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- Understorey-nesting bird community responses to land use in the Korup National Park, an Afrotropical rainforest in South-Western CameroonPublication . TONLEU, JEAN; Tsafack, Noelline; Bobo, Kadiri S.; Lhoumeau, Sébastien; Lontchi, Wilfried G.T.; Tanebang, Cyrille L.T.; Mbida, MpoameTropical forest biodiversity is under immense pressure due to a combination of global and local factors, including climate change and intensive land use. Birds play an important role in tropical forest ecosystems, contributing significantly to various ecosystem services. This study examined the impact of deforestation on the richness and abundance of understorey-nesting bird communities along a land-use intensification gradient in the peripheral zone of Korup National Park, Southwest Cameroon. We selected 30 sampling plots, each covering 4 ha, across five habitat types: near-primary forest, secondary forest, disturbed forest, cocoa/coffee plantations, and annual food crop fields. A total of 236 understorey bird nests were identified, representing 16 species. Our findings revealed that land use intensity significantly influenced bird species richness and abundance. Primary and secondary forests provided 75% of the nesting species and 71% of the nests. However, 19% of the species either appeared or increased in cocoa/coffee plantations and annual crop fields. Among the feeding groups, frugivores were the most sensitive group to deforestation. This study corroborates the adverse effects of forest destruction on birds communities and highlights the urgent need to address the rapid and extensive forest conversion occurring within Korup National Park. Allowing secondary forests to regenerate and preserving large patches of primary forest are essential strategies to help understorey-nesting bird communities mitigate the impacts of global changes.
- In defence of the entity of Macaronesia as a biogeographical regionPublication . Fernández‐Palacios, José María; Otto, Rüdiger; Capelo, Jorge; Caujapé‐Castells, Juli; De Nascimento, Lea; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Elias, Rui B.; García‐Verdugo, Carlos; Menezes de Sequeira, Miguel; Médail, Frédéric; Naranjo‐Cigala, Agustín; Patiño, Jairo; Price, Jonathan; Romeiras, Maria M.; Sánchez‐Pinto, Lázaro; Whittaker, RobertSince its coinage ca. 1850 AD by Philip Barker Webb, the biogeographical region of Macaronesia, consisting of the North Atlantic volcanic archipelagos of the Azores, Madeira with the tiny Selvagens, the Canaries and Cabo Verde, and for some authors different continental coastal strips, has been under dispute. Herein, after a brief introduction on the terminology and purpose of regionalism, we recover the origins of the Macaronesia name, concept and geographical adscription, as well as its biogeographical implications and how different authors have positioned themselves, using distinct terrestrial or marine floristic and/or faunistic taxa distributions and relationships for accepting or rejecting the existence of this biogeographical region. Four main issues related to Macaronesia are thoroughly discussed: (i) its independence from the Mediterranean phytogeographical region; (ii) discrepancies according to different taxa analysed; (iii) its geographical limits and the role of the continental enclave(s), and, (iv) the validity of the phytogeographical region level. We conclude that Macaronesia has its own identity and a sound phytogeographical foundation, and that this is mainly based on three different floristic components that are shared by the Macaronesian core (Madeira and the Canaries) and the outermost archipelagos (Azores and Cabo Verde). These floristic components are: (i) the Palaeotropical-Tethyan Geoflora, formerly much more widely distributed in Europe and North Africa and currently restricted to the three northern archipelagos (the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries); (ii) the African Rand Flora, still extant in the coastal margins of Africa and Arabia, and present in the southern archipelagos (Madeira, the Canaries and Cabo Verde), and (iii) the Macaronesian neoendemic floristic component, represented in all the archipelagos, a result of allopatric diversification promoted by isolation of Mediterranean ancestors that manage to colonize Central Macaronesia and, from there, the outer archipelagos. Finally, a differentiating floristic component recently colonized the different archipelagos from the nearest continental coast, providing them with different biogeographic flavours.
