Geomorphological heritage assessment: a methodology proposal

A metodologia de avaliação de património geomorfológico que é agora proposta, foi desenvolvida e aplicada no Parque Natural de Montesinho, no âmbito de um projecto dedicado ao património geológico dos parques naturais do NE de Portugal. Pretende-se que esta metodologia de avaliação possa ser adoptada em outras áreas, independentemente das suas características e dimensão. Esta metodologia baseia-se em três tipos de “objectos” com valor geomorfológico: locais isolados, áreas e miradouros. A avaliação é realizada em duas etapas principais, a inventariação e a quantificação, suportadas pela caracterização geomorfológica da área em análise. Na etapa da inventariação, após a identificação dos locais potenciais é feita a sua avaliação qualitativa e a selecção dos locais de interesse geomorfológico, os quais são caracterizados. A quantificação consiste na pontuação dos critérios relativos ao valor geomorfológico e ao valor de gestão. Estes resultados permitem a comparação e a seriação final.During the last years, the geomorphological heritage of Montesinho Natural Park was assessed, in the scope of a research project on the geological heritage of the Natural Parks of NE Portugal. The assessment methodology proposed considers three types of geomorphosites and two main stages. Geomorphosites can be single places, areas and panoramic viewpoints. The two main stages are the inventory and the quantification. The inventory includes the identification and the qualitative assessment of potential geomorphosites and therefore the selection and characterization of geomorphosites. The quantification stage includes the numerical assessment and the final ranking. Geomorphological (scientific, ecological, cultural and aesthetic) and management (protection and use) values are numerically assessed using selected criteria.Centro de Estudos Geográficos, Universidade de Lisboa.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal)

The Montesinho Natural Park (MNP), with an area of about 750 km2, is one of the largest protected areas in Portugal. Since its inauguration as a natural park in 1979, geological and geomorphological aspects have not been taken into consideration in its nature conservation policies. Over the last few years, this deficit has been compensated with an assessment of its geomorphological heritage. The assessment was made possible due to a research project on the geological heritage of the natural parks of north-eastern Portugal. The assessment method propagated herein proposes a clear definition of three types of geomorphosites: single places, geomorphological areas or panoramic viewpoints. Further, it proposes as two-staged approach to assessment with inventory compilation followed by quantification of value. Inventory compilation, for example, involves the identification and qualitative assessment of potential geomorphosites and, therefore, the selection and characterization of geomorphosites. The quantification stage includes the numerical assessment of sites and their final ranking. The values are numerically assessed using selected criteria. The implementation of this approach in the MNP led to the identification of 154 potential geomorphosites, of which only 26 were selected after the qualitative assessment or characterisation process. The numerical assessment of the sites and their ranking allowed a final selection of 13 sites for public use.(undefined

L’approccio del patrimonio geomorfologico nelle aree protette: geoconservazione contro geoturismo nei parchi naturali portoghesi

