Caring about the future

  • Greentour: circular economy and sustainable tourism in destinations of the SUDOE area

    Published in 24/9/2021

    The GREENTOUR project, funded by the Interreg SUDOE program and started in November 2020, aims to contribute to increase the sustainability and circularity of the tourism sector. The main expected results consist in: - environmental assessment tools for agents from the tourism subsectors of accommodation, restaurants, and leisure and transportation activities; these tools are based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and support a sustainable tourism through the identification of strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of this sector; - a voluntary eco-labeling system for tourism destinations as a whole based on LCA; - a cooperation network between destinations and sustainable tourism agents in the SUDOE area. Both the environmental assessment tools and the eco-labeling system will be tested, in a first stage, in touristic destinations of Portugal, Spain, France and Andorra, selected by their relevant natural and cultural heritage (Guimarães, Lloret de Mar, Camino Lebaniego, Rias Baixas, Massif du Sancy and Ordino). At a later stage, after validation of the tools, they will be applied to other stakeholders. The tourism agents of the subsectors of accommodation, restaurants, and leisure and transportation willing to evaluate their environmental performance with the tools developed in GREENTOUR can express their interest in https://greentour-project.eu/join-greentour/be-a-greentour-pioneer. The University of Aveiro is a partner of GREENTOUR, with the participation of the following CESAM members: Ana Cláudia Dias (coordinator) Paula Quinteiro, Isabel Nunes and Helena Nadais. More information about the project can be found at www.greentour-project.eu. Author: Ana Cláudia Dias  

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  • Researcher José Alves was invited to Client Earth Global Summit (28-30 September) in the session “Maintaining migration in the animal kingdom”

    Published in 24/9/2021

    This is the second year Client Earth organizes this virtual event, hosting a global forum for experts, peers and partners from across the environmental movement and other sectors to explore new ways of effecting change for a brighter, healthier future planet. Client Earth, a global organization that operates under the banner “Working to protect life on Earth”, supports environmental causes, using the law to defend several issues: defending wildlife and habitats; protecting forests; tackling pollution and climate change, and others. The event is free of change and more information can be attained here.

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  • World Maritime Day, September 26th

    Published in 24/9/2021

    In the 16th century, Luís Vaz de Camões wrote two poems that today can be interpreted with new meanings. “All the world is made of change, And forever attaining new qualities.”   After five centuries, it could be interpreted as an allusion to climate change [1] Also, in Canto I, the poet wrote [2]:   “The feats of Arms, and famed heroick Host, from occidental Lusitanian strand, who o'er the waters ne'er by seaman crost, fared beyond the Taprobáne-Iand, forceful in perils and in battle-post, with more than promised force of mortal hand and in the regions of a distant race rear’d a new throne so haught in Pride of Place;”   In the same context of discovery, it can, but this time with new meanings, those of oceanic science, reveal the role that the Sea has always had in our identity. Oceans, once paths of discovery for "remote people" and new worlds, sources of life, and providers of ecosystem services, are currently struggling with serious environmental problems. From Fernão Mendes Pinto, Padre António Vieira, and Bernardo Gomes de Brito's shipwreck accounts, we transmute its tragic aspects to the ecological and environmental dimensions, difficult to approach, but essential to a new paradigm of ocean sustainability. The initiatives under the "Agenda 2030", namely its "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs) 14 (and also 13), the "Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" and the "United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration" demonstrate an international concern in solving the emergency problems we face. Ocean research plays a crucial role in the pursuit of SDG 14 ("Conserve and Sustainably Use the Oceans, Seas and Marine Resources ") as well as the goals and intended outcomes of the "Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development" actions. CESAM has been playing its role in this area, being an institution prepared for the challenges we live. As demonstrators of valences, societal value, and internationalization, I highlight the following projects: "ValorMar - Integral Valorization of Marine Resources: Potential, Technological Innovation, and New Applications Programas Mobilizadores – PI: SONAE SA" and "HACON - Hot vents in an ice-covered ocean: the role of the Arctic as a connectivity pathway between ocean basins FRINATEK call in the FRIPRO programme of the Research Council of Norway." “The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) is a Research Unit of the University of Aveiro with the status of Associated Laboratory since 2005, evaluated with the highest grade of Excellent since 2014. The mission of CESAM is to develop leading international research on environmental and marine sciences.” The Sea is very present in its founding, constitutive, and functional matrix. Next year, 2022, will be the "International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture." CESAM develops projects in these areas. As demonstrators of CESAM's mission within the framework of societal needs and sustainable development, I highlight the following projects: AquaMMIn - Development and validation of a modular integrated multitrophic aquaculture system for marine and brackish water species Mar2020", "NutriMo - Development and implementation of community-based aquaculture projects in developing countries in Africa FCT - AKDN" and "FISHAQU - Knowledge Exchange in sustainable Fisheries management and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean region Erasmus+ Programme." The Sea is part of our culture and identity. May we, through science, give continuity to a history that links us to the Sea. Ulisses M Azeiteiro CESAM Coordinator of the Thematic Line "Marine Ecosystems & Resources (MER)" [1] Dias, João. (2016). “Todo o mundo é composto de mudança”. Considerações sobre o clima e a sua história. I - O Sistema Climático Terrestre. [2] Os Lusíadas - Luís Vaz de Camões – 1572 - (trad. Richard Francis Burton, 1880, Retrieved from: https://burtoniana.org/books/1880-Os%20lusiadas/Os%20lusiadas%20Vol%201.pdf)  

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  • Impact of the climate emergency in Aveiro in debate on TSF

    Published in 24/9/2021

    On September 24th, between 8am and 10am, TSF will be live from Aveiro, to discuss the climate emergency and its impact on the region. David Carvalho and João Miguel Dias, both from the DFis/CESAM, will be present on the broadcast, accompanied by José Carlos Mota (DCSPT/GOVCOPP) and Myriam Lopes (DAO/CESAM) and Sara Moreno Pires (DCSPT/GOVCOPP). Link 

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  • European Car Free Day

    Published in 23/9/2021

    To mark the European Car Free Day we highlight the opinion article by Alexandra Monteiro and the radio show Ambiente num Minuto on Terra Nova.    

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  • 3º Curso de Dragagens - Sustentabilidade do litoral

    Published in 21/9/2021

    [only available in Portuguese]

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  • Stress Biology Seminars

    Published in 20/9/2021

    Phage therapy to control pathogenic bacteria Carla Pereira 22 Sep | 04:30h | Zoom

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  • 2nd EpiLipidNET COST Action meeting on 23 -24 September 2021

    Published in 17/9/2021

    EpiLipidNET COST Action (CA19105)  is a pan-European network of researchers, clinicians and enterprises working in the field of lipidomics and epilipidomics to boost a hub of research excellence, advanced knowledge and technology transfer, to promote high level of training for young researches. Free online  zoom 23th September 2021 13:00-18:00(CET) ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88179148278?pwd=SDhSbGc0Ky9ReXJrQzZPVmM0Y21pdz09 Meeting ID: 881 7914 8278 Passcode: 298363   24th September 2021 10:00-18:00(CET) ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83527451864?pwd=aWh4Y3RaU1pTVGJudW1xVndoSVJSdz09 Meeting ID: 835 2745 1864 Passcode: 189733 PROGRAMME

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  • Ocean Break | 24 September

    Published in 17/9/2021

    24th September 2021 | 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 9.1.1 (DEMaC) Luísa Marques (PhD student) Potential of ascidians as extractive species and their distribution in the coastal lagoon Ria de Aveiro The world population is growing very fast and the requirement for seafood originated from aquaculture is at high demand. In integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) can help aid these issues to better serve populations and also generate extra profit for farmers. IMTA systems use extractive species that reuse the wastes of other species and in addition, it is the way for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Ascidians are filter-feeders which once were considered a pest negatively affecting aquaculture facilities. However, these are now recognized as potential co-cultured/extractive species for IMTA with potential added value as bioresources. Knowledge of which species of ascidians are present in the Ria de Aveiro is inexistent and therefore this information will provide progress associated with IMTA systems present in this coastal lagoon. Further research on the potential use of ascidians in IMTA systems should be a new focus. 

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  • International Microorganism Day

    Published in 17/9/2021

    The 17th of September is the International Microorganism Day. Celebrated for the first time in Portugal, in 2017, as an initiative of the Portuguese Society of Microbiology, Ordem dos Biólogos, Agência Ciência Viva and UNESCO, this day is currently celebrated all over the world. Its purpose is to reveal the fascinating world of microorganisms, showing their relevance to the living world and their enormous importance for the human species, contributing also to improve literacy in microbiology. It may seem strange to celebrate “microbes”, but this results from the misperception that they are all harmful. The reality is quite different as most microorganisms have positive impacts on our lives. Microorganisms are crucial for the proper functioning of ecosystems and our bodies as well as for other animals and plants. They are also fundamental to the development of a sustainable bioeconomy. At the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) we contribute to better know and understand this invisible majority that inhabits our planet. The studies carried out have contributed, for example, to reveal the vast microbial biodiversity, as well as its biotechnological potential, to understand the role of microorganisms as disease-causing agents in agricultural and forestry plants, to understand the evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance and its role in human health and developing innovative strategies for inactivating microorganisms. Join all those who celebrate the International Microorganism Day and get to know these little big creatures better (https://www.internationalmicroorganismday.org).   Authors: Artur Alves & Isabel Henriques    

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  • Piratas da Ria visited CESAM

    Published in 15/9/2021

    [Only available in Portuguese]

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  • Call for papers - RIESCOS Network

    Published in 15/9/2021

    The Ibero-American Thematic Network CYTED-RIESCOS, coordinated by Rosa Freitas, proposed a special issue to the journal Environmental Research entitled "Environmental occurrence of plastics and toxicity assessment in organisms”. Submissions are open from 15 September to 15 December 2021 More information here.

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  • Info session: Intellectual property rights on Marine and Environmental Sciences| 22 Sep | 10 AM |DAO

    Published in 14/9/2021

     [description only available in Portuguese] Mandatory registration here until September, 21st

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  • Ecology Day, September 14

    Published in 14/9/2021

    The Ria de Aveiro is one of the LTsER (Long-Term socio-Ecologic Research) platforms integrated in the national LTER network and in the Portuguese E-Infrastructure for Information and Research on Biodiversity, whose mission is to collect, process and gather high quality data to respond to current societal challenges. Insects deserve a special attention now for being excellent bioindicators of environmental conditions and for their potential application in biotechnology. Some of the most abundant groups found in halophyte vegetation in Ria de Aveiro are flies (Diptera) and planthoppers (Hemiptera).Within the SUSHI project, the biotechnological potential of two species of fly was studied:  a Machaerium maritimae[1], as an ingredient for aquaculture feed due to its abundance and composition of omega-3 fatty acids, and Fucellia maritima[2], registered for Portugal for the first time under this project. Other species were also registered for the first time in Portugal and the respective taxonomic notes are being prepared. Potential non-native invasive species were also identified, as well as halophyte plant pests, reinforcing the importance of these surveys. [1] Duarte, P. M., Maciel, E., Pinho, M., Domingues, M. R., Calado, R., Lillebø, A. I., & Ameixa, O.M.C.C. (2021). Omega-3 on the fly: long-legged fly Machaerium maritimae as a potential source of eicosapentaenoic acid for aquafeeds. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed, 1-12. [2] Lourenço, F., Prado e Castro, C. & Ameixa, O.M.C.C. (2020) First record of Fucellia maritima (Haliday, 1838) (Diptera, Anthomyiidae) populations in Portugal. Norwegian Journal of Entomology, 67:246-248. Author: Ana Lillebø

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  • Webtalks: Como a ecologia nos pode ajudar?

    Published in 13/9/2021

    To mark Ecology Day, SIBECOL - Sociedade Ibérica de Ecologia is organising a Webtalk on September 14, between 5 pm and 7 pm. This initiative aims to analyse and discuss the importance of preserving biodiversity and restoring ecosystems to promote the health and sustainability of the planet. This event has the presence of researcher Ana Sousa. Target audience: General audience (interested citizens, technicians, NGOs, researchers) Registration (Free): https://forms.gle/ZdFsE5BAxobMj1gH7 Poster

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  • Research: Roadkill may accelerate local extinction of mammalian populations

    Published in 13/9/2021

    More than 120 species of terrestrial mammals are particularly vulnerable to roadkill mortality and several populations could become extinct in 50 years if the observed roadkill rates persist, according to an assessment of roadkill impacts on terrestrial mammals worldwide conducted by a team of international researchers from different continents led by Clara Grilo, researcher at Center for Environmental and Marine studies (CESAM) of the University of Lisbon. These results were published in the prestigious scientific journal Global Ecology and Biogeography. We analyzed the impact that observed roadkill rates had on 71 populations of threatened mammal species and the non-threatened species with the highest observed roadkill rates worldwide. Our results show that populations of the maned wolf and the southern tiger cat in Brazil, the brown hyena in South Africa and the leopard in North India are at risk of local extinction in the near future if observed levels of roadkill persist. We then developed models using species characteristics that allowed us to assess vulnerability to roadkill mortality for 4677 mammal species worldwide and revealed 124 species as particularly vulnerable including the Iberian lynx, brown and black bear, tiger, jaguar, and lion-tailed macaque with known records of collisions with vehicles, said Clara Grilo.   There are ambitious plans to facilitate future global trade particularly in emerging market countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. These initiatives will facilitate regional and intercontinental trade flow through the construction of more than 25 million kilometers of new roads. This will expand the global road network by 60% compared to 2010 and is in conflict with the global objectives of environmental sustainability, as many of these new roads will cross environmentally sensitive areas where many threatened species occur. “We developed a tool to assess the risk of extinction associated with observed roadkill levels under current road densities, these can be updated as new roadkill estimates for different species in different regions of the world are obtained. Our study also offers a priority ranking of species vulnerability to roadkill, which can inform road infrastructure agencies, NGOs and public administration. These assessments can help identify, combined with species distribution data, current and future roads segments where roadkill monitoring programs are most needed to evaluate risk and trigger the most appropriate measures to avoid local extinctions” concluded Clara Grilo. Contact: Clara Grilo CESAM - Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, C2, 2.3.03 1749-016 Lisboa Portugal Email - clarabentesgrilo@gmail.com   Reference: Grilo C, Borda-de-Água L, Beja P, Goolsby E, Soanes K, le Roux A, Koroleva E, Ferreira FZ, Gagné SA, Wang Y, González-Suaréz M (2021). Conservation threats from roadkill in the global road network. Global Ecology and Biogeography. Brown Bear cub (Ursus arctos) crossing a road in Canada Credits: Jillian Cooper Sub-adult Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) captured by a camera-trap in Serra de Andujar (Spain). Credits: Joaquim Pedro Ferreira Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) at  Serra da Canastra National Park, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Credits: Marcel Huijser

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  • Journal article: Alternative test methods for (nano)materials hazards assessment: challenges and recommendations for regulatory preparedness

    Published in 9/9/2021

    Mónica Amorim and Susana Gomes, researchers at the DBio/CESAM, UA, from the ecology and applied ecotoxicology research group – applEE, coordinated by Prof. Amadeu Soares, are co-authors of a review article published in the prestigious journal Nano Today (IF: 20.7): “Alternative test methods for (nano) material hazards assessment: challenges and recommendations for regulatory preparedness”. Read the full article here.

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  • Ciência com Impacto - Carob in the fight against tuberculosis

    Published in 9/9/2021

    Ana Grenha, researcher at CCMAR - Centre of Marine Sciences, tells us about the potential of carob in the fight against tuberculosis. Podcast Vídeo

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  • Rui Rocha research is highlighted in the print edition of the Greensavers magazine

    Published in 9/9/2021

    An article (“Aquacultura pode garantir alimentos a preço justo”) about Rui Rocha research was published in the print edition of the Greensavers magazine, number 4, quarterly from August to October. Learn more about the Greensavers here.

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  • Ocean Break | 8 Setember

    Published in 3/9/2021

    8 Setember 2021 | 03:00pm-04:00pm Zoom Circulação na Ria de Pontevedra Elisabet Cruz (PhD Student)   Abstract: Estuarine exchange flow plays an important role in the biogeochemical properties exchange between the coastal ocean and the estuaries. Circulation patterns inside the Rias Baixas (NW Iberian Peninsula) have been widely studied, while the Ría de Pontevedra has received less attention. A high-resolution ROMS-AGRIF system configuration with three online two-way nesting domains was used and validated to enhance the knowledge about the circulation patterns of this Ría. Two representative estuarine circulation patterns were studied: a coastal upwelling event and a downwelling event associated with a maximum river runoff of 84 m3/s. An analysis using Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) was applied to the horizontal subtidal velocity fields at the surface layer and at 20 m depth and to the subtidal normal velocity across vertical crosssections.   Upwelling events are characterized by a reinforcement of the positive estuarine circulation, in which the surface waters outflow and deep waters inflow at the main sill of the Ría, whilst full water column inflow (outflow) is observed at the northern (southern) openings. Conversely, downwelling events induce an opposite behavior, consisting of a negative estuarine circulation with the surface (deep) inflow (outflow) at the main sill of the Ría and outflow (inflow) at the northern (southern) openings. Evidences of a front splitting two vertical clockwise circulation cells were found. These cells are associated with the ocean water subduction that enters through the surface layer under downwelling favorable winds and this surface inflow opposes to the direction of the inner estuarine circulation. The EOF study confirms that shelf wind forcing has an important contribution to the variability of the velocity field, inducing positive or negative estuarine like circulation. The temporal principal components (PC) of EOF analysis present correlations of 0.92 between the meridional wind component and the first mode, and 0.77 between the zonal wind component and the second mode.   Third EOF mode represents the circulation during transitional winds when some vorticity structures are visible. The realistic high-resolution simulation of the physical conditions at the Ría de Pontevedra provides new insights into the ocean-estuarine water exchanges and allow the visualization of recirculation processes and characteristic structures that have consequences in the marine ecosystem and in their productivity.

