Emilio Costillo

Patterns of structural complexity and human disturbance of riparian vegetation in agricultural landscapes of a Mediterranean area

Abstract Riparian corridors are valuable high diversity habitats in Mediterranean-type environments and mainly in agricultural landscapes. Following a ‘vegetation complexes’ approach along fluvial landscapes, the factors affecting structural complexity and human disturbance through agricultural areas in south-west (SW) Spain were analysed. Using principal component analysis and a stepwise multiple regression analysis three main results were obtained: (1) a successional vegetative gradient was noted from upper (pioneer herbaceous communities) to lower reaches of streams (closed-canopy forests) with a concomitant increase in both woody cover and habitat diversity; (2) land-use intensity associated with each of the agricultural production methods, which was mainly related to topographic irregularity, appeared to be the main cause of human disturbance in riparian areas. Thus, the closed-canopy forests located in flat landscapes of lower streams were removed, highly modified or extensively fragmented; in contrast, riparian complexes placed on wild and rough landscapes of upper streams appeared as undisturbed or near-natural; (3) nearly 50% of the natural riparian vegetation of the study area has been highly modified or has disappeared, in most cases replaced by non-natural formations which have today become dominant. The protection of the few existing well-preserved riparian corridors and the restoration of highly altered riparian areas in the lower reaches of streams has become a priority in maintaining biodiversity in these agricultural Mediterranean landscapes. The extensive and cost-effective method developed for this study would be easily applicable to other large areas to evaluate the effect of human disturbance on riparian corridors.

Blood chemistry and haematocrit of the black vulture (Aegypius monachus)

We determined the values of haematocrit and blood chemistry of the black vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Extremadura (Spain). We analysed 57 nestlings, five feral adults, seven captive individuals in their first year and five captive adults. Free-living adults had a higher haematocrit and lower calcium and alkaline phosphatases concentrations than captive birds. There were differences in haematocrit and in the concentrations of glucose, uric acid, total proteins, alkaline phosphatases, phosphorus and aspartate aminotransferase between nestlings and young in their first year and adults. The estimated age of the nestlings was significantly correlated with haematocrit, plasma glucose and total protein concentrations. The physical condition of nestlings was significantly correlated with plasma alkaline phosphatases levels.

International importance of Extremadura, Spain, for overwintering migratory dabbling ducks: a role for reservoirs.

Many migratory waterbird populations are in decline and loss of natural wetlands is one of the main causes.However, some speciesmay respondpositively to artificial wetland recreation. In Extremadura (south-west Europe), several large reservoirs were created for irrigation since the 1960s and some comparatively small reservoirs were built from the late 1990s onwards close to rice fields. Here we analyse the abundance of wintering dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) in Extremadura before (1991–1994) and after (2007–2010) the creation of these new reservoirs in order to address the current importance of the area for this guild within the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). A mean of 25,277 dabbling ducks wintered in the study area during 1991–1994, increasing to 46,163 individuals during 2007–2010. After controlling for environmental variables, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal A. crecca and Northern Shoveler A. clypeata experienced significant increases in the area between both periods, and only Eurasian Wigeon A. penelope suffered a significant decrease. Mallard A. platyrhynchos and Gadwall A. strepera populations did not show any significant trend. The large older reservoirs experienced overall population decreases between the two periods, with four new reservoirs holding more than 35,000 wintering dabbling ducks. Our results reflect an overall improvement in habitat conditions, driven by the creation of reservoirs near to rice fields that could have resulted in a partial redistribution of wintering dabbling ducks in the EAF. The area emerges as one of the most important wintering sites for dabbling ducks in southern Europe, regularly exceeding two of the Ramsar Convention criteria for the conservation of several populations. The protection of these new reservoirs by legal mechanisms would guarantee the existence of a large functional wetland area, which could also mitigate the loss of natural wetlands for populations using the EAF.

Emotions in prospective secondary teachers when teaching science content, distinguishing by gender

Background: Until recently, the affective components of education had long been undervalued. Today, one finds ever more studies on cognitive and affective interrelationships that are lending support to the idea that affect and cognition are best understood when viewed as independent and complementary mental functions. Purpose: The present work analyses the emotions of prospective secondary education teachers, distinguishing them by gender, in relation to the teaching of Biology, Geology, Physics and Chemistry in order to contribute to designing subsequent interventions targeted at improving science teachers’ occupational health. Sample: The total sample consisted of 178 students (53 male and 125 female) of the post-graduate teaching certificate course at the University of Extremadura, all of whom were prospective secondary school teachers. We also worked with a sub-sample of 66 Science and Engineering graduates (33 male and 33 female). Design and methods: A questionnaire was prepared that includes items on each of the emotions that the prospective teacher might feel when teaching the science content of the proposed courses. The chi-squared test was used to determine whether a relationship exists between emotions and the variable gender when it came to their teaching Biology, Geology, Physics and Chemistry at the compulsory secondary education level. Results: The results showed that the male teachers more frequently report positive emotions than the female. The latter manifested an increase in negative emotions in teaching Geology, Physics and Chemistry content. And the study of the sub-sample showed positive emotions are more frequently reported than negative ones in all four subjects, with this being particularly so in Biology. Conclusions: The study of emotions is vital in the educational formation of prospective secondary teachers. These students will soon face day-to-day life in the classroom, and many of them, especially the women, declare themselves to be emotionally vulnerable, since they describe themselves as experiencing stronger negative emotions. It is essential to provide prospective secondary teachers with a program of support and monitoring during their teaching practice so as to foster awareness of their emotions towards science and its learning. The aim must be to enhance their capacity for self-regulation and control to change those emotions, and to consolidate healthy habits.

