Francesc Sardà-Palomera

Mapping from heterogeneous biodiversity monitoring data sources

Field monitoring can vary from simple volunteer opportunistic observations to professional standardised monitoring surveys, leading to a trade-off between data quality and data collection costs. Such variability in data quality may result in biased predictions obtained from species distribution models (SDMs). We aimed to identify the limitations of different monitoring data sources for developing species distribution maps and to evaluate their potential for spatial data integration in a conservation context. Using Maxent, SDMs were generated from three different bird data sources in Catalonia, which differ in the degree of standardisation and available sample size. In addition, an alternative approach for modelling species distributions was applied, which combined the three data sources at a large spatial scale, but then downscaling to the required resolution. Finally, SDM predictions were used to identify species richness and high quality areas (hotspots) from different treatments. Models were evaluated by using high quality Atlas information. We show that both sample size and survey methodology used to collect the data are important in delivering robust information on species distributions. Models based on standardized monitoring provided higher accuracy with a lower sample size, especially when modelling common species. Accuracy of models from opportunistic observations substantially increased when modelling uncommon species, giving similar accuracy to a more standardized survey. Although downscaling data through a SDM approach appears to be a useful tool in cases of data shortage or low data quality and heterogeneity, it will tend to overestimate species distributions. In order to identify distributions of species, data with different quality may be appropriate. However, to identify biodiversity hotspots high quality information is needed.

Changes of dominant ground beetles in black pine forests with fire severity and successional age

Abstract This study analyzes the effect of fire on the composition and abundance of ground beetles in Pinus nigra forests. We used pitfall traps to sample beetles in burned P. nigra forests in Catalonia (Spain). Since fire dramatically alters forest structure and composition and beetles follow vegetation changes, we expected drastic changes in beetle composition and abundance immediately after fire. Because P. nigra forests do not recover after fire, we also expected beetles in burned and unburned areas to differ along a chronosequence. Beetle abundance per plot increased in canopy-fire–burned areas, but per plot species richness, diversity, and dominance were not affected by fire. Species composition varied depending on fire intensity. Some species were associated with canopy fire and low vegetation cover. Other species were associated with shrub cover and time since fire. Finally, some species were not dependent on fire or vegetation cover. Beetle abundance in burned areas was independent of time since fire. This lack of medium-term convergence between burned and unburned P. nigra forests agrees with our second hypothesis. Given the increase in fire frequency and size in submediterranean areas and the observed slow recovery of beetle species, a decline in beetle diversity at a regional scale is expected. Nomenclature: Bolós et al., 1990; Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), 1997–2008.

Hibridación entre la codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix) y la codorniz de granja: estado de un problema de conservación

Puigcerver, M., Sanchez-Donoso, I., Vila, C., Sarda-Palomera, F., Morales-Rodriguez, P.A., Caballero de la Calle, J.R., Rodriguez-Teijeiro, J.D. (2013). Hybridization between the common quail ( Coturnix coturnix ) and farm-reared quails: state of the art of a conservation problem. Ecosistemas 22(2):48-53. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2013.22-2.08 Hybridization between the common quail ( Coturnix coturnix ) and farm-reared quails: state of the art of a conservation problem. Hybridization between species is a widespread phenomenon which may have consequences in the conservation of the biodiversity. In this article we review the conservation problem derived from restocking practices with farm-reared quails in wild common quail populations ( Coturnix coturnix ). Farm quails have resulted to be hybrids of common quail and Japanese quail ( Coturnix japonica ). If there are not reproductive isolating mechanisms, restocking practices could favour the introgression of Japanese quail genes into common quail populations, thus resulting in a hybrid swarm and increased sedentariness of quail populations which would probably result in a population decrease in Europe. This is a real threat. There are neither pre-zigotic, post-zigotic, nor ecological barriers. However, empirical data does not suggest that a hybrid swarm has formed. Different rates of mortality between the species are a possible explanation. Lastly, we suggest some management actions given the current situation. Among them, we suggest genetic certification of the origin of farm-reared individuals and banning the restocking with Japanese quail or hybrids.