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Jorge Castro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • effects of resource availability on plant recruitment at the community level in a mediterranean mountain ecosystem
    Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Regino Zamora, Lorena Gomezaparicio, Jorge Castro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Coexisting plant species usually differ in resource requirements, which may also vary within species at successive demographic stages. Such differences become extremely important during the early life stages, since these are the most critical phases in woody-species recruitment, they depend heavily on resources, and they may determine future community composition. Under a Global-Change Scenario, where climatic conditions, nutrient availability, and habitat characteristics are expected to be altered, it is difficult to predict the way in which plant recruitment will be affected. To understand the impact of different Global-Change drivers on community recruitment, we sowed a set of species representative of the different successional groups of a complete Mediterranean woody community under field conditions, and studied their emergence, growth, and survival along the main resource gradients of light, water, and nutrients. The light and nutrient gradients followed the natural range of conditions in the study area, but water availability was manipulated to simulate three contrasting climatic Scenarios: wetter, drier, and current conditions. Structural equation modelling was used to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors and relations governing plant recruitment. Overall, seedling emergence was determined directly by light; growth was determined by light and summer soil moisture; and survival was determined by summer soil moisture. Light was the main factor indirectly affecting the demographic stages of all species. However, the magnitude of the direct and indirect relationships varied among species. Particularly, species differed in their response to the expected drier climatic conditions, some (e.g. Pinus sylvestris, Acer opalus) being much more vulnerable than others (e.g. Cytisus scoparius, Salvia lavandulifolia). These differential responses could translate as major shifts in the structure of the overall plant community. Our results support the idea that the analysis of complex relations among essential resources is critical for accurate forecasts of the impact of climate Change on community dynamics.

  • repercussions of simulated climate Change on the diversity of woody recruit bank in a mediterranean type ecosystem
    Ecosystems, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Regino Zamora, Jorge Castro
    Abstract:

    Extreme climatic events have the potential to affect plant communities around the world, and especially in the Mediterranean basin, where the frequency of milder and drier summers is expected to be altered under a Global-Change Scenario. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic Scenarios on the diversity and abundance of the natural woody-recruit bank among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and bare soil. The climatic Scenarios were dry summers (30% summer rainfall reduction), wet summers (simulating summer storms), and current climatic conditions (control). Seedling emergence and survival after the first summer was recorded during 4 consecutive years. The wet summer boosted abundance and diversity at emergence and summer survival, rendering the highest Shannon H′ index. By contrast, the dry summer had no effect on emergence, although survival tended to decline. Nonetheless, the habitat had a key role, bare soil showing almost null recruitment whatever the climatic Scenario, and forest keeping the highest diversity in all of them. Our results show that recruit-bank density and diversity depends heavily on extreme climatic events. Community dynamics will depend not only on increased drought but also on the balance between dry and wet years.

  • soil nutrient availability under a Global Change Scenario in a mediterranean mountain ecosystem
    Global Change Biology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Jorge Castro, Regino Zamora
    Abstract:

    Changes in rainfall availability will alter soil-nutrient availability under a climate-Change Scenario. However, studies have usually analyzed the effect of either drier or wetter soil conditions, despite the fact that both possibilities will coexist in many climatic regions of the world. Furthermore, its effect may vary across the different habitats of the ecosystem. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic Scenarios on different carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) fractions in soil and microbial compartments among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and open areas. The climatic Scenarios were dry summers, according to the 30% summer rainfall reduction projected in the Mediterranean; wet summer, simulating summer storms to reach the maximum historical records in the study area; and current climatic conditions (control). Sampling was replicated during two seasons (spring and summer) and 2 years. The climatic Scenario did not affect the nutrient content in the litter layer. However, soil and microbial nutrients varied among seasons, habitats, and climatic Scenarios. Soil-nutrient fractions increased with lower soil-moisture conditions (dry Scenario and summer), whereas microbial nutrients increased under the wet summer Scenario and spring. This pattern was consistent both studied years, although it was modulated by habitat, differences being lower with denser plant cover. Holm oak seedlings, used as live control of the experiment, tended to increase their N and P content (although not significantly) with water availability. Thus, the results support the idea that higher rainfall boosts microbial and plant-nutrient uptake, and hence nutrient cycling. By contrast, a rainfall reduction leads to an accumulation of nutrients in the soil, increasing the risk of nutrient loss by leaching or erosion. These results show that the projected climate Change will have significant effects on nutrient cycles, and therefore will have important implications on the ecosystem functioning.

