Research Units
Ecology Unit

This unit is focused on increasing the sustainability of the olive grove, from environmental and socio-economic points of view, and on raising the value of the main by-products of the sector. This objective is pursued through research, transfer, training and dissemination activities aimed to promote the implementation of technically and economically viable management practices and innovations that reinforce a diversity of ecosystemic services that guarantee sustainable production and provide resistance and resilience against to climate change.

2022

Albert-Belda, E., Hinojosa, M.B., Laudicina, V.A., García-Ruiz, R., Pérez,  B., & Moreno, J.M. (2022). Previous fire occurrence, but not fire recurrence, modulates the effect of charcoal and ash on soil C and N dynamics in Pinus pinaster Aiton forests. Science of the Total Environment, 802, Article 149924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149924

Calero, J., Plaza, I., Ontiveros, A., Aranda, V., & García-Ruiz, R. (2022). Effects of Organic Agriculture in Structure and Organic Carbon Adsorption at Colloidal Scale in Marginal Olive Groves, Characterized by the Extended DLVO Model. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, Article 805668. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.805668

Carrión-Paladines, V., Hinojosa, M.B., Jiménez Álvarez, L.J., Reyes-Bueno, F., Correa Quezada, L., & García-Ruiz, R. (2022). Effects of the Severity of Wildfires on Some Physical-Chemical Soil Properties in a Humid Montane Scrublands Ecosystem in Southern Ecuador. Fire, 5(3), Article 66. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire5030066

Fernández, E.F., Villar-Fernández, A., Montes-Romero, J., Ruiz-Torres, L., Rodrigo, P.M., Manzaneda, A.J., & Almonacid, F. (2022). Global energy assessment of the potential of photovoltaics for greenhouse farming. Applied Energy, 309, Article 118474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118474

García-Navas, V., Martínez-Núñez, C., Tarifa, R., Manzaneda, A.J., Valera, F., Salido, T., Camacho, F.M., Isla, J., & Rey, P.J. (2022). Agricultural extensificaation enhances functional diversity but not phylogenetic diversity in Mediterranean olive groves: A case study with ant and bird communities. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 324, Article 107708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2021.107708

Gómez-Guzmán, J.A., Sainz-Pérez, M., & González-Ruiz, R. (2022). Monitoring and Inference of Behavioral Resistance in Beneficial Insects to Insecticides in Two Pest Control Systems: IPM and Organic. Agronomy, 12(2), Article 538. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12020538

Maestre, F.T., Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Y., Delgado-Baquerizo, M., Eldridge, D.J., Saiz, H., Berdugo, M., Gozalo, B., Ochoa, V., Guirado, E., García-Gómez, M., Valencia, E., Gaitán, J.J, Asensio, S., Mendoza, B.J., Plaza, C., Díaz-Martínez, P., Rey, A., Hang-Wei, H., Ji-Zheng, H., …, Gross, N. (2022). Grazing and ecosystem service delivery in global drylands. Science, 378(6622), 915-920. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abq4062

2021

Aguilera, E., Sanz-Cobena, A., Infante-Amate, J., García-Ruiz, R., Vila-Traver, J., Guzmán, G.I., González de Molina, M., Rodríguez, A., Piñero, P., & Lassaletta, L. (2021). Long-term trajectories of the C footprint of N fertilization in Mediterranean agriculture (Spain, 1860–2018). Environmental research letters, 16, Article 085010. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac17b7

Bueno, M., & Cordovilla, M.P. (2021). Ecophysiology and Uses of Halophytes in Diverse Habitats. En: Grigore, MN. (eds) Handbook of Halophytes. From Molecules to Ecosystems towards Biosaline Agriculture. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57635-6_57

Bueno, M., & Cordovilla, M.P. (2021). Plant Growth Regulators Application Enhance Tolerance to Salinity and Benefit the Halophyte Plantago coronopus in Saline Agriculture. Plants, 10(9), Article 1872. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091872

