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- The bond between Higher Education institutions and society: A scoping review about knowledge transfer and valorisation to promote sustainable developmentPublication . Aleixo, Ana Marta; Leal, Susana; Mano, Margarida; Azeiteiro, Ulisses MirandaThis chapter aims to identify how higher education institutions (HEIs) have operationalised the transfer of knowledge to society in terms of research, development, and innovation; the determinants of this process; and how the knowledge transfer to society contributes to local and regional development and sustainability. Herein, a scoping review was carried out to address this goal. Out of 197 retrieved articles, 30 met the inclusion criteria. These studies concentrate on the following themes: (1) determinants of the knowledge transfer process between HEIs and society; (2) the state of knowledge transfer in HEIs; (3) transfer knowledge to local and regional development; and (4) transfer of knowledge to sustainability. This study concludes that although different determinants influencing this collaboration have been identified, most studies reveal that the transfer level is still at a very early stage.
- Zooplankton distribution in a marine protected area: The Berlengas Natural Reserve, Western Coast of PortugalPublication . Mendes, Susana; Marques, Sónia Cotrim; Azeiteiro, Ulisses Miranda; Fernández-Gómez, Mª José; Galindo-Villardón, Mª Purificación; Maranhão, Paulo; Morgado, Fernando; Leandro, Sérgio MiguelZooplankton distribution in the Berlengas Natural Reserve (Portugal) was studied over a period of one year (February 2006 to February 2007). Monthly sampling was performed at 6 stations, differentiated according to depth and distance to the coastline. The aim of this study was to investigate the overall zooplankton variability through its different dimensions (space vs. time). The Partial Triadic Analysis (PTA) was used to study the spatial variability of the zooplankton community and its dynamics in time and the dynamic trajectories of the zooplankton species for each site. It was possible to distinguish a neritic-ocean gradient of the zooplankton composition and a temporal variability. Four distinct periods can be highlighted considering the distribution of the dates and the arrangement of the species: (i) the first one comprised August to November, (ii) the second one was related to June and July, (iii) the third one associated with spring (April and May) and, (iv) the latest one was related to winter (February, March and December 2006 and January and February 2007). The PTA method showed the similarities between the successive data tables and proved to be useful for investigating biotic structures and detecting spatial-temporal patterns in zooplankton distribution.
- Sustainable development in Portuguese higher education institutions from the faculty perspectivePublication . Leal, Susana; Azeiteiro, Ulisses M.; Aleixo, Ana MartaHigher education institutions play a fundamental role and have great responsibility in promoting sustainability and achieving sustainable development goals. It is therefore essential to study the teacher's perceptions of incorporating sustainability since they are responsible for promoting competences and preparing citizens to respond with solutions to future challenges. The aim of this research is to analyse the perceptions of sustainability held by teachers at Portuguese public higher education institutions. A descriptive and exploratory study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire. The sample is made up of 444 teachers from different Portuguese public higher education institutions (54.1% women and 45.9% men). The results show that while most teachers believe higher education institutions promote the integration of sustainability in their activities, only 16% consider that sustainable development is holistically integrated in the institutions' different activities. About 30% of the teachers report that they largely or extensively integrate sustainable development in their curricular units, but only 20% of them state that higher education institutions provide regular or systematic training in SD. Teachers prefer to increase students' sustainable development education through conferences, seminars, or research projects. Almost 90% of teachers are concerned about climate change or the environment, but only 40% or less engage in sustainable development-related activities. Four clusters are also identified, representing teachers' different perceptions of the higher education institutions' promotion of sustainability, teachers' participation in sustainable development issues and concerns about climate change. Although teachers feel that sustainability is starting to be integrated in higher education institutions, this is not done holistically; moreover, differences are found between teachers in polytechnics and universities and between different scientific areas.
- Dynamics of Decapoda larvae communities in a southwest Iberian estuary: Understanding the impact of different thermal regimesPublication . Monteiro, Marta; Cruz, Joana; Azeiteiro, Ulisses; Marques, Sónia Cotrim; Baptista, Vânia; Teodosio, Maria AlexandraEnvironmental conditions play a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of meroplanktonic communities, which represent a vital life stage, crucial for successful recruitment. Specifically, temperature can impact the survival and duration of larval development in decapod crustacean species. The objective of this study is to analyze the community of decapod larvae in the Guadiana estuary, located in southwest Iberia. The analysis focuses on the community's taxonomic composition, temporal variability, and the influence of environmental factors. Particularly, the study emphasizes investigating the impacts of different thermal regimes on the abundance of these assemblages. A comprehensive zooplankton sampling program was conducted at a single station in the lower estuary, from 2014 to 2022. The decapod larvae assemblages are dominated by Upogebia spp., followed by Diogenes pugilator, Panopeus africanus, Afropinnotheres monodi, and Polybius henslowii species. The results of structural equation modeling unveiled a strong influence of water temperature and salinity on the community, while chlorophyll-a concentration, river runoff, and the large-scale climatic mode North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) revealed no impact on the abundance of these assemblages. Overall, the community and the main taxa displayed a positive linear trend in response to increased salinity. However, the effect of increasing temperature varied among species. In the current climatic scenario, water temperature emerges as a critical factor in predicting seasonal variation of the assemblages' abundances, exhibiting a marked seasonality during spring and summer. Predictive models used to investigate future scenarios, Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6 and RCP 8.5, defined by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), where the temperature is expected to rise 2 °C and 4.3 °C by 2100, suggest the possibility for an alteration in assemblages' composition, where the abundances of D. pugilator, the second most abundant species, tend to decrease abruptly. Reported evidence, coupled with the typical Mediterranean climate of the region, where extreme climatic events, like marine heatwaves, are becoming more frequent, the high connectivity with the Mediterranean Sea, where invasion by non-indigenous species is increasing, also connected with changes in freshwater discharges, may trigger significant alterations in species dominance and abundance, with ecological and socio-economic implications.
