Wildfires can favor the diversity of flora and fauna

In many ecosystems, fire promotes a greater variety of species of plants and animals since it creates a more diverse set of environments. The positive effects of fire cannot be generalized to all aspects of an ecosystem; profound knowledge about the local species and fire regime is crucial. Insights from the study are useful for planning management of forest biomass fuel, controlled burnings, and forest fire suppression.

Biodiversity Black-blacked woodpecker Controlled burning Ctfc @en Fauna @en Flora @en Forestry Forestry management Lluis brotons @en Luke t. kelly @en Science @en Wildfire
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Project / Initiative
Fellowship Marie Curie
Inactive

Understanding soil fertility impacts on terrestrial biomass production in a changing environment

Phosphorus, once only a nutrient, has become a contaminant on a global scale

Freshwater ecosystems near densely populated areas have levels of phosphorus which are very high and out of balance with nitrogen levels. This has resulted in altered ecosystem functioning, lower water quality, and has made water conservation more difficult.

Accumulation Contaminant Ecology letters @en Ecosystems Eutrophication Fertilizers Geu @en Jordi sardans @en Josep peñuelas @en Nitrogen @en Nutrients @en Pesticides @en Phosphorus Pollution Water

The loss of predators can reduce the diversity of prey

A study by CREAF and the Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research shows that when the populations of large and mid-sized vertebrate animal are reduced, a phenomenon known as “defaunation,” this has negative repercussions for the rest of the ecosystem. This is a clear sign about the vulnerability of ecosystems to global biodiversity loss.

Agouti Attalea Biodiversity loss Dasyprocta @en Defaunation Food web Guille peguero @en Pachymerus Palm dates Panama Predators Rainforest Rodents Smithsonian @en Speciomerus Stri @en Weevils Wur @en

Carlos Herrera, prize Haeckel, Joan Martínez Alier, Leontief Prize

I want to dedicate my March’ article in this blog to two very distinguished scientists in the fields of ecology and ecological economics, an Andalusian and a Catalan. Both are well-known by most CREAF researchers, but the awards are a good excuse to explain their astonishing trajectories.

Award Carlos m herrera @en Csic @en Doñana @en Ecology Haeckel @en Joan martínez alier @en Leontief @en Prize Uab @en

The forest fate: winning time

What is the future that the Mediterranean forests expect? Climate change is already strongly felt and its impacts reach everywhere. Francisco Lloret tells the current situation and how we will have to prepare ourselves and forests to the coming changes .

FL03_ENG_Futur_Boscos

For Craig and Seva.

Adaptative management Climate Climate change Decay Disturbances Drought Forest management Forests Francisco lloret @en Holm oak Mortality Oak Pines Plagues @en Vulnerability