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The production of superhydrophobic coatings inspired by the surface of plant leaves is a challenging goal. Such coatings hold a bright technological future in niche markets of the aeronautical, space, naval, building, automobile, and biomedical sectors. This work is focused on the adaxial (top) and abaxial (bottom) surfaces of the leaflet of the Ceratonia silique L. (carob), a high-commercial-value Mediterranean tree cultivated in many regions of the world. The adaxial and abaxial surfaces feature hydrophobic and superhydrophobic behaviors, respectively. Their chemical composition is very simple: monopalmitin ester and palmitic acid are protuberant in the epicuticular and intracuticular wax layers of the adaxial surface, respectively, whereas 1-octacosanol dominates in the abaxial wax layers. In both surfaces, epicuticular wax is organized along a randomly oriented and intricate network of nanometer-thick and micrometer-long plates, whose density and degree of interconnection are significantly higher in the abaxial surface. The measured tilting angles for the abaxial surface (12-70°) reveal unusual variable density and water adhesion of the nanostructured plate-based texture. Optical measurements demonstrate that light reflectance/absorbance of the glaucous abaxial surface is significantly higher/lower than that of the nonglaucous adaxial surface. In both surfaces, diffuse reflectance is dominant, and the absorbance is weakly dependent on the light incidence angle. We show that the highly dense nanostructured platelike texture of the epicuticular abaxial layer of the C. siliqua leaflet works as a sophisticated light and water management system: it reflects solar radiation diffusely to lower the surface temperature, and it has superhydrophobic character to keep the surface dry. Such attributes enable efficient gas exchange (photosynthesis and respiration), transpiration, and evaporation. To mimic for the first time the abaxial surface, a templation approach was adopted using poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)/poly(methylphenylsiloxane) (PMPS) positive/negative replicas and a soft polymer/siloxane negative replica produced by the sol-gel process. Because high topographical variations of the biotemplate and wax adhesion to the biohybrid film affected the replication quality, the reproduction of the wax texture via the synthesis of 1-octacosanol-grafted siloxane-based hybrid materials is proposed as a suitable route to duplicate the abaxial surface with high fidelity. The natural chemical/physical strategy adopted by the C. siliqua leaflet to face the harsh Mediterranean climate is a powerful source of bioinspiration for the development of diffuse reflecting and superhydrophobic material systems with foreseen applications as dual-functional antiglare and water-repelling coatings.

Spiders have been increasingly used as environmental and ecological indicators in conservation and ecosystem management. In the Neotropics, there is a shortage of information regarding spiders’ taxonomies and ecological responses to anthropogenic disturbances. To unravel these hitches, we tested the possibility of using high-level diversity and high-level functionality indicators to evaluate spider assemblages’ sensitivity to landscape changes. This approach, if proven informative, might overcome the relevant limitations of taxonomic derived indexes, which are considered time-consuming, cost-demanding and dependent on the (few) expert taxonomists’ availability. Our results highlight the pertinence of both indicators’ responses to the structural changes induced by increasing anthropogenic disturbance, and are associated with reductions in ecosystem complexity, microclimates, and microhabitats. Overall, both indicators were sensitive to structural changes induced by anthropogenic disturbance and should be considered a useful resource for assessing the extent of ecosystems’ disruptions in the Neotropics, and also to guide managers in landscapes’ restoration.

We investigated the impact of neighborhood non-crop habitats (NCHs) and cover vegetation in the Douro Demarcated Region terraced vineyards on ground-dwelling arthropods communities. Arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps located either in NCH as inside vineyards, at three distances (5, 25 and 50 m from NCH). Vegetation cover and plant species richness were evaluated around each trap. Omnivores (Formicidae) and detritivores (mainly Collembola), accounted for 42.0% and 33.7% of the sample, respectively. Predators, mainly dominated by Scydmaenidae (Coleoptera) and Araneae, accounted for 19.4% of the sample. The abundance of omnivores and predators was higher in NCH than in vineyards. In Formicidae, the generalist/opportunist group dominated, being highly represented by Pheidole pallidula. This group occurred mainly in NCH and its abundance was positively correlated either with plant richness as with percentage of fresh and total cover vegetation. This study indicates that preserving NCH close to the vineyards, as well as promoting native vegetation, enhances the presence of ground-dwelling arthropods.

This study describes the morpho-environmental fluctuations, and the haplotypic variability of a taxonomic group, in order to understand the phenotypic capacity to respond to environmental variations. The Dianthus pungens group was selected as the taxonomic cluster for the purpose of this study. One species and five subspecies occur along the western Mediterranean basin, between SE France and NW Morocco. One clustering of morphological (223 locations) and environmental (350 locations) combinations was correlated with the haplotypic results obtained from 28 locations and 89 individuals. Morpho-environmental fluctuations were described, as well a highly redundant morphological response in the studied area. Similar results were observed for haplotypic combinations. Redundancy effect is described as a consequence of its recent origin and the intense glacial and interglacial changes across the Plio-Pleistocene period. The observed environmental variability was not significantly correlated with morphogenetic divergences. Based on the observed patterns of morpho-environmental variations no specific or subspecific combinations are recommended. However, D. hispanicus (eastern Iberian Peninsula) showed possible morpho-environmental divergences with D. brachyanthus-D. gredensis-D. langeanus (mountain systems of the western and central Iberian Peninsula, Pyrenees, and Sierra Nevada -SE Spain-).