Luis Matias - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • effects of resource availability on plant recruitment at the community level in a mediterranean mountain ecosystem
    Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Regino Zamora, Lorena Gomezaparicio, Jorge Castro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Coexisting plant species usually differ in resource requirements, which may also vary within species at successive demographic stages. Such differences become extremely important during the early life stages, since these are the most critical phases in woody-species recruitment, they depend heavily on resources, and they may determine future community composition. Under a Global-Change Scenario, where climatic conditions, nutrient availability, and habitat characteristics are expected to be altered, it is difficult to predict the way in which plant recruitment will be affected. To understand the impact of different Global-Change drivers on community recruitment, we sowed a set of species representative of the different successional groups of a complete Mediterranean woody community under field conditions, and studied their emergence, growth, and survival along the main resource gradients of light, water, and nutrients. The light and nutrient gradients followed the natural range of conditions in the study area, but water availability was manipulated to simulate three contrasting climatic Scenarios: wetter, drier, and current conditions. Structural equation modelling was used to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors and relations governing plant recruitment. Overall, seedling emergence was determined directly by light; growth was determined by light and summer soil moisture; and survival was determined by summer soil moisture. Light was the main factor indirectly affecting the demographic stages of all species. However, the magnitude of the direct and indirect relationships varied among species. Particularly, species differed in their response to the expected drier climatic conditions, some (e.g. Pinus sylvestris, Acer opalus) being much more vulnerable than others (e.g. Cytisus scoparius, Salvia lavandulifolia). These differential responses could translate as major shifts in the structure of the overall plant community. Our results support the idea that the analysis of complex relations among essential resources is critical for accurate forecasts of the impact of climate Change on community dynamics.

  • repercussions of simulated climate Change on the diversity of woody recruit bank in a mediterranean type ecosystem
    Ecosystems, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Regino Zamora, Jorge Castro
    Abstract:

    Extreme climatic events have the potential to affect plant communities around the world, and especially in the Mediterranean basin, where the frequency of milder and drier summers is expected to be altered under a Global-Change Scenario. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic Scenarios on the diversity and abundance of the natural woody-recruit bank among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and bare soil. The climatic Scenarios were dry summers (30% summer rainfall reduction), wet summers (simulating summer storms), and current climatic conditions (control). Seedling emergence and survival after the first summer was recorded during 4 consecutive years. The wet summer boosted abundance and diversity at emergence and summer survival, rendering the highest Shannon H′ index. By contrast, the dry summer had no effect on emergence, although survival tended to decline. Nonetheless, the habitat had a key role, bare soil showing almost null recruitment whatever the climatic Scenario, and forest keeping the highest diversity in all of them. Our results show that recruit-bank density and diversity depends heavily on extreme climatic events. Community dynamics will depend not only on increased drought but also on the balance between dry and wet years.

  • soil nutrient availability under a Global Change Scenario in a mediterranean mountain ecosystem
    Global Change Biology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Jorge Castro, Regino Zamora
    Abstract:

    Changes in rainfall availability will alter soil-nutrient availability under a climate-Change Scenario. However, studies have usually analyzed the effect of either drier or wetter soil conditions, despite the fact that both possibilities will coexist in many climatic regions of the world. Furthermore, its effect may vary across the different habitats of the ecosystem. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic Scenarios on different carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) fractions in soil and microbial compartments among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and open areas. The climatic Scenarios were dry summers, according to the 30% summer rainfall reduction projected in the Mediterranean; wet summer, simulating summer storms to reach the maximum historical records in the study area; and current climatic conditions (control). Sampling was replicated during two seasons (spring and summer) and 2 years. The climatic Scenario did not affect the nutrient content in the litter layer. However, soil and microbial nutrients varied among seasons, habitats, and climatic Scenarios. Soil-nutrient fractions increased with lower soil-moisture conditions (dry Scenario and summer), whereas microbial nutrients increased under the wet summer Scenario and spring. This pattern was consistent both studied years, although it was modulated by habitat, differences being lower with denser plant cover. Holm oak seedlings, used as live control of the experiment, tended to increase their N and P content (although not significantly) with water availability. Thus, the results support the idea that higher rainfall boosts microbial and plant-nutrient uptake, and hence nutrient cycling. By contrast, a rainfall reduction leads to an accumulation of nutrients in the soil, increasing the risk of nutrient loss by leaching or erosion. These results show that the projected climate Change will have significant effects on nutrient cycles, and therefore will have important implications on the ecosystem functioning.

