DSpace Collection:http://hdl.handle.net/10174/11262024-03-28T14:52:54Z2024-03-28T14:52:54ZGrazing as a conservation tool in Mediterranean temporary pondsPedroso, NunoBelo, AnabelaAlmeida, ErikaMatono, PaulaMeireles, CatarinaPinto-Cruz, Carlahttp://hdl.handle.net/10174/351932023-05-18T09:28:23Z2022-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Grazing as a conservation tool in Mediterranean temporary ponds
Authors: Pedroso, Nuno; Belo, Anabela; Almeida, Erika; Matono, Paula; Meireles, Catarina; Pinto-Cruz, Carla
Editors: Cambria, Vito; Georgiadis, Christos; Attorre, Fabio
Abstract: Mediterranean Temporary Ponds - 3170* (MTP) are seasonal freshwater habitats that are
strongly dependent on rainfall and annually experience a flood/dissection cycle. Their
persistence has been not only compatible but also favoured by extensive human activities.
So, MTP conservation must bear in mind that this habitat results from a long human presence
in the Mediterranean region.
In the Portuguese Southwest Coast (PSC), ongoing MTP conservation status decay is due
to several anthropogenic pressures and the abandonment of traditional land uses (e.g.
grazing and superficial tilling) resulting in grass encroachment and consequent
disappearance of rare/less abundant flora species, and invasion by opportunistic heliophytic
plants. This context is exacerbated by the current climate change scenario.
During the LIFE Charcos project (LIFE12NAT/PT/997), we promoted and simulated grazing
by sheep on small plots in MTPs of the PSC protected area. In a following project on the
same area we managed to scale-up the most effective conservation measures. We simulated
this traditional land-use regime in 10 MTP plots to recover, among others, Heliosciadium
repens (Apium repens) and Caropsis verticillato-inundata (Thorella verticillato-inundata). The
soil superficial tillage allowed light into the soil surface and enhanced seed germination that
were still in the soil seed bank. The methods proved to be efficient as plant species richness
increased.
Nevertheless, these results open new questions such as: What is the resilience associated
with the results obtained? Is it sustainable to carry out regular recovery actions, either
environmental or economically speaking?2022-01-01T00:00:00ZGenetic Structure and Diversity of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta L.) in PortugalPereira, JoanaSilva, SaraAlmeida, Pedro R.Alexandre, Carlos M.Almeida, RitaDomingues, AndreiaAlves, Maria J.Mateus, Catarina S.http://hdl.handle.net/10174/351782023-05-17T16:41:09Z2022-05-31T23:00:00ZTitle: Genetic Structure and Diversity of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta L.) in Portugal
Authors: Pereira, Joana; Silva, Sara; Almeida, Pedro R.; Alexandre, Carlos M.; Almeida, Rita; Domingues, Andreia; Alves, Maria J.; Mateus, Catarina S.
Abstract: Population genetic studies have been extensively used as tools for the management and
conservation of salmonid species and related habitats. The brown trout, Salmo trutta (Linnaeus
1758), is one of the most studied species within its family, and is frequently used as a population
model. It can have a highly complex and variable life history, often presenting a migratory ecotype
(i.e., sea trout), and it is considered an indicator of the quality of aquatic ecosystems. Moreover,
it has a high socioeconomic value for commercial and recreational fishing. The destruction or
alteration of aquatic habitats, over-exploitation, exotic species and climate change are some of the
factors that threaten the sustainability of the species in Portugal. To analyse the genetic structure,
gene flow and connectivity patterns among Portuguese brown trout populations, we sampled
approximately 392 individuals from 15 sites across the distribution of the species in its national
territory. DNA fingerprinting methodologies were carried out to determine the structural differences
between populations, using a set of microsatellite loci developed for salmonids. The overall results
suggest significant genetic differences between the populations sampled. This study has enabled a
breakthrough in understanding the genetic structure of Salmo trutta populations in the southern limit
of the species’ global distribution, assessing the impact of natural and human factors on the genetic
structure of its populations, and consequently developing mitigation measures for the effective
management and conservation of the species.2022-05-31T23:00:00ZAcoustic Telemetry Unravels Movements and Habitat Use Patterns of Juvenile Meagre (A. regius) in the Tagus EstuaryMarques, João P.Almeida, Pedro R.Moreira, PedroReis-Santos, PatrickPrista, NunoCosta, José L.Domingos, IsabelAlexandre, Carlos M.Mateus, Catarina S.Quintella, Bernardo R.http://hdl.handle.net/10174/351772023-05-17T16:35:13Z2022-05-31T23:00:00ZTitle: Acoustic Telemetry Unravels Movements and Habitat Use Patterns of Juvenile Meagre (A. regius) in the Tagus Estuary
Authors: Marques, João P.; Almeida, Pedro R.; Moreira, Pedro; Reis-Santos, Patrick; Prista, Nuno; Costa, José L.; Domingos, Isabel; Alexandre, Carlos M.; Mateus, Catarina S.; Quintella, Bernardo R.