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  • CESAM project aims to improve Portuguese inventory of atmospheric emissions

    Published in 2/9/2021

    The project "BigAir – Megadata to improve inventories of atmospheric emissions", coordinated by researchers Diogo Lopes and Myriam Lopes, is one of the most recent projects initiated at the Department of Environment and Planning (DAO) of the University of Aveiro (UA). This project seeks to improve the performance of air quality models in Portugal using megadata (available at no cost) to calculate Portuguese air emissions (historical and predicted) with high spatial resolution (at the exact location of emission sources) and temporal resolution (hourly values). Read more here.

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  • Webinar “Climate change and air pollution in the new IPCC report”

    Published in 6/9/2021

    CESAM's research group Atmospheric Processes & Modelling (APM) is organizing the webinar “Climate change and air pollution in the new IPCC report”, to mark the “International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies” – 7 September. The researcher Sophie Szopa, author and coordinator of one of the chapters of this same report will be the invited speaker. Registration is free, but registration is rmandatory. Registration here. It will undoubtedly be an opportunity for us to learn more about these new IPCC data and to ask the questions that concern us the most. It is a webinar open to the scientific community and the general public.

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  • Research

    Published in 31/8/2021

    A team led by Victor Bandeira (DBio/CESAM) will carry out a census to assess and manage the impacts of the occurrence of stray dogs and cats, within the scope of the protocol signed between the UA and the Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (ICNF)/Ministério do Meio Ambiente e Ação Climática. Read more here and on the ICNF Website.

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  • Virtual International Conference on Food Contaminants: challenges on early-life exposure, 27 & 28 Sep | Online

    Published in 30/7/2021

    The National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge, through the Department of Food and Nutrition, promotes on the 27th and 28th of September (in the afternoon), in virtual transmission mode, the 4th edition of the International Conference on Food Contaminants “Virtual International Conference on Food Contaminants: challenges on early-life exposure (ICFC 2021)”. The mail goal of this conference is to gather research scientists, health and food professionals, regulatory entities, industry representatives and students involved in the area of food safety and human health. This conference will focus on the risks associated with exposing vulnerable populations to food contaminants and on toxic effects of early-life exposure to contaminants. Abstract submission deadline is the 5th September and registration (free but mandatory) until the 24th September, at the conference website: https://icfcportugal.com/ Researchers Paula Alvito and Ricardo Assunção are part of the organizing Committee. Poster

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  • Ciência com impacto - The potential of halophyte plants

    Published in 29/7/2021

    This week Luísa Custódio, researcher at CCMAR - Centro de Ciências do Mar, talks about the properties of halophyte plants for human health and nutrition. A halophyte is a salt-tolerant plant. One of the best-known halophyte plants is salicornia. Nowadays, salicornia is cultivated and consumed raw or cooked, dehydrated or crushed. In addition to the pleasant sea flavour, salicornia has immuno-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-diabetic properties. Podcast Video

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  • Call for abstracts - AGU Fall Meeting 2021

    Published in 28/7/2021

    Consider submitting your abstract to the AGU Fall Meeting 2021 session co-convened by the CESAM member Bruna R.F. Oliveira,  A008 - Advances in wildland fire - atmosphere interactions The meeting will take place from 13-17 December. You can attend #AGU21 Fall Meeting online or in-person (full vaccination required) in New Orleans - US! More info here.  

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  • LIFE No_Waste Project Webinar

    Published in 23/7/2021

    download file

    The final webinar of the LIFE No_Waste project will take place on 27th July, from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm.Registration is free but mandatory. Register here.

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  • Life Lines Documentary - Architecture for Wildlife | 24 july|12h |SIC

    Published in 23/7/2021

    On the 24th of July, Saturday at 12:00 on SIC. Did you know that every year thousands of animals die on roads and power lines, victims of collision and electrocution? On Saturday, we will get to know the LIFE LINES Project, which seeks to reduce the impact of these threats on biological diversity.

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  • Ciência com impacto – The chemistry of perfumes

    Published in 22/7/2021

    What happens when you mix certain fragrances with alcohol? How can we predict the smells that result from each mixture? This week Alírio Rodrigues, researcher at ALICE – Associate Laboratory for Innovation in Chemical Engineering, talks about the chemistry of perfumes. Podcast Video

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  • The People of the Ria: artisanal fisheries

    Published in 21/7/2021

    The first video of the series "The People of the Ria", developed under the PERICLES project, is already available! It looks at the coastal and maritime cultural heritage of the Aveiro region, addressing the artisanal fishing in the Ria de Aveiro, the eel canning industry and the “arte xávega” (a traditional beach-seine fishery). The People of the Ria: artisanal fisheries

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  • Susana Loureiro is one of the members of the Advisory Board of one H2020 project

    Published in 20/7/2021

    Susana Loureiro is one of the members of the Advisory Board of the H2020 project PAPILLONS- Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles and LONg-term Sustainability (Grant agreement ID: 101000210) that started on the 1st June 2021 (ends 31 May 2025),  and that is coordinated by NORSK INSTITUTT FOR VANNFORSKNING. Link.

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  • Stress Biology Seminars

    Published in 20/7/2021

    If we have risks and benefits associated to foods, how can I do the best choice? – Ricardo Assunção July 21, at 4h30pm Watch here

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  • IBERSENSOR “Introdução aos sensores”

    Published in 20/7/2021

    The didactic lectures IBERSENSOR, with specialists from Ibero-American countries, aimed at the community interested in sensors. The event takes place from September 8th to 9th, via ZOOM. Registration is free and must be done by the 31st of August 2021 to mverissimo@ua.pt Poster

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  • Commemorative Video - CESAM 20 years

    Published in 19/7/2021

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  • Ciência com Impacto - Valuing and caring for biodiversity

    Published in 16/7/2021

    Amilcar Teixeira, Researcher at the Mountain Research Center - CIMO, talks about about the importance of valuing natural resources and making them compatible with human activities. Podcast Vídeo

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  • Ocean Break | 23 July

    Published in 16/7/2021

    23rd July 2021 | 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 9.1.1 (DEMaC) Zoom Slab Photonic Crystals Grown by Diatoms Johannes Goessling (Researcher)  The usability of nanostructured materials from diatoms as natural photonic materials have been proposed for a variety of technologies, but ad-hoc utilization was yet limited by lack of detailed information on the photonic properties. Recent research confirmed that some diatom parts, the girdle bands, work as slab photonic crystals, with well-defined lattice structure opening bandgaps in the visible and near infra-red spectral range. The presentation will focus on the reproducibility of the structures and how spectral properties can be tuned by modification. The presence of such well-defined and highly preserved photonic material also raises questions related to the potential biological functioning.

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  • TODAY, JULY 16 | 1:25 PM | SIC NOTÍCIAS - LIFE VOLUNTEER ESCAPES

    Published in 16/7/2021

    LIFE VOLUNTEER ESCAPES | Voluntários pela Natureza – Premieres on July 16, 2021, on SIC Notícias, at 13:25. The Voluntários pela Natureza (Life volunteer escapes) ran for 12 episodes and will show the work for the conservation of Nature developed by nearly 200 European volunteers who were part of the LIFE VOLUNTEER ESCAPES project. In the first episode, we'll get to know the night life of Serra da Arada and what Nature does in Portugal. The producer PlaySolutions Audiovisuais, partner of CESAM in some television projects, produced this series for Television. Promo  

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  • Life Reforest project workshop

    Published in 13/7/2021

    On July 14, a workshop on erosion mitigation and restoration of burnt areas will take place in Sever do Vouga, organized by FORESTIS and the ESP team from the CESAM/University of Aveiro. This workshop is directed to technicians and researchers working on post-fire rehabilitation and aims to present the new technique that has been developed within the scope of the LIFE REFOREST project. Poster

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  • Luís Menezes Pinheiro re-elected president of IOC Portuguese Committee

    Published in 12/7/2021

    Portugal was re-elected to the Executive Board of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) on June 21st in Paris, and will be represented during the 2021-2023 biennium by the President of the Portuguese IOC Committee, Luís Menezes Pinheiro, who will start his third mandate in this body. Luís Menezes Pinheiro is a professor and researcher at the CESAM/UA, and was re-elected president of the Portuguese Committee for the IOC. Read more here.

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  • CESAM/UA-led study highlights effectiveness of plant mats against post-fire erosion

    Published in 12/7/2021

    An international review study published in June in the high-impact scientific journal 'Earth-Science Reviews', driven by researchers from the CESAM/UA, quantifies the effectiveness of various measures to combat post-fire soil erosion that have been scientifically evaluated around the world. The coordinator of the EPyRIS project at UA, Jan Keizer, highlights the pioneering nature of this comparative study.

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  • Lipids in the Ocean Conference

    Published in 12/7/2021

    The 2nd edition of the Lipids in the Ocean Conference was held virtually at University of Aveiro on 5th-7th of July 2021. The Conference has been organized by the Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA research group, CESAM & DBio & DQ) & Mass Spectrometry Centre (LAQV-REQUIMTE & DQ) of the University of Aveiro, with the technical support of UNAVE and ClusterMedia Labs. This event has met more than one hundred and fifty of marine lipidomic researchers from world-renowned institutions in 16 countries. Lipid experts have discussed the current state of the art lipidomic approaches, framing breakthroughs and current constraints, as well as highlighted research Challenges & Top Priorities to better understand marine lipids diversity and dynamics. During the three days of the event, six thematic sessions, six plenary sessions, 36 oral communications, 20 poster communications and three workshops have been organized. The conference Lipids in the Ocean gathers a nice community of lipid geeks, which was orphan of a conference to exchange in the depth about marine lipid stuff.

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  • CESAM celebrates 20 years on July 15th

    Published in 14/7/2021

    Programme Live streaming on Youtube. The Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, celebrates 20 years of research activity, on the afternoon of July 15th, in an event that will take place in the Renato Araújo auditorium. After an internal preparatory period and the presentation of the creation proposal to the supervisor, the CESAM research unit, then exclusively composed of members of the University of Aveiro, was officially created on July 15th, 2001. In 2004 CESAM was granted the status of Associated Laboratory, a status which was renewed this year for another 10 years. In 2018, through the formalization of a partnership with the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL), CESAM is no longer exclusively composed of members from the University of Aveiro, creating a CESAM branch at FCUL. The Associate Laboratory integrates nearly 500 researchers, of which about 250 have Doctorates.  The team of CESAM researchers, from five UA departments (Environment and Spatial Planning, Biology, Physics, Geosciences, Chemistry) and the FCUL departments of Animal Biology and Plant Biology, has competencies in fundamental and applied research in the field of natural and social sciences, covering the areas of the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and anthroposphere, carrying out research "from the source to the deep sea". CESAM is currently participating in 132 national and 50 international projects, including the European ERA Chair and an ERC grant, in addition to numerous collaborations with public institutions and companies, namely NGOs, municipalities and companies. In 2020, CESAM members published more than 600 articles in scientific journals listed in the Web of Science database, including in the prestigious Science and Nature group journals. To celebrate the path of excellence and affirm the commitment to the development of transdisciplinary and international research, aligned with the sustainable development challenges of the United Nations Agenda 2030, CESAM invites the academic community to the celebration of this special day. The event encompasses three dialogues with invaluable presences for the pursuit of CESAM's strategic objectives. Due to the pandemic , the event will adopt a hybrid model, face-to-face and online. The face-to-face event will take place at the Renato Araújo Auditorium and prior registration is required. You can also watch the event on the CESAM channel on Youtube.  

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  • Ciência com Impacto - Cultura e ciência na marinha portuguesa

    Published in 9/7/2021

    Admiral Garcia Belo, from the Comissão Cultural de Marinha, talks about the role of the Portuguese Navy in promoting scientific and cultural knowledge. Podcast Vídeo

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  • Ocean Break

    Published in 5/7/2021

    7 July | 15.00 - 16.00 Zoom: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/81146619944?pwd=QUJiVWszSUppc2xvcHR1eE5nQ21kZz09   Sandra Fernadez (Post-Doctoral Research Fellow)    

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  • Aves & Salinas. Guia de boas práticas

    Published in 2/7/2021

    Aves & Salinas - Guia de boas práticas, authored by SPEA – Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds and by Afonso Rocha, was recently launched. Salt pans are places of refuge, nesting and food for many birds. Beautifully illustrated, this guide introduces the most common birds we can find in the salt pans. Aves & Salinas. Guia de boas práticas

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  • Oceans are drowning in plastic

    Published in 1/7/2021

    Paula Sobra, researcher at MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, talks about the impact of microplastics on the aquatic and marine environment. Microplastics are a real threat to life on the planet, they poison the marine animals that feed on them and, consequently, the humans who consume fish and shellfish. Podcast Vídeo

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  • Ana Sousa participes in a study to measure decomposition and carbon sink in wetlands

    Published in 30/6/2021

    30 countries and 300 study sites distributed worldwide, among them the Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon, are included in a study to understand the process of litter decomposition and carbon sequestration in wetlands and unravel crucial information for future climate change mitigation plans. The project involves tea bags. Rooibos tea and green tea.  Read more here.

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  • Research: Coastal waters of a marine protected area of the Bijagós Archipelago, West Africa, shelter juvenile fishes of economic and ecological importance

    Published in 30/6/2021

    This study showed that the coastal fish community of the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau is strongly dominated by species belonging to the Clupeidae, Haemulidae and Gerreidae families. In particular, Sardinella maderensis was by far the most numerous species with a relative abundance of over 70% throughout the seasons. This species is considered overfished in the region and classified as Vulnerable (by IUCN) due to recent declines in its populations. The fact that, in the Bijagós Archipelago, Sardinella maderensis is highly abundant and serves as the main link between plankton and marine predators (such as seabirds and predatory fish, as shown in other studies), makes it a key species for the ecosystem. The correct management and conservation of nursery areas for this species should therefore be a priority to ensure a healthy ecosystem. The Bijagós Archipelago, by holding large numbers of immature Sardinella maderensis, certainly contributes to the maintenance of its offshore stocks. Moreover, as the archipelago still suffers less fishing pressure than its neighbouring waters it represents a pivotal area for the conservation of Sardinella maderensis. This study was carried out by researchers of CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon), MARE- ISPA Instituto Universitário, and members of IBAP (Guinea-Bissau - https://ibapgbissau.org/) and CIPA (Guinea-Bissau - https://cipagbissau.org/), as part of the project  ‘‘La recherche participative au service de la conservation de la biodiversité du Parc National Marin de João Vieira-Poilão (Archipel des Bijagós)’’ supported by MAVA Foundation. The paper can be read here. 

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  • Infographic of a project led by Cristina Pita: The contribution of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to food systems

    Published in 29/6/2021

    IIED has published the first infographic focused on increasing the visibility of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture and its people in anticipation of the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022). This project is led by Cristina Pita. Learn more: The contribution of small-scale artisanal fisheries and aquaculture to food systems  Impact of COVID-19 on Portuguese fisheries  

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  • Challenger 150 – A Decade to study deep-sea life

    Published in 30/6/2021

    Ana Hilário participates in the Ridge Seminar Series: Challenger 150 – A Decade to study deep-sea life, today, June 29, at 4:00 pm. More information and registration here.

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  • Published in 28/6/2021

    PhD students present posters at the Encontro Ciência’21, from 28th to 30th of June. CESAM also participates with the demonstration: Nova geração de aditivos sustentáveis de base nanotecnológica para revestimentos anti-corrosivos marítimos: uma abordagem multidisciplinar no espaço Atlântico. More info.  

