Post-release habitat utilisation by Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha, a critically endangered subspecies endemic to Morocco: implications for optimising future release programmes

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
SAÂD HANANE ◽  
NAJIB MAGRI
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
North West ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Auditory Detection ◽  
Cork Oak Forest

SummaryCharacterising the habitat use of released captive-bred birds is required to help optimise future avian reintroduction programmes. The critically endangered Double-spurred Francolin Francolinus bicalcaratus ayesha is endemic to north-west Morocco, where it inhabits forests of cork oak Quercus suber. To improve the viability of this threatened population, 300 captive-bred francolins were released into a game reserve, and post-release monitoring was conducted. This study aimed to identify habitat variables determining the habitat selection of the Double-spurred Francolin. Auditory detection was used during transect surveys of calling males to locate birds and their habitat occupation. Comparison of occupied and random plots showed that this bird is found mostly in flat topography with high cover of shrubs and dense cork oak trees, and close to the release site and water points. Conservation of Double-spurred Francolin depends on the choice of the release point within the cork oak forest, which should be in proximity to suitable cover of cork oak trees, shrubs and water points. Such choices would allow a rapid adaptation to prevailing conditions within release sites. Further multi-scale studies are needed to improve our understanding of the effects of ecological factors on the processes of habitat selection by this endemic subspecies.

scholarly journals Linking Cork to Cork Oak Landscapes: Mapping the Value Chain of Cork Production in Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Holm Sørensen ◽  
Mario Torralba ◽  
Cristina Quintas-Soriano ◽  
José Muñoz-Rojas ◽  
Tobias Plieninger
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Cork Production ◽  
Central Portugal ◽  
Characteristic Features ◽  
Farming Landscapes

Traditional farming landscapes in South and Central Portugal, known as montados, are affected by global socio-economic and biophysical pressures, putting the sustainability of the systems in jeopardy. Cork oak trees (Quercus suber L.) are characteristic features of these complex agro-silvo-pastoral agroforestry systems, delivering a globally important product, cork. The increasingly distant, global scale of decision making and trade can consequently be observed on the local, landscape, scale. In this study, we use a value chain approach to test the concept that landscape products can ensure sustainable management of the landscape of origin. We interviewed agents—cork producers, intermediaries, industrial transformers, and winemakers—about the challenges they perceived in the business and how these were connected to the landscape of origin. We illustrate the network of agents and sub-actors involved in the sector and highlight the most prominent concerns. We conclude that this approach can reveal the major points for determining the future of the montado, and we suggest that collaboration amongst value chain agents can be a pathway to landscape sustainability.

Cork Oak Trees (Quercus suber L.)

2006 ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén Álvarez ◽  
Mariano Toribio ◽  
Millán Cortizo ◽  
Ricardo-Javier Ordás Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Oak Trees

scholarly journals Factors affecting post-fire regeneration after coppicing of cork oak (Quercus suber) trees in northeastern Algeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 371-379
Author(s):  
Salah Eddine Roula ◽  
Rachid T. Bouhraoua ◽  
Filipe X. Catry
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Growing Seasons ◽  
Oak Trees

Wildfires may have serious and long-lasting impacts in Mediterranean Basin oak forests. Although cork oak (Quercus suber L.) is usually considered a highly fire-resistant tree species, post-fire recovery is not guaranteed. We assessed the mortality and regeneration of 729 cork oak trees that burned and were cut in six sites with the objective of identifying the main factors affecting the short- to medium-term post-fire recovery. We used linear mixed models to investigate potential relationships among tree stump status at the end of the second and fifth growing seasons and several tree- and site-level variables. Overall tree mortality in the second year was 44% and was negatively affected by bark thickness and positively affected by root exposure, trunk injuries, and diameter, in decreasing order of importance. Between the second and fifth years, mortality increased to 53%, but this increase was only observed in sites with high grazing pressure. Grazing also had a strong negative impact on the growth of basal resprouts, thereby compromising tree recovery. The results give useful information on the need for application of adequate forest management practices (particularly avoiding debarking injuries, soil erosion, and grazing pressure) to increase the resilience of these ecosystems and reduce the negative economic and ecological impacts of wildfires.

Can behavioural differences inPlatypus cylindrus(Coleoptera: Platypodinae) from Portugal and Tunisia be explained by genetic and morphological traits?

