This paper describes the detennination of sheet erosion rates by using dendrogeomorphological methods on exposed tree roots, Two sites on the northern slope of the Guadarrama Mountains, Central Spain, were studied: a popular trail in a Scots pine forest (Senda Schmidt, Valsain) growing on granites and gneisses, and an open holm-oak forest on granitic slopes (Monterrubio), These sites were selected because they showed high denudation morphologies due to accelerated soil-erosion processes caused by human influence (trampling by continuous trekking and overgrazing), resulting in exposed roots, The method applied is based on the morphological pattern of roots, defined by the growth-ring series of the sampled roots, In order to confinn the validity of the criteria used and to make the estimations of erosion more accurate, several anatomical indicators of exposed and non exposed Pin us sylvestris roots were characterized, The study entailed a statistical analysis of exposure time and erosion depth. The influence of environmental factors affecting the variation in velocity of the erosion processes was also examined. With a significance level of 95%, the mean erosion rates were in the range of 1.7 2.6 mm/year (29 44 Mw/year) on Senda Sclnnidt over the last 101 years, and 1.1 1.8 mm/year (19 31 t/halyear) in Monterrubio over the last 42 years. Using a multifactor analysis of variance, we observed a change in the erosion rates as a fimction of position on the path along Senda Schmidt. In Monterrubio, however, we reached no significant conclusions, apart from an inverse relationship between erosion and slope gradient that was difficult to interpret.Climate conditions in Senda Sclnnidt and the accuracy of dating Scots pine indicate that the evaluation on P sylvestris roots is fairly reliable, which is not the case for oak roots. Although this paper is based on the application of an existing method, its novelty lies in being the first attempt in Spain to estimate 'accelerated' sheet erosion rates (due to recreational activities and overgrazing) using dendrogeomorphological techniques, supplemented by anatomical indicators for P sylvestris.

An antioxidant gluten-free cracker snack was developed through the inclusion of carob by-products (germ and seed peel). The levels of formulation of these two novel ingredients were optimized through their effect on nutritional, physicochemical, sensory and antioxidant parameters of the final product. The results showed that both ingredients affected significantly (P 0.05) the studied parameters. Based on the surface response models, germ content ranging 4-14% and seed peel lower than 9% were considered optimal formulation conditions of a protein and fiber-rich product with high antioxidant activity. The incorporation of both ingredients increased significantly the antioxidant activity of the snack. However, concentration outside the optimal range of germ and/or peel had modifications in the expected color, texture and flavour of the crackers.

The application of geomorphic principles to land reclamation after surface mining has been reported in the literature since the mid-1990s, mostly from Australia, Canada and the USA. This paper discusses the reclamation problems of contour mining and quarries on slopes, where steep gradients are prone to both mass movement and water erosion. To address these problems simultaneously, a geomorphic model for reclaiming surface mined slopes is described. Called the 'highwall-trench concave slope' model, it was first applied in the 1995 reclamation of a quarry on a slope (La Revilla) in Central Spain.The geomorphic model does not reproduce the original topography, but has two very different sectors and objectives: (i) the highwall-trench sector allows the former quarry face to evolve naturally by erosion, accommodating fallen debris by means of a trench constructed at the toe of the highwall; (ii) the concave-slope base sector, mimicking the landforms of the surrounding undisturbed landscape, promotes soil formation and the establishment of self-sustaining, functional ecosystems in the area protected from sedimentation by the trench. The model improves upon simple topographic reconstruction, because it rebuilds the sutficial geology architecture and facilitates re-establishment of equilibrium slopes through the management and control of geomorphic processes.Thirteen years of monitoring of the geomorphic and edaphic evolution of La Revilla reclaimed quarry confirms that the area is functioning as intended: the highwall is backwasting and material is accumulating at the trench, permitting the recovery of soils and vegetation on the concave slope. However, the trench is filling faster than planned, which may lead to run-off and sedimen tation on the concave slope once the trench is full. The lesson learned for other scenarios is that the model works well in a two dimensional scheme, but requires a three-dimensional drainage management, breaking the reclaimed area into several watersheds with stream channels.

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