Artigo bilingue, em inglês e italianoAs in many other countries, geology and geomorphology are absent from the majority of the Portuguese protected areas statutes. These areas could be places to protect landforms as a significant component of the natural heritage. However, joining the preservation effort to some ecotourism activities or other human activities could damage or even destroy geomorphological sites. During the last decade, multidisciplinary projects were developed in protected areas from Northern Portugal, with special emphasis in supporting geoconservation strategies and making available products for public advertising of geological and geomorphological features. This paper shows the results of our activities on Montesinho Natural Park (PNM) and International Douro Natural Park (PNDI). Deliverables are being made available to protected areas managers as scientific support for management plans. Other products and initiatives have been implemented in order to raise public awareness of geodiversity and geoconservation and also to improve geotouristic offer. These products are developed in dialogue with park managers who can include them in management plans. Preserving geomorphological sites and making them public at the same time can be possible in protected areas. This approach can be applied to other protected areas with positive results.Come in molti paesi, la geologia e la geomorfologia sono praticamente assenti dagli statuti delle aree protette del Portogallo. Queste aree potrebbero essere luoghi dove proteggere le forme del rilievo come componenti significative del patrimonio naturale. Tuttavia, gli sforzi per la conservazione unitamente ad alcune attività di ecoturismo o ad altre attività antropiche possono danneggiare o addirittura distruggere i beni geomorfologici. Durante l’ultimo decennio, sono stati sviluppati progetti multidisciplinari in aree protette del nord del Portogallo, ponendo particolare attenzione alle strategie di geoconservazione e sviluppando prodotti per divulgare ad un pubblico vasto le caratteristiche geologiche e geomorfologiche del paesaggio. In questo articolo vengono illustrati i risultati delle attività svolte nel Parco Naturale del Montesinho (PNM) e nel Parco naturale internazionale del (PNDI). Una documentazione appropriata è stata fornita alle aree protette come supporto scientifico ai loro piani di gestione. Sono stati inoltre sviluppati prodotti ed iniziative con lo scopo di aumentare la sensibilità del grande pubblico ai temi della geodiversità e della geoconservazione ed anche per migliorare l’offerta per un turismo geologico. Questi prodotti sono stati realizzati di concerto con i parchi e talvolta sono stati inseriti nei piani di gestione. Conservare i beni geomorfologici e renderli allo stesso tempo fruibili ai turisti è infatti possibile nelle aree protette. Questo approccio può essere applicato ad altre aree protette con risultati positivi

Unidades geomorfológicas e “áreas homogéneas” no Parque Natural de Montesinho

A paisagem no Parque Natural de Montesinho (PNM) é caracterizada por diversos elementos naturais e culturais, mas são sobretudo os de natureza geomorfológica que mais individualizam sectorialmente o parque. A litologia e a tectónica são as condicionantes principais da morfologia actual na área do PNM. Com os trabalhos de caracterização definiram-se como unidades geomorfológicas fundamentais do PNM: as serras; as superfícies de aplanamento; a depressão tectónica a norte de Bragança; os vales fluviais. Relacionados com estas unidades identificaram-se os principais elementos morfológicos da paisagem: aplanamentos a várias altitudes; relevos residuais; modelado granítico de pormenor; depressão tectónica a norte de Bragança; cristas e vertentes assimétricas em xistos; vales profundos; elementos geoculturais. Com base nesses factores, identificaram-se como “áreas homogéneas” no PNM: i) Quintanilha-Maçãs; ii) Alta Lombada; iii) Baixa Lombada; iv) Onor; v) Montesinho, vi) Escusanha-Soutelo; vii) Espinhosela-Mofreita; viii) Moimenta; ix) Coroa-Vinhais; x) Rabaçal-Assureira; xi) Pinheiros-Igrejinha; xii) Lomba; xiii) MenteMontesinho Natural Park (PNM) is characterised by a high diversity on natural and cultural elements although geomorphological features are the most impressive in the landscape. Lithology and tectonics are the main factors for landforms genesis in the PNM. The geomorphological characterisation supported the definition of the geomorphological units in PNM: mountains; erosion surfaces; tectonic basin at the north of Bragança; fluvial valleys. Related with these, the more representative geomorphological aspects on the landscape were identified: erosion surfaces; quartzitic ridges; granite landforms; tectonic basin; schist crests and asymmetric slopes; canyon valleys; cultural landforms. According o these elements, the following “homogenous areas” are proposed: i) Quintanilha-Maçãs; ii) Alta Lombada; iii) Baixa Lombada; iv) Onor; v) Montesinho, vi) Escusanha-Soutelo; vii) Espinhosela-Mofreita; viii) Moimenta; ix) Coroa-Vinhais; x) Rabaçal-Assureira; xi) Pinheiros-Igrejinha; xii) Lomba; xiii) Mente

Yeast stress enzymes - application of microbiology and bioinformatics for initiate high school students in environmental studies.

