The role of habitat features in a primary succession

In order to determine the role of habitat features in a primary succession on lava domes of Terceira Island (Azores) we addressed the following questions: (1) Is the rate of cover development related to environmental stress? (2) Do succession rates differ as a result of habitat differences? One transect, intercepting several habitats types (rocky hummocks, hollows and pits, small and large fissures), was established from the slope to the summit of a 247 yr old dome. Data on floristic composition, vegetation bioarea, structure, demography and soil nutrients were collected. Quantitative and qualitative similarities among habitats were also analyzed. Cover development and species accumulation are mainly dependent on habitat features. Habitat features play a critical role in determining the rate of succession by providing different environmental conditions that enable different rates of colonization and cover development. Since the slope’s surface is composed of hummocks, hollows and pits the low succession rates in these habitats are responsible for the lower rates of succession in this geomorphologic unit, whereas the presence of fissures in the dome’s summit accelerates its succession rate

New records of the critically endangered fern Grammitis azorica (Polypodiaceae)

Grammitis azorica (H. Schaef.) H. Schaef. is a critically endangered epiphytic fern, endemic to the Azores Islands. Until 2013, its presence was only confirmed on Flores Island. Our new records expand the distribution of this species from one to three islands and the altitudinal range to 640 – 1130 m a.s.l. Nevertheless, the fact that only four additional individuals were found confirms the rarity of this fern. Our new data also highlight the importance of montane forests and woodlands as hotspots of biodiversity in the Azores and the need to increase the protection status of all areas with remnant natural forest patches.The field trip to Pico Island and open access were funded by FEDER (85%) and by Azorean Public funds (15%), through the Operational Program Azores 2020 under the project AZORESBIOPORTAL -PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000072).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Floresta natural dos Açores

O efeito da insularidade reflecte-se no número limitado de espécies arbóreas naturais dos Açores. As mais comuns são a Morella faya (Faia-da-terra), Picconia azorica (Pau-branco), Laurus azorica (Louro), Juniperus brevifolia (Cedro-do-mato), Ilex perado subsp. azorica (Azevinho), Erica azorica (Urze) e Frangula azorica (Sanguinho). Pelo contrário, Prunus azorica (Ginjeira-brava) é actualmente muito rara e Taxus bacatta (Teixo) encontra-se à beira da extinção. Dependendo das condições ambientais, particularmente de temperatura, pluviosidade e exposição ao vento, encontramos diferentes espécies a dominar a copa da floresta. […]

Approch to the knowledge of Coccinellidade (Coleoptera) species diversity of Madeira and Porto Santo Islands.

Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Ecology of Aphidophaga: Biology, Ecology and Behaviour of Aphidophagous Insects.We present a list of coccinellids collected in Madeira archipelago and notice the presence of two new species; of Scymnini; Scymnus (Scymnus) abietis (Paykull) and Nephus hiekei Fürsch. We analyse the distribution and abundance at the community level, using the following measures: species richness index, abundance and relative abundance, similarity index, diversity, and evenness. 13 species from 3 families were recorded. Hippodamia variegata was the most abundant one with 29.7 % of the 141 specimens collected. Two main groups of relative abundance were identified. The first group included the 6 most common H. variegata, S. interruptus, C. arcuatus, C. septempunctata, S. levaillanti and R. litura and the second one included S. abietis, L. lophante and R. chrysomeloides. Diversity index values are relatively high. The 6 most common species comprised more than 90 % of the individuals without a very different relative abundance. Many factors other than extinction and immigration could explain the variation of the number of species on islands. The highest number of species collected in Madeira island, compared to Porto Santo, could be related with its higher elevation, soil and substrate types, plant species richness, number of habitat, habitats diversity, structure and heterogeneity of the former

