Browsing by Author "Wallon, Sophie"
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- Assessing the effects of climate change on arthropod abundance in Azorean pastures: PASTURCLIM project's baseline monitoring dataPublication . Wallon, Sophie; Melo, Catarina; Tsafack, Noelline; Elias, Rui B.; Borges, Paulo A.V.Background The data we present are part of the project PASTURCLIM (Impact of climate change on pasture’s productivity and nutritional composition in the Azores). The project aims to assess the consequences of climate change (e.g. temperature increase) on the grass production and its quality for forage, as well as to assess changes in the arthropod communities associated with the Azorean intensive pastures. An in situ experiment was set up using Open Top Chambers (OTCs), in order to simulate an increasing of temperature (average of +1.2ºC) on pastures. In this contribution, we present the data relative to the arthropod sampling. New information We provide an inventory of all arthropods recorded inside OTCs and in control plots in three intensively managed pastures dominated by grasses in Terceira Island (Azores): two of them dominated by ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Poaceae), located respectively at 186 m and 301 m above sea level; and one field dominated by common velvetgrass, Holcus lanatus L. (Poaceae), located at an altitude of 385 m. A total of 41351 specimens were collected. Organisms collected belong to four classes, 15 orders, 60 families and 171 species/morphospecies (including 34 taxa identified only at order, family or genus level). Therefore, for only 137 taxa, we have a scientific name associated (n = 38918). A total of 75% of the species (n = 129 species) are considered introduced (including all the species with indeterminate colonisation status that are possibly also exotic species (n = 7622)), representing 71% of the total abundance (n = 29664 specimens). A total of 19% of the species (n = 33 species) are considered native non-endemic representing 28% of the total abundance (n = 11608 specimens). Only one endemic species was sampled, the wolf spider Pardosa acorensis Simon, 1883 (1% of the species), representing 0.2% of the total abundance (n = 79 specimens). Spiders (5056 specimens) and beetles (18310 specimens) were the dominant taxa representing, respectively, 20 and 78 morphospecies. Since the main aim of this study was to have a better knowledge on arthropod communities present in Azorean pastures under a simulated temperature increase, the principal novelty of this paper is the contribution with distribution and abundance data to a baseline knowledge on the future consequences of climate changes on arthropod communities in Azorean pastures.
- Effects of a short-term temperature increase on arthropod communities associated with pasturesPublication . Wallon, Sophie; Tsafack, Noelline; Pozsgai, Gabor; Melo, Catarina; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Elias, R.B.ABSTRACT: The impact of climate change on islands is expected to cause dramatic consequences on native biodiversity. However, limited data are available for arthropod communities in island agroecosystems. In this study, we simulate a small-scale climatic change (average of +1.2°C), using Open Top Chambers (OTCs) in forage crops in the Azores Archipelago (Portugal) and test the responses of arthropod communities associated with intensively-managed pastures. At three sites, twenty 1 x 1 m plots were established: 10 treatment plots with OTCs and 10 control plots. Arthropods were sampled with pitfall traps on two sampling events (winter and summer of 2020). When considering all species collected, arthropods' abundance was lower in OTCs. Specific taxa, namely spiders and beetles, showed a fast response to the OTCs' presence. The assemblage of non-indigenous spiders well adapted to pastures showed a significant difference in diversity with a slightly greater richness, but lower abundance inside the warmer plots. However, the presence of OTCs resulted in a decrease in beetle richness and abundance. This decline may be attributed to the multiple effects of warming. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct further investigations to elucidate the ecological processes that underlie the observed patterns.
