Vegetation types alter soil ecosystems by changing soil fauna community activities and soil physi-cal-chemical properties.However,it is unclear how tree species(natural forest,native and exotic tree plantations)promot...Vegetation types alter soil ecosystems by changing soil fauna community activities and soil physi-cal-chemical properties.However,it is unclear how tree species(natural forest,native and exotic tree plantations)promote changes in the soil ecosystem,and if these changes alter functional groups of soil fauna and ecosystem services.To determine the effects of five decades of old-field veg-etation on soil ecosystems in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest,field sampling of three ecosystems(exotic tree species Pinus elliottii Engelm.plantation,endangered tree species Arau-caria angustifolia(Bertol.)Kuntze plantation,and a natural ecosystem)were carried out,as well using bait-lamina tests and bioassays with collembolans,earthworms and seeds of Lactuca sativa L.Field sampling evaluated the soil fauna community and soil physical-chemical properties.The bait-lamina test in situ was carried out for 14-days to deter-mine fauna feeding activity,and the bioassays evaluated the reproduction of Folsomia candida,the avoidance of Eisenia andrei,and germination of L.sativa in the soil from each ecosystem.The results are:(1)vegetation type altered the soil fauna community composition;(2)soil fauna feeding was reduced in the plantations compared to the natural eco-system;(3)a physical barrier was created by recalcitrant litter that compromised fauna community structure and seed bank germination in situ;and,(4)changes in soil physical-chemical properties promoted decomposers.展开更多
The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services disturbance will result in serious ecological and socioeconomic consequences. How can people be prepared to be more efficient in preserving ecosystems, its services and ...The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services disturbance will result in serious ecological and socioeconomic consequences. How can people be prepared to be more efficient in preserving ecosystems, its services and resources? The Messalo Wilderness Area (MWA) is an area lacking a bottom-up approach for the design of a management plan. This research intended to develop a strategy to gather people’s views to begin a human wellbeing assessment for the area, for which a Digital Questionnaire (DQ) was developed and tested. The specific objectives were to 1) verify the dispersion/distribution of people and elephants;2) study the natural resources used by the inhabitants;3) locate the areas from where the most important natural resources are extracted and where conflict between humans and animals occur;4) propose a Management Plan (MP) capable of mitigating the human-animals conflict, promoting the conservation of elephants and, consequently, of other types of biodiversity, thus working towards a better socio-economical development of the area. The elements gathered in the consulted references were used to design several maps and cartographic figures shown in this article, using the Map Window software. These maps describe: fresh water distribution, habitat distribution, population dispersal and main road connections, crop fields distribution and main exploitation spots of the different resources, orography and topography. The results from the DQ analysis helped to gather indicators to the human wellbeing assessment. The information gathered in the literature and by inquiry was effective in confirming the high dependency of local people on land and sea resources, as well as the conflicts between people and wild animals, such as elephants and African wild dogs, and the reasons for those conflicts. The DQ is effective in gathering people’s opinions and it constitutes an important tool in a bottom-up approach to the design of a management plan as to the design of the MP for the MWA.展开更多
Providing nest-boxes as surrogate tree cavities can be of great importance to increase the breeding populations of cavity-nesting birds in managed forests.However,the exact placement of nest-boxes should be taken into...Providing nest-boxes as surrogate tree cavities can be of great importance to increase the breeding populations of cavity-nesting birds in managed forests.However,the exact placement of nest-boxes should be taken into consideration to enhance their occupancy according to species-specific preferences.In this study,we investigated which factors can better predict nest-box occupancy by the Great Tit(Parus major)in eucalypt plantations.We used generalised linear mixed-effects models to analyse the influence of topography,nest-box positioning,vegetation cover and landscape variables on three-year occupancy records from 80 newly provided nest-boxes.Non-random patterns of nest-box occupancy were found with respect to all categories except topography.Results suggest that Great Tits prefer to occupy high-placed nest-boxes,close to areas that can provide them with supplementary resources either within or in the vicinity of the stand(i.e.,trees other than eucalypts,riparian vegetation,and large patches of adjacent habitats).Overall,this study provides important recommendations for nest-box placement and spatial distribution in managed forests and enhances the potential of nest-box interventions as a biodiversity offset and management tool.展开更多
Arbutus unedo L.(strawberry tree,Ericaceae)is a woody species with a circum-Mediterranean distribu-tion.It has considerable ecological relevance in southern European forests due to its resilience to abiotic and biotic...Arbutus unedo L.(strawberry tree,Ericaceae)is a woody species with a circum-Mediterranean distribu-tion.It has considerable ecological relevance in southern European forests due to its resilience to abiotic and biotic stressors.Its edible red berries are used in the production of traditional products,including an expensive spirit.Several compounds extracted from the species have bioactive prop-erties used by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.The strawberry tree has gone from a neglected species to become a highly valuable crop with large cultivated areas in southern European and North African countries.Due to an increasing demand from farmers for plants with improved features,researchers have been trying to improve this spe-cies through conventional and biotechnological tools,focus-ing mainly on population analysis using molecular markers,in vitro cloning,tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses,and intraspecific crosses to obtain genotypes with new char-acteristics.The objective of this review is to gather and update information about the species and make it available to researchers and stakeholders.Future research areas that are considered a priority for this species are highlighted.展开更多
In Jordan,Salvia ceratophylla L.is traditionally used in the treatment of cancer,microbial infections,and urinary disorders.This study aimed:(1)to chemically characterize S.ceratophylla essential oil(EO)from South Jor...In Jordan,Salvia ceratophylla L.is traditionally used in the treatment of cancer,microbial infections,and urinary disorders.This study aimed:(1)to chemically characterize S.ceratophylla essential oil(EO)from South Jordan,by gas chromatography(GC)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS);and(2)to evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic,anti-inflammatory,and antiprotozoal activities of the EO,it’s predominant components,and the hexane(A),ethyl acetate(B),methanol(C)and crude-methanol extracts(D).The analysis revealed that the EO has 71 compounds,with linalool(54.8%)as main constitu-ent.Only the hexane extract(A)showed some cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL,KB,BT-549,SK-OV-3,LLC-PK1 and VERO cells lines with IC50 between 60 and>100μg/mL.The EO inhibited NO production(IC5090μg/mL)and NF-κB activity(IC5038μg/mL).The extracts A,B,and D inhibited NO production and NF-κB activity with IC50 between 32 and 150μg/mL.Linalool considerably inhibited NO production(IC5018μg/mL).The extracts tested did not exhibit antileish-manial activity.Regarding antitrypanosomal activity,the EO exhibited significant results with IC502.65μg/mL.In conclu-sion,Jordan S.ceratophylla EO represents a rich source of linalool and bears a promising therapeutic potential for further antitrypanosomal drug development.展开更多
