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We investigate the relationships between Spain's electricity load and specific meteorological variables. Spain's electricity data consist of the country's aggregated network daily load for the period of 1993–2010. The meteorological variability is represented by an index based on temperature observations from meteorological stations across Spain. We use a monthly-fixed regression model to characterise the relationships between both indexes and investigate the sensitivity of the relationship. We propose also another regression model based on the relationship between the electricity load index and some indexes that characterize the variability of large scale climate signals. These signals are known to influence the meteorological variability in the Iberian sector, and include the North Atlantic Oscillation, the North Tropical Atlantic, the South Tropical Atlantic and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, among others. We assess the predictive potential of both models through their monthly hindcast skill values and validate them with some complementary hindcast experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resilience of the current Spanish residential building stock to increased temperatures is modelled. Homogenized daily temperature data recorded at 50 Spanish meteorological stations for the periods 1950–1979 and 1981–2010 were used to investigate anticipated climate warming on the Spanish residential building stock by means of the degree-day method. Impacts on residential buildings were investigated for three different future time periods (2011–2040, 2041–2070 and 2071–2100) for three representative Spanish provincial capitals. Future climate change scenarios comprising two statistical downscaling methods, three general circulation models and two carbon emission scenarios were used to project local climate. Results show that 72% of current residential building stock in Spain is thermally unprotected. In addition, the energy demand for heating the building sector in Spain is expected to decrease by between 30% (Barcelona, B2 scenario) and 36% (Valencia, A2 scenario) by 2100, while the respective energy demand for cooling could increase by between 107% (Valencia, B2 scenario) and 296% (Madrid, A2 scenario) by 2100. To increase resilience to higher winter and summer temperatures, strategies for modifying the built environment are needed, particularly for the role of building codes and standards. La résilience du parc bâti résidentiel espagnol actuel face à l'augmentation des températures est modélisée. Les données homogénéisées des température journalières enregistrées dans 50 stations météorologiques espagnoles pour les périodes 1950–1979 et 1981–2010 ont été utilisées pour étudier le réchauffement climatique prévu sur le parc bâti résidentiel espagnol en utilisant la méthode des degrés-jours. Les répercussions sur les immeubles résidentiels ont été étudiées pour trois périodes futures différentes (2011–2040, 2041–2070 et 2071–2100) et pour trois capitales provinciales espagnoles représentatives. Il a été utilisé des scénarios de changement climatique futur comprenant deux méthodes de réduction d'échelle statistique, trois modèles de circulation générale et deux scénarios d'émission de carbone pour prévoir le climat local. Les résultats montrent que 72 % du parc bâti résidentiel actuel de l'Espagne est dépourvu de protection thermique. Il est en outre prévu que la demande énergétique liée au chauffage dans le secteur du logement en Espagne diminue de 30 % (Barcelone, scénario B2) à 36 % (Valence, scénario A2) d'ici à 2100, tandis que la demande énergétique respective liée à la climatisation pourrait augmenter de 107 % (Valence, scénario B2) à 296 % (Madrid, scénario A2) d'ici à 2100. Afin d'augmenter la résilience face à des températures hivernales et estivales plus élevées, il est nécessaire de disposer de stratégies de modification du cadre bâti, concernant en particulier le rôle des codes et des normes du bâtiment. Mots clés: stratégies d'adaptation, performances des bâtiments, réglementation du bâtiment, parc bâti, changement climatique, degrés-jours, surchauffe, confort thermique, vulnérabilité, Espagne [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) has been present in greenhouse-grown cucumber in Spain since 1992. However, in the autumn of 2000 Cucumber vein yellowing virus (CVYV) was introduced, leading to mixed infections of both Bemisia tabaci-transmitted viruses. The temporal and spatial spread of disease symptoms were monitored in experimental plastic-covered greenhouses during six consecutive cucumber plantings from 2000 to 2002. Using linear regression analysis of 46 disease-progress curves, the Gompertz model best described the CYSDV epidemics in 2000, whereas the logistic model best described the development of CYSDV and CVYV epidemics in 2001 and 2002. The fitted models were used to calculate the amount of degree Celsius-days at half-maximum infection in the greenhouses (° D0·5). After multiple regression analysis, 56% of the variation in ° D0·5 of CYSDV was related to the numbers of whiteflies infesting the cucumber crops, and was independent of the mean temperatures in the greenhouses. In contrast, 76% of the variation in ° D0·5 of CVYV was related to both the numbers of vectors present and maximum temperature. Symptom expression in cucumbers mechanically inoculated with CVYV was most prevalent when plants were grown at regimes of at least 28°C day temperature. According to analysis of spread using Taylor's power law, beta-binomial distribution fitting, and the ordinary runs test, the prevalence of CVYV showed significant overdispersion, whereas that of CYSDV did not. The χ2 test of independence and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used to measure co-occurrence and covariation, respectively, during the first half of the cultivation period. These results showed that the two diseases were not associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four larval ELB generations occurred with peaks in May, July, August, Sept/October. • ELB needed 612 ° D to end generations, and 461.12 ° D between egg and adult peaks. • Defoliation was similar for generations 1 and 2, but higher for generations 3 and 4. • Parasitism rate of Oomyzus gallerucae , egg parasitoid, averaged 5.5%. • Seventeen Erynniopsis antennata specimens parasitised larvae, prepupae and adults of ELB. Xanthogaleruca luteola (Muller) (elm leaf beetle, ELB) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) is a serious pest for elms in urban green areas of Mediterranean climate zones in Spain. In order to design an integrated pest management strategy, a study was conducted on this insect in the city of Valencia (east Spain) in six streets that house trees of the species Ulmus minor. Four larvae increases were found that peaked in mid-May, the first half of July, the second half of August and the end of September/beginning of October. The mean degree-days accumulations required for completion one generation were 612°D±24.98, and 461.12°D±43.95 were needed between the oviposition peaks and adult emergence peaks. Larvae caused a higher degree of defoliation than adults. The defoliation levels caused by generations 1 and 2 were similar, and higher than those caused by generations 3 and 4. Defoliation ranged between 30% and 100% in September. The degree of defoliation and citizen pressure led to treatment, performed by injecting trunks with abamectin in the first generation in three streets under study. This treatment did not allow the level of defoliation to increase with each new generation, and the mean degree of defoliation remained below 30% throughout the study period. Two parasitoid species were identified: Oomyzus gallerucae (Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera, Eulophidae) from the eggs and Erynniopsis antennata (Rondani) (Diptera, Tachinidae) from larvae, prepupae and pupae of ELB. Nonetheless, during the year of this study, and after considering the defoliation undergone by elms, the parasitism level was low and insufficient to keep Elm leaf beetle at tolerable levels. The integrated ELB management involved regularly monitoring defoliation levels with each new ELB generation by setting the treatment threshold at 20% defoliation and favouring biological control by increasing the quantity and diversity of plants in urban green areas to provide natural enemies with refuges and food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]