Regino Zamora - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • effects of resource availability on plant recruitment at the community level in a mediterranean mountain ecosystem
    Perspectives in Plant Ecology Evolution and Systematics, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Regino Zamora, Lorena Gomezaparicio, Jorge Castro
    Abstract:

    Abstract Coexisting plant species usually differ in resource requirements, which may also vary within species at successive demographic stages. Such differences become extremely important during the early life stages, since these are the most critical phases in woody-species recruitment, they depend heavily on resources, and they may determine future community composition. Under a Global-Change Scenario, where climatic conditions, nutrient availability, and habitat characteristics are expected to be altered, it is difficult to predict the way in which plant recruitment will be affected. To understand the impact of different Global-Change drivers on community recruitment, we sowed a set of species representative of the different successional groups of a complete Mediterranean woody community under field conditions, and studied their emergence, growth, and survival along the main resource gradients of light, water, and nutrients. The light and nutrient gradients followed the natural range of conditions in the study area, but water availability was manipulated to simulate three contrasting climatic Scenarios: wetter, drier, and current conditions. Structural equation modelling was used to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors and relations governing plant recruitment. Overall, seedling emergence was determined directly by light; growth was determined by light and summer soil moisture; and survival was determined by summer soil moisture. Light was the main factor indirectly affecting the demographic stages of all species. However, the magnitude of the direct and indirect relationships varied among species. Particularly, species differed in their response to the expected drier climatic conditions, some (e.g. Pinus sylvestris, Acer opalus) being much more vulnerable than others (e.g. Cytisus scoparius, Salvia lavandulifolia). These differential responses could translate as major shifts in the structure of the overall plant community. Our results support the idea that the analysis of complex relations among essential resources is critical for accurate forecasts of the impact of climate Change on community dynamics.

  • repercussions of simulated climate Change on the diversity of woody recruit bank in a mediterranean type ecosystem
    Ecosystems, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Regino Zamora, Jorge Castro
    Abstract:

    Extreme climatic events have the potential to affect plant communities around the world, and especially in the Mediterranean basin, where the frequency of milder and drier summers is expected to be altered under a Global-Change Scenario. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic Scenarios on the diversity and abundance of the natural woody-recruit bank among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and bare soil. The climatic Scenarios were dry summers (30% summer rainfall reduction), wet summers (simulating summer storms), and current climatic conditions (control). Seedling emergence and survival after the first summer was recorded during 4 consecutive years. The wet summer boosted abundance and diversity at emergence and summer survival, rendering the highest Shannon H′ index. By contrast, the dry summer had no effect on emergence, although survival tended to decline. Nonetheless, the habitat had a key role, bare soil showing almost null recruitment whatever the climatic Scenario, and forest keeping the highest diversity in all of them. Our results show that recruit-bank density and diversity depends heavily on extreme climatic events. Community dynamics will depend not only on increased drought but also on the balance between dry and wet years.

  • soil nutrient availability under a Global Change Scenario in a mediterranean mountain ecosystem
    Global Change Biology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Luis Matias, Jorge Castro, Regino Zamora
    Abstract:

    Changes in rainfall availability will alter soil-nutrient availability under a climate-Change Scenario. However, studies have usually analyzed the effect of either drier or wetter soil conditions, despite the fact that both possibilities will coexist in many climatic regions of the world. Furthermore, its effect may vary across the different habitats of the ecosystem. We experimentally investigated the effect of three contrasting climatic Scenarios on different carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) fractions in soil and microbial compartments among three characteristic habitats in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem: forest, shrubland, and open areas. The climatic Scenarios were dry summers, according to the 30% summer rainfall reduction projected in the Mediterranean; wet summer, simulating summer storms to reach the maximum historical records in the study area; and current climatic conditions (control). Sampling was replicated during two seasons (spring and summer) and 2 years. The climatic Scenario did not affect the nutrient content in the litter layer. However, soil and microbial nutrients varied among seasons, habitats, and climatic Scenarios. Soil-nutrient fractions increased with lower soil-moisture conditions (dry Scenario and summer), whereas microbial nutrients increased under the wet summer Scenario and spring. This pattern was consistent both studied years, although it was modulated by habitat, differences being lower with denser plant cover. Holm oak seedlings, used as live control of the experiment, tended to increase their N and P content (although not significantly) with water availability. Thus, the results support the idea that higher rainfall boosts microbial and plant-nutrient uptake, and hence nutrient cycling. By contrast, a rainfall reduction leads to an accumulation of nutrients in the soil, increasing the risk of nutrient loss by leaching or erosion. These results show that the projected climate Change will have significant effects on nutrient cycles, and therefore will have important implications on the ecosystem functioning.

Yvan Caballero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • An interdisciplinary modelling framework for selecting adaptation measures at the river basin scale in a Global Change Scenario
    Environmental Modelling and Software, 2015
    Co-Authors: Corentin Girard, Jean-daniel Rinaudo, Manuel Pulido-velazquez, Yvan Caballero
    Abstract:

    Shaping Global Change adaptation strategy in water resource systems requires an interdisciplinary approach to deal with the multiple dimensions of the problem. The modelling framework presented integrates climate, economic, agronomic and hydrological Scenarios to design a programme of adaptation measures at the river basin scale. Future demand Scenarios, combined with a down-scaled climate Scenario, provide the basis to estimate the demand and water resources in 2030. A least-cost river basin optimisation model is then applied to select adaptation measures ensuring that environmental and supply management goals are achieved. In the Orb river basin (France), the least-cost portfolio selected suggests mixing demand and supply side measures to adapt to Global Change. Trade-offs among the cost of the programme of measures, the deficit in agricultural water supply and the level of environmental flows are investigated. The challenges to implement such interdisciplinary approaches in the definition of adaptation strategies are finally discussed.

