Rainfall effects on grass-weed seedbanks in wheat

Forage, chickpea, medics, wheat, oilseed rape and sunflower were cultivated during four years as part of ten different types of rotations which always included wheat . These experiments took place in Southern Portugal, a mediterranean area where dryland agriculture is usual. Grass-weed seedbanks were evaluated annually before seeding. The variation in wheat plots without weed control was used to assess the effects of rainfall on grass-weed seedbanks. Evaluation of all grass-weeds taken together was made, and of each of the three major contributors, namely Agrostis pourretii Willd., Phalaris minor Retz. and Briza maxima L.. In mediterranean dryland agriculture, where water is a very limiting factor, rainfall appears to have a very strong and rapid effect on grass-weed seedbanks. In fact, the amount of rain felt between November and April has a direct effect on grass-weed seedbank density after the crop regarding all grass-weeds, Phalaris minor and Briza maxima. Conversely, Agrostis pourretii seedbank grows independently of rainfall until its own seed density becomes a limiting factor

Aromatic Plants in Eurasian Blue Tit Nests: The ‘Nest

The ‘Nest Protection Hypothesis’ suggests that some birds add aromatic plants to their nests to repel or kill ectoparasites. This behavior has been described for several species, including the Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus). We studied the reproductive performance, based on 26 nests (in nest boxes), of this species in mixed forested areas of Quercus spp. and Pinus pinea in the Parque Florestal de Monsanto, the largest park of Lisbon, Portugal. The frequency of aromatic plants in nests was compared with frequency of these plants in the study area. The three most frequent aromatic plants (Dittrichia viscosa, Lavandula dentata, Calamintha baetica) in nests were used more than expected from their availability in the study area. We could not reject the null hypothesis that nest survival rate is independent of the presence of aromatic plants in the nest

Effects of mowing regime on diversity of Mediterranean roadside vegetation – implications for management

Shrub development on road outside verges can provide alternative wildlife habitat. However, management of inside verges should keep vegetation at a height consistent with proper road visibility and safety. The influence of management on vegetation was analyzed on the inside verge of two Portuguese roads, one mown once and another twice a year. Specifically, the effect of mowing frequency on shrub abundance and the combined effect of management and shrubs on floristic diversity were addressed. One stretch of each road was surveyed for shrub abundance and for herbaceous species diversity and cover. The effect of mowing frequency on shrub growing and biomass production and allocation was also evaluated along two years. Results indicate that vegetation mowing yearly in spring is enough to keep the inside verge free from most shrubs. However, summer growing shrubs like Dittrichia viscosa can persist, decreasing both floristic diversity and cover, particularly of meadow species. Moreover, in response to spring mowing, shrubs grew fast and were able to disperse efficiently. An additional autumn mowing significantly decreased not only shrub height and canopy area, but specially seed production and dispersal. Thus, the inside verge management should be based on two mowing periods. The first in spring to control winter and spring growing species, and an additional autumn mowing to control growth and dispersal of summer growing shrubs and trees, or even tall grasses. This management regime will combine safety with improvement of the amenity and habitat value of the road verges

Juniperus navicularis - a study of Portuguese population structure and fitness

Juniperus navicularis Gand. is a dioecious endemic conifer that constitutes the understory of seaside pine forests in Portugal, areas currently threatened by increasing urban expansion. The aim of this study is to assess the conservation status of previously known populations of this species located on its core area of distribution. The study was performed in south-west coast of Portugal. Three populations varying in size and pine density were analyzed. Number of individuals, population density, spatial distribution and individual characteristics of junipers were estimated. Female cone, seed characteristics and seed viability were also evaluated. Results suggest that J. navicularis populations are vulnerable because seminal recruitment is scarce, what may lead to a reduction of genetic variability due solely to vegetative propagation. This vulnerability seems to be strongly determined by climatic constraints toward increasing aridity. Ratio between male and female shrubs did not differ from 1:1 in any population. Deviations from 1:1 between mature and non-mature plants were found in all populations, denoting population ageing. Very low seed viability was observed. A major part of described Juniperus navicularis populations have disappeared through direct habitat loss to urban development, loss of fitness in drier and warmer locations and low seed viability. This study is the first to address J. navicularis conservation, and represents a valuable first step toward this species preservation

Evaluating potential olive orchard sugar food sources for the olive fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor

Olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major olive pest in the Mediterranean basin where increasing insecticide resistance has enhanced damage and necessitates more reliance on other control strategies, such as biological control. Provision of floral resources has been reported to improve the effectiveness of natural enemies. Here, we tested the effect of six plant nectars and two honeydew sources on the survival of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid wasp used in the biological control of olive fruit fly. Our results showed a positive effect on survival associated with nectars of Anchusa azurea Mill., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lavatera cretica L. and Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi, while honeydew proved to be a valuable alternative food source. When offering flowers directly to insects, Anchusa azurea, Lavatera cretica, and Foeniculum vulgare L. were found to be the most beneficial species, indicating also that P. concolor feeds predominantly on shallow corollas.Research was financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), with partial funding from the European Fund for Regional Development, through the project PTDC/AGR‐AAM/100979/200

