Repositório da Universidade dos Açores
Repositório Institucional da Universidade dos Açores
Entradas recentes
Divergent temporal dynamics of native and non-native insular arthropods in fragmented forests
Publication . Zhang, Yiheng; Borges, P.A.V.; Lhoumeau, Sébastien Georges André; Matthews, Thomas; Liao, Jinbao; Dyer, Lee
Non-native species introductions have caused biodiversity loss worldwide, yetit is unclear how temporal diversity patterns vary across native and non-nativecommunities, and what mechanisms control their respective dynamics andassembly. Using a unique 12-year time series dataset of arthropods sampled inforest fragments on Terceira Island, we observed no systematic species lossesbut steady temporal β-diversity (Sørensen dissimilarity based on speciespresence–absence) for non-native, native endemic, and native non-endemicassemblages. However, native endemics and non-endemics showed an overallincreasing trend in Bray–Curtis dissimilarity (incorporating speciesabundances), with many previously abundant native species becomingprogressively rarer. By constructing neutral models, we accurately predictedtemporal diversity patterns for non-natives but not for native endemics andnon-endemics, displaying their divergent temporal dynamics. These resultsindicate that non-native assemblages are more consistent with stochasticsource-sink mass effect dynamics, while neutral drift interacting withnon-natives and/or environmental changes might drive native assemblagedynamics.
Seasonal variation of dung-associated arthropods in cattle pastures of Terceira Island (Azores): a year-round, event-based dataset
Publication . Wallon, Sophie; Leite, Abrão; Duenas-Rojas, Almudena; Cuesta, Eva; Coelho dos Santos, Ana Margarida; Lhoumeau, Sébastien Georges André; Borges, P.A.V.; Soares, António
Dung-associated arthropods, particularly dung beetles (Scarabaeidae), together with rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and water scavenger beetles (Hydrophilidae), support key ecosystem functions in cattle-grazed landscapes, including dung removal, nutrient cycling, soil aeration and pest suppression. Their activity is strongly seasonal in temperate systems, driven by temperature and moisture and can be further reshaped by pasture management (e.g. changes in grazing regimes and dung availability). Oceanic islands add an important perspective because species pools are typically smaller and often dominated by introduced taxa, potentially altering phenology and dominance patterns across the year. However, year-round, standardised, event-based datasets for dung-associated arthropod assemblages remain scarce for oceanic islands, limiting robust comparisons amongst guilds, sites and management regimes and reducing our ability to benchmark seasonal windows of activity under climate variability and land-use change.
Metagenomic survey of fungal communities in compost from dairy plant wastewater sludge and garden trimmings
Publication . Monjardino, Paulo; Azevedo, Ana Rita; Mendonça, Duarte; Pozsgai, Gabor; Borges, P.A.V.; Frias, Jorge; Toubarro, Duarte; Jiang, Ning
Composting converts organic residues into stable organic matter and nutrients under aerobic conditions, improving soil properties and microbiome balance, while mitigating environmental impacts. Although microbiomes of various compost types have been studied, information is still fragmented and often not tailored to specific raw material combinations. In particular, little is known about the fungal communities involved in composting dairy plant wastewater sludge mixed with garden trimmings. This data paper contributes to filling that gap by providing a comprehensive taxonomic inventory.
Quando o mar dá sinais de alerta: O que um episódio de mortalidade de peixes nos pode revelar sobre a saúde dos ecossistemas marinhos.
Publication . Gomes, Inês; Afonso, Pedro
Nos últimos anos, vários locais do mundo têm registado mortalidade anormal de organismos marinhos, frequentemente causada por alterações climáticas, poluição, doenças emergentes e mudanças nos ecossistemas, funcionando como alertas sobre a saúde dos oceanos.
Os meus e eu
Publication . Pereira, Sofia Morgado; Coordenação e edição de Ana Teresa Alves (FCSH-UAc)
Já deves ter ouvido a frase “diz-me com quem andas e eu dir-te-ei quem és”. Será que é mesmo assim?