DSpace Collection:
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/16743
2024-03-29T08:46:53ZThe atlas of unburnable oil for supply-side climate policies
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/209058
Title: The atlas of unburnable oil for supply-side climate policies
Author: Pellegrini, Lorenzo; Arsel, Murat; Muñoa, Gorka; Rius-Taberner, Guillem; Mena, Carlos; Orta-Martínez, Martí
Abstract: To limit the increase in global mean temperature to 1.5 °C, CO2 emissions must be drastically reduced. Accordingly, approximately 97%, 81%, and 71% of existing coal and conventional gas and oil resources, respectively, need to remain unburned. This article develops an integrated spatial assessment model based on estimates and locations of conventional oil resources and socio-environmental criteria to construct a global atlas of unburnable oil. The results show that biodiversity hotspots, richness centres of endemic species, natural protected areas, urban areas, and the territories of Indigenous Peoples in voluntary isolation coincide with 609 gigabarrels (Gbbl) of conventional oil resources. Since 1524 Gbbl of conventional oil resources are required to be left untapped in order to keep global warming under 1.5 °C, all of the above-mentioned socio-environmentally sensitive areas can be kept entirely off-limits to oil extraction. The model provides spatial guidelines to select unburnable fossil fuels resources while enhancing collateral socio-environmental benefits.2024-03-22T12:56:03ZThe non-dereliction in evolution: Trophic specialisation drives convergence in the radiation of red devil spiders (Araneae: Dysderidae) in the Canary Islands
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/207636
Title: The non-dereliction in evolution: Trophic specialisation drives convergence in the radiation of red devil spiders (Araneae: Dysderidae) in the Canary Islands
Author: Bellvert Bantí, Adrià; Adrián-Serrano, Silvia; Maciás-Hernández, Nuria; Toft, Søren; Kaliontzopoulou, Antigoni; Arnedo Lombarte, Miquel Àngel
Abstract: Natural selection plays a key role in deterministic evolution, as clearly illustrated by the multiple cases of repeated evolution of ecomorphological characters observed in adaptive radiations. Unlike most spiders, Dysdera species display a high variability of cheliceral morphologies, which has been suggested to reflect different levels of specialization to feed on isopods. In this study, we integrate geometric morphometrics and experimental trials with a fully resolved phylogeny of the highly diverse endemic species from the Canary Islands to 1) quantitatively delimit the different cheliceral morphotypes present in the archipelago, 2) test their association with trophic specialization, as reported for continental species, 3) reconstruct the evolution of these ecomorphs throughout the diversification of the group, 4) test the hypothesis of convergent evolution of the different morphotypes, and 5) examine whether specialization constitutes a case of evolutionary irreversibility in this group. We show the existence of 9 cheliceral morphotypes and uncovered their significance for trophic ecology. Further, we demonstrate that similar ecomorphs evolved multiple times in the archipelago, providing a novel study system to explain how convergent evolution and irreversibility due to specialization may be combined to shape phenotypic diversification in adaptive radiations. [Adaptive radiation; convergent evolution; ecological specialization; geometric morphometrics; irreversibility; mitogenomics; phylogenetic comparative methods.]2024-02-15T15:24:50ZBridging levels of pharmaceuticals in river water with biological community structure in the Llobregat river basin (NE Spain)
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/207213
Title: Bridging levels of pharmaceuticals in river water with biological community structure in the Llobregat river basin (NE Spain)
Author: Muñoz Gràcia, Isabel; López-Doval, Julio C.; Ricart, Marta; Villagrasa, Marta; Brix, Rikke; Geiszinger, Anita; Ginebreda, Antoni; Guasch i Padró, Helena; López de Alda, M. José; Romaní i Cornet, Anna M.; Sabater, Sergi; Barceló i Cullerés, Damià
Abstract: A wide range of human pharmaceuticals are present at low concentrations in freshwater systems, particularly in sections of polluted river. These compounds show high biological activity, often associated with a high stability. These characteristics imply a potential impact of these substances on aquatic biota even when present at low environmental concentrations. Low flow conditions in Mediterranean rivers, most of which flow through densely populated areas and are subjected to intensive water use, increase the environmental risk of these emergent compounds. Here, we studied whether pharmaceuticals in river water affect the local benthic community structure (diatoms and invertebrates). For this purpose, we analyzed the occurrence of pharmaceuticals along the Llobregat River and examined the benthic community structure (diatoms and invertebrates) of this system. Some pharmaceutical products in the Llobregat River registered concentrations greater than those cited in the literature. Multivariate analyses revealed a potential causal association between the concentrations of some anti-inflammatories and β-blockers and the abundance and biomass of several benthic invertebrates (Chironomus spp. and Tubifex tubifex). Further interpretation in terms of cause-and-effect relationships is discussed; however, it must be always taken with caution because other pollutants also may have significant contributions. Combined with further community experiments in the laboratory, our approach could be a desirable way to proceed in future risk management decisions.2024-02-06T17:36:31ZDoes grazing pressure modify diuron toxicity in a biofilm community?