Workshop prevenção e controlo de espécies invasoras

Workshop realizado na Universidade dos Açores, Angra do Heroísmo, de 27 a 29 de Outubro de 2011.Reconhecendo o problema cada vez maior das espécies invasoras na Europa, a Comissão Europeia está a desenvolver uma estratégia, a ser adoptada em 2012, para a prevenção e controlo destas espécies. Este tema constitui mesmo um dos objectivos-chave da recentemente adoptada «Estratégia para a Biodiversidade na União Europeia para 2020». No contexto desta estratégia Europeia, a definição de espécie invasora inclui as espécies exóticas que ameaçam a diversidade biológica e/ou a saúde pública e/ou os valores sócio-económicos. Esta ameaça é muito real em várias regiões continentais mas é mais problemática em meios insulares, onde a chegada de espécies exóticas pode ser dramática para os ecossistemas naturais e, directa ou indirectamente, para a sociedade humana. Foi por reconhecer que este é um tema da maior importância para os Açores que decidimos organizar este workshop, com os seguintes objectivos. 1) Conhecer as principais espécies invasoras dos Açores e discutir a sua importância em termos de impacte nos ecossistemas naturais e na sociedade; 2) Analisar casos estudados de controlo de espécies invasoras, com especial ênfase para os Açores; 3) Dinamizar o envolvimento público e das entidades oficiais na prevenção e controlo de espécies invasoras; 4) Analisar e discutir estratégias para a prevenção e controlo de espécies invasoras; 5) Dinamizar, com o contributo de especialistas, entidades oficiais, ONGs e público em geral, o Observatório Regional da Biologia das Invasões (ORBI). Pretendemos desenvolver as linhas gerais de estratégias de curto, médio e longo prazo para as espécies invasoras nos Açores, com o envolvimento de todas as partes interessadas, trabalhando em conjunto para um objectivo comum da maior importância para a natureza e sociedade Açoreanas.ABSTRAT: Acknowledging the growing problem of invasive species in Europe, the European Community is developing a strategy, to be adopted in 2012, for the prevention and control of these species. In fact, this is one of the key-objectives of the recently adopted «EU Strategy for Biodiversity in 2020». In the context of this strategy, the definition of invasive species includes those exotic species that threaten biodiversity and/or public health and/or socioeconomic values. This threat is very real in several continental regions but it is much more problematic in Islands, where the arrival of exotic species may be dramatic for native ecosystems and, directly or indirectly, for human society. Because we recognize that the problem of invasive species is of great importance in the Azorean context, we decided to organize this workshop, with the following objectives: 1) To know the main invasive species in the Azores and discuss their impact on native ecosystems and on the society; 2) To analyze different case-studies of invasive species control; 3) To promote the involvement of the general public, NGOs and public administration officials in the prevention and control of invasive species; 4) To discuss strategies for the prevention and control of invasive species; 5) To promote the involvement of scientists, NGOs and public administration officials in the Regional Observatory of Biological Invasions (ROBI). We aim to develop general guidelines for short, medium and long term strategies for invasive species in the Azores, with the involvement of all stakeholders, working together for a common goal of the outmost importance for Azorean nature and society

Monitoring grassland’s arthropods in a in situ climate change experimentation (Terceira, Azores, Portugal)

The data presented are part of the project PASTURCLIM (Impact of climate change on pasture’s productivity and nutritional composition in the Azores). The project aims to assess consequences of climate change (in this case, increasing temperature) on the grass production and quality for cattle forage. The project also aims to assess changes in the arthropod’s community associated to the grassland. An in situ experimentation was set up using Open Top Chambers (OTC’s), in order to simulate an increasing of temperature (average of +1.5⁰C) on grassland. In this paper, we present data relative to the arthropods collection. Overall, we collected 41,351 specimens belonging to four classes, 15 orders, 60 families and 171 morphospecies (including 34 taxa identified only at order, family of genus level). Therefore, for only 137 taxa we have a scientific name associated (n = 38918).FUNDING: This investigation was funded by the project PASTURCLIM (ACORES-01-0145-FEDER-000082) financed by FEDER in 85% and by Azorean Public funds by 15% through Operational Programme Azores 2020. All authors were also funded by FCT-UIDB/00329/2020-2024 (Thematic Line 1 – integrated ecological assessment of environmental change on biodiversity) and Azores DRCT Pluriannual Funding (M1.1.A/FUNC.UI&D/010/2021-2024). SW is currently being funded by the Ph.D. Grant DRCT - M3.1.a/F/018/2020 (2021-2024). Darwin-Core and GBIF management were funded by the project Portal da Biodiversidade dos Açores (2022-2023) - PO Azores Project - M1.1.A/INFRAEST CIENT/001/2022.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Contribution to the knowledge of the Coccinellidae (Insecta: Coleoptera) fauna from the Azores islands.

An updated list of the Coccinellidae species of the Azores archipelago is presented. New records for S. Miguel: Nephus (Sidis) hiekei; Sta. Maria: Rodolia cardinalis; S. Jorge: Stethorus punctilium, Clitosthetus arcuatus, Scymnus nubilus, N. (Sidis) hiekei; Pico: R. cardinalis; Graciosa: C. arcuatus, S. (Scymnus) interruptus, N. (Sidis) hiekei, Lindorus lophantae and R. cardinalis; Corvo: S. nubilus, N. (Sidis) hiekei and Coccinella undecimpunctata. Regressions of species richness against area of the islands and distance from the nearest mainland were performed. No statistical significant correlation between species richness against area was found but a statistical significant negative correlation between the number of species and the distance from the nearest mainland was obtained. The results are, in part, in accordance with the predictions of MACARTHUR & WILSON’S (1967) equilibrium theory of island biogeography, relating differences in the diversity within Azorean islands with isolation

First records of Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758) (Reptilia; Gekkonidae) in the Azores