Bueno, M., & Cordovilla, M.P. (2021). Spermidine Pretreatments Mitigate the Effects of Saline Stress by Improving Growth and Saline Excretion in Frankenia pulverulenta. Agronomy, 11(8), Article 1515. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081515

Carrión-Paladines, V., Fries, A., Muñoz, A., Castillo, E., García-Ruiz, R., & Marín-Armijos, D. (2021). Effects of Land-Use Change on the Community Structure of the Dung Beetle (Scarabaeinae) in an Altered Ecosystem in Southern Ecuador. Insects, 12(4), 306-314. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12040306

Damialis, A., Gilles, S., Sofiev, M., Sofieva, V., Kolek, F., Bayr, D., Plaza, M.P., Leier-Wirtz, V., Kaschuba, S., Ziska, L.H., Bielory, L., Makra, L., Trigo, M.M., COVID-19/POLLEN study group, & Traidl-Hoffmann, C. (2021). Higher airborne pollen concentrations correlated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates, as evidenced from 31 countries across the globe. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United Stated of America, 118(12), Article e2019034118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2019034118

Fernández-Lobato, L., García-Ruiz, R., Jurado, F., & Vera, D. (2021). Life cycle assessment, C footprint and carbon balance of virgin olive oils production from traditional and intensive olive groves in southern Spain. Journal of Environmental  Management, 293, Article 112951. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112951

Gómez-Guzmán, J.A., Sainz-Pérez, M., & González-Ruiz, R. (2021). Induction of subletal effects for the characteruzation of Olive groves under different pest management systems. ‘Revista Brasileira de Fruticultura’, 43(5). https://doi.org/10.1590/0100-29452021011

González-Robles, A., García, C., Salido, T., Manzaneda, A.J., & Rey, P.J. (2021). Extensive pollen-mediated gene Flow across intensively managed landscapes in an insect-pollinated shrub native to semiarid habitats. Molecular Ecology, 30(14), 3408-3421. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15950

López-Vicente, M., Gómez, J.A., Guzmán, G., Calero, J., & García-Ruiz, R. (2021). The role of cover crops in the loss of protected and non-protected soil organic carbon fractions due to water erosion in a Mediterranean olive grove. Soil & Tillage Research, 213, Article 105119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2021.105119

Martínez-Núñez, C., Rey, P.J., Manzaneda, A.J., García, D., Tarifa, R., & Molina, J.L. (2021). Insectivorous birds are not effective pest control agents in olive groves. Basic and Applied Ecology, 56, 270-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2021.08.006

Martínez-Núñez, C., Rey, P.J., Salido, T., Manzaneda, A.J., Camacho, F.M., & Isla, J. (2021). Ant community potential for pest control in olive groves: Management and landscape effects. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 305, Article 107185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107185

Yang, W.-S., Liu, Y., Zhao, J., Chang, X., Wiesmeier, M., Sunb, J., López-Vicente, M., García-Ruiz, R., Gómez, J.A., Zhou, H., Shi, J., & Wu, G.-L. (2021). SOC changes were more sensitive in alpine grasslands than in temperate grasslands during grassland transformation in China: A meta-analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 308, Article 127430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.127430

2020

Arnelas, I., Pérez-Collazos, E., Devesa Alcaraz, J.A., & Manzaneda, A.J. (2020). Taxonomic Differentiation of Iberian Knapweeds (Centaurea sects. Jacea and Lepteranthus, Asteraceae) and Genetic Isolation of Infraspecific Floral Morphotypes. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 105(4), 481-501. https://doi.org/10.3417/2020389

Bueno-González, M., Lendínez, M.L., Calero, J., & Cordovilla Palomares, M.P. (2020). Salinity responses of three halophytes from inland saltmarshes of Jaén (souther Spain). Flora, 266, Article 151589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2020.151589

Cebadero Cayetano, M., Torres Cordero, J.A., Siles Colmenero, G., & Fernández-Ondoño, E. (2020). Changes in the soil due to the use of sheep in cover crop management in organic olive groves. Spanish Journal of Soil Science, 10(1), 16-28. https://doi.org/10.3232/SJSS.2020.V10.N1.02

