Evaluación ecosistémica del golfo de Cádiz: análisis integral y descripción de procesos

Los modelos y análisis de ecosistemas son herramientas importantes que pueden ayudar a las partes interesadas a comprender sistemas complejos y evaluar cómo estos sistemas responden a los posibles cambios del ecosistema. En la presente tesis doctoral, ha sido investigado el estado del ecosistema del golfo de Cádiz (GoC) y la evolución temporal de sus recursos marinos utilizando un enfoque multidisciplinar, que ha combinado modelación y análisis de integración de datos. Los resultados resaltaron una serie de puntos relevantes para los ecosistemas costero y marino: el ecosistema del GoC en los últimos 20 años ha pasado por muchos cambios, desde la forma como le vemos, su explotación, así como las medidas de protección. En este sentido ese estudio aporta información inédita a través del desarrollo de un análisis integral del ecosistema del GoC, describiendo la evolución temporal del ecosistema de forma holística y conjunta, analizando los efectos naturales y antropogénicos en su principal zona de cría, el estuario del Río Guadalquivir, y, por último, caracterizando la distribución espacio-temporal de la comunidad zooplanctónica. Finalmente, el presente estudio ha identificado futuras líneas de investigación que podrán ayudar en el desarrollo ambiental y socioeconómico, y buscar maneras más eficaces para maximizar la equidad y la sostenibilidad de los recursos marinos

Seasonal variation of zooplankton and environmental conditions along a transect in the Gulf of Cádiz

This study presents seasonal variation in the zooplankton composition of the Gulf of Cádiz was studied between 2001 and 2012. Samples were collected three times per year, in the spring, summer and autumn at three stations situated along a transect perpendicular to the coast. The total zooplankton abundance during the summer was higher than in the spring and autumn. Zooplankton community is characterized by a seasonal cycle mirroring similar cycles in the physical environment. Differences in community composition were also found along the transect, particularly between the coastal station, under the influence of the Guadalquivir River, and the outer station, characterized by oceanic conditions. This study is the first description of the seasonal and spatial variation of this marine component of the Gulf of Cádi

International politics must be considered together with climate and fisheries regulation as a driver of marine ecosystems

Seafood is an essential source of protein globally. As its demand continues to rise, balancing food security and the health of marine ecosystems has become a pressing challenge. Ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) has been adopted by the European Union (EU) Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to meet this challenge by ac- counting for the multiple interacting natural and socio-economic drivers. The CFP includes both the imple- mentation of regulatory measures to EU stocks and the establishment of bilateral fisheries agreements with neighbouring countries, known as sustainable fisheries partnership agreements (SFPAs). While the effects of fisheries management regulations are well acknowledged, the consequences of the SFPAs on EU ecosystems have been commonly overlooked. Here we investigate the development of the Gulf of Cadiz marine ecosystem over the last two decades and found evidence of the impact of both policy interventions. Our findings reveal the effec- tiveness of regulatory measures in reverting a progressively degrading ecosystem, characterised by high fishing pressure and dominance of opportunistic species, to a more stable configuration, characterised by higher biomass of small pelagics and top predators after 2005. Knock-on effects of the EU-Morocco SFPA and climate effects were detected before 2005, resulting in increased purse seine fishing effort, lower biomass of pelagic species and warmer temperatures. This southern EU marine ecosystem has been one of the latest to introduce regulations and is very exposed to fishery agreements with neighbouring Morocco. Our study highlights the importance of taking into consideration, not only the effects of in situ fisheries regulations but also the indirect implications of political agreements in the framework of EBFM.Marie Curie (re)Integration Grant (M.Ll., FP7-PEOPLE, ref: PERG05-GA-2009-247528), OCAL-DILEMA project (ref: CTM2014-59244-C3-2-R), CAPES Foundation and the Science without Borders fellowship program (ref: 99999.013763/2013- 00), EASME/ EMFF/2018/1.3.2.4/Lot2/SI2.818388-SC03En prensa6,86

Piauí de plantas e gentes: Construção de coleções de referência de plantas úteis/econômicas como base para estudos arqueobotânicos.

Museum Studie

Design, Synthesis and Characterization of N-oxide-containing Heterocycles with In vivo Sterilizing Antitubercular Activity

Tuberculosis, caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is the infectious disease responsible for the highest number of deaths worldwide. Herein, 22 new N-oxide- containing compounds were synthesized followed by in vitro and in vivo evaluation of their antitubercular potential against Mtb. Compound 8 was found to be the most promising compound, with MIC90 values of 1.10 and 6.62 μM against active and non- replicating Mtb, respectively. Additionally, we carried out in vivo experiments to confirm the safety and efficacy of compound 8; the compound was found to be orally bioavailable and highly effective leading to the reduction of the number of Mtb to undetected levels in a mouse model of infection. Microarray-based initial studies on the mechanism of action suggest that compound 8 blocks the process of translation. Altogether, these results indicated benzofuroxan derivative 8 to be a promising lead compound for the development of a novel chemical class of antitubercular drugs