Grupo de Biodiversidade dos Açores
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- 2019 report of the IUCN SSC Mid-Atlantic Island Invertebrate Specialist GroupPublication . Wilkins, Vicky; Borges, Paulo A. V.To increase the evidence and action for invertebrate conservation on the islands of: Gough, Tristan, St Helena, Ascension, Cape Verdes, Canaries, Madeira, Azores, and São Tomé and Príncipe (Report).
- 2022 report of the IUCN SSC Mid-Atlantic Island Invertebrate Specialist GroupPublication . Wilkins, V.; Borges, Paulo A. V.ABSTRACT: The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a science-based network of thousands of volunteer experts from almost every country of the world, all working together toward achieving the vision of “a just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to both prevent the loss and aid recovery of the diversity of life on earth.” Members of SSC belong to one or more of near 200 Specialist Groups, Red List Authorities, Action Partnerships, Task Forces, and Conservation Committees that make up the Network, each focusing on a taxonomic group (plants, fungi, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and invertebrates), national species, or a disciplinary issue, such as sustainable use and livelihoods, translocation of species, wildlife health, climate change, and conservation planning.
- Abundance of Epiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) in forestry nurseries of São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)Publication . Oliveira, Luísa; Vieira, Virgilio; Soares, António O.; Borges, Isabel; Arruda, Patrícia Melo; Tavares, JoãoEpiphyas postvittana (Walker, 1863) is an invasive polyphagous pest for the Azores and its bioecology and the potential natural enemies were unknown. We evaluated the temporal profile of this species larval abundance and the number of males captured in sex pheromone traps, hypothesizing that both profiles were similar. The study was carried out on seven endemic host plants and one native species grown in two forest nurseries (Furnas and Nordeste) in São Miguel Island over two years from 2018 to 2019. A total of 827 plants attacked by E. postvittana were observed in Furnas nursery (2018: 503, 2019: 324) and 1227 in the Nordeste (2018: 649, 2019: 578), including the presence of 525 larvae distributed by the Furnas (2018: 178, 2019: 79) and from the Nordeste (2018: 131, 2019: 137). In 2019, the average weekly number of males captured in the sex pheromone traps (total 31 weeks) were higher in Furnas (mean ± SE: 9.68 ± 1.982) than in Nordeste (3.33 ± 0.651). In synthesis, (i) the population density varied throughout the year and as a function of the host plant species in production; (ii) the abundance profile of larval and adults suggests has at least three to four generations per year and that adults are active year-round, experiencing some delayed development during the winter; (iii) a low larval density does not represent very serious damage to Azorean endemic plants, but is reflected in the population density of its natural enemies; (iv) some biological control agents are present in the field, parasitizing the larvae (i.e., Braconidae species of Meteorus ictericus (Nees, 1811) and Microgaster opheltes Nixon, 1968); (v) finally, the knowledge of the population dynamics and its natural enemies needs further and long-term study.
- Abundance of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) and its natural enemies on tomato crops in greenhouses of different production modes (Azores, Portugal) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)Publication . Oliveira, Luísa; Borges, Isabel; Silva, Dário; Durão, Ana C.; Soares, António O.Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a major pest of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops produced in the Azorean greenhouses. Despite the major concerns, no systematic study is available to describe population dynamics of T. absoluta and its natural enemies. The objective of this study was to compare the abundance of the pest (eggs and larvae) and its native natural enemies, in greenhouses of tomato crops produced under different production modes (biological, traditional and intensive). A sampling program was carried out during 2020-2021 and two production seasons of spring-summer and fall-winter. The abundance of eggs and larvae of T. absoluta were higher in tomato crops in intensive production and lower in biological production mode. Infestations by eggs and larvae were higher in spring-summer seasons. The natural enemies recorded were Macrolophus pygmaeus (Rambur, 1839) (Hemiptera: Miridae), Dicyphus cerastii Wagner, 1951 (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja & Nagarkatti, 1960 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae). The abundance of natural enemies were very low and, virtually, do not occur during the fall-winter seasons. We found no significant difference between the abundance of M. pygmaeus amongst tomato crops from different production mode but D. cerastii was more abundant on greenhouses of biological production mode. Parasitism rate by T. achaeae does not differ between production modes and crop seasons. Considering the major concerns of the growers by the infestation levels of their crops, together with low abundance of native natural enemies, we suggest the use of biological production mode or an inoculative or augmentative strategy to control the pest in intensive and traditional productions modes.
- Açorianos na caça às focasPublication . Riley, Carlos Guilherme; Barreiros, João P.Conhecidos pela sua destreza como arpoadores, alguns dos açorianos que integravam as tripulações das frotas baleeiras americanas estiveram também envolvidas na caça às focas, como destaca o historiador Donald Warrin num interessante estudo publicado recentemente – The Whalemen’s other bounty: Azoreans and Cape Verdeans in the hunt for Seals (2015). A caça às focas, profundamente impregnada no quotidiano e cultura do povo Inuit que habita as regiões árticas, foi uma atividade também praticada pelos baleeiros americanos que depois vendiam as peles ou o óleo extraído deste mamífero aquático. […].
- Acorigone zebraneusPublication . Borges, Paulo A. V.; Cardoso, PedroJUSTIFICATION: Acorigone zebraneus is a single-island endemic money spider species restricted to São Jorge island in Azores, Portugal (Borges et al. 2010). It is a rare species, with a restricted Extent of Occurrence (EOO) (4- 20 km²) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) (4-20 km²), but these values are suspected to be at the upper end of these estimates. There is a continuing decline in the EOO, AOO, extent and quality of habitat as well as the number of mature individuals as a result of the invasions of non-native plants and trampling of soil by dairy cows. The species occurs in a single patch of native forest at Topo Nature Reserve. In the past, the species has probably strongly declined due to changes in habitat size. The only patch of native vegetation where it occurs in under severe threat due to invasive plants and dairy-cattle disturbance. Therefore, we suggest as future measures of conservation: (1) a long-term monitoring plan of the species; (2) control of invasive species, and (3) restrict the access of cattle. The species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).
- Advances on Applications of Bioactive Natural CompoundsPublication . Seca, Ana M. L.; Gallardo, Eugenia
- Agro-industrial wastes as building insulation materials : A review and challenges for Euro-Mediterranean countriesPublication . Cintura, Eleonora; Nunes, Lina; Esteves, Bruno M.; Faria, PaulinaThis study investigates the possibility of using agro-industrial wastes for building products, mainly focusing on their insulation properties. A classification of bio-wastes is provided, namely of the lignocellulosic ones and their features and properties are described. Information about three main topics is collected: world production and consumption of some crops already used as building materials, their chemical composition and their most studied properties. Since the considered materials are lignocellulosic and they have many common features, a comparison is made. The aim is to have comparable information to support future research related to the production of eco-efficient indoor insulation boards. The result of this research is the choice of four different agro-industrial wastes produced in the Euro-Mediterranean Countries. This area was chosen as buildings typically have little or no insulation due to the regional mild climate; however, particularly with climate change, indoor hygrothermal comfort is poor. The collection of information allows some conclusions to be reached about the different bio-wastes already studied and identify gaps in the literature.
- Air Quality at Ponta Delgada City (Azores) Is Unaffected so Far by Growing Cruise Ship Transit in Recent YearsPublication . Bernardo, Filipe; Garcia, Patrícia; Rodrigues, ArmindoThe ease of travel allowed by contemporary means of long-range transportation has brought increasingly higher numbers of visitors to remote and relatively undisturbed insular territories. In a framework of environmental conservation of the natural patrimony, sustainably accommodating touristic flooding and the associated polluting footprint poses a demanding challenge. Over the past decade, Ponta Delgada, the largest city of the mid-Atlantic Azores archipelago, has become a hotspot for transatlantic cruise ship (CS) lines in spring and autumn. CSs are substantial contributors to the emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), as well as hazardous sulphur (SOx) and nitrogen (NOx) oxides. It is hereby retrospectively investigated whether the background levels of air pollutants were raised following the CS influx at Ponta Delgada, which conventionally displays great air quality. The daily CS traffic at the local harbor was associated with the daily concentrations of air pollutants (SO₂, O₃, NO₂, NOx, PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅), monitored by the local urban background monitoring station (~1.3 km northwards). Exceedances above daily legislated limits from 2013 until 2020 only occurred sporadically for PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅, often during episodes of natural dust storms. No major correlation was found between CS parameters with the recorded values of pollutants, although a noticeable signal of NOx increase of southern origin is observed during spring days with CS presence. Daily data suggest CS influx has not strongly influenced background air quality. A near-source, real-time monitoring network should be implemented in the city to provide the necessary spatial and temporal resolution for tracking short-term fluctuations in air pollutants during CS arrivals and departures.
- Algae as Food in Europe : An Overview of Species Diversity and Their ApplicationPublication . Mendes, Madalena C.; Navalho, Sofia; Ferreira, Alice; Paulino, Cristina; Figueiredo, Daniel; Silva, Daniel; Gao, Fengzheng; Gama, Florinda; Bombo, Gabriel; Jacinto, Rita; Aveiro, Susana S.; Schulze, Peter S. C.; Gonçalves, Ana Teresa; Pereira, Hugo; Gouveia, Luisa; Patarra, Rita F.; Abreu, Maria H.; Silva, Joana L.; Navalho, João; Varela, João C. S.; Speranza, Lais G.Algae have been consumed for millennia in several parts of the world as food, food supplements, and additives, due to their unique organoleptic properties and nutritional and health benefits. Algae are sustainable sources of proteins, minerals, and fiber, with well-balanced essential amino acids, pigments, and fatty acids, among other relevant metabolites for human nutrition. This review covers the historical consumption of algae in Europe, developments in the current European market, challenges when introducing new species to the market, bottlenecks in production technology, consumer acceptance, and legislation. The current algae species that are consumed and commercialized in Europe were investigated, according to their status under the European Union (EU) Novel Food legislation, along with the market perspectives in terms of the current research and development initiatives, while evaluating the interest and potential in the European market. The regular consumption of more than 150 algae species was identified, of which only 20% are approved under the EU Novel Food legislation, which demonstrates that the current legislation is not broad enough and requires an urgent update. Finally, the potential of the European algae market growth was indicated by the analysis of the trends in research, technological advances, and market initiatives to promote algae commercialization and consumption.