Leaf decomposition of cork oak under three different land uses within a montado of southern Portugal

This study compared litter decomposition dynamics of cork oak at three sites under different land-uses (grassland, shrubland and woodland), in a montado ecosystem in Southern Portugal. The montado is a protected habitat within the EU Habitats Directive, but the long-term persistence of cork oak is endangered in these ecosystems, with health of poor cork oak and low natural regeneration rates being the main causes of degradation. Moreover, human management has resulted in the conversion of woodlands to grasslands and may have long-term effects on soil nutrient availability, eventually modifying soil nutrient budgets. Knowledge of the ecological processes is therefore relevant for ecosystem management and species conservation. In the study, the estimated amount of leaf fall from cork oak showed no significant differences between land uses, despite the positive influence of tree crown size on leaf fall. Decomposition was affected by season, vegetation cover, leaf thickness and litter quality. Differences in land use that exposed soil to harsh climate conditions negatively affected soil microbial dynamics, resulting in lower decomposition rates in the more disturbed sites with lower canopy cover.The present work was financed by a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/70708/2010) from FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology). S. Costa is funded by the FCT through the post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/102438/ 2014. We are grateful to Alfredo Sendim from Herdade do Freixo do Meio who kindly allowed us to develop this work at his property. We also appreciate the valuable contributions of Jaime A. Ramos and Björn Berg.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multiple mating rescues offspring sex ratio but not productivity in a haplodiploid exposed to developmental heat stress

Reproduction is generally more sensitive to high temperatures than survival and arguably a better predictor of the response of populations to climate change than survival estimates. Still, how temperature simultaneously impacts male and female reproductive success, the mating system and the operational sex ratio remains an open question. Here, we addressed how a sublethal high temperature affects the reproductive system of the haplodiploid spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Males and females maintained at 25 or 36°C during development were paired and the fertility of both sexes, their mating and remating eagerness, and the paternity of the offspring of females with different mating histories were measured. Female and male fertility decreased at 36°C compared to 25°C, resulting in lower offspring production and a more male-biased sex ratio, respectively, because of haplodiploidy. However, when either heat-stressed females or females that mated with heat-stressed males remated, there was a shift in paternity share, with more than one male contributing to the offspring. This was accompanied by reduced mating eagerness in pairs with partially sterile males and increased remating eagerness in pairs in which at least one sex was partially sterile in the first mating. The observed temperature-induced changes in female remating eagerness and sperm use allowed restoring the offspring sex ratio, by increasing the proportion of fertilized offspring, but did not lead to the recovery of offspring number. The temperature-induced changes in the mating behaviour and mating system should alter the interactions within and between the sexes, and with it the strength of sexual selection and sexual conflict in this species. Whether such changes are sufficient to prevent population extinction, despite the inability to recover offspring number, remains an open question.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Artificial seaweed substrates complement ARMS in DNA metabarcoding-based monitoring of temperate coastal macrozoobenthos

We used DNA metabarcoding to compare macrozoobenthic species colonization between autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) and artificial seaweed monitoring systems (ASMS). We deployed both substrates in two different locations (Ría de Vigo and Ría de Ferrol, NW Iberian coast) and collected them after 6, 9, and 12 months to assess species composition of the colonizing communities through high-throughput sequencing of amplicons within the barcode region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI-5P) and the V4 domain of the 18S rRNA genes. We observed a consistently low similarity in species composition between substrate types, independently of sampling times and sites. A large fraction of exclusive species was recorded for a given substrate (up to 72%), whereas only up to 32% of species were recorded in both substrates. The shape and structural complexity of the substrate strongly affected the colonization preferences, with ASMS detecting more exclusive crustacean and gastropod species and a broader diversity of taxonomic groups (e.g., Entoprocta and Pycnogonida were detected exclusively in ASMS). We demonstrate that despite the customary use of ARMS for macrozoobenthos monitoring, by using ASMS we complemented the recovery of species and enlarged the scope of the taxonomic diversity recorded.This study was supported by the project ATLANTIDA (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000040), funded by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE2020) and by the “Contrato-Programa” UIDB/04050/2020 funded by national funds through the FCT I.P. (Foundation for Science and Technology). Financial support granted by the FCT to BRL (PD/BD/127994/2016) and SD (CEECIND/00667/2017) is also acknowledged.We would like to thank all the members of the Marine Biology Station of A Graña and all the members of the ECIMAT Marine Station for providing the resources and support during sampling campaigns. We also acknowledge the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments

Food consumption determinants and barriers for healthy eating at the workplace: a university setting

Background: A wide variety of social, cultural and economic factors may influence dietary patterns. This work aims to identify the main determinants of food consumption and barriers for healthy eating at the workplace, in a university setting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 533 participants. Data were obtained through the application of a self-administered questionnaire that included socio-demographic information, food consumption determinants and the main perceived barriers for healthy eating at the workplace. Results: The respondents identified “price” (22.5%), “meal quality” (20.7%), and “location/distance” (16.5%). For women, the determinant “availability of healthy food options” was more important than for men (p < 0.001). The food consumption determinants at the workplace most referred to by respondents were related to the nutritional value. Smell, taste, appearance and texture, and good value for money, were also considered important for choosing food at the workplace. Respondents referred to work commitments and lack of time as the main barriers for healthy eating at the workplace. Conclusions: Identification of determinants involved in food consumption, and the barriers for healthy eating, may contribute to a better definition of health promotion initiatives at the workplace aiming to improve nutritional intake.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impacts of therapeutic horticulture on happiness and loneliness in institutionalized clients with mental health conditions

Introduction: Therapeutic horticulture (TH) can be considered a non-pharmacological approach to support psychiatric treatments for the improvement of physical and mental health, but information is lacking on whether it has advantages as compared to more conventional occupational therapies (OTs). Method: The study focused on institutionalized 25 clients attending TH among other OTs and 15 clients attending OT other than TH. The measures used were the ‘Subjective Happiness Scale’ (SHS) and the ‘Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults’ (SELSA-S), along with sociodemographic and clinical data. The study design was descriptive, observational and cross-sectional. Results: Scores obtained from the SHS and SELSA-S were generally similar for both groups, although 40% of clients in the TH group perceived relaxation. These are in agreement with previous studies performed with chronic schizophrenia clients reporting that TH might effectively decrease depression/anxiety symptoms, but the feeling of hopelessness and quality of life did not change, probably due to long-term institutionalization and required medication that may limit other effects. Within the TH group, clients preferred specific horticultural tasks and more days/week attending activities decreased loneliness and increased happiness. Conclusion: TH interventions as an integrative treatment option merits further study on both process and outcome evaluation, to maximize its effectiveness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Long-term sustainability of cork oak agro-forests in the Iberian Peninsula: A model-based approach aimed at supporting the best management options for the montado conservation

The future of the montado, a human shaped agro-forestry ecosystem of South Western Europe, is questioned due to the observed lack of cork oak health and low natural regeneration. We developed a System Dynamics Modelling approach to predict the long-term sustainability of this agro-forest, by recreating cork-oak population dynamics, management practices and the main environmental and biological constrains associated with this ecosystem. Our results indicate that the leading limitations to cork oak regeneration in montado ecosystems result from the intensity and interaction of land management practices, namely livestock and the use of heavy machinery. The main conclusions indicate that limiting the quantity of livestock up to 0.40 LU.ha -1 , and considering soil ploughing with a minimum periodicity of 5 years, are crucial to maintaining sustainable cork oak populations. This study represents a first step to support strategic options for cork oak montado management by providing projections of long-term population trends under realistic social-ecological change scenarios.This work was supported by the FCT (Portuguese Foun-dation for Science and Technology) under a Ph.D. grant[SFRH/BD/70708/2010]. R. Bastos is funded by FCT through the doc-toral grant SFRH/BD/102428/2014. S. Costa is funded by the FCTthrough the post-doctoral grant SFRH/BPD/102438/2014. We aregrateful to Alfredo Sendim from Herdade do Freixo do Meio whokindly allowed us to develop this work at his property.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Linking nematode communities and soil health under climate change

Soil health is intimately intertwined with ecosystem services. Climate change negatively impacts ecosystem functioning, by altering carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles and shifting nutrient bioavailability, thus hampering food production and exacerbating biodiversity loss. Soil ecosystem services are provided by belowground biota, and as the most abundant metazoans on Earth, nematodes are key elements of soil food webs and reliable bioindicators of soil health. Here, we carry out a literature review from 2019, the year that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a report relating and expressing serious concerns on the effects of climate change on the land degradation and sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems. We focus on documenting and discussing the composition of nematode communities contributing to improving soil health, and soil management practices to promote their presence and limit the effects of climate change on soils. By recognizing beneficial nematodes as plant-promoting agents, we could harness their potential to our benefit, catalyze decomposition services, improve plant performance, and increase carbon sequestration. This way, we will contribute to soil health and a well-balanced and well-managed system, making it possible to increase productivity, guarantee food security, and reduce the yield gap, with a limited human footprint on the environment.D.P. is supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, FCT/MCTES), through grant 2021.08030.BD. At CBMA, this work was supported by the “Contrato-Programa” UIDB/04050/2020 funded by national funds through the FCT I.P

Development of a Questionnaire to Assess Knowledge and Perceptions about Edible Insects

Edible insects (EI) have been consumed as traditional foods in many parts of the globe, but in other regions, they are not readily accepted, particularly in Western countries. However, because EI are suggested to constitute a more sustainable protein food as compared with other sources of animal protein, they can be considered a future food that could help mitigate hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, new gastronomic trends are already targeting this area for exploring new potentialities. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess consumers’ perceptions and knowledge about EI in seven different domains: D1. Culture and Tradition, D2. Gastronomic Innovation and Gourmet Kitchen, D3. Environment and Sustainability, D4. Economic and Social Aspects, D5. Commercialization and Marketing, D6. Nutritional Aspects and D7. Health Effects. The 64 items were subjected to item analysis and reliability analysis for validation, and factor analysis was also conducted to identify a grouping structure. The results validated all the items of the seven subscales with high values of Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.732 for D1, α = 0.795 for D2, α = 0.882 for D3, α = 0.742 for D4, α = 0.675 for D5, α = 0.799 for D6 and α = 0.788 for D7). However, by eliminating 17 items, the final values of the alpha increased in all subscales. Factor analysis with extraction by principal component analysis with varimax rotation extracted 14 factors that explained, in total, 65% of the variance, although the first two factors were the most important (35.7% variance explained). In conclusion, the confirmed usefulness of the questionnaire has been hereby validated for assessing consumer perceptions of and knowledge about EI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

EPS and aggregates changes on activated sludge under atrazine exposure

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play a vital role in biological wastewater treatment systems, affecting their performance in aggregates settling, structure and arrangement, and interacting with micropollutants present in wastewater. In this study, the effects of herbicide atrazine (ATZ) on the EPS yield and composition and aggregates structure were investigated on activated sludge (AS) in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The results demonstrated that TB-EPS and LB-EPS increased under ATZ exposure, indicating that microorganisms release EPS as a self-mechanism of defense against environmental changes. Above 5.5 mg L-1 of ATZ aggregates become larger. Principal component analysis (PCA) was useful in highlighting biomass changes during the experimental phases, and Pearson correlation revealed that TB-EPS content correlate well with large aggregates (0.996).The authors thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020. The authors also acknowledge the financial support to A. Melo through the grant 240-20170220 provided by Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Pernambuco (IFPE). D.P. Mesquita and C. Quintelas acknowledge FCT funding under DL57/2016 Transitory Norm Programme.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Soil microorganisms control plant ectoparasitic nematodes in natural coastal foredunes

Belowground herbivores can exert important controls on the composition of natural plant communities. Until now, relatively few studies have investigated which factors may control the abundance of belowground herbivores. In Dutch coastal foredunes, the root-feeding nematode Tylenchorhynchus ventralis is capable of reducing the performance of the dominant grass Ammophila arenaria (Marram grass). However, field surveys show that populations of this nematode usually are controlled to nondamaging densities, but the control mechanism is unknown. In the present study, we first established that T. ventralis populations are top-down controlled by soil biota. Then, selective removal of soil fauna suggested that soil microorganisms play an important role in controlling T. ventralis. This result was confirmed by an experiment where selective inoculation of microarthropods, nematodes and microbes together with T. ventralis into sterilized dune soil resulted in nematode control when microbes were present. Adding nematodes had some effect, whereas microarthropods did not have a significant effect on T. ventralis. Our results have important implications for the appreciation of herbivore controls in natural soils. Soil food web models assume that herbivorous nematodes are controlled by predaceous invertebrates, whereas many biological control studies focus on managing nematode abundance by soil microorganisms. We propose that soil microorganisms play a more important role than do carnivorous soil invertebrates in the top-down control of herbivorous ectoparasitic nematodes in natural ecosystems. This is opposite to many studies on factors controlling root-feeding insects, which are supposed to be controlled by carnivorous invertebrates, parasitoids, or entomopathogenic nematodes. Our conclusion is that the ectoparasitic nematode T. ventralis is potentially able to limit productivity of the dune grass A. arenaria but that soil organisms, mostly microorganisms, usually prevent the development of growth-reducing population densities