The aim of this work was to prepare a summer course for high school students of Portugal which illustrate the importance of microbiology and bioinformatics applications in environmental studies, emphasizing that molecular mechanisms of response, repair and adaptation, endows the cell with essential plasticity to adjust to environmental events, by a process termed stress response. Five high school students with ages ranging from 15 to 17 years old are executes in our laboratory very simple experiments observing that vanadium presence in culture medium, switch on a yeast stress response. This course covers the genomic and functional characterization of CAT T from yeast by bioinformatics search, experimental detection and its response to the vanadium presence in culture medium. The obtained results, namely CAT T detection, its positive response to vanadium and structural and metabolic characterization of gene CTT 1 products reveal to the students the importance of yeast enzymatic detection as environmental response markers

Geomorphological frameworks in Portugal - a contribution for the characterzation of the geological heritage

Portugal presents a rich geodiversity in spite of its reduced area. Along 92 152 km2, the last 1000 Ma are recorded on different types of rocks. This lithological diversity together with major tectonic structures and specific Quaternary climatic conditions had developed several geomorphological features with high scientific, didactic, and aesthetic values. The concept of Geomorphological Heritage, part of what is considered Geological Heritage, has been developed by many authors during the last decade. The present work constitutes the first attempt for the definition of Portuguese geomorphological frameworks with national relevance, according to the objectives of the IAG's Geomorphological Sites Working Group and ProGEO. The emphasis is given to major landforms, with landscape value. Minor landforms and features shall be considered in the scope of a following detailed inventory and characterisation. The proposed frameworks cover all the Portuguese territory including Azores and Madeira archipelagos. For each framework some representative geosites were selected, based upon the spectacularity of the landforms, its rareness (in the Portuguese context), and essentially on its scientific and didactic values. The proposed frameworks include: i) granite landforms (Gerês and Estrela mountains); ii) carbonate and evaporite landforms (Aire and Candeeiros karsts); iii) volcanic landforms (Azores and Madeira Archipelagos); iv) residual landforms (Monsanto inselberg); v) tectonic landforms (Vilariça valley); vi) fluvial landforms as canyons (Douro) and alluvial plains (Lower Tejo); vii) coastal landforms like beaches (Quiaios-Aveiro), dunes (Porto Santo), lagoons (Obidos), estuaries (Tejo estuary), cliffs (Alentejo SW coast), and coastal platforms (Aveiro region); viii) glacial and periglacial landforms (cirques, glacial troughs, grooves, moraines and others in Estrela and Gerês mountains). Cultural landscapes are also considered, as the Alto Douro Wine Region and the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (respectively, inscribed and submitted to the World Heritage List). These examples are only indicative due to space restrictions. Until the present moment about sixty sites and areas with high geomorphological interest were considered. A significant number of those are included in protected areas, having therefore some kind of protection. Nevertheless, many others should be considered in geoconservation strategies to be implemented by Portuguese authorities

Decline in glutathione peroxidase and cytoplasmic catalases by lindane may cause an increase of reactive oxygen species in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Lindane or gamma 1α,2α,3β,4α,5α,6β-hexachlorocyclohexane is an organochlorine insecticide, persistent in soils and aquifers, lipophilic, chemically and biochemically inert that accumulates along the human food chain. It is commonly used on a wide variety of crops, in warehouses, in public health to control insect-borne diseases, and (with fungicides) as a seed treatment. Lindane is also presently used in lotions, creams, and shampoos for the control of lice and mites (scabies) in humans. Several chemicals as lindane, toxic for aquatic organisms, birds and mammals have been in the news recently, since the European Union intend to ban it. Therefore it is urgent to clarify the toxicological mechanisms of this compound in eukaryotic cells. Thus the main purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of lindane in the wine wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae UE-ME3 of Alentejo musts, Portugal, a unicellular eukaryotic organism, described as resistant to the presence of pesticides or metals. Cells at mid-exponential phase were inoculated in YEPD medium with 2 % (w/v) glucose and incubated during 72 h in a water bath with orbital shaking, at 28 ºC, in the absence or in presence of 5 and 50 μM lindane. Samples from each treatment were used to obtain growth curves, wet weight and to prepare post-12000 g supernatant, used for determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [1] by fluorimetry and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) [2], glutathione peroxidase (GPx) [3], selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) [3] and cytoplasmic catalase (CAT T) [4] activities as well as pellet for determination of peroxisomal catalase (CAT A) [4] activities by spectrophotometry. The results show that lindane inhibited cell growth of S. cerevisiae UE-ME3, causing a decrease in the biomass produced along 72 h, as well as cell viability from 24 h of assay. On the other hand, was detected an increase in the ROS content of post-12,000 g sediment of cells exposed to 5 μM lindane and post-12000 g supernatant of cells subjected to any exposure conditions, eventually conditioned by a decline in GPx and CAT T activities, which has become the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide less effective. The increase in the CAT A activity without significant changes in the ALP and Se-GPx activities justified, in part, the increase in ROS levels of S. cerevisiae exposed to lindane, as well as the loss of cell viability due to inadequate response of glutathione cycle or cells signaling pathways that assure lipid biosynthesis