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  • Ciência com Impacto – Roads threaten rare species

    Published in 25/6/2021

    Clara Grilo, researcher at CESAM, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, talks about the negative impact of roads on wildlife. Podcast Video

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  • Research: Composition and abundance of shorebird and macroinvertebrate communities differ according to densities of burrowing fiddler crabs in tropical intertidal flats

    Published in 23/6/2021

    Intertidal flats are especially important for shorebird populations during migratory and non-breeding periods when many species feed extensively on benthic macroinvertebrates at low tide. These flats may often seem a homogeneous habitat, but their structure and composition can vary greatly in space in terms of abiotic and biotic factors, therefore driving macroinvertebrate distribution. The spatial variation in the structure of intertidal flats is often rather subtle. However, some organisms, like the fiddler crabs, can create quite dramatic discontinuities in these otherwise smooth gradients of conditions. These crabs form large patches in the intertidal flats of the Bijagós archipelago, one of the most important wintering sites for shorebirds along the East Atlantic Flyway.  However, differences in the composition and abundance of shorebird flocks and their macroinvertebrate prey between areas inhabited or free of crabs were yet to be studied. In this study we investigated the differences between intertidal areas inhabited by versus free of fiddler crabs in the Bijagós archipelago concerning the structure of the benthic macroinvertebrate and shorebird communities. To achieve this, we compared (1) species composition, abundance, total biomass and harvestable biomass of the benthic macroinvertebrate community and (2) species composition and abundance of the shorebird community, in areas with low and high density of fiddler crabs. We found marked differences in the shorebird and macroinvertebrate (bird prey) communities between low and high crab density areas. High crab density areas have less rich and less abundant macroinvertebrate communities and shorebird communities dominated by species that feed on fiddler crabs such as the Whimbrel, Eurasian curlew, Common sandpiper, Common redshank and Sacred ibis. Low crab density areas have higher richness and higher abundance of other macroinvertebrates such as polychaetes, bivalves and gastropods. Here, the shorebird community is dominated by species that feed on these invertebrates such as the Curlew sandpiper, Red knot, Ringed plover and Sanderling. Our findings suggest that crab patches should be taken into account when assessing the distribution and abundance of macroinvertebrates and shorebirds in intertidal areas. Since low and high crab density areas differ markedly in terms of shorebird carrying capacity, monitoring variations in their extent will be important to interpret past and present population trends. Authors: João Paulino, José Pedro Granadeiro, Mohamed Henriques, João Belo & Teresa Catry Paulino, J., Granadeiro, J.P., Henriques, M. et al. Composition and abundance of shorebird and macroinvertebrate communities differ according to densities of burrowing fiddler crabs in tropical intertidal flats. Hydrobiologia (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-021-04601-1  Full article

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  • The new CESAM’s Seminar Series in Marine Science – Ocean Break

    Published in 23/6/2021

    The seminars are organized by the research groups in “Coastal and Deep-Sea Ecology and Conservation”, “Marine Biotechnology and Aquaculture”, and “Physical Oceanography and Marine Geology” and will cover the full range of marine research undertaken at CESAM. Topics related to biology, ecology and biotechnology will be presented on Fridays at lunch time (12.30-13.30) and topics related to physical oceanography and geology on Wednesdays' afternoon (15.00-16.00) with an interval of two weeks between them.   At this first Ocean Break Mariana Andrade will present her work on monitoring indicators for coastal marine protected areas. 25th June 2021 | 12:30 - 13:30 | Room 9.1.1 (DEMaC) Mariana Andrade (PhD student)   Setting effective monitoring indicators for coastal MPAs: a participatory approach for the Portuguese “network”.   Global marine and coastal ecosystems are being permanently damaged, as we continue to deplete resources, to release pollutants, to degrade habitats, and to contribute to climate change. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are spatial management tools dedicated to marine ecosystems long-term conservation. Ecologically coherent MPA networks, are multiple MPAs trying to create synergies to achieve greater ecological benefits than those they can individually provide. In this regard, MPA networks require a core set of effective monitoring indicators for assessing the MPAs’ performance on both individual and collective objectives. Synthesizing a list of integrated monitoring indicators is often a demanding process, due to the multiple conservation and socio-economic sustainability concerns in place. Portugal is currently defining indicators of bioecological state, pressure, and governance, to be included in a monitoring protocol and used by management and monitoring teams of coastal MPAs in mainland Portugal. This presentation describes the participatory process that took place in 2019, where different MPA actors - who design, manage, monitor, and govern Portuguese MPAs -, progressively refined a list of monitoring indicators, to provide the means for clearly informing the scientific community, managers, and policymakers about the effectiveness of the implemented conservation measures in complying with the objectives of the Portuguese coastal MPAs. As a result, participants agreed on a final set of monitoring indicators, grouped by priority level, and defined their desirable monitoring/reporting frequencies. We believe the presented methodology improves the chances of success of the proposed integrated set of MPA monitoring indicators, since it allows, in a short-time frame, to define first, second and third priority indicators, as well as to acknowledge those that could potentially be monitored simultaneously, depending on the survey methods used and their monitoring frequency.   

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  • New hydrographic survey in the Ria de Aveiro

    Published in 22/6/2021

    From the 18th to the 20th of January, the CESAM field team carried out a hydrographic survey in the Ria de Aveiro, more specifically in the main channel near the North Terminal and in the Espinheiro channel. Data is available on the ZENODO platform. 

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  • Mónica Amorim is in the Management Committee of COST Action “Plastics monitoRIng detectiOn RemedIaTion recoverY”

    Published in 22/6/2021

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  • CESAM highlighted in i like this magazine

    Published in 12/7/2021

    Read more here. Watch the video.

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  • Ciência com Impacto – The accelerated expansion of the Universe

    Published in 18/6/2021

    This week Tiago Barreiro, researcher at IA, Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, talks about the accelerated expansion of the Universe and dark energy. Podcast Video

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  • Advanced Course in Scientific Writing and Communication, 6th Edition, 5 - 9 July

    Published in 17/6/2021

    “Science is only finished when it is communicated” Communication is a core competency for a scientist. It includes writing skills (manuscript and thesis preparation, grant applications,…) and speaking skills, indispensable when you present your work to your peers, and when you communicate science to non-scientists. The goal of the Course in Scientific Writing and Communication is to provide tools that result in better communication with lay and educated audiences. This course is directed for those that are starting their science careers as well as for those that wish to improve their communication skills, offering valuable tips to answer to the most frequent challenges in this field. We will focus on manuscript/thesis writing, meta-analysis and systematic reviews, talking with journalists, avoiding fake news, pseudoscience, and much more. Applications deadline: 30 June. Please, fill in the form and send it to acesteves@ua.pt Poster

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  • 17th June - World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

    Published in 16/6/2021

    Desertification is of growing concern in Portugal, as current climate change models predict decreasing annual precipitation, accompanied by higher intensity precipitation events (especially in the wet season), and increased evapotranspiration. SOILCOMBAT aims to engineer the sponge function of Portuguese pasture soils with ‘tailor-made’ biochar (i.e. the carbon-based product of biomass thermal degradation), in a collaboration between the UA, IST-DT, ISA and Terraprima. It focuses on sustainably increasing the amount of water that soil can soak up and subsequently release, thereby making it more available to plants, as a strategy to increase the adaptation capacity of pastures to climate change and combat desertification, while replacing the need for frequent inputs of more labile organic matter in soil. The ‘tailor-made’ aspect of biochar relates to both, type and amount, that allow optimising the sponge function without compromising other soil quality indicators (e.g. those linked to seed germination, plant growth and biota functions). Achieving this compromise between maximising the benefits and minimising potential trade-offs, is one of SOILCOMBAT’s main innovative and challenging aspects, in view of a sustainable biochar use. It will rely on an integrative approach that combines laboratory, lysimeter and field experiments, with quantitative meta-analysis, development of carbon and water footprint methods, and the active participation of key stakeholders. Image: SOILCOMBAT’s field site at Quinta da França – Terraprima.  Author: Ana Catarina Bastos  

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  • Advanced course Global Change in Transitional Environments

    Published in 16/6/2021

    Mandatory registration: 5 July More info here.

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  • Advanced course Norm impact assessment toolkit: from microorganisms to human cells

    Published in 24/8/2021

    Hands-on course focused on acquiring theoretical and practical knowledge on laboratory techniques and standardized assays and perceive their application in NORM (Naturally Ocurring Radioactive Materials) contaminated scenarios. The advantages of the application of Omics technologies and the integration genotoxicity and cytotoxicity endpoints in environmental risk assessment schemes will be addressed. This course is organized by the Department of Biology and CESAM of the University of Aveiro and the Faculty of Sciences and GreenUPorto, University of Porto, under the scope of EU project RadoNorm (No. 900009). This course will take place between 30th of August and 10th of September 2021, and will be lectured by national and international renowned scientists from several European countries and Japan. From 30 August to 10 September Mandatory registration More info here.

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  • Advanced course PLANKTON IN A CHANGING WORLD. ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS AND PLANKTON PLASTICITY. Applications in fisheries, environmental protection and responses to environmental change

    Published in 14/6/2021

    5-9 July 2021 Applications deadline: 20 June More info here.  

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  • Afonso Rocha study highlighted on wilder.pt

    Published in 14/6/2021

    Since 2005, Afonso Rocha has been carrying out a study on the ecology and conservation of the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus). Read more here.  Photo: Protection to keep Kentish plover nest safe

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  • Ciência com Impacto - Museu de Marinha, hidroaviões e galeotas reais

    Published in 11/6/2021

    Commodore José Favinha, Director of the Museu de Marinha, talks about some pieces from the Museu: the Hidroavião Santa Cruz and a Royal Galeota. Podcast Vídeo

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  • June and its coincidences, by Alexandra Monteiro

    Published in 9/6/2021

    World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5th. In an opinion piece, Alexandra Monteiro connects the Declaration of the Rights of the Child with the paramount need of protecting the environment so that children have their rights guaranteed. She also states that it is important to pay attention to children's voices. Read more here.

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  • Diogo Lopes is one of the editors of Atmosphere special issue

    Published in 9/6/2021

    Diogo Lopes is one of the editors of Atmosphere special issue "Advances in Fire-Atmosphere Interaction" Atmosphere (IF: 2.397) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal of scientific studies related to the atmosphere published monthly online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 15 December 2021 More info 

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  • Ana Cristina Esteves and Artur Alves are among the editors of Frontiers research topic

    Published in 9/6/2021

    Ana Cristina Esteves and Artur Alves are among the editors of Frontiers research topic: Metabolomics of fungal plant pathogens. Frontiers is a leading Open Access Publisher and Open Science Platform. Submission deadline: 31 August 2021 More info.

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  • Researcher at CESAM/DBio, Rui Rocha, publishes the book “Introdução à Aquacultura”

    Published in 8/6/2021

    The book “Introdução à Aquacultura” was recently launched. It addresses the state-of-the-art and focuses on the challenges facing aquaculture worldwide. This book, by Maria Teresa Dinis (Professor Emeritus of the University of Algarve and researcher at CCMAR) and Rui Miranda Rocha (CESAM researcher and Professor at the DBio/UA), aims to fill a gap in the national editorial space, having been built about the reality of Portuguese aquaculture. Although, it was thought in a transversal way regarding the technical aspects inherent to the practice of this activity worldwide. Check out the cover here.

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  • World Oceans Day

    Published in 8/6/2021

    To celebrate the World Oceans Day, we highlight a Chapter on the Portuguese Coast, authored by researchers from various research units and universities, including Victor Quintino (CESAM/UA). Cardoso, P.G., M. Dolbeth, R. Sousa, P. Relvas, R. Santos, A. Silva, V. Quintino, 2019. Chapter 7 - The Portuguese Coast, in: World Seas: An Environmental Evaluation, Volume I: Europe, the Americas and West Africa, 2nd Edition, Ed. C. Sheppard. Academic Press, Elsevier, 189-208.  https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-805068-2.00009-7 Chapter available here.

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  • CESAM celebrates the World Oceans Day with the organization of the Do*Mar - Student’s Day

    Published in 8/6/2021

    Do*Mar - PhD Programme in Marine Science, Technology and Management - celebrates the World Oceans Day, 8th June, with the organization of the Student's Day (https://domar.campusdomar.gal/en). The Student's Day is held biannually and aims to bring together the Do*Mar community in an event filled with communications from students, lectures and training activities The Doctoral Program Do*Mar - Marine Science, Technology and Management is a joint international PhD offered by the Universities of Aveiro, Minho, Trás-os-Montes-e-Alto-Douro, Porto, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela and Coruña, with the collaboration of CSIC - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, the Instituto Español de Oceanografía, the University of St. Andrews, the Station Biologique de Roscof and the Institute of Oceanography of the University of S. Paulo as host partners.  Do*Mar intends to offer a training of international excellence, with a global vision and multi-annual planning that can attract students of different nationalities to obtain doctoral level training, of a fundamental or applied nature, in one of the 4 branches in which it is organized: Ocean Observation and Global Change; Sustainable Use of Marine Resources; Integrated Management of the Sea; Technological Progress, Engineering and Business Management.  Do*Mar is a transdisciplinary doctoral programme, with a strong international component, currently hosting 37 doctoral researchers who are associated members of CESAM. Authors: Ana Hilário and Henrique Queiroga Registration here.  

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  • Ciência com Impacto - The importance of seagrass meadows

    Published in 7/6/2021

    Ana Lillebø (CESAM) talks about the importance of protecting the seagrass meadows and the services provided by these ecosystems. Podcast  Vídeo

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  • The toxic effects of lead on the environment

    Published in 27/5/2021

    The researcher Bruno Nunes talks about the impact of lead on ecosystems in the Biosfera programme, on RTP. Watch here

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  • Ciência com Impacto - Frigate D. Fernando II and Gloria

    Published in 27/5/2021

    This week, @CiênciacomImpacto, Commander Peixoto Queiroz, Director of the Frigate D. Fernando II and Glória, tells us about the last big sailing ship of the Portuguese Navy and the last "Nau" that made the "Carreia da Índia" and is now a frigate museum. Podcast Vídeo

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  • New paper on the foraging ecology of Brown boobies Sula leucogaster breeding on Tinhosas Islands, Gulf of Guinea

    Published in 25/5/2021

    The foraging distribution (through GPS tracking) and diet of Brown boobies from Tinhosa Grande island (São Tomé and Príncipe) were explored during the breeding season of last year. This study showed that Brown boobies forage up to 200 km from the colony, and that females performed the longest trips. Both sexes foraged preferentially over deep oceanic waters (deeper than 2000 m). The diet of Brown boobies included juvenile fish and squid (Sthenoteuthis pteropus), comprising mostly fish species whose juvenile phases live in the pelagic environment, and only migrate to coastal waters when adults. The most frequent of those prey found was Flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans). The relevance of such prey shows that Brown booby conservation depends not only on the management of their foraging areas and breeding sites but also on the correct management of the coastal adjacent areas that support the adult individuals of some of their prey. The Tinhosas islands, located ca. 20 km south of Príncipe Island in the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, host one of the largest colonies of seabirds in the east tropical Atlantic. Here an estimate of 738 pairs of Brown boobies nest among over than 140 000 breeding pairs of Sooty terns (Onychoprion fuscatus), and smaller numbers of Brown noddies (Anous stolidus), and Black noddies (A. minutus). Brown boobies have declined by 60% over the last 20 years, most likely due to human persecution of birds in the colony, for consumption and trade and virtually nothing is known on the foraging ecology of this population. This work was carried out by members of Fundação Príncipe; Fauna & Flora International; MARE- ISPA Instituto Universitário e CESAM, Universidade de Lisboa, as part of the project “Establishing a network of marine protected areas across São Tomé and Príncipe through a co-management approach”. The paper can be read here. 

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  • New Lisbon airport can lead to the loss of 30% of the conservation value of the Tagus estuary for waterbirds that feed in intertidal areas

    Published in 24/5/2021

    The Tagus estuary is internationally recognized as one of the most important wetlands for migratory waterbirds on the East Atlantic Flyway, which extends from the cold areas of the European tundra to South Africa. Its importance has been recognized at national and international level, and the area was classified as Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area (SPA), Important Bird Area (IBA) and Ramsar site. In 2020, the Portuguese government approved the construction of the new Lisbon international airport in Montijo, in the heart of the Tagus estuary. The expected heavy traffic, with planes flying over at low altitudes on landings and take-offs, will overlap the feeding areas of waterbird on the intertidal banks of the estuary. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential impact of the new Montijo airport on the waterbirds of the Tagus estuary. First the priority foraging areas of the 10 most abundant species in the estuary during the winter were identified by assigning a conservation value to each spatial unit analyzed (250x250 m squares covering the entire estuary). This index was based on the number of individuals and species that occur in each square, considering also their conservation status (i.e., giving a little more weight to species with more unfavorable conservation status). Subsequently, a replacement cost analysis was carried out, by excluding the areas likely to become unsuitable or severely underused by birds due to intense air traffic noise. Based on these calculations, three different scenarios were compared: one representing the current situation, without aircraft noise, and two "conditioned" scenarios in which it was considered that birds do not use the affected areas by noise levels of 55dB and 65dB. The percentage of conservation value lost in the "conditioned" scenarios corresponds to the reduction in the proportion of high-quality feeding areas for waterbirds remaining in the landscape after removing the areas affected by these noise levels. This value is then compared with that of a "non-conditioned" scenario, that is, in which we removed the same length of the area but in lower quality food areas. The results of this study suggest that the implementation of the new airport may result in a loss of up to 30% of the conservation value of the Tagus estuary, accounting only for the loss of feeding areas. The overall impact could be significantly greater if additionally, the effects on high-tide roosts and bird populations using the estuary for short periods during migration are considered. It should also be highlighted that the Tagus estuary is included in a network of areas important for migratory waterbirds, so the negative impacts on this site will have repercussions and undermine conservation efforts elsewhere. The conservation of waterbirds in the Tagus estuary has therefore an international relevance. The team responsible for this study included researchers from CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon), CIBIO/InBIO (Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources), cE3c (Center for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes), Federal University of Pará, Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior and Birdlife International.   The full article can be read here.   Estimating the conservation cost of the projected new international Lisbon airport for migratory shorebirds of the Tagus estuary, Portugal TERESA CATRY, FRANCESCO VENTURA, MARIA P. DIAS, CARLOS D. SANTOS, RICARDO C. MARTINS, JORGE M. PALMEIRIM e JOSÉ P. GRANADEIRO Bird Conservation International (2021), 1-14. doi:10.1017/S0959270921000125   Project: MigraWebs: Migrants as a seasonal ecological force shaping communities and ecosystem functions in temperate and tropical coastal wetlands (Funded by FCT)   For more information please contact: Teresa Catry (teresa.catry@gmail.com) José Pedro Granadeiro (jpgranadeiro@fc.ul.pt)   More news about our team work on Twitter: @tidal_wings Photo: The Tagus estuary concentrates a large number of migratory waterbirds and its importance at the Flyway scale is internationally recognised. Credits: Teresa Catry

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  • International Day for Biological Diversity

    Published in 21/5/2021

    On 22 May, we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity! CESAM’s group CDEC (Coastal and Deep-Ocean Ecology & Conservation) participates in the international project MiningImpact2 (Environmental impacts and risks of deep-sea mining), in which it studies the diversity of marine invertebrates existing in an underwater fracture zone (Clarion- Clipperton Zone) in the North Pacific, between 4000 and 5500 m depth. This region is characterized by the presence of manganese nodules that support a great species diversity, many of them new to science. More than 2600 animal species have already been identified in the area, and it is estimated that 25-75% remain to be collected. The team holds unique specimens of benthic organisms to identify and describe, thus contributing to the knowledge of the biodiversity of this zone of great economic importance. Authors: Ascensão Ravara and Patrícia Esquete Garrote *** To mark this day, The Biological Research Collection (COBI), in partnership with the EmpowerScienceEDU Project, developed a Science Cartoon “Diversidade de poliquetas ao largo de Aveiro”. More information about this partnership here and here

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  • Stress Biology Seminars

    Published in 21/5/2021

    "A pandemia dos (nano) plásticos" - Ângela Barreto June 2, at 04h30pm Watch here

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  • Mónica Amorim is co-author of an article in Nature Nanotechnology

    Published in 24/5/2021

    Mónica Amorim, researcher at CESAM/DBio-UA, has just published in the prestigious journal Nature Nanotechnology. The study draws attention to the importance of assessing the scope and magnitude of risk from nanomaterials. Read more here.