The morpho–environmental similarity between subsections Natrix and Viscosae has been pointed out as the reason for the genetic complexity of these groups of taxa. Based on this characterization a question emerges: could a very recent ongoing evolutionary process explain that morpho–environmental similarity? ISSR and cpSSR amplifications for 45 specimens belonging to taxa of Natrix and Viscosae subsections were developed, along their biogeographic distribution areas. Twenty-nine haplotypes were detected in the biogeographic area of both subsections, 79% were exclusive haplotypes, but the rest is shared between subsections Natrix and Viscosae species. Could that haplotype sharing be the result of potential hybridization between these taxa? Do current environmental conditions restrict the gene flow among taxa? The combination of ancestral genetic polymorphism, introgression, coalescence processes and periodic restricted environments (PRE) by glacial–interglacial environmental dynamics were discussed ...

Potential habitat characterizations for past (Late Glacial Maximum), present and future scenarios were calculated for Iberian species of D. pungens gr. (D. pungens subsp. pungens, D. pungens subsp. langeanus, D. pungens subsp. gredensis, D. pungens subsp. brachyanthus and D. pungens subsp. hispanicus). Results were discussed according to Allison’s interpretation of insurance theory, where diversity is contrasted with resilient behaviours. Resilience is here defined as the diversification of responses to assure that functionality. The discussion of results was also compared with the morphological characterization. Environmental results confirmed the morphological similarity between these taxa. An apparent geographic divergence was observed: D. pungens subsp. hispanicus and D. pungens subsp. pungens supported an eastern response, while D. pungens subsp. langeanus and D. pungens subsp. gredensis supported a western response. The intermediate response for those extremes was supported by D. pungens sub...

Aiming to reduce the losses of biodiversity and the degradation of associated ecosystem services, the United Nations established the 2011-2020 period as the UN Decade on Biodiversity. During this period, the countries involved compromised on implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The argument is that biological diversity underpins the functioning of ecosystems and the provision of services essential to human well-being, further contributing to economic development and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The purpose of this review is to present results of research and academic works carried out over several years in the Douro Demarcated Region in the field of functional agrobiodiversity, understood as the part of ecosystem biodiversity that provides ecosystem services, which support sustainable agricultural production and can also bring benefits to the regional and global environment and to society as a whole. Such studies specifically aimed to contribute knowledge about the diversity of arthropods in the vineyard ecosystem and about practices that can increase their abundance, diversity and services provided. In this context, a general characterization of the arthropod community identified in the vineyard ecosystem is conducted, complemented by information on the role played, by the taxonomic groups identified. The importance of increasing arthropod populations, the vegetation of vineyard slopes, and the existence of shrubs, forests and hedgerows next to the vineyards is discussed. The fundamental role of soil management practices is also referred, namely that of ground cover and the application of compost from winery wastes in the abundance and diversity of these organisms populations. Finally, bearing in mind the importance of the use of this information by vine growers, the measures taken for its dissemination are also presented RESUMO - Com o objetivo de reduzir a perda de biodiversidade e a degradação dos serviços ecossistémicos associados, as Nações Unidas estabeleceram o período 2011-2020 como a Década da Biodiversidade. Durante este período, os países envolvidos comprometeram-se a implementar o Plano Estratégico para a Biodiversidade, incluindo as Metas de Biodiversidade de Aichi. O argumento é o de que a diversidade biológica sustenta o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e a provisão de serviços essenciais ao bem-estar humano, contribuindo ainda para o desenvolvimento económico e a concretização dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento do Milénio. A presente revisão tem por objetivo apresentar resultados obtidos no decurso de projetos de investigação e trabalhos académicos, desenvolvidos ao longo de vários anos na Região Demarcada do Douro, no domínio da agrobiodiversidade funcional, entendida como a parte da biodiversidade dos ecossistemas que faculta serviços essenciais à produção agrícola sustentável e que também pode proporcionar benefícios ambientais à escala regional e global e à sociedade em geral. Com estas atividades pretendeu-se, mais especificamente, obter conhecimento sobre a diversidade de artrópodes existentes no ecossistema vitivinícola e sobre práticas capazes de incrementarem a sua abundância, diversidade e serviços facultados. No contexto referido, procede-se a uma caracterização geral da comunidade de artrópodes identificados no ecossistema vitivinícola, complementada com informação sobre o papel desempenhado pelos diferentes grupos taxonómicos identificados. Discute-se a importância, no incremento das populações de artrópodes, da vegetação dos taludes da vinha, e da existência de matos, florestas e sebes na sua proximidade. Também se refere o papel fundamental desempenhado, na abundância e diversidade das populações destes organismos, das práticas de condução do solo, designadamente do enrelvamento e da aplicação de compostados provenientes dos resíduos da adega. Finalmente, e tendo em atenção a importância do uso desta informação pelos viticultores, apresentam-se as iniciativas que têm sido usadas na sua divulgação info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Arthropods are important components of the soil fauna in improving soil quality and its structural properties. Arthropods are also very sensitive to soil management practices. Thus, a study was carried out in a vineyard in the Douro Demarcated Region (Northeast Portugal), to investigate the effect of three soil management practices (tillage, ground cover with spontaneous vegetation, and ground cover with sown vegetation) on the activity density, richness and diversity of soil arthropods, as well as on the stability of their communities. Soil-surface arthropods were assessed in 2014 and 2015 using pitfall traps, while soil-living arthropods were assessed in 2016 by collecting soil samples and extracting them through a Berlese-Tullgren funnel. The possibility of using the Soil Biological Quality index (QBS-ar index) as a tool to discriminate soils of vines subject to those management practices was also investigated. Results show that ground cover treatments significantly enhanced the activity density of soil-surface herbivores and of their potential natural enemies in both years and the activity density of detritivores in 2014. The richness of total soil-surface arthropods and potential predators was also increased by ground cover treatments in 2015. In both years, Simpson’s diversity index of herbivores was enhanced by ground cover treatments, and in 2015, Simpson’s diversity index of the total soil-surface arthropods, potential predators, and omnivores was significantly higher in spontaneous vegetation than in tillage or sown vegetation treatments. The soil-surface arthropods community stability was positively affected by both their activity density and richness in 2015, with that stability being better achieved in the sown vegetation treatment. In soil-living arthropods, activity density, richness and Simpson’s diversity index were significantly higher in ground cover treatments than in the tillage treatment. The QBS-ar index was significantly higher in ground cover treatments than in the tillage, suggesting that this index can be a useful tool to discriminate soil management practices in vineyards. In conclusion, our results indicate that the ground cover with vegetation improves the activity density and diversity of soil arthropods in vineyards. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The Iberian Peninsula is considered to be a center of natural distribution and diversity for several species of flora. In this study, the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Silene scabriflora from the Iberian Peninsula were analyzed using ISSR and cpSSR markers. A total of 161 ISSR markers were produced, with a percentage of polymorphic loci of 99.4%. A high level of genetic differentiation among S. scabriflora subspecies (S. scabriflora spp. scabriflora, S. scabriflora spp. megacalycina, S. scabriflora spp. gallaecica and S. scabriflora spp. tuberculata) was observed (Gst ¼ 0.3685), which was illustrated by UPGMA dendrogram. Molecular results are in agreement with subspecies morphological characterization, particularly supporting the morphological similarities between S. scabriflora spp. scabriflora and S. scabriflora spp. megacalycina. Three of the five cpSSR loci analyzed were polymorphic and the two different alleles found in each polymorphic locus were combined in two different haplotypes. The results obtained in this study provide evidences for a long distance dispersion theory, Southern of Spain as the biodiversity center of S. scabriflora; for speciation, Southern of Spain as a refugia-within-refugia considering the speciation that occurs in S. scabriflora spp. scabriflora found in this region and the possibility of S. scabriflora spp. scabriflora as being ancestral of the species. This work was supported by the Fundaç~ao para a Ci^encia e Tecnologia (FCT) SFRH/BD/43167/2008 (to J.R.) and SFRH/BD/96400/2013 (to V.F.) grants.