- Higher education students’ perceptions of sustainable development in PortugalPublication . Aleixo, Ana Marta; Leal, Susana; Azeiteiro, UlissesHigher education institutions play an increasingly important role in advancing sustainable development. Various studies have demonstrated the key contribution made by teachers to achieving sustainable development. However, few works have addressed students’ perceptions in this regard and given that the students of today will be the main influencers and decision-makers of the future, a greater understanding of their beliefs and attitudes towards sustainable development should be gleaned. The aim of this research is to analyse the perceptions of sustainable development held by students at Portuguese public higher education institutions. To this end, a descriptive and exploratory study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire. The sample is made up of 1257 students from different Portuguese public higher education institutions (68.6% women; average age 24.96 years). The results show that although the students recognise the importance of sustainable development and most of them have already heard about the sustainable development goals (16% never heard about them), they believe that the higher education institutions could and should give more training on this matter. Most students state that they would accept a lower salary from a company with a good social and environmental performance in some circumstances. The majority also have pro-sustainability habits and behaviours. Most of the students are concerned about climate change, most speak of some reusing, reducing and recycling practices, but fewer students contribute to sustainable development by participating in activities (e.g., environmental or community volunteering) organised by environmental organisations or the higher education institution. Differences in the behaviours and habits related to sustainability were observed between the students of different genders, ages and scientific areas. The results further present four clusters of students regarding their perception of sustainable development and related practices. The largest cluster (about 45%) includes students who are more concerned about climate change, actively contribute to sustainable development with reuse, reduction and recycling practices, and participate in organised activities to promote the protection of the environment or society. The smallest cluster (about 8%) includes students who are still sceptical about climate change and therefore adopt less environmentally friendly practices. Five years after the publication of the sustainable development goals, students feel that sustainability is starting to be integrated in education. However, the impact on their behaviours and attitudes remains moderate.
- Predicting zooplankton response to environmental changes in a temperate estuarine ecosystemPublication . Marques, Sónia Cotrim; Azeiteiro, Ulisses Miranda; Leandro, Sérgio Miguel; Queiroga, Henrique; Primo, Ana Ligia; Martinho, Filipe; Viegas, Ivan; Pardal, Miguel ÂngeloA novel strategy that allows to predict the responses of zooplanktonic species to environmental conditions in an estuarine temperate ecosystem (Mondego estuary) is presented. It uses 12 indicator species from the zooplanktonic Mondego database (102 species) that are common members of the different habitats, characterized by their specific hydrological conditions. Indicator-species analysis (ISA) was used to define and describe which species were typical of each of the five sampling stations in a 4-year study (2003–2006). First, a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was carried out to objectively identify the species-habitat affinity based on the relationship between species, stations and environmental data. Response curves for each of the zooplanktonic species, generated by univariate logistic regression on each of the independent variables temperature and salinity, were generally in agreement with the descriptive statistics concerning the occurrence of those species in this particular estuarine ecosystem. Species-specific models that predict probability of occurrence relative to environmental parameters like salinity, water temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll a, total suspended solids and dissolved oxygen were then developed for the zooplanktonic species. The multiple logistic models used contained between 1 and 3 significant parameters and the percentage correctly predicted was moderate to high, ranging from 62 to 95%. The predictive accuracy of the model was assured by direct comparison of model predictions with the observed occurrence of species obtained in 2006 (validation) and from data collected in the early 2000s in another Portuguese estuary - Ria de Aveiro (Canal de Mira), a complex mesotidal shallow coastal lagoon. The regression logistic model here defined, correctly suggested that the distribution of zooplankton species was mainly dependent on salinity and water temperature. The logistic regression proved to be a useful approach for predicting the occurrence of species under varying environmental conditions at a local scale. Therefore, this model can be considered of reasonable application (and should be tested in other estuarine systems) due to its ability to predict the occurrence of individual zooplanktonic species associated with habitat changes.
