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The Ecohydrology program of UNESCO established demonstration sites around the world where the ecohydrologic techniques are demonstrated to disseminate the concept and by learning from visualization of real in situ experiments and examples. To analyse the impact of applying ecohydrological solutions at the demonstration sites (eg. use of bivalves as filter feeders, phytoremediation or managing freshwater pulses), we propose to use ecosystem service indicators selected by expert judgment and literature. The ecosystem services (ES) concept provides a recognizable and easy way to evaluate the changes on the ecosystem, by measuring the improvement or degradation of the services that are provided. The proposed ES indicators table allows the evaluation of relevant ecosystem services, for all demosites by comparing the following three temporal situations: 1- before the impact occurred, 2 - after it occurred but without any restoration measure being implemented and; 3- after applying ecohydrology restoration solutions. The proposed Ecosystem services matrix was applied to the Guadiana estuary and adjacent coastal area demosite, in the south east of Portugal, based on extensive research on applying ecohydrology solutions at the site and expert judgement. Results show that the application of the Ecosystem Services (ES) matrix allows to understand the benefits of applying the ecohydrology approach, as it helps defining services and areas where more effort in recuperation is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ria Formosa lagoon is a coastal system in the south of Portugal, characterized by sediments contaminated from urban and industrial pollution emissions. In this study, sediments from two contrasted metal contamination level sites, colonized by Sarcocornia fruticosa were used in an on-site experimentation. The heavy metal removal efficiencies of S. fruticosa with and without bioaugmentation using autochthonous metal resistant isolated yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) were compared. After 15 days of incubation, the total amount of metal concentration (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cu) in sediments and plant matter were compared. We found a striking difference between heavily contaminated site and less contaminated site. Metal reductions in heavily contaminated site were generated more by S. fruticosa which was inoculated with S. cerevisiae. In the less contaminated sediments, the higher percentage reductions were achieved with S. fruticosa alone. Our results indicate that despite the phytoremediation potential of S. fruticosa , the addition of S. cerevisiae , increases the plant phytoremediation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responses of the clam Spisula solida to stress imposed by dredging were analyzed in terms of changes in chronic indices of biochemical conditions (RNA/DNA ratio and neutral/polar (N/P) lipid ratio). Cumulative stress on undersized (<25 mm) S. solida from repeated habitat disturbance by dredging was simulated in the laboratory and measured with in situ studies off the southern coast of Portugal, in April and July 1999. Laboratory simulations on undersized bivalves indicated decreases in RNA/DNA and N/P lipid ratios. Responses were sublethal; however, even though survival was not directly threatened, decreases in condition suggest that bivalves are more susceptible to predation when they have been left in the seabed after the dredging activity. Moreover, the in situ study revealed that this effect could be especially critical during spawning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]