Six different morphotypes for the Scilla species in western Europe have been distinguished based on leaf width, length of the basal bract, number of flowers per inflorescence, and length of bulbs: (1) S. peruviana; (2) S. hyacinthoides; (3) S. lilio-hyacinthus; (4) S. ramburei + S. beirana; (5) S. verna + S. paui + S. odorata + S. merinoi + S. monophyllos; and (6) S. obtusifolia + S. numidica + S. autumnalis. Two biogeographic trends have been circumscribed in terms of monthly precipitation averages (the most discriminating parameter). One trend, characterized by lower annual regimes of precipitation and distributions around the Mediterranean basin, is represented by S. peruviana, S. hyacinthoides, S. obtusifolia, and S. numidica. The second trend, associated with higher average precipitation along the extreme western coast of Europe, is represented by the S. verna group and S. lilio-hyacinthus. Scilla autumnalis exhibits an intermediate environmental behaviour. Future climate change scenarios po...

Owing to the growing demand for the products supplied and to the slowness of their renewal, forests, the most important renewable resource of the East Timor lands, will lose the goods and services they provide unless this situation is overcome. The communities that live in these forests or in their vicinity will be the most affected by this problem. Understanding the structural organization of the East Timor forest flora is, therefore, critical for sustainable management of this natural resource. Thus, the main purpose of this preliminary study was to identify the differences in the floristic–structural behaviors of the woody vegetation. The study is based on data collected by the first National Forest Inventory (2008–2010), carried out in two environmentally different districts of East Timor: one drier region located to the north (Bobonaro district) and the other more humid, located in the south (Covalima district). A two-stage sampling method was employed to account for species in 923 sample stations: 480 in the Bobonaro district and 443 in the Covalima district. These data were correlated with environmental variables (altitude, distance to sea, distance to the north coast, distance to roads, and distance to urban areas) and discussed based on the floristic–structural randomness of the species frequencies. Randomness was adopted here as a parameter to quantify the distributional relationship among species with spatial heterogeneity. Results show a higher percentage of species with low frequencies and abundances for the south (lower human pressure), in contrast with the north (higher human pressure). Altitude also emerges as an environmental parameter, since this randomness floristic–structural combination decreases from lower to higher altitudes. This research provides an innovative approach to describing the structural–floristic organization of vegetation, and its correlation with environmental variables.