Background：Attention has recently been drawn to the issue of transboundary invasions,where species introduced and naturalized in one country cross international borders and become problematic in neighbouring countrie...Background：Attention has recently been drawn to the issue of transboundary invasions,where species introduced and naturalized in one country cross international borders and become problematic in neighbouring countries.Robust modelling frameworks,able to identify the environmental drivers of invasion and forecast the current and future potential distribution of invasive species,are needed to study and manage invasions.Limitations due to the lack of species distribution and environmental data,or assumptions of modelling tools,often constrain the reliability of model predictions.Methods：We present a multiscale spatial modelling framework for transboundary invasions,incorporating robust modelling frameworks（Multimodel Inference and Ensemble Modelling） to overcome some of the limitations.The framework is illustrated using Hakea sericea Schrad.（Proteaceae）,a shrub or small tree native to Australia and invasive in several regions of the world,including the Iberian Peninsula.Two study scales were considered：regional scale（western Iberia,including mainland Portugal and Galicia） and local scale（northwest Portugal）.At the regional scale,the relative importance of environmental predictors sets was evaluated and ranked to determine the main general drivers for the species distribution,while the importance of each environmental predictor was assessed at the local scale.The potential distribution of H.sericea was spatially projected for both scale areas.Results：Model projections for western Iberia suggest that a large area is environmentally suitable in both Portugal and Spain.Climate and landscape composition sets were the most important determinants of this regional distribution of the species.Conversely,a geological predictor（schist lithology） was more important in explaining its local-scale distribution.Conclusions：After being introduced to Portugal,H.sericea has become a transboundary invader by expanding in parts of Galicia（Spain）.The fact that a larger area is predicted as environmentally suitable in Spain raises concerns regarding its potential continued expansion.This highlights the importance of transboundary cooperation in the early management of invasions.By reliably identifying drivers and providing spatial projections of invasion at multiple scales,this framework provides insights for the study and management of biological invasions,including the assessment of transboundary invasion risk.展开更多
Introduction:Here,we compare the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal(AMF)community composition in soils from the root zone of the exotic invasive species Prosopis juliflora(EXO soils)and soils from the root zone of the nati...Introduction:Here,we compare the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal(AMF)community composition in soils from the root zone of the exotic invasive species Prosopis juliflora(EXO soils)and soils from the root zone of the native species Mimosa tenuiflora(NAT soils)from five locations in the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest,Paraíba,Brazil,using morphological analyses.Results:AMF community composition in EXO and NAT soils were dissimilar.Available phosphorus,diversity index,spore abundance,and species richness were the main factors differing between the EXO and NAT soils.In general,the most dominant order present in the soils were Glomerales(44.8%)and Gigasporales(41.4%).The most abundant AMF genus in all studied soils was Funneliformis.Conclusions:Differences in AMF community composition were associated with(1)differences in the dominant plant species(P.juliflora vs.M.tenuiflora)and(2)changes in soil chemical factors(soil,pH,total organic carbon,total nitrogen,and available P)in EXO soils.These results contribute to a deeper view of the AMF communities in exotic soils and open new perspectives for ecological processes involving AMF species and exotic plant species in the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest.展开更多
In non-flooded lowland rain forests with low soil phosphorus(P)in parts of Amazonia,P cycling largely occurs via leaf litter recycling by arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungal symbionts.Occasional high input of P into thes...In non-flooded lowland rain forests with low soil phosphorus(P)in parts of Amazonia,P cycling largely occurs via leaf litter recycling by arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungal symbionts.Occasional high input of P into these ecosystems occurs during drought years with increased litterfall.As the length and frequency of drought events are projected to increase in the region,a single-dose nutrient addition experiment was carried out to test how this would impact P cycling.An application rate of 4 kg P ha^(-1) was used,which corresponds to twice the amount of litter-derived P in an average year.It was hypothesized that i)the added mineral P would be immobilized by soil microorganisms,leading to measurable increase in soil microbial biomass carbon(C)and P and ii)AM colonization rate would be reduced by the pulse in mineral P available for plant uptake.The results did not support either of our hypotheses.The addition of P did not have an effect on AM root colonization,nor was P immobilized by soil microbiota during the experimental period.The lack of a difference between the control and treatment at our study site could be attributed to the relatively low one-off dose of P applied that did not change either the colonization rate of roots by AM fungi or the amount of soil available labile P.To obtain a mechanistic understanding of the availability,capture,and use of P by plant-symbiont associations in tropical rain forest ecosystems,further integrated studies of the soil-plant system combining long-term nutrient manipulations,modeling,and experimental approaches are required.展开更多
The treatment of wastewaters is crucial to maintain the ecological status of receiving waters,and thereby guarantee the protection of aquatic life and human health.Wastewater quality evaluation is conventionally based...The treatment of wastewaters is crucial to maintain the ecological status of receiving waters,and thereby guarantee the protection of aquatic life and human health.Wastewater quality evaluation is conventionally based on physicochemical parameters,but increasing attention has been paid to integrate physicochemical and biological data.Nevertheless,the regulatory use of fish in biological testing methods has been subject to various ethical and cost concerns,and in vitro cell-based assays have thus become an important topic of interest.Hence,the present study intends:(a) to evaluate the efficiency of two different sample pre-concentration techniques (lyophilisation and solid phase extraction) to assess the toxicity of municipal effluents on rat cardiomyoblast H9c2(2-1) cells,and (b) maximizing the use of the effluent sample collected,to estimate the environmental condition of the receiving environment.The gathered results demonstrate that the H9c2(2-1) sulforhodamine B-based assay is an appropriate in vitro method to assess biological effluent toxicity,and the best results were attained by lyophilising the sample as pre-treatment.Due to its response,the H9c2(2-1) cell line might be a possible alternative in vitro model for fish lethal testing to assess the toxicity of municipal effluents.The physicochemical status of the sample suggests a high potential for eutrophication,and iron exceeded the permissible level for wastewater discharge,possibly due to the addition of ferric chloride for wastewater treatment.In general,the levels of carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole are higher than those reported for other countries,and both surpassed the aquatic protective values for long-term exposure.展开更多