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/207170
Title: Does grazing pressure modify diuron toxicity in a biofilm community?
Author: López-Doval, Julio C.; Ricart, Marta; Guasch i Padró, Helena; Sabater, Sergi; Romaní i Cornet, Anna M.; Muñoz Gràcia, Isabel
Abstract: Herbicides affect the structure and functional parameters of fluvial biofilm. Diuron is toxic to primary producers and disrupts endocrine activity. Here, we studied the interaction between this toxicant and several biological compartments in a simple food chain composed of herbivores (the snail Physella [Costatella] acuta) and biofilm. We used indoor experimental channels to which Diuron was added at a realistic concentration (2 μg/L). Bacterial survival and chlorophyll-a and photosynthetic activity were analyzed in the biofilm. We monitored biomass, mortality, reproduction, and motility as end points in the freshwater snail P. acuta. Our results showed that bacterial survival and photosynthetic activity were sensitive to Diuron. Snails were not affected by the herbicide at the concentration tested. No significant interactions between the toxicant and grazers were observed on the biofilm. Reproductive traits, however, were slightly affected, indicating a possible endocrine disruption.2024-02-05T16:30:27ZDoes the severity of non-flow period influence ecosystem structure and function of temporary streams? A mesocosm study
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/206241
Title: Does the severity of non-flow period influence ecosystem structure and function of temporary streams? A mesocosm study
Author: Muñoz Gràcia, Isabel; Abril Cuevas, Meritxell; Casas Ruiz, Joan Pere; Casellas, Maria; Gómez Gener, Lluís; Marcé Romero, Rafael; Menéndez López, Margarita; Obrador Sala, Biel; Sabater, Sergi; von Schiller, Daniel; Acuña, Vicenç
Abstract: Global change is dramatically altering flow regimes worldwide. Among the most important consequences are the transition of many permanent waterways to temporary waterways, the increase in duration and frequency of non‐flow periods of temporary streams, and the increase in the severity (i.e. irradiance, temperature and humidity) of the non‐flow period. Nowadays, there is a lack of knowledge on how changes in duration, frequency and severity of the non‐flow period will reflect on biodiversity and biogeochemical changes in temporary streams. We designed a manipulative experiment using artificial streams to evaluate the effects of severity of the non‐flow period on stream biofilms. Sixteen artificial streams were assigned to four treatments: continuous flow, continuous intermittency and intermittency with and without rain events. Effects were assessed on selected features of stream biofilm structure (i.e. bacterial density and basal fluorescence) and function (photosynthetic efficiency and enzymatic activities), as well as CO2 emissions and dissolved organic matter quantity and quality from water column and sediments. The occurrence of rain events during the non‐flow period enhanced organic carbon processing and CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, reducing the sediment reservoir of exportable organic carbon and therefore reducing the dissolved organic carbon exports from streambeds at flow resumption. Given the ongoing reducing trends in the frequency of rain events in semi‐arid and arid regions, we expect temporary streams to process and emit less and to export more carbon to downstream systems.2024-01-24T10:02:07ZEl gènere Pedicularis (Orobancàcies) a la Cerdanya i les comarques veïnes.
