Analysis of the evolution of a fisheries management plan based on environmental governance: living laboratory in the Olo River, Portugal

Environmental governance aims to develop and understand the lessons, achievements and challenges of planning at both local and global levels. In particular, integrated river management is key to the sustainable development of ecosystems, and the collaborative and inclusive approach among stakeholders supports the decision-making process. The objective of this study was to assess the current management model for recreational fisheries in the Olo River Reserved Fishing Zone (RFZ). This management model aims to better rationalise the use of fishery resources by allowing only recreational fishing, ensuring the sustainability of this activity and of the environment, and guaranteeing that this activity contributes to the development of the basin. To this end, the state of this activity was evaluated before and after the implementation of the First Management Plan and the Second Management Plan. Samples of ichthyofauna were taken and an analysis of the data on the age, growth and physical condition of the endemic species was carried out. Multivariate analysis techniques applied to the biological and physical data sets allowed the determination of distribution patterns of Olo Basin and the relative importance of environmental variables in the discrimination of the fish assemblages.The presence of the species Salmo trutta fario improved in the stations sampled throughout the study. The abundance of fish throughout the study showed a remarkable improvement, from 1229 (year 2008), 1142 (year 2013) and 1781 (year 2018), the drop in 2013 was being due to a wildfire in the area. This fishing area has been a true living laboratory for the development of new and more sustainable inland fisheries management practices. The development of this planning and management model was successfully exported to other river basins in the area

Multiresistant bacteria: invisible enemies of freshwater mussels

Freshwater mussels are among the most endangered groups of fauna anywhere in world. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of resistant strains. These antibiotic-resistant bacteria play a key role in increasing the risk allied with the use of surface water and in spread of resistance genes. Two endangered freshwater mussel species, Margaritifera margaritifera and Potomida littoralis, were sampled at 4 sampling sites along a 50 km stretch of River Tua. Water samples were taken at same sites. Of the total of 135 isolates, 64.44% (39.26% from water and 25.19% from mussels) were coliform bacteria. Site T1, with the lowest concentration of coliform bacteria, and site T2 were the only ones where M. margaritifera was found. No E. coli isolates were found in this species and the pattern between water and mussels was similar. P. littoralis, which was present at T3/T4 sites, is the one that faces the highest concentration of bacterial toxins, which are found in treated wastewater effluents and around population centers. Sites T3/T4 have the isolates (water and mussels) with the highest resistance pattern, mainly to β-lactams. Water and P. littoralis isolates (T3/T4) showed resistance to penicillins and their combination with clavulanic acid, and to cephalosporins, precisely to a fourth generation of cephalosporin antibiotics. The analysis provides important information on the risk to water systems, as well as the need to investigate possible management measures. It is suggested that future studies on the health status of freshwater bivalves should incorporate measures to indicate bacteriological water quality.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Operational Competitiveness Programme (COMPETE), under projects UIDB/04033/2020 and UIDP/04033/2020 (CITAB-Inov4Agro-UTAD). This research was also funded by the Conselleira de Educación, Universidade e Formación Profesional, Xunta de Galicia, Spain, under project R815 131H 64502 (Xana Álvarez). Funding for open access charge was from the Universidade de Vigo/CISUG.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Work of Sculptor Ricardo Bellver

El trabajo de investigación (cuyo título original era Los escultores de la primera promoción de la Academia de Roma. Catálogo-Inventario y que fue subvencionado por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid a través de una ayuda a grupos precompetitivos) muestra un exhaustivo estudio que verifica y actualiza la información relativa a la obra del escultor Ricardo Bellver y Ramón. Por un lado, el trabajo ubica las circunstancias artísticas de la época, es decir, hacia 1874, cuando el escultor fue pensionado por la Academia, y relata los complejos comienzos para conseguir la fundación de la Academia en Roma y unos reglamentos que ayudasen a la conservación de las pensiones, y por otro, documenta la vida y trabajos del escultor Ricardo Bellver, de quien se han localizado veinte obras, aunque se describen en mayor o menor grado, dependiendo de los documentos hallados, otras dieciocho. Entre las obras hay monumentos, bustos, imaginería y grupos escultóricos, que se reparten por diversas ciudades de la geografía española, dando cuenta de su actual estado, su calidad, e incluso se rebate parte de la información más reciente publicada al respecto y se analizan los motivos que han provocado la pérdida de algunas piezas.The research project (whose original title was The First Generation of Sculptors from the Rome Academy. Catalogue-Inventory which was funded by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid through a grant for precompetitive groups), represents and exhaustive study that verifies and brings up to date information on the work of the sculptor Ricardo Bellver y Ramón. On one hand, the study locates the artistic context of the era, that is, around 1874, when the sculptor was given a pension by the Academy, and relates the complex beginnings of the founding of the Roma academy and regulations which helped preserve pensions, and on the other hand, it documents the life and work of the sculptor Ricardo Bellver, twenty of whose works have been found, although another eighteen have been described in documents to a lesser or greater extent. Among the works are monuments, busts, religious images sculptural groups, found in different Spanish cities, and the study describes their current condition, analyses the causes for the loss of some pieces and even refutes part of the most recent information published on them

