- Portugal
Luis Cancela da Fonseca
University of Algarve, Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias da Água, Department Member
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A one year sampling program (February 1988, March 1989) was carried out in the Lagoa da Sancha as part of an ecological characterization of the Alentejo littoral lagoonal systems. Lagoa da Sancha is North of the locality of Sines, and... more
A one year sampling program (February 1988, March 1989) was carried out in the Lagoa da Sancha as part of an ecological characterization of the Alentejo littoral lagoonal systems. Lagoa da Sancha is North of the locality of Sines, and spreads over an area of approximately 4 ha. It has an elongate shape along a N-S axis, and receives water from a hydrographic basin of approximately 37 km 2 . The lagoon can be considered a system in which communication with the sea, which could provide its renewal, is naturally established only very seldom according to local fishermen (an inlet has existed only once in the past 25 years). Over-wash is the main source of sea water. This is revealed by salinity values, always below 5‰ (oligohaline), except for summer values, when values, may reach 12‰ (mesohaline) due to evaporation. Of the 69 invertebrate taxa found, 89.8% can be considered as continental and 8.7% of lagoonal affinities (i.e. lagoonal-continental). Only few groups were present througho...
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The importance of estuaries for coastal environments is widely acknowledged but their role, structure and ecological status have been the focus of recent scientific efforts mainly concerning large estuarine areas. In this work we used... more
The importance of estuaries for coastal environments is widely acknowledged but their role, structure and ecological status have been the focus of recent scientific efforts mainly concerning large estuarine areas. In this work we used fish assemblages to establish, for the first time, the functional and ecological role of five small estuarine systems along the Portuguese south and southwest coasts. Our results showed that, at a functional approach, fish communities did not differ between estuaries, and that all systems presented a seasonal pattern in diversity values, ecological and feeding guilds. These small estuaries contribute to the support of coastal fish populations by providing temporary habitats to the critical life stages of marine species, shelter and feeding grounds, and should be considered in an ecological and conservation perspective.
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Research Interests: Earth Sciences, Production, Marine biodiversity, Biological Sciences, Seasonality, and 12 moreEnvironmental Sciences, global Climate change, Scientific Communication, Coastal lagoon, Nutrient Limitation, Species Composition, Primary Production, Ecosystem Function, Intraspecific Competition, Photosynthetic Rate, Wiener Index, and Chlorophyll a
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Research Interests: Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Productivity, Global Warming, Concentration, and 17 morePhosphorus, Seasonality, Denitrification, Exportation, Temperature, Coastal lagoon, Nitrogen, Mathematical Models, Nutrients, Water Temperature, Desorption, Ammonium Nitrate, Mathematical Model, Annual Cycle, Tidal Flat, Organic carbon, and P/BV Ratio
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Constituindo uma orla fisicamente limitada, os ecossistemas costeiros são altamente vulneráveis ás pressões humanas, que provocaram já acentuada degradação na zona mediterrânea. A costa SW portuguesa permanece um dos litorais menos... more
Constituindo uma orla fisicamente limitada, os ecossistemas costeiros são altamente vulneráveis ás pressões humanas, que provocaram já acentuada degradação na zona mediterrânea. A costa SW portuguesa permanece um dos litorais menos alterados da Europa Meridional. Aqui ocorrem numerosas espécies animais e vegetais com particularidades raras ou únicas. Os estuários determinam certamente uma importante produtividade. A consideração
dos factores naturais torna-se assim um imperativo no Ordenamento. À semelhança do que foi feito para o Concelho de Aljezur, propõe-se uma classificação preliminar das prioridades de conservação no Concelho de Vila do Bispo, cartografada segundo o interesse natural, a resiliência ecológica, a diversidade e a sensibilidade de espécies, os impactos e a procura socio-económica, integrando-se num estudo de avaliação ecológica da costa SW. Realça-se a importância das autarquias locais neste processo.
dos factores naturais torna-se assim um imperativo no Ordenamento. À semelhança do que foi feito para o Concelho de Aljezur, propõe-se uma classificação preliminar das prioridades de conservação no Concelho de Vila do Bispo, cartografada segundo o interesse natural, a resiliência ecológica, a diversidade e a sensibilidade de espécies, os impactos e a procura socio-económica, integrando-se num estudo de avaliação ecológica da costa SW. Realça-se a importância das autarquias locais neste processo.
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Beauty of landscape and natural richness make the SW coast of Portugal one of its most interesting areas. At an international level its particular uniqueness is conferred by the existence of endemic plant species and rare animais, as well... more
Beauty of landscape and natural richness make the SW coast of Portugal one of its most interesting areas. At an international level its particular uniqueness is conferred by the existence of endemic plant species and rare animais, as well as ecological peculiarities. Although this area is still not deeply altered, conservation is already necessary and urgent. Several problems are putting rapidly increasing pressure on the natural communities. Among these, wild touristic development is the most acute. Thus, the proper management of this area ought to be based on detailed
interdisciplinary studies of its different systems.
interdisciplinary studies of its different systems.
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Serra do Caldeirão is located in the south of Portugal. Has a high economic and ecological value. In the last century, it was occur to severe degradation of soil. Recently it was also subject to intense forest fires In the present study... more
Serra do Caldeirão is located in the south of Portugal. Has a high economic and ecological value. In the last century, it was occur to severe degradation of soil. Recently it was also subject to intense forest fires In the present study we evaluated the regeneration of a burnt on 2004 area. We characterized landscape intrinsic factors, present anthropogenic factors and the vegetation regeneration level, one year and a half after the fire. We identified connections with sun exposure and level of system degradation. Different
responses were identified, related to sun exposure and degradation level of the system. The mature and diversified systems showed an obvious and faster recovery. Systems with greater exposure to stress factors, impoverished, have had a more difficult regeneration. Although the characteristics of strong resilience of the cork oak to fire, the regeneration capacity may be compromised, knowing the trends associated with global warming.
responses were identified, related to sun exposure and degradation level of the system. The mature and diversified systems showed an obvious and faster recovery. Systems with greater exposure to stress factors, impoverished, have had a more difficult regeneration. Although the characteristics of strong resilience of the cork oak to fire, the regeneration capacity may be compromised, knowing the trends associated with global warming.