García-Fuentes, A., Lendínez-Barriga, M.L., Torres-Cordero, J.A., Ruiz-Valenzuela, L., Quesada, J., León, Y., & Salazar-Mendías, C. (2020). A study on the mangrove formations of the Neotropical-Austroamerican Kingdom. Phytocoenologia, 50(2), 137–162. https://doi.org/10.1127/phyto/2020/0356

García-Fuentes, A., Torres-Cordero, J.A., Ruiz-Valenzuela, L., & Salazar-Mendías, C. (2020). Neotropical Mangrove Communities: A Review. En: Handbook of Halophytes. Springer Nature Switzerland, 1-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17854-3_68-1

Gómez, J.A., Guzmán, G., Toloza, A., Resch, C., García-Ruíz, R., & Mabit, L. (2020). Variation of soil organic carbon, stable isotopes, and soil quality indicators across an erosion–deposition catena in a historical Spanish olive orchard. Soil, 6, 179–194. https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-6-179-2020

González-Robles, A., Manzaneda, A.J., Salido, T., Valera, F., García, C., Fernández-Ocaña, A.M., & Rey, P.J. (2020). Spatial genetic structure of a keystone long-lived semiarid shrub: historical effects prevail but do not cancel the impact of recent severe habitat loss on genetic diversity. Conservation  Genetics, 21, 853–867. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-020-01291-5

González-Robles, A., Salido, T., Manzaneda, A.J., Valera, F., & Rey, P.J. (2020). Habitat loss and degradation due to farming intensification modify the floral visitor assemblages of a semiarid keystone shrub. Ecological Entomology, 45(6), 1476-1489. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12933

Leza, M., González-Ruiz, R., & Alemany, A. (2020). Short term effects of Bacillus thuringiensis and diflubenzuron aerial applications on non-target arthropods in a Mediterranean Forest. International Journal of Pest Management, 67(2), 139-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2019.1710619

Martínez-Núñez, C., Manzaneda, A.J., & Rey, P.J. (2020). Plant-solitary bee networks have stable cores but variable peripheries under differing agricultural management: Bioindicator nodes unveiled. Ecological Indicators, 115, Article 106422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106422

Martínez-Núñez, C., Rey, P.J., Manzaneda, A.J., Tarifa, R., Salido, T., Isla, J., Pérez, A.J., Camacho, F.M., & Molina, J.L. (2020). Direct and indirect effects of agricultural practices, landscape complexity and climate on insectivorous birds, pest abundance and damage in olive groves. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 304, Article 107145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2020.107145

Shiposha, V., Marques, I., López-Álvarez, D., Manzaneda, A.J., Hernández, P., Olonova, M., & Catalán, P. (2020). Multiple founder events explain the genetic diversity and structure of the model allopolyploid grass Brachypodium hybridum in the Iberian Peninsula hotspot. Annals of Botany, 125(4), 625-638. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcz169

2019

Aguilera, F., & Ruiz-Valenzuela, L. (2019). A new aerobiological indicator to optimize the prediction of the olive crop yield in intensive farming areas of southern Spain. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 271, 207-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2019.03.004

Bueno, M., & Cordovilla, M.P. (2019). Polyamines in Halophytes. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10, Article 439. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.00439

Carranza-Gallego, G., Guzmán, G.I., García Ruíz, R., González de Molina, M., & Aguilera, E. (2019). Addressing the role of landraces in the sustainability of mediterranean agroecosystems. Sustainability, 11(21), Article 6029. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11216029

García-Ruiz, R., Carranza-Gallego, G., Aguilera, E., González-De Molina, M., & Guzmán, G.I. (2019). C and N mineralisation of straw of traditional and modern wheat varieties in soils of contrasting fertility. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 113, 167-179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-019-09973-4

González-Ruíz, R., & Gómez-Guzmán, J.A. (2019). Agricultural management greatly affects the beneficial entomofauna of the olive groves. American Journal of Biomedical Science & Research, 1(3), 144-151. https://doi.org/10.34297/AJBSR.2019.01.000530