Development and validation of a questionnaire for assessing the characteristics of diet and physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes

Resumen tomado de la publicaciónDesarrollo y validación de un cuestionario para medir las características de la dieta y la actividad física en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Antecedentes: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del cuestionario Motiva.Diaf-DM2, diseñado para medir la adherencia a las recomendaciones dietéticas y de actividad física en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2. Método: participaron 206 pacientes que asistieron a consultas en atención primaria, cuya media de edad era de 69,63 años (DE = 11,05). El 39,3% fueron mujeres. Para evaluar la fiabilidad test-retest se seleccionaron 40 pacientes de la muestra inicial de entre los que tenían otra cita en el centro de salud, a los que se les administró nuevamente el cuestionario dos semanas tras la primera entrega. Resultados: se observó que la fiabilidad de las puntuaciones era adecuada en cuanto a consistencia interna (αprimer factor = .756; αsegundo factor = .821) y estabilidad temporal (r primer factor = .604; r segundo factor = .638). La estructura del test es bidimensional. Las puntuaciones de la segunda dimensión (actividad física) convergen con las puntuaciones de las necesidades psicológicas básicas (r actividad física = .281), resiliencia (r = .216) y hemoglobina glicosilada (r = -.182). Conclusiones: Motiva.Diaf-DM2 ha demostrado tener una adecuada fiabilidad y validez para evaluar la adherencia a las recomendaciones relacionadas con la dieta y la actividad física en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2.Universidad de Oviedo. Biblioteca de Psicología; Plaza Feijoo, s/n.; 33003 Oviedo; Tel. +34985104146; Fax +34985104126; [email protected]

PLS-PM analysis of forest fires using remote sensing tools. The case of Xurés in the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve

Forest fires have environmental, social and economic impacts in many areas. Various factors related to territory directly influence both the number and the surface area of each fire. The link between different variables (climate, social and environmental) in the risk of fire and in the characteristics of fires is studied here through Partial Least Squares - Path Models. In addition, images from the Sentinel-2 sensor and geographic information systems are used to create a cartographic base of fires in the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve of Galicia and the Site of Community Importance of Xurés (Galicia) between 2015 and 2020. In all, seven variables are analyzed in this study area using the partial least squares-path modeling method: climate, topography, land use, type of environmental protection, the anthropogenic factor, fire defense, and fire data (severity and area). The parameters for each variable are used to obtain weights and thus determine the importance of each one. The areas where the problem of forest fires is greatest are those with the greatest environmental protection. Up to 31% of the surface area of the Natura 2000 Network was burned in the 6-year study period. Topography and land use are also shown to be relevant factors in the effects of forest fires in this territory. By contrast, higher population density and the development of infrastructures such as roads and water tanks mitigate the impact of fires. The problem of forest fires encompasses many variables that need to be studied. By contextualizing each study area as far as possible, specific measures to prevent and reduce damage can be drawn up.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PCI2020–120705-2Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Risk prevention of land flood: A cooperative game theory approach.

Protection against flood risks becomes increasingly difficult for economic and hydrological reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to improve water retention throughout catchment with a more comprehensive approach. Strategies in the land use and measures that are designed to prevent flood risks involve land owners. So, justice issues appear. This paper studies the application of game theory through a cooperative game in order to contribute the resolution of possible agreements among owners and to establish cost / benefit criteria. It is a methodological contribution where land use management for flood retention is analyzed. Specifically, we concentrate on enhancing upstream water retention focusing on the role that forests have as natural water retention measures. This study shows a framework for allocating the compensations among participants based on cooperative game theory and taking into account a principle of stability. We show that it is possible to establish distribution rules that encourage stable payments among land owners. This contribution shows the suitability of this method as a flood risk management tool and as a guide to help decision-making. Compensations and benefits could be established to raise awareness and encourage land owners to cooperate

Risk prevention of land flood: A cooperative game theory approach.

Protection against flood risks becomes increasingly difficult for economic and hydrological reasons. Therefore, it is necessary to improve water retention throughout catchment with a more comprehensive approach. Strategies in the land use and measures that are designed to prevent flood risks involve land owners. So, justice issues appear. This paper studies the application of game theory through a cooperative game in order to contribute the resolution of possible agreements among owners and to establish cost / benefit criteria. It is a methodological contribution where land use management for flood retention is analyzed. Specifically, we concentrate on enhancing upstream water retention focusing on the role that forests have as natural water retention measures. This study shows a framework for allocating the compensations among participants based on cooperative game theory and taking into account a principle of stability. We show that it is possible to establish distribution rules that encourage stable payments among land owners. This contribution shows the suitability of this method as a flood risk management tool and as a guide to help decision-making. Compensations and benefits could be established to raise awareness and encourage land owners to cooperate

Modelling and evaluation of land use changes through satellite images in a multifunctional catchment: social, economic and environmental implications