Several studies have shown that manipulating flowering weeds within an agroecosystem can have an important role in pest control by natural enemies, by providing them nectar and pollen, which are significant sources of nutrition for adults. The aim of this study was to assess if the olive moth,Prays oleae(Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae), and five of its main natural enemies, the parasitoid speciesChelonus elaeaphilusSilvestri (Hymenoptera: Braconidae),Apanteles xanthostigma(Haliday) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae),Ageniaspis fuscicollis(Dalman) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) andElasmus flabellatus(Fonscolombe) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), as well as the predatorChrysoperla carnea(Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), can theoretically access the nectar from 21 flowering weeds that naturally occur in olive groves. Thus, the architecture of the flowers as well as the mouthpart structure and/or the head and thorax width of the pest and its enemies were analyzed. The results suggested that all beneficial insects were able to reach nectar of the plant species from Apiaceae family, i.e.Conopodium majus(Gouan) Loret,Daucus carotaL. andFoeniculum vulgareMill., as well asAsparagus acutifoliusL.,Echium plantagineumL.,Capsella bursa-pastoris(L.) Medik.,Raphanus raphanistrumL.,Lonicera hispanicaBoiss. et Reut.,Silene gallicaL.,Spergula arvensisL.,Hypericum perforatumL.,Calamintha baeticaBoiss. et Reut,Malva neglectaWallr. andLinaria saxatilis(L.) Chaz.P. oleaewas not able to access nectar from five plant species, namely:Andryala integrifoliaL.,Chondrilla junceaL.,Dittrichia viscosa(L.) Greuter,Sonchus asper(L.) Hill andLavandula stoechasL.

In the present work, we report the first reference for blue alcon, Maculinea alcon (Denis & Schiffermuller) (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae), in Portugal. This butterfly species maintains a complex relationship with its host plant marsh gentian (Gentiana pneumonanthe L., Gentianaceae) and with Myrmica ants in its habitat in Northern Portugal. This study involved a multivariate analysis of the relationship between M. alcon and selected habitat variables aimed at proposing a suitable methodology for the conservation of this species. Three habitats were distinguished in terms of their floristic combinations: density of ferns (more humid and deep soils, Habitat A), size of grasses (left wetlands, Habitat B) and shrubs (productive wetland, Habitat C). In these habitats, several G. pneumonanthe and M. alcon parameters were recorded as well as the number of host ant nests. Taller plants and higher number of Maculinea eggs were observed in the habitats with higher values ofshrubs and grasses cover (Habitats B a...

This study provides preliminary evidence of morphometric variation within and among species of the Antirrhinum section Streptosepalum (Plantaginaceae) that allows further development of hypotheses concerning species boundaries. Multivariate statistical analyses of the measurements of ten morphological characters suggest that the Antirrhinum occurring on the serpentine outcrops in the province of Tras-os-Montes, NE Portugal, is a species different from A. braun-blanquetii and A. meonanthum. Its ecological preferences are also different. Antirrhinum rothmaleri (Pinto da Silva) Amich, Bernardos & Garcia-Barriuso comb. & stat. nov. is described and illustrated. Notes on its distribution, ecology, karyology, and taxonomic relationships are presented. The diagnostic differences among A. rothmaleri, A. braun-blanquetii and A. meonanthum are provided.

Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys shows a pronounced morphological variation, especially in Mediterranean Africa, a centre of radiation of this section. In Tunisia, different authors recognize between 9 and 13 species (and 5 subspecies). A multivariate analysis was performed in order to study the polymorphisms of eight critical species of Ophrys sect. Pseudophrys represented in Tunisia (O. africana, O. aspea, O. battandieri, O. eleonorae, O. gazella, O. numida, O. subfusca and O. vallesiana). The variation in 20 floral characters (including 5 ratios) were evaluated in 332 live plants belonging to 20 populations of the mentioned Tunisian representatives of sect. Pseudophrys. Two additional labellum characters were measured for the populations belonging to O. subfusca group (namely O. aspea, O. battandieri, O. numida and O. subfusca). In order to distinguish the different species, and identify characters defining their circumscription, we carried out detailed morphological analyses on two different data set...

Silene marizii (Caryophyllaceae) is a schizoendemism of the west Iberian Peninsula. The correlation between the evolution of reproductive success (as measured in terms of fruit set and seed production) and five floral traits (peduncle length, calyx length, calyx width, petal limb length, and petal limb width) was investigated in five populations of S. marizii, taking into account both intra-populational and inter-populational variability. The populations studied represented the different habitats of S. marizii over its area of distribution. None of the five traits examined was significantly and positively correlated with the number of seeds produced by the flower. An analysis was also made of how floral morphology varies with the position of the flower in the inflorescence in the five populations. The populations from higher altitudes (Caramulhino, Puerto de Menga and Pena de la Cruz) had larger peduncles, calices and petal limbs than those living at lower altitudes (Sabugal and Mangualde) All five morphometric traits, plus the number of ovules per ovary, varied significantly between flower positions on the same plant and among populations.

Altitude, temperature and precipitation are important environmental variables in the circumscription of endemic plants’ biogeographic distributions. Taking in account their present distribution, this work studies the distribution trends of 116 endemic and subendemic species that occur on the western Iberian Peninsula and north-western Morocco, in different scenarios of future climate change . It was possible to identify five groups of taxa in the present environmental conditions, four of which for the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. This range can partially be explained by the altitudinal variability of such area. The other group distributes along the western of the Iberian Peninsula. Concerning future climate change scenarios, important changes in species distribution, and a general south-north trend were obtained. Under harsher climatic changes, only the groups that tolerate the most variable environmental conditions persist. Estimates of extinction rates of the studied taxa for the next 75 years scenarios are also presented. The present methodology allow the application of ecological indicators (environmental groups, in this case) to characterize bioclimatic trends.