Regeneration patterns of Quercus suber according to montado management systems

Traditional management of montado (dehesa) is an example of integration of sustainable land-use and biodiversity conservation. The whole system sustainability is currently threatened by the intensification of soil tilling to control shrub invasion and promote pastureland, the absence of tree natural regeneration being one of the most outstanding threats. A study to assess effects of management on tree regeneration at early stages was developed in a cork oak montado grazed by cattle, in southern Portugal. We specifically compared the effects of harrowing every 3–4 years with those of shrub clearing with a shredder every 5–7 years. We hypothesized that extending shrub maintenance may facilitate cork oak regeneration at early stages in grazed montado. Fenced cork oak paddocks under the same management system for at least the last 40 years were surveyed for cork oak seedling, juvenile and sapling density; shrub cover percentage was also estimated. Recruitment bottleneck was observed after the seedling stage under harrowing, while in shredded areas all stages were well represented and often associated with shrub patches. Overall, the highest cork oak recruitment occurred at intermediate shrub cover (40–60 %). By maintaining shrub patches and their protective effect against direct radiation and grazing impact, while preventing shrub encroachment, shredding every 7 years seems to create an important temporal window for effective oak regeneration. This management practice might thus be suitable to favour successful tree regeneration in grazed cork oak montado, assuring the persistence of this system

Wild flowers in urban spaces

Research into wild flowers with a view to their use in urban spaces has not been undertaken in Portugal, considering their importance in ecological design. The Mediterranean climate involves the seasonally of air temperature and precipitation, which leads to a hot drought period in summer and wet period in winter. The reintroduction of native plants reduces the cost of establishing and maintaining as the sustainability green spaces. So, the aim of this work focuses on the behaviour of the native meadow in a young olive orchard, evaluating the floristic composition and its variation along the study. Three years of field experiment were performed comprising two treatments: the mobilized, in which the management of the plants was controlled through the mobilization, and the native meadowland covering until the beginning of the dry period. After that, the plants were cut off by a rotary mower. The observation of the development of the land covering was made with the help of floristical survey during the spring. The results observed in green cover, show a tendency to the increase of monocotyledonae in relation to dicotyledons

Best Pratice Guide to Manage Vegetation and Promote Biodiversity in Linear Infrastructures

The present guide is based on the experience acquired in the framework of the LIFE LINES project (LIFE14 NAT/PT/001081) and intends to compile and disseminate the recommendable procedures for the management of biodiversity, particularly of plant diversity, in the marginal areas of linear infrastructures, primarily focusing on the national roads, decommissioned railways now used for recreation purposes (ecotrails) and power lines of very high voltage. The guide includes technical information for those in charge of the management of roads, trails and power lines (concession holders, municipalities), for environmental consultancy (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente, Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e Florestas), and for landscape and agroforestry technicians, as well as for the general public

Seed germination of six Iberian endemic species – a contribution to enhance plant conservation

Biodiversity has been degraded all around the world due to anthropogenic factors. To counteract this worldwide tendency, ecological restoration programs are expanding. In these programs, the use of native herbaceous species, particularly those endemic or threatened, can be promoted by seeding them but germination requirements for most of these species are unknown. Our research meant to fill this gap of information for six Iberian endemic species suitable to use in restoration actions - Digitalis thapsi, Ferula communis subsp. catalaunica, Linaria amethystea subsp. amethystea, Pterocephalidium diandrum, Sanguisorba hybrida, and Silene scabriflora subsp. scabriflora. Their seed germination behaviour was analysed to establish germination protocols for conservation actions. Three germination conditions were used to simulate different sown seasons. Seeds of all species were tested without pretreatment and subjected to a cold stratification. Seeds of S. hybrida and P. diandrum were additionally tested with a scarification treatment. All species reached their better germination performance under autumn conditions (15/10 C; 8/16 hours). In conclusion, for all the six Iberian endemic species tested, germination speed and percentage were suitable for their use in native plants reinforcement

ValBioTecCynara – Economic Enhancement Cynara cardunculus: Natural Variability and its Biotechnological Applications

ValBioTecCynara aims to address the natural C cardunculus L genetic, molecular, morphologic, and biochemical variabilities, as a combined strategy to identify individuals with certain and specific required profiles C cardunculus L is used as a coagulant for cheesemaking where the respective use is mandatory in certain cheeses benefiting from Protected Designation of Origin ( 1 The potential of 15 different C cardunculus L natural occurring populations within Alentejo region (south of Portugal), were evaluated on flower technological properties, being three of them studied regarding chemical, rheological and sensorial characteristics within the three PDO Alentejo cheeses Évora Serpa and Nisa A significance variability on flower technological properties was found, based on milk clotting activity, gel firmness, micellar aggregation rate and proteolytic activity and it was possible to identify 5 different groups of C cardunculus L populations 2 The action of coagulant populations was specific according the cheese matrix Nevertheless, a common pattern of cheese proteolysis, rheology and sensory characteristics was verified, allowing to highlight the cheeses manufactured with two of the three C cardunculus L populations Proteolysis was more intense in early stages of ripening, influenced by cheese moisture content and raising to caseins fractions, β caseins were less susceptible to proteolysis than α S caseins with influence in cheese sensory characteristics These results have a very stimulating uses concerning specific target, such as uncertainty in the cheese manufacture, contributing to the incentive of the cheese production systems promoting the milk production of small ruminants Keywords Cynara cardunculus L proteases milk PDO Évora, Serpa, Nisa cheeses 1 Conceição C, Martins P, Alvarenga N, Dias J, Lamy E, Garrido A, et al Cynara cardunculus Use in Cheesemaking and Pharmaceutical Applications In Koca N Technological Approaches for Novel Applications in Dairy Processing InTechOpen 2018 http :://dx doi org/ 10 5772 /intechopen 76530 2 Gomes S, Belo AT, Alvarenga N, Dias J, Lage P, Pinheiro C, et al Characterization of Cynara cardunculus L flower from Alentejo as a coagulant agent for cheesemaking Int Dairy J 2019 91 178 84 This project was funded by European Regional Development Fund ( ValBioTecCynara (ALT 20 03 0145 FEDER 000038 Economic valorisation of Cardoon Cynara cardunculus study of natural variability and biotechnological applications The authors acknowledge FCT for PhD grant to Teresa Brás (SFRH/ 110969 201