The value of the Formicidae (Insecta,Hymenoptera) community in forensic investigations is poorly studied in Portugal.In order to better understand the structure and dynamics of this group of insects in cadavers and th...The value of the Formicidae (Insecta,Hymenoptera) community in forensic investigations is poorly studied in Portugal.In order to better understand the structure and dynamics of this group of insects in cadavers and their putative value in forensic investigations,studies were carried out in Lisbon area during one year.Piglet carcasses were used as a model of human decomposition.The entomofauna attracted to the carcasses was collected over a period of about 2 months in each season of the year.The collection of ants was performed at regular intervals,daily in the first 23 days and then with intervals of 2,3 or 5 days until the end of the experiment.Five stages of cadaveric decomposition were recognized with the ants being present in all of them.Three hundred and nine specimens were captured: 7 in autumn,6 in winter,90 in spring and 206 in summer.These specimens belong to three subfamilies and seven different species.Four of them had never been mentioned before as being associated to cadavers in this geographical area.Spring and summer had the greater diversity of species and a larger number of individuals.Temnothorax luteus was the dominant species in spring and Tapinoma nigerrimum in summer.Corroborating the information of other similar studies carried out in the Iberian Peninsula,the sarcosaprophagous Formicidae community found in Lisbon is unique and different from other studied locations,which supports the need to perform regional studies.Our results shown that ants do not present a definite pattern of succession,but some species have the potential to be seasonal or geographic indicators.展开更多
What is the current state of Forensic Anthropology in Brazil and where do we stand when identification is concerned?Coming to terms with the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil is the challenge we proposed to se...What is the current state of Forensic Anthropology in Brazil and where do we stand when identification is concerned?Coming to terms with the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil is the challenge we proposed to several Brazilian forensic anthropology experts and it is the focus of this special issue.We asked the contributor to drill-down to the fundamental questions in order to define the baseline upon which we can build our understanding and establish the future pathways for the field.What are the most typical cases?Is there a more frequent case type?Does the way the issues are being solved reflect advancements in the discipline in the country?Are standards procedures being followed?What are the main obstacles faced by the experts in this field?展开更多
INTRODUCTION Seed dispersal is a key process in the life cycle of most plants,with ecological and evolutionary consequences that go beyond vegetation dynamics and cascade to entire ecosystem functioning and stability(...INTRODUCTION Seed dispersal is a key process in the life cycle of most plants,with ecological and evolutionary consequences that go beyond vegetation dynamics and cascade to entire ecosystem functioning and stability(Traveset et al.2014).Seed dispersal largely constrains plant recruitment and the distribution of future plant cohorts,thus playing a critical role in the restoration of disturbed sites(Cain et al.2000;Higgins et al.2003).It can also threaten plant diversity by facilitating plant invasions(Vavra et al.2007;Heleno 2020).展开更多
Aims biological invasions represent one of the most important threats to the conservation of biodiversity;however,the mechanisms underlying successful invaders remain unsolved.many of the most aggres-sive invaders sho...Aims biological invasions represent one of the most important threats to the conservation of biodiversity;however,the mechanisms underlying successful invaders remain unsolved.many of the most aggres-sive invaders show clonal growth,and capacity for clonal integration has been pointed out recently as an important trait explaining the success of invasive plants.We aim to determine the role of physi-ological integration in the capacity for self/non-self genotype recog-nition in the clonal invader Carpobrotus edulis and the implications of this capacity for the expansion of this aggressive invader.Methods We used connected and severed ramets of identical or different gen-otype and we determined the capacity for self/non-self recognition by comparing changes in biomass partitioning to avoid competition for resources between pairs of ramets.Important Findings Physiological integration allowed self/non-self genotype recogni-tion in the invader C.edulis.results showed a significant effect of physiological integration on the biomass allocated to roots by genetically identical ramets:older ramets specialize in acqui-sition of soil-based resources and younger ramets specialize in lateral expansion.this specialization could be considered a form of division of labour,which reduce intra-genotype competition.this is the first evidence that division of labour could be inter-preted as a form of self/non-self recognition between genetically identical ramets.Capacity for self/non-self discrimination could contribute to increase the colonization capacity of the aggressive invader C.edulis.this is the first study showing an association between self/non-self recognition and invasiveness in a clonal plant.展开更多
Ancestry assessment represents a major component of forensic anthropological analysis of recovered human remains.Interpretations of ancestry,together with other aspects of the biological profile,can help narrow the se...Ancestry assessment represents a major component of forensic anthropological analysis of recovered human remains.Interpretations of ancestry,together with other aspects of the biological profile,can help narrow the search of missing persons and contribute to eventual positive identification.Such information can prove useful to authorities involved in the identification and investigative process since many lists of missing persons have a reference to this parameter.Recent research has strengthened available methodologies involving metric,non-metric morphological as well as chemical and genetic approaches.This review addresses the new anthropological techniques that are now available,as well as the complex historical context related to ancestry evaluation.展开更多
