Estimation of tree water stress from stem and soil water monitoring with time‐domain reflectometry in two small forested basins in Spain

Soil‐tree water relationships were studied using time domain reflectometry (TDR) in two small forested basins in Spain. The stem water content of two Mediterranean Quercus species (Quercus pyrenaica and Quercus rotundifolia) was measured using previously constructed species‐specific equations. To monitor soil moisture, a TDR station network was used in both cases. Sixteen Q. pyrenaica and six Q. rotundifolia individuals were selected to install two TDR probes in their trunks (at 20 and 120 cm above the ground) to monitor stem water content. Stem and soil water contents were measured fortnightly. The stem water content of both species showed a similar temporal trend for the period studied. A spring maximum (0·654 cm³ cm^?3 for Q. pyrenaica and 0·568 cm³ cm^?3 for Q. rotundifolia) was found to be associated with high transpiration and no soil moisture deficit, and a late‐summer minimum (0·520 cm³ cm^?3 for Q. pyrenaica and 0·426 cm³ cm^?3 for Q. rotundifolia) was associated with the end of the dry season. This drop in stem water content occurs when the available water in the soil decreases. This seasonal difference presumably reflects water withdrawn from stem storage to support the transpirational demands of the tree. Since plant water stress results in reduced stem water content and since this drop can be measured by TDR, it may be concluded that this technology offers a suitable tool for detecting plant water stress. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Snapshot positioning without initial information

Snapshot techniques are based on computing a position using only a set of digital signal samples captured over some milliseconds. Existing techniques require, in addition to the satellite ephemerides, a rough knowledge of the position and/or time at which the snapshot was captured. We propose a new method to instantaneously compute a snapshot position and time solution without any reference time or position. The method is based on the addition of a fifth unknown to the instantaneous Doppler equations, which accounts for a time difference between the reference time and the measurement time. Using this new system of equations at different initialization times separated by some hours, time uncertainties of days or weeks can be solved. The algorithm has been implemented in a snapshot GPS software receiver in MATLAB, proving that position accuracies of a few meters with time uncertainties of several weeks can be obtained in a few seconds.     

PM10 and Pb evolution in an industrial area of the Mediterranean basin

The study area is highly industrialized, with businesses involved in the non-metal mineral products sector and ceramic industries (colors, frits and enamel manufacturing) standing out. Air quality evaluation was performed regarding atmospheric particles (PM10 fraction) and Pb in a Spanish coastal area during 2001 and 2002 in order to compare these values with other areas in the Mediterranean basin. Once the samples were collected, their PM10 fraction concentration levels were determined gravimetrically. A Pb analysis in air pollution filters was carried out by ICP-MS. The seasonal and weekly variabilities of these contaminants were also studied, with the objective of being able to explain their origin and thus minimize their possible damaging effects. A similar evolution of PM10 and Pb was observed in both years of the study. Higher PM10 concentrations have been detected during the months of June and July, lower values between March–May, August and October–December, and intermediate values in January and February. A similar tendency has been observed by other authors in European industrialized cities. Regarding Pb, the monthly mean remains constant during the entire year. In the study area, Pb represents 0.6% as a mean of the total PM10 mass, with a variation range between 0.1 and 5.1%. The major crystalline phases in PM10 were quartz, calcite, dolomite, illite, kaolinite and feldspars.     

Rights to carbon and payments for services rendered under REDD+: Options for the case of Mexico

Mexico is relatively advanced in its preparation for international policy on Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) and has many of the pre-conditions needed to support a community approach in the implementation of a national REDD+ programme, particularly as regards tenure of forests and experience with community forest management and PES schemes, although these conditions do not pertain everywhere. One critical issue that is yet to be resolved concerns rights to carbon credits and distribution of the financial benefits flowing from REDD+. We demonstrate that attribution of carbon credits from reduced deforestation and degradation at the community level is virtually impossible from a technical viewpoint, since these credits are counterfactual. Payments based on assessment of performance of each community in terms of such reductions would moreover be inequitable and inefficient. Flat rate payments in return for agreed improvements in management are likely to be more motivating and much easier to administer. However, increases in carbon stock (forest enhancement) can be physically measured on site, and could be more easily attributed to each individual community. We therefore propose a system in which reduced deforestation and degradation are considered environmental services, with credits accruing to national government. The financial value of the credits may be used to finance flat rate payments to communities who agree to implement improved management. On the other hand, credits for forest enhancement, which reflect measurable increases in carbon in the communities’ trees, would be considered environmental goods. These should be considered the direct property of the owners of the forest (in the same sense as wood or poles) and it would be possible for communities to sell these credits themselves. We acknowledge however that many other problems face implementation of REDD+ in Mexico, and provide a number of important examples.