Person:
Acosta Gallo, Belén

First Name

Belén

Last Name

Acosta Gallo

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/74367

Affiliation

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Faculty / Institute

Ciencias Biológicas

Department

Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución

Area

Ecología

Identifiers

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Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 19

Guía Rápida de SPSS v.25 (Prácticas de Ecología)
(2019) López-Pintor Alcón, Antonio; Barandica Fernández, Jesús; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Casado González, Miguel Ángel; Delgado Sáez, Juan Antonio; García Avilés, Javier; de las Heras Puñal, Paloma; Herrero de Jáuregui, Cristina; Jiménez Escobar, María Dolores; López de Pablo, Carlos Tomás; Martín de Agar Valverde, Pilar; Martín Zorrilla, Juan Vicente; Morcillo Alonso, Felipe; Ortega Quero, Marta; Rovira Sanroque, José Vicente; Serrano Talavera, José Manuel
Guía rápida de SPSS v.25 para usar en las Prácticas de Ecología (Grado en Biología, 3er curso)
Variation in phenology and overall performance traits can help to explain the plant invasion process amongst Mediterranean ecosystems
(NeoBiota, 2018) Martín Forés, Irene; Casado González, Miguel Ángel; Castro Parga, Isabel; Pozo Lira, Alejandro del; Molina-Montnegro, Marco A.; Miguel Garcinuño, José Manuel de; Acosta Gallo, Belén
Plant traits such as phenological development, growth rate, stress tolerance and seeds production may play an important role in the process of acclimatisation to new environments for introduced plants. Experiments that distinguish phenotypic plasticity from ecotypic differentiation would allow an understanding of the role of plant traits in the invasion process. We quantified the variation in phenological and overall performance traits associated with the invasion process for three herbaceous species native to Spain and invasive to Chile (Trifolium glomeratum, Hypochaeris glabra and Leontodon saxatilis). We grew plants from native and exotic populations along rainfall gradients in outdoor common gardens, located in the native and the introduced ranges and measured plant survival, phenology (days to flowering), biomass and seed output. Days to flowering was positively correlated with precipitation of the origin population for T. glomeratum and the native populations of H. glabra, but this pattern was not adaptive, as it was not associated with an increase in performance traits of these species. Phenology may instead reflect ecotypic differentiation to the environmental conditions of the original populations. Comparison between ranges (i.e. performance in both common gardens) was only possible for L. saxatilis. This species showed Littlevariation in phenology and both native and exotic populations had higher fitness in the introduced range. This suggests that plasticity enhances invasiveness through increased propagule pressure in the novel environment. Our findings highlight the utility of common garden experiments in examining patterns of phenological and performance traits that relate to species invasiveness.
The invasiveness of Hypochaeris glabra (Asteraceae): Responses in morphological and reproductive traits for exotic populations
(PLoS ONE, 2018) Martín Forés, Irene; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Castro Parga, Isabel; Miguel Garcinuño, José Manuel de; Pozo Lira, Alejandro del; Casado González, Miguel Ángel
Scientists have been interested in many topics driven by biological invasions, such as shifts in the area of distribution of plant species and rapid evolution. Invasiveness of exotic plant species depends on variations on morphological and reproductive traits potentially associated with reproductive fitness and dispersal ability, which are expected to undergo changes during the invasion process. Numerous Asteraceae are invasive and display dimorphic fruits, resulting in a bet-hedging dispersal strategy ±wind-dispersed fruits versus animal-dispersed fruits±. We explored phenotypic differentiation in seed morphology and reproductive traits of exotic (Chilean) and native (Spanish) populations of Hypochaeris glabra. We collected flower heads from five Spanish and five Chilean populations along rainfall gradients in both countries. We planted seeds from the ten populations in a common garden trial within the exotic range to explore their performance depending on the country of origin (native or exotic) and the environmental conditions at population origin (precipitation and nutrient availability). We scored plant biomass, reproductive traits and fruit dimorphism patterns. We observed a combination of bet-hedging strategy together with phenotypic differentiation.Native populations relied more on bet-hedging while exotic populations always displayed greater proportion of wind-dispersed fruits than native ones. This pattern may reflect a strategy that might entail a more efficient long distance dispersal of H. glabra seeds in the exotic range, which in turn can enhance the invasiveness of this species.
From Spain to Chile: environmental filters and success of herbaceous species in Mediterranean-climate regions
(Biological Invasions, 2015) Martín Forés, Irene; Sánchez Jardón, Laura; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Pozo Lira, Alejandro del; Castro Parga, Isabel; Miguel Garcinuño, José Manuel de; Ovalle, Carlos; Casado González, Miguel Ángel
