Exploited anadromous fish in Portugal: Suggested direction for conservation and management.

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and allis shad (Alosa alosa) have been fished for centuries in mainland Portugal during their upstream spawning migration. Here, biological information is compared for the two species and governance and monitoring data from Portugal are reviewed to propose species-specific courses of future action. Despite a national fisheries legislation common for the two species and the designation of Sites of Community Interest (SCIs) for both, the current conservation needs for sea lamprey and allis shad in Portugal are considered to be distinct. For sea lamprey, conservation priorities must focus on planning fisheries managementinarticulationwithhabitatrecoverytoguaranteecost-effective monitoring andsustainablelong-termexploitationthataddsvaluetolocalcommunitiesandpaysdue taxation. Onthecontrary,conservationconcernsandactionsforallisshadmuststrengthenandbemore proactive in the reduction of fishing mortality, both target (in rivers) and by catch (at sea).There is a need to make better use of the opportunities inherent in the Habitats Directive and the possibility to define specific management actions within SCIs. To this effect, it will be necessary to revise existing legislation and guarantee better articulation between jurisdictional authorities. A good example in this direction is the articulation already established in the river Mondego where habitat restoration, fish monitoring and effective species-specific fisheries control measures have been taken and implemented in recent years by a large institutional partnership.

Conservação e restauro de azulejo: metodologias de intervenção vs indicadores de compatibilidade

A escassez de parâmetros técnicos e científicos e o caráter subjetivo que em regra preside à escolha de determinado material, produto ou técnica suscitaram o interesse pelo presente tema onde se procurou aumentar as ferramentas de análise e de apoio à decisão em intervenções de conservação do património azulejar. Procurou compreender-se o azulejo a nível histórico, estético, técnico e material, estudando-o do ponto de vista físico, químico e mineralógico. Comparando o azulejo com as réplicas produzidas para intervenções de conservação e restauro estudadas, concluiu-se que as suas composições, química e mineralógica, são diferentes, embora não se verifiquem tantas dissemelhanças ao nível das propriedades físicas. As linhas orientadoras da conservação e restauro de azulejo foram lançadas por Santos Simões a partir dos anos 40 do séc. XX e, desde então, foi-se desenvolvendo um pouco à margem das restantes áreas de especialidade, mesmo ao nível do ensino. Os resultados do inquérito internacional junto dos profissionais que trabalham em conservação e restauro de azulejo in situ corroboram de certo modo este facto e, simultaneamente, permitem uma apreensão da situação atual. Constatou-se uma quase total ausência de documentação sobre intervenções realizadas, mas a análise de casos de estudo e de relatórios permitiu uma primeira sistematização da informação disponível segundo os materiais correntemente utilizados. Procedeu-se a uma identificação e tipificação de patologias decorrentes das intervenções procurando entender qual o papel que tiveram os materiais utilizados e as técnicas de intervenção no desempenho das intervenções. Os processos de reintegração volumétrica e cromática mereceram uma maior atenção, procedendo-se à simulação de todo o sistema, em contexto laboratorial, com base nos materiais correntemente utilizados. Os resultados revelam comportamento diferenciado dos materiais de origem orgânica e inorgânica, evidenciando estes últimos uma maior compatibilidade com o azulejo, mas um pior desempenho a médio/longo prazo. O reconhecimento das soluções mais ou menos compatíveis permitiu delinear uma metodologia de avaliação da compatibilidade, da eficácia e do desempenho dos materiais e das técnicas utilizadas, contribuindo também para a definição de algumas recomendações e de critérios de atuação; Abstract The lack of information found, when selecting a material, product or technique, to apply on a specific conservation treatment contributed to the interest on this topic. The historical, aesthetic and technical characteristics of the azulejo was researched by studying their physical, chemical and mineralogical properties. Comparing original azulejos with the replicas produced for conservation treatments studied, it was concluded that the chemical and mineralogical composition is different, although there are less dissimilarities in terms of physical properties. The guidelines for conservation and restoration were launched by Santos Simões in the 40s and since then, it has been developing a bit on the sidelines of the remaining areas of expertise, even at an educational level. The results of an international survey, near professionals working in conservation and restoration of azulejo in situ, corroborate this fact and simultaneously allow an insight of the current situation. It was found an almost complete lack of technical documentation about previous conservation interventions, but the analysis of existent case studies and intervention reports permitted a systematization of the available information, also considering the materials commonly used. The identification and characterization of damages resulting from interventions, was performed trying to establish a correlation with the materials used and intervention techniques. The attention focused on the study of the infills and chromatic reintegration and a simulation of the entire system was developed, in a laboratory context, on the basis of commonly used materials. The results reveal a distinct behavior between the organic and inorganic materials, showing the latter greater compatibility with the azulejos but a worse medium/long-term performance. The recognition of more or less compatible solutions allowed to outline a methodology to evaluate the compatibility, efficiency and performance of materials and techniques used, also contributing to define some recommendations and action criteria.