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/202047
Title: El gènere Pedicularis (Orobancàcies) a la Cerdanya i les comarques veïnes.
Author: Soriano i Tomàs, Ignasi
Abstract: Sobre la base dels treballs per a Flora iberica, l'Atles de la flora dels Pirineus i d'altres de propis, es presenta una sinopsi de les espècies del gènere <i>Pedicularis</i> (família Orobancàcies) que es troben o han estat citades a la Cerdanya i àrees adjacents dels Pirineus orientals. Segons els coneixements actuals, hi viuen cinc espècies d'aquest gènere: <i>Pedicularis sylvatica</i> L., <i>P. comosa</i> L., <i>P. foliosa</i> L., <i>P. pyrenaica</i> J. Gay i <i>P. verticillata</i> L. Per cadascuna es dona una breu caracterització morfològica i ecològica, i la distribució en el sector oriental de la serralada. És remarcable sobretot el cas de <i>Pedicularis pyrenaica</i>, tant per l'amplitud ecològica de la planta com per la diversitat morfològica que presenta. L'apreciació inadequada d'alguns trets crítics, com la coloració de la corol·la, la morfologia de la inflorescència, la pilositat o la forma de creixement de les plantes hauria originat confusions amb espècies afins, com <i>P. mixta</i> Gren. o <i>P. kerneri</i> Dalla Torre. Aquestes dues plantes serien pròpies dels Pirineus centrals i aparentment no arribarien a les parts més orientals de la serralada.2023-09-19T08:56:41ZGenomic signatures suggesting adaptation to ocean acidification in a coral holobiont from volcanic CO2 seeps
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/201986
Title: Genomic signatures suggesting adaptation to ocean acidification in a coral holobiont from volcanic CO2 seeps
Author: Leiva, Carlos; Pérez Portela, Rocío; Lemer, Sarah
Abstract: Ocean acidification, caused by anthropogenic CO 2 emissions, is predicted to have major consequences for reef-building corals, jeopardizing the scaffolding of the most biodiverse marine habitats. However, whether corals can adapt to ocean acidification and how remains unclear. We addressed these questions by re-examining transcriptome and genome data of Acropora millepora coral holobionts from volcanic CO2 seeps with end-of-century pH levels. We show that adaptation to ocean acidification is a wholistic process involving the three main compartments of the coral holobiont. We identified 441 coral host candidate adaptive genes involved in calcification, response to acidification, and symbiosis; population genetic differentiation in dinoflagellate photosymbionts; and consistent transcriptional microbiome activity despite microbial community shifts. Coral holobionts from natural analogues to future ocean conditions harbor beneficial genetic variants with far-reaching rapid adaptation potential. In the face of climate change, these populations require immediate conservation strategies as they could become key to coral reef survival.2023-09-18T08:47:10ZAlterations in the odor profile of plants in cultivar mixtures affect aphid host-location behavior
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/201829
Title: Alterations in the odor profile of plants in cultivar mixtures affect aphid host-location behavior
Author: Tous-Fandos, Alba; Gallinguer, Jannicke; Enting, Arnoud; Chamorro Lorenzo, Lourdes; Sans, Xavier (Sans i Serra); Ninkovic, Velemir
Abstract: The effect of cultivar mixtures on aphid control is attributed to the masking or alteration of host-preferred cultivar odor cues. However, the underlying physiological mechanism remains unclear. This study assessed alterations in the volatile emissions of wheat cultivars grown together (Florence-Aurora and Forment; Florence-Aurora and Montcada) and the consequences for the olfactory preference of aphids. Volatile organic compounds were collected from wheat plants grown in a laboratory under mixed or monoculture conditions and subsequently analyzed. The odor profiles of Florence-Aurora and Montcada were indistinguishable from each other. However, the odors of Florence-Aurora and Forment grown in monocultures differed significantly from those emitted by their mixture. The Florence-Aurora and Forment mixture induced plant physiological responses that affected the emission of single volatile compounds and, consequently, altered volatile organic compound ratios. English grain aphids (Sitobion