- Are the sustainable development goals being implemented in the Portuguese higher education formative offer?Publication . Aleixo, Ana Marta; Azeiteiro, Ulisses M.; Leal, SusanaPurpose: The study aims to examine the vertical integration of the sustainable development goals (SGDs) in Portuguese public higher education institutions, namely, at the level of undergraduate and master’s degrees, and the extent to which Portuguese higher education institutions (HEI) are preparing for the United Nations’ call to promote SDGs. Design/methodology/approach: A content analysis of the designations and objectives of the 2,556 undergraduate and master’s degrees (in 33 Portuguese public higher education institutions) was done to determine whether they promote at least one SDG. Findings: The results show that 198 courses directly address at least one SDG; on average, each higher education institution (HEI) has six courses that explicitly address at least one SDG; universities have more courses in SDG areas than in polytechnics; more master’s degrees embrace SDGs than undergraduate degrees; and most of the courses addressing SDGs are from the social sciences and humanities areas and from natural and environmental sciences. Originality/value: This paper serves to raise the awareness of Portuguese HEIs of their role and responsibility in furthering SGDs.
- Surf zone zooplankton communities from the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula: influence of season, substrate type and environmental factorsPublication . Guerreiro, Milene Alexandra; Marques, Sónia Cotrim; Martinho, Filipe; Azeiteiro, Ulisses Miranda; Pardal, Miguel Ângelo; Primo, Ana LígiaStudies on surf zone zooplankton biodiversity and population dynamics processes remain scarce in comparison to other coastal areas. In this work, we analysed the seasonal (winter/summer) variability of the surf zone zooplankton assemblage structure and copepod biomass of distinct areas with different substrate types (sandy beaches/rocky shores) at the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal). Cypris of Cirripedia and Acartia clausi prevailed during summer at both areas. In the winter, Paracalanus parvus and Temora longicornis were the most abundant species at sandy beaches, while Harpacticoida n.id.1 and Euterpina acutifrons dominated at rocky shores. Copepod biomass was higher during the winter and in sandy beaches. Zooplankton showed distinct community structure according to season and substrate type, with Harpacticoids and cirripeds being the main responsible for seasonal differences, while fish eggs and harpacticoids were mainly responsible for differences among substrates. Surf zone assemblages were influenced by temperature, chlorophyll a and local hydrodynamics, which reflects species seasonal reproduction and drift in the water column.
- A review of the order mysida in marine ecosystems: What we know what is yet to be knownPublication . Oliveira, Ana Filipa; Marques, Sónia Cotrim; Pereira, Joana Luísa; Azeiteiro, Ulisses MirandaMysids have a high ecological importance, particularly by their role in marine food chains as a link between the benthic and pelagic realms. Here we describe the relevant taxonomy, ecological aspects such as distribution and production, and their potential as ideal test organisms for environmental research. We also highlight their importance in estuarine communities, trophic webs, and their life history, while demonstrating their potential in addressing emergent problems. This review emphasizes the importance of mysids in understanding the impacts of climate change and their role in the ecology of estuarine communities. Although there is a dearth of research in genomic studies, this review emphasizes the relevance of mysids and their potential as a model organism in environmental assessment studies of prospective or retrospective nature and highlights the need for further research to enhance our understanding of this group’s ecological significance.
- An emergent treat: Marine heatwaves: Implications for marine decapod crustacean species: An overviewPublication . Monteiro, Marta; Castro, Samuel L.P. de; Marques, Sónia Cotrim; Freitas, Rosa; Azeiteiro, Ulisses M.Anthropogenic-mediated climate change severely affects the oceans. The most common definition of a Marine heatwave (MHW) considers that water temperatures rise above the 90th percentile threshold values, based on the last 30 years' average of temperature records for a particular location, and remains this high for five or more days. The current review addresses the evolution of definitions used, as well as the current understanding of the driving mechanisms of MHWs. The collected information shows that the study of MHW is recent and there is a growing interest among the scientific community on this topic, motivated largely by the impacts that pose to marine ecosystems. Further, a more in-depth analysis was carried out, addressing the impacts of MHW events on marine decapod crustacean species. The investigation of such impacts has been carried out using three main methodological approaches: the analysis of in situ records, observed in 33 studies; simulating MHW events through mesocosm experiments, found in 6 studies; and using computational predictive models, detected in 1 study. From the literature available it has been demonstrated that consequences are serious for these species, from altered expansion ranges to alterations of assemblages’ abundances. Still, studies addressing the impacts of these extreme events on the decapod communities are scarce, often only limited to adult life forms of commercially relevant species, neglecting non-commercial ones and meroplanktonic life stages. Despite the severe impacts on the health of ecosystems, repercussions on socioeconomic human activities, like fisheries and aquaculture, are also a reality. Overall, this review aims to raise scientific and public awareness of these marine events, which are projected to increase in intensity and frequency in the coming decades. Therefore, there is a growing need to better understand and predict the mechanisms responsible for these extreme events and the impacts on key species, like decapod crustaceans.