The encouraging results obtained in a previous work induced the authors to pursue here the characterization of the structure of the vegetation in northern Portugal, using the phytostructural methodology proposed earlier by the authors. With this objective, eight different types of vegetal communities, representative of the apparent states of the successional process present in this area, and representing the diversity of plant community types in the same area, were selected. The phytostructural method was elaborated on the basis of three types of structural basic matrices regarding diversity, abundance and cover. The data obtained were collected in a contingency matrix, which was then treated by means of a statistical multivariate analysis. Three structural tendencies emerged from this analysis. With the aim of studying their stability, the results are discussed in terms of resistance and resilience, according to the Highest Expressive Amplitude (HEA) concept, and by considering the intra- and in...

Section Pseudophrys is a taxonomically critical species complex that has a history of circumscriptional uncertainty, suggesting the need for further evaluation. Its taxonomy in the Iberian Peninsula has been controversial, with treat- ments ranging from three species and three subspecies to ten species. Extensive observations in the field and anal- ysis of morphological characters based on 50 populations sampled show that most of the characters used by previous authors for distinguishing the species are variable among or even within populations. In the present study, repre- sentatives from the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco were investigated using morphometric and molecular (nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences) analyses. Seventeen floral characters and, in addition, four ratios, were measured from 642 live plants belonging to 50 populations of representatives of sect. Pseudophrys ( Ophrys arnoldii , O. bilunulata , O. dianica , O. fusca and O. lupercalis ). To determine characters distinguishing different species and to examine their circumscription, we performed morphometric analyses on three different subsets of sect. Pseudophrys , one with all the currently recognized species, another containing the closely related O. bilunulata and O. dianica , and finally the populations of O. arnoldii and O. lupercalis . These populations were treated as Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and studied using cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA); box plots of selected quantitative characters were also made. Finally, variation in nrITS sequences among eight members of sect. Pseudophrys was analysed phylogenetically. Our results indicate that sect. Pseudophrys is mono- phyletic and well supported. We maintain the recognition of all taxa studied except O. arnoldii , and do not recognize any new taxa based on our examinations of the different populations of O. lupercalis . © 2005 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2005, 148 , 359-375. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: ITS sequences - Portugal - Spain - taxonomy - variation gradient.

2004),presentamos ahora diversos resultados deindole corologica, taxonomica y fito-sociologica obtenidos en estos territorioslusitano durienses, asi como en el sectorbiogeografico Toledano Tagano. Aportamosnuevas citas de diversas especies en la zonaestudiada, ampliamos asimismo el area dedistribucion de varios taxones y, por ultimo,discutimos el encuadre sintaxonomico dealgunas especies relevantes.Para la nomenclatura de los taxoneshemos seguido Flora iberica (Castroviejo

The effects of several rootstocks and budding heights upon the growth of three cherry (Prunus avium) cultivars were investigated during the first 4 years of growth. The trial was established in 1998 in north‐east Portugal using ‘Burlat’, ‘Summit’, and ‘Van’ cultivars grafted onto Edabriz, Gisela 5, and Maxma 14 at 10, 20, and 30 cm above soil level, and onto Cab and Prunus avium (Mazzard) at 10, 30, and 60 cm above soil level. Total shoot length and trunk diameter were recorded at transplantation from the nursery and at the end of the 3rd leaf stage in the orchard. As early as at transplantation, the effects of budding height, rootstock, rootstock × budding height interaction, and cultivar were significant in the trunk cross‐sectional area (TCSA), being responsible for 11.6%, 9.6%, 9.3%, and 7.8% of the total variance, respectively. At the 3rd leaf stage, 79.2% of the expected variance was attributable to rootstock, and 4.1 % to budding height. TCSAs of the trees on Edabriz, Gisela 5, Cab 1 1E, a...

Multivariate methods using morphological characteristics, 16 vegetative and 19 floral, were applied to the study of six northeastern Portuguese and two central-western Spanish allogamous Epipactis populations representing one taxon of the E. helleborine group and probably three of the E. tremolsii group. The study mainly focussed on the latter group because of its complexity. Despite earlier confusion in their identification, E. lusitanica and E. tremolsii are well defined and clearly separable in these territories. The results suggest a new member of the latter group should be recognised, though this question has not been completely resolved and further investigation is required before confirmation can be made.

Studies on the karyotypes and chromosome numbers of species ofEpipactis from the central-western Iberian Peninsula show that the species harbour enormous chromosome variability, have very asymmetric karyotypes and possess extraordinary diversity of aneuploidy. This paper provides the first report of a chromosome number forE. fageticola (2n=36, 40 + 0–2 B), as well as the first counts for Portuguese populations ofE. helleborine (2n=18, 32, 38) and first counts for Iberian populations ofE. tremolsii (n=20, 30, 2n=16, 24, 32, 34, 36, 38 + 1B, 40 + 1B, 52, 60). Among populations ofE. tremolsii there is a significant differentiation in ecology and somatic chromosome number, suggesting that there may be two different taxa in the region studied. Chromosomes are large to small, ranging in length from 10.8 μm to 1.8 μm. Karyotype asymmetry is of type 3C inE. fageticola andE. tremolsii and 2C inE. helleborine andE. tremolsii.

