The climatic preferences of the species determine to a large extent their response to climate cha... more The climatic preferences of the species determine to a large extent their response to climate change. Temperature preferences have been shown to play a key role in driving trends in animal populations. However, the relative importance of temperature and precipitation preferences is still poorly understood, particularly in systems where ecological processes are strongly constrained by the amount and timing of rainfall. In this study, we estimated the role played by temperature and precipitation preferences in determining population trends for birds and butterflies in a Mediterranean area. Trends were derived from long-term biodiversity monitoring data and temperature and precipitation preferences were estimated from species distribution data at three different geographical scales. We show that population trends were first and foremost related to precipitation preferences both in birds and in butterflies. Temperature preferences had a weaker effect on population trends, and were significant only in birds. The effect of precipitation on population trends operated in opposite directions in the two groups of species: butterfly species from arid environments and bird species from humid habitats are decreasing most. Our results indicate that, although commonly neglected, water availability is likely an important driver of animal population change in the Mediterranean region, with highly contrasting impacts among taxonomical groups
Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d'Història Natural, 2020
Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linn... more Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), ha defoliat grans superfícies de suredes i alzinars al Montnegre entre 2018-2020. L'inici d'aquest episodi eruptiu podria estar relacionat amb un col·lapse de les poblacions de ratolins i musaranyes, que regulen les poblacions de la papallona quan aquestes es troben en baixes densitats. Un recull bibliogràfic posa de manifest l'existència d'un complex molt extens d'enemics naturals al voltant d'aquest lepidòpter, alguns dels quals actuen de forma dependent de la densitat i, previsiblement, retornaran les poblacions a nivells habituals en un període d'1-4 anys. A la zona afectada s'han detectat diverses espècies de parasitoides i l'escarabat Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758). A més, un seguiment en 10 localitats defoliades i en 10 localitats poc afectades el 2019 demostra que, en les zones eruptives, al voltant d'un 50 % de les postes de L. dispar van patir depredació, possiblement per part d'ocells. El maig de 2020, aproximadament 2500 ha de bosc es van tractar amb Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki per combatre la plaga. Per avaluar l'efectivitat d'aquesta mesura es va dissenyar un seguiment que demostra que l'ús de l'insecticida no ha minimitzat els nivells de defoliació en relació a les zones no tractades. També s'ha constatat una recuperació molt important dels arbres, especialment dels suros, que un mes després del pic de l'afectació presentaven defoliacions de només un 15 %. A Catalunya, considerem que actualment no hi ha cap argument en favor d'utilitzar aquest mètode per combatre els episodis eruptius esporàdics de L. dispar.After years without significant damage, in 2018-2020 an outbreak of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), defoliated large areas of cork oaks and holm oaks in the Montnegre mountains. The onset of this outbreak could be related to the collapse of mice and shrew populations that regulate the moth populations when they are at low densities. A literature search reveals the existence of a very extensive complex of natural enemies that prey on the gypsy moth, some of which provoke density-dependent mortality that predictably leads to a return to normal populations levels within a period of 1-4 years. Several species of parasitoids and the beetle Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758) have been detected in the study area. In addition, the monitoring of egg-clusters in 10 defoliated and 10 unaffected localities in 2019 showed that around 50 % of the egg masses suffered predation at the outbreak sites. In May 2020, approximately 2,500 ha of forest were treated with Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki to combat the pest. To assess the effectiveness of this measure, we designed a systematic survey in 15 areas, whose results show that the use of this insecticide did not reduce defoliation when comparisons were made with untreated areas. Moreover, we noted that defoliated trees, especially cork oaks, recovered well and a month after the peak of the infestation showed defoliations of only 15 %. In Catalonia, we thus consider that there is currently no argument in favour of using this method to combat sporadic outbreaks of L. dispar
Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d'Història Natural, 2020
Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linn... more Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), ha defoliat grans superfícies de suredes i alzinars al Montnegre entre 2018-2020. L'inici d'aquest episodi eruptiu podria estar relacionat amb un col·lapse de les poblacions de ratolins i musaranyes, que regulen les poblacions de la papallona quan aquestes es troben en baixes densitats. Un recull bibliogràfic posa de manifest l'existència d'un complex molt extens d'enemics naturals al voltant d'aquest lepidòpter, alguns dels quals actuen de forma dependent de la densitat i, previsiblement, retornaran les poblacions a nivells habituals en un període d'1-4 anys. A la zona afectada s'han detectat diverses espècies de parasitoides i l'escarabat Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758). A més, un seguiment en 10 localitats defoliades i en 10 localitats poc afectades el 2019 demostra que, en les zones eruptives, al voltant d'un 50 % de les postes de L. dispar van patir depredació, possiblement per part d'ocells. El maig de 2020, aproximadament 2500 ha de bosc es van tractar amb Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki per combatre la plaga. Per avaluar l'efectivitat d'aquesta mesura es va dissenyar un seguiment que demostra que l'ús de l'insecticida no ha minimitzat els nivells de defoliació en relació a les zones no tractades. També s'ha constatat una recuperació molt important dels arbres, especialment dels suros, que un mes després del pic de l'afectació presentaven defoliacions de només un 15 %. A Catalunya, considerem que actualment no hi ha cap argument en favor d'utilitzar aquest mètode per combatre els episodis eruptius esporàdics de L. dispar.After years without significant damage, in 2018-2020 an outbreak of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), defoliated large areas of cork oaks and holm oaks in the Montnegre mountains. The onset of this outbreak could be related to the collapse of mice and shrew populations that regulate the moth populations when they are at low densities. A literature search reveals the existence of a very extensive complex of natural enemies that prey on the gypsy moth, some of which provoke density-dependent mortality that predictably leads to a return to normal populations levels within a period of 1-4 years. Several species of parasitoids and the beetle Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758) have been detected in the study area. In addition, the monitoring of egg-clusters in 10 defoliated and 10 unaffected localities in 2019 showed that around 50 % of the egg masses suffered predation at the outbreak sites. In May 2020, approximately 2,500 ha of forest were treated with Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki to combat the pest. To assess the effectiveness of this measure, we designed a systematic survey in 15 areas, whose results show that the use of this insecticide did not reduce defoliation when comparisons were made with untreated areas. Moreover, we noted that defoliated trees, especially cork oaks, recovered well and a month after the peak of the infestation showed defoliations of only 15 %. In Catalonia, we thus consider that there is currently no argument in favour of using this method to combat sporadic outbreaks of L. dispar
Interesting Iberian records for Drymus (Sylvadrymus) sylvaticus (Fabricius, 1775), Engistus boops... more Interesting Iberian records for Drymus (Sylvadrymus) sylvaticus (Fabricius, 1775), Engistus boops (Dufour, 1857), Orius laevigatus laevigatus (Fieber, 1860), and Tarisa flavescens (Amyot & Serville, 1843) are included. Also data on Heteroptera of three protected areas in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula are recorded, with nine new and/or interesting reports for Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park (Barcelona), two new records for Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park (Tarragona) and four new or interesting records for the Planes de Son protected area (Lleida).
Global change analyses usually consider biodiversity as a global asset that needs to be preserved... more Global change analyses usually consider biodiversity as a global asset that needs to be preserved. Biodiversity is frequently analysed mainly as a response variable affected by diverse environmental drivers. However, recent studies highlight that gradients of biodiversity are associated with gradual changes in the distribution of key dominant functional groups characterized by distinctive traits and stoichiometry, which in turn often define the rates of ecosystem processes and nutrient cycling. Moreover, pervasive links have been reported between biodiversity, food web structure, ecosystem function and species stoichiometry. Here we review current global stoichiometric gradients and how future distributional shifts in key functional groups may in turn influence basic ecosystem functions (production, nutrient cycling, decomposition) and therefore could exert a feedback effect on stoichiometric gradients. The C-N-P stoichiometry of most primary producers (phytoplankton, algae, plants)...