Martínez-Núñez, C., Manzaneda, A.J., Isla, J., Tarifa, R., Calvo, G., Molina, J.L., Salido, T., Ruiz, C., Gutiérrez, J.E., & Rey, P.J. (2019). Low-intensity management benefits solitary bees in olive groves. Journal of Applied Ecology, 57(1), 111-120. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.13511

Martínez-Núñez, C., Manzaneda, A.J., Lendínez, S., Pérez, A.J., Ruiz-Valenzuela, L., & Rey, P.J. (2019). Interacting effects of landscape and management on plant-solitary bee networks in olive orchards. Functional Ecology, 33(12), 2316-2326. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13465

Martínez-Núñez, C., Manzaneda, A.J., & Rey, P. J. (2019). Reviewing the use of bee trap nests for the study of interaction networks in agroecosystems: Insights from its use in olive farms. Ecosistemas, 28(3), 3-12. https://doi.org/10.7818/ECOS.1766

Rey, P.J., Manzaneda, A.J., Valera, F., Alcántara, J.M., Tarifa, R., Isla, J., Molina-Pardo, J.L., Calvo, G., Salido, T., Gutiérrez, J.E., & Ruiz, C. (2019). Landscape-moderated biodiversity effects of ground herb cover in olive groves: Implications for regional biodiversity conservation. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 277, 61-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2019.03.007

2018

Aguilera, E., Guzmán, G.I., Álvaro-Fuentes, J., Infante-Amate, J., García-Ruiz, R., Carranza-Gallego, G., Soto, D., & González de Molina, M. (2018). A historical perspective on soil organic carbon in Mediterranean cropland (Spain, 1900-2008). Science of the Total Environment, 621, 634-648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.243

Carranza-Gallego, G., Guzmán, G.I., García-Ruíz, R., González de Molina, M., & Aguilera, E. (2018). Contribution of old wheat varieties to climate change mitigation under contrasting managements and rainfed Mediterranean conditions. Journal of Cleaner Production, 195, 111-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.05.188

Comino, F., Aranda-Sanjuán, V., García-Ruiz, R., Ayora-Cañada, M.J., & Domínguez-Vidal, A. (2018). Infrared spectroscopy as a tool for the assessment of soil biological quality in agricultural soils under contrasting management practices. Ecological Indicators, 87, 117-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.12.046

Guzmán, G.I., Aguilera, E., García-Ruiz, R., Torremocha, E., Soto-Fernández, D., Infante-Amate, J., & González de Molina, M. (2018). The agrarian metabolism as a tool for assessing agrarian sustainability, and its application to Spanish agriculture (1960-2008). Ecology and Society, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-09773-230102

Jaime, R., Alcántara, J.M., Manzaneda, A.J., & Rey, P.J. (2018). Climate change decreases suitable areas for rapeseed cultivation in Europe but provides new opportunities for white mustard as an alternative oilseed for biofuel production. PLoS One, 13(11), Article e0207124. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207124

Martínez, L.M., Fernández-Ocaña, A., Rey, P.J., Salido, T., Amil-Ruiz, F., & Manzaneda, A.J. (2018). Variation in functional responses to water stress and differentiation between natural allopolyploid populations in the Brachypodium distachyon species complex. Annals of Botany, 121(7), 1369-1382. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcy037

Rey, P.J., Cancio, I., Manzaneda, A.J., González-Robles, A., Valera, F., Salido, T., & Alcántara, J.M. (2018). Regeneration of a keystone semiarid shrub over its range in Spain: hábitat degradation overrides the positive effects of plant-animal mutualisms. Plant Biology, 20, 1083-1092.  https://doi.org/ 10.1111/plb.12870

Ruiz-Valenzuela, L., & Aguilera-Padilla, F. (2018). Trends in airborne pollen and pollen-season-related features of anemophilous species in Jaen (south Spain): A 23-year perspective. Atmospheric Environment, 180, 234-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2018.03.012

Velasco-Jiménez, M.J., Alcázar-Teno, P, Ruiz-Valenzuela, L., Gharbi, D., Díaz de La Guardia, C., & Galán Soldevilla, C. (2018). Pinus pollen season trend in South Spain. Plant Biosystems, 152(4), 657-665. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2017.1311962