Frugivory in lizards is often assumed to be constrained by body size;only large individuals are considered capable of consuming fruits, with the potential of acting as seed dispersers. However, only one previous study...Frugivory in lizards is often assumed to be constrained by body size;only large individuals are considered capable of consuming fruits, with the potential of acting as seed dispersers. However, only one previous study has tested the correlation of frugivory with body and head size at an archipelago scale across closely related species. All nine lava lizards (Microlophus spp.) were studied on the eleven largest Galapagos islands from 2010 to 2016 to investigate whether frugivory is related to body and head size. We also tested whether fruit abunda nee in flue nces fruit con sumption and explored the effect of seed ingestion on seedling emergence time and percentage. Our results showed that across islands, lava lizards varied considerably in size (64-102 mm in mean snoutvent length) and level of frugivory (1-23%, i.e., percentage of droppings with seeds). However, level of frugivory was only weakly affected by size as fruit consumption was also common among small lizards. Lava lizards consumed fruits throughout the year and factors other than fruit abundance may be more importa nt drivers of fruit selecti on (e.g., fruit size, energy con tent of pulp). From 2,530 droppings, 1,714 seeds of at least 61 plant species were identified, 76% of the species being native to the Galapagos. Most seeds (91%) showed no external structural damage. Seedling emergence time (44 versus 118 days) and percentage (20% versus 12%) were enhanced for lizardingested seeds compared to control (uningested) fruits. De-pulping by lizards (i.e., removal of pulp with potential germi nation inhibitors) might in crease the chances that at least some seeds find suitable recruitment conditi ons. We con eluded that lizards are importa nt seed dispersers throughout the year and across the whole archipelago, regardless of body size.展开更多
Aims The tree legume Acacia dealbata Link is an aggressive Australian invader that severely affects abiotic and biotic compartments of eco-systems worldwide.This invasive species outcompetes native plant communities t...Aims The tree legume Acacia dealbata Link is an aggressive Australian invader that severely affects abiotic and biotic compartments of eco-systems worldwide.This invasive species outcompetes native plant communities through direct competition,changes in microhabitat and soil properties under the canopy and the release of allelopathic compounds.However,these effects are usually studied separately and under controlled conditions.The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of these modifications exerted by A.dealbata on the establishment of native and invasive species in the field.Methods A full factorial experiment was performed in order to test the com-bined effect of microhabitat,soil type and allelopathy on the establish-ment of the invasive A.dealbata and three native species in the field(North-West Spain).We sowed seeds of native or invasive species in pots with different soil type(soil collected under A.dealbata or Pinus pinaster),allelopathy status(soil treated or untreated with activated car-bon)and microhabitat(under the canopy of A.dealbata or P.pinaster).The number and total biomass of established plants were evaluated after 8 months.Soil abiotic properties were determined in all soils.Important Findings The establishment of native and invasive species was signifi-cantly affected by the microhabitat,with a higher number of seedlings under the native forest(P.pinaster).The establishment of A.dealbata seedlings was also significantly promoted by its own soil.A negligible effect of allelopathy was detected on the establishment and growth of both invasive and native species.We conclude that(i)the main factor affecting seedling establish-ment was microhabitat rather than changes in soil properties or allelopathy,(ii)soil modifications by A.dealbata promote the establishment of its own seedlings,contributing to the progress of invasion and(iii)allelochemicals released by A.dealbata do not seem to play a key role for the establishment of native and invasive plants under field conditions in the European non-native range.展开更多
Lizards have been reported as important pollinators on several oceanic islands.Here we evaluate the potential role of Galápagos lava lizards(Microlophus spp.)as pollinators across their radiation.Over 3 years,we ...Lizards have been reported as important pollinators on several oceanic islands.Here we evaluate the potential role of Galápagos lava lizards(Microlophus spp.)as pollinators across their radiation.Over 3 years,we sampled pollen transport by 9 lava lizard species on the 10 islands where they are present,including 7 single-island endemics.Overall,only 25 of 296 individuals sampled(8.4%)transported pollen of 10 plant species,the most common being Prosopis juliflora,Exodeconus miersii,Sesuvium sp.and Cordia leucophlyctis.At least 8 of these plant species were native,and none were confirmed as introduced to the archipelago.Despite the low overall proportion of individuals carrying pollen,this was observed in 7 of the nine lizard species,and on 8 of the ten main islands(Española,Fernandina,Floreana,Isabela,Marchena,Pinta,Santa Cruz and Santiago),suggesting that this is a widespread interaction.The results reported here support the potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across their radiation,although they may represent a relatively modest contribution when compared with birds and insects.However,we cannot discard that lizards may be ecologically significant for particular plant species and ecosystems given the specific climatic condition and functional diversity of each island.展开更多
The role of the most common land iguana(Conolophus subcristatus)in the Galápagos Islands as an effective seed disperser is explored in this study.A total of 5705 seeds of 32 plant species were identified from 160...The role of the most common land iguana(Conolophus subcristatus)in the Galápagos Islands as an effective seed disperser is explored in this study.A total of 5705 seeds of 32 plant species were identified from 160 scats,4545 of which(80%)appeared visually undamaged.Germination trials of 849 seeds from 29 species revealed that at least 10 species remained viable after passing through the iguana’s gut,although only a small proportion of those seeds(4%)germinated.In any case,we argue that C.subcristatus exerts an important role on the 7 Galapagos islands where it occurs because of its abundance and capacity to ingest and disperse seeds at long distances.Our results strongly suggest that the Galápagos C.subcristatus plays an important role as a seed disperser of not only of native species but also some introduced plants in the Galápagos Islands.展开更多
文摘Vegetation types alter soil ecosystems by changing soil fauna community activities and soil physi-cal-chemical properties.However,it is unclear how tree species(natural forest,native and exotic tree plantations)promote changes in the soil ecosystem,and if these changes alter functional groups of soil fauna and ecosystem services.To determine the effects of five decades of old-field veg-etation on soil ecosystems in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest,field sampling of three ecosystems(exotic tree species Pinus elliottii Engelm.plantation,endangered tree species Arau-caria angustifolia(Bertol.)Kuntze plantation,and a natural ecosystem)were carried out,as well using bait-lamina tests and bioassays with collembolans,earthworms and seeds of Lactuca sativa L.Field sampling evaluated the soil fauna community and soil physical-chemical properties.The bait-lamina test in situ was carried out for 14-days to deter-mine fauna feeding activity,and the bioassays evaluated the reproduction of Folsomia candida,the avoidance of Eisenia andrei,and germination of L.sativa in the soil from each ecosystem.The results are:(1)vegetation type altered the soil fauna community composition;(2)soil fauna feeding was reduced in the plantations compared to the natural eco-system;(3)a physical barrier was created by recalcitrant litter that compromised fauna community structure and seed bank germination in situ;and,(4)changes in soil physical-chemical properties promoted decomposers.