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  • World Bee Day, May 20

    Published in 20/5/2021

    Bees have an essential role in the pollination of vegetable crops and orchards. In Europe, we can find around 2,000 species of bees, representing 10% of the existing diversity in the world, and in Portugal, more than 750. Globally, bees and their services are under increasing pressure from different anthropogenic sources. The main threats are agricultural expansion and intensification, such as climate change, commercial and residential development, cattle raising, and plant protection products. In the Mediterranean, on the other hand, excessive deforestation, overgrazing, soil deterioration due to poor forest management practices, and forest fires represent a new threat to native entomofauna. Moreover, most bee conservation efforts are concentrated in the honeybee colonies, neglecting the immense diversity of wild bees. These pressures require studies to understand wild bees and promote conservation while raising awareness of communities and policymakers. There are several ways to help these animals, such as planting native flowers (Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae), keeping spontaneous flowers in gardens, parks, flower beds, or providing nests (hotels for bees). CESAM_Ciência contributes to the conservation of wild bees through the BEAG Ph.D. project, funded by FCT, Mediterranean vegetable pollination services: measurement of soil management and landscape characteristics. Author: Miguel Azevedo

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  • Webinar: UN decade of ocean science for sustainable development

    Published in 19/5/2021

    Amadeu Soares and Luís Pinheiro will participate as speakers in this webinar that will take place on Friday, 21 May. Live on Facebook: I Like This

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  • CESAM team studies foraging distribution of Royal tern from one of the largest colonies of W Africa

    Published in 19/5/2021

    Members of the CESAM, University of Lisbon team (Edna Correia e Teresa Catry) were in Guinea-Bissau studying the foraging distribution of Royal Terns (Thalasseus maximus) using GPS devices to track incubation and chick-rearing trips of breeding birds. The results of this study will contribute to apply informed management actions for the conservation of this breeding colony, namely by identifying and proposing marine protected areas. This study is included in the project “Alcyon Programme: Conservation of coastal seabirds and their key sites along the West African coast”, coordinated by BirdLife International in collaboration with local governmental organization IBAP and non-governmental organization ODZH. Photo: Teresa Catry

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  • Festival Pint of Science, 17-19 May

    Published in 18/5/2021

    The Pint of Science Festival takes place from 17 to 19 May. CESAM researchers participate in this event. The program is available at pintofscience.pt To watch, visit the Nooks platform at https://t.ly/CNH7

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  • International Fascination of Plants Day, May 18

    Published in 18/5/2021

    [Only available in Portuguese]

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  • Amadeu Soares is the new Scientific Coordinator of CESAM

    Published in 17/5/2021

    Amadeu Soares, Full Professor (DBIO/UA) is the new Scientific Coordinator of CESAM. The team of Vice-Coordinators comprise the following integrated members: Myriam Nunes Lopes, Associate Professor (DAO, UA) Teresa Rocha Santos, Principal Researcher with “habilitation” (DQui, UA) David João da Silva Carvalho, Junior Researcher (DFis, UA) Ana Cristina Esteves, Assistant Researcher (DBio, UA) José Pedro Granadeiro, Assistant Professor with “habilitation” (DBA, FCUL)

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  • Webinar “Fármacos no Ambiente: fontes, efeitos e mitigação.”

    Published in 14/5/2021

    Webinar “Fármacos no Ambiente: fontes, efeitos e mitigação.” On May 17th, at 9:00 pm, researcher Bruno Nunes will participate in the Webinar “Fármacos no Ambiente: fontes, efeitos e mitigação.” More information and registration here.

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  • Birds of two worlds - World Migratory Bird Day, May 8th

    Published in 10/5/2021

    World Migratory Bird Day, May 8th To mark this day, CESAM researchers share their findings and highlight the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. [Full text only available in Portuguese]

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  • Update! Conference "Lipids in the Ocean" in Aveiro, Portugal 05-07 Jul

    Published in 7/5/2021

    The Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA) Research Group from CESAM and the Mass Spectrometry Centre from the University of Aveiro have the great pleasure to bring forward the 2nd edition of the Conference Lipids in the Ocean, that will be held at University of Aveiro from 05-07 of July 2021. The event is organized by Professor Rosário Domingues from CESAM.  NEW DEADLINES! Abstract Submission by  the 15th of May 2021.  Registration by the 15th of June 2021.   + info: http://lipids2021.web.ua.pt/

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  • ANNOUNCEMENT - CESAM Recruitment for an ERA Chair holder position

    Published in 5/5/2021

    CESAM is looking for an ERA Chair holder to establish and lead an international highly skilled research team in the area Environmental Economics and Natural Resources, in the scope of the H2020 ERA Chair project "BESIDE - Institutional, Behavioural, critical and adaptive economics towards Sustainable Development, management of natural capital and circular Economy”. BESIDE is a six-year project awarded with 2.5 M €, that aims to reinforce and consolidate research expertise in Environmental Economics and Natural Resources at the University of Aveiro Associated Laboratory CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (evaluated with the highest grade of Excellent since 2014). The mission of CESAM is to develop leading international research on environmental sciences and related risks, including extreme weather events and climate change, with emphasis on coastal systems and marine areas in socio-ecological perspective. The main objective of CESAM is to promote a more efficient use of terrestrial and aquatic (from catchment to the deep sea) environmental resources and a more competitive, resilient and sustainable economy, designed to endorse job creation and assure territorial and social cohesion. The Chair holder will be hired for a five years’ position, renewed annually, equivalent to Coordinator Researcher (the highest position for researchers in Portugal, equivalent to Full Professor) and will have autonomy to establish its own research team (1 Assistant researcher, 4 Junior researchers, 1 high level technician and 3 PhD students).   Application deadline: 1st June 2021 Expected starting date: 1st September 2021 Location: CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PORTUGAL The official announcement is available here. Further information about BESIDE project available here. For further information about CESAM, please visit www.cesam.ua.pt.   For information about the content of the position, please contact the ERA Chair coordinator:Ana Isabel LillebøEmail: lillebo@ua.pt Tel: +351 234370779   Additional Information Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Directorate General for Administration and Public Employment. It will include 14 salaries (12 months, holidays, and Christmas allowances), Social Security, Labour Accident Insurance, and the right of protection in health ensured by the National Health Service. Please check the following links for more information on salary and taxation: https://www.dgaep.gov.pt/en/index.cfm https://www.aniap.pt/DL/SR_AP_2020.pdf https://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/docs/Conteudos_1pagina/Pages/portuguese-tax-system.aspx   City of Aveiro Located in the Central Region of Portugal, Aveiro combines perfectly tradition, nature and modernity. The main influence on the city is the Aveiro coastal lagoon system, making it unique. It brings together industry, business, tourism, sports, architectural and natural heritage and a university that knows how to welcome anyone with open arms. Aveiro is a safe and quiet city, benefiting from all of the advantages of a major city, while also being a pleasant place in which to live and work. The Aveiro region is also a good starting point to visit and discover Portugal, as it is a short distance from the major Portuguese cities, in particular the capital Lisbon (about 220 km) and Porto (about 60 km away), where there are English, German, and French International schools. Its central position and the road and rail networks that go through it mean that travelling is easy to different parts of the country and even to Spain. The proximity of the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto makes it easy to travel and discover other parts of Europe.

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  • Assessing the contribution of mangrove carbon and of other basal sources to intertidal flats adjacent to one of the largest West African mangrove forests

    Published in 3/5/2021

    A team of researchers from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon /CESAM, in partnership with researchers from the University of Groningen and the Instituto da Biodiversidade e Áreas Protegidas Dr. Alfredo Simão da Silva (IBAP), analyzed the importance of mangroves carbon to intertidal flats in the Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. Read the full article here   Assessing the contribution of mangrove carbon and of other basal sources to intertidal flats adjacent to one of the largest West African mangrove forests Authors: Mohamed Henriquesa,b,*, José Pedro Granadeiroa, Theunis Piersmab,c, Seco Leãod, Samuel Pontese, Teresa Catrya a Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciˆencias da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; bConservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands; cNIOZ - Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Coastal Systems, the Netherlands; dVillage of Menegue, Island of Canhabaque, Bijagos archipelago, Guinea-Bissau; eInstituto da Biodiversidade e Áreas Protegidas Dr. Alfredo Simão da Silva - IBAP, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105331 Available online 9 April 2021 Projects: Waders of the Bijagós: Securing the ecological integrity of the Bijagós archipelago as a key site for waders along the East Atlantic Flyway (Funded by MAVA Foundation) MigraWebs: Migrants as a seasonal ecological force shaping communities and ecosystem functions in temperate and tropical coastal wetlands (Funded by FCT)   For more information: Mohamed Henriques (mhenriquesbalde@gmail.com)      

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  • Course on waterbird identification and monitoring, in the heart of Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau

    Published in 30/4/2021

    [only available in Portuguese] Follow up the project updates here. Some pictures:  

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  • CESAM-UA provides vessel for research and classes

    Published in 28/4/2021

    The University of Aveiro (UA), through the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), an associated laboratory, owns a vessel for scientific purposes equipped with various oceanographic, geophysical and hydrographic equipment, making it possible to obtain multidisciplinary data as a tool for research and classes. Read more here

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  • CESAM researchers journal article considered the Best paper 2020 by the International Society for Environmental Information Sciences

    Published in 27/4/2021

    The article entitled "Tree-Based Methods: Concepts, Uses and Limitations under the Framework of Resource Selection Models", authored by João Carvalho, João Santos, Rita Torres, Frederico Santarém and Carlos Fonseca, and published in the Journal of Environmental Informatics, was recently considered the Best paper 2020 by the International Society for Environmental Information Sciences.  The Editorial Board carefully evaluated those papers according to their originality, contributions to the field, quality of presentation, and soundness of the science. Learn more about this award here and find the full article here.

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  • Diana Madeira among the guests of the President of the Republic to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution

    Published in 26/4/2021

    Diana Madeira was invited by the President of the Portuguese Republic to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, which took place yesterday in the Gardens of the Palace of Belém. This moment consisted of a dialogue between the President, 4 Captains of April and 14 young people about democracy, the values of April, and the opportunities and challenges that young people are facing today in science and in Portugal. News available here.

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  • I Symposium One Health Lab - 25 and 26 May

    Published in 24/5/2021

    [Only available in Portuguese] Live transmission on You Tube: OEI Portugal 

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  • Amadeu Soares among the most influential climate scientists in the world

    Published in 22/4/2021

    Full Professor at the UA, researcher at the CESAM and the Department of Biology, biologist Amadeu Soares is one of the most prominent climate scientists in the world. Find more here. 

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  • Luis Menezes Pinheiro was nominated Focal Point for the National Committee for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030

    Published in 22/4/2021

    [only available in Portuguese]

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  • CESAM members developed a method that use Sentinel-2 satellite images to estimate topography, tidal-stage lags and exposure periods in intertidal areas

    Published in 16/4/2021

    Despite providing key ecosystem services, intertidal areas are declining worldwide. Their topography determines the inundation and exposure dynamics of the sediments according to the variation in the tides, a parameter that is vital for many living organisms. These digital elevation models (DEMs) are also key tools to monitor the fate of these important areas in face of sea-level rise. In this study members of CESAM develop an automatic algorithm to estimate the intertidal topography from Sentinel-2MultiSpectral Instrument scenes, correcting for the differences in the phase of tides that exist within the extent of the satellite scene. The work was carried out in the Bijagós Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau) a key wetland in the west African coast, classified as a Biosphere Reserve. The work can be read here, and the main results are publicly available here. 

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  • 9th Workshop in Lipidomics – 5th-26th May

    Published in 15/4/2021

    As in previous years, the Mass Spectrometry Centre at the University of Aveiro promotes the 9th Workshop in Lipidomics, which aims to provide new insight on Mass Spectrometry's potential in studying lipids in several areas. This year, for the first time, the workshop will be divided into three online events that will take place via Zoom on Wednesdays (15:30-18:30, Lisbon time) on the following dates: May 5th: Lipidomics in Health & Disease May 19th: Food Lipidomics May 26th: Algae Lipidomics Registration is free but limited to 300 participants in each of the three days. Registration here. The link to the event will be sent by e-mail to registered participants the day before.

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  • Luísa Magalhães (CESAM) and Sergio Fernández Boo (CIIMAR) are the guest editors of Pathogens special issue

    Published in 15/4/2021

    Luísa Magalhães (CESAM) and Sergio Fernández Boo (CIIMAR) are the guest editors of Pathogens special issue "Marine Invertebrates Host-Pathogen Interactions". Pathogens (IF: 3.018) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal published online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021  More info.

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  • Research article: Reproductive ecology and growth of marine catfishes (Ariidae) supporting sustainable fisheries in Banc d’Arguin National Park, Mauritania

    Published in 14/4/2021

    Marine fish stocks are increasingly being exploited to unsustainable levels. Yet, knowledge of basic biological and ecological traits of species, required to sustain fisheries management at a local scale, remains scarce. The results of this study highlight the slow life-history strategy of the two studied catfish species (rough-head sea catfish Arius latiscutatus and Guinean sea catfish Carlarius parkii), thus emphasizing their vulnerability to fishing activities. Here it is suggested that a short-term fishing closure during the spawning period (May–June) in the Banc d’Arguin National Park, Mauritania may be an important management measure to ensure reproduction opportunities for both species and, therefore, guarantee fishing sustainability. This study was performed by Edna Correia, Camilo Carneiro and António Araújo and can be read here. Image: Camilo Carneiro

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  • Joaquim Pais-Barbosa (CESAM) and Carlos Daniel Borges Coelho (RISCO) are the guest editors of Water special issue

    Published in 14/4/2021

    Joaquim Pais-Barbosa (CESAM) and Carlos Daniel Borges Coelho (RISCO) are the guest editors of Water special issue "Research on Water Resources Planning and Management in Coastal Areas" Water (IF: 2.544) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on water science and technology, including the ecology and management of water resources, published online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2021  More info.

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  • Coastal Wetlands Webinar

    Published in 12/4/2021

    Within the partnership with the Escola Azul program, on April 14, at 4:30 pm, Ana Sousa talks about the importance of the seagrass meadows and salt marshes of the Ria de Aveiro, as well as the restoration and conservation of seagrass meadows (Project BioPradaRia). This online event is aimed at high school students of the Agrupamento de Escolas da Gafanha da Encarnação.

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  • HidroRia@UA App update is now available!

    Published in 12/4/2021

    HidroRia @ UA is an application that provides tide forecasts for the Ria de Aveiro, carried out by the Estuarine and Coastal Modeling Division at the University of Aveiro, applying the subroutines in Matlab code inserted in the T_Tide package to numerical forecasts made with state-of-the-art hydrodynamic models and updated field data. This application aims to facilitate the navigation of fishermen, sportsmen, tour operators or any ‘sailor’ of the lagoon, as well as the planning of scientific and professional activities. Using a smartphone, the HidroRia application allows an updated forecast of the tides for the desired periods and for the main recreational ports and fishing docks of the Ria de Aveiro. The new version with renewed graphics and technology turns possible to make tide predictions until the end of 2025, without the need for permanent internet connection. Download the HidroRia App here.

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  • CESAM/UA in international project to assess impacts of deep-sea mining

    Published in 9/4/2021

    The University of Aveiro (UA) is involved, through the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) and the Department of Biology, in an international study to monitor the operational tests of a machine to collect polymetallic nodules in deep sea, currently a prototype, in an area of the Pacific outside the exclusive economic zone of any country. The testing of the machine will be carried out by the Belgian company Global Sea Resources (DEME-GSR). Read more here.

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  • Advanced course How to work with ecotoxicology data – hands on course

    Published in 26/4/2021

    Advanced course How to work with ecotoxicology data – hands on course 19-23 July Online or Blended More information and registration here

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  • National Air Day

    Published in 9/4/2021

    The creation of this National Day, in 2019, confirms the importance of air quality for our health and environment. In fact, air pollution has become a growing concern in the past few years, with an increasing number of acute episodes in many cities worldwide, being classified by the WHO as the biggest environmental risk to health, carrying responsibility for about one in every nine deaths annually. The Atmospheric Processes & Modelling group of CESAM is dedicated to air pollution research, using monitoring and modelling tools to better and comprehensively investigate hotspots origins and best practices for air quality improvement. Some of the on-going projects are good examples of the diverse ways air quality need to be tackled, namely the impact of specific activity sectors like residential heating (SOPRO),  tourism (ARTUR) and shipping (EMERGE), and its impact on human health (INDEX-AIR), or even how green-infrastructures can improve it at urban spaces (UNALAB). To celebrate this day, a seminar will happen on April 12th (16h30) to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic indirectly affected air quality, with relevant benefits, and what can we learn to continue this air quality improvement. It is an open-access webinar where your experience and questions could be an added-value for the discussion, just a click way: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/84877005583. Alexandra Monteiro, DAO&CESAM

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  • Earthquake Early Warning System will be installed in the Algarve

    Published in 7/4/2021

    The University of Évora (UÉ) is expanding the national seismic monitoring network with the installation of 4 new stations, thus enabling the development of an Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS), including those generated in the Atlantic region adjacent to the Portuguese territory. This work is funded by EMSO-PT and forms part of the objectives set out, which is to generate land-based seismic data to support the deep-sea data produced at the Cadiz Observatory. Find more here. CESAM is part of the EMSO-PT consortium. Learn more here.

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  • World Health Day

    Published in 7/4/2021

    [only available in Portuguese]

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  • Cristina Pita interviewed by TSF “Encontros com o Património” program

    Published in 6/4/2021

    Last March 28th, the program "Encontros com o Património" (Meetings with Heritage) focused on the research projects that the University of Aveiro has been developing in the area of heritage conservation, with goals of sustainable development, responsible tourism and preservation of tangible and intangible heritage. Cristina Pita, coordinator of the PERICLES project (PrEseRvIng and sustainably governing Cultural heritage and Landscapes in European coastal and maritime regionS) at the Center for Environment and Sea Studies (CESAM) and Department of Environment and Planning of the University of Aveiro, was one of the guests. The program "Encontros com o Património" is a weekly broadcast of TSF, carried out in partnership with the Directorate General of Cultural Heritage. The interview can be heard (in Portuguese) on the program's page, available at Encontros com o Património (tsf.pt).