Conservation biogeography of ecologically interacting species: The case of the Iberian lynx and the European rabbit

Aim To relate the recent Iberian lynx decline to changes in the distribution of the European rabbit after the haemorrhagic disease outbreak of 1989. As Iberian rabbits evolved in two geographically separated lineages, being the recent lynx range practically restricted to the southwestern lineage, we also test if differential range dynamics exists for these lineages, with the consequent implications for lynx conservation and reintroduction planning.

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe.

The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range.

Using modeling tools for implementing feasible land use and nature conservation governance systems in small islands e The Pico Island (Azores) case-study

The present study deals with the development of systematic conservation planning as management instrument in small oceanic islands, ensuring open systems of governance, and able to integrate an informed and involved participation of the stakeholders. Marxan software was used to define management areas according a set of alternative land use scenarios considering different conservation and management paradigms. Modeled conservation zones were interpreted and compared with the existing protected areas allowing more fused information for future trade-outs and stakeholder's involvement. The results, allowing the identification of Target Management Units (TMU) based on the consideration of different development scenarios proved to be consistent with a feasible development of evaluation approaches able to support sound governance systems. Moreover, the detailed geographic identification of TMU seems to be able to support participated policies towards a more sustainable management of the entire island

The application of symphytosociology in landscape architecture in the Western Mediterranean

This essay addresses the application of indigenous plants in Landscape Architecture projects, based on studies carried out in the field of phytosociology and sinphytosociology. Through this knowledge, it is possible to increase and improve the use of indigenous plants in Projects, aiming at the preservation of biodiversity. Thus, to better understand the western Mediterranean territory, we present a brief biophysical characterization, in which we point out the main factors which contribute to the ground coverage’s distribution in the landscape, namely, concerning climate (oceanity, ombroclimate and thermoclimate) and substrate (geology and lithology). In view of the high level of uniqueness of the identified conditions, a synthesis of the potential main existing climatophilous woods is carried out, regarding sinphytosocialogical class/order, furthermore, pointing out, the main serial stages, their vegetation bioindicators and the ecological peculiarities of each stage (regressive or progressive). Therefore, based on the study area, we point out the vegetation bioindicator’s value as a work tool during analysis, thus allowing us to understand the existing edaphoclimatic conditions, as well as to elaborate a quick diagnosis of each potential climatophilous vegetation series. Moreover, based on the main stages of substitution, it is also possible to identify the presence of endemic plants, or under protection status, and finally, the conservation state of the study area. Further ahead, in project proposal phase, based on information gathered previously, we point out the possibility of elaborating a list of plants correctly adapted to the existing mesologicall conditions. Thus, within each serial stage, the necessary ecological conditions for a correct adaption of the vegetation material are referred, therefore, avoiding possible limiting factors to their development, such as precipitation, soil erosion, light availability, salinity, among many others. Lastly, some considerations are made about the main ideas that should be remembered throughout this essay, namely, regarding the importance of the use of sinphytosociology’s knowledge as an analysis tool, as well as of high interest for the elaboration of proposals which aim at the floristic heritage’s conservation and the landscape’s scenic quality. Ce travail traite de l`application de plantes autochtones dans des projets d`Architecture Paysagiste ayant pour base des études réalisées dans le cadre de la phytosociologie et Symphytosociologie. À travers ces connaissances, il est possible d`incrémenter et améliorer l`utilisation de plantes autochtones dans les Projets basés sur la conservation de la biodiversité. Ainsi, afin de mieux comprendre le territorie de la méditérrannée occidentale, on présente une brève caractérisation biophysique, dans laquelle nous soulignons les principaux facteurs qui contribuent à la répartition de la végétation dans le paysage, notamment au niveau climatique (l`océanité, ombrothermique et thermoclimatique) et du substrat (géologie et lithologie). Face aux conditions, identifiées ci-dessus, élévées en originalité, il est utile d`élaborer une synthèse des principaux bois potentiels climatophiles existants au niveau de la classe/ordre symphitosociologique, en soulignant également les principales étapes de série, leurs bioindicateurs végétaux et aux particularités écologiques de chaque étape (régressive ou progressive). Ainsi, sur la base de l`interprétation de la zone d`étude, le bioindicateur végétal se distingue comme un outil de travail durant l`analyse, permettant de cette façon comprendre les conditions édapho-climatiques existantes, ainsi comme élaborer un rapide diagnostic de chaque série de végétation potentielle climatophile. En outre, sur la base des principales étapes de remplacement, il est également possible d`identifier la présence de plantes endémiques, ou avec un statut de protection et enfin l`état de conservation de la zone d`étude. Déjà au stade de proposition du projet, basée sur l`information recueillie précédemment, il y a la possibilité d`établir une liste de plantes bien adaptées aux conditions mésologiques. Ainsi, dans chaque étape de série, les conditions écologiques nécessaires à une bonne adaptation de la matière végétale sont référées, évitant ainsi des facteurs limitant à son développement, tels que les précipitations, l`érosion des soís, disponibilité de la lumière, de la salinité, parmi beaucoup d`autres. Et enfin, quelques considérations se tissent sur les principales idées à retenir tout au long du travail, notamment l`importance d`utiliser la connaissance de la symphytosociologie comme un outil d`analyse d`un grand intérêt pour la développement de propositions pour la conservation du patrimoine floristique et la qualité pittoresque du paysage.