Abstract: The meagre is among the largest Sciaenidae in the world (max: 230 cm, 103 kg), with a wide
distribution range encompassing the NE and CE Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The
life cycle in Atlantic waters includes migratory movements from feeding and overwintering areas at
sea to spawning and nursery areas in estuaries and coastal waters. However, significant spawning
aggregations are only observed in five locations, among which is the Tagus estuary (Portugal). The
meagre fishery that takes place within the Tagus estuary is significant, accounting for approximately
two-thirds of Portuguese meagre catches. Despite its economic relevance, the meagre movements in
that region remain largely unknown. The existence of a target fishery inside the estuary alongside a
lack of routine biological data collection targeting the species and incipient fisheries control in the
area, highlight an urgency to adopt innovative methodologies to unravel meagre migrations and its
use of critical areas. We present the first insights of movement patterns and habitat use in the Tagus
estuary using acoustic biotelemetry data collected between 2019 and 2021. The acoustic receiver
array obtained a total of 142.183 registers from a total of 34 individuals tagged. From the tagged
specimens, 33% revisited the Tagus estuary in subsequent years at least once, during the spring and
summer, and 49% remained in the Tagus at least until autumn. Further analysis was conducted
with juveniles tracked over 3 years to identify critical nursery areas using dynamic Brownian bridge
movement models (utilization distribution estimations). The effects of abiotic conditions on the
meagre behaviour were assessed using in situ sensor data (e.g., temperature and salinity) and other
environmental predictors (e.g., photoperiod and tide cycle) and an explanatory model was developed
that helps to understand the use of the Tagus estuary by juveniles. The information collected will be
discussed in light of possible applications to promote sustainable management of meagre fisheries in
the Tagus estuary and adjacent coastal areas.2022-05-31T23:00:00ZExploring the involvement of Alternative respiratory pathway in Pisum sativum L. seed germination.Rodrigues, LéniaClaudino, RicardoGroot, StevenHohmann, PierreNogales, AmaiaHansen, LeeCardoso, Héliahttp://hdl.handle.net/10174/351742023-05-17T16:30:03Z2022-04-14T23:00:00ZTitle: Exploring the involvement of Alternative respiratory pathway in Pisum sativum L. seed germination.
Authors: Rodrigues, Lénia; Claudino, Ricardo; Groot, Steven; Hohmann, Pierre; Nogales, Amaia; Hansen, Lee; Cardoso, Hélia
Abstract: Organic agriculture, recognized as a more sustainable agricultural system, strongly depends on the use of highly resilient genotypes. Seed resilience, with increased tolerance to germination that provide vigorous seedlings under environmental stresses, currently represents one of the most important agronomical traits. Seed germination involves the activation of several metabolic pathways, including cellular respiration. Alternative oxidase (AOX), a key enzyme in the alternative respiratory pathway, plays a crucial role in regulating cell reprogramming by controlling metabolic transitions related to the cellular redox state and the variable carbon balance. The involvement of the alternative respiratory pathway during germination was explored by analysis of PsAOX gene/protein expression. Seeds of four Pisum sativum L. cultivars (‘Respect-1′, ‘S134′, ‘G78′, and ‘S91′) were imbibed in sterile tap water for 16 h and metabolic parameters were measured by calorespirometry (heat and CO2 emission rates) in a multi-cell differential scanning calorimeter in isothermal mode at 25 °C. The involvement of PsAOX was evaluated by transcript quantification (PsAOX1, PsAOX2a, and PsAOX2b) through RT-qPCR, and by analyzing PsAOX expression through Western blot. The results demonstrate that cv. ‘S91′, characterized by a low germination rate, exhibited the lowest metabolic heat and CO2 emission rate. However, contrary to expectations, PsAOX transcript accumulation and PsAOX protein expression were significantly higher for ‘S91′ than for the other cultivars. These results indicate that higher levels of PsAOX (transcript and protein) could be linked to lower metabolic rates for embryo growth when seed germination is compromised.2022-04-14T23:00:00Z