The Sound of Drystones: A Novel Hot-Spot of Ecoacoustics Research

Drystone terraces offer a series of ecosystem services including both biological and cultural benefits. The aesthetic contribution towards the landscape and the increase in biodiversity levels, constitute drystone terraces and other similar constructions, as important biocultural assets. The low maintenance and the eventual abandonment of drystone terraces cause a series of drawbacks regarding the sustainability of agricultural environments. The main goal of this research was to assess the effect of drystone terrace maintenance level on biodiversity. For that reason, two closely distant agricultural areas of Lesbos Island (North Aegean, Greece) in which olive grove drystone terraces dominate were compared. The non-intrusive method of ecoacoustics was selected, and the levels of the acoustic complexity and acoustic diversity were statistically analyzed for areas that included highly maintained and poorly maintained olive grove drystone terraces. The results indicated an increase in acoustic biodiversity levels in the poorly maintained drystone terraces area. At this early stage, the results highlighted the fact that the increased resources in the poorly maintained drystone terraces, in terms of nesting and feeding opportunities, increased the biodiversity levels. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal expansion of this research is undeniably important

The Sound of Drystones: A Novel Hot-Spot of Ecoacoustics Research

Drystone terraces offer a series of ecosystem services including both biological and cultural benefits. The aesthetic contribution towards the landscape and the increase in biodiversity levels, constitute drystone terraces and other similar constructions, as important biocultural assets. The low maintenance and the eventual abandonment of drystone terraces cause a series of drawbacks regarding the sustainability of agricultural environments. The main goal of this research was to assess the effect of drystone terrace maintenance level on biodiversity. For that reason, two closely distant agricultural areas of Lesbos Island (North Aegean, Greece) in which olive grove drystone terraces dominate were compared. The non-intrusive method of ecoacoustics was selected, and the levels of the acoustic complexity and acoustic diversity were statistically analyzed for areas that included highly maintained and poorly maintained olive grove drystone terraces. The results indicated an increase in acoustic biodiversity levels in the poorly maintained drystone terraces area. At this early stage, the results highlighted the fact that the increased resources in the poorly maintained drystone terraces, in terms of nesting and feeding opportunities, increased the biodiversity levels. Nevertheless, the spatiotemporal expansion of this research is undeniably important

A GIS-based decision support model for offshore floating wind turbine installation

This paper presents a decision support model that assesses offshore suitability for floating wind turbine installation. The model is based on Multi-Criteria Analysis and Geographic Information Systems. An implementation of the model for the Aegean Sea is also presented. The methodological approach followed consists of four stages. The first stage excludes sites that are inappropriate for wind turbine siting based on legislative constraints. At the second stage, a set of evaluation criteria are used in order to identify the most suitable areas for floating wind turbine installation. Next stage is the economic evaluation of the highest-scored sites, as they resulted from final suitability map. Finally, a sensitivity analysis on the weights of the criteria is carried out. Results indicated that only a small percentage of the case study is characterised as appropriate for floating wind turbine siting, although wind potential is considered strong in more sites

Marine spatial planning in Cyprus

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), which is in concept similar to land-use planning, is a public process by which the relevant Member State's authorities analyse and organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives. MSP aims to promote sustainable growth of maritime economies, sustainable development of marine areas and sustainable use of marine resources. This paper highlights the importance of MSP and provides basic outcomes of the main European marine development. The already successful MSP plans can provide useful feedback and guidelines for other countries that are in the process of implementation of an integrated MSP, such as Cyprus. This paper presents part of the MSP project, of which 80% funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 20% from national contribution. An overview of the project is presented, including data acquisition, methodology and preliminary results for the implementation of MSP in Cyprus

Análise microclimática de um edifício histórico em clima temperado: limites sustentáveis para a correta conservação dos materiais

Apesar da reconhecida importância conferida ao estudo microclimático em edifícios históricos para a correta conservação de suas coleções e objetos de relevância histórica e cultural, o conhecimento acerca de seu comportamento em climas temperados é ainda reduzido. Ao longo das últimas décadas surgiram diferentes especificações focadas nas necessidades higrotérmicas dos materiais. Nesse campo, a abordagem dinâmica, baseada no microclima histórico, gerou um amplo consenso entre os especialistas, como meio de alcançar intervalos sustentáveis de temperatura e umidade relativa. Este estudo visou classificar de forma clara o microclima interior de um edifício histórico em clima temperado – Igreja de São Cristóvão, em Lisboa –, com o objetivo de verificar a qualidade microclimática para a conservação dos materiais e validar possíveis alterações. Para tal, utilizou-se um sistema de monitoramento continuo entre novembro de 2011 e agosto de 2013, com registros a cada 10 min, utilizando-se diversos sensores de temperatura e umidade relativa. O microclima foi classificado de acordo com a especificação ASHRAE – Handbook HVAC Applications, Chapter 21: Museums, galleries, archives and libraries. Constatou-se elevada estabilidade climática natural, que não justifica a implementação de sistemas de climatização