文摘The loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services disturbance will result in serious ecological and socioeconomic consequences. How can people be prepared to be more efficient in preserving ecosystems, its services and resources? The Messalo Wilderness Area (MWA) is an area lacking a bottom-up approach for the design of a management plan. This research intended to develop a strategy to gather people’s views to begin a human wellbeing assessment for the area, for which a Digital Questionnaire (DQ) was developed and tested. The specific objectives were to 1) verify the dispersion/distribution of people and elephants;2) study the natural resources used by the inhabitants;3) locate the areas from where the most important natural resources are extracted and where conflict between humans and animals occur;4) propose a Management Plan (MP) capable of mitigating the human-animals conflict, promoting the conservation of elephants and, consequently, of other types of biodiversity, thus working towards a better socio-economical development of the area. The elements gathered in the consulted references were used to design several maps and cartographic figures shown in this article, using the Map Window software. These maps describe: fresh water distribution, habitat distribution, population dispersal and main road connections, crop fields distribution and main exploitation spots of the different resources, orography and topography. The results from the DQ analysis helped to gather indicators to the human wellbeing assessment. The information gathered in the literature and by inquiry was effective in confirming the high dependency of local people on land and sea resources, as well as the conflicts between people and wild animals, such as elephants and African wild dogs, and the reasons for those conflicts. The DQ is effective in gathering people’s opinions and it constitutes an important tool in a bottom-up approach to the design of a management plan as to the design of the MP for the MWA.
基金co-financed by Funda?ao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia(FCT)the European Regional Development Fund(FEDER)through Portugal 2020 Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Programme(POCI),reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030250 and PTDC/ASP-SIL/30250/2017-TOPDEVIL+1 种基金the R&D Unit Centre for Functional Ecology-Science for People and the Planet(CFE),with reference UIDB/04004/2020,financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds(PIDDAC)FCT/MCTES also funded L.P.S.with contract CEECIND/02064/2017。
文摘Providing nest-boxes as surrogate tree cavities can be of great importance to increase the breeding populations of cavity-nesting birds in managed forests.However,the exact placement of nest-boxes should be taken into consideration to enhance their occupancy according to species-specific preferences.In this study,we investigated which factors can better predict nest-box occupancy by the Great Tit(Parus major)in eucalypt plantations.We used generalised linear mixed-effects models to analyse the influence of topography,nest-box positioning,vegetation cover and landscape variables on three-year occupancy records from 80 newly provided nest-boxes.Non-random patterns of nest-box occupancy were found with respect to all categories except topography.Results suggest that Great Tits prefer to occupy high-placed nest-boxes,close to areas that can provide them with supplementary resources either within or in the vicinity of the stand(i.e.,trees other than eucalypts,riparian vegetation,and large patches of adjacent habitats).Overall,this study provides important recommendations for nest-box placement and spatial distribution in managed forests and enhances the potential of nest-box interventions as a biodiversity offset and management tool.
基金The project was fully funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology(Portugal)who supported J.Martins PhD fellowship(SFRH/BD/122478/2016)(UID/AMB/50017/2013-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007638)+2 种基金(CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000007)(CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000020)F4F-Forest for the Future(CENTRO-08-5864-FSE-000031).
文摘Arbutus unedo L.(strawberry tree,Ericaceae)is a woody species with a circum-Mediterranean distribu-tion.It has considerable ecological relevance in southern European forests due to its resilience to abiotic and biotic stressors.Its edible red berries are used in the production of traditional products,including an expensive spirit.Several compounds extracted from the species have bioactive prop-erties used by the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.The strawberry tree has gone from a neglected species to become a highly valuable crop with large cultivated areas in southern European and North African countries.Due to an increasing demand from farmers for plants with improved features,researchers have been trying to improve this spe-cies through conventional and biotechnological tools,focus-ing mainly on population analysis using molecular markers,in vitro cloning,tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses,and intraspecific crosses to obtain genotypes with new char-acteristics.The objective of this review is to gather and update information about the species and make it available to researchers and stakeholders.Future research areas that are considered a priority for this species are highlighted.
基金supported by Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)Portugal(Strategic Projects UID/NEU/04539/2013,and UID/NEU/04539/2019,UIDB/04539/2020 and UIDP/04539/2020(CIBB)).
文摘In Jordan,Salvia ceratophylla L.is traditionally used in the treatment of cancer,microbial infections,and urinary disorders.This study aimed:(1)to chemically characterize S.ceratophylla essential oil(EO)from South Jordan,by gas chromatography(GC)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS);and(2)to evaluate in vitro the cytotoxic,anti-inflammatory,and antiprotozoal activities of the EO,it’s predominant components,and the hexane(A),ethyl acetate(B),methanol(C)and crude-methanol extracts(D).The analysis revealed that the EO has 71 compounds,with linalool(54.8%)as main constitu-ent.Only the hexane extract(A)showed some cytotoxic activity against SK-MEL,KB,BT-549,SK-OV-3,LLC-PK1 and VERO cells lines with IC50 between 60 and>100μg/mL.The EO inhibited NO production(IC5090μg/mL)and NF-κB activity(IC5038μg/mL).The extracts A,B,and D inhibited NO production and NF-κB activity with IC50 between 32 and 150μg/mL.Linalool considerably inhibited NO production(IC5018μg/mL).The extracts tested did not exhibit antileish-manial activity.Regarding antitrypanosomal activity,the EO exhibited significant results with IC502.65μg/mL.In conclu-sion,Jordan S.ceratophylla EO represents a rich source of linalool and bears a promising therapeutic potential for further antitrypanosomal drug development.
