Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes

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Organizational Unit

Publications

Publication . Gabriel, Rosalina, ed.; Borges, Paulo A. V., ed.

O Guia Prático da Flora Nativa dos Açores / Field Guide of Azorean Native Flora facilita não só o conhecimento das principais espécies da flora açoriana, como permite uma fácil e rápida identificação das endémicas, seja das mais comuns, seja das mais raras. Contempla quase três centenas de espécies, incluindo fichas de líquenes, musgos, hepáticas, antocerotas, fetos e licófitas, gimnospérmicas e angiospérmicas, e inclui a localização onde podem ser avistadas, juntamente com um conjunto de aspetos de natureza científica, divulgando o património natural da Região, bem como a sua rica biodiversidade.

2022Book

Open access

Pinniped (Carnivora, Phocidae) occurrences in the Azores Archipelago (NE Atlantic)

Publication . Barcelos, Luis M. D.; Barreiros, João P.

BACKGROUND: The last Pinniped species update was in 2010, as part of the list of the terrestrial and marine biota from the Azores. This list includes a chapter dedicated to marine mammals, based on previously published bibliography. NEW INFORMATION: No new species were added since that list was published. However, there were new occurrences since the last update.

2022-11Journal article

Open access

Plant growers' environmental consciousness may not be enough to mitigate pollinator declines : a questionnaire‐based case study in Hungary

Publication . Varga‐Szilay, Zsófia; Pozsgai, Gabor

BACKGROUND: Pesticides are one of the most important anthropogenic-related stressors. In times of global pollinator decline, the role of integrated farming and urban gardens in supporting wild pollinators is becoming increasingly important. We circulated an online questionnaire to survey plant protection practices among Hungarian farmers and garden ownerswith a particular emphasis on pollinator protection. RESULTS: We found that plant growers rely heavily on pesticide use, and pesticides are used widely in otherwise pollinatorfriendly gardens. Whether pesticide use practices were driven by expert opinion and respondent gender were the best predictors of pesticide use. Although most respondents supported pollinators, pesticides are also used widely among home garden owners, which can pose a non-evident ecological trap for pollinator populations in the gardens. CONCLUSION: Special attention should be paid to implementing measures to reduce pesticide use not only in farmland, but also in home gardens. Environmental education and financial support through agroecological schemes could efficiently promote the transition away from pesticide use. However, whereas farmers can be encouraged to reduce pesticide use mostly by expert advice, garden owners are likely to rely on more conventional information channels. The attitudes of Hungarian plant growers can provide an insight into pesticide use practices of Central and Eastern European countries, but similar surveys are needed across Europe for a complete understanding of broad-scale processes. This work lays the foundations for similar studies that can inform and facilitate the transformation to pesticide-free farming and gardening.

2022-11Journal article

Open access

Editorial: Theoretical Approaches to Community Ecology

Publication . Borda-de-Água, Luís; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Halley, John M.

2022-01Journal article

Open access

Dramatic changes in the structure of shallow-water marine benthic communities following the invasion by Rugulopteryx okamurae (Dictyotales, Ochrophyta) in Azores (NE Atlantic)

Publication . Faria, João; Prestes, Afonso L.; Moreu, Ignacio; Cacabelos, Eva; Martins, Gustavo M.

Biological invasions are considered one of the most important drivers of biodiversity loss. Here we use a before-after-control-impact (BACI) design to investigate the impact of Rugulopteryx okamurae on the structure of shallow-water marine benthic communities in São Miguel island, Azores. After its first appearance in 2019, R. okamurae has rapidly invaded much of the southern coast of the island, where it became the dominant algae. This was followed by significant changes in the structure of shallow-water marine benthic communities, with substantial losses of natural variability and species richness. Compared to before, there has been dramatic reductions in the abundances of articulated coralline algae, corticated algae and corticated foliose algae in invaded locations. These results highlight its highly invasive character, not seen with other, more well-known, invasive species. It remains to be investigated if its impacts persist throughout time and to quantify the functional consequences of such dramatic changes.

2022Journal article

Restricted access