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  • Henrique Queiroga takes office as Chairman of the Board of the General Meeting of the Order of Biologists

    Published in 5/4/2021

    Henrique Queiroga, biologist, Associate Professor of the Department of Biology, University of Aveiro and CESAM researcher, took office as Chairman of the Board of the General Meeting of the Order of Biologists. The ceremony of the new National Bodies of the Order of Biologists took place online, on 31st March. Learn more here.

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  • Camilo Carneiro article inspired the cover of Ecography

    Published in 1/4/2021

    Camilo Carneiro paper on range wide energetic tradeoffs to breeding performance in Icelandic whimbrels graces the cover of Ecography in April. Find more about the journal article here. Learn more about this study here. Check out the cover here

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  • Pilot installation to test a new aquaculture system in ECOMARE

    Published in 1/4/2021

    In an area that is close to that of an Olympic swimming pool, the University of Aveiro (UA), through ECOMARE, set up a pilot installation composed of eight production lines, to study and demonstrate the operation of a new aquaculture system. Called integrated multi-trophic aquaculture, it will operate in a closed circuit, with water recirculation and meeting sustainability, circularity and biosecurity objectives. The AquaMMin project is coordinated by Ricardo Calado. Learn more here.

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  • Let's talk about insects! - Webinar on entomology 2021

    Published in 5/5/2021

    Webinar series on entomology will be held from April 12 to June 21.  (the programme is only available in Portuguese)

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  • COVID CESAM COLLOQUIUM, June 16th, 16h00 Lisbon | 12h00 Rio de Janeiro

    Published in 12/4/2021

    On June 16th, at 4 p.m. (Lisbon time, 12 p.m. in Rio de Janeiro), an online colloquium will be held on the impacts of COVID-19, organized by CESAM. Since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a constant in people´s lives worldwide. This disease has affected, and still affects, humanity, having been responsible for millions of infections and deaths all over the world. Since its outbreak and the identification of SARS-CoV-2, several scientists, from different fields of knowledge, have made efforts not only to contain and mitigate the virus but also to understand its impact in the various areas of human activity. SARS-CoV-2 is not only a virus that causes great damage to health and can lead to death, but also responsible for a radical change in the way we live, we relate to others and the world. From the lessons that the pandemic brought us, 10 CESAM researchers, in a 5-minute pitch, will bring to light the work they have carried out in the frame of the detection of SARS-CoV-2, of the impact of COVID-19 on health, on air quality and climate change, soils, small-scale fisheries, aquaculture, challenges and research on sustainability and also energy consumption. The COVID CESAM COLLOQUIUM aims to create a space for sharing, reflection and discussion on the impacts of COVID-19 and invites you to be part of the debate and the solution so that together we can create a better future: “Build Back Better”. Registration is free but mandatory, open until June 15th here. Communications will be in Portuguese. Titles and abstracts can be consulted in English here.

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  • Scientists united for respect toward environmental values

    Published in 31/3/2021

    Forty-three scientists, from different specialties and academic institutions, signed an open letter to the Prime Minister, led by José Alves, researcher at the Department of Biology and at the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) of the University of Aveiro (UA), and also signed by teachers and researchers of the Academy of Aveiro, requesting a broad-based Strategic Environmental Assessment, with a view to the new airport infrastructure. Learn more here.

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  • Diana Campos is one of the guest editors of Toxics special issue

    Published in 26/3/2021

    Diana Campos is one of the guest editors of Toxics special issue: " Microplastics in Aquatic Environments: Occurrence, Distribution and Effects". Toxics (IF: 3.271) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on all aspects of the toxicity of chemicals and materials, published quarterly online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2021.  Read more

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  • Adelaide Almeida is the guest editor of Antibiotics special issue

    Published in 26/3/2021

    Adelaide Almeida is the guest editor of Antibiotics special issue: "10th Anniversary of Antibiotics—Recent Advances in Bacteriophage Therapy". Antibiotics (IF: 3.893) is a peer-reviewed, open access journal on all aspects of antibiotics published monthly online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2021.  Read more

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  • Joana Lourenço is one of the guest editors of Processes special issue

    Published in 25/3/2021

    Joana Lourenço is one of the guest editors of Processes special issue: "Soil and Sustainable Development: Challenges and Solutions" Processes (IF: 2.753) is an international, peer-reviewed and open access journal on processes in chemistry, biology, materials, energy, environment, food, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and allied engineering fields published online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2021.  Read more

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  • Joana Ferreira, Sandra Rafael, Susana Cardoso Pereira and David Carvalho are the guest editors of Sustainability special issue

    Published in 24/3/2021

    Joana Ferreira, Sandra Rafael, Susana Cardoso Pereira and David Carvalho are the guest editors of Sustainability special issue: " Win-Win Strategies for Climate Resilience and Air Pollution Control". Sustainability (IF: 2.576) is an international, cross-disciplinary, peer-reviewed and open access journal providing an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development, published semimonthly online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 March 2022.  Read more

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  • Mónica Amorim is one of the coauthors of the article cited by the European Commission

    Published in 24/3/2021

    Researcher of DBio&CESAM, University of Aveiro, Mónica Amorim, is one of the authors of the article cited by the European Commission, Science for Environment Policy, in the News Alerts section: “Nanopesticides may have the potential to increase food production -  but are they environmentally safe?” Advances in nanotechnology have resulted in increasing research into nanopesticides ­ — particles able to deliver novel formulations with greater efficacy. Researchers identified benefits but emphasized the need to perform a proper risk assessment of these new materials. “It is not just the ingredients of a nanopesticide that require attention, but also the fate and toxic environmental effects of these ingredients when combined in a nanoscale formulation”. Among several gaps, Mónica Amorim highlighted the need to adapt evaluation protocols for nanopesticides, evaluation of long-term effects (longer exposures), and of mechanisms of toxicity to aid predicting effects. For more information see the European Commission News Alert here. And the research article: Grillo, R., Fraceto, L.F., Amorim, M.J.B., Scott-Fordsmand, J.J., Schoonjans, R. and Chaudhry, Q. (2021) Ecotoxicological and regulatory aspects of environmental sustainability of nanopesticides. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 404: 124148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124148

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  • The LTER Portugal and LTsER Ria de Aveiro have new logos!

    Published in 23/3/2021

    The main objectives of Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) are to develop comprehensive, global and long-time-scale research considering environmental, societal and economic drivers, to support decision-making based on scientific knowledge about ecosystem services and biodiversity. The strong interdependencies observed between natural and societal aspects in some socio-ecological systems render these sites particularly interesting to study from a Long Term Socio-economic and Ecosystem Research (LTsER) perspective. The LTsER Ria de Aveiro is one of the mentioned socio-ecological systems which involves the scientific community, the population of the region, stakeholders, policy makers and all beneficiaries of the natural capital produced in this Natura 2000 site. The new logo of the LTsER Ria de Aveiro represents organic forms which refer to the estuary with the water/sea elements and the agricultural activities and lagoon. The new LTER Portugal logo represents the main four elements of LTER: (1) society, (2) fauna, (3) flora, and (4) air, water and soil. It is a graphical representation of the 4 LTER sites in Portugal: LTsER Montado, LTER Sabor, LTsER Estuários and LTsER Ria de Aveiro. The logo includes the ecosystems of these 4 LTER sites: rivers, estuaries, forest, plants and animals in a balance among all without highlighting none in particular. Learn more about LTER Portugal and LTsER Ria de Aveiro.

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  • World Meteorological Day

    Published in 23/3/2021

    Meteorology is a familiar part of our daily lives, but we usually think of it only in terms of weather forecasts we see every day. However, meteorology is much more than that since it encompasses all physical processes that take part in Earth’s atmosphere. These include our climate, which has putted meteorology under the spotlight in recent decades due to the climate changes that lie ahead of us. Meteorology is, now more than ever, a fundamental science in today’s world to predict, understand and adapt to climate change. CESAM and UA Physics Department have an active research and teaching program focused on meteorology and climatology. Clim@UA, the Meteorology and Climatology group of UA, makes daily weather forecasts since 2007 (https://climetua.fis.ua.pt). One of Clim@UA latest studies showed that Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula are critical areas in terms of vulnerability to climate changes, where temperatures are projected to significantly increase everywhere and in all seasons, in average between 2-4ºC. Towards the end of the century, in summer periods and at the south-central Spanish regions, the warming can reach 6-7ºC. Days with minimum temperatures below zero are also projected to significantly reduce, particularly in mountainous areas meaning much less show activity in these areas. Besides a clear tendency in significant increases of the surface temperatures, this study also showed large increases in the frequency of high temperature episodes (such as heat waves) in the Iberian Peninsula, which can have severe impacts on the population, environment and economy. Author: David Carvalho, CESAM & Physics Department

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  • World Water Day: Transparent, but with so much to discover…

    Published in 22/3/2021

    Water takes on different meanings and perceptions for different people and organizations. For CESAM it means a global scale challenge and a mission, translated into the development of a transdisciplinary investigation, catalysing social, educational and environmental advances. In perfect alignment with the theme “Valuing water”, some research projects can be referenced as paradigmatic of the diversity of CESAM interventions. The use of water in food production brings a world of opportunities, but also of concerns, with emphasis on the need to reduce the respective water footprint. In this framework, and in line with the principles of circular economy, the European project AQUACOMBINE was implemented aiming the development of integrated aquaponics systems for the co-production of halophyte vegetables, fish, crustaceans, bioactive compounds and bioenergy. To ensure the availability and sustainable management of water, it is essential to monitor the pressures that are exerted on aquatic systems. Identifying agriculture as one of the main sources of diffuse aquatic pollution, the European SPRINT project, through a global health approach, will help to implement innovative transition paths leading to more sustainable agriculture and therefore less impact on aquatic resources. Furthermore, recognizing that wildfires are also a source of diffuse pollution of high expression in our territory, the AQUAFIRE project intends to generate new knowledge on the impacts of post-fire contaminants on aquatic systems and human health. Water resources sustainability also involves the development of alternative and low-cost technologies that are efficient in removing anthropogenic contaminants. Within the REM-AQUA project treatments based on the photodegradation of pharmaceuticals under solar radiation are studied, while in the WasteMAC project magnetic materials are produced from industrial waste, which are capable of capturing them from water. Both projects are solutions for a sustainable future of water resources. On 22 March, 2021, World Water Day will be celebrated. Even though it is transparent, water still has so much to discover and, understanding it not as a commercial product, but as a natural resource that urgently needs to be protected and valued, contributing to its rational and sustainable use is an unavoidable ecocentrism. Authors: Diana Lima, Mário Pacheco e Nelson Abrantes

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  • Luciana S. Rocha (CESAM) and Cláudia B. Lopes (CICECO) are the guest editors of Toxics special issue

    Published in 17/3/2021

    Luciana S. Rocha (CESAM) and Cláudia B. Lopes (CICECO) are the guest editors of Toxics special issue " New Advances in Wastewater Treatment Technologies". Toxics (IF: 3.271) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on all aspects of the toxicity of chemicals and materials, published quarterly online by MDPI. Deadline submission: 20 November More info.

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  • Interview with Catarina Marques

    Published in 17/3/2021

    Learn more about the coordinator of the SENSECOR project. This project aims to develop an early screening tool for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Full interview here.

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  • EU PERICLES Project: Are you familiar with the maritime and coastal heritage of the Aveiro region?

    Published in 16/3/2021

    The EU PERICLES project developed an animation that looks into the coastal and maritime cultural heritage of the Aveiro region through a journey to the traditions and traditional activities that have shaped, and still do, the identity of the region. This animation also invites you to share your memories and cultural heritage on the PERICLES geoportal: https://mapyourheritage.eu/. Register and upload your memories, stories, pictures, sound and videos. Find the instructions here.

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  • Two seminars, within the course of Development of Functional Products, organized by FCUL/CESAM, will take place on March 18 and 23

    Published in 15/3/2021

    The Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa/CESAM has been organizing two seminars within the course of Development of Functional Products. These seminars will take place online on March 18 and 23. March, 18 2021, Thurday, 11h30 – 13h00 Natural substances as potential feed additives - Ana Cristina Gonçalves Monteiro, FeedInov CoLab Online at: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/86909536772   March, 23 2021, Tuesday, 12h00 – 14h00 Beyond cannabinoids: exploration of applications for cannabis - André Filipe Lagoa Costa, Mandara Labs Online at: https://videoconf-colibri.zoom.us/j/81152431009 Contact: acsf@fc.ul.pt

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  • Rosa Freitas is the guest editor of Nanomaterials special issue

    Published in 12/3/2021

    Rosa Freitas is the guest editor of Nanomaterials special issue “Nanomaterials Towards Environmental Protection: Applications and Threats to Aquatic Systems” Nanomaterials (IF 4.324) is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal published monthly online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 November  More info.

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  • Ulisses Azeiteiro is one of the editors of Frontiers research topic: Climate Risks, Resilience and Adaptation in Coastal Systems

    Published in 12/3/2021

    Frontiers is a leading Open Access Publisher and Open Science Platform. Submission deadline Abstract: 24 April Manuscript: 22 August More info.

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  • Study shows that seabirds spend 40% of their time on the high seas

    Published in 11/3/2021

    Albatrosses and other species of oceanic seabirds (such as shearwaters and sparrows) spend almost 40% of their time in waters outside the jurisdiction of countries, also known as "international waters". This finding is presented and discussed in the work “Global political responsibility for the conservation of albatrosses and large petrels”, recently published in the journal Science Advances. The study is an outcome from contributions of a vast consortium, which includes a CESAM member, based in Lisbon University. The study represent an enormous effort to analyze the movements of seabirds, by including 10,108 routes of 5,775 individuals, belonging to 39 species of seabirds, obtained in 87 breeding colonies (using miniaturized tracking devices placed on animals). Many of these bird species suffer various threats on the high seas, and more than half of the albatrosses and similarly sized ocean birds are currently at risk of extinction, according to the criteria of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Major threats include accidental catches in fishing gear, food shortages due to overfishing, climate change and pollution. In areas outside national jurisdictions the regulations regarding the conservation of species are more diffuse and the monitoring of the implementation of good practices is incipient and ineffective. Although fishing activities are regulated, there is no global legal framework that adequately frames biodiversity conservation in the high seas. By demonstrating that most species of oceanic birds regularly cross waters under different jurisdictions, the study highlights the idea that no nation alone can guarantee the conservation of these birds throughout the annual cycle. In addition, all the species analyzed depend to some extent on the high seas, i.e., on international waters covering half the surface of the global ocean and one third of the terrestrial globe. Cory’s Shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) which breed in large numbers in the Azores, Madeira and also in Berlengas, for example, spend 48% of their time in international waters, and 12% of their time in waters of countries like Brazil, the Uruguay, Namibia and South Africa, where they feed on fish and cephalopods, and are vulnerable to accidental catch on hooks. For effective conservation of these highly mobile species, extensive international cooperation is needed to mitigate the risk of mortality in fisheries. This study is published when the United Nations is discussing a global treaty that guarantees the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in international waters. What has been documented for seabirds in this study certainly applies to many other iconic oceanic migrants, such as sea turtles, whales, dolphins and large predatory fish such as tuna and sharks. The survival of these charismatic animals is dependent on international cooperation, specifically targetting the conservation of global oceans. Paper: Beal M, Dias MP, Phillips RA, Oppel S, Hazin C (…) Granadeiro JP, Catry P (2021) Global political responsibility for the conservation of albatrosses and large petrels. Sci Adv. Mar 3;7(10):eabd7225. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abd7225. *** Photo: Shearwaters  Author:Benjamin Metzger License info:Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

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  • Perspectives on micro (Nano) plastics in the marine environment: Biological and societal considerations – Water Editor's Choice Article

    Published in 11/3/2021

    The review article entitled “Perspectives on micro (Nano) plastics in the marine environment: Biological and societal considerations” was selected as “Editor's Choice Article” in the Water Journal. This article is co-authored by researchers from the CESAM/UA, the Department of Psychology and Education at Universidade Portucalense and the Center for Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra, and it aimed to addresses the issue of marine waste from a biological and social perspective. Full article here.

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  • PhD student distinguished with iSLS9 2021 Prize for Best Poster at international congress

    Published in 10/3/2021

    Helena Beatriz Ferreira was awarded the prize for best poster at the 9th International Lipid Symposium in Singapore (iSLS9) organized by the National University of Singapore, which took place from the 1st to the 4th of March 2021. [Only availabe in Portuguese]

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  • Six researchers from the University of Aveiro, three from CESAM, among the 101 from the book Women in Science

    Published in 8/3/2021

    The book “Women in Science” brings together 101 scientists from different generations and fields of knowledge. It will be released today, on the 8th, on International Women's Day, at 11 am, by Ciência Viva, with live transmission. Diana Madeira, Alexandra Monteiro and Sónia Cruz are the 3 CESAM researchers distinguished in this book.  More information here.

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  • CESAM received top score by FCT

    Published in 5/3/2021

    The evaluation process of the Research Units by FCT, carried out in 2017/2018 and known in December 2020, highlighted the quality of the Scientific Research of the University of Aveiro. CESAM was considered Excellent! Find more here.

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  • On World Wildlife Day, CESAM researchers highlight the project to revise the Red List of Mammals of mainland Portugal

    Published in 3/3/2021

    [only available in Portuguese]

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  • Webinar Fish Night 7: Gender equality in the seafood value chain marks the International Women´s Day

    Published in 2/3/2021

    On 8 March, will be held an IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development) online event: Fish Night 7: Gender equality in the seafood value chain. This event is about the importance of women in the seafood industry, the impacts of challenges such as COVID-19 and climate change on women, and how gender equality can be championed in the sustainable blue recovery. This online event has been organised by an IIED led project. This initiative aims to focus global attention on the importance and the role played by small-scale fishers, fish farmers, and fish workers. The researcher Cristina Pita is the debate moderator. Learn more and register for the webinar here.