The climatic preferences of the species determine to a large extent their response to climate cha... more The climatic preferences of the species determine to a large extent their response to climate change. Temperature preferences have been shown to play a key role in driving trends in animal populations. However, the relative importance of temperature and precipitation preferences is still poorly understood, particularly in systems where ecological processes are strongly constrained by the amount and timing of rainfall. In this study, we estimated the role played by temperature and precipitation preferences in determining population trends for birds and butterflies in a Mediterranean area. Trends were derived from long-term biodiversity monitoring data and temperature and precipitation preferences were estimated from species distribution data at three different geographical scales. We show that population trends were first and foremost related to precipitation preferences both in birds and in butterflies. Temperature preferences had a weaker effect on population trends, and were significant only in birds. The effect of precipitation on population trends operated in opposite directions in the two groups of species: butterfly species from arid environments and bird species from humid habitats are decreasing most. Our results indicate that, although commonly neglected, water availability is likely an important driver of animal population change in the Mediterranean region, with highly contrasting impacts among taxonomical groups
Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d'Història Natural, 2020
Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linn... more Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), ha defoliat grans superfícies de suredes i alzinars al Montnegre entre 2018-2020. L'inici d'aquest episodi eruptiu podria estar relacionat amb un col·lapse de les poblacions de ratolins i musaranyes, que regulen les poblacions de la papallona quan aquestes es troben en baixes densitats. Un recull bibliogràfic posa de manifest l'existència d'un complex molt extens d'enemics naturals al voltant d'aquest lepidòpter, alguns dels quals actuen de forma dependent de la densitat i, previsiblement, retornaran les poblacions a nivells habituals en un període d'1-4 anys. A la zona afectada s'han detectat diverses espècies de parasitoides i l'escarabat Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758). A més, un seguiment en 10 localitats defoliades i en 10 localitats poc afectades el 2019 demostra que, en les zones eruptives, al voltant d'un 50 % de les postes de L. dispar van patir depredació, possiblement per part d'ocells. El maig de 2020, aproximadament 2500 ha de bosc es van tractar amb Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki per combatre la plaga. Per avaluar l'efectivitat d'aquesta mesura es va dissenyar un seguiment que demostra que l'ús de l'insecticida no ha minimitzat els nivells de defoliació en relació a les zones no tractades. També s'ha constatat una recuperació molt important dels arbres, especialment dels suros, que un mes després del pic de l'afectació presentaven defoliacions de només un 15 %. A Catalunya, considerem que actualment no hi ha cap argument en favor d'utilitzar aquest mètode per combatre els episodis eruptius esporàdics de L. dispar.After years without significant damage, in 2018-2020 an outbreak of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), defoliated large areas of cork oaks and holm oaks in the Montnegre mountains. The onset of this outbreak could be related to the collapse of mice and shrew populations that regulate the moth populations when they are at low densities. A literature search reveals the existence of a very extensive complex of natural enemies that prey on the gypsy moth, some of which provoke density-dependent mortality that predictably leads to a return to normal populations levels within a period of 1-4 years. Several species of parasitoids and the beetle Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758) have been detected in the study area. In addition, the monitoring of egg-clusters in 10 defoliated and 10 unaffected localities in 2019 showed that around 50 % of the egg masses suffered predation at the outbreak sites. In May 2020, approximately 2,500 ha of forest were treated with Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki to combat the pest. To assess the effectiveness of this measure, we designed a systematic survey in 15 areas, whose results show that the use of this insecticide did not reduce defoliation when comparisons were made with untreated areas. Moreover, we noted that defoliated trees, especially cork oaks, recovered well and a month after the peak of the infestation showed defoliations of only 15 %. In Catalonia, we thus consider that there is currently no argument in favour of using this method to combat sporadic outbreaks of L. dispar
Butlletí de la Institució Catalana d'Història Natural, 2020
Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linn... more Després d'anys sense afectacions severes, l'eruga peluda del suro, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), ha defoliat grans superfícies de suredes i alzinars al Montnegre entre 2018-2020. L'inici d'aquest episodi eruptiu podria estar relacionat amb un col·lapse de les poblacions de ratolins i musaranyes, que regulen les poblacions de la papallona quan aquestes es troben en baixes densitats. Un recull bibliogràfic posa de manifest l'existència d'un complex molt extens d'enemics naturals al voltant d'aquest lepidòpter, alguns dels quals actuen de forma dependent de la densitat i, previsiblement, retornaran les poblacions a nivells habituals en un període d'1-4 anys. A la zona afectada s'han detectat diverses espècies de parasitoides i l'escarabat Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758). A més, un seguiment en 10 localitats defoliades i en 10 localitats poc afectades el 2019 demostra que, en les zones eruptives, al voltant d'un 50 % de les postes de L. dispar van patir depredació, possiblement per part d'ocells. El maig de 2020, aproximadament 2500 ha de bosc es van tractar amb Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki per combatre la plaga. Per avaluar l'efectivitat d'aquesta mesura es va dissenyar un seguiment que demostra que l'ús de l'insecticida no ha minimitzat els nivells de defoliació en relació a les zones no tractades. També s'ha constatat una recuperació molt important dels arbres, especialment dels suros, que un mes després del pic de l'afectació presentaven defoliacions de només un 15 %. A Catalunya, considerem que actualment no hi ha cap argument en favor d'utilitzar aquest mètode per combatre els episodis eruptius esporàdics de L. dispar.After years without significant damage, in 2018-2020 an outbreak of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (Linnaeus, 1758), defoliated large areas of cork oaks and holm oaks in the Montnegre mountains. The onset of this outbreak could be related to the collapse of mice and shrew populations that regulate the moth populations when they are at low densities. A literature search reveals the existence of a very extensive complex of natural enemies that prey on the gypsy moth, some of which provoke density-dependent mortality that predictably leads to a return to normal populations levels within a period of 1-4 years. Several species of parasitoids and the beetle Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus, 1758) have been detected in the study area. In addition, the monitoring of egg-clusters in 10 defoliated and 10 unaffected localities in 2019 showed that around 50 % of the egg masses suffered predation at the outbreak sites. In May 2020, approximately 2,500 ha of forest were treated with Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner, 1915) var. kurstaki to combat the pest. To assess the effectiveness of this measure, we designed a systematic survey in 15 areas, whose results show that the use of this insecticide did not reduce defoliation when comparisons were made with untreated areas. Moreover, we noted that defoliated trees, especially cork oaks, recovered well and a month after the peak of the infestation showed defoliations of only 15 %. In Catalonia, we thus consider that there is currently no argument in favour of using this method to combat sporadic outbreaks of L. dispar
Interesting Iberian records for Drymus (Sylvadrymus) sylvaticus (Fabricius, 1775), Engistus boops... more Interesting Iberian records for Drymus (Sylvadrymus) sylvaticus (Fabricius, 1775), Engistus boops (Dufour, 1857), Orius laevigatus laevigatus (Fieber, 1860), and Tarisa flavescens (Amyot & Serville, 1843) are included. Also data on Heteroptera of three protected areas in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula are recorded, with nine new and/or interesting reports for Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park (Barcelona), two new records for Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park (Tarragona) and four new or interesting records for the Planes de Son protected area (Lleida).
Global change analyses usually consider biodiversity as a global asset that needs to be preserved... more Global change analyses usually consider biodiversity as a global asset that needs to be preserved. Biodiversity is frequently analysed mainly as a response variable affected by diverse environmental drivers. However, recent studies highlight that gradients of biodiversity are associated with gradual changes in the distribution of key dominant functional groups characterized by distinctive traits and stoichiometry, which in turn often define the rates of ecosystem processes and nutrient cycling. Moreover, pervasive links have been reported between biodiversity, food web structure, ecosystem function and species stoichiometry. Here we review current global stoichiometric gradients and how future distributional shifts in key functional groups may in turn influence basic ecosystem functions (production, nutrient cycling, decomposition) and therefore could exert a feedback effect on stoichiometric gradients. The C-N-P stoichiometry of most primary producers (phytoplankton, algae, plants)...
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