A5090685957- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Slime Mold and Myxomycetes Research
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Climate change and permafrost
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Plant Diversity and Evolution
- Bryophyte Studies and Records
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Geotourism and Geoheritage Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Environmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and Beyond
- Plant responses to elevated CO2
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Seedling growth and survival studies
- Cryospheric studies and observations
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
2012-2023
Estacion Experimental de Zonas Aridas
2005
This experiment was aimed at establishing, for the first time, survival capability of lichens exposed to space conditions. In particular, damaging effect various wavelengths extraterrestrial solar UV radiation studied. The used were bipolar species Rhizocarpon geographicum and Xanthoria elegans, which collected above 2000 m in mountains central Spain as endolithic communities inhabiting granites Antarctic Dry Valleys. Lichens BIOPAN-5 facility European Space Agency; is located on outer shell...
Here we report details of the European research initiative "Soil Crust International" (SCIN) focusing on biodiversity biological soil crusts (BSC, composed bacteria, algae, lichens, and bryophytes) functional aspects in their specific environment. Known as so-called "colored lichen community" (Bunte Erdflechtengesellschaft), these BSCs occur all over Europe, extending into subtropical arid regions. Our goal is to study uniqueness regional scale investigate how this community can cope with...
The Antarctic Peninsula has had a globally large increase in mean annual temperature from the 1951 to 1998 followed by decline that still continues. challenge is now unveil whether these recent, complex and somewhat unexpected climatic changes are biologically relevant. We were able do this determining growth of six lichen species on recently deglaciated surfaces over last 24 years. Between 1991 2002, when summer (MST) rose 0.42 °C, five responded with increased growth. MST declined 0.58 °C...
Lichens have been used as biomonitors for multiple purposes. They are well-known air pollution indicators around urban and industrial centers. More recently, several attempts made to use lichens monitors of climate change especially in alpine polar regions. In this paper, we review the value saxicolous monitoring environmental changes Antarctic The pristine Antarctica offers a unique opportunity study effects along latitudinal gradient that extends between 62° 87° S. Both lichen species...
• The cyanobionts of lichens and free-living Nostoc strains from Livingston Island (maritime Antarctica) were examined to determine both the cyanobiont specificity spatial distribution under extreme environmental conditions. We collected five different lichen species with cyanobacteria as primary or secondary photobiont (Massalongia carnosa, Leptogium puberulum, Psoroma cinnamomeum, Placopsis parellina contortuplicata) sample sites analysed them using tRNALeu (UAA) intron a genetic marker...
The Lithopanspermia space experiment was launched in 2007 with the European Biopan facility for a 10-day spaceflight on board Russian Foton retrievable satellite. included first time vagrant lichen species Aspicilia fruticulosa from Guadalajara steppic highlands (Central Spain), as well other species. During spaceflight, samples were exposed to selected conditions, that is, vacuum, cosmic radiation, and different spectral ranges of solar radiation (λ ≥ 110, ≥200, ≥290, or ≥400 nm,...
Bryophyte establishment represents a positive feedback process that enhances soil development in newly exposed terrain. Further, biological nitrogen (N) fixation by cyanobacteria association with mosses can be an important supply of N to terrestrial ecosystems, however the role these associations during post-glacial primary succession is not yet fully understood. Here, we analyzed chronosequences front two receding glaciers contrasting climatic conditions (wetter vs drier) at Cordillera...
The present work analyses the morphology, anatomy, water relations and chlorophyll content of thalli lichen Ramalina capitata var. protecta from two different populations exposed to contrasting microclimatic conditions due differences in orientation rock surface. population on north-facing surface (NFS) was lower photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD), remained at high relative humidities for longer periods time temperatures than south-facing (SFS). We proposed hypothesis that shadier...
The Tabernas badlands in semiarid south-east Spain is one of the driest regions Europe with a mean annual precipitation c . 240 mm. landscape deeply dissected, canyons, ramblas and sparsely vegetated eroded badland slopes. vegetation predominantly biological soil crust consisting different types lichen-rich communities, more conspicuous being dominated by Diploschistes diacapsis (Ach.) Lumbsch. This lichen mainly restricted to north- facing slopes, where it forms extensive whitish carpets...
Shade and irrigation are frequently used to increase the success of Mediterranean Quercus spp. plantations. However, there is controversy about combined effects these treatments on plant performance. We assessed two irradiances (full sunlight moderate shade) summer watering regimes (high (daily) low (alternate days)) leaf whole-plant traits 1-year-old seedlings coccifera, Q. ilex subsp. ballota faginea grown outdoors for 8.5 months. Leaf included measures morphology, nitrogen concentration,...
Abstract Lichens are one of the common dominant biota in biological soil crusts (biocrusts), a community that is largest extent world. Here we present summary main features lifestyle crust lichens, emphasizing their habitat, ecophysiology and versatility. The exposed to full light, often high temperatures has an additional water source, beneath lichens. However, despite open nature habitat lichens active under shady cooler conditions avoid climate extremes temperature light. In temperate...
Poikilohydric autotrophs are the main colonizers of permanent ice-free areas in Antarctic tundra biome. Global climate warming and small human footprint this ecosystem make it especially vulnerable to abrupt changes. Elucidating effects change on is challenging because mainly comprises poikilohydric species, which greatly influenced by microtopographic factors. In present study, we investigated potential metabolic activity net primary photosynthesis (NPP) widespread lichen species Usnea...