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  • 2021 Call for PhD Research Studentships

    Published in 1/3/2021

    Applications will be open from 1 to 31 Mar, 2021  More information.

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  • António Nogueira is co-author of an article on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Aquaculture

    Published in 1/3/2021

    The restrictive measures imposed worldwide to contain the spread of COVID-19 have directly impacted a wide range of economic activities. In May 2020, the pandemic by COVID-19 was indeed a global phenomenon, and a consortium of researchers representing 54 countries from four continents (America, Europe, Asia and Africa), decided to assess the impacts of the pandemic on Aquaculture. This consortium included the participation of Prof. António Nogueira of the Department of Biology and CESAM of the University of Aveiro. The consortium was led by Professor Gianluca Sarà of the University of Palermo (Italy), partner of the project "FISHAQU - Knowledge Exchange in sustainable Fisheries management and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean region" coordinated by Professor António Nogueira of the University of Aveiro and financed by the Erasmus+ programme. The global analysis of the information collected gave rise to a scientific article entitled "The Synergistic Impacts of Anthropogenic Stressors and COVID-19 on Aquaculture: A Current Global Perspective" published this Friday in open access in the prestigious journal "Reviews In Fisheries Science & Aquaculture" with DOI: 10.1080/23308249.2021.1876633. The main conclusions of this study indicate that "both anthropogenic stressors and the COVID-19 pandemic represent significant economic challenges to aquaculture systems across the globe, threatening the supply chain of one of the most important sources of animal protein, with potential disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities." In addition it is important that " detrimental effects of COVID-19 under a multiple stressor lens, focusing on areas that have already locally experienced economic loss due to anthropogenic stressors in the last decade."

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  • CESAM was awarded the title of Laboratório Associado for a period of 10 years

    Published in 26/2/2021

    The results of the application for the attribution of the Associate Laboratory Statute were disclosed yesterday by FCT. CESAM is among the 40 institutions or consortia of institutions awarded the AL Statute, having scored 85 out of a maximum of 100. The results of the evaluation can be consulted here.

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  • Final Conference of the Project COCKLES will be held on March

    Published in 23/2/2021

    To raise scientific, political and societal attention to cockles, a final COCKLES conference has been organised. Apart from the more conventional scientific communications, it will also include exhibitions more devoted to the general public, stakeholders and students. It will represent a great opportunity to promote the main results obtained in the project. CESAM is one of the partners. Agenda already available here Please register for the event here

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  • CESAM/UA is copromoter of the F4F Forest for Future

    Published in 23/2/2021

    F4F Forest for Future is a regional project aimed at enhancing the forest sector in the Centro region. UA is represented by the CESAM researchers Glória Pinto, Artur Alves and Susana Loureiro. For more information go here. 

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  • Ana Sousa is one of the 50 invited specialists of the “50 for 2050” project

    Published in 19/2/2021

    Ana Sousa participated in the “50 to 2050” debate on climate change and targets to achieve carbon neutrality. The researcher talked about her work on blue carbon, the carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems, highlighting the role of seagrass meadows and salt marshes. The "50 to 2050" project, promoted by Expresso in partnership with BP Portugal, focuses on the environment, climate change, and goals for carbon neutrality. For more information on “50 for 2050” project and this debate go to: UA Expresso Debate

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  • Magda Catarina Sousa is the guest editor of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering special issue

    Published in 16/2/2021

    Magda Catarina Sousa is the guest editor of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering special issue: “Aquaculture: Ensure Sustainable Use and Foster Innovation for Future Climate Challenges” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (IF: 2.033) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal of marine science and engineering published monthly online by MDPI.    Deadline submission: 10 May. More info 

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  • Ana Sofia Gomes and Bruno Nunes study shows the toxic effects of fishing gear

    Published in 15/2/2021

    The toxic effects of lead used in fishing, whether in the form of sport fishing lure weights or in industrial fishing activity, were demonstrated in Ana Sofia Gomes master's thesis defended at the University of Aveiro (UA). Bruno Nunes, the academic supervisor, hopes that this first scientific approach to the subject can open the debate and raise awareness in the community and the sector. Find more.

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  • Call for PhD Research Grant

    Published in 1/3/2021

    The scholarship will be financed by the “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” (FCT) under the Collaboration Protocol for Financing the Multiannual Plan for Research scholarships for PhD Students, signed between FCT and the R&D Unit "Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar” (CESAM) Ph.D Programmes: Biology and Ecology of Global Change Biology Environmental Sciences and Engineering Marine Science, Technology and Management - Do*Mar Applications deadline: 31st March 2021 Applicants can apply for several doctoral programmes, however only one proposal per applicant and doctoral programme is allowed.

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  • 3 women, 3 researchers: CESAM marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science

    Published in 11/2/2021

    CESAM – Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar – supports an active multidisciplinary research program, hosting around 240 researchers and 200 PhD students. The gender ratio shows a higher female % in different categories, e.g. 70% female/30% male researchers. Science is one of the best vehicles to convene gender equality. Striving in science and building a scientific career often require large effort and commitment, for both men and woman. Seemingly, many women are loaded with stereotype layers, being often primarily seen as house and family carriers, or even as less capable to pursue highly qualified careers. This inequality based on preconceived labels is very difficult to overcome and there is a lot of work to be done ahead. From hard-work comes return, from challenges and planned hard-work comes achievement and progress. Women don’t expect it easy, and they certainly take the initiative. CESAM hosts many female researchers who are examples of success and dedication. To name some recognitions, female members were awarded the Medal of Honour for Women in Science (Vânia Calisto (2015) and Diana Madeira (2019)), “Women in Science” book (Mónica Amorim (2019)), and prestigious international grants (ERC, Sónia Cruz). They hold important discoveries, recognized at all career stages, from senior to younger. They can set the example, but it is the whole community that will set the legate. Many of the barriers also reside in each of us, women. In our brains. In our home. We hold the responsibility to act and create an equal society inside out. There are certainly places in the world where there are strict outside barriers, laws, that prevent women from pursuing education or engage onto many other stolen human rights – this level of gender inequality has devastating consequences. Our reality, e.g. in Europe, is certainly different from that, but hurdles still exist. Women must feel equal, to be equal, to act equal. Women must start by showing equality with their family. Then the world will realise. As Nelson Mandela once said, “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”. Diana Madeira, Mónica Amorim, Vânia Calisto (Researchers, Women).

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  • Ana Sousa participated in the Meeting Marine Forests, “on the way” to carbon neutrality

    Published in 11/2/2021

    The Meeting Marine Forests, “on the way” to carbon neutrality was held on January 29th, and it was promoted by the Ocean Alive, a Portuguese NGO dedicated to ocean protection. This meeting consisted on a technical discussion on the challenges and possibilities for the inclusion of the contribution of marine ecosystems (specially seagrass meadows and salt marshes) in the national inventory and balance of green house gases (GHG) emissions, in the framework of the Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality 2050. The meeting promoted by Ocean Alive and hosted by Oceano Azul Foundation, was attended by members of the APA - Portuguese Environment Agency, ICNF - Portuguese Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, Ministry of the Sea,  and researchers from several national marine research centers, among them the CESAM researcher Ana Sousa. According to Ana Sousa, “as scientists, it’s crucial that our research respond to scientific questions, but it’s also relevant these results can contribute to the implementation of national and international environmental policies”, demonstrating the willingness to collaborate of the researchers attending the meeting. For more information see the news published in the newspaper O Público.

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  • Ana Hilário and Cristina Pita are members of the team of the DEEPbaseline project

    Published in 10/2/2021

    DEEPbaseline is an interdisciplinary project aimed at co-developing a knowledge baseline on the diversity and distribution of deep-sea sponge and coral species and habitats of the continental shelf and upper slope of mainland Portugal. DEEPbaseline brings together scientists from four partner institutions (CIIMAR, IPMA, CESAM/UA, and Okeanos), local fishing communities and associations, fisheries managers, and the wider society to improve knowledge, foster awareness and advance conservation actions towards their sustainability. For more information see the project website.

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  • Marta Otero (CESAM), Olga Freitas and Sónia Figueiredo (REQUIMTE/LAQV) are the guest editors of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health special issue

    Published in 8/2/2021

    Marta Otero (CESAM) along with Olga Freitas and Sónia Figueiredo (REQUIMTE/LAQV) are the guest editors of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health special issue "Searching for Sustainable Solutions in Wastewater Treatment and Water Reuse". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IF: 2.849) is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open access journal published online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 30 September. More info 

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  • Regina Duarte and Armando C. Duarte are the guest editors of Atmosphere special issue

    Published in 5/2/2021

    Regina Duarte and Armando C. Duarte are the guest editors of Atmosphere special issue “Health Effects of Urban Atmospheric Aerosols”. Atmosphere (IF: 2.397) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal of scientific studies related to the atmosphere published monthly online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 31 December. More info 

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  • Study on range wide energetic tradeoffs to breeding performance in Icelandic whimbrels

    Published in 18/2/2021

    The Icelandic whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus islandicus) is a long-distance migratory wader that spends the wintering season along the Atlantic coast, from temperate western Europe to tropical west Africa. This subspecies was the model study in Camilo Carneiro’s PhD, which, among others, had the aims of investigating tradeoffs between migration costs and wintering energetic balance, and carry-over effects from the wintering period into subsequent breeding phenology and investment. After intensive data collection in the Bijagós Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau), the Banc d’Arguin (Mauritania), the Tejo Estuary (Portugal) and in the breeding grounds in Iceland, it was found that by migrating further, individuals will likely winter where they can achieve a more positive energetic balance, and that females wintering in different regions did not differ significantly in laying dates nor size of eggs laid. Hence, Icelandic whimbrels tradeoff migratory costs and wintering conditions, but no apparent carry-over effects exist into breeding phenology and investment (and, therefore, breeding success). These results were recently published and discussed in Ecography, a journal that ranks 10/168 in the field of Ecology and 3/59 in Biodiversity Conservation, and can be accessed openly here. Ecography also published a short text about the paper on their blog. 

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  • CESAM celebrates the World Wetlands Day 2021, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention (Convention on Wetlands of International Importance).

    Published in 2/2/2021

    Wetlands play a critical role in providing freshwater, improving water quality, sequestering carbon, regulating climate, mitigating floods, and supporting biodiversity. However, with the rapid population growth, wetlands worldwide are threatened by land use changes, pollution, salinization, urbanization and by the presence of invasive species with potential negative outcomes on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services and on human health. Interactions between global climate change and these anthropogenic stressors are likely to further increase the degradation of wetlands in the coming decades. Wetlands protection, restoration, and sustainable exploitation is thus a priority for researchers and decision makers. Within CESAM, several transdisciplinary and international research projects have been assessing potential impacts of different stressors and the ecological health of fresh and saltwater wetlands. As examples, under the FCT projects GoBiG (GlObal change and BioloGical Invasions: Potamopyrgus antipodarum as a case study) and SLEEP (Shedding light on freshwater ecosystems under environmental change and pollution), both set to start this year, CESAM teams will use Molecular, Ecological and Ecotoxicological approaches to contribute for a better understanding of the ecological effects of an invasive snail species and of light pollution (artificial light at night) on riverine wetlands that are already threatened by climate change and pollution.  For more information on the World Wetlands Day go to the website here and get know the 31 Portuguese sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance here.

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  • Cláudia Mieiro and Mário Pacheco are the guest editors of Water special issue

    Published in 1/2/2021

    Cláudia Mieiro and Mário Pacheco are the guest editors of Water special issue "Nanoparticles Toxicity to Marine Organisms—A Nanosized or a Giant Environmental Issue?” Water (IF: 2.544) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on water science and technology, including the ecology and management of water resources, published online by MDPI. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October.  More info.

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  • Call for Project Grants in all Scientific Domains

    Published in 11/3/2021

    Applications will be open from: 28 Jan to 10 Mar, 2021  More information. 

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  • PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT - CESAM Recruitment for an ERA Chair holder position

    Published in 2/2/2021

    CESAM is looking to hire an ERA Chair holder to establish and lead an international highly skilled research team in the area Environmental Economics and Natural Resources, in the scope of the H2020 ERA Chair project "BESIDE - Institutional, Behavioural, critical and adaptive economics towards Sustainable Development, management of natural capital and circular Economy”. BESIDE is a six-year project awarded with 2.5 M €, that aims to reinforce and consolidate research expertise in Environmental Economics and Natural Resources at the University of Aveiro Associated Laboratory CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies. The mission of CESAM is to develop leading international research on environmental sciences and related risks, including extreme weather events and climate change, with emphasis on complex socio-ecological coastal systems and marine areas. The main objective of CESAM is to promote a more efficient use of terrestrial and aquatic (from catchment to the deep sea) environmental resources and a more competitive, resilient and sustainable economy, designed to endorse job creation and assure territorial and social cohesion Additional information on www.cesam.ua.pt. The Chair holder will be hired for a five years’ position, renewed annually, equivalent to Coordinator Researcher (the highest position for researchers in Portugal, equivalent to Full Professor) and will have autonomy to establish their own research team (1 Assistant researcher, 4 Junior researchers, 1 high level technician and 3 PhD students). Appointment to the position will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Directorate General for Administration and Public Employment. It will include 14 salaries (12 months, holidays, and Christmas allowances), Social Security, Labour Accident Insurance, and the right of protection in health ensured by the National Health Service. Please check the following links for more information on salary and taxation: https://www.dgaep.gov.pt/en/index.cfm https://www.aniap.pt/DL/SR_AP_2020.pdf https://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/docs/Conteudos_1pagina/Pages/portuguese-tax-system.aspx The official announcement will open soon. City of AveiroLocated in the Central Region of Portugal, Aveiro combines perfectly tradition, nature and modernity. The main influence on the city is the Aveiro coastal lagoon system, making it unique. It brings together industry, business, tourism, sports, architectural and natural heritage and a university that knows how to welcome anyone with open arms. Aveiro is a safe and quiet city, benefiting from all of the advantages of a major city, while also being a pleasant place in which to live and work. The Aveiro region is also a good starting point to visit and discover Portugal, as it is a short distance from the major Portuguese cities, in particular the capital Lisbon (about 220 km) and Porto (about 60 km away), where there are English, German, and French International schools. Its central position and the road and rail networks that go through it mean that travelling is easy to different parts of the country and even to Spain. The proximity of the Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto makes it easy to travel and discover other parts of Europe. Application details will be announced soon.

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  • 2nd IDEIA Conference – Innovation in Maritime Operations. Aligning with Academia and Industry, 26-27 January

    Published in 28/1/2021

    Ana Lillebø was one of the speakers at the 4th Innovation Talk Maritime Defence and Blue Economy held on 27th January. For more information go to Marinha website.

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  • PERICLES Project - The natural and cultural heritage of Ria de Aveiro

    Published in 22/1/2021

    [only available in Portuguese]                          

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  • Carla Patrícia Silva and Diana Lima are the guest editors of Toxics special issue

    Published in 22/1/2021

    Carla Patrícia Silva and Diana Lima are the guest editors of Toxics special issue " Removal of Pharmaceuticals in Water and Wastewater Treatment". Toxics (IF: 3.271) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on all aspects of the toxicity of chemicals and materials, published quarterly online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 31 October. More info.

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  • Ângela Barreto and Vera Lúcia Maria are the guest editors of Applied Sciences special issue

    Published in 21/1/2021

    Ângela Barreto and Vera Lúcia Maria are the guest editors of Applied Sciences special issue "Contaminants of Emerging Concern—(Eco)Toxicity, Environmental Behavior and Remediation". Applied Sciences (IF:2.474) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on all aspects of applied natural sciences published online by MDPI. Deadline submission: 10 July. More info.

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  • Vera Lúcia Maria and Ângela Barreto are the guest editors of Toxics special issue

    Published in 21/1/2021

    Vera Lúcia Maria and Ângela Barreto are the guest editors of Toxics special issue "Plastics (Macro-, Micro- and Nano-) as Vectors for Other Environmental Contaminants". Toxics (IF: 3.271) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on all aspects of the toxicity of chemicals and materials, published quarterly online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 31 August. More info.

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  • Call for abstracts: Goldschmidt202, Lyon, 4 - 9 July 2021

    Published in 21/1/2021

    Sónia Rodrigues and Astrid Avellan are part of the organization of the 11f entitle "Biota and geochemical cycles: mechanisms of transformation, uptake, and translocation of metal and metalloid species in the critical zone" in the upcoming 2021 Goldschmidt conference to be held in Lyon, France, from 4 to 9 July. It is part of Theme 11 "Metals and nutrients in terrestrial and freshwater systems". The abstract submission is now open and the deadline for submission is February 26 2021.   Submission details can be found here.

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  • Genesis Project workshop - January 20, 2021

    Published in 20/1/2021

    Ana Miranda participes in the “Integração de coberturas e paredes verdes no espaço urbano”, an event organised by the Genesis Project, which is taking place today (20 jan) online. For more information on the program and how to participate go here. GENESIS is a research project promoted by Instituto Superior Técnico, Instituto Superior de Agronomia and University of Aveiro. For more information see the project website here.

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  • Advanced course “PLANKTON IN A CHANGING WORLD. PLANKTON AND PRODUCTIVITY. Ecology, processes and new methodologies", 1-5 Feb 2021

    Published in 18/1/2021

    The advanced course "PLANKTON IN A CHANGING WORLD. PLANKTON AND PRODUCTIVITY. Ecology, processes and new methodologies" will be held online from 1 to 5 February 2021.   This advanced course, organized by the Department of Biology (DBIO) and coordinated by Fernando Morgado (CESAM & DBIO), has the participation of professors and researchers from the Universidade de Aveiro (CESAM & DBIO), Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR), Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Centro de Microscopia Electrónica e Histopatologia Egas Moniz (Cmicros) and Biocant (Next Generation Sequencing Unit – Genoinseq). For more information go here.  

