Spanish National Research Council

About: Spanish National Research Council is a government organization based out in Madrid, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 79563 authors who have published 220470 publications receiving 7698991 citations. The organization is also known as: CSIC & Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.

Submerged aquatic vegetation in relation to different nutrient regimes

Abstract: Submerged vegetation respond to increased nutrient loading through a shift from slow-growing seagrasses and large macroalgae to fast-growing macroalgae, and the ultimate dominance of phytoplankton at high nutrient loadings. This shift reflects a change from nutrient to light limitation along the eutrophication gradient. Slow-growing seagrasses and large macroalgae are good competitors when nutrients are limiting because they have relatively low nutrient requirements, are able of efficient internal nutrient recycling, and can access the elevated nutrient pools in the sediment. Fast-growing macroalgae and phytoplankton are superior competitors when light is limiting because they are positioned closer to the water surface, and capture and use light more efficiently. The important ecosystem consequences of altered nutrient regimes derive from the shift in dominant vegetation types. Slow-growing seagrasses and large macroalgae are longevous, decompose slowly, and experience only moderate grazing losse...

Climate warming and the decline of amphibians and reptiles in Europe

Abstract: Aim We explore the relationship between current European distributions of amphibian and reptile species and observed climate, and project species potential distributions into the future. Potential impacts of climate warming are assessed by quantifying the magnitude and direction of modelled distributional shifts for every species. In particular we ask, first, what proportion of amphibian and reptile species are projected to lose and gain suitable climate space in the future? Secondly, do species projections vary according to taxonomic, spatial or environmental properties? And thirdly, what climate factors might be driving projections of loss or gain in suitable environments for species?

The genome of Tetranychus urticae reveals herbivorous pest adaptations

Abstract: The spider mite Tetranychus urticae is a cosmopolitan agricultural pest with an extensive host plant range and an extreme record of pesticide resistance. Here we present the completely sequenced and annotated spider mite genome, representing the first complete chelicerate genome. At 90 megabases T. urticae has the smallest sequenced arthropod genome. Compared with other arthropods, the spider mite genome shows unique changes in the hormonal environment and organization of the Hox complex, and also reveals evolutionary innovation of silk production. We find strong signatures of polyphagy and detoxification in gene families associated with feeding on different hosts and in new gene families acquired by lateral gene transfer. Deep transcriptome analysis of mites feeding on different plants shows how this pest responds to a changing host environment. The T. urticae genome thus offers new insights into arthropod evolution and plant-herbivore interactions, and provides unique opportunities for developing novel plant protection strategies.

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray e+ + e- spectrum from 20 GeV to 1 TeV with the Fermi Large Area Telescope.

Abstract: Designed as a high-sensitivity gamma-ray observatory, the Fermi Large Area Telescope is also an electron detector with a large acceptance exceeding 2 m2 sr at 300 GeV. Building on the gamma-ray analysis, we have developed an efficient electron detection strategy which provides sufficient background rejection for measurement of the steeply falling electron spectrum up to 1 TeV. Our high precision data show that the electron spectrum falls with energy as E-3.0 and does not exhibit prominent spectral features. Interpretations in terms of a conventional diffusive model as well as a potential local extra component are briefly discussed.