2015 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bellahirech ◽  
M.L. Inácio ◽  
F. Nóbrega ◽  
J. Henriques ◽  
L. Bonifácio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Nucleotide Composition ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Genetic Differences ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Coi Sequences ◽  
Wood Borer

AbstractPlatypus cylindrusis an important wood borer of cork oak trees (Quercus suber) in the Mediterranean region, namely Portugal, Morocco and Algeria where its presence has drastically increased in the past few decades. On the contrary, the insect is not a relevant pest in Tunisia. The aim of this work is to analyze morphological and genetic differences among Tunisian and Portuguese populations in order to understand their role in the diverse population dynamics (e.g., aggressiveness) of the insect. The information could be used as a novel tool to implement protective measures. Insects were collected from cork oak stands in Tunisia (Ain Beya, Babouch and Mzara) and Portugal (Chamusca and Crato). Morphological traits of female and male mycangial pits were determined, using scanning electron microscopy but no significant differences were found. Genetic differences were analyzed using nuclear (internal simple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction) and mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I (COI)) molecular markers. The results showed a very low level of intraspecific polymorphism and genetic diversity. The alignment of COI sequences showed high percentage of identical sites (99%) indicating a very low variation in nucleotide composition. Other variables related with the ecology of the insect and its associated fungi must be studied for a better understanding of the differences in the insect population's dynamic in Mediterranean countries.

scholarly journals Richesse et diversité floristique de la suberaie de la Mamora (Maroc).

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 127-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abderrahman A Afi ◽  
Ahmed Achhal El Kadmiri ◽  
Abdelmalek Benabid ◽  
Mohamed Rochdi
Keyword(s):  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Mots Clés ◽  
Rare Taxa ◽  
Erica Arborea ◽  
Cork Oak Forest ◽  
Biological Spectrum ◽  
Total Disappearance

RÉSUMÉ. Richesse et diversité floristique de la suberaie de la Mamora (Maroc). L’étude vise la quantification de la richesse et de la diversité floristique de l’écosystème à chêne - liège de la forêt de la Mamora sur la base de transects et relevés floristiques répartis selon un échantillonnage stratifié et systématique dans différentes formations végétales préalablement distinguées. Les résultats montrent que l’écosystème renferme 62 familles, 261 genres, 408 espèces, sous-espèces et variétés. 35 taxons sont très rares et 29 rares. 18 taxons sont endémiques, 1 très rare et endémique et 4 rares et endémiques. L’étude a, par ailleurs, permis de révéler la disparition totale de Erica arborea et E. scoparia de cet écosystème et de définir le spectre biologique de la région d’étude qui se caractérise par une nette dominance des thérophytes (50.5%).Mots clés. Quercus suber, richesse, diversité, Mamora, Maroc.ABSTRACT. Floristic richeness and diversity of the Mamora’s Cork Oak forest (Morocco.) The survey aims to quantify the floristic richeness and diversity of the Mamora’s forest oak-cork ecosystem on the basis of transects and floristic samples distributed according to a stratified and systematic sampling in the different plant formations previously distinguished. The results show that the ecosystem contains 62 families, 261 genders, 408 species, subspecies and varieties : 35 very rare taxa , 29 rare taxa ; 18 endemic taxa, 1 very rare and endemic taxa and 4 rare and endemic taxa. The survey has, otherwise, permitted to reveal the total disappearance of Erica arborea and E. scoparia from this ecosystem and to define the biological spectrum of the studied region, wich is characterized with a clear dominance of therophytes (50.5%).Keys words. Quercus suber, richeness, diversity, Mamora, Morocco.

Biscogniauxia mediterranea associated with cork oak (Quercus suber) in Tunisia: Relationships between phenotypic variation, genetic diversity and ecological factors

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 224-233
Author(s):  
Islem Yangui ◽  
Meriem Zouaoui Boutiti ◽  
Anna Maria Vettraino ◽  
Natalia Bruni ◽  
Andrea Vannini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak

scholarly journals Incorporating Landscape Character in Cork Oak Forest Expansion in Sardinia: Constraint or Opportunity?

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 593
Author(s):  
Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis ◽  
Geoffrey H. Griffiths ◽  
Maria Zomeni
Keyword(s):  
Decision Rules ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Oak Forest ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Forest Expansion ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Reference Map ◽  
Cork Oak Forest

Cork oak (Quercus suber) is a declining woodland species across the island of Sardinia, despite its former economic importance for wine production and its significance for biodiversity. In particular, cork oak forests (COFs) on the island have seen a 29% decrease in the past 45 years. A spatial GIS model was developed to determine suitability for the expansion of cork oak forests on the island. The model uses a set of simple spatial decision rules based on principles of landscape ecology and expert opinion to assign a suitability score for pure cork oak forests to every land use parcel in Sardinia. These rules include the type of existing land parcel, its size, distance to existing cork oak forest, and the area of seminatural habitats in its neighborhood. This was coupled with a map of landscape types to assist with the development of policy for the protection of cork oak forests across Sardinia. The results show that there is an area of 116,785 ha potentially suitable for cork oak forest expansion in Sardinia, with the largest area of potential habitat on granitic mountains. There is a substantial overall agreement (Cohen’s kappa = 0.61) between the suitability map produced and the historical reference map. The model is flexible and can be rerun to reflect changes in policy relating to agri-environmental targets for habitats and species.

