Deciphering functional indicators of riparian ecosystems resilience changes under emerging global threats: a basis for ecological restoration

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Groundwater abstraction has caused extensive ecological damage to the Doñana world heritage Site, Spain

Publication . Green, Andy J.; Guardiola‑Albert, Carolina; Bravo‑Utrera, Miguel Ángel; Bustamante, Javier; Camacho, Antonio; Camacho, Carlos; Contreras‑Arribas, Eva; Espinar, José L.; Gil‑Gil, Teresa; Gomez‑Mestre, Iván; Heredia‑Díaz, Javier; Kohfahl, Claus; Negro, Juan José; Olías, Manuel; Revilla, Eloy; Rodríguez‑González, Patricia M.; Rodríguez‑Rodríguez, Miguel; Ruíz‑Bermudo, Fernando; Santamaría, Luis; Schmidt, Guido; Serrano‑Reina, José Antonio; Díaz‑Delgado, Ricardo

Acreman et al. (Wetlands 42:63, 2022) reviewed evidence for ecological damage to the Doñana wetlands (UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS] and Ramsar site), Spain, associated with intensification of groundwater use, particularly for agriculture. Acreman et al. presented a multistep methodology for evidence-based risk assessment that involves identification of conser- vation issues, and a systematic review of scientific evidence for ecological damage and its causes. However, they involved few local scientists, used a questionable methodology in stakeholder selection and involvement, used a flawed conceptual framework, and an incomplete literature review. We propose improvements to their methodology. They overlooked or misin- terpreted key evidence, and underestimated the impacts that abstraction for irrigation for red fruits (mainly strawberries), rice and other crops has had on Doñana and its biodiversity. They reported groundwater level depletion of up to 10 m in the deep aquifer, but wrongly concluded that there is no evidence for impacts on the natural marsh ecosystem, the dune ponds or the ecotone. Groundwater drawdowns are actually up to 20 m, and have inverted the formerly ascending vertical hydraulic gradi- ent in discharge areas. Phreatic levels have been lowered from 0.5 to 2 m in some areas. Groundwater abstraction has caused multiple ecological impacts to temporary ponds and marshes in the WHS, as well as to terrestrial vegetation, and should be urgently reduced. Furthermore, Acreman et al. focused on groundwater quantity while overlooking the importance of severe impacts on quality of both surface and groundwater, intimately connected to the use of agrochemicals for irrigated crops.

2024-01Artigo científico

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Germination and seed traits in common alder (Alnus spp.): the potential contribution of rear-edge populations to ecological restoration success

Publication . Marques, Inês Gomes; Faria, Carla; Conceição, Sofia I. R.; Jansson, Roland; Corcobado, Tamara; Milanovic, Slobodan; Laurent, Yann; Bernez, Ivan; Dufour, Simon; Mandak, Bohumil; Ennouni, Hassan; SAHLI, Abdelouahab; Ater, Mohammed; Dorado, Francisco Javier; Caperta, Ana; David, T.S.; A, Solla; Rodríguez-González, Patricia María

The degradation of riparian ecosystems occurring throughout the past decades hasmotivated efforts aimed at the restoration of these ecosystems. The success of active revegetation approaches to restoration requires appropriate selection of reproductive material, which in turn requires knowledge of seed traits and germination. Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. (common alder) is a key riparian tree widely used in restoration projects, and has recently been classified as comprising three species: A. glutinosa; A. lusitanica Vít, Douda, & Mandak; and A. rohlenae Vít, Douda, & Mandak. To help guide restoration species selection, we assessed differences among populations of these species by (1) investigating seed weight, morphology, and germination success from a large population set and (2)modeling germination success in each species in relation tomorphological traits and environmental conditions. Seedswere collected from12 populations encompassing the latitudinal extremes of the species complex, andwere then characterized and germinated. Ploidy levels and specieswere distinguished using cytometric analysis. Site-level climatic data and seedmorphology datawere used to model germination success for each species. All seed traits differed between populations and one morphological-trait (seed weight-to-area ratio) differed significantly between the three species. Germination modeling showed that the southwestern species, A. lusitanica, responded positively to high temperature extremes, suggesting tolerance to the climate changes projected for southern Europe.Populations ofA. lusitanica located at the latitudinal rear edge of common alder’s distribution appear to showestablishmentfacilitating adaptations, and therefore may contribute to ecological restoration efforts under a range of environmental conditions.

2022Artigo científico

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Entidade financiadora

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Programa de financiamento

CEEC IND 3ed

Número da atribuição

2020.03356.CEECIND/CP1591/CT0002