Atrazine herbicide cause cell damages in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, probably due aslowdown of glutathione redox cycle

Atrazine (ATZ) has been used extensively as an herbicide, mainly due to its relatively low cost and ease of application. Previous studies have shown that many pollutants are redox active being able to enter microorganisms, causing a univalent reduction of dioxygen with reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. These products can severely attack cell membranes causing lipid peroxidation. Many cells have developed antioxidative defence system, consisting of ROS-scavenging enzymes, e.g. glutathione peroxidase (GPx) or catalases (CTT1, CTA1), and antioxidants, e.g. glutathione (GSH). Catalases and GPx can catalyze H2O2 reduction to H2O and GPx can also scavenge lipid hydroperoxides, converting them in correspondent alcohols. ROS can be produced in cells not only as by-products of normal cellular metabolism but also under stress situations as contact with xenobiotics. So far, the oxidative stress responses to several pollutants as atrazine have been examined in bacteria plants and animals, but few studies have shown the response of antioxidant enzymes in S. cerevisiae to herbicides stress. So, the purpose of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant response by yeast to atrazine exposure. Saccharomyces cerevisiae UE-ME3 a wild-type yeast deposited in the collection of laboratory of Enology, University of Evora, at mid-exponential phase were inoculated in YEPD medium, 2% (w/v) glucose, at 28°C, and shaken 150 rpm for 72 h in presence of 5 or 50 M ATZ and compared with control (YEPD). Yeasts were harvested by centrifugation at 3000 g for 10 min and washed with ultra-pure sterile water. The obtained cells were suspended in 10 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0, and disrupted by sonication. The post-12 000 g supernatants were used for ROS, malondialdheyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) determination by fluorescence as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), CTT1, CTA1, glutathione reductase (GR), GPx and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities by molecular absorption spectrometry. The statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA I and Duncan test (p < 0.01), using SPSS for Windows, version 22. The results showed a decrease in biomass, GSH/GSSG ratio, GR and GPx activities in the cells grown in presence of 5 or 50 lM atrazine.Additionally, it was also detected an increase in ROS and MDA contents as well as in CTT1, G6PD and ALP activities of cells exposed to 50 lM atrazine. In conclusion, the exposure to 50 lM atrazine, a triazine herbicide, caused oxidative stress and cell damages in wild-type S. cerevisiae UE-ME3, probably due a slowdown of glutathione redox cycle, despite a protection resulting from an increase of cytoplasmic activities catalase and ALP

Apple juice reverse the oxidative effect of vanadium pentoxide in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Malus domestica, Borkh, tients for over 2500 years, was domesticated and expanded in Europe by the Greeks and Romans. Due to their high adaptability to different climates and soils, the apple orchards were quickly installed throughout the world, from countries with relatively cool to subtropical climates. In Portugal, Romans have carried out their introduction and later by religious influence led to the spread of different varieties. The region of Beira Alta, Portugal, with its diversity of microclimates, of harsh winters and hot summers with high brightness, distinguished himself early as a conducive area to apple growing, being denominated IPG ( Protect geographical region) for the Golden Delicious variety. In the literature phenolic compounds of apples are described as potential inhibitors of oxidative processes, involving reactive oxygen species (ROS), implicated in chronic disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the role of Golden Delicious apple juice in cell proliferation of yeast S. cerevisiae UE-ME3, and stress molecular markers, in the presence of a well-know oxidant, vanadium pentoxide