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  • Bruna Oliveira and Jan Keizer research burnt areas and verified a fast recovery in the post-fire

    Published in 18/1/2021

    An eddy-covariance system was installed in a burnt area in Central Portugal after a wildfire that had occurred on 13 August 2017 and has been operating from the 43rd post-fire day onwards. Over the first post-fire year, the cumulative net ecosystem exchange was −347 g C m−2, revealing a relatively fast recovery of the carbon sink function of the ecosystem. This recovery was mainly due to understory species, both resprouter and seeder species, since pine recruitment was reduced. This research was pioneer worldwide in studying the ecosystem carbon fluxes during the first window-of-disturbance after a wildfire. These results were published in Biogeosciences (open-access journal).

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  • The Wildlife Seminars are back

    Published in 15/1/2021

    The cycle of seminars on Wildlife, organized by the Wildlife Unit of the Department of Biology and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) of the University of Aveiro (UA), seeks to not only ensure the sharing of knowledge and experience by biologists, but also by those who develop their activities in the field of conservation and management of wildlife and natural resources. The cycle takes place on January 13th and 20th.More information.

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  • Abstract submission is open for the EGU General Assembly 2021 to be held online from 19 to 30 April

    Published in 14/1/2021

    The EGU General Assembly 2021 will bring together geoscientists from all over the world to one meeting covering all disciplines of the Earth, planetary, and space sciences. The EGU aims to provide a forum where scientists, especially early career researchers, can present their work and discuss their ideas with experts in all fields of geoscience. Irina Gorodetskaya is the convener of the session “Clouds, moisture, and precipitation in the Polar Regions: Sources, processes and impacts” at the EGU General Assembly 2021. Abstract submission deadline: 20 January

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  • Irina Gorodetskaya, a lead author of the IPCC AR6 WGI “The Physical Science Basis”, invites CESAM researchers to contribute to IPCC expert review for WGII “Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”

    Published in 14/1/2021

    The Government and Expert Review of the Second Order Draft (SOD) of the Working Group II Contribution to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report (AR6 Climate Change 2021: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability) is open and will run until 29 January 2021. Registration will be open until 22 January 2021. Comments on the SOD are welcome. The IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change. For more information see the IPCC website.

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  • Myriam Lopes and Ana Miranda are part of the team of the European project EUSTEPs - Enhancing Universities’ Sustainability TEaching and Practices through Ecological Footprint

    Published in 12/1/2021

    The EUSTEPs project - Enhancing Universities Sustainability TEaching and Practices through Ecological Footprint (https://www.eusteps.eu/) - marked its presence throughout 2020 at the University of Aveiro and ended the year with the culmination of the EUSTEPs Sustainability Teaching Module for students from the different partner universities. All the materials developed by the team have now been disclosed and are available for free on the project's website. Read full text here.

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  • CESAM is one of the members of the scientific coordination of the project “Livro Vermelho dos Mamíferos”

    Published in 8/1/2021

    The “Revisão do Livro Vermelho dos Mamíferos de Portugal Continental e contributo para a avaliação do seu estado de conservação” project was launched in 2019 and aims to learn which species are most threatened and which are stable or increasing their population. The deadline for completion of the work is 2021. The intervention area of this project covers the whole territory of Continental Portugal, with field work giving special attention to the National Network of Protected Areas and the Special Areas of Conservation of Natura 2000 Network. Find More

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  • Olga Ameixa and Ana Lillebø are the guest editors of Sustainability special issue

    Published in 8/1/2021

    Olga Ameixa and Ana Lillebø (CESAM and DBIo) are the guest editors of Sustainability special issue: "Insects, Food Security and Circular Food Production". Sustainability (IF: 2.576) is an international, cross-disciplinary, peer-reviewed and open access journal providing an advanced forum for studies related to sustainability and sustainable development, published semimonthly online by MDPI. Deadline submission: 31 December 2021. Read more

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  • Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus - 4th Edition

    Published in 10/2/2021

    Applications will be open from 29 Jan to 26 Feb, 2021. More information.

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  • 3rd edition of the UA PhD Scholarship contest

    Published in 7/1/2021

    Applications will be open from December 31/2020 to 24:00 h on January 31/2021 and must be submitted electronically via email at research@ua.pt. The notice, and other information, is available at https://www.ua.pt/pt/bolsas-de-doutoramento-ua. Any questions should be sent to GAI for clarification via email research@ua.pt

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  • CESAM researchers shared knowledge with students from Indonesian Higher Education Institutions

    Published in 6/1/2021

    In the frame of the partnership established between the University of Aveiro and Higher Education Institutions from Indonesia, several CESAM researchers conducted three lectures to a hundred students in Indonesia. Find more here.

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  • Matthew Moreira was awarded with best short talk prize (ex aequo) at the XVI APBE meeting

    Published in 6/1/2021

    The Associação Portuguesa de Biologia Evolutiva (APBE) held their XVI meeting on the 16th and 17th of December 2020. This first-time online event was a great success with 19 excellent short talks, 18 flash talks, and with more than 100 attendees. The meeting was chaired by Marcelo Sánchez-Villagra (Paläontologisches Institut und Museum – Universität Zürich) and Frank E. Zachos (Natural History Museum Vienna, Austria). Find more here. Exceptionally, APBE decided to award 2 prizes (ex aequo) for the best short talk, which were won by PhD students Jéssica Teodoro-Paulo (cE3c) and Matthew Moreira (CESAM). The prize will be the registration at the next European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB) congress to be held in Prague (Czech Republic) in August 2021.

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  • First prize in the “Junior” category of the 2nd contest “Science Communication on Microbiology”

    Published in 5/1/2021

    The end of 2020 brought us a wonderful surprise – the first prize in the “Junior” category of the 2nd contest “Science Communication on Microbiology”, promoted by the Portuguese Society of Microbiology. The work entitled "O vírus com álcool ou sabão: uma história de inativação!" results from a collaboration between researchers Ana Cristina Esteves (UA/CESAM) and Ana Sofia Duarte, Raquel Silva and Sara Costa (Faculty of Dental Medicine- Universidade Católica). More information on the winners here  

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  • Video of the research group Environmental Changes, Hazards & Conservation (ECHC)

    Published in 26/1/2021

    Every Monday, in the next twelve weeks, CESAM will release the videos of the twelve Research Groups. October 26, 2020: Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA) November 2, 2020: Adaptation Biology & Ecological Processes (ABEP) November 9, 2020: Analytical Sensors & Applied Eco-Chemistry (ASAEC) November 16, 2020: Aquatic Toxicology & Risk Assessment (ATRA) November 23, 2020: Atmospheric Processes & Modelling (APM) November 27, 2020: Biogeochemical Processes & Pollutants (BPP) December 4, 2020: Coastal and Deep-Ocean Ecology & Conservation (CDEC) December 14, 2020: Physical Oceanography & Marine Geology (POMG) January 4, 2020: Resources Circularity Assessment & Technology (RCAT) January 11, 2021: Socio-Ecological Systems Analysis, Management & Planning (SES) January 18, 2021: Stress Biology (SB) January 26, 2021: Environmental Changes, Hazards & Conservation (ECHC)   All videos will be available on CESAM’s YouTube Channel and on CESAM’s website.

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  • The report of the LabMAF project has been published

    Published in 23/12/2020

    Cristina Pita co-authored the LabMAF report “Market opportunities for artisanal and small-scale fisheries products for sustainability of the Mediterranean Sea. Towards an innovative Labelling Scheme”.  With this report the LabMAF project explores the potential of markets to revive and support a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable small-scale fishing sector. Report.

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  • Published in 22/12/2020

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  • 1st Microbiome PT Summit

    Published in 21/12/2020

    Francisco Coelho (CESAM) will participate in the first national meeting on Microbiome research - 1st Microbiome PT Summit. The event will be held on February 4, 2021. Learn more and register for the Summit here.

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  • RTP documentary inspired by CESAM/UA research work is a success

    Published in 17/12/2020

    First shown on RTP1 on December 6th, the documentary “Migradores de Longa Distância. Entre o Tejo e o Ártico” was seen by 343 thousand spectators at its premiere. The total number of national and international spectators is certainly higher, as the documentary, which has scientific review from the CESAM/UA, continues to be viewed on the RTPplay platform, where it is currently housed and making a real impact on scientific dissemination. For further information.

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  • Célia Alves and Helena Oliveira are the guest editors of Atmosphere special issue

    Published in 8/6/2021

    Célia Alves and Helena Oliveira (CESAM), along with Nilmara Brito (São Paulo University), are the guest editors of Atmosphere special issue  "Toxicology of Atmospheric Particulate Matter" Atmosphere (IF: 2.397) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal of scientific studies related to the atmosphere published monthly online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 30 June 2021. More info 

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  • Ricardo Calado named to the SCAR-Fish - Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Group

    Published in 17/12/2020

    The researcher from CESAM and the Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro Ricardo Calado was appointed by the Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education as an Alternate National Representative to the SCAR-Fish - Fisheries and Aquaculture Research Group of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) of the European Union. More information.

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  • CESAM researcher in Spanish TV show

    Published in 16/12/2020

    The researcher Ana Genua was invited by the Spanish national channel La 2 to participate in the TV show El Cazador de Cerebros. In this edition of the program focused in climate change in Spain, the researcher of CESAM contributed with information on the impacts of sea level rise in rice fields of the Ebro Delta (Spain), a result from the work she developed in her PhD thesis and in the work published in the scientific journal Science of the Total Environment. The program was shown on 14th December and can be seen here [in Spanish].

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  • Andreia C. M. Rodrigues and Maria Donas Bôtto Bordalo are the guest editors of the Toxics’ special issue

    Published in 8/1/2021

    Andreia C. M. Rodrigues and Maria Donas Bôtto Bordalo are the guest editors of the Toxics special issue "Combined Effects of Climate Change and Merging Chemicals on Ecosystems". Toxics (IF: 3.271) is an international peer-reviewed open access journal on all aspects of the toxicity of chemicals and materials, published quarterly online by MDPI.  Deadline submission: 30 june 2021. More info.  

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  • High School Research Project involving CESAM members wins National Science Competition and qualifies for European Final

    Published in 11/12/2020

    The young researchers João Carvalho, Klára Varga and Sara Couto, coordinated by their Science teacher Rita Rocha, from Colégio Luso-Francês, are the winners of the 28th Edition of the Young Scientists and Researchers Competition with a project called ATMOS - Quantification of the Ecosystem Services provided by Living Green Walls for Atmospheric Pollutants Removal. The work, developed over two years, had the scientific supervision of Regina Duarte and Armando da Costa Duarte, researchers of CESAM and Department of Chemistry of University of Aveiro. The ATMOS project aimed at quantifying the environmental service provided by trees, in removing Particulate Matter (PM) from the atmosphere, with a special focus on the inhalable fraction, PM2.5. Once the PM retained was determined, this value was used to translate the environmental service provided by the trees into an economic value. In the first year, the study focused on the application of standardized methodologies to quantify the adsorption of PM onto the leaf surface. After the analysis of the preliminary data, the authors of ATMOS developed an alternative sampling and quantification method, based on the volumetric calculation of the available adsorption fraction of the tree and image analysis, using specific software. The ATMOS project offers a solution to mitigate atmospheric pollution in urban environments, through a low-cost nature-based solution. This is of utmost importance, since Air Quality in urban environments is part of the European Union's strategic priorities, shaped by the Green Deal's Zero Pollution ambition. The ATMOS was selected to represent Portugal in EUCYS - European Union Contest for Young Scientists Competition, which will be held in Salamanca, in September 2021.  

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  • CESAM celebrates the International Mountain Day highlighting the rWILD-COA project

    Published in 11/12/2020

    The rWILD-COA project, funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, integrates a variety of disciplines (e.g. ecology, microbiology, veterinary) and its team is led by the researcher João Carvalho (CESAM-UA). Find more on UA News.

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  • Ciência com Impacto has launched its newly designed website

    Published in 10/12/2020

    The Ciência com Impacto new website boasts a refreshed look, improved navigation that direct you to the needed information, and also announces new scientific partners (CESAM, MARE, IA, CIMO, MED, CCMAR) and media partners (Diário de Notícias and TVI24). Visit Ciência com Impacto

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  • The LIFE REFOREST project started a field trial to promote post-fire vegetation recovery with native tree and shrub species

    Published in 10/12/2020

    In a joint effort of the University of Aveiro and FORESTIS, the LIFE REFOREST project started a seeding experiment to assess the potential of the REFOREST geotubes, filled with mycotechnosoil, to promote the recovery of native trees and shrubs following recurrent wildfires in Maritime Pine plantations. To this end, certified seeds were used from 2 native tree species - Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) and Common oak (Quercus robur) - and 2 native shrub species - Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) and Wild cherry (Prunus avium). The seeding still counted with the precious help of the SusPiRe project, and so will the ensuing monitoring of the emergence and growth of the plantlets. Find more.

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  • Ocean Seminar - The second world ocean assessment (Regular Process) of the United Nations (UN) and the Implementation Plan for UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030)

    Published in 11/12/2020

    CESAM’s researcher, Luís Menezes Pinheiro, will participate as a speaker in the Ocean Seminar under the theme “The second world ocean assessment (Regular Process) of the United Nations (UN) and the Implementation Plan for UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030)”. The seminar will be held in a virtual format on December 14, 2020 (Monday), starting at 17:00. This event is promoted by the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa, CEEA - Center for Atlantic Strategic Studies and MARE-ULisboa. Find more information on the Seminar program and registration.

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  • Long-distance migrants: between the Tagus and the Arctic has been highlighted in the media

    Published in 11/12/2020

    The documentary "Long-distance migrants: between the Tagus and the Arctic", on black-tailed godwits’ migration, was broadcast last Sunday, December 6, 2020, on RTP1. This documentary is based on the work of an international research team, led by CESAM’s researcher, José Alves, who for the past 15 years has been dedicated to understanding the responses of these birds to global changes throughout the annual cycle and in places as far away as the Arctic. The documentary also warns of the impact that the construction of a new airport on the Montijo airbase will have on the shorebirds. Nonetheless, Portugal is committed to conserving shorebirds in the Tagus estuary under Community directives. This documentary is now available on RTP Play and it has been highlighted in several media. Some news can be seen here, here and an interview at Antena 1 ('28.15 )

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  • New Alternet website

    Published in 9/12/2020

    Alternet (formerly branded as ALTER-Net), a network of which CESAM is a partner, has a new website, logo, branding, and slogan. For further information check the new Alternet: the European Science-Policy Interface on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services website.

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  • The SMART project, which includes CESAM´s researcher Magda Sousa, won the AI Moonshot Challenge de 2020 award

    Published in 6/12/2020

    The SMART project, diStributed AI systeM for mArine plastic debRis monitoring, was submitted to the "AI Moonshot Challenge" call, being the only and the first one selected for funding. SMART is coordinated by IST, with a team from the Department of Physics and CESAM, including the CESAM’s researchers Magda Sousa, João Miguel Dias, Nuno Vaz and Renato Mendes. The MIT, FEUP and Hydrographic Institute are also partners. More information. 

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  • COOPERMINHO Project Webinar

    Published in 11/12/2020

    The COOPERMINHO Project Webinar will be held on December 11, at 3:00 pm. See the program.

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  • CESAM´s researcher Ana Hilário was elected Vice-President of the EurOcean’s Executive Committee.

    Published in 3/12/2020

    Executive Committee members are elected by the EurOcean Members (Steering Committee) for a two-year term, renewable once if re-elected.

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  • World Soil Day

    Published in 1/2/2021

    The World Soil Day is on the 5th December and there will be several online webinars in case you want to attend. The general one will be held on the 4th December and you can register here. Other info: World Soil Day | Keep soil alive, protect soil biodiversity (Dec 2) Integrated Landscape Strategies to Reach Post-2020 Biodiversity Conservation Goals (Dec 7) 

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  • "Long-distance migrants: between the Tagus and the Arctic", RTP documentary on José A. Alves (CESAM) research. December 6th, at 11.30 on RTP 1

    Published in 2/12/2020

    RTP1 will broadcast a new documentary on black-tailed godwits’ migration, and the work of a team of researchers from the Department of Biology and CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, led by José Alves, focused on the study of migratory shorebirds that travel each year between Portugal and the Arctic. Trailer: Joaquim Pedro (CESAM) & Pedro Miguel Ferreira (PlaySolutions Audiovisual Producer) More information.

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  • Researcher of CESAM on the frontier of deep sea exploration

    Published in 26/11/2020

    The researcher Ana Hilário coordinates with Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK), expert in ecology of the deep-sea, the program Challenger 150. This initiative brings together a team of scientists of 45 institutions of 17 countries that propose a research program for 10 years dedicated to the deep-sea. In this context, the researchers have publish a call for attention in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution along with a detailed structure of the Challenger 150 in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science. The complete news here.

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  • Information on the impacts of the pandemic on the fishing sectors in Portugal disseminated internationally

    Published in 25/11/2020

    In July 2020, CESAM members disclosure a briefing note about the impacts of COVID-19 on the fishing and aquaculture sectors and related activities in Portugal, in the context of the project COVIDPESCA. The document, written in Portuguese, was now summarized and translated to English in an infographic, in a collaboration between CESAM and IIED (International Institute for Environment and Development). With this, the impact of COVID-19 on the fishing sector in Portugal can be known internationally. The infographic is available here.