Diet Plasticity of Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus in Different Colonies in the Extremadura (SW Spain)

The current feeding habits of the Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus remain largely unknown since most studies were carried out in the 1970s. To update the information, we studied the diet of the species in different colonies in Extremadura by analyzing the frequency of presence of 378 prey items observed in 283 pellets. In all colonies, sheep carcasses formed the staple food. Nevertheless, there were major differences between colonies in supplementary prey: farm poultry and swine in Sierra de Gata, swine and deer in Sierra de San Pedro and Granadilla. There were also variations between subcolonies within a colony and differences with colonies elsewhere in the Iberian Peninsula. In colonies situated in areas with a high abundance of lagomorphs and deer, such as Cabañeros and Sierra de Andujar, the diet is based on wild animal populations. In other colonies, the diet depends to a large extent on livestock farming: sheep in Sierra de Gata, Granadilla and Sierra de San Pedro, and swine and sheep in Sierra de Guadarrama. The Cinereous Vulture thus shows great trophic plasticity, taking advantage of new resources (such as carcasses of poultry from poultry farms) and responding to variations in prey availability in the area surrounding the colonies. These circumstances need to be taken into consideration for the conservation of the species, in particular when the vultures depend on human resources, which are prone to drastic changes in availability. The recent outbreaks of veterinary diseases (like BSE, foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever and bluetongue disease) and reforms related to the Common Agricultural Policy, are a point in case.

Status and trends of Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica in Europe and Africa

Summary Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica is classed as Endangered in Europe (Tucker and Heath 1994, Hagemeijer and Blair, 1997), but there have been no detailed studies of the trends in the different populations occurring in Europe and Africa. Here we study the status and trends of the species in Europe and north and north-east Africa. We estimate the total population at 10,500–12,900 breeding pairs, and recognize two biogeographical populations in this region. The western population, comprising colonies in northern Europe (Denmark, Netherlands, Germany), France, Italy, Spain, and north and north-east Africa, consists of at most 6,200 pairs, 1,800 of which are in African colonies. The eastern population, comprising colonies in the Balkan Peninsula, Greece, shores of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and Turkey, consists of at most 6,800 pairs. Two trends were observed: a first phase from 1900 up to the mid-1970s in which the northern European populations practically disappeared; and a second phase of stabilization, or even increase, in some of the western colonies, while the eastern population continued to decline. There is a marked concentration of the species in just a few localities in the countries of the Mediterranean basin.

La alimentación preescolar: educación para la salud de los 2 a los 6 años

The infant feeding and nutrition is one of the most important areas regarding the Health Education (HE). This health-promoting action must start at the early stage of the development and learning, such as the pre-school period. A valuable tool to initiate successfully the HE could be infant nutrition, which can and must be also approached in the educational area. Our objective of the investigation was to gather, from the main Spanish manuals of nutrition, the basic and nutritional characteristics of the stage from 2 to 6 years, in order to be used by educational personnel instead of health personnel in the school area. By the analysis of bibliographical documented review, related to the nutritional characteristics at this stage of growth. The results indicate that the Recommendations Dietary Allowance (RDA) from 2 years are very different with regard to the breast-fed stage, the contribution moves towards the carbohydrates in 50 %, in decline of fats <30 % and proteins. In addition, the preparation and incorporation of new ingredients to the daily foods is already regular, obtaining, in this way, a balanced and healthy diet. For that, we will follow a guideline of 3 daily foods, with 2 intermediate of minor quantity, and the breakfast will have a well-deserved importance. To conclude, we must indicate that the educator has to inculcate healthy habits of feeding in pre-school stage by means of the Health Education. The mentioned infant diet will be the base for a healthy adulthood, since during the infant stage, future pathologies may emerge such as diabetes, cancer of colon and hypertension.

ACTION RESEARCH AS A PROFESSIONALISING METHOD: WORK INVOLVING THE IDEAS OF SECONDARY-LEVEL SCHOOL STUDENTS ON DOCUMENTATION, CULTURE AND SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATION

A broad consensus exists on the use of cooperative action research as a suitable form of reflection to optimise the teaching-learning process. It is therefore appropriate that future secondary level teachers should know about this methodology as a means to professionalisation. So, is it enough to know of a method? According to our view of training, praxis must be consistent with the aims pursued and consequently the method must be experienced, particularly in an age when there is evidence that points to the need for cooperative work and skills training. In accordance with this theoretical framework, a professionalising training action is described from the Master’s Degree in Secondary Education Teacher Training (MUFPES) course at the University of Extremadura during 2016-2017. The subject of study was the concept of “Science” in secondary level school students and the use of cooperative action research; we try to encourage the development of attitudes that favour investigation, reflection and educational innovation through the study of real cases. The MUFPES students began their experience by reflecting on their own ideas about the nature of science, the meaning of scientific in today’s society, and the scientific themes or content that are relevant to society and for obtaining scientific information. Subsequently, the investigation process started with a discussion on the problems of students in compulsory education who “don not want to learn” and their motivation with regard to science. The groups selected to apply the method were students from Years 1 and 3 of compulsory secondary education; the initial diagnostic tool used was an open questionnaire, together with an analysis of concept maps made by secondary level students and a multiple choice questionnaire using the INFLESZ scale to evaluate and validate the readability of the statements and options. Following analysis and interpretation of the qualitative and quantitative data an action plan was designed based on the incorporation of sequenced tasks through a taxonomy focused on thought models, and with these to develop key competences. The title of the proposed plan was “My programme and documentary schedule, and selection of my favourite science magazines”. Regarding the latter, we present a selection of the activities developed by the Master’s students so that secondary level students can work using a way of thinking that is reflective, analytical, logical, critical, systemic, analogical, creative, deliberative and practical. Finally, the students’ evaluation of the process is reviewed and the results of the survey on the students’ satisfaction are provided.