In central Chile, many exotic species associated with cereal culture and livestock activities were introduced during Spanish colonization. Nowadays, Chilean semi-natural grasslands are a mixture of native species and exotics that mainly originated in the Mediterranean Basin. The establishment and persistence of exotics (i.e. naturalization) can be due to abiotic (climate and soil properties) and biotic (interaction between plants) factors. We assess the importance of these environmental factors as filters that have promoted/ limited the successful naturalization of Spanish species in Chile. Fifteen sites distributed throughout a wide range of Mediterranean climatic conditions, with similar geomorphology and land-use, were selected in both Chile and Spain. At each site we recorded a broad set of soil and climate variables as well as plant species richness during two consecutive years. In Chile, species were classified as natives or exotics whereas in Spain species were classified as colonizers (species that have been naturalized in Chile) or exclusives (only present in Spain).Species richness was higher in Spain (229 species) than in Chile (152), the latter with a high proportion (almost 50 %) of exotics. Different environmental factors affected species richness in each Mediterranean region. In Spain, species classified as colonizers were weakly related to a combination of soil and climate properties, while in Chile the number of exotic species was highly related with climate conditions (especially water availability). Lack of association between native and exotics pecies richness indicated that biotic filters (i.e. species competition) are less important than abiotic ones in transcontinental naturalization in Chile.
Adaptation to the European Space of Higher Education of the subject Projects and Studies in Biology
(Edulearn 10. Conference Proceedings, 2010) Vacas, Ana María; Fonfría Díaz, José; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Alonso Gómez, Ángel Luis; Pedro Ormeño, Nuria de; Díez Sancho, Manuel; Fernández Pérez, Joaquín; López Torres, Mónica; Ramírez, Rosalía; Barrera, Alfonso; Reviriego, Mario; Gómez Chova, L.; Martí Belenguer, D.; Candel Torres, I.
The subject projects and Studies in Biology is of a professional and applied nature, as the knowledge acquired can be applied in professional practice, because the students are initiated in the implementation of a Project (Planning, Alternative Solutions, Studies, Pre-projects and Projects. The general objective of this Project involved adapting the contents of the subject to the European Space of Higher Education (EEES) by installing it in the platform WebCT (Web Course Tools), adopted by Madrid's Complutense University for its Virtual Campus. The specific objectives to be met are the following: Conceptual objectives: To introduce students to the typology of Projects. This knowledge will enable people with a degree in Biology to work in Consultancy companies and different Organisms of the Administration and to adjust to the general work market. The students are also introduced to the Spanish System of Science and Technology and to the typology of Research Projects and Projects in collaboration with industries. Procedural objectives: handling procedures for searching for updated information, both offers and calls, and innovation in regulations or in science-technology and knowledge of software programs necessary for drafting a Budget for planning and implementing projects. Attitude-related projects: Considering that people with degrees in Biology traditionally work in Teaching and Research, this subject attempts to change the attitude of students towards what could involve practicing their profession in other areas tan these. In accordance wíth these objectives, the information on the development of the subject has been organized into a series of modules through which the basic knowledge the students should avail of is expounded. Each of these modules has línks to more elaborate documents in which the amount of material is increased and its implications and relationships with other contents of the subject are indicated. The modules are organízed into classes, practica! work aimed at problem- solving, common projects, presentation and debate, and the students must draft a Pre-project for implementation using the different documents it comprises. The subject requíres evaluation of the different conceptual, procedural and attitude-related objectives, and the general adoption of an ongoing evaluation process, in which the following aspects are evaluated: - Participation in classes requiring the presence of students, refresher courses and debates. - Evaluation of the seminars: presentation and defense of projects and of exercises completed. - Directed Academíc Work (creation and defense of a Pre-project with its corresponding documents). - Correct desígn of questionnaires. - Evaluation throughout the course with objective evaluation of the contents, by means of test-types exams.
Alien plant species coexist over time with native ones in Chilean Mediterranean grasslands
(Journal of Plant Ecology, 2016) Martín Forés, Irene; Castro Parga, Isabel; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Pozo Lira, Alejandro; Sánchez Jardón, Laura; Miguel Garcinuño, José Manuel de; Ovalle, Carlos; Casado González, Miguel Ángel
