Spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities from the Western Sector of the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba. I. Mangrove systems

The spatial and temporal variations of meiofaunal communities in mangrove systems were examined. Replicated cores were taken in mudflats between prop roots ofRhizophora mangle at five locations within the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba, during 3 mo. There was a clear seasonality in the water column, but measured abiotic variables did not show obvious relations with meiofaunal patterns. The magnitude of change in salinity for each location appears to influence the meiofauna more than absolute values per se. The meiofauna from southern Pinar del Rio showed a higher variation in community structure, suggesting higher levels of stress in comparison with locations in eastern Isla, possibly due to the presence of human settlements, runoff from land, and apparent deterioration of mangroves. The considerable variation in the density and community structure estimates on global (geographical regions) and local (locations in the Gulf of Batabanó) scales could be caused by the high spatial variability in the mangrove microenvironment, coupled with associated methodological differences in the sampling. There was a low density of meiofauna (mean: 101 animals 10 cm⁻²) compared to other shallow tropical habitats. Mangroves from subtropical and temperate regions showed consistently higher meiofaunal densities than tropical mangroves, but causes of this putatively latitudinal pattern require further study. Future strategies for meiofaunal studies in mangrove systems should increase the temporal and spatial replication, include designed field experiments to test ecological hypotheses, and apply a species level approach with regards to nematode assemblages.     

Un exemple de volcanisme calco-alcalin de type orogénique mis en place en contexte de rifting (Cambrien de l'oued Rhebar,Meseta occidentale,Maroc)

The Middle Cambrian calc-alkaline Oued Rhebar volcanic complex (western Meseta, Morocco) compares with rocks originated in orogenic contexts. The La/Nb ratios are relatively high (5.2), suggesting a lithospheric mantle origin. The La/Ta ratios, higher than 26, and the negative Nb anomaly indicate a lithospheric source contaminated by the continental crust. These rocks were generated in the Mesetian Mid-Cambrian rift and would have inherited their orogenic signature from the partial melting of a previously metasomatized mantle. To cite this article: H. El Hadi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Periodicities and irregularities of indices describing the daily pluviometric regime of the Fabra Observatory (NE Spain) for the years 1917–1999

Summary Several patterns of a daily pluviometric regime are obtained from an homogeneous set of daily rainfall recorded at the Fabra Observatory (NE Spain) for the period 1917–1999. Power spectral analyses of four annual pluviometric indices, determined from different daily rain amount percentiles, are performed. Periodicities of the quasi-biannual oscillation (QBO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and sunspot cycles are correlated in some cases with empirical spectral peaks of the indices exceeding Markov red-noise with a confidence level of 95%. Depending on the rainy day percentiles, a set of short periods (2.1–4.6 years), a second group of intermediate periods (5.5 and 9.2 years) and, finally, a third group of long periods of 11.8, 20.8 and 41.5 years can be distinguished. These periods are compared with those derived for other European and African emplacements. Additionally, the consecutive irregularity of every annual series is quantified by means of a concept similar to the entropy.     

Contrasting hydrothermal activity at Sierra Negra and Alcedo volcanoes, Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador

2 and approximately 85% SO₂ of the total sulfur gas. Relative amounts of He, Ar, and N₂ show a distinct hot-spot signature ( ). The δ¹³C–CO₂ is approximately −3.6‰ and δ³⁴S_T is approximately +3.3‰. The δD/δ¹⁸O of fumarole H₂O indicates steam separation from local meteoric waters whose estimated minimum mean residence time from ³H analyses is ≤40 years. Fumarolic activity at Alcedo is controlled by a caldera-margin fault containing at least seven hydrothermal explosion craters, and by an intracaldera rhyolite vent. Two explosion craters which formed in 1993–1994 produce approximately 15 m³/s of steam, yet discharge temperatures are ≤97°C. Water content of the total gas is 95–97 mol.%, noncondensible gas is 92–98 mol.% CO₂, and sulfur gas is dominated by H₂S. Relative amounts of He, Ar, and N₂ show extensive mixing between hot spot and air or air-saturated meteoric water components but the average . The δ¹³C–CO₂ is approximately −3.5‰ and δ³⁴S_T is approximately −0.8‰. The δD/δ¹⁸O of fumarole steam indicates separation from a homogeneous reservoir that is enriched 3–5‰ in ¹⁸O compared with local meteoric water. ³H indicates that this reservoir water has a maximum mean residence time of approximately 400 years and empirical gas geothermometry indicates a reservoir temperature of 260–320°C. The intracaldera hydrothermal reservoir in Alcedo is probably capable of producing up to 150 MW; however, environmental concerns as well as lack of infrastructure and power users will limit the development of this resource. Received: 19 April 1999 / Accepted: 23 October 1999     

