Publications
Ecological assembly of natural soundscapes in the Garajonay National Park (Spain)
Soundscapes in Garajonay National Park, home to Europe's only well-preserved primary cloud forests, reveal nuanced acoustic assembly mechanisms that differ between mature and transitional forests. Mature forests exhibit stronger acoustic aggregation and niche partitioning, with higher acoustic diversity indices (ADI), while transitional forests show elevated lower-frequency sound levels. Notably, acoustic niche partitioning weakens as ADI increases, suggesting less temporal avoidance of similar frequencies in more diverse soundscapes. Seasonal comparisons indicate that burned areas are most vulnerable during harsh summer conditions but resemble intact vegetation in terms of ADI and sound levels during winter. These findings underscore the potential of soundscape monitoring to inform conservation strategies and restoration efforts in this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Soil Microbiome of the Laurel Forest in Garajonay National Park (La Gomera, Canary Islands): Comparing Unburned and Burned Habitats after a Wildfire
A wildfire dramatically alters the soil microbiome of Garajonay National Park's laurel forest, reducing species richness and diversity while shifting bacterial community composition. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria dominated unburned soils, but burned areas saw significant decreases in these groups alongside a surge in Betaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. The study compared microbial communities across two topographical positions—slope and ridge crest—in both undisturbed and post-fire habitats, revealing the fire's profound impact on this unique subtropical ecosystem.
The restoration of the endangered Sambucus palmensis after 30 years of conservation actions in the Garajonay National Park: genetic assessment and niche modeling
A genetic analysis of the endangered Canary Islands endemic Sambucus palmensis reveals that 30 years of conservation efforts, primarily through translocation using cuttings, have successfully increased population heterozygosity while preserving unique genetic diversity. The study, conducted in Garajonay National Park (La Gomera), genotyped 402 samples from restored and natural populations using seven microsatellite markers. While clonal reproduction remains prevalent due to propagation methods, the Liria population emerged as a critical genetic reservoir. Species distribution modeling identified new suitable reintroduction areas, guiding future conservation strategies. The findings underscore the effectiveness of targeted reinforcement while highlighting the importance of preserving native genetic variation.
The ancient forests of La Gomera, Canary Islands, and their sensitivity to environmental change
A rapid shift in forest composition occurred around 5500 years ago in Garajonay National Park, La Gomera, Canary Islands, coinciding with regional drying trends. This transition saw declines in hygrophilous species like the Canarian palm and willow, alongside an increase in Morella–Erica heath. Unlike other regions, human arrival between 3000 and 1800 years ago did not significantly alter vegetation dynamics, suggesting the park preserves a largely natural relict forest. The study used palaeoecological techniques—including pollen and charcoal analysis—to reconstruct environmental changes over the last 9600 years, highlighting its resilience to human impacts.
Comment on ‘García‐Santos G, Bruijnzeel LA. 2011. Rainfall, fog and throughfall dynamics in a subtropical ridge top cloud forest, National Park of Garajonay (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain). Hydrological Processes 25: 411–417’
A critical evaluation of a 2011 study on hydrological dynamics in Garajonay National Park's cloud forest reveals significant discrepancies with prior research at the site. The study, which analyzed rainfall, fog, and throughfall data from an upper watershed plot, was found to have methodological limitations—including large data dispersion and flawed assumptions—that undermined its conclusions. These issues cast doubt on the reported magnitudes of hydrological variables, highlighting the need for rigorous validation in future research. Published as a comment in Hydrological Processes, this analysis underscores the importance of robust methodologies in studying subtropical cloud forests.
Rainfall, fog and throughfall dynamics in a subtropical ridge top cloud forest, National Park of Garajonay (La Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain)
In subtropical ridge-top cloud forests of La Gomera, Canary Islands, fog interception significantly enhances water inputs, contributing up to 6% of wind-corrected fog water as throughfall (TF), while rainfall-only events yield 87% TF. The study reveals that fog screens capture fog water more efficiently than forest canopies, and prior canopy wetting by rain increases TF during mixed precipitation events. Researchers corrected measurements for wind-induced losses and topographic effects, addressing gaps in previous studies. This highlights the critical role of fog in water balance in dry-season environments (5 months) with low annual rainfall (600–700 mm).
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