基金funded by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors-COMPETENational Funds through FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology under the project PTDC/AAGMAA/4539/2012/FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027863(IND_CHANGE)+3 种基金supported by POPH/FSE fundsNational Funds through FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology through Post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/84044/2012support from the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biologythe National Research Foundation(grant 85417)
文摘Background：Attention has recently been drawn to the issue of transboundary invasions,where species introduced and naturalized in one country cross international borders and become problematic in neighbouring countries.Robust modelling frameworks,able to identify the environmental drivers of invasion and forecast the current and future potential distribution of invasive species,are needed to study and manage invasions.Limitations due to the lack of species distribution and environmental data,or assumptions of modelling tools,often constrain the reliability of model predictions.Methods：We present a multiscale spatial modelling framework for transboundary invasions,incorporating robust modelling frameworks（Multimodel Inference and Ensemble Modelling） to overcome some of the limitations.The framework is illustrated using Hakea sericea Schrad.（Proteaceae）,a shrub or small tree native to Australia and invasive in several regions of the world,including the Iberian Peninsula.Two study scales were considered：regional scale（western Iberia,including mainland Portugal and Galicia） and local scale（northwest Portugal）.At the regional scale,the relative importance of environmental predictors sets was evaluated and ranked to determine the main general drivers for the species distribution,while the importance of each environmental predictor was assessed at the local scale.The potential distribution of H.sericea was spatially projected for both scale areas.Results：Model projections for western Iberia suggest that a large area is environmentally suitable in both Portugal and Spain.Climate and landscape composition sets were the most important determinants of this regional distribution of the species.Conversely,a geological predictor（schist lithology） was more important in explaining its local-scale distribution.Conclusions：After being introduced to Portugal,H.sericea has become a transboundary invader by expanding in parts of Galicia（Spain）.The fact that a larger area is predicted as environmentally suitable in Spain raises concerns regarding its potential continued expansion.This highlights the importance of transboundary cooperation in the early management of invasions.By reliably identifying drivers and providing spatial projections of invasion at multiple scales,this framework provides insights for the study and management of biological invasions,including the assessment of transboundary invasion risk.
文摘Introduction:Here,we compare the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal(AMF)community composition in soils from the root zone of the exotic invasive species Prosopis juliflora(EXO soils)and soils from the root zone of the native species Mimosa tenuiflora(NAT soils)from five locations in the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest,Paraíba,Brazil,using morphological analyses.Results:AMF community composition in EXO and NAT soils were dissimilar.Available phosphorus,diversity index,spore abundance,and species richness were the main factors differing between the EXO and NAT soils.In general,the most dominant order present in the soils were Glomerales(44.8%)and Gigasporales(41.4%).The most abundant AMF genus in all studied soils was Funneliformis.Conclusions:Differences in AMF community composition were associated with(1)differences in the dominant plant species(P.juliflora vs.M.tenuiflora)and(2)changes in soil chemical factors(soil,pH,total organic carbon,total nitrogen,and available P)in EXO soils.These results contribute to a deeper view of the AMF communities in exotic soils and open new perspectives for ecological processes involving AMF species and exotic plant species in the Brazilian tropical seasonal dry forest.
基金a M.Sc.grant from the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel(CAPES)a post-doctoral grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(No.SFRH/BPD/77795/2011)。
文摘In non-flooded lowland rain forests with low soil phosphorus(P)in parts of Amazonia,P cycling largely occurs via leaf litter recycling by arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungal symbionts.Occasional high input of P into these ecosystems occurs during drought years with increased litterfall.As the length and frequency of drought events are projected to increase in the region,a single-dose nutrient addition experiment was carried out to test how this would impact P cycling.An application rate of 4 kg P ha^(-1) was used,which corresponds to twice the amount of litter-derived P in an average year.It was hypothesized that i)the added mineral P would be immobilized by soil microorganisms,leading to measurable increase in soil microbial biomass carbon(C)and P and ii)AM colonization rate would be reduced by the pulse in mineral P available for plant uptake.The results did not support either of our hypotheses.The addition of P did not have an effect on AM root colonization,nor was P immobilized by soil microbiota during the experimental period.The lack of a difference between the control and treatment at our study site could be attributed to the relatively low one-off dose of P applied that did not change either the colonization rate of roots by AM fungi or the amount of soil available labile P.To obtain a mechanistic understanding of the availability,capture,and use of P by plant-symbiont associations in tropical rain forest ecosystems,further integrated studies of the soil-plant system combining long-term nutrient manipulations,modeling,and experimental approaches are required.
基金The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) supported the present study through a fellowship attributed to Elsa Teresa Rodrigues(SFRH/BPD/116152/2016),which was funded by the Human Potential Operating Program of the European Social Fund,and by the Portuguese budget through the Ministry of Education and Sciencedeveloped within the Fish Free Project(PTDC/AAG-TEC/4966/2014)+3 种基金supported by the FCT through national funds (3599-PPCDT)the co-funding of the European Regional Development Fund (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016875)supported within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and COMPETE 2020 by the centre for Functional Ecology Strategic Project (UID/BIA/04004/2013)the Coimbra Chemistry Center Strategic Project (UID/QUI/00313/2013)。
文摘The treatment of wastewaters is crucial to maintain the ecological status of receiving waters,and thereby guarantee the protection of aquatic life and human health.Wastewater quality evaluation is conventionally based on physicochemical parameters,but increasing attention has been paid to integrate physicochemical and biological data.Nevertheless,the regulatory use of fish in biological testing methods has been subject to various ethical and cost concerns,and in vitro cell-based assays have thus become an important topic of interest.Hence,the present study intends:(a) to evaluate the efficiency of two different sample pre-concentration techniques (lyophilisation and solid phase extraction) to assess the toxicity of municipal effluents on rat cardiomyoblast H9c2(2-1) cells,and (b) maximizing the use of the effluent sample collected,to estimate the environmental condition of the receiving environment.The gathered results demonstrate that the H9c2(2-1) sulforhodamine B-based assay is an appropriate in vitro method to assess biological effluent toxicity,and the best results were attained by lyophilising the sample as pre-treatment.Due to its response,the H9c2(2-1) cell line might be a possible alternative in vitro model for fish lethal testing to assess the toxicity of municipal effluents.The physicochemical status of the sample suggests a high potential for eutrophication,and iron exceeded the permissible level for wastewater discharge,possibly due to the addition of ferric chloride for wastewater treatment.In general,the levels of carbamazepine and sulfamethoxazole are higher than those reported for other countries,and both surpassed the aquatic protective values for long-term exposure.