scholarly journals A GIS approach to identify the Cork Oak Decline in M’Sila Forest (North-West of Algeria)

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-214
Author(s):  
Ghefar Mohammed ◽  
◽  
Dehane Belkheir ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cork Oak ◽  
Aleppo Pine ◽  
Oak Decline ◽  
North West ◽  
Invasive Shrub ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Mortality Index ◽  
Oak Mortality ◽  
Very High

The decline of cork oak trees in North-West of Algeria was supposed to be caused by a combination of primary or predisposing factors, and secondary or opportunistic factors. There is a broad consensus about the role of water scarcity and nutrients in the primary causes, given the similarity of symptoms of cork oak decline and of chronic water deficits. To identify and characterize the cork oak decline in M’sila forest, a cork oak mortality index was determined for each transience area using a GIS approach and a linear regression model formulated by analyzing the interactions between the attributes of station (competition of superior and inferior floor); and allowing a justification of cork oaks mortality. The mortality index is significantly high in the invasive shrub plots and where the Aleppo pine density is very high; in which competition for soil water between the trees and the inferior floor increases. The lowest mortality value characterized by a lower density of Aleppo pine and herbaceous inferior floor.

scholarly journals First Report of Canker Disease Caused by Botryosphaeria parva on Cork Oak Trees in Italy

Plant Disease ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Linaldeddu ◽  
A. Franceschini ◽  
J. Luque ◽  
A. J. L. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Quercus Suber ◽  
Cork Oak ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Canker Disease ◽  
First Report ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
Mycelial Plug ◽  
Pathogenicity Tests ◽  
Length Width

A survey was carried out in the spring of 2003 to study the fungi associated with declining trees in a cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forest located in Sassari Province, Sardinia, Italy (40°52′N, 9°01′E) at an altitude of 150 m (above sea level). Several isolates obtained from live twigs and branches showing sunken necrotic bark lesions were identified as Fusicoccum parvum Pennycook & Samuels (teleomorph Botryosphaeria parva Pennycook & Samuels). Neither pycnidia nor ascomata were observed on the symptomatic samples collected. On potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 25°C, the isolates developed an aerial and compact mycelium, initially white but becoming gray after 4 to 6 days, and produced pycnidia after 1 month on sterile cork oak twigs placed on the surface of PDA. Conidia from culture were hyaline, ellipsoidal to fusiform, externally smooth, thin walled, nonseptate, 12 to 19 (15.5) × 5.5 to 8.5 (6.5) μm, with length/width ratio of 2.4 ± 0.1 (mean ± standard error). Identity was confirmed by analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) from the rRNA repeat and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1-α), as done elsewhere (1,4). BLAST searches at GenBank showed a high identity with reference sequences (ITS: >99%; EF1-α: 100%). Representative sequences of both regions were deposited at GenBank (ITS: Accession No. DQ487157; EF1-α: Accession No. DQ487158). Pathogenicity tests were carried out on seven 2-year-old cork oak seedlings maintained in a greenhouse at 14 to 26°C with the B. parva strain CBS 119937 obtained in this study. A mycelial plug (3 to 4 mm2) taken from the margin of an actively growing colony on PDA was put in a shallow wound made by a scalpel on the basal part of the stem of each seedling. Sterile PDA plugs were placed into similar wounds on three control seedlings. The inoculation points were wrapped in Parafilm to retain moisture for 1 week. After 4 weeks, all seedlings inoculated with B. parva died and showed a collapse of the stem cortical tissues associated with dark brown discolorations and vascular necrosis measuring 10.9 ± 0.4 cm. No symptoms were visible in the control seedlings. The pathogen was reisolated from all the inoculated seedlings, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. The results confirm the virulence of this fungus and point to its possible involvement in the aetiology of cork oak decline. B. parva is a cosmopolitan, plurivorous pathogen causing disease in several hosts of economic importance, such as grapevine (3), kiwi (2), and Eucalyptus spp. trees (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. parva causing canker disease on cork oak trees. References: (1) A. Gezahgne et al. S. Afr. J. Bot. 70:241, 2004. (2) S. R. Pennycook and G. J. Samuels. Mycotaxon 24:445, 1985. (3) A. J. L. Phillips. Phytopathol. Mediterr. 41:3, 2002. (4) B. Slippers et al. Mycologia 96:83, 2004.

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