https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/7492 IUGFS 2026-04-03T18:58:59Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/83761 Inter-plant communication has emerged as a critical yet poorly understood component of plant defense strate- gies, particularly belowground and beyond mycorrhizal systems. Our work demonstrates that the endophytic fungus Trichoderma hamatum mediates effective “wired communication” between neighboring broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) plants, enhancing resistance against the necrotrophic pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Using a novel axenic culture system that allows controlled hyphal connections between plant roots, we show that foliar infection of one plant triggers systemic defense priming in an adjacent, non-infected plant, but only in the presence of T. hamatum. This inter-plant signaling resulted in a significant reduction of leaf lesion development, increased tissue vitality and reduced oxidative damage in the receiver plant. Mechanistically, fungal-mediated communication was associated with dynamic changes in root colonization patterns rather than with detect- able metabolic reprogramming of the fungal mycelium. Defense activation in receiver plants involved strong hormonal rebalancing, characterized by local salicylic acid (SA)–mediated responses in roots and systemic jas- monic acid (JA)–dependent defenses in leaves. Untargeted metabolomics revealed the accumulation of defense- related metabolites, including neoglucobrassicin and lipid-derived compounds linked to SA and JA signaling, in plants that received the fungal-transmitted warning signal. Our findings extend the concept of inter-plant communication to non-mycorrhizal endophytic fungi and identify T. hamatum as an active biological conduit for defense signaling in an agriculturally relevant crop. This work highlights fungal-mediated plant connectivity as an ecologically and agronomically relevant mechanism with potential applications in sustainable disease management. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/83402 El arbolado urbano desempeña un papel fundamental en las ciudades debido a los numerosos servicios ecosistémicos (ES) que proporcionan, entre los que destacan, la reducción de temperatura del aire, la mejora de la calidad del aire, la captura de carbono y los beneficios sociales y paisajísticos. Muchos de estos servicios no tienen valor económico, sino que son esenciales para el bienestar humano. Mediante el análisis de 10 árboles de ocho especies diferentes (Quercus ilex, Ulmus minor, Quercus suber, Quercus robur, Cedrus deodara, Abies nordmanniana, Malus sylvestris y Pinus pinea) en el Campus de Palencia (La Yutera) de la Universidad de Valladolid, se obtiene información sobre la contribución de los árboles urbanos a la prestación de dos ES cruciales: la reducción de la temperatura del aire y el secuestro de carbono. Cada árbol se midió (diámetro a la altura del pecho y altura total) mediante métodos tradicionales (calibre e hipsómetro Vertex) y se escaneó con un escáner láser portátil. Las nubes de puntos de cada árbol se procesaron para obtener la altura total, el diámetro del tronco y las dimensiones de la copa. Se han calculado una serie de variables basadas en mediciones de las copas de los árboles que se representan la capacidad de los árboles para reducir la temperatura y aumentar el secuestro de carbono. Hemos utilizado el tamaño de la copa como variable representativa (variable proxy) bajo la hipótesis de que los árboles con las copas más grandes (1) proporcionan más sombra, lo que significa una mayor reducción de la temperatura, y (2) disponen de más área fotosintética, lo que facilita un mayor potencial de crecimiento de los árboles, es decir, un mayor secuestro de carbono. Así se calcularon la superficie y el volumen de la copa para estimar los servicios ecosistémicos considerados. El conjunto de datos (mediciones tradicionales e información del láser) se analizó utilizando el software libre R y su IDE (Rstudio). El código utilizado está depositado en abierto para incrementar las oportunidades de replicar nuestro trabajo; Urban trees play a fundamental role in cities due to the numerous ecosystem services (ES) they provide, including climate regulation, air quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and social and landscape benefits. Although many of these services do not have a direct economic value, they are essential for human well-being. By analysing 10 representative trees from eight different species at the Palencia Campus (La Yutera), University of Valladolid, we insight on the contribution of urban trees to delivery two crucial ES: air temperature reduction and carbon sequestration. Each sample trees was measured (diameter at breast height and total height) following business as usual procedures (calliper and Vertex hypsometer) and scanned with handheld laser scanner. Individual trees laser point clouds were processed to obtain the total height, stem diameter and crown dimensions. Resulting dataset (traditional and laser-based measurements) was analysed using the free software R and its IDE (Rstudio). Used scripts are openly distributed to increase the opportunities to replicate our work. To obtain crown-based proxy variables related with temperature reduction and carbon sequestration. We use crown size as a proxy variable under the hypothesis that larger crowns provide (1) more shade, which means greater temperature reduction, and (2) more photosynthetic area, which facilitates greater tree growth potential, i.e., greater carbon sequestration. Crown surface area and crown volume were calculated and used as proxy of the considered ecosystem services. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/83336 MIST4Cores automates the entire workflow of image stitching for camera-based digitization systems. The software provides reliable stitching with customizable settings and directory monitoring, using overlap analysis and a proven method for scientific stitching. Each module in the software contributes to a robust, reproducible, and user-friendly image stitching. The combination of free open software tools for image acquisition, image stitching, and image analysis creates an open-source ecosystem to promote further dendrochronological research 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/83330 Fishways design requires careful evaluation of hydraulic and biological requirements. This study presents a Eulerian-Lagrangian Agent Based Model of fish migration through Vertical Slot Fishways which relies on 2D flow simulations. The model, provided as a Python toolbox named t-ELAM-acPy_2D, integrates two-dimensional flow fields with an agent-based description of fish movement and behavior. t-ELAM-acPy_2D represents fish upstream movement using multiple behavioral states, including resting responses, a key element for cyprinid movement. The model also performs an energy-expenditure analysis, using a real-time, dynamic flow field. It was calibrated and validated across different fishway configurations, using Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei) as fish targeted species. The model successfully reproduced fish habitat spatial distribution, ascent times and, to a limited extent, passage efficiency. The results show that the toolbox can efficiently support design, optimization, and evaluation of different fishway configurations. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/81014 Forest plowing to create level terraces was part of Spain’s 1950s reforestation strategy, preparing sites for planting. Although this practice has been controversial due to its short-term negative impacts on soil properties, its long-term effects on ecosystems affected by megafires may have important implications for fungal community recovery. This study evaluates the impact of historical terraces on soil fungal communities under post-megafire conditions. The research was conducted in the Sierra de la Culebra (Zamora, Spain), the site of the largest recorded wildfire in the country’s history. The objectives were: (a) to compare soil chemical properties and vegetation cover between terraced and non-terraced plots; (b) to assess the diversity and composition of fungal communities; (c) to analyze the composition of fungal trophic guilds; and (d) to examine fungal interactions under post-fire conditions. Terraces significantly modified pH, the C/N ratio, and grass cover, generating mi- crohabitats that act as nutrient islands for fungi. Fungal richness and diversity remained stable, but community composition shifted. Fifty out of 145 fungal indicator genera were exclusive to terraced plots, including the arbuscular mycorrhizal genera Acaulospora and Ambispora, and the saprotrophic genera Pyronema and Holter- manniella. Saprotrophic fungi, the dominant trophic guild, were more abundant in terraced soils. Soil pH, ni- trogen, potassium, C/N ratio, and grass cover were significantly correlated with fungal dynamics. These results 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/80644 Mediterranean ecosystems are frequently affected by wildfires; however, the increasing occurrence of megafires represents a concerning shift in the region’s fire regime. Soil fungal communities are among the ecosystem components most affected by fire, with potentially severe consequences for ecosystem functioning and for the local mushroom-based economy. This study evaluates the impact of wildfire on soil fungi and assesses the effectiveness of prescribed burning and total mechanical clearing as fire-prevention strategies in areas at high risk of megafires, with a particular focus on their effects on soil fungal communities. We studied plots that had undergone prescribed burning or total mechanical clearing in 2020, some of which were later affected by the 2022 Sierra de la Culebra megafire. Fungal diversity and community composition were assessed using a meta- barcoding approach by amplifying the ITS1 region and identifying operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in soil samples. Soil physicochemical properties, vegetation and substrate surface cover data were also collected. Although no significant differences in species richness were observed between burned and unburned plots, wildfire-affected communities showed greater dominance imbalance. Changes in community composition, significantly correlated with fire occurrence, suggest the emergence of new ecological niches occupied by pyrophilous taxa after the megafire. Several pyrophilous indicator species were identified in wildfire-affected plots; however, some edible taxa had declined in abundance. Although the effects of fire-prevention manage- ment in the wildfire-affected area were not statistically significant, prescribed burning appeared to buffer the post-fire loss of fungal diversity more effectively than total mechanical clearing. We conclude that prescribed burning may foster the development of more fire-resilient fungal communities. Furthermore, we suggest that fire- prevention treatments not only help to reduce fuel loads in fire-prone areas but also do not appear to be detrimental to certain valuable edible fungal species that support the mushroom-harvesting economy in these rural landscapes. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/80262 Facilitative interactions among plants can support vegetation recovery in degraded environments, yet their medium-term effectiveness in restoration remains insufficiently understood. We conducted a 12-year field experiment in reclaimed open-cast coal mines in northern Spain to assess whether native colonizer legume shrubs enhance the survival and growth of seedlings of two Quercus species. A total of 800 seedlings were planted under four treatments combining the presence/absence of shrub and grazing, allowing us to disentangle biotic and abiotic facilitation mechanisms. Shrubs enhanced seedling survival, particularly for Q. pyrenaica, by buffering early mortality during summer droughts. Medium-term seedling survival under shrubs was markedly higher than in shrub-free areas (13–25 % vs. 1–4 %). Herbivory had a limited effect on survival, with fencing providing marginal benefits in specific years. Slow increments of Quercus seedling height and diameter over time were found, being more pronounced for Q. petraea, and varying as the combined effect of shrubs and grazing exclu- sion. Annual growth varied over time for both Quercus species, being greater under than outside shrubs for Q. petraea, while for Q. pyrenaica, the shrub effect depended on the year. Q. pyrenaica seedlings exhibited higher annual growth than Q. petraea. Differences in seedling annual growth with and without shrubs were smaller in the driest years. We conclude that native shrubs play a key facilitative role in the medium-term restoration of degraded oak ecosystems under sub-Mediterranean conditions. Their effectiveness varies by species and response variable (survival vs. growth), and the underlying facilitation mechanisms differ over time. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/79956 A short-term consequence of increasingly frequent and severe wildfires in the Mediterranean Basin is runoff-induced soil erosion in areas where vegetation has been removed by high-intensity fires. To mitigate this problem, erosion control barriers are often installed in gullies to reduce runoff velocity. The potential impact of these barriers on soil fungal diversity and community composition has not been commonly studied. To assess this effect, we collected soil samples from plots with barriers and plots without barriers in an area affected by the 2022 megafire in the Sierra de la Culebra, Spain. Fungal operational taxonomic units were identified by sequencing the ITS1 region of fungal DNA in soil samples. Vegetation cover and substrate type were also recorded via transects at each sampling point. Our findings suggest that barriers create a microenvironment that supports greater fungal species richness. This may contribute positively to broader-scale diversity if these localized islands of richness serve as sources of soil fungi for the recolonization of surrounding areas. Fungal communities in plots with barriers were significantly different from those in plots without barriers and were enriched with animal endosymbionts, mycoparasites, and plant pathogens—functional guilds whose role in postfire recovery remains uncertain. However, certain species associated with barrier plots, such as Mortierella elongata and Mortierella alpina, may play a role in promoting vegetation recovery. This research highlights the adequacy of the use of soil erosion barriers as a postfire management tool that can have a positive impact both on direct preservation of soil fungal diversity and subsequent vegetation recovery of burned areas. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78660 Open-cast mine ecological restoration is challenging due to the total removal of vegetation and soil. Thus, restoring soil functionality is a key goal to underpin long-term ecosystem resilience. Understanding soil prop- erties change during the revegetation process is essential for evaluating restoration success efforts and guiding adaptive management based on reliable soil indicators. We assessed two vegetation patches representing distinct successional stages –grassland (pioneer) and shrubland (mature)– on the same mine slope restored eleven years prior. Within each patch, 18 plots (3 transects × 6 sampling units) were established to analyse topography, plant family cover, and soil physicochemical properties. Soil thickness and porosity emerged as the most explicative indicators (20 % and 17 %, respectively) for vegetation cover variance. These were also strongly associated with both functional soil recovery indicators (C/N ratio, cation exchange capacity, available water) and vegetation progression indicators (Fabaceae and Poaceae %cover), based on structural equation modeling and principal component analysis. Fabaceae and other families, typically associated with late-successional stages, were linked to low porosity and deeper soils, while Poaceae and Asteraceae, indicative of early successional stages, were associated with high porosity and shallow soils. We propose soil thickness and porosity as cost-effective and easily measurable indicators for monitoring ecological restoration on post-mining slopes, as they reflect both soil recovery and vegetation dynamics. We also recommend their inclusion in restoration monitoring protocols to support adaptive management and improve alignment with international ecological restoration standards. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78521 Forest litter decomposition is crucial for carbon and nutrient cycling, especially in mixed broadleaf-coniferous forests. Interactions between different litter types can accelerate or inhibit decomposition, depending on spe- cies composition, microbial activity, and environmental factors. This study examines how litter samples from oak (Quercus sp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) decomposes in pure and mixed stands across four European sites. Samples were collected at different decomposition stages (L, F, and H layers) and analysed for total organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and molecular composition using ATR-FTIR spec- troscopy. A generalized linear mixed model assessed the influence of species identity, forest type, and pine proportion in mixed stands on decomposition and nutrient dynamics. Our results revealed contrasting effects of litter mixing. Broadleaf litter enhanced pine needle decomposition, particularly in the H layer, likely due to facilitation. Conversely, broadleaf litter decomposition, specially oak in the F layer, was inhibited in mixed stands. Beech litter degradation remained largely unaffected. ATR-FTIR analysis suggested molecular trans- formations, with increased aromatic compounds and reduced aliphatic groups, especially in mixed stands, though these spectral interpretations carry some uncertainty. These findings highlight the role of species composition in shaping litter decomposition dynamics. While ATR-FTIR provided useful information on chemical changes during decomposition, its interpretation should be complemented with other approaches to improve confidence in functional inferences. Incorporating species-specific responses can inform forest management strategies aiming to balance nutrient cycling and long-term carbon sequestration. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78519 Accurately characterizing tree allometry is essential for sustainable forest management to predict forest growth and yield, monitor long-term stand dynamics and assess the impacts of disturbances. Among different allometric attributes, past studies have focused on understanding the relationships between tree height and diameter at breast height (dbh), also known as height–diameter (h–d) relationships. Both variables are commonly used to estimate and predict tree and stand metrics (e.g., total volume, biomass and carbon) as well as to assess site productivity. Under limited budget and time constraints, h–d models, which predict tree heights using dbh measurements, provide a practical and cost-effective alternative. In this study, a mixed-effects h–d model was developed for making species-specific predictions for 91 tree species across broad geographic areas in Spain. A total of 1,512,721 observations were collected from the Spanish National Forest Inventory sample plots for analysis. Results indicate that the final model, selected from a pool of 95 candidates, provides unbiased predictions of total tree height based on the 95% confidence interval of mean bias. In addition to dbh, the inclusion of site qualitative variables (stand origin, species mixture and biogeographic region) in the model plays an important role in improving the model predictability. For a given tree dbh, trees in plantations and pure stands tend to achieve greater heights than those in natural and mixed stands. Regional variation is species-dependent, while the Alpine region with a higher wind speed and cooler temperature tends to exhibit shorter trees compared to other regions. The proposed models are simple in structure and rely on easily-obtainable predictors, making them useful for field application and minimizing the need for complex measurements. This study provides an alternative quantitative tool for forest practitioners and managers when predicting total tree heights for diverse forest ecosystems across a wide range of geographic regions. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78432 Aim: Macaronesian cloud forests are insular ecosystems subjected to local environmental variability, but the responses of theirtree species to climate variations have never been studied. Our aim was to assess how the variation in environmental conditionsassociated with the geographical location of several islands in three Macaronesian archipelagos affects the growth patterns anddrought-resistance of the dominant cloud forests trees. Location: Azores, Madeira and Canary archipelagos. Portugal and Spain.Taxon: Lauraceae, Aquifoliaceae, Clethraceae, Oleaceae, Rosaceae and Cupressaceae. Methods: We assessed variations in the radial growth response of 10 cloud forest tree species from 18 populations on 5 is-lands along a geographical gradient in Macaronesia. We quantified the influence of local climatic variables and North AtlanticOscillation (NAO) and East Atlantic Pattern (EA) circulation patterns on tree growth and how drought events affected to theresistance, recovery and resilience indices estimated for these species. Results: Trees from the same island showed similar growth patterns, particularly in islands with marked hydric stress. InMadeira and the Canary Islands, radial growth was mainly determined by water availability, winter NAO negatively affected 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/78041 Open woodlands (dehesas) conformed traditional agrosilvopastoral systems in the Western Mediterranean. Communal deciduous oak dehesas were essential to rural economies for centuries. They were managed through tree pruning and grazing, enabling the coexistence of pasture and tree cover. The singular nature of this ecosystem fosters the persistence of ancient trees and species associated with old growth forest, even within intensively managed ecosystems. However, unlike large private evergreen oak dehesas, smaller communal deciduous dehesas remain largely unprotected, despite being the major reservoir for old growth forest species: fungi, mosses, lichens, saproxylic invertebrates, and cavity-dwelling vertebrates. The abandonment of traditional management and pruning cessation has triggered scrub encroachment, biodiversity loss, and the structural decline of old trees. These woodland ecosystems could aid the recolonization of mature forests taxa in the expanding young forest surface. However, they are vanishing unnoticed due to their small size, isolation, and lack of formal recognition. Their preservation is urgent, yet hindered by insufficient data, lack of protection frameworks, and disappearing traditional knowledge. Communal deciduous oak dehesas exemplify how cultural landscapes can support old-growth biodiversity, aligning with EU restoration goals. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76997 Quercus ilex L. is an evergreen tree species widely spread throughout southwestern Europe. However, its poor natural regeneration poses major challenges since the 1980s, and so assisted regeneration is speculated to be critical for either maintaining existing populations or recovering degraded ones. This method, nonetheless, raises major operational challenges related to fruit harvesting and selection in the field. For instance, the link between parental tree traits, such as age and size, and acorn characteristics has seldom been addressed; yet it could be decisive for streamlining acorn selection. In this study, we employed Structural Equation Models (SEM) to examine the relationship between parental tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and acorn traits determinant for seed germination in Quercus species worldwide. Specifically, we measured acorn dry mass (ADM), seed moisture (SM), and pericarp thickness (PT) in a Q. ilex population in central-western Spain. Our results indicate a sig- nificant positive influence of parental tree DBH on ADM, with larger acorns associated with higher germination percentages. Similarly, SM positively influenced germination, though it was influenced by acorn size through two contrasting pathways. PT, on the other hand, negatively impacted germination and was also negatively affected by ADM. These findings suggest that acorn selection should prioritize large/old trees to maximize germination via increased ADM. Further research, nonetheless, is needed to progress in the relationships between parental tree traits and acorn characteristics in this and other similar contexts in which large-scale plans for Q. ilex regeneration would be planned. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76974 Anthracnose is a postharvest disease of tomato fruit caused by the pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which causes significant losses during storage. Nowadays, it is necessary to search for new environmentally and health friendly alternatives to prevent the disease, being essential oils (EOs) a tool with great antifungal potential. In this work, EOs were obtained from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves by hydrodistillation, which were characterized physicochemically, presenting mainly the compounds eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) and carveol, respectively. The in vitro antifungal activity of these EOs was analyzed by inhibition of micellar growth and inhibition of conidial germination in C. gloeosporioides. Both EOs inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination of the pathogen, but the one from lemongrass showed a higher antifungal capacity. Lemongrass EOs were also applied to tomato fruits stored at room temperature (25 °C) and cold (8 °C), infected with C. gloeosporioides, reporting a significant reduction in the incidence (until 63 %) and severity (until 9 %) of anthracnose developed at room temperature (in 7 days), and an absolute elimination of the disease (0 % incidence and severity) in cold (in 40 days), due to the antimicrobial action of the EOs. Therefore, EOs obtained from lemongrass leaves by hydrodistillation are an effective tool in the control of anthracnose in tomato fruits, with absolute effectiveness in cold storage. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/76716 The rapid expansion of Eucalyptus plantations in Ethiopia is driven by the increasing demand for woody products, raising concerns about their ecological impact. While conserving native forests remains a priority, Eucalyptus plantations provide alternative sources of forest products and income, helping to reduce pressure on native ecosystems. However, the ecological implications of these plantations, particularly their impact on soil fungal communities, key players in nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning, remain poorly understood. This study investigates soil fungal community dynamics in Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus camaldulensis plantations across diverse environmental gradients in Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from 24 plots, and fungal DNA was extracted and sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology, targeting the ITS2 region. Taxonomic classification and functional guild assignment were performed. Although both plantation types supported a high level of fungal richness and diversity, fungal community composition significantly varied by the Eucalyptus species. Environmental factors, including elevation, precipitation, and temperature, were linked to variations in fungal community composition, creating distinct ecological niches. The main indicator taxa under E. camaldulensis were the species Yurkovia mendeliana, Fusarium oxysporum, Talaromyces solicola, and Westerdykella reniformis, as well as an unidentified member of the class Chytridiomycetes. Under E. globulus, the main indicator taxa were the species Saitozyma podzolica, Brachiosphaera tropicalis, Pseudoacremonium sacchari, and Preussia flanaganii, along with an unidentified member of the order Hypocreales. Although the species Archaeorhizomyces finlayi and members of the families Hydnangiaceae and Chaetomiaceae and the order Sordariales were present in both plantation types, their relative abundances differed significantly between the two species. Our findings highlight that expanding Eucalyptus plantations support soil fungal diversity. A mosaic landscape combining the two species at the landscape level could enhance fungal biodiversity and ecosystem functionality. Understanding these fungal associations provides valuable insights for evidence-based plantation management and sustainable forestry practices in Ethiopia. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z