- AVOTREX: A Global Dataset of Extinct Birds and Their TraitsPublication . Sayol, Ferran; Wayman, Joseph P.; Dufour, Paul; Martin, Thomas E.; Hume, Julian P.; Jørgensen, Maria Wagner; Martínez‐Rubio, Natàlia; Sanglas, Ariadna; Soares, Filipa C.; Cooke, Rob; Mendenhall, Chase D.; Margolis, Jay R.; Illera, Juan Carlos; Lemoine, Rhys; Benavides, Eva; Lapiedra, Oriol; Triantis, Kostas A.; Pigot, Alex L.; Tobias, Joseph A.; Faurby, Søren; Matthews, Thomas J.Motivation Human activities have been reshaping the natural world for tens of thousands of years, leading to the extinction of hundreds of bird species. Past research has provided evidence of extinction selectivity towards certain groups of species, but trait information is lacking for the majority of clades, especially for prehistoric extinctions identified only through subfossil remains. This incomplete knowledge potentially obscures the structure of natural communities, undermining our ability to infer changes in biodiversity across space and time, including trends in functional and phylogenetic diversity. Biases in currently available trait data also limit our ability to identify drivers and processes of extinction. Here we present AVOTREX, an open-access database of species traits for all birds known to have gone extinct in the last 130,000 years. This database provides detailed morphological information for 610 extinct species, along with a pipeline to build phylogenetic trees that include these extinct species. Main Types of Variables Contained For each extinct bird species, we provide information on the taxonomy, geographic location, and period of extinction. We also present data on island endemicity, flight ability, and body mass, as well as standard measurements of external (matching the AVONET database of extant birds) and skeletal morphology from museum specimens where available. To ensure comprehensive morphological data coverage, we estimate all missing morphological measurements using a data imputation technique based on machine learning. Finally, we provide an R package to graft all extinct species onto a global phylogeny of extant species (BirdTree).
- How Habitat Simplification Shapes the Morphological Characteristics of Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Different Biogeographical ContextsPublication . Utta, A. C. S.; Chiatante, Gianpasquale; Schifani, Enrico; MERIGGI, ALBERTO; Fernandes, Itanna Oliveira; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Solar, Ricardo R. C.; Baccaro, Fabricio Beggiato; Grasso, Donato AntonioHuman-driven changes in land cover and use can significantly impact species ants community structures, often leading to a decline in taxonomic diversity or species homogenization. Ant morphology, used as a proxy for ecological function, offers a valuable framework for understanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on ant diversity. This study explored the morphological diversity of ant assemblages in agricultural ecosystems and secondary forests in Italy and the Brazilian Amazon, analyzing how these communities are structured and adapted to different environments. The research aims to understand the ecological interactions and the role of ants in maintaining biodiversity in these contexts. The study was conducted in the Ticino River Natural Park, Italy, and the Paragominas mosaic in Pará, Brazil. The ants were sampled using epigean pitfall traps at 15 agricultural and 13 forest sites. In the secondary forests, the species richness was significantly higher in both countries compared to agricultural areas. In general, the Community Weighted Mean (CWM) of the selected traits (head length, head width, interocular distance, mandible length, eye width, Weber’s length, and tibia length) of Brazilian ants was higher than those of Italian. However, the CWM of agricultural areas of the two countries was more similar. We noticed the convex hull (i.e., the volume of an assemblage in the morphological space) of Brazilian secondary forests was still larger than Italian secondary forests when both assemblages have the same number of species. Morphological homogenization was more pronounced in agricultural settings, whereas secondary forests showed more variability, highlighting the role of environmental filtering in shaping ant communities across land use types.
- Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Macaronesia III: dry habitats of Cabo Verde Archipelago (São Vicente and Santo Antão)Publication . Crespo, Luís; Cardoso, Pedro; Malumbres-Olarte, Jagoba; Pereira, Fernando; Romeiras, Maria M.; Ros Prieto, Alejandra; Rigal, François; Borges, Paulo A. V.Background With this publication, we contribute to the knowledge of the arachnofauna of Cabo Verde, focusing specifically on the Islands of Santo Antão and São Vicente. Data were obtained from samples collected as part of the project "Macaronesian Islands as a testing ground to assess biodiversity drivers at multiple scales" (FCT - MACDIV, 2015-2018). This project aimed to identify the factors influencing community assembly in Macaronesian islands. For the Cabo Verde Islands, we focused on dry habitats with the additional aim to revise the aracnofauna of this poorly-known fauna. We applied the COBRA (Conservation Oriented Biodiversity Rapid Assessment) sampling protocol in ten 50 m x 50 m dry shrub plots, with five on each of the two islands, using pitfall traps, sweep-netting and active search. Additional ad-hoc samples were also collected and reported. New information Our sampling of spiders from Cabo Verde (Santo Antão and São Vicente) yielded a total of 3,368 specimens, of which 1300 (39%) were adults. T
- Backcasting for Youths: Hypothetical and Critical Thinking in the Context of Sustainable Development EducationPublication . Matos, Sónia; Arroz, Ana Moura; Martins, Bruna; Rosário, Isabel Amorim Do; Gabriel, RosalinaThe growing interest in innovative pedagogies within education for sustainable development (ESD) calls for a renewed set of pedagogical practices. In responding to this challenge, this article draws on backcasting, a future studies method, to support education for ESD competencies among youths. It presents the design, trial, and results of one intervention designed to test the method in the context of secondary education, employing design thinking as an overarching methodology. Using a qualitative descriptive-interpretative approach with a thematic analysis to examine empirical data obtained from participants’ perspectives, we present their future visions, how much they were involved in the intervention, what they liked the most and the least, their perceived purpose, ease and adequacy in duration. Our findings show that youths embrace active methodologies such as backcasting. Since the method was new to them, participants experienced difficulties when logically chaining the steps necessary to achieve a desired future from the present state. Nonetheless, the skills underpinning backcasting are relevant to sustainable development, as they involve considering our actions regarding medium- and long-term impacts. In the end, we propose backcasting as a poignant method in the context of secondary education that can promote the development of hypothetical and critical thinking skills central to ESD competencies. While offering a theoretical discussion, a workshop protocol, and future directions for pedagogical practice and investigation, our results apply to researchers, sustainability education professionals, and teachers alike.
- Patterns of intraspecific genetic variation of Andoa berthelotiana (Myuriaceae, Bryophyta) in the Azores (Macaronesia)Publication . Matins, Soraia; SIM-SIM, Manuela; Gabriel, Rosalina; Stech, MichaelMacaronesia is home to several endemic bryophytes, such as Andoa berthelotiana. Recent genetic studies revealed the existence of two intraspecific lineages within this species, one in Madeira and the Canary Islands and another in the Azores. However, patterns of intraspecific variation within archipelagos, remain a relatively unexplored area of research. In this study we investigate patterns of intraspecific variation of Andoa berthelotiana within the Azorean archipelago and potential associations with elevation. Our investigation is based on the analysis of chloroplast DNA sequences and AFLP data. The dataset includes trnL-trnF sequences from 23 samples and AFLP data from 34 samples collected in seven of the nine Azorean islands, encompassing elevations of up to 1200 m. For the DNA sequence data haplotype diversity, nucleotide diversity and a statistical parsimony haplotype network were calculated. The AFLP data were analyzed by AMOVA (Analysis of Molecular Variance) and PCoA (Principal Coordinates Analysis). A Chi-Square test was carried out to assess the significance of the relationship between elevation and AFLP groups or trnL-trnF haplotypes, respectively. The observed intraspecific genetic variation clustered into three trnL-trnF haplotypes and two AFLP groups, without a clear geographical structure across the Azorean archipelago. Group AFLP1 and haplotypes trnL_F1 and trnL_F3 only appeared below 600 m elevation, where low-elevation vegetation (coastal woodlands, lowland forests and montane Laurus azorica forests) prevails, while group AFLP2 and haplotype trnL_F2 occurring along the whole elevational range, but with most samples above 600 m. Associations between elevation and molecular groups were significant according to the Chi- Square test. Our study reveals the presence of genetic variation within Andoa berthelotiana in the Azorean archipelago. The two main genetic groups do not seem to be related to geographical location of islands nor groups of islands, but rather to elevation. One group exhibits a broader ecological amplitude, whereas the other may be genetically adapted to environmental conditions at lower elevations (below 600 m), which includes the area where the native laurel forests dominate and where anthropogenic activities have altered the majority of natural vegetation. Conservation efforts should therefore not only consider the species Andoa berthelotiana itself, which is associated with natural forest, but also intraspecific genetic diversity of Andoa populations, in particular genotypes restricted to lower elevations.