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  • Webinar on strandings of marine mammals and seaturtles

    Published in 11/12/2020

    11 Dec 2020, 14h30-16h00 [The next content is only available in PT] O projeto"Rede de Arrojamentos do Norte de Portugal: mamíferos e tartarugas marinhas - 2020" permite dar resposta a arrojamentos de animais marinhos (cetáceos, focas e tartarugas)  desde Caminha a Peniche e contribui para o aumento do conhecimento científico sobre o estado de conservação do meio marinho. Neste evento, serão abordados o funcionamento da rede de arrojamentos em Portugal e os resultados obtidos durante 2020 para a área do projeto. O webinar será em português e limitado a 100 participantes. A inscrição neste evento é obrigatória e pode ser feita AQUI  até ao dia 10 de dezembro.

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  • Study of CESAM on reproduction and immunity of egyptian mongooses

    Published in 18/11/2020

    The Journal of Zoology of the Zoological Society of London has just published a study on reproduction and immunity in egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), whose authorship is shared between two researchers from the Department of Biology & CESAM of the University of Aveiro (Victor Bandeira and Carlos Fonseca), in partnership with researchers from rom the University Rey Juan Carlos (Emílio Virgós), Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research and the Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (Alexandre Azevedo) and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Mónica V.Cunha). The complete news and link for the original article here.

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  • Study of CESAM warns that increases in temperatures will ‘bake’ the Iberian Peninsula

    Published in 18/11/2020

    The temperatures of the Iberian Peninsula will increase in a “very worrying” way during this century. The alert comes from a study by CESAM - University of Aveiro that foresees average temperature increases of 2 to 3 degrees throughout the year, until 2100, enough to cause serious impacts on the environment and, consequently, on public health. In Portugal there are even regions that could register increases of 4 to 5 degrees Celsius daily. The complete news and link for the original article available here.

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  • CESAM was present at the 6ª Jornadas de Engenharia Hidrográfica/1ª Jornadas Luso-Espanholas de Hidrografia

    Published in 3/12/2020

    A CESAM team that includes the staff members Rita Cavalinhos and Paulo Rosa,  PhD student Ricardo Correia, his supervisor Prof. Luis Menezes Pinheiro and CESAM´s researcher and Scientific Coordinator , Ana Lillebø, presented the study entitled ‘Operacionalização da embarcação científica do CESAM: Levantamentos Hidrográficos em ambiente costeiro com o sistema Multifeixe EM2040C’ at the 6ª Jornadas de Engenharia Hidrográfica/1ª Jornadas Luso-Espanholas de Hidrografia, helded in Lisbon, 3-5 November. With this work, the research vessel NEREIDE was introduced to the community. Moreover, it was shown how the students from University of Aveiro have the opportunity of being part of the CESAM’s field team. The bathymetry data collected with equipment of this infrastructure was also presented. The study was published in the proceedings of the event and can be consulted here and the results are available here (open access). The research vessel of CESAM and its equipment are available for collaborations with other research units and institutions.

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  • Study of CESAM concludes: Autonomous vehicles will bring improvements to the urban environment

    Published in 17/11/2020

    If the advent of autonomous vehicles promises to improve road safety, what consequences will it have for air quality in cities? Will the change in vehicle behavior bring about a reduction in pollution? For the first time, a study by the University of Aveiro answers the questions: yes, autonomous vehicles will bring less polluted and therefore healthier air to cities. The complete news here.

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  • Science: Animals in the Arctic change behavior in response to climate change

    Published in 6/11/2020

    After 30 years monitoring the movements of animals living in the Arctic polar zone, about 150 researchers from more than 100 institutions, including the researcher of CESAM/UA José Alves, have no doubts: the climate changes that have led the Arctic to enter a new ecological state, have caused changes in the spatial-temporal dynamics of the animals living in the region. The article was published on November 5th in Science magazine. The complete news here. You can also see the interview for RTP1 and the news in the national journal Expresso (both in PT).

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  • CESAM will be present at the Encontro Ciência

    Published in 2/11/2020

    On the 3rd and 4th of November, another Encontro Ciência will happen. CESAM´s researcher Alexandra Monteiro is one of the invited speakers at the plenary session dedicated to  science in Portugal towards a Green Europe (Ciência em Portugal para uma Europa mais VERDE). Due to the pandemic, this year the event was adapted. As a consequence, oral sessions were canceled and demonstrations and poster presentations were adjusted. CESAM will participate  with some of its research short videos and also in the poster sessions, in which several PhD students will be present their work. More information on the event here.

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  • CESAM celebrates World Cities Day by highlighting the project SOPRO

    Published in 2/11/2020

    Currently, more than half of the world population lives in urban areas and this ratio is expected to increase to two-thirds, by 2050. Cities consume more than 65% of the global energy and are responsible for more than 70% of worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide. Thus, the decisions that we now take regarding the urban infrastructures for the next decades – urban planning, energy efficiency, transports – will be determinant for the carbon footprint. Greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants share the same emission sources. Therefore, improving air quality may boost climate change mitigation efforts and vice-versa. Nevertheless, about 90% of residents in European urban areas are exposed to pollutant levels that exceed the values imposed by the ambient air quality directive (2008/50/EC) or recommended by the World Health Organization. The latest burden estimates reflect the impressive role air pollution, particularly suspended particulate matter with less than 10 or 2.5 µm diameter (PM10 and PM2,5, respectively), plays in cardiorespiratory illness and premature deaths. A report recently published by several international organizations concluded that air pollution is one of the main environmental risk factors, being responsible for around 5 million deaths worldwide every year. One in 10 deaths is caused by air with bad quality. Particulate matter is considered the worst atmospheric pollutant for public health. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer considered atmospheric particles in outdoor air as a class I, meaning that they are now considered carcinogenic to humans. In cities, traffic is the main emission source of particulate matter. While technological progress and the increase in restrictions for emissions have reduced emissions from motor exhausts, traffic non-exhaust (brake, tire and pavement wear, and road dust resuspension) have emerged as major, but overlooked, contributors to air pollution in urban areas, posing obvious research and policy challenges. In fact, non-exhausts are not regulated and recent estimates indicate that they will represent 90% of total road traffic emissions by 2030. The project of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies - SOPRO – Chemical and toxicological source profiling of particulate matter in urban air, funded by the Fundação Portuguesa para a Ciência e Tecnologia, is a multidisciplinary project that has the collaboration of atmospheric scientists, transport engineers, chemists, toxicologists and modelers from several European institutions, including the University of São Paulo (Brazil). It aims to provide mitigation strategies focused on the main emission sources of pollutants in cities, particularly those associated with the transport sector. Giving the need to characterize the emission of particles by traffic, a concerted strategy will be followed to get the chemical and toxicological characteristics of exhaust and non-exhaust emissions. In addition, for the success of this project, chemical transport models will be applied to forecast the atmospheric concentrations of several pollutants in Brazilian and Portuguese cities, by incorporating the new emission profiles and updated inventories and considering different emission and climate change scenarios, and air pollution control policies.   The team of the project SOPRO

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  • CESAM/FCUL member report in Science the largest mass poisoning event of vultures in the world

    Published in 29/10/2020

    In a letter published on the 16th October 2020, the PhD student of CESAM/FCUL Mohamed Henriquestogether with international researchers and conservationists, including Bissau Guineans, warn in the journal Science about the world's deadliest intentional vulture poisoning event in the world. It occurred this year in Guinea-Bissau and decimated more than 2,000 jugudés (vultures of the species Necrosyrtes monachus), a species Critically Endangered of extinction, according to the IUCN's Red List of Endangered Species. In the beginning of 2020, massive cases of vulture mortality were found in Bafatá and Gabú regions of eastern Guinea-Bissau, and the local population alerted the Guinean authorities responsible for biodiversity conservation and veterinary services. Despite the lack of resources and the added difficulties related to the Covid-19 pandemic, several teams were sent to the field to ascertain the cause of vulture mortality – more than 2,000 individuals, known in the country as jugudés  – an emblematic species for Guineans. Through the prompt reaction of the Director-General for Livestock of Guinea-Bissau, the Public Veterinary Services, the NGO Organization for the Defense of Wetlands (ODZH) and the Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), with the support of several national and international experts in the conservation and investigation of vultures, it was quickly perceived that this was an environmental crime. Vultures have been intencionally poisoned to remove their heads to feed the illegal trade related to the use of various parts of their body (heads, wings, nails and paws) in sorcery practices in several West African countries. According to Mohamed Henriques, a Luso-Guinean PhD student of the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon and first author of the article, "hundreds of corpses of these vultures were headless, stacked and intentionally hidden under bushes." Suspicions of intentional poisoning were later confirmed by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon, through the necropsies performed on some corpses collected at the site. "Toxicology analyses have unequivocally shown that the cause of death was methiocarb poisoning, an insecticide sold under the trade name mesurol, which is, among other uses, often applied as slug/snail control and was recently banned in Europe due to its toxicity to wildlife," says José Pedro Tavares, Director of the Vulture Conservation Foundation, one of the co-authors of this article. Several locals also confirmed that individuals were sighted placing poisoned baits to attract vultures. In the letter to thejournal Science, the authors warn that the use of poisons accounts for 30% of vulture deaths on the African continent, and that in West Africa, in just 30 years, 60 to 70% of the populations of the various vulture species have disappeared. "The Jugudé is classified as Critically Endangered of Extinction on the Red List of Endangered Species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the last category before the extinction level. Guinea-Bissau is home to more than one fifth of the world's population of this species, and is currently one of the most important countries for the conservation of the species worldwide," says another of the authors, Paulo Catry, researcher and assistant professor at MARE/ISPA-Instituto Universitário. In the now published letter it is highlighted that this catastrophic event represents the disappearance of more than 1% of the world's population of this species. According to Mohamed Henriques, "in vast regions of Africa, vultures play an essential role for humans and for the functioning of ecosystems. In Guinea-Bissau, as well as in much of West Africa, Jugudés are responsible for eliminating a large part of the organic waste in the country's cities and towns, constituting authentic sanitary brigades and maintaining the streets clean. Its role is thus decisive in preventing the proliferation of diseases and their possible transmission vectors, such as street dogs and rats that feed on urban waste. Without these vultures, public health could be at serious risk." The authors end the letter with a strong call for attention, warning that this is a severe blow to the conservation of vultures, and that urgent intervention is needed. Awareness-raising actions about the importance of vulture conservation among local communities and national authorities, the need to enforce and strengthen laws against wildlife poisoning and the much needed increased control of national and cross-border illegal trade of vulture body parts and other animals for traditional medicine are among the actions identified as priorities. To the international community, the authors point out the responsibility of supporting African countries to develop and implement conservation plans to prevent the extinction of these birds, while it is still possible. The letter can be read here. [Image: Necrosyrtes monachus by Ana Coelho]

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  • Researchers of CESAM/UA author a study for the European Union on the impacts of plastic and microplastics in the environment

    Published in 29/10/2020

    The study was commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs of the European Parliament at the request of the Committee on Petitions (PETI). The basis for this document is the increasing use of plastics and the growing general consensus on the ecotoxicological effects of these materials. The study also focuses on potential mitigation strategies and emergent alternatives, as well astheir environmental adequacy. The increasing awareness and public opinion pressure led to the elaboration of several norms, regulations and laws. Their implementation and efficacy are addressed in this study, aiming at an adequate contextualization, based on scientific evidences, of future legislative initiatives at the local, national, regional, and, ultimately, European levels. The document is authored by the CESAM/UA researchers João Pinto da Costa, Teresa Rocha-Santos and Armando Duarte, and is publicly available here.

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  • A paper co-authored by a CESAM researcher was highlighted in ICES JMS as an ‘Editor’s Choice’

    Published in 28/10/2020

    The paper ‘State of art and best practices for fatty acid analysis in aquatic sciences’, co-authored by Elisabete da Costa from the research group of CESAM-UA, Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA), was the latest selected Editor’s Choice article from the ICES Journal of Marine Sciencededicated to fatty acid analysis in aquatic sciences. This paper reviewed the current state of knowledge of methods for both marine and freshwater lipid analyses, from sampling to data treatment, provides recommendations for best practices in field situations, and advocate for protocol standardization and inter-laboratory calibration. The review was the outcome of a technical workshop held during the international conference Lipids in the Ocean (Brest, France, November 2018), in which authors of the manuscript took part.  

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  • New project: WaderTrack – high precision tracking system of waders

    Published in 27/10/2020

    The project WaderTrack started earlier in October, in the the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve , aimed at implementing a high precision spatio-temporal tracking system for priority wader species. Innovative technologies, specifically small ultra-light GPS/UHF transmitters with micro solar panels (weighing 4 to 5 grams) will be temporarily attached to selected wader species, to map their movements throughout the tidal cycle and across the winter months with unprecedented detail, thus allowing us to: (1) quantify the level of connectivity between intertidal habitats (used as prime feeding areas during low tide) and supratidal habitats (used for resting and roosting during high tide), (2) determine distances travelled between supratidal and intertidal locations; and (3) determine the variation in the use of supratidal habitats during diurnal and nocturnal high-tide periods. This information will fill knowledge gaps on these priority wader species, in order to improve their conservation status by informing biodiversity conservation policy, specifically through reducing current and future eminent threats in the short- and medium-term. Within the framework of WaderTrack, three wader marking sessions were already conducted in different high-tide roosting sites, which resulted in the deployment of transmitters in 15 waders from three species. These devices will record GPS locations at 30-45 min intervals, and this information will be transmitted to receiver stations placed in the high-tide roost, when waders move to these sites during each high-tide. The receiver stations have already been installed and we look forward to get the first data very soon, which will allow to know in very high detail the movements of these birds inextricably linked to the Tagus estuary. Follow updates on this and other projects in @eco_flyway (Twitter).

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  • Alert of researchers of CESAM-UA for the impact of fishing garbage in sea birds

    Published in 27/10/2020

    Marine garbage, especially discarded or lost material from fishing activities, has severe consequences for the conservation of sea birds. The alert comes from a group of biologists from the University of Aveiro (UA) who, for ten years, studied the causes that led thousands of injured or dead birds to the rehabilitation center for marine animals that operates on the central coast of Portugal. The research was led by CESAm members working in ECOMARE. The complete news can be read here.

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  • Documentary “Lousada -Reencontro com a Natureza” wins public prize

    Published in 22/10/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] O documentário “Lousada -Reencontro com a Natureza” nomeado para prémio do público de Melhor Documentário no ART & TUR - International Tourism Film Festival 2020, venceu o primeiro lugar com 1905 votos. O documentário está também nomeado, nos prémios atribuídos pelo Júri, que serão anunciados na próxima sexta feira. Transmitido no dia 22 de Março, pelo canal de televisão SIC, o documentário “Lousada - Reencontro com a Natureza” foi visto por cerca de 700 mil pessoas, merecendo o destaque no site da SIC (http://www.sic.pt/.../2020-03-22-Documentario-Vida...). O  CESAM é o parceiro científico deste documentário e a maioria dos biólogos envolvidos neste projeto fez a sua formação na Universidade de Aveiro. As filmagens do documentário, com 45 minutos de duração, demoraram cerca de 18 meses e mais de 800 horas de filmagens. Joaquim Pedro Ferreira, investigador do CESAM, partilha a autoria deste documentário com Manuel Nunes e Milene Matos e a realização com Pedro Miguel Ferreira.

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  • CESAM will be present in the Celebration of the V centenary of the trip of Fernão de Magalhães

    Published in 26/10/2020

    This week is celebrated the V centenary of the trip of Fernão de Magalhães in several locations of Portugal. The researchers of CESAM (Center for Environmental and Marine Studies) of the University of Aveiro, Roberto Martins (Department of Biology) and Irina Gorodetskaya (Department of Physics) will participate in the presentation of the winners of the Research Prize ‘Prémio de Investigação Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico no Âmbito das Comemorações do V Centenário da Viagem de Circum-Navegação’ that will happen on October 21 in Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Centro Ciência Viva, Lisbon. In this event 8 projects funded by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia will be presented and recognized counting with the presence of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Heitor. Two of the approved projects are lead by CESAM-UA: NANOGREEN - Towards a new generation of sustainable nano-based additives for maritime anti-corrosion smart coatings: a multidisciplinary framework within the Atlantic, coordinated by Doctor Roberto Martins, with co-PI Prof. João Tedim (CICECO) and ATLACE - ATLantic interactions via atmospheric water cycle: exploiting a unique dataset from the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition for better understanding of clouds and precipitation, coordinated by Doctor Irina Gorodetskaya, with co-PI Doctor Carla Gama. The complete program of the week can be read here. All the program can be seen on streaming in www.magalhaes500.pt. The event can be seen in https://magalhaes500.pt/streaming-do-2o-dia-das-comemoracoes-dos-500-anos-da-passagem-do-estreito-de-magalhaes/.

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  • Project Cephs and Chefs present in event of valorization of Madeiran products

    Published in 20/10/2020

    The Cephs and Chefs team from CESAM participated in two events of valorization of Madeiran products. The events took place at the Terreiro Concept restaurant, at Madeira island. The project “Legado” promoted, on October 16th, the “Legado do Peixe” dinner that included 7 gastronomic moments with traditional Madeiran products such as pota, ray, conger, moray, herring, nun, skipjack, mackerel and even Madeira jackfruit and seaweed, in addition to wine degustation and comments by the specialist Nuno Nobre and the chef Carlos Gonçalves. On Saturday, October 17th, World Food Day, an Open Gastronomic Day was carried out to celebrate Madeira's biodiversity in all its ecosystems: farm, rivers, forest and sea. The event included lectures, debates, workshops and tasting products from the 4 ecosystems. More information here.

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  • Bathymetry data collected in Ria de Aveiro

    Published in 20/10/2020

    From 28 February to 04 March 2020, the team field of CESAM together with Professor Luís Menezes Pinheiro and some of his students, collected bathymetry data in Ria de Aveiro, more specifically in the North terminal of the Porto de Aveiro. For this, a Kongsberg EM 2040 C multibeam echo sounder transducer installed on the scientific vessel NEREIDE was used. In this way, the University of Aveiro and CESAM promote the integration of the students in specialized fieldwork, ensuring that they execute all the practical tasks to be familiar with Hydrography and Oceanography. within the scope of the CESAM’s competences and aiming to contribute to the creation of