The Moorish gecko Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widespread species native to the Mediterranean region from southern France to Greece and northern Africa (Loveridge 1947; Martínez-Rica 1997; Hódar 2002; Perera et al. 2008, 2010; Plezeguelos et al. 2008). It has recently been reported as living and breeding in California (Marhdt 1998) and also as an introduced species in Madeira (Báez & Biscoito 1993). Tarentola mauritanica is paraphyletic with respect to T. angustimentalis Steindachner, 1891, a Canary Islands endemic (Harris et al. 2004a). Here we report new occurrences of the Moorish gecko on Terceira Island, Azores archipelago, and 3 other occurrences on the islands of São Miguel and Faial. The possibility of an already established breeding population is discussed

Climate–Growth Relationships in Laurus azorica—A Dominant Tree in the Azorean Laurel Forest

Forests on oceanic islands, such as the Azores archipelago, enable interesting dendroclimatic research, given their pronounced climatic gradients over short geographical distances, despite the less pronounced seasonality. The Lauraceae play an essential ecological role in Macaronesian natural forests. An example is Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco, a relevant species given its high frequency and physiognomic dominance in Azorean laurel forests. This study aims to quantify climate–growth relationships in L. azorica using a dendroecological approach. We sampled four stands at São Miguel and two stands at Terceira islands, for a total of 206 trees. Following standard dendrochronological methods and rigorous sample selection procedures, we obtained relatively low rbar values and high temporal autocorrelation. Using a stepwise Random Forest analysis followed by Generalized Linear Models calculation, we found prominent effects of present and previous year temperature, but a low precipitation signal on growth rings, with some model variation between stands. Our results agreed with previous observations for broad-leaved species with diffuse porous wood, contributing to increase the baseline dendroecological knowledge about Azorean forests. Due to the high levels of within- and between-stand variation, and to refine the climatic signal analysis, complementary approaches should be explored in the future.FUNDING: D.C.P. is currently supported by a PhD studentship grant (SFRH/BD/136336/2018) from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Higher Education. This research was also supported by national funds through the FCT under (FCT) UIDB/50027/2020 (CIBIO). J.J. was supported by the Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship and the Slovenian Research Agency (“Forest Biology, Ecology and Technology—P4-0107”).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Arthropods and other biota associated with the Azorean trees and shrubs : Laurus azorica (Seub) Franco (Magnoliophyta, Magnoliopsida, Laurales, Lauraceae)

This study explores the composition and structure of species communities associated with the native Azorean tree species Laurus azorica (Seub) Franco (Magnoliophyta, Magnoliopsida, Laurales, Lauraceae). Communities were sampled in six Islands covering the occidental (Flores), central (Faial, Pico, Terceira) and eastern (São Miguel, Santa Maria) groups of Azores Archipelago during the BALA project, using standardised sampling protocols for surveying canopy arthropod fauna. In addition, the study characterises the distribution of species regarding their colonisation status and feeding modes and, finally, compares communities of different Islands. Ninety-four arthropod species totalling 10,313 specimens were collected on L. azorica. The Arthropod community was dominated by Hemiptera species, most of them being herbivores. Endemic and native species showed a very high abundance representing about 94% of the total species abundance. However, despite introduced species being represented by few individuals (6% of the total abundance), their diversity was remarkable (28 species and no significant difference with diversity found in endemic and native species communities). Analysis of rarity patterns revealed a stable community of endemic species (alpha gambin SAD model approaching a log-normal shape), intermediate stable community of native species (alpha SAD gambin model approaching a poisson log-normal) and a less stable community of introduced species (alpha SAD gambin model approaching a log-series shape). A dissimilarity analysis revealed high similarity between communities of Terceira and Pico and high dissimilarity between Flores and Faial communities. We observed a clear individualisation of the different islands when considering endemic species, whereas we observed high overlap when considering native and introduced species groups. Canopy community distribution confirms the results obtained in a previous study which suggest the stability of native and endemic arthropods species communities over introduced species community in native forests fragments. Arthropod species were richer than bryophytes, lichens and vascular plants species. We found that L. azorica serve as the substrate for very few vascular plants species (four epiphytes species), which were present in all Islands, except Elaphoglossum semicylindricum, which does not occur in Santa Maria. L. azorica shelters a significant number of bryophytes and lichens species. Thirty-two lichens and 92 bryophyte species, including 57 liverworts and 35 mosses, are referred to this phorophyte. Five bryophyte species, all Azorean endemics, are considered Endangered by IUCN Criteria. L. azorica harbours a poor community of epiphyte vascular plant species and all of them were ferns, but the community of bryophytes and lichens are not negligible although very low compared to the community found on other previously studied Azorean trees, the Azorean cedar Juniperus brevifolia. The present study shows that most islands present particular species distribution patterns without geographical correlation and that conservation programmes should be adapted to each Island. The study, therefore, calls for a specialisation of conservation programmes for each of the Islands.NT and MTF are currently funded by the project LIFE BEETLES (LIFE 18 NAT/PT/000864) at "Secretaria Regional do Ambiente e Alterações Climáticas". PAVB, RE and RG are funded by the project AZORESBIOPORTAL-PORBIOTA (ACORES-01-0145FEDER-000072) (2019).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio