Alejandro Valenzuela

Invasive wild boar in Argentina: using protected areas as a research platform to determine distribution, impacts and management

The wild boar is an invasive ecosystem engineer in Argentina that has lacked sufficient basic information to determine applied actions. The current distribution, impacts and management of this species were analyzed using the expert opinion surveys of protected area managers. The boar is widely distributed and occupies most of Argentina’s terrestrial ecoregions. Moreover, its populations are common, and its abundance is growing in most of the protected areas. Boars were recorded mostly in wetlands, forest and shrublands. Managers also reported a wide range of negative impacts, which included soil disturbance, vegetation damage and animal predation. Several control method types are used and in most protected areas, more than one are applied, but hunting was the most used technique. However, the effectiveness of control methods was low, suggesting the need of an urgent plan to define coordinated management actions to minimize the negative impacts of this species and also to prevent its expansion into new areas.

Documenting Introductions: The Earliest Evidence for the Presence of Dog (Canis familiaris Linnaeus 1758) in the Prehistory of the Balearic Islands

ABSTRACT We emphasize the importance of adopting a restrictive reading of the validity and reliability of the faunal record with respect to past animal introductions. As a case study, we analyze the earliest evidence for dogs in the early prehistory of the Balearic Islands. This research is based on direct AMS 14C dates from selected dog bones obtained in archaeological contexts. These dates, together with a conservative interpretation of the archaeological evidence, allow us to document the historical biogeography of dogs in Balearic prehistory. On Mallorca, the earliest evidence for the presence of dogs falls ca. 2000 cal BC. In contrast, on Menorca and the Pityusic Islands, their presence in the early prehistory (i.e., prior to 2000 cal BC) remains to be demonstrated. These data illustrate the importance of direct AMS 14C dating of animal bones and careful analysis of archaeological context to document the chronology of animal introductions on islands and beyond.

The chronology of the introduction of two species of Martes (Carnivora, Mustelidae) on the Western Mediterranean Islands: first direct radiocarbon evidence

Abstract We provide the first direct radiocarbon evidence of the introduction of two species of the genus Martes on two Western Mediterranean islands. The dated bones point to a Roman introduction of the Pine Marten (Martes martes) to Mallorca. The introduction of the Stone Marten (Martes foina) into Eivissa has been previous to eigth century AD. These results predate the currently assumed time of arrival of both species to these islands in several centuries, and establish a benchmark of reference to explore its possible ecological consequences.

Investigación socio-ecológica a largo plazo en la Patagonia Austral: Estrategias interdisciplinarias para lograr la conservación de los recursos naturales a través de un manejo sustentable bajo escenarios de cambio global

Bonache, J., de Mingo-Sancho, G., Serrada, J., Amengual, P., Perales, J., Martinez, R., Rodado, S., Albornos, E. 2016. Long-term monitoring and evaluation in Spanish National Parks Network. Ecosistemas 25(1): 31-48. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2016.25-1.05 The Spanish National Parks Network, consisting of a selection of natural spaces containing a representative sample of the main existing natural systems in Spain, is a very appropriate setting for research and long-term monitoring, in which the rules protects and promotes the improvement of knowledge and its application to management. In this regard, the National Parks Agency develops, in collaboration with the Autonomous Communities and with specific Scientific advise, a Research Program and a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan of the National Parks Network, latter having programs of ecological, sociological monitoring and functional. The article briefly explains the various monitoring initiatives underway, with examples of outcomes in each: mapping of natural systems, productivity monitoring through remote sensing, monitoring plant health, common bird monitoring, studies of social perception etc. Future prospects and areas for improvement of long-term monitoring in the National Parks Network are explained taking into account the synergies with the LTER Network, which is useful for monitoring in National Parks, especially concerning the application of comparable protocols and information management.

Archaeological evidence for the introduction of Emys orbicularis (Testudines: Emydidae) in the Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean

Among the different anthropogenic processes that affected the current distribution of the European pond turtle ( Emys orbicularis ), the timing of the human-mediated translocations is rarely known. Here we present data derived from an archaeological specimen of E. orbicularis obtained at the Roman site of Pollentia (Mallorca, Balearic Islands) using direct radiocarbon dating. These remains correspond to the early Roman period and represent the first reliable evidence for the ancient introduction of this turtle species in a Western Mediterranean Island.