基金Ricardo Dinis-Oliveira acknowledges Fundacao para a Cien-cia e a Tecnologia(FCT)for his Investigator Grant Igrantnumber IF/01147/1013.
文摘The value of the Formicidae (Insecta,Hymenoptera) community in forensic investigations is poorly studied in Portugal.In order to better understand the structure and dynamics of this group of insects in cadavers and their putative value in forensic investigations,studies were carried out in Lisbon area during one year.Piglet carcasses were used as a model of human decomposition.The entomofauna attracted to the carcasses was collected over a period of about 2 months in each season of the year.The collection of ants was performed at regular intervals,daily in the first 23 days and then with intervals of 2,3 or 5 days until the end of the experiment.Five stages of cadaveric decomposition were recognized with the ants being present in all of them.Three hundred and nine specimens were captured: 7 in autumn,6 in winter,90 in spring and 206 in summer.These specimens belong to three subfamilies and seven different species.Four of them had never been mentioned before as being associated to cadavers in this geographical area.Spring and summer had the greater diversity of species and a larger number of individuals.Temnothorax luteus was the dominant species in spring and Tapinoma nigerrimum in summer.Corroborating the information of other similar studies carried out in the Iberian Peninsula,the sarcosaprophagous Formicidae community found in Lisbon is unique and different from other studied locations,which supports the need to perform regional studies.Our results shown that ants do not present a definite pattern of succession,but some species have the potential to be seasonal or geographic indicators.
文摘What is the current state of Forensic Anthropology in Brazil and where do we stand when identification is concerned?Coming to terms with the reality of identifying the dead in Brazil is the challenge we proposed to several Brazilian forensic anthropology experts and it is the focus of this special issue.We asked the contributor to drill-down to the fundamental questions in order to define the baseline upon which we can build our understanding and establish the future pathways for the field.What are the most typical cases?Is there a more frequent case type?Does the way the issues are being solved reflect advancements in the discipline in the country?Are standards procedures being followed?What are the main obstacles faced by the experts in this field?
基金This study was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT)by the fellowship of A.Alves da Silva(SFRH/BD/75018/2010)and F.Garcia(SFRH/BD/131627/2017)J.Alves was supported by a contract under the strategic plan of the Centre for Functional Ecology-Science for People and the Planet(CFE)(UIDB/04004/2020),financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds(PIDDAC)+2 种基金The study was carried out under the project“F4F-Forest for Future-Pilot project for the constitution of a regional network for the valorization of the forest sector in the Central Region PP6-MyFORESt(CENTRO-08-5864-FSE-000031),”co-financed by the Regional Operational Programme Centro 2020,Portugal 2020,and the European Union,through the European Social Fund(ESF)This study was also funded by Instituto do Ambiente,Tecnologia e Vida da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra(IATV-UC),the strategic plan of the Centre for Functional Ecology-Science for People and the Planet(CFE)(UIDB/04004/2020)Associated Laboratory TERRA(LA/P/0092/2020).
文摘INTRODUCTION Seed dispersal is a key process in the life cycle of most plants,with ecological and evolutionary consequences that go beyond vegetation dynamics and cascade to entire ecosystem functioning and stability(Traveset et al.2014).Seed dispersal largely constrains plant recruitment and the distribution of future plant cohorts,thus playing a critical role in the restoration of disturbed sites(Cain et al.2000;Higgins et al.2003).It can also threaten plant diversity by facilitating plant invasions(Vavra et al.2007;Heleno 2020).
文摘Aims biological invasions represent one of the most important threats to the conservation of biodiversity;however,the mechanisms underlying successful invaders remain unsolved.many of the most aggres-sive invaders show clonal growth,and capacity for clonal integration has been pointed out recently as an important trait explaining the success of invasive plants.We aim to determine the role of physi-ological integration in the capacity for self/non-self genotype recog-nition in the clonal invader Carpobrotus edulis and the implications of this capacity for the expansion of this aggressive invader.Methods We used connected and severed ramets of identical or different gen-otype and we determined the capacity for self/non-self recognition by comparing changes in biomass partitioning to avoid competition for resources between pairs of ramets.Important Findings Physiological integration allowed self/non-self genotype recogni-tion in the invader C.edulis.results showed a significant effect of physiological integration on the biomass allocated to roots by genetically identical ramets:older ramets specialize in acqui-sition of soil-based resources and younger ramets specialize in lateral expansion.this specialization could be considered a form of division of labour,which reduce intra-genotype competition.this is the first evidence that division of labour could be inter-preted as a form of self/non-self recognition between genetically identical ramets.Capacity for self/non-self discrimination could contribute to increase the colonization capacity of the aggressive invader C.edulis.this is the first study showing an association between self/non-self recognition and invasiveness in a clonal plant.
文摘Ancestry assessment represents a major component of forensic anthropological analysis of recovered human remains.Interpretations of ancestry,together with other aspects of the biological profile,can help narrow the search of missing persons and contribute to eventual positive identification.Such information can prove useful to authorities involved in the identification and investigative process since many lists of missing persons have a reference to this parameter.Recent research has strengthened available methodologies involving metric,non-metric morphological as well as chemical and genetic approaches.This review addresses the new anthropological techniques that are now available,as well as the complex historical context related to ancestry evaluation.
文摘Frugivory in lizards is often assumed to be constrained by body size;only large individuals are considered capable of consuming fruits, with the potential of acting as seed dispersers. However, only one previous study has tested the correlation of frugivory with body and head size at an archipelago scale across closely related species. All nine lava lizards (Microlophus spp.) were studied on the eleven largest Galapagos islands from 2010 to 2016 to investigate whether frugivory is related to body and head size. We also tested whether fruit abunda nee in flue nces fruit con sumption and explored the effect of seed ingestion on seedling emergence time and percentage. Our results showed that across islands, lava lizards varied considerably in size (64-102 mm in mean snoutvent length) and level of frugivory (1-23%, i.e., percentage of droppings with seeds). However, level of frugivory was only weakly affected by size as fruit consumption was also common among small lizards. Lava lizards consumed fruits throughout the year and factors other than fruit abundance may be more importa nt drivers of fruit selecti on (e.g., fruit size, energy con tent of pulp). From 2,530 droppings, 1,714 seeds of at least 61 plant species were identified, 76% of the species being native to the Galapagos. Most seeds (91%) showed no external structural damage. Seedling emergence time (44 versus 118 days) and percentage (20% versus 12%) were enhanced for lizardingested seeds compared to control (uningested) fruits. De-pulping by lizards (i.e., removal of pulp with potential germi nation inhibitors) might in crease the chances that at least some seeds find suitable recruitment conditi ons. We con eluded that lizards are importa nt seed dispersers throughout the year and across the whole archipelago, regardless of body size.
基金P.L.is supported by a post-doctoral grant(SFRH/BPD/88504/2012)from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(Portugal)(FCT)and the European Social FundS.R.-E has an Investigador IF Development Grant(IF/00462/2013)from the FCT and the European Social Fund.
文摘Aims The tree legume Acacia dealbata Link is an aggressive Australian invader that severely affects abiotic and biotic compartments of eco-systems worldwide.This invasive species outcompetes native plant communities through direct competition,changes in microhabitat and soil properties under the canopy and the release of allelopathic compounds.However,these effects are usually studied separately and under controlled conditions.The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of these modifications exerted by A.dealbata on the establishment of native and invasive species in the field.Methods A full factorial experiment was performed in order to test the com-bined effect of microhabitat,soil type and allelopathy on the establish-ment of the invasive A.dealbata and three native species in the field(North-West Spain).We sowed seeds of native or invasive species in pots with different soil type(soil collected under A.dealbata or Pinus pinaster),allelopathy status(soil treated or untreated with activated car-bon)and microhabitat(under the canopy of A.dealbata or P.pinaster).The number and total biomass of established plants were evaluated after 8 months.Soil abiotic properties were determined in all soils.Important Findings The establishment of native and invasive species was signifi-cantly affected by the microhabitat,with a higher number of seedlings under the native forest(P.pinaster).The establishment of A.dealbata seedlings was also significantly promoted by its own soil.A negligible effect of allelopathy was detected on the establishment and growth of both invasive and native species.We conclude that(i)the main factor affecting seedling establish-ment was microhabitat rather than changes in soil properties or allelopathy,(ii)soil modifications by A.dealbata promote the establishment of its own seedlings,contributing to the progress of invasion and(iii)allelochemicals released by A.dealbata do not seem to play a key role for the establishment of native and invasive plants under field conditions in the European non-native range.
基金This study is framed within the projects CGL2013-44386-P and CGL2015-67865-P funded by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad(Spain).the Charles Darwin Foundation,especially Diana Flores and Patricia Jaramillo and the Galápagos National Park,especially Galo Quezada and Carlos Vera(research permit numbers:PC-46-14,PC-20-15,PC-22-16),for offering us information and logistic support.JoséBenedicto collaborated during lizard captures and Paula Castaño and the organization“Island Conservation”facilitated access to the islets of Pinzón and Santiago.
文摘Lizards have been reported as important pollinators on several oceanic islands.Here we evaluate the potential role of Galápagos lava lizards(Microlophus spp.)as pollinators across their radiation.Over 3 years,we sampled pollen transport by 9 lava lizard species on the 10 islands where they are present,including 7 single-island endemics.Overall,only 25 of 296 individuals sampled(8.4%)transported pollen of 10 plant species,the most common being Prosopis juliflora,Exodeconus miersii,Sesuvium sp.and Cordia leucophlyctis.At least 8 of these plant species were native,and none were confirmed as introduced to the archipelago.Despite the low overall proportion of individuals carrying pollen,this was observed in 7 of the nine lizard species,and on 8 of the ten main islands(Española,Fernandina,Floreana,Isabela,Marchena,Pinta,Santa Cruz and Santiago),suggesting that this is a widespread interaction.The results reported here support the potential role of lava lizards as pollinators across their radiation,although they may represent a relatively modest contribution when compared with birds and insects.However,we cannot discard that lizards may be ecologically significant for particular plant species and ecosystems given the specific climatic condition and functional diversity of each island.
基金This study is framed within two projects partially financed by Fundación BBVA(Spain)and Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad(CGL2013-44386-P)We are also grateful to the Charles Darwin Station and Galápagos National Park(research permits nos.PC-026-09 and PC-04-11)for logistic support in this archipelago.R.H.was funded by the FCT grant IF/00441/2013(Portugal)and the Marie Curie Action CIG-321794(European Union).
文摘The role of the most common land iguana(Conolophus subcristatus)in the Galápagos Islands as an effective seed disperser is explored in this study.A total of 5705 seeds of 32 plant species were identified from 160 scats,4545 of which(80%)appeared visually undamaged.Germination trials of 849 seeds from 29 species revealed that at least 10 species remained viable after passing through the iguana’s gut,although only a small proportion of those seeds(4%)germinated.In any case,we argue that C.subcristatus exerts an important role on the 7 Galapagos islands where it occurs because of its abundance and capacity to ingest and disperse seeds at long distances.Our results strongly suggest that the Galápagos C.subcristatus plays an important role as a seed disperser of not only of native species but also some introduced plants in the Galápagos Islands.