- Festa do Bioblitz Açores 2023: tantas espécies que vivem no Jardim!Publication . Amorim, Isabel R.; Parmentier, Laurine; Leite, Abrão; Wallon, Sophie; Ros Prieto, Alejandra; Costa, Ricardo; Lhoumeau, Sébastien; Barcelos, Paulo J.M.; Mendonça, Paulo; Coelho, Ruben; Rodrigues, António F. F.; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Malumbres-Olarte, JagobaNo passado dia 17 de junho de 2023 a Terceira, conhecida entre os açorianos como a ilha festeira, recebeu novamente a festa do bioblitz – BioBlitz Açores 2023. Tal como no primeiro BioBlitz Açores em 2019, o Jardim Duque da Terceira em Angra do Heroísmo foi o local escolhido para a realização desta cada vez mais conhecida atividade de ciência cidadã: “cidadãos comuns” sem formação formal em ciência, orientados por especialistas, participaram na produção de conhecimento científico, neste caso em particular, sobre a biodiversidade que existe nos Açores. E como de um BioBlitz se trata, foram seguidas as diretrizes para este tipo de evento, isto é, a inventariação da biodiversidade, realizada conjuntamente por cientistas e participantes leigos, ocorreu durante um período limitado, sessões com cerca de duas horas, e numa área bem definida, o Jardim Duque da Terceira.
- Fichas de Espécies - ArthropodaPublication . Borges, Paulo A. V.; Vieira, Virgilio; Wallon, Sophie; Cardoso, Pedro; Picanço, Ana; Lamelas-López, Lucas; Amorim do Rosário, Isabel; Serrano, Artur; Nunes, Lina; Duarte, Sónia; Soares, António O.; Stüben, Peter E.; Borges, IsabelABSTRACT: Arthropods, and especially certain groupsof insects, due to their enormous specificrichness, abundance and fidelity tocertain habitats, among other factors, area fundamental tool in studies of ecologicalbio-indicators and biodiversity.
- Influence of Climate Variability and Soil Fertility on the Forage Quality and Productivity in Azorean PasturesPublication . Melo, Catarina D.; Dias, Cristiana S. A. M. Maduro; Wallon, Sophie; Borba, Alfredo Emílio Silveira de; Madruga, João; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Ferreira, Maria Teresa; Elias, Rui B.This work aimed to determine and compare the effect of elevation and season on the productivity and the nutritive value of pastures in the Azores (Terceira Island). Forage was collected and analysed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), ether extract (EE), mineral ash (Ash), dry matter digestibility (DMD) and organic matter digestibility (OMD). The net productivity (NP) was higher in the low elevation pasture A (1.80 g m⁻²), lower in pasture B (0.98 g m⁻²) and peaked in the winter in both pastures A (3.57 g m⁻²) and B (2.33 g m⁻²) and during the summer in the high elevation pasture C (2.15 g m⁻²). The soil chemical proprieties varied significantly among the three pastures. The highest soil pH, available P, K, Ca and Mg were recorded in pasture A. Positive correlations were observed between all soil parameters analysed and NP, except for the OM content. The DM, PB and EE changed significantly with elevation, while all nutritive parameters (except CP, EE and Ash) increased significantly along the growth season. Environmental factors influenced the nutritive parameters and productivity, suggesting that climate change might have significant impacts on forage production and quality.
- Monitoring grassland’s arthropods in a in situ climate change experimentation (Terceira, Azores, Portugal)Publication . Wallon, Sophie; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Elias, Rui B.The data presented are part of the project PASTURCLIM (Impact of climate change on pasture’s productivity and nutritional composition in the Azores). The project aims to assess consequences of climate change (in this case, increasing temperature) on the grass production and quality for cattle forage. The project also aims to assess changes in the arthropod’s community associated to the grassland. An in situ experimentation was set up using Open Top Chambers (OTC’s), in order to simulate an increasing of temperature (average of +1.5⁰C) on grassland. In this paper, we present data relative to the arthropods collection. Overall, we collected 41,351 specimens belonging to four classes, 15 orders, 60 families and 171 morphospecies (including 34 taxa identified only at order, family of genus level). Therefore, for only 137 taxa we have a scientific name associated (n = 38918).