Aims Alien species are commonly considered as harmful weeds capable of decreasing native biodiversity and threatening ecosystems. Despite this assumption, little is known about the long-term patterns of the native–alien relationships associated with human disturbed managed landscapes. This study aims to elucidate the community dynamics associated with a successional gradient in Chilean Mediterranean grasslands, considering both native and alien species. Methods Species richness (natives and aliens separately) and life-form (annuals and perennials) were recorded in four Chilean post-agricultural grazed grasslands each covering a broad successional gradient (from 1 to 40 years since crop abandonment). A detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), mixed model effects analyses and correlation tests were conducted to assess how this temporal gradient influenced natives and aliens through community dynamics. Important Findings Our results show different life-form patterns between natives and aliens over time. Aliens were mainly represented by annuals (especially ruderals and weeds), which were established at the beginning of succession. Annual aliens also predominated at midsuccessional stages, but in old grasslands native species were slightly more representative than alien ones within the community. In the late successional states, positive or no correlations at all between alien and native species richness suggested the absence of competition between both species groups, as a result of different strategies in occupation of the space. Community dynamics over time constitute a net gain in biodiversity, increasing natives and maintaining a general alien pool, allowing the coexistence of both. Biotic interactions including facilitation and/or tolerance processes might be occurring in Chilean post-agricultural grasslands, a fact that contradicts the accepted idea of the alien species as contenders.
Bosque y matorral esclerófilo
(Evaluación de los Ecosistemas del Milenio de España, 2012) Acosta Gallo, Belén; Diaz Pineda, Francisco
Flora of the mediterranean basin in the chilean espinales: evidence of colonisation
(Pastos, 2012) Martín Forés, Irene; Casado González, Miguel Ángel; Castro Parga, Isabel; Ovalle Molina, Carlos; Pozo Lira, Alejandro del; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Sánchez Jardón, Laura; Miguel Garcinuño, José Manuel de
In Chile’s Mediterranean region, over 18% of plant species are alien. This is particularly noteworthy in some agrosilvopastoral systems such as the espinales, which are functionally very similar to the Spanish dehesas and are of great ecological and socioeconomic interest. In the present paper we analyse Chile’s non-native flora, considering three scales of analysis: national, regional (the central region, presenting a Mediterranean climate) and at community level (the espinales within the central region). We compare this flora with that recorded in areas of the Iberian Peninsula with similar lithological and geomorphological characteristics, and land use. We discuss possible mechanisms that might have been operating in the floristic colonisation from the Mediterranean Basin to Chile’s Mediterranean region.
Estudio de comunidades de matorral mediterráneo I
(2019) López-Pintor Alcón, Antonio; Barandica Fernández, Jesús; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Casado González, Miguel Ángel; Delgado Sáez, Juan Antonio; García Avilés, Javier; de las Heras Puñal, Paloma; Herrero de Jáuregui, Cristina; Jiménez Escobar, María Dolores; López de Pablo, Carlos Tomás; Martín de Agar Valverde, Pilar; Martín Zorrilla, Juan Vicente; Morcillo Alonso, Felipe; Ortega Quero, Marta; Rovira Sanroque, José Vicente; Serrano Talavera, José Manuel
Conjunto de guiones de prácticas de Ecología, correspondientes al bloque temático sobre el estudio de comunidades, y material complementario (estadillo y plantilla para la matriz de datos).
Variability of herbaceous productivity along Nothofagus pumilio forest-open grassland boundaries in northern Chilean Patagonia
(Agroforestry Systems, 2014) Sánchez Jardón, Laura; Acosta Gallo, Belén; Pozo Lira, Alejandro del; Casado González, Miguel A.; Ovalle Molina, Carlos; Miguel Garcinuño, José Manuel de
In order to develop a general model of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) of herbaceous communities in grazing systems that combine forested and open grasslands in temperate areas, biomass production and a set of biotic and abiotic variables were measured at four adjacent forest and grassland sites in Chile’s northern Patagonia for two consecutive growing seasons. At each site, one transect of 80 m long (40 m in open grassland and 40 m in forest) × 10 m wide was established. ANPP was significantly higher in open grasslands but no gradual change in biomass production was observed from inside the forest towards the open grassland. In open grasslands ANPP was spatially uniform but highly variable between years of contrasting weather conditions, whereas in forests it was more spatially heterogeneous and less variable over time. ANPP was highly correlated with cattle consumption. Structural equation models developed for the whole system confirm that ANPP was driven mainly by photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and available nitrogen. However, we found important differences between forests and the adjacent open grasslands. In forests ANPP was enhanced by positive feedbacks between the amount of transmitted PAR through the canopy and soil nutrient input via cattle dung deposition. In open grasslands nitrogen availability appeared to be the main limiting factor but also influenced by weather conditions (dryer or wetter years). The coexistence of forests and grasslands patches, with different susceptibility of ANPP to meteorological and soil nutrient availability, highlights the importance of implementing an integrated silvopastoral system with lenga (Nothofagus pumilio [Poepp. & Endl.] Krasser) in northern Patagonia.