avenae) were less attracted to the odors of Florence-Aurora and Forment when grown as a mixture than the combination of the odors from Florence-Aurora and Forment monocultures. Moreover, aphids preferred clean air over the odor from the Florence-Aurora and Forment mixture but preferred the odor from the Florence-Aurora and Montcada mixture over clean air. This study highlights the beneficial effects of intraspecific plant diversity on aphid control by altering plant odors in response to plant-plant interactions. The emission of less attractive odor cues consequently affects plant-aphid interactions; hence, less attractive odors are likely to impair aphid host-locating behavior. This effect was exclusive to certain cultivar mixtures, which supports the "right neighbor" concept.2023-09-08T08:18:22ZSalivary secretory immunoglobulin A as a potential biomarker of psychosocial stress response during the first stages of life: A systematic review
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/201299
Title: Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A as a potential biomarker of psychosocial stress response during the first stages of life: A systematic review
Author: Castro-Quintas, Águeda; Palma-Gudiel, Helena; San Martín-Gonzalez, Nerea; Caso, Javier R.; Leza, Juan C.; Fañanás Saura, Lourdes
Abstract: Mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) has been recognized as a key component of human first line defense against infection. However, its reactivity to psychosocial stressors is poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to explore whether s-IgA levels changed after psychosocial stress in subjects under the age of 18. Fifteen articles were included. s-IgA basal levels are increased in children older than 9 years old exposed to stress. Furthermore, s-IgA seems to follow a circadian rhythm, which is altered under stress conditions. Finally, the collective evidence suggests that salivary s-IgA rapidly increases under acute stress after puberty. Overall, our review indicates that s-IgA could be considered a potential psychosocial stress biomarker of interest for pediatric and child-juvenile psychiatric population. Further studies are needed to validate the role of s-IgA circadian rhythm and basal levels as psychosocial stress biomarkers and disentangle the role of age and type of stressor.2023-07-28T08:14:54ZThe Spider Silk Standardization Initiative (S3I): A powerful tool to harness biological variability and to systematize the characterization of major ampullate silk fibers spun by spiders from suburban Sydney, Australia
http://hdl.handle.net/2445/200484
Title: The Spider Silk Standardization Initiative (S3I): A powerful tool to harness biological variability and to systematize the characterization of major ampullate silk fibers spun by spiders from suburban Sydney, Australia
Author: Blamires, Sean; Lozano-Picazo, Paloma; Bruno, Augusto Luis; Arnedo Lombarte, Miquel Àngel; Ruiz-León, Yolanda; González-Nieto, Daniel; Rojo, Francisco Javier; Elices, Manuel; Guinea, Gustavo Víctor; Pérez-Rigueiro, José
Abstract: The true stress-true strain curves of 11 Australian spider species from the Entelegynae lineage were tensile tested and classified based on the values of the alignment parameter, α*, in the framework of the Spider Silk Standardization Initiative (S3I). The application of the S3I methodology allowed the determination of the alignment parameter in all cases, and were found to range between α* = 0.03 and α* = 0.65. These data, in combination with previous results on other species included in the Initiative, were exploited to illustrate the potential of this approach by testing two simple hypotheses on the distribution of the alignment parameter throughout the lineage: (1) whether a uniform distribution may be compatible with the values obtained from the studied species, and (2) whether any trend may be established between the distribution of the α* parameter and phylogeny. In this regard, the lowest values of the α* parameter are found in some representatives of the Araneidae group, and larger values seem to be found as the evolutionary distance from this group increases. However, a significant number of outliers to this apparent general trend in terms of the values of the α* parameter are described.2023-07-10T13:38:19Z