ESECS - Artigos em revistas internacionais
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Browsing ESECS - Artigos em revistas internacionais by Field of Science and Technology (FOS) "Ciências Naturais::Ciências da Terra e do Ambiente"
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- Assessing the extent and the environmental drivers of Eucalyptus globulus wildling establishment in Portugal: results from a countrywide surveyPublication . Catry, F. X.; Moreira, F.; Deus, E.; Silva, J. S.; Águas, AnaTasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) has been increasingly used in forestry outside its native range, and is nowadays one of the most important pulpwood species in the world. E. globulus has great economic importance in many countries, and in Portugal it has recently become the most widespread tree species. However, there is also an increasing concern about the potential ability of eucalypts to naturally establish from seed (wildling establishment), because of negative ecological and economic impacts this could cause. The natural establishment of this fast-growing exotic species may have undesirable consequences, but little is known about its distribution, or which are the factors influencing its occurrence. In order to investigate these issues, we characterized wildling occurrence and abundance along 3111 roadside transects adjacent to eucalypt plantations distributed throughout continental Portugal. Eucalypt wildlings were found in 60 % of the sampled transects and across all natural regions, with densities ranging from 0 to 10,000 plants ha−1 (mean = 277 plants ha−1). The potential influence of environmental variables on wildling establishment from plantations was assessed using boosted regression trees. The abundance of wildlings was found to be primarily affected by precipitation and distance from the sea (used as a surrogate of thermal amplitude), although topography, frost occurrence and soil type also played a significant role. Plant density peaked at around 1500 mm of annual precipitation and it decreased with both decreasing and increasing precipitation, reaching the lowest values below 800 mm and above 2400 mm. Eucalypt wildlings were also more abundant in areas with milder temperatures, namely closer to the sea (with lower thermal amplitude) and with lower number of frost days. Finally, plant density also seemed to be favoured in areas with intermediate elevation, higher slope and with certain soil types (namely Cambisols and Podzols). Knowing the regions with higher wildling density and understanding the factors influencing plant establishment may help managers to establish and prioritize eventual control plans in regions with higher probability of recruitment.
- Conceptual Framework for the Research on Quality of LifePublication . Rodrigues, José; Borrego, Carla Chicau; Ruivo, Paula; Sobreiro, Pedro; Catela, David; Amendoeira, José; Matos, RuiThe article presents the reference framework for multidisciplinary research at the Life Quality Research Centre (LQRC). The research paradigm about the citizens' quality of life in society imposes a multifaceted and complex analysis. At the LQRC we address this as thematically divided into six scientific areas: education and training; physical activity and healthy lifestyles; food production and technology on food behaviors; organizational dynamics; motor behavior; and individual and community health. These areas are clearly related to the concept of quality of life. They fit the goals and dynamics of the research center. In each section, the authors develop the themes of research projects and the challenges that characterize research in the area of quality of life. It is clear that there is an agreement and understanding that ensures that quality of life research is on the agenda of the world organizations related to scientific research and human development. This is a real challenge for scientific research centers, since multidisciplinary paradigms are the foundation of our collective organization, and the evolution of research on quality of life could fulfil current needs and lead to the improvement of citizen lives.
- Fire effects on capsules and encapsulated seeds from Eucalyptus globulus in PortugalPublication . Santos, Patrícia dos; Matias, Hugo; Deus, Ernesto; Águas, Ana; Silva, Joaquim S.Eucalyptus globulus is native to Australia and currently one of the most cultivated hardwood species worldwide. The adaptation of E. globulus to fire-prone habitats has been linked to fire as a driver for regeneration and subsequent naturalization in Mediterranean-type regions. We studied the effect of fire on capsules and encapsulated seeds of E. globulus Labill. in the canopy and on the ground, aiming to assess the role of fire in plant recruitment in Portugal. Seed shed and capsule abscission through time were compared between scorched and non-scorched branches of living trees. Additionally, we assessed the number of capsules on the ground and the viability of encapsulated seeds in burned and unburned areas of E. globulus plantations. A complementary experiment comparing the viability of seeds from different positions in the capsule (surface vs. inner) was also carried out. Our study suggests that fire promotes the dehiscence of viable seeds from capsules in the canopy, whereas it has a destructive effect on ground capsules and seeds. We obtained an average germination of 43 % in encapsulated seeds from unburned areas, suggesting that these seeds may represent a potential propagule source for plant recruitment. This study provides experimental confirmation of the reported role of fire on seedling recruitment in E. globulus and provides new insights into the potential role of ground capsules in this process.
- Planning forest recreation: environmental economic instruments and the public participationPublication . Oliveira, F.; Pintassilgo, P.; Mendes, I.; Silva, J. A.In Portugal there is a growing demand for natural areas that provide a wide range of outdoor recreation. This paper focuses on the particular case of the Mata Nacional de Leiria (Leiria National Forest). This is a pine tree forest with 11,000 hectares and eight centuries of history. It has always been a public forest with open access to everyone, a fact that contributes to different kinds of use and benefits (walking, cycling, picnics, collecting firewood, fruits and berries, and other recreation activities). The proximity to a major urban and industrial centre, on one hand, and to a very popular beach coast, on the other, makes this a resource that is widely used by both residents and visitors. In the future there is the possibility of implementing a set of actions to improve forest amenities and recreation, and later the emergence of environmental tourism activities and equipment. In this context, we want to know the economic valuation that actual users attach to these recreation improvements, but also realize their preferences and opinions regarding this project. For this purpose we designed, tested and applied a double bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation questionnaire. The results presented in this paper focus on responses to attitudinal and follow-up questions. More than 70% of respondents have positively assessed the proposed improvements to the study area and about 40% enhanced their personal opinion on the type of interventions that they consider most appropriate. Answers focus the priority areas of intervention in the Mata Nacional de Leiria, the main concerns in its development, the type of actions that should (and should not) be implemented, respondents willingness to actively take part and, also, what the public authorities' role should be. At this stage, where Mata Nacional de Leiria is being considered in terms of future recreation and tourism offers, the results obtained provide important contributions and enhance the contingent valuation survey as a tool to support recreation planning, promoting public participation and the political decision-making process.
- Tourism as a tool of community development: an ecotourism project in Cantanhez, Guinea-BissauPublication . Oliveira, F.; Silva, F.In recent decades the scientific community and various international organizations have provided a range of guidelines towards the development of more sustainable tourism. The responsible use of natural and cultural resources and the participation of local communities - with the involvement of the different actors in the development process - are inseparable aspects of sustainability's concept. However, when we try to put it into practice it appears that this is a very slow process, with many aspects that must be considered, especially in the case of underdeveloped regions. This paper focuses precisely on one of these regions - Cantanhez National Park, Guinea Bissau. This region has natural and cultural resources that are real treasures, which enhance the environmental and green forms of tourism; however, the structural problems of the country can be a real challenge to any type of initiative. The purpose of this communication is to present the ecotourism project in Cantanhez National Park, identifying the objectives, the first stages of the project implementation, the difficulties arising from the social, economic and political situation of the country and finally, its relevance in promoting community development. The realities that will be shared in this paper resulted from an initial visit to identify the needs of tourism planning, management and training in the communities directly involved.