The diversity of native non-crop (weed) vegetation in agricultural landscapes can provide arthropod natural enemies with food sources and shelter, thus improving natural pest control and reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Moreover, native plants to a region are uniquely positioned to provide cultural ecosystem services such as wild food and wild medicinal plants, as well as aesthetics values. The Mediterranean Basin is one of the world’s richest places in terms of plant diversity. Olive cultivation is the basic tree cultivation in the Mediterranean and dominates its rural landscape. The olive grove ecosystem, whose flora presents a notable resemblance to the flora of Mediterranean type ecosystems, is home to a myriad of species of insects, spiders and other arthropods. This includes over one hundred phytophagous species, plus an uncounted number of entomophagous that help to reduce phytophagous populations. Here we present data on flowering plant species from the ground cover of olive groves, store information on characteristics of plant species namely physiognomic type and flowering period, geographic information and some statistical values on olive groves study area and records in the flora of visitor arthropods and cultural ecosystem services. The data include information on 36 olive groves, 100 flora species (taxa), of which 86 native in Portugal, 5 endemic to Iberian Peninsula and 4 endemic to Portugal Continental, and present also a summary of the records of visitor arthropods in these flora (i.e. 2 classes, 6 orders and 12 families).

This study assessed an integrated method for estimating the structural and functional trends of Mediterranean vegetation based on simple field characterizations. Despite considerable effort made by scientists to estimate vegetation dynamics, most methods are too complex to be applied and quantification achieved by non-specialists. We propose an alternative approach that converts simple measures such as generic vegetation cover into life forms or life traits. We used the Stochastic Dynamic Methodology, a dynamic approach based on a sequential process, to calculate the functional response to succession and anthropogenic disturbances using Raunkiaer's life form spectra. Using derived scenarios, the model was able to successfully translate functional and structural trends from simple field descriptions. The simulations demonstrate that this methodology can be used in environmental studies, particularly when specialised field botanists are not available.

Antirrhinum rothmaleri (Pinto da Silva) Amich, Bernardos & Garcia-Barriuso is a restricted and threatened endemic plant that inhabits the serpentines present in northern Portugal. Antirrhinum braun-blanquetii Rothm. and A. meonanthum Hoffmanns. & Link are also plants endemic to the western part of the Iberian Peninsula. Particulate trace concentrations of eight metals (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn) and ten major elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Si and Ti) were determined in rock samples and dry leaf matter from these three species, belonging to the section Streptosepalum Rothm. of the genus Antirrhinum L. (Plantaginaceae). The habitat and ecology of A. rothmaleri are clearly reflected in its trace metal accumulation. These plants appear to be perfectly adapted to soils developed from different types of ophiolitic bedrock, whose chemical and physical properties have long been known to produce an environment hostile to most plant life. The clear morphological differences between A. rothmaleri and A. braun-blanquetii and A. meonanthum, probably reflect phenomena of genetic divergence and reproductive isolation rather than the nutritional imbalances and toxicity of the ultrabasic soil and rock where A. rothmaleri grows.

This study assesses the potential of an integrated methodology for predicting local trends in invasive exotic plant species (invasive richness) using indirect, regional information on human disturbance. The distribution of invasive plants was assessed in North Portugal using herbarium collections and local environmental, geophysical and socio-economic characteristics. Invasive richness response to anthropogenic disturbance was predicted using a dynamic model based on a sequential modeling process (stochastic dynamic methodology-StDM). Derived scenarios showed that invasive richness trends were clearly associated with ongoing socio-economic change. Simulations including scenarios of growing urbanization showed an increase in invasive richness while simulations in municipalities with decreasing populations showed stable or decreasing levels of invasive richness. The model simulations demonstrate the interest and feasibility of using this methodology in disturbance ecology.

