Vegetation and fire dynamics during the last 4000 years in the Cabañeros National Park (central Spain)

Morales‐Molino, César; Colombaroli, Danièle; Tinner, Willy; Perea, Ramón; Valbuena‐Carabaña, María; Carrión, José S.; Gil, Luís

doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2018.04.001

Cited by 20 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 78 publications

(76 reference statements)

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“…B, Morales‐Molino et al. ). Similarly, macroscopic CHAR reaches its maximum values at ~3,950–3,800 cal.…”

Section: Results and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The El Brezoso age–depth model has been adapted from Morales‐Molino et al. (). Age is shown in calibrated years before present (cal.…”

Section: Results and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…B, Appendix : Table S1; Morales‐Molino et al. ). The chronology is accurate and precise for most of the record with exception of the interval between ~2,900 and 1,100 cal.…”

Section: Results and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Brezoso pollen record was already published in Morales‐Molino et al. (). From the same slides, we identified and quantified spores of obligate coprophilous fungi (dung fungal spores hereafter), i.e., Sporormiella ‐type, Sordaria ‐type, and Podospora ‐type (Baker et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…(), Morales‐Molino et al. (), and Appendix for further details about the study area and the study sites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unprecedented herbivory threatens rear‐edge populations of Betula in southwestern Eurasia

Morales‐Molino

Tinner

Perea

et al. 2019

Ecology

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Mediterranean rear‐edge populations of Betula, located at the southwestern Eurasian margin of the distribution range, represent unique reservoirs of genetic diversity. However, increasing densities of wild ungulates, enhanced dryness, and wildfires threaten their future persistence. A historical perspective on the past responses of these relict populations to changing herbivory, fire occurrence and climatic conditions may contribute to assessing their future responses under comparable scenarios. We have reconstructed vegetation and disturbance (grazing, fire) history in the Cabañeros National Park (central‐southern Spain) using the paleoecological records of two small mires. We particularly focused on the historical range of variation in disturbance regimes, and the dynamics of rear‐edge Betula populations and herbivore densities. Changes in water availability, probably related to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, and land‐use history have played a crucial role in vegetation shifts. Our data suggest that heathlands (mainly Erica arborea and E. scoparia) and Quercus woodlands dominated during dry phases while Sphagnum bogs and Betula stands expanded during wet periods. Betula populations survived past moderately dry periods but were unable to cope with enhanced land use, particularly increasing livestock raising since ~1,100–900 cal. yr BP (850–1,050 CE), and eventually underwent local extinction. High herbivore densities not only contributed to the Betula demise but also caused the retreat of Sphagnum bogs. Ungulate densities further rose at ~200–100 cal. yr BP (1750–1850 CE) associated with the historically documented intensification of land use around the Ecclesiastical Confiscation. However, herbivory reached truly unprecedented values only during the last decades, following rural depopulation and subsequent promotion of big game hunting. For the first time in temperate and Mediterranean Europe, we have used the abundances of fossil dung fungal spores to assess quantitatively that current high herbivore densities exceed the historical range of variation. In contrast, present fire activity lies within the range of variation of the last millennia, with fires (mainly human‐set) mostly occurring during dry periods. Our paleodata highlight the need of controlling the densities of wild ungulates to preserve ecosystem composition and functioning. We also urge to restore Betula populations in suitable habitats where they mostly disappeared because of excessive human activities.

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“…B, Morales‐Molino et al. ). Similarly, macroscopic CHAR reaches its maximum values at ~3,950–3,800 cal.…”

Section: Results and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The El Brezoso age–depth model has been adapted from Morales‐Molino et al. (). Age is shown in calibrated years before present (cal.…”

Section: Results and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…B, Appendix : Table S1; Morales‐Molino et al. ). The chronology is accurate and precise for most of the record with exception of the interval between ~2,900 and 1,100 cal.…”

Section: Results and Interpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…(), Morales‐Molino et al. (), and Appendix for further details about the study area and the study sites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unprecedented herbivory threatens rear‐edge populations of Betula in southwestern Eurasia

Morales‐Molino

Tinner

Perea

et al. 2019

Ecology

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Herbivory baseline estimates in Spanish protected areas, and environmental implications

Serrano-Zulueta,

Pardo,

Pauné

et al. 2023

Landsc Ecol

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Context There are no estimations of herbivory baselines in Spain. Due to the bioclimatic conditions, ungulates have maintained Open Ecosystems until the Holocene. Pastoral tradition later fulfilled the niche of wild grazers, but this role is not considered in environmental assessments of grazing livestock. Objectives We attempted to better understand the scale of herbivory in Spain. We aimed to estimate the weight of current wild herbivory and evaluate the role of domestic herbivory in these baselines. We applied them to improve the allocation of environmental impacts and emissions from grazing livestock. Methods We inferred an equation relating Net Primary Productivity (NPP) with ungulate biomass and enteric CH4 with data from 11 Spanish Protected Areas. We estimated theoretical baselines in Spain using other literature sources. We applied the equations to the Spanish open ecosystems that are currently grazable. We also estimated the proportion of grazing livestock that would be part of such baseline. Results We found relationships between NPP and ungulate biomass and enteric CH4 emissions. However, current abundances are several times below the estimated baselines and the carrying capacity. There are major constraints for herbivore populations to reach their baseline state, particularly the absence of migration and the extinction of grazers among wild herbivores. Structural maintenance of Open Ecosystems should therefore be complemented by domestic grazers that cannot be replaced by the extant wild, mostly browser, ungulates. Conclusions We concluded that Spain is widely susceptible to being populated by herbivores that generate Open Ecosystems as baseline landscapes. Current grazing livestock accounts for a significant part of them, so baselines must be included in their environmental assessments. For the case of Spain, we propose a minimum baseline equivalent to 36% of current grazing livestock biomass and 23% of their enteric CH4 emissions.

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Paleoecological and historical data as an important tool in ecosystem management

Słowiński

Lamentowicz

Łuców

et al. 2019

Journal of Environmental Management

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Vegetation and fire dynamics during the last 4000 years in the Cabañeros National Park (central Spain)

Cited by 20 publications

References 78 publications

Unprecedented herbivory threatens rear‐edge populations of Betula in southwestern Eurasia

Unprecedented herbivory threatens rear‐edge populations of Betula in southwestern Eurasia

Herbivory baseline estimates in Spanish protected areas, and environmental implications

Paleoecological and historical data as an important tool in ecosystem management

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