efectos de la sequía extrema, mostrándose por tanto como una herramienta válida para realiza este tipo de estudios., Tesis financiada por una beca predoctoral FPU-UA (2015). La parte experimental de esta tesis ha sido financiada por los proyectos CASCADE [GA 283068] (CEAM), SURVIVE-2 [CGL2015-69773-C2-2-P] y ALTERACLIM [CGL2015-69773-C2-1-P].

The use of ecohydrologically suitable microsites, such as sink patches (i.e. zones intercepting and infiltrating runoff) and nurse shrubs, have largely been proposed as tools to improve the establishment of late-successional trees in Mediterranean reclaimed landscapes. Nonetheless, this technique needs to be accurately tested along with the influence of seedling water-use strategy. To that purpose, we monitored the short- and mid-term (i.e. 4 and 8 years, respectively) influence of sink patches and nurse shrubs (Genista scorpius) on seedlings of two species with contrasted water-use strategies, Pinus nigra, a more drought avoider and isohydric species, and Quercus ilex, a more drought tolerant and anisohydric species. In the short term, G. scorpius shrubs enhanced the establishment of seedlings planted in shaded spots under its canopy. This positive interaction was more relevant for Q. ilex in drier years, while P. nigra was more facilitated in wetter years. Sink patches ameliorated the survival of both species, but only promoted greater growth during wetter years. P. nigra seedlings showed a high sensitivity to precipitation reduction. Their survival and growth were strongly constrained in dry years, resulting in a very high cumulative mortality at the end of the 8-year study period regardless of the microsite the seedlings were planted in. Q. ilex showed better seedling performance than P. nigra in the mid-term, keeping also the positive effects of suitable microsites on plant survival in the mid-term, after 8 years of plantation. Our results support the use of suitable microsites that ameliorate ecohydrological conditions as key spots for enhancing ecological succession in reclaimed mining sites, particularly the use of G. scorpius as nurse shrub for improving Q. ilex seedling establishment and growth. Our results also suggest that seedling functional strategy to cope with drought is a critical factor conditioning the overall plantation performance in the mid-term. Thus, seedling water-use strategy should constitute a key species selection criteria in future restoration programs focused on Mediterranean ecosystems, especially under climate change.