RESUMEN. Contribución para la caracterización bioclimática del norte de Portugal. La transiciónflorística atlántico-mediterránea. Este trabajo se incluye en la serie de trabajos ya iniciados por Crespíet al. (2001), con el objetivo de contribuir al conocimiento bioclimático del Norte de Portugal, através de la información florística presente. En este sentido, y para proceder a una posible cartografiade las áreas biogeográficas naturales desde una perspectiva termopluviométrica, son ahora introducidos39 nuevos táxones para la relación ya existente. Los táxones analizados en esta aportación son: Anthemistriumfetti f. flosculosa, Arnica montana subsp. atlantica, Aster aragonensis, Carduus bourgeanus,Carduus carpetanus, Carduus platypus subsp. platypus, Carduus platypus var. granatensis, Carduuspycnocephalus, Centaurea cyanus, Centaurea geresensi, Centaurea herminii subsp. herminii, Centaurealangeana, Centaurea rivularis, Centaurea triumfetti subsp. lingulata, Leucanthemopsis pallida subsp.flaveola, Leucanthemopsis pallida subsp. pulverulenta, Leuzea rhaponticoides, Phalacrocarpumhoffmannseggii, Santolina rosmarinifolia, Santolina semidentata, Arbutus unedo, Cistus ladanifer,Cistus laurifolius, Cistus populifolius, Cistus psilosepalus, Cistus salvifolius, Erica arborea, Ericaaustralis, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica lusitanica, Erica scoparia, Erica tetralix, Erica umbellata,Halimium lasianthum subsp alyssoides, Halimium lasianthum subsp lasianthum, Halimium ocymoides,Halimium umbellatum subsp umbellatum, Halimium umbellatum subsp. viscosum. De modo a poderalcanzar los objetivos propuestos, se procede a la aplicación de una rutina programática multivariada,basada en un sistema de información geográfico (SIG), a partir del cual cada uno de los táxonesestudiados es georeferenciado sobre cartografía ambiental (confeccionada y publicada por el Institutopara a Conservação da Natureza, del Ministerio del Ambiente portugués), comparándola después conlas caracterizaciones fitoclimáticas de Franco (1994) y de Costa et al. (1998). Los resultados obtenidosconfirman no sólo un acusado efecto gradual de transición entre el área de influencia bioclimáticaatlántica y la mediterránea, como además la existencia de una tendencia de comportamientofitoclimático intermedio, no considerada hasta el momento en las caracterizaciones bioclimáticas yapublicadas.Palabras clave. Taxonomía, distribución, SIG, caracterización bioclimática.ABSTRACT. Approach on the climatic characterization for Northern of Portugal. The atlanticmediterraneanfloristic transition. Thirty-nine specific and infraspecific taxa with different occurrencesin the continental portuguese area are referred in the present work. In the light of these behaviours,the climatic and geomorphological variability of the North of Portugal has been importantenvironmental factors to explain the floristic diversity in this part of the country. In this case, the taxaanalysed are: Anthemis triumfetti f. flosculosa, Arnica montana subsp. atlantica, Aster aragonensis,Carduus bourgeanus, Carduus carpetanus, Carduus platypus subsp. platypus, Carduus platypus var.granatensis, Carduus pycnocephalus, Centaurea cyanus, Centaurea geresensi, Centaurea herminiisubsp. herminii, Centaurea langeana, Centaurea rivularis, Centaurea triumfetti subsp. lingulata,Leucanthemopsis pallida subsp. flaveola, Leucanthemopsis pallida subsp. pulverulenta, Leuzearhaponticoides, Phalacrocarpum hoffmannseggii, Santolina rosmarinifolia, Santolina semidentata,Arbutus unedo, Cistus ladanifer, Cistus laurifolius, Cistus populifolius, Cistus psilosepalus, Cistussalvifolius, Erica arborea, Erica australis, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica lusitanica, Ericascoparia, Erica tetralix, Erica umbellata, Halimium lasianthum subsp alyssoides, Halimium lasianthumsubsp lasianthum, Halimium ocymoides, Halimium umbellatum subsp umbellatum, Halimiumumbellatum subsp. viscosum. Because of the appropriate management of the floristic richness, amultivariate statistic routine is applied on a Geographical Informatic System (GIS) the chorological,geomorphological and climatic characterization for each one are described in this paper. The geologicalsubstrate and the altitudinal classes are focused for the geomorphological approach, as well as twobiogeographic classifications are used to correlate the occurrence of the taxa and their bioclimaticpreferences. In the light of this analytical scheme, every taxa is geo-referenced upon an environmentalcartography (elaborated by the Instituto para a Conservação da Natureza), compared with the Franco´s(1994) and Costa´s et al. (1998) phytoclimatic characterizations. The results obtained are pointingout the floristic progressive differentiation between the atlantic bioclimatic influence and themediterranean one, as well as the existence of an intermediate bioclimatic tendency which had neverbeen considered so far.Key words. Taxonomy, distribution, GIS, environmental characterization

Analytical methodologies that describe ecological functionalities in the landscape are decisive to quantify the effects of their apparent modifications. When dealing with game resource management it is necessary to understand how landscape variables respond to changes in the abundance of particular species. The main goal of the present work is to evaluate how a forest ecosystem reacts to an increment of roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus L.) abundance in a reproduction enclosure. This experience has been developed in the Nogueira Mountains (Tras-os-Montes, NE of Portugal), where a relict nucleus of roe deer persists. In order to promote a roe deer increment, a 15 ha enclosure was installed eight years ago in a natural forest of Quercus pyrenaica. The methodology presently proposed is based on a phytostructural approach, where structural basic matrices of vegetation diversity, abundance and cover, obtained from 10 x 10 m sampling areas along two transepts (inside and outside the enclosure) are resumed in a contingency structural matrix. This contingency matrix is characterised according to a set of multivariate statistical analysis (Principal Component Analysis, Discriminant Canonical Analysis, ANOVAs) and results are correlated with roe deer food preferences (previously typified in four classes according to selectivity). The present results emphasised the roe deer’s capacity to transform the structural organization of the vegetation and therefore, the methodology used is a functional tool to describe landscape changes processes promoted by ungulates.

The present paper examined the applicability of a holistic stochastic dynamic methodology (SDM) in predicting the tendencies of simple ecological indicators as a response to the changes in agricultural hedgerow networks. Although considerable effort has been made to identify appropriate agri-environmental indicators, yet most of them are far too complex to be comprehensively measured and quantified by non-specialists. The ecological integrity of the typical hedgerows can be partly assessed by the observation of the occurrence of passerine indicators. Since the conventional measures’ regarding bird studies requires high-specialization levels, we proposed alternative simple, suitable and intuitive indicators capable of responding with comparable rigour to key changes in such agro-ecosystems. The dynamic model developed was preceded by a conventional multivariate statistical procedure performed to discriminate the significant relationships between conceptually isolated key-components of the studied hedgerows. The final model provided some basis to analyse the responses of simple passerine indicators to the agricultural scenarios that will characterize the region. Overall, the simulation results are encouraging since they seem to demonstrate the SDM reliability in capturing the habitat dynamics of the studied agro-ecosystems by predicting the behavioural pattern for simple measures, roughly associated with bird occurrence, habitat food resources and breeding conditions.

