Bioecology and conservation of Duck Mussel Species (Anodonta anatina L., 1758) in Northeastern Portugal

Freshwater mussel (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Unionoida) populations are one of the most endangered faunistic groups. Mussels play an important role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, because they are responsible for the filtration and purification of water. They have a complex life cycle, with a parasitic larvae and usually limited host fish species. The real status of these populations is still poorly understood worldwide. The objectives of the present work were the study of bioecology of duck mussel (Anodonta anatina L.) populations of Tua Basin (NE Portugal). It was made the characterization of the ecological status of Rabaçal, Tuela and Tua Rivers, selecting 15 sampling sites, equally distributed by the three rivers. Samplings were made in the winter of 2016, and several physico-chemical water parameters measured and two habitat quality indexes calculated (GQC and QBR indexes). Benthic macroinvertebrate communities were sampled based on the protocols established by the Water Framework Directive. Host fish populations for duck mussel were determined in laboratorial conditions, testing several native and exotic fish species. The results showed that several water quality variables (e.g. dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, and nutrients) can be used for the classification of river typology. Other responsive metrics were also determined to identify environmental degradation. For instances, hydromorphological conditions (GQC and QBR indexes) and biota related metrics (e.g. composition, distribution, abundance, diversity of invertebrate communities) contributed to the evaluation of the ecological integrity. The upper zones of Rabaçal and Tuela rivers were classified with excellent and good ecological integrity, while less quality was found in downstream zones. The host fish tests showed that only native species are effective hosts, essential for the conservation purposes of this mussel species. Threats, like pollution, sedimentation and river regularization (3 big dams are in construction or in filling phase), are the main cause of habitat loss for native mussel and fish populations in the future. Rehabilitation and mitigation measures are essential for these lotic ecosystems in order to preserve the prioritary habitats and the native species heavily threatened.

A relação entre o desempenho, remuneração do CEO e a criação de valor para o acionista nas empresas cotadas na Euronext Lisbon: abordagem com base na teoria da agência

A presente investigação nasceu da pertinência de compreender, em Portugal, o comportamento da remuneração total do Chief Executive Officer (CEO) face ao desempenho organizacional, por um lado, e a criação de valor para o acionista face ao desempenho organizacional e à remuneração total do CEO, por outro. Assim, o objetivo do estudo foi dividido em duas partes. A primeira analisou se o desempenho organizacional baseado em indicadores contabilísticos influencia o desempenho organizacional baseado em indicadores de mercado e se o desempenho organizacional, baseado em indicadores contabilísticos e indicadores de mercado, influencia a remuneração total do CEO. A segunda analisou se o desempenho organizacional, baseado em indicadores contabilísticos e indicadores de mercado, e a remuneração total do CEO influenciam a criação de valor para o acionista. Este estudo recorreu às premissas da teoria da agência para construir o modelo de análise. Fizeram parte da amostra as sociedades admitidas à negociação no mercado regulamentado Eurolist by Euronext Lisbon. Os dados foram recolhidos dos Relatórios e Contas Anuais, que incluem as Demonstrações Financeiras Consolidadas, dos Relatórios sobre o Governo Societário e da página web da Euronext Lisbon. Os dados foram tratados com recurso ao método de Análise de Equações Estruturais (AEE). Os resultados obtidos provaram que o desempenho organizacional baseado em indicadores contabilísticos influencia o desempenho organizacional baseado em indicadores de mercado, a remuneração total do CEO e a criação de valor para o acionista.

Rural tourism destination competitiveness: Portugal vs Belarus

This research presents a study aimed to evaluate the performance and competitiveness of tourist destinations in Portugal and Belarus within regions. The evaluation was performed under an analytical tool, Market Share Analysis proposed by Faulkner (1997). In addition, it was used some descriptive statistics. The conducted analysis concluded, with respect to the evolution of the destinations tourism that Açores Island is the most prosperous market for the majority of countries, because most countries staid in the zone of Performing market. North, Lisbon and Algarve regions are maturity markets for the most countries, because they stay in Stagnant markets zone. Centre and Alentejo regions could be attributed Emerging markets for the majority of countries once are developing markets. The major market share is occupied by Portugal practically for all regions, except islands. It is also necessary to underline, that the research was made only within two years (2013 and 2014), because of the lack of necessary information in previous years. In the case of Belarus, it could be mentioned, that rural market of this country is developing (but still mostly with neighbour countries), because the number of entities, participating in rural tourism is growing as the number of foreign tourists.