- Possíveis impactes das alterações climáticas nas pastagens dos AçoresPublication . Elias, Rui B.; Melo Drumonde, Catarina; Wallon, Sophie; Maduro Dias, Cristiana; Borba, Alfredo E. S.; Madruga, João; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Ferreira, Maria T.Este livro apresenta os principais resultados do projeto PASTURCLIM, que decorreu em três pastagens da ilha Terceira. Recorrendo a câmaras de topo aberto (CTA), o objetivo foi simular o aumento da temperatura previsto durante este século, como resultado do aquecimento global, e avaliar os efeitos: (1) Na produtividade das pastagens, na qualidade da forragem e na disponibilidade de nutrientes do solo; (2) Na composição da comunidade de artrópodes, principalmente aracnídeos e insectos, associados às pastagens. Apesar de não estar nos objetivos iniciais do projeto, avaliámos ainda o efeito do aumento da temperatura na produção in vitro de metano.
- Relatório final do projeto PASTURCLIM - Possíveis impactes das alterações climáticas nas pastagens dos AçoresPublication . Elias, R. B.; Melo, Catarina; Wallon, Sophie; Maduro Dias, Cristiana; Borba, A.E.S.; Madruga, João; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Ferreira, Maria TeresaO efeito de estufa é um fenómeno natural que permite que o planeta Terra tenha uma temperatura média adequada à existência de vida. Este efeito é causado pela presença na atmosfera de gases com efeito de estufa (GEE) (vapor de água, dióxido de carbono, metano, óxido nitroso e outros) que evitam que parte do calor emitido pela Terra seja perdido para o espaço. No entanto, a emissão excessiva, com origem humana, de alguns destes gases, principalmente dióxido de carbono, metano e óxido nitroso, aumentam o efeito de estufa, e causarão alterações na temperatura, precipitação e outros elementos climáticos nas próximas décadas ou séculos.
- Seasonal dynamics of arthropods in the humid native forests of Terceira Island (Azores)Publication . Borges, Paulo A. V.; Pimentel, Reinaldo M. S.; Carvalho, Rui; Nunes, Rui; Wallon, Sophie; Ros-Prieto, A.This work aims to provide a first detailed description of the results obtained in a seasonal abundance study of arthropods in the native pristine humid forest from Terceira Island (Azores). Ten sites were sampled during four years with SLAM (Sea, Land, and Air Malaise) traps targeting several arthropod taxa with good dispersal abilities as well as epigean species crawling into the trap. Samples were taken every three months in nine sites between 2012 and 2016 and monthly in one of the sites between 2014 and 2015. A total of 147 arthropod species and morphospecies were sampled mostly belonging to Hemiptera, Araneae and Coleoptera. Four endemic species, the tree lace-hopper Cixius azoterceirae, the capsid bug Pinalitus oromii, the bristletail Trigoniophthalmus borgesi and a morphospecies of Aleyrodidae accounted for 50% of all adult specimens. Most species peak in abundance in summer, but monthly data allowed the identification of other seasonal patterns.
- Unveiling Arthropod Responses to Climate Change: A Functional Trait Analysis in Intensive PasturesPublication . Wallon, Sophie; Rigal, François; Melo, Catarina; Elias, Rui B.; Borges, Paulo A. V.This study investigates the impact of elevated temperatures on arthropod communities in intensively managed pastures on the volcanic island of Terceira, Azores (Portugal), using a functional trait approach. Open Top Chambers (OTCs) were employed to simulate increased temperatures, and the functional traits of ground dwelling arthropods were analyzed along a small elevation gradient (180–400 m) during winter and summer. Key findings include lower abundances of herbivores, coprophagous organisms, detritivores, and fungivores at high elevations in summer, with predators showing a peak at middle elevations. Larger-bodied arthropods were more prevalent at higher elevations during winter, while beetles exhibited distinct ecological traits, with larger species peaking at middle elevations. The OTCs significantly affected the arthropod communities, increasing the abundance of herbivores, predators, coprophagous organisms, and fungivores during winter by alleviating environmental stressors. Notably, iridescent beetles decreased with elevation and were more common inside OTCs at lower elevations, suggesting a thermoregulatory advantage. The study underscores the importance of considering functional traits in assessing the impacts of climate change on arthropod communities and highlights the complex, species-specific nature of their responses to environmental changes.