Mariano Moreno de las Heras
Departamental II – DII. 242
Area of Biodiversity and Conservation
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos c/ Tulipán, s/n. E-28933 Móstoles (Madrid) Spain
Phone: +34 91 488 85 11
Fax: +34 91 664 70 33
E-mail: mariano.moreno at urjc.es
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3366-5060
SCOPUS: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57203329310
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=H1mP0LYAAAAJ&hl
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mariano_Moreno_De_Las_Heras
2019-2020 Postdoctoral Researcher Associate, Desertification Research Centre (CIDE), Moncada (Valencia), Spain.
2017-2019 Juan de la Cierva Incorporación Research Fellow, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
2017 Visiting Research Fellow, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
2015-2017 Beatriu de Pinós (Marie Curie COFUND) Research Fellow, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
2013-2015 Marie Curie Research Fellow, Durham University, Durham, UK.
2012-2013 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain.
2010-2012 Postdoctoral Researcher Associate, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
2009 Postdoctoral Researcher Associate, Forest Research Centre (INIA-CIFOR), Madrid, Spain.
2009 PhD, Environmental Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain.
2007 Visiting PhD Fellow, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
2005 MRes, Global Change and Sustainable Development, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain.
2001 BSc, Environmental Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares (Madrid), Spain.
Lecturer.
I teach Restoration Ecology in the BSc Degrees in Environmental Sciences (4th year) and Landscaping (3rd year).
I am a dryland eco-geomorphologist. My work is devoted to the integration of multidisciplinary knowledge derived from the ecological, soil, hydrological and geomorphological disciplines for the study of landscape dynamics in the context of ecosystem stability, land degradation and ecosystem restoration. My basic scientific enquires are broadly focused on the study of the role of landform-soil-water-plant interactions in structuring Mediterranean and other dryland ecosystems. I apply a wide array of tools (field observation and experimentation, remote-sensing monitoring, lab work, and mathematical modelling) at multiple scales (from the plot and hillslope scales to broader landscape, catchment and regional scales) for the analysis and characterization of the structure and dynamics of vegetation (e.g. structure and production, plant ecophysiology), soils (e.g. soil formation, soil physical structure, soil geochemistry and biological activity) and land surface hydrological/geomorphological processes (e.g. runoff, soil erosion, soil moisture, water and sediment redistribution).
SCI papers
32. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Merino-Martín, L.; Saco, P. M.; Espigares, T.; Gallart, F.; Nicolau, J. M. (2020). Structural and functional control of surface patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean-dry reclaimed slope systems. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 24: 2855-2872.
31. Vidal-Macua, J. J.; Nicolau, J. M.; Vicente, E.; Moreno de las Heras, M. (2020=. Assessing vegetation recovery in reclaimed opencast mines of the Teruel coalfield (Spain) using Landsat time series and boosted regression trees. Science of The Total Environment 717: 137250.
30. Saco, P. M.; Rodríguez, J. F.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Keesstra, S.; Azadi, S.; Sandi, S.; Baartman, J.; Rodrigo-Comino, J.; Rossi, M. J. (2020). Using hydrological connectivity to detect transitions and degradation thresholds: Applications to dryland systems. Catena 186: 104354.
29. Peña-Angulo, D.; Nadal-Romero, E.; González-Hidalgo, J. C.; Albaladejo, J.; Andreu, V.; Bahri, H.; Bernal, S.; Biddoccu, M.; Bienes, R.; Campo, J.; Campo-Bescós, M. A.; Canatário-Duarte, A.; Cantón, Y.; Casali, J.; Castillo, V.; Cavallo, E.; Cerdà, A.; Cid, P.; Cortesi, N.; Desir, G.; Díaz-Pereira, E.; Espigares, T.; Estrany, J.; Farguell, J.; Fernández-Raga, M.; Ferreira, C. S.; Ferro, V.; Gallart, F.; Giménez, R.; Gimeno, E.; Gómez, J. A.; Gómez-Gutiérrez, A.; Gómez-Macpherson, H.; González-Pelayo, O.; Kairis, O.; Karatzas, G. P.; Keesstra, S.; Klotz, S.; Kosmas, C.; Lana-Renault, N.; Lasanta, T.; Latron, J.; Lázaro, R.; Le Bissonnais, Y.; Le Bouteiller, C.; Licciardello, F.; López-Tarazón, J. A.; Lucía, A.; Marín-Moreno, V. M.; Marín, C.; Marqués, M. J.; Martínez-Fernández, J.; Martínez-Mena, M.; Mateos, L.; Mathys, N.; Merino-Martín, L.; Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Moustakas, N.; Nicolau, J. M.; Pampalone, V.; Raclot, D.; Rodríguez-Blanco, M. L.; Rodrigo-Comino, J.; Romero-Díaz, A.; Ruiz-Sinoga, J. D.; Rubio, J. L.; Schnabel, S.; Senciales-González, J. M.; Solé-Benet, A.; Taguas, E. V.; Taboada-Castro, M. T.; Taboada-Castro, M. M.; Todisco, F.; Úbeda, X.; Varouchakis, E. A.; Wittenberg, L.; Zabaleta, A.; Zorn, M. (2020). Relationship of weather types on the seasonal and spatial variability of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield in the western Mediterranean basin. Atmosphere 11: 609.
28. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Lindenberger, F.; Latron, J.; Lana-Renault, N.; Llorens, P.; Arnáez, J.; Romero-Díaz, A.; Gallart, F. (2019). Hydro-geomorphological consequences of the abandonment of agricultural terraces in the Mediterranean region: Key controlling factors and landscape stability patterns (Invited review and meta-analysis paper). Geomorphology 333: 73-91.
27. Molina, A. J.; Llorens, P.; García-Estringana, P.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Cayuela, C.; Gallart, F.; Latron, J. (2019). Contributions of throughfall, forest and soil characteristics to near-surface soil water-content variability at the plot scale in a mountainous Mediterranean area. Science of the Total Environment 647: 1421-1432.
26. Peña-Angulo, D.; Nadal-Romero, E.; González-Hidalgo, J. C.; Albaladejo, J.; Andreu, V.; Bagarello, V.; Bahri, H.; Batalla, R. J.; Bernal, S.; Bienes, R.; Campo, J.; Campo-Bescós, M. A.; Canatário-Duarte, A.; Cantón, Y.; Casali, J.; Castillo, V.; Cerdà, A.; Cheggour, A.; Cid, P.; Cortesi, N.; Desir, G.; Díaz-Pereira, E.; Espigares, T.; Estrany, J.; Fernández-Raga, M.; Ferreira, C. S. S.; Ferro, V.; Gallart, F.; Giménez, R.; Gimeno, E.; Gómez, J. A.; Gómez-Gutiérrez, A.; Gómez-Macpherson, H.; González-Pelayo, O.; Hueso-González, P.; Kairis, O.; Karatzas, G.; Klotz, S.; Kosmas, C.; Lana-Renault, N.; Lasanta, T.; Latron, J.; Lázaro, R.; Le Bissonnais, Y.; Le Bouteiller, C.; Licciardello, F.; López-Tarazón, J. A.; Lucía, A.; Marín, C.; Marqués, M. J.; Martínez-Fernández, J.; Martínez-Mena, M.; Martínez-Murillo, F. J.; Mateos, L.; Mathys, N.; Merino-Martín, L.; Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Moustakas, N.; Nicolau, J. M.; Novara, A.; Pampalone, V.; Raclot, D.; Rodríguez-Blanco, M. L.; Rodrigo-Comino, J.; Romero-Díaz, A.; Roose, E.; Rubio, J. L.; Ruiz-Sinoga, J. D.; Schnabel, S.; Senciales-González, J. M.; Simonneaux, V.; Solé-Benet, A.; Taguas, E. V.; Taboada-Castro, M. M.; Taboada-Castro, M. T.; Todisco, F.; Úbeda, X.; Varouchakis, E. A.; Wittenberg, L.; Zabaleta, A.; Zorn, M. (2019). Spatial variability of the relationships of runoff and sediment yield with weather types throughout the Mediterranean basin. Journal of Hydrology 571: 390-405.
25. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Bochet, E.; Monleón, V.; Espigares, T.; Nicolaa, J. M.; Molina, M. J.; García-Fayos, P. (2018). Aridity induces nonlinear effects of human disturbance on precipitation-use efficiency of Iberian woodlands. Ecosystems 21: 1295-1305.
24. Graf, L.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Ruiz, M.; Calsamiglia, A.; García-Comendador, J.; Fortesa, J.; López-Tarazón, J. A.; Estrany, J. (2018). Accuracy assessment of digital terrain model dataset sources for hydrogeomorphological modelling in small Mediterranean catchments. Remote Sensing 10: 2014.
23. Saco, P. M.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Keestra, S.; Baartman, J.; Yetemen, O.; Rodríguez, J. F. (2018). Vegetation and soil degradation in drylands: Non-linear feedbacks and early warning signals. Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health 5: 67-72.
22. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Gallart, F.; Latron, J.; Martínez-Carreras, N.; Ferrer, L.; Estrany, J. (2018). Testing the use of 210Pbex for the study of fine sediment connectivity in a small mountain Mediterranean basin with badlands. Land Degradation and Development 29: 676-689.
21. Llorens, P.; Gallart, F.; Cayuela, C.; Roig-Planasdemunt, M.; Casellas, E.; Molina, A. J.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Bertran, G.; Sáncez-Costa, E.; Latron, J. (2018). What have we learnt about Mediterranean catchment hydrology? 30 years observing hydrological processes in the Vallcebre research catchments. Geographical Research Letters 44: 475-502.
20. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Gallart, G. (2016). Lithology controls the regional distribution and morphological diversity of montane Mediterranean badlands in the upper Llobregat basin (Eastern Pyrenees). Geomorphology 273: 107-115.
19. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Turnbull, L.; Wainwright, J. (2016). Seed-bank structure and plant-recruitment conditions regulate the dynamics of a grassland-shrubland Chihuahuan ecotone. Ecology 97: 2303–2318.
18. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Diaz-Sierra, R.; Turnbull, L.; Wainwright, J. (2015). Assessing vegetation structure and ANPP dynamics in a grassland-shrubland Chihuahuan ecotone using NDVI-rainfall relationships. Biogeosciences 12: 2907-2925.
17. Merino-Martín, L.; Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Espigares, T.; Nicolau, J. M. (2015). Overland flow directs soil moisture and ecosystem processes at patch scale in Mediterranean restored hillslopes. Catena 133: 71-84.
16. Okin, G. S.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Saco, P. M.; Throop, H. L.; Vivoni, E. R.; Parsons, A. J.; Wainwright, J.; Peters, D. P. C. (2015). Connectivity in dryland landscapes: shifting concepts of spatial interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 13: 20-27.
15. Saco, P. M.; Moreno de las Heras, M. (2013). Ecogeomorphic coevolution of semiarid hillslopes: emergence of banded and stripped vegetation patterns for varying biotic and abiotic conditions. Water Resources Research 49: 115-126.
14. Espigares, T.; Merino-Martín, L.; Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Nicolau, J. M. (2013). Intensity of ecohydrological interactions in reclaimed Mediterranean slopes: effects of runoff redistribution on plant performance. Ecohydrology 6: 836-844.
13. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Saco, P. M.; Willgoose, G. R. (2012). Variations of hydrological connectivity patterns in Australian semiarid landscapes indicate sharp changes in rainfall-use efficiency of vegetation. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences 117: G03009.
12. Poorter, L.; Lianes, E.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Zavala, M. A. (2012). Architecture of Iberian canopy tree species in relation to wood density, shade tolerance and climate. Plant Ecology 213: 707-722.
11. Merino-Martin, L.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Merino-Martin, J. A.; Perez-Domingo, S.; Espigares, T.; Nicolau, J. M. (2012). Hydrological heterogeneity in Mediterranean reclaimed slopes: runoff and sediment yield at the patch and slope scales along a gradient of overland flow. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences 16: 1305-1320.
10. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Saco, P. M.; Willgoose, G. R. (2012). A comparison of SRTM V4 and ASTER GDEM for hydrological applications in low gradient terrain. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 78: 757-765.
9. Merino-Martín, L.; Breshears, D. D.; Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Villegas J. C.; Pérez S.; Espigares, T.; Nicolau, J. M. (2012). Ecohydrological interrelationships between vegetation patches and soil hydrological properties along a disturbance gradient: how sources and sinks of runoff determine a restoration threshold. Restoration Ecology 20: 360-368.
8. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Saco, P. M.; Willgoose, G. R.; Tongway, D. J. (2011). Assessing landscape structure and pattern fragmentation in semiarid ecosystems using patch-size distributions. Ecological Applications 21: 2793-2805.
7. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Diaz-Sierra, R.; Nicolau, J. M.; Zavala, M. A. (2011). Evaluating restoration of man-made slopes: a threshold approach balancing vegetation and rill erosion. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 36: 1367-1377.
6. Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Espigares, T.; Merino-Martín, L.; Nicolau, J. M. (2011). Water-related ecological impacts of soil erosion processes in Mediterranean-dry reclaimed slopes. Catena 84: 114-124.
5. Espigares, T.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Nicolau, J. M. (2011). Performance of vegetation in reclaimed slopes affected by soil erosion. Restoration Ecology 19: 35-44.
4. Moreno‐de las Heras, M.; Nicolau, J. M.; Merino‐Martín, L.; Wilcox, B. P. (2010). Plot-scale effects on runoff and erosion along a slope degradation gradient. Water Resources Research 46: W04503.
3. Moreno-de las Heras, M.; Merino-Martín, L.; Nicolau, J. M. (2009). Effect of vegetation cover on the reclaimed mining soils under Mediterranean-Continental climate. Catena 77: 39–47.
2. Moreno de las Heras, M. (2009). Development of soil physical structure and biological functionality in mining spoils affected by soil erosion in a Mediterranean-Continental environment. Geoderma 149: 249-256.
1. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Nicolau, J. M.; Espigares, T. (2008). Vegetation succession in reclaimed coal-mining slopes in a Mediterranean-dry environment. Ecological Engineering 34: 168-178.
Book chapters
7. Lana-Renault, N.; Morán-Tejeda, E.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Lorenzo-Lacruz, J.; López-Moreno, N. (2020). Land-use Change and Impacts. In: Zribi, M.; Brocca, L.; Tramblay, Y.; Molle, F. (eds.) Water resources in the Mediterranean region: 257-296. Elsevier Academic Press, Amsterdam.
6. Moreno de las Heras, M.; Gallart, F. (2018). The origin of badlands. In: Nadal-Romero, E.; Martinez-Murillo, J. F.; Kuhn, N. (eds.) Badlands dynamics in a context of global change: 27-59. Elsevier Academic Press, Amsterdam.
5. Nicolau, J. M.; Espigares, M. T.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Merino-Martín, L. (2011). Ecohidrologia: erosión hídrica y dinámica de la vegetación en laderas artificiales. In: Valladares, F.; Balaguer, L.; Mola, I.; Escudero, A.; Alfaya, V. (eds.) Restauración ecológica de áreas afectadas por infraestructuras de transporte. Bases científicas para soluciones técnicas: 75-83. Fundación Biodiversidad, Madrid.
4. Nicolau Ibarra, J. M.; Moreno de las Heras, M. (2009). Mineria y desarrollo sostenible: una perspectiva desde la ecología. In: Barrera-Castaño, J. I.; Contreras-Rodriguez, S.; Ochoa-Carreño, A.; Perilla-Castro, S. C.; Garzón-Yepes, N.; Rondón-Camacho, D. C. (eds.) Restauración ecológica de áreas degradadas por minería a cielo abierto en Colombia: 83-91. Escuela de Restauración Ecológica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá.
3. Nicolau, J. M.; Espigares, T.; Merino Martin, L.; Moreno de las Heras, M.; Nyssen, S.; Perez Domingo, S. (2009). Sobre la compatibilidad de la minería del carbón a cielo abierto con la sostenibilidad ambiental. El caso de las cuencas de Teruel. In: García, A.; Cantó, F. (eds.) Plan director para la restauración edafopaisajística y recuperación ambiental de los espacios degradados por la minería del carbón en la comarca del Bierzo: 237-276. CIEMAT, CUIDEM, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Madrid.
2. Nicolau, J. M.; Moreno de las Heras, M. (2006). Restauración de ecosistemas alterados por movimientos de tierras. El caso de la minería a cielo abierto. In: Bienes, R.; Marqués, M. J. (eds.) Conservación del medio ambiente: revegetación, recuperación del suelo y empleo de residuos en el control de la erosión: 156-173. IMIDRA, Consejería de Economía e Innovación Tecnológica de la Comunidad de Madrid, Madrid.
1. Nicolau, J. M.; Moreno de las Heras, M. (2005). Open-cast mining reclamation. In: Mansourian, S.; Vallauri, D.; Dudley, N. (eds.) Forest restoration in landscapes: beyond planting trees: 370-376. Springer, New York.