  • An interdisciplinary modelling framework for selecting adaptation measures at the river basin scale in a Global Change Scenario
    Environmental Modelling & Software, 2015
    Co-Authors: Corentin Girard, Jean-daniel Rinaudo, Manuel Pulido-velazquez, Yvan Caballero
    Abstract:

    Shaping Global Change adaptation strategy in water resource systems requires an interdisciplinary approach to deal with the multiple dimensions of the problem. The modelling framework presented integrates climate, economic, agronomic and hydrological Scenarios to design a programme of adaptation measures at the river basin scale. Future demand Scenarios, combined with a down-scaled climate Scenario, provide the basis to estimate the demand and water resources in 2030. A least-cost river basin optimisation model is then applied to select adaptation measures ensuring that environmental and supply management goals are achieved. In the Orb river basin (France), the least-cost portfolio selected suggests mixing demand and supply side measures to adapt to Global Change. Trade-offs among the cost of the programme of measures, the deficit in agricultural water supply and the level of environmental flows are investigated. The challenges to implement such interdisciplinary approaches in the definition of adaptation strategies are finally discussed. An interdisciplinary modelling framework is presented to analyse the effects of Global Change on water resource systems at the basin scale.Present and future urban and agricultural water demands, as well as a climate Change Scenario, are integrated into a river basin management model.Future supply and demand management measures are selected using least-cost optimisation.Trade-offs between the cost of adaptation measures, irrigated agriculture development, and environmental requirements are quantified.Insights to improved integrated water management at basin scale through interdisciplinary modelling are provided.

Corentin Girard - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • An interdisciplinary modelling framework for selecting adaptation measures at the river basin scale in a Global Change Scenario
    Environmental Modelling and Software, 2015
    Co-Authors: Corentin Girard, Jean-daniel Rinaudo, Manuel Pulido-velazquez, Yvan Caballero
    Abstract:

    Shaping Global Change adaptation strategy in water resource systems requires an interdisciplinary approach to deal with the multiple dimensions of the problem. The modelling framework presented integrates climate, economic, agronomic and hydrological Scenarios to design a programme of adaptation measures at the river basin scale. Future demand Scenarios, combined with a down-scaled climate Scenario, provide the basis to estimate the demand and water resources in 2030. A least-cost river basin optimisation model is then applied to select adaptation measures ensuring that environmental and supply management goals are achieved. In the Orb river basin (France), the least-cost portfolio selected suggests mixing demand and supply side measures to adapt to Global Change. Trade-offs among the cost of the programme of measures, the deficit in agricultural water supply and the level of environmental flows are investigated. The challenges to implement such interdisciplinary approaches in the definition of adaptation strategies are finally discussed.

  • An interdisciplinary modelling framework for selecting adaptation measures at the river basin scale in a Global Change Scenario
    Environmental Modelling & Software, 2015
    Co-Authors: Corentin Girard, Jean-daniel Rinaudo, Manuel Pulido-velazquez, Yvan Caballero
    Abstract:

    Shaping Global Change adaptation strategy in water resource systems requires an interdisciplinary approach to deal with the multiple dimensions of the problem. The modelling framework presented integrates climate, economic, agronomic and hydrological Scenarios to design a programme of adaptation measures at the river basin scale. Future demand Scenarios, combined with a down-scaled climate Scenario, provide the basis to estimate the demand and water resources in 2030. A least-cost river basin optimisation model is then applied to select adaptation measures ensuring that environmental and supply management goals are achieved. In the Orb river basin (France), the least-cost portfolio selected suggests mixing demand and supply side measures to adapt to Global Change. Trade-offs among the cost of the programme of measures, the deficit in agricultural water supply and the level of environmental flows are investigated. The challenges to implement such interdisciplinary approaches in the definition of adaptation strategies are finally discussed. An interdisciplinary modelling framework is presented to analyse the effects of Global Change on water resource systems at the basin scale.Present and future urban and agricultural water demands, as well as a climate Change Scenario, are integrated into a river basin management model.Future supply and demand management measures are selected using least-cost optimisation.Trade-offs between the cost of adaptation measures, irrigated agriculture development, and environmental requirements are quantified.Insights to improved integrated water management at basin scale through interdisciplinary modelling are provided.