This study discusses the application of a phytostructural methodology to characterize the structure of the vegetation in the area of Vila Real (Northern Portugal). With this objective, eight different types of plant communities representative of the apparent states of the successional process present in this area were selected. The phytostructural methodology was elaborated from three types of structural basic matrices : diversity, abundance and cover. The data obtained were collected in a contingency matrix, which was the object of a statistical multivariate analysis. Three structural tendencies emerged from this analysis. With the aim of characterizing the stability of their respective structures, the results are discussed in terms of resistance and resilience, according to the Highest Expressive Amplitude (HEA) concept and using the intra- and inter-communitary structural dynamic as the structural parameters., L’analyse phytostructurale est la méthodologie utilisée dans le cours de Phytogéographie et Phytosociologie de la 3e année du cours de Génie de l’Environnement de l’Université de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Vila Real, Portugal). Ce travail est un exemple de la méthodologie créée par les étudiants pendant deux années académiques (1999-2000 et 2000-2001) destinée à caractériser la structure de la végétation qui se développe autour de la ville de Vila Real (nord du Portugal). Dans ce but, huit types différents de communautés végétales représentatives du processus de succession d’états apparents de cette zone ont été choisis. La méthodologie phytostructurale a été élaborée en considérant trois matrices de base correspondant à la diversité, la quantité et la couverture. Les données obtenues ont été rassemblées dans une matrice de contingence, qui a fait l’objet d’une analyse statistique multivariée. Finalement les résultats obtenus ont été discutés selon l’approche de l’“amplitude expressive la plus élevée” et en considérant la dynamique intra- et intercommunautaire comme étant les paramètres structuraux nécessaires pour décrire les combinations floristiques de la végétation étudiée. L’objectif de ce travail a été de vérifier la possibilité d’utiliser la méthodologie phytostructurale dans les classes pratiques et, en même temps, de discuter les résultats obtenus de façon à pouvoir établir un schéma de gestion pour la zone analysée., Crespí Antonio, Santiago Santos Màrio Gabriel, Monzón Aurora, Castro Adriano G. de, Fernandes Cláudia P., Pereira Alvaro, Fernandes Manuel José, Bernardos Sonia, Amich Francisco. Phytostructural analysis of the vegetation in an agroecosystem of the north of Portugal I. A resistance and resilience approach. In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 29 n°1, 2003. pp. 49-59.

La vegetación rupícola de la alianza Rumici indurati-Dianthion lusitani en el centro oeste (CW) de la Península Ibérica es analizada utilizando los métodos de la Escuela de Zürich-Montpellier. Tablas fitosociológicas, y datos biogeográficos, ecológicos y florísticos son presentados aquí para esta alianza. Se describen dos nuevos sintáxones: Rumici indurati-Anarrhinetum durimini y Phagnalo saxatilis-Antirrhinetum lopesianii. Por último, y utilizando análisis numéricos, se comparan estas fitocenosis Lusitan Duriensean con las presentes en otros sectores biogeográficos peninsulares.

The taxonomical composition and an analysis of four ecological characteristics of the 46 endemic species occurring in the lower Duero Basin (CW Iberian Peninsula) have been made. A comparative analysis of the results reveals that this endemic flora does not comply with the general patterns previously observed in other floras. Predominant life forms are hemicryptophytes (43%) and chamaephytes (22%). As far seed-dispersal is concerned, 54% of the endemic species lack any noteworthy adaptative feature. 89% of the endemic species are pollinated by animals (mostly by insects) and only 1 species is dioecious. Following binary classification of the above characteristics have been used to plot statistically significant associations. La composition taxonomique et une analyse de quatre caracteristiques ecologiques des 46 especes endemiques rencontrees dans le bassin inferieur du Duero (CW de Ia Peninsula lberique) ont ete realisees. Une analyse comparative des resultats montre que cette !lore endemique ne correspond pas aux schemas generaux observes precedemment dans d'autres flares. Les formes biologiques predominantes son! les Mmicryptophytes (43%) et les chamephytes (22%). En ce qui conceme le mode de dispersion des diaspores, 54% des especes endemiques son! depourvues de tout aspect adaptatif particulier. 89% des especes endemiques son! pollinisees par des animaux (essentiellement des insectes) et une seule espece est dioique. En se basant sur une classification binaire, les caracteristiques precedentes ont eta utilisees pour representer graphiquement les associations statistiquement significatives. We would like to thank Dr. Tyteca for the translation of the French texts. This research was supported by a grant from Castilla y Leon Autonomous Government (SA 037/02) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Twenty eight orchids species and subspecies are presently recognised as indigenous in the Lusitan Duriensean biogeographical sector, which covers part of the Duero Basin of Portugal and Spain. Twenty one of these (75%) are rare or very rare in this sector and under threat from different agents. This paper provides a detailed study of their distribution and estimates of the sizes of their populations. The latter were based on our own census data, collected at the sites where the species are found. All potentially reproductive individuals were counted. The causes of rarity and the factors responsible for the regression that still affects many species are analysed; main threats are destruction of woods by human activities and overgrazing. These data may be of use to the nature conservation authorities of Portugal and Spain.