http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1027 Sun, 31 May 2026 13:51:35 GMT 2026-05-31T13:51:35Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42060 Title: Using spatially explicit individual-based models to prioritize conservation strategies: A case study on the little bustard Authors: Crispim-Mendes, Tiago; Marques, Ana Teresa; Valerio, Francesco; Godinho, Sérgio; Pita, Ricardo; Silva, João Paulo Abstract: Steppe birds are among the most threatened terrestrial birds worldwide, requiring urgent, well-planned, and cost-effective conservation strategies to halt population declines. The little bustard (Tetrax tetrax) is one of those species that has experienced sharp population declines across its western range, yet the effectiveness of different management interventions remains poorly understood. Predictive models, such as Individual-Based Models (IBM), provide powerful tools to anticipate and assess the effectiveness of conservation scenarios for endangered species, supporting evidence-based management decisions. In this study, we developed a spatially explicit demographic IBM to evaluate conservation strategies for the little bustard in Extremadura, Spain, where the species faces a skewed sex ratio towards males, habitat degradation and high anthropogenic mortality. Our model integrates high-resolution habitat suitability data with demographic parameters to simulate individual behaviours and interactions with the environment, forecasting habitat use and population dynamics under different management strategies. The model calibration process supported the hypothesis that nest, chick, and adult survival positively correlate with habitat suitability. Notably, our results suggest that the unbalanced sex ratio is partially driven by low female survival rates in less favourable habitats. We simulated conservation strategies focused on habitat improvement and the mitigation of anthropogenic mortality over 50 years (2022–2072). The results indicate that habitat enhancements alone are insufficient to reverse population declines without complementary efforts to reduce anthropogenic mortality. This finding emphasizes the need for an integrated, long-term conservation strategy that combines habitat management with proactive measures to mitigate human-induced mortality, ensuring the sustainable recovery of little bustard populations. More broadly, this study highlights the value of IBMs as high-resolution, spatially explicit decision-support tools for conservation planning, offering critical insights into prioritizing and implementing cost-effective strategies. Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42060 2025-03-06T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42056 Title: Integrating ecosystem services provided by legumes in agricultural life cycle assessment (LCA): A review of methodologies Authors: Cimarelli, Stefano; Goglio, Pietro; Serpa, Dalila; Quagliolo, Carlotta; Dorca-Preda, Teodora; Sadhu, Abbigel; Rai, Kamala; Roebeling, Peter; Cipolla, Anna Maria; Schneider, Anne; Smetana, Sergyi; Vasconcelos, Marta; Kartal, Umut; Joensuu, Katri; Petrusen, Janos-Istvan; Dauget, Sylvie; Falchetti-Cartier, Axel; Wilkinson, Thomas; Iannetta, Peter Abstract: Agricultural production is endangering agroecosystems health and functioning, compromising the delivery of many ecosystem services (ES) to prioritize provisioning. Legumes’ inclusion in cropping systems appears as a promising solution towards the ecological intensification of agriculture in Europe, providing a multiplicity of ES. Agricultural Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) does not explicitly assess ES; however, the potential benefits offered by an improved representation of agroecosystem processes reveal an urgent need for ES integration into LCA. Through a systematic review of scientific literature, we collected a list of methods applied to assess legumes ES in European conditions. Methods were grouped following the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES) and through general ES definitions. At the end of the process, 148 methods were found, of which: 81.8% were associated with Regulation & Maintenance services; 8.1% to Provisioning services; and 10.1% described methods related to the combination of different CICES sections. No methods for Cultural services were found. Most of the methods were based on direct measurements, except for those ES already part of the current LCA frameworks. The Regulation & Maintenance section is the area with the most fragmented knowledge, with some ES presenting well-established methodologies (e.g. climate change buffering and leaching regulation) and others which are currently not fully integrated into LCA, such as biodiversity maintenance, pest control, and pollination. Future research should focus on LCA methodologies for the integration of emerging agriculture-related ES. Achieving more comprehensive LCA is necessary to improve the understanding of legumes’ role in maintaining agroecosystems functionality. Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42056 2025-11-25T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42050 Title: An Empirical Experiment of the Theory of Change Game: What Difference Does It Make? Authors: Isidoro, Ana Catarina; Guimarães, Maria Helena Abstract: IntroductionThe Theory of Change (ToC) is a recognized approach in transdisciplinarity to facilitate transformative learning processes. When coupled with a Serious Games (SGs) structure, effective tools for navigating sustainability transitions can be develop. This can be the case for the Theory of Change Game (ToCG) that we use in a particular real-word context. InterventionThis study aimed to track the impact of ToCG versus other tools. A workshop was designed with 23 participants to plan the future of Tertúlias do Montado, a long-term initiative focused on the sustainability of the Montado silvo-pastoral system. MethodIn this experimental setup, participants alternated between the ToCG and two other tools. Discussion content and participant preferences were analyzed, allowing for a comparison between ToCG-based tools and those without ToCG principles. ResultsResults indicate that the ToCG facilitated an in-depth discussion where the societal problem of Montado’s decline, and the initiative’s primary goal were discussed. In the remaining tools these aspects were taken from granted without reflective examination. Additionally, the circular structure of the ToCG encouraged comprehensive discourse, steering participants away from simplistic or immediate solutions to complex problems. All tools received positive evaluations while the ToCG was particularly noted for introducing a novel concept and enabling visual exploration of diverse perspectives. Some participants, however, found its rules ambiguous and noted monotony after multiple rounds. To the best of our knowledge, this experimental design is new as well as its application in a real-world context. Discussion and ConclusionThe distinctiveness of ToCG was evident in the quality of discussions and the resources required for its implementation, especially facilitator training. In contrast, the other tools required minimal preparation and could be applied without specialized facilitation. Therefore, ToCG is particularly valuable in contexts where deep reflection is essential, whereas simpler tools may sufficient in more operational settings. Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42050 2025-04-30T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42045 Title: Molecular Survey of Hemosporidian Parasites in Owls in Mainland Portugal Authors: Santos, Rita; Lourenço, Rui; Fonseca, Isabel; Louro, Mariana; Barros, Sílvia; Casero, María; Brandão, Ricardo; Lopes, Ana F.; Ferreira, Mariana R; Gomes, Jacinto Abstract: Owls play an important role as avian hosts for hemosporidians via overlap in habitat use and activity with these arthropod vectors, thereby resulting in susceptibility to morbidity and, in some cases, mortality upon infection. This study analyzed the hemosporidians in tissues collected from individual dead owls (n=240) in various regions of mainland Portugal; the owls were primarily obtained from wildlife rehabilitation centers (WRCs). Hemosporidian species were detected using nested PCRs, targeting the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondria. For species and lineage identification, 19 positive PCR samples were selected and sequenced by the Sanger method. In total, 51% (n=122) of the 240 owl samples tested positive for at least one hemosporidian species: 31% (n=75) were positive for Haemoproteus-Plasmodium spp., whereas 44% (n=106) were positive for Leucocytozoon spp. Only 7% (n=16) were positive for Haemoproteus-Plasmodium spp. alone and 20% (n=47) for Leucocytozoon spp. alone, whereas 25% (n=59) of owls had mixed infections. Owl species, age, and geographic region of collected samples were significantly associated with hemosporidian prevalence: Eurasian Eagle-Owls (Bubo bubo), adults, and individuals from the Alentejo region presented higher prevalences than other species, ages, and geographic regions. Our findings highlight the potential impact of hemosporidians on owl conservation, particularly their effect on species currently threatened with extinction and the possible repercussions on reintroduction or translocation projects. This study emphasizes the role of WRCs in disease surveillance and suggests the importance of considering prophylactic measures in these settings. Given the high prevalence of hemosporidians, further studies involving live owls, both wild and captive, are encouraged, along with integrating clinical and hematologic data. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42045 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z