A Regional Climate Study of Heat Waves over the Iberian Peninsula

We present a regional climate simulation for the Iberian Peninsula for a 60-year period (1950-2009) using the WRF-ARW model with a focus on the simulation of summer maximum temperatures and associated extreme heat waves. The WRF model was designed at a 5 km horizontal resolution on a 5-month (May-September) seasonal scale, for every year, during the study period with initial/boundary conditions derived from NCEP 2.5 degree reanalysis. The comparison of simulated mean summer seasonal maximums and mean maximums of June, July, and August months with the corresponding E-OBS data sets indicates that the model is able to characterize the spatial variation of magnitudes of temperature change over the Iberian Peninsula. The mean extreme heat wave conditions during the climate period 1950-2009 are well simulated and match the observations well. The regional scale simulations clearly show the propagation of intense heat waves from the south west to north east of Iberia. The WRF-ARW model also simulated well the general trend of increase in heat waves over most parts of the Iberian Peninsula during the study period 1950-2009. The characteristics of the most severe heat waves years 2003 and 2006 are also well simulated by the model.

Long-term patterns in Iberian hare population dynamics in a protected area(Doñana National Park)in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula:Effects of weather conditions and plant cover

The Iberian hare(Lepus granatensis)is a widely distributed endemic species in the Iberian Peninsula.To improve our knowledge of its population dynamics,the relative abundance and population trends of the Iberian hare were studied in the autumns of 1995-2012 in a protected area(Doñana National Park)by spotlighting in 2 different habitats:marshland and ecotones.The average relative abundance was 0.38 hare/km(SD=0.63)in the marshland and 3.6 hares/km(SD=4.09)in ecotones.The Iberian hare population exhibited local interannual fluctuations and a negative population trend during the study period(1995-2012).The results suggest that its populations are in decline.The flooding of parts of the marshland in June,July and October favor hare abundance in the ecotone.Hare abundance in the marshland increases as the flooded surface area increases in October.These effects are more pronounced if the rains are early(October)and partially flood the marsh.By contrast,when marsh grasses and graminoids are very high and thick(as measured using the aerial herbaceous biomass[biomass marshland]as a proxy),the abundance of hares decreases dramatically as does the area of the marsh that is flooded(in November).

The unusual life history of a southern Iberian Peninsula population of Torleya major （Ephemeroptera： Ephemerellidae）

The nymphal biology of a population of Torleya major （Klapalek） in southem Iberian Peninsula was studied. An atypical life cycle pattern is described, with eggs hatching in August producing a fast-developing cohort with adults emerging in autumn and a second slow-developing cohort with adults emerging in spring of the following year. Nymphal growth occurred primarily in summer-autumn （in the first cohort） and in spring （in the second）. The origin of such a life history is discussed. Nymphs were collector-gatherers, consuming mainly detritus. Although ontogenetic shifts on the use of trophic resources were detected, similar food was utilized during the months when both cohorts cohabited, eliminating the possibility that the rapid growth of the first cohort could be related to the utilization of different food resources.

Preliminary Study on Taxonomic Review Using Histological Sections of Some Iberian Species from the Genus <i>Quercus</i>L. (Fagaceae)

The taxonomy of the genus Quercus is the subject of ongoing scientific interest at the present time. Classically the scanning electron microscope is and has been used for the study of leaf surfaces, particularly to characterise the trichomes, stomata and epicuticular waxes. In the present work, in addition to using the SEM, histological sections from a group of taxa from the northern Iberian Peninsula are studied under the optical microscope. Specifically, the study concerns the leaves of Quercus robur subsp. robur, Q. orocantabrica, Q. petraea and Q. pyrenaica, and of possible hybrids between Q. orocantabrica and Q. petraea and between Q. orocantabrica and Q. pyrenaica. The results highlight histological differences between Q. robur and Q. orocantabrica, and also differentiate the morphological characteristics of Q. petraea and Q. pyrenaica. Similarities can also be observed between Q. petraea and its possible hybrid with Q. orocantabrica, and between Q. pyrenaica and its hybrid with Q. orocantabrica. The aspects observed under the optical microscope complement the observations obtained by means of the scanning electron microscope, and as a consequence of this, two new nothospecies are described: Q. xpuentei (Q. orocantabrica × Q. petraea) and Q. xpenasii (Q. orocantabrica × Q. pyrenaica).

Modeling of Rayleigh wave dispersion in Iberia

Phase and group velocities of 15-70 s Rayleigh waves propagating across the Iberian Penin- sula have been transformed into local dispersion curves by linear inversion of travel times. The procedure permits that the waveform dispersion to be obtained as a continuous period-dependent velocity function at grid points belonging to the area probed by the waves, thus providing phase- and group-velocity contour maps for several periods within the interval of interest. The regionalization process rests on a homoge- neous initial data set in which the number of observations remains almost constant for all periods of reference. Damped least-squares inversion of the local dispersion curves for shear-wave velocity structure is performed to obtain depth-dependent S-wave velocity profiles at the grid points covering the model region. The reliability of the results should improve significantly owing to the use of phase and group velocities simultaneously. On this basis, we have built horizontal depth sections that give an updated view of the seismic velocity structure of the peninsula at lithospheric and upper mantle depths （20--200 km）. After averaging all the pure-path S-wave velocities previously determined at each grid point, the velocity- depth models so obtained for major tectonic units allow the comparison between the Hercynian basement and other areas of Mesozoic folding and Tertiary hasins

A seismological evidence for the northwestward movement of Africa with respect to Iberia from shear-wave splitting

Seismic anisotropy and its main features along the convergent boundary between Africa and Iberia are detected through the analysis of teleseismic shear-wave splitting. Waveform data generated by 95 teleseismic events recorded at 17 broadband stations deployed in the western Mediterranean region are used in the present study. Although the station coverage is not uniform in the Iberian Peninsula and north- west Africa, significant variations in the fast polarization directions and delay times are observed at stations located at different tectonic domains. Fast polarization directions are oriented predominantly NW-SE at most stations which are close to the plate boundary and in central Iberia; being consistent with the absolute plate motion in the region. In the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula, fast velocity direc- tions are oriented nearly E--W; coincident with previous results. Few stations located slightly north of the plate boundary and to the southeast of lberia show E--W to NE-SW fast velocity directions, which may be related to the Alpine Orogeny and the extension direction in lberia. Delay times vary significantly between 0.2 and 1.9 s for individual measurements, reflecting a highly anisotropic structure beneath the recording stations. The relative motion between Africa and lberia represents the main reason for the observed NW-SE orientations of the fast velocity directions. However, different causes of anisotropy have also to be considered to explain the wide range of the splitting pattern observed in the western Mediterranean region. Many geophysical observations such as the low Pn velocity, lower lithospheric Q values, higher heat flow and the presence of high conductive features support the mantle flow in the western Mediterranean, which may contribute and even modify the splitting pattern beneath the studied region.

On Language, Culture and Diversity in Spain

The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited by Celts, Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and later Berbers. How is it possible that in a spam of only 50 years, the Berbers were able to go pass the Pyrenees and practically ruled what today is Portugal, Spain, and region of France？ This article attempts to uncover the sociological aspects that helped the Berbers and Arabs rule the Iberian Peninsula quite rapidly. It was due to the commonalities and not the differences that Spain＇s political leaders went from Arian Visigoths to Muslims for the next 800 years. Ignacio Olague＇s book La Revoluci6n Isldmica en Occidente （The Islamic Revolution in the West）, also translated as Les Arabes N＇ont Jamais Envahi l＇Espagne （The Arabs Never Invaded Spain）, serves as one instrument to shed light to how this historical event took place. The result of this fusion of cultures not only created a rich civilization that would planted the seeds of the Renaissance three centuries before it began in Italy, but also contributed to the formation of a new language （between 720-750 AD）： El castellano o espahol （Spanish language）, which today is the official language in 21 st countries.

A Comparative Analysis between the Spanish and Portuguese Seismic Codes: Application to a Border RC Primary School

The Iberian Peninsula is close to the Eurasia-Africa plate boundary resulting in a considerable seismic hazard.In fact,the southwestern Iberian Peninsula is affected by far away earthquakes of long-return period with large-very large magnitude.A project named PERSISTAH(Projetos de Escolas Resilientes aos SISmos no Território do Algarve e de Huelva,in Portuguese)aims to cooperatively assess the seismic vulnerability of primary schools located in the Algarve(Portugal)and Huelva(Spain).Primary schools have been selected due to the considerable amount of similar buildings and their seismic vulnerability.In Portugal,the Decreto Lei 235/83(RSAEEP)is mandatory while in Spain,the mandatory code is the Seismic Building Code(NCSE-02).In both countries,the Eurocode-8(EC-8)is recommended.Despite the fact that both regions would be equally affected by an earthquake,both seismic codes are significantly different.This research compares the seismic action of Ayamonte(Huelva)and Vila Real de Santo António(Portugal).Both towns are very close and located at both sides of the border.Moreover,they share the same geology.This analysis has been applied considering a reinforced concrete(RC)primary school building located in Huelva.To do so,the performance-based method has been used.The seismic action and the damage levels are compared and analysed.The results have shown considerable differences in the seismic actions designation,in the performance point values and in the damage levels.The values considered in the Portuguese code are significantly more unfavourable.An agreement between codes should be made for border regions.

一种濒危大疣蛛的潜在分布区域以及气候变暖的影响(英文)

本研究的目的是i)确定伊比利亚半岛一种大疣蛛(Macrothele calpeiana)分布的气候相关性以预测其潜在分布,ii)详细阐述该物种在伊比利亚半岛的分布假说,iii)通过推断模型预测确认该物种在北非和整个地中海地区的适合区域,iv)预测气候变暖对蜘蛛潜在分布区的影响。基于物种的存在、远离目前环境条件下的可能缺失以及其它的气候参数,使用广义线性模型发展了潜在分布的可预测模型。蜘蛛在伊比利亚半岛上的潜在分布远大于目前已知的分布区,延伸到尚未发现蜘蛛分布的葡萄牙广大地区。本文提出了该种大疣蛛在适合分布区域内没有分布的历史因素。北非具有适合该物种的条件但却没有该属物种的分布支持了大疣蛛(Macrothele)祖先的东方起源假说。对地中海地区蜘蛛分布的推断突出显示了阿根廷地区有合适的分布区,该地区也发现有另一种欧洲大疣蛛。气候变暖将对现存于伊比利亚的M.calpeiana种群产生负面影响,因为气候变暖将减少并破碎化蜘蛛在北非的潜在栖息地。目前,急需确认在葡萄牙广大地区是否存在蜘蛛物种,发展对该属的系统发育研究以确定大疣蛛属起源和扩散史的理论。

伊比利亚河共生的当年生鳟和埃布罗河的夏季摄食关系(英文)

1996-1998年8月在Larraun河(埃布罗河流域,西班牙北部)共捕获306尾埃布罗河和185尾0龄的鳟,分析比较了胃含物组成,并测定了种间的食物重叠。食物的个数百分比组成表明两种都主要摄食水生无脊椎动物。摄食策略图显示两种都是摄食不同食物种类的广食性种类。另外,比较胃含物和底栖大型无脊椎动物群落表明,0龄的鳟和埃布罗河不摄食光螺科、钩虾科、细蜉科、四节蜉科和卷襀科的物种,而喜食摇蚊科、五节蜉科和毛翅目物种。尽管简化的Morisitas指数表明Larraun河中这两种鱼之间的食物重叠是显著的,但由于栖息地不同和摄食的可塑性可以降低种间的竞争,使得该水域的这两种鱼能以相对较大的数量共存。然而,在食物资源和可用栖息地有限的河域,埃布罗河的引入,其适应性和可塑性有可能威胁单独存在的鳟。

Developing spatially and thematically detailed backdated maps for land cover studies

Global or regional land cover change on a decadal time scale can be studied at a high level of detail using the availability of remote sensing data such as that provided by Landsat.However,there are three main technical challenges in this goal.First,the generation of land cover maps without reference data is problematic(backdating).Second,it is important to maintain high accuracies in land cover change map products,requiring a reasonably rich legend within each map.Third,a high level of automation is necessary to aid the management of large volumes of data.This paper describes a robust methodology for processing time series of satellite data over large spatial areas.The methodology includes a retrospective analysis used for the generation of training and test data for historical periods lacking reference information.This methodology was developed in the context of research on global change in the Iberian Peninsula.In this study we selected two scenes covering geographic regions that are representative of the Iberian Peninsula.For each scene,we present the results of two classifications(1985-1989 and 2000-2004 quinquennia),each with a legend of 13 categories.An overall accuracy of over 92%was obtained for all 4 maps.