MIS 5/4 transition in a mountain environment: herpetofaunal assemblages from Cueva del Camino,central Spain

The Cueva del Camino site (Pinilla del Valle, Madrid, Spain) is located in the upper valley of the Lozoya River in the Sierra de Guadarrama, a mountain range extending NE?SW within the Central Range System. Due to its location within a mountain range on the central Iberian Peninsula at an altitude of 1114 m a.s.l. and the numerical dating of its sediments, the palaeontological site of Cueva del Camino has proved a highly relevant location for studying the ecological changes linked to the climatic fluctuations at the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 and the beginning of MIS 4. Environmental reconstructions suggest a rather open, patchy landscape throughout the succession, with abundant evidence of dry meadows, scrublands and rocky habitats. The climate can be considered as generally warm, reaching mean annual temperatures (MATs) of up to 13.8°C (i.e. higher than today's by up to 2.9°C). Three cooler events can be seen throughout the succession as reflected by the presence of Rana iberica, Anguis fragilis and Coronella austriaca. The first of these events may correlate with MIS 5b; the second in the Central sector may correlate with the Stadial I pollen event occurring at the end of MIS 5a; and the third event, corresponding to the coldest MAT of the entire succession with MATs 0.9°C lower than today's, may correspond to the transition from MIS 5a to MIS 4. The evolution of mean annual precipitation (MAP) is characterized by warm periods, drier and cold periods, as well as wetter periods (up to +356 mm compared to today's MAP values), similar to what occurs today in the high‐elevation areas of the neighbouring mountains. Our study gives new quantitative estimations for the climatic fluctuations in mountain environments of central Spain at the MIS 5/4 transition and their associated ecological changes.     

Late Holocene marine terraces of the Cartagena region,southern Caribbean: The product of neotectonism or a former high stand in sea-level?

The detailed stratigraphic survey and paleontological study (mollusks, corals, foraminifera and ostracods) of four low-level, ～3 m, marine terrace sections: Punta Canoas, Manzanillo del Mar, Playa de Oro, and Tierra Bomba Island, from the Cartagena region, southern Caribbean, supplemented with 22 radiocarbon dates, reveals that the northern terraces were deposited as parasequences in a clastic depositional system compared to the Tierra Bomba Island succession that was deposited in a carbonate depositional system between ～3600 and ～1700 cal yrs BP. Drier conditions and the southern location of the ITCZ at about 3 ka triggered stronger easterly Trades and more dynamic southwestward sediment drift fed by the Magdalena River mouth, thus promoting the formation of sand spits that ultimately isolated the Cienaga de Tesca coastal lagoon from the Caribbean Sea. Our estimates support the hypothesis that the present position of the terraces is the product of neotectonism rather than a higher 3 ka, sea-level. Upheaval of the terraces varies between ～3.8 mmyr^?1 at Punta Canoas and ～2.2 mmyr^?1 at Tierra Bomba to ～1.5 mmyr^?1 at Manzanillo del Mar and Playa de Oro terraces. Our study corroborates previous contentions on the role of mud diapirism and the dynamics of the Dique Fault as late Holocene upheaval mechanisms.     

Effects of afforestation on groundwater recharge and water budgets in the western region of Uruguay

Uruguay has stimulated the development of its forest sector since the promulgation of Forest Law N° 15 939 in December of 1987. Nevertheless, the substitution of natural grasslands with forest plantations for industrial use has raised concerns regarding hydrological processes of groundwater recharge and water consumption involving evapotranspiration. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of this substitution approach on water resources. Input data were collected from two small experimental watersheds of roughly 100–200 hectares located in western Uruguay. The watersheds are characterized by Eucalyptus Globulus ssp. Maidenni and natural grasslands for cattle use. Total rainfall, stream discharge, rainfall redistribution, soil water content and groundwater level data were collected. Groundwater recharge was estimated from water table fluctuations and from groundwater contributions to base flows. Seasonal and annual water budgets were computed from October of 2006 to September of 2014 to evaluate changes in the hydrological processes. The data show a decrease in annual specific discharge of roughly 17% for mean hydrological years and no conclusive effects on annual groundwater recharge in the forested watershed relative to the reference pasture watershed. Reduced annual specific discharge is equivalent to the mean annual interception. The computed actual annual evapotranspiration is consistent with international catchment measurements. Reduction rates vary seasonally and according to accumulated rainfall and its temporary distribution. The degree of specific discharge decline is particularly high for drier autumns and winters (32 to 28%) when the corresponding rainfall varies from 275 to 400 mm. These results are of relevance for water resources management efforts, as water uses downstream can be affected. These findings, based on a study period dominated by anomalous wet springs and summers and by dry autumns and winters, oppose earlier results based on 34 years of rainfall and discharge data drawn from Uruguayan large basins. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.