- Long-term monitoring data on Popillia japonica (Newman, 1838) (Coleoptera, Rutelidae) across the Azorean IslandsPublication . Teixeira, Mário; Soares, António; Lopes, David João Horta; Lamelas-López, Lucas; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Mota, José; Simões, NelsonBackground The Japanese Beetle, Popillia japonica Newman, 1838 (Coleoptera, Rutelidae), is a univoltine agricultural pest that poses a serious threat to various agricultural crops. For more than 16 years, the Azorean official authorities have implemented a Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) programme that is crucial for understanding the dynamics of insect pests, such as the Japanese Beetle, and their impacts on agricultural ecosystems. The significance of this long-term monitoring extends beyond understanding the pest's life cycle. By sharing this long-term monitoring data with the scientific community, we hope it allows for a more comprehensive assessment of P. japonica success and spread, enabling a deeper understanding of how this pest interacts and correlates with biotic and abiotic factors to uncover patterns and trends crucial for effective pest management. In the Azores Archipelago, P. japonica adults emerge from pupae at the end of May and peak in density by early July, persisting until October. Larvae develop through three instars, with the third instar grub pupating by early May. This lifecycle highlights the pest population's seasonal activity, including the timing of emergence, adult stages and larval stages. It reveals when and for how long the pest is active in each of its life stages and provides critical information for pest management strategies. Worldwide, this pest can cause damage to 414 plant species across 94 families, underscoring the potential for elevated crop damage. This information is invaluable for developing targeted intervention strategies and mitigating economic losses caused by P. japonica infestations. Therefore, establishing and maintaining long-term programmes for monitoring P. japonica populations are essential for scientific understanding and practical pest management efforts in the Azores Archipelago. New information The data presented here report the officials' records of a 16-year (from 2008 to 2023) long-term monitoring programme on P. japonica in the Azores Archipelago, undertaken by the Secretaria Regional da Agricultura e Alimentação operational services. Based on the last checklist of Azorean arthropods, the species is recorded for the first time for the Corvo, Graciosa and São Jorge Islands.
- Lichen novelties from Corvo Island (Azores, Portugal)Publication . Rodrigues, António Félix; Videira, Sandra; Aptroot, André; Gabriel, RosalinaBackground Corvo is a small and remote island in the western group of the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. The Island's lichen biodiversity was largely understudied, with only 17 species documented to date. New information This study reports 68 new records of lichen species on Corvo Island, representing an addition of two classes, eight orders, 18 families and 43 genera. It includes three new records for the Azores: Acrocordia conoidea (Fr.) Körb., Chrysothrix flavovirens Tønsberg and Glaucomaria rupicola (L.) P.F. Cannon (syn. Lecanora rupicola (L.) Zahlbr.). Additionally, it confirms the presence of three species previously reported in the Archipelago without specific locations: Lecidea phaeops Nyl., Peltigera canina (L.) Willd. and Pertusaria ficorum Zahlbr. This wealth of new lichen species records greatly enriches our understanding of biodiversity and sets a solid groundwork for upcoming ecological investigations in the Azores Archipelago.
- The ups and downs of maritime spatial planning in PortugalPublication . Calado, H.; Frazão Santos, C.; Quintela, A.; Fonseca, C.; Gutierrez, D.Directive 2014/89/EU provided a common framework for MSP in Europe, aiming to promote the sustainable development of maritime activities. However, its implementation has been facing various challenges in different Member States. This paper presents the evolution of MSP in Portugal and analyses how the conditions set by the directive have been addressed, particularly in the environmental domain. The analyses are mainly achieved through existing literature and the positions taken by the National Council for Environment and Sustainable Development. Portuguese efforts around MSP started before the approval of the directive and allowed a valuable learning experience. The legal diplomas later adopted provided a framework for developing marine spatial plans with a more comprehensive architecture of the MSP system. While some issues remain in terms of meeting some of the requirements of the directive, operational procedures and assessment of MSP implementation, there are positive aspects highlighted with the entire presentation of the situation of MSP in Portugal so far.