The soil biodiversity and functionality of Mediterranean olive groves: A holistic analysis of the influence of land management on olive oil quality and safety (SOIL O-LIVE)

Entidad financiadora: Unión Europea, programa HORIZON-MISS-2021-SOIL-02-03 - Linking soil health to nutritional and safe food, Grant agreement

Referencia: 101091255

Investigador principal: Antonio Manzaneda Ávila

Año de inicio: 2023

Presupuesto: 6.988.660 €

Cálculo de huella de carbono de compostaje de Alperujo, ensayo demostrativo de compostaje con microorganismos y centro de formación agrícola para la comarca de Sierra Mágina

Entidad financiadora: Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y Reto Demográfico (MITECO)

Investigador principal: Roberto García Ruíz

Año de inicio: 2023

Presupuesto:

Novel approaches to promote the sustainability of Olive groves in the Mediterranean (SUSTAINOLIVE)         

Entidad financiadora: Convocatoria Europea PRIMA (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area). Cofinanciado con fondos Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union

Referencia: Farming System 9

Investigador principal: Roberto García Ruiz      

Año de inicio: 2019

Presupuesto: 2.032.690,17 €

El nexo entre agua y producción agraria y su rol en la sostenibilidad de los agroecosistemas andaluces en un contexto de cambio climático y deterioro ambiental. Un análisis metabólico (AGUAMET)

Entidad Financiadora: Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014-2020

Referencia: PY20_00822 202099905116691

Investigador principal: Manuel González de Molina Navarro

Año de inicio: 2022

Presupuesto: 40.450,00 €

BIOLIVAR. Monitorización, optimización y valorización del capital natural en el cultivo del olivar en producción integrada en Andalucía

Entidad Financiadora: Ayudas al funcionamiento de Grupos Operativos de la Asociación Europea de Innovación

Referencia: GOPO-SE-20-0002

Investigador principal: José Alfonso Gómez Calero

Año de inicio: 2021

Presupuesto: 253.495,00 €

Avance multidisciplinar en la gestión y conocimiento de las cubiertas de restos de poda en olivar a escala árbol, parcela y explotación

Entidad Financiadora: Proyectos I+D+i FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020

Referencia: 1380979

Investigador principal: Antonio Rodríguez Lizana

Año de inicio: 2021

Presupuesto: 80.000,00 €

Evaluando la deuda de recuperación de servicios ecosistémicos provistos por la fauna en cultivos permanentes: efecto de la intensificación agrícola y el paisaje en olivares

Entidad Financiadora: Concesión de ayudas a «Proyectos de I+D+i», en el marco del Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema de I+D+i y del Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad, del Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017-2020

Referencia: PID2019-108332GB-I00

Investigador principal: Pedro Rey Zamora

Año de inicio: 2020

Presupuesto: 199.650,00 €

Reservas de carbono inorgánico y orgánico en sistemas perennes semiáridos; el papel de la cubierta vegetal

Entidad Financiadora: Programa Operativo FEDER de Andalucía 2014-2020

Investigador principal: Roberto García Ruíz

Año de inicio: 2019

Presupuesto: 78.340,00 €

Modelo de Restauración Forestal para mitigar los efectos del cambio climático: mejora de la resilencia de los ecosistemas agrícolas y forestales del corredor seco de Guatemala

Entidad Financiadora: Agencia Andaluza de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo

Investigador principal: Antonio García Fuentes

Año de inicio: 2018

Presupuesto: 34.750,00 €

Síntesis de compuestos nitrogenados y estudio de su actividad frente a hongos patógenos de especial incidencia en la provincia de Jáen

Entidad Financiadora:  Instituto de Estudios Giennenses (Diputación provincial de Jaén)

Investigador principal: María del Pilar Cordovilla Palomares

Año de inicio: 2018

Presupuesto: 8.000,00 €

Advice towards the organic olive grove

Restoration and rehabilitation of olive grove soils

Dissemination and management of conferences