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGFloods are recurrent phenomena with significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. The risk of flooding increases when land use changes. The objective of this research is to detect land cover changes via Sentinel-2 images in the Umia Basin (Galicia, NW Spain) in 2016–2021 and to analyse the associated flood risk. This study focuses on how forest use and nature-based solutions (NBS) can reduce the risk and hazard of flooding in cities and crops in the high-risk area. A flood simulation was performed with the land use obtained from Sentinel-2 (Observed) and three more simulations were performed changing the location of afforestation and NBS, i.e. “S-Upstream”, “S-Downstream” and “S-Total”. Finally, the environmental, economic and social impacts of the scenarios designed and estimated are analysed and discussed. Land cover change was successfully monitored with Sentinel-2 imagery. The catchment area showed noteworthy changes in land use, most notably for the category of trees, which covered 6700 ha in 2016 and 10,911 ha in 2021. However riparian vegetation decreased by almost 11%. For the flood hazard simulations, an average reduction in peak discharge was obtained for all three scenarios (9.3% for S-Up; 8.6% for S-Down and 13% for S-Total). From the economic perspective, all three scenarios show a positive net present value for the period studied. However, S-Down is the scenario with the lowest benefits (€15,476,487), while S-Up and S-Total show better values at €29,580,643 and €65,158,130 respectively. However, investment cost is much higher for the S-Total scenario, and upstream actions affect the whole catchment, so S-Up is the best decision. This study concludes that the information provided by satellites is a large-scale analysis tool for small heterogeneous plots that facilitates the comprehensive analysis of a territory. This information can be incorporated into flood analysis models, facilitating simulation through the use of NBS. It has been proven that the use of reforestation upstream only is almost as beneficial as reforestation in the entire catchment and is economically more viable. This confirms that the methodology used reduces flood hazard, despite the territorial complexity, facilitating decision making on the use of NBS.Universidade de Vig

Possibilities for exploitation of invasive species, Arundo donax L., as a source of phenol compounds

Recycling and reuse are a fundamental pillar for reducing global pollution. In this context, the use of waste generated by invasive species control actions, as a natural raw material for the exploitation of their bioactive compounds, provides a great interest for a more sustainable industry. In this study, phenolic compounds were determined from the different parts that compose the invasive species Arundo donax L. The experiments were carried out using response surface methodology (RSM) by the Box-Behnken method, allowing us to evaluate the factors (temperature, time and type of solvent) and the values that optimized the extraction. The highest concentration of total phenolic compounds equivalent in gallic acid (GAE) was obtained from extracts with distilled water, with the fraction of leaves (7.43 mg GAE /g) in first place, followed by inflorescences (5.15 mg GAE /g) and finally stems (2.73 mg GAE /g).These optimum values were obtained using conditions of 6 h and 45 °C for leaves and stems and 4 h and 35 °C for inflorescences.. Identification and quantification of phenolic acids and flavonoids were carried out by HPLC–MS/MS analytical technique. In general, stem extracts were the most abundant in phenolic acids with potential pharmacological properties. These studies provided promising results for the Arundo donax L. species as a source of polyphenols, making full use of its residue and aiming to boost the circular economy in important industry sectors.Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Anthocyanins and total phenolic compounds from pigment extractions of non-native species from the Umia river basin: Eucalyptus globulus, Tradescantia fluminensis, and Arundo donax

Alien invasive species (AIS) and non-native species are a prominent and extended problem in a wide range of areas in Europe and around the world. Centered in the Umia’s riparian forest, in Galicia, we found at least three main AIS needing to be controlled and harvested to preserve the biodiversity of the area. Previous studies probed that leaves and bark of selected species—Tradescantia fluminensis, Arundo donax, and Eucalyptus globulus—have important antioxidant properties, suitable for use in pharmaceutical and industrial contexts. A comparison of four solid-liquid extraction methods—Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound assisted extraction, thermal agitator, and infusion—was conducted in order to define the most efficient method in correlation within antioxidant (anthocyanins and total phenols) extraction. Water was selected as solvent, providing a sustainable research background without implying any chemical additives. The best extraction yields were obtained with Soxhlet extraction for all raw matter, with best results for Tradescantia fluminensis (41.89%) and Eucalyptus globulus leaves (39.35%); followed by the ultrasonic assisted extraction method, with better yield performed with Eucalyptus leaves (27.07%). On the contrary, Tradescantia fluminensis showed better efficiency with thermal agitator (35.07% compared to 23.19% from ultrasound extraction). After extractions, identification and quantification of total phenolic compounds and anthocyanins were carried out using spectrophotometric determination and acid hydrolysis in butanol method. In general, the best extraction yield in correlation with higher antioxidant content was performed by thermal agitator method, and Eucalyptus globulus leaves were demonstrated to be the better anthocyanins (6.18 ± 0.82 mg CC/g) and total phenols containers (172.40 ± 44.53 mg GAE/g). Studies provided promising possibilities for the residues of the three non-native species analyzed, as a source of antioxidants, favoring circular economy systems, as well as taking care of biodiversity in affected environments.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. Becas predoctorales 29