Browsing by Author "Silva, T."
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- North African dust intrusions and increased risk of respiratory diseases in Southern PortugalPublication . Silva, T.; Fragoso, M.; Almendra, R.; Vasconcelos, J.; Lopes, A.; Faleh, A.The study of dust intrusions in Portugal is still a subject on which little investigation has been made, especially in terms of their effects. Thus, this work aims to achieve two goals: firstly, to characterize the dust intrusions in the study area; and secondly, to evaluate the possible statistical association between the dust intrusion days and hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases. Dust intrusions in Portugal are prevalent during the summer season. During this season, the dust plumes tend to cover broader areas than in the other seasons and they have origin in the North African countries. In the study area for the period between 2005 and 2015, the relative risk of urgent hospitalizations due to respiratory diseases was 12.6% higher during dust intrusion days. In order to obtain this statistical association, a Distributed Lag Nonlinear Model was developed. With this work, we expect to help the development of further studies regarding North African dust intrusions in Portugal, more precisely their effects on human health.
- Temporal variation of the fishers’ perception about the stalked barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) fishery at the Berlengas Nature Reserve (Portugal)Publication . Sousa, A.; Jacinto, D.; Penteado, N.; Pereira, D.; Silva, T.; Castro, J.J.; Leandro, S.M.; Cruz, T.The engagement of the fishers and other stakeholders in the management of the resources is considered the key ingredient for a good fishery governance. The stalked barnacle Pollicipes pollicipes can be considered the most important economic resource on rocky shores of northern Spain and continental Portugal. This species is highly prized as food and it is heavily exploited. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the temporal variation in the perception of P. pollicipes fishers at Berlengas Nature Reserve (RNB, the first area in Portugal to be managed for this fishery, since 2000) regarding the state of the fishery and the state of the management, and the implementation of a co-management system applied to the harvesting of this resource at RNB. The fishers’ perception was evaluated by individual and direct interviews to professional P. pollicipes fishers with license to harvest at RNB, performed in 2005, 2013 (past studies) and 2018 (present study). The perception of the fishers about the state of P. pollicipes revealed an overall negative tendency of this resource at RNB, as they considered that the amount and size of the barnacles had decreased over time, and the quality remained the same. Most fishers also considered that P. pollicipes are being overexploited at RNB. The state of the management was defined as acceptable, as a large majority of the fishers agreed with most of the management measures, except for the spatial closures. However, their sense of nonfulfillment was high regarding most management measures in practice. Finally, an increasing percentage of the fishers agreed with the implementation of a co-management system applied to barnacle harvesting at RNB. This management shift might bring benefits perceived by the fishers as a better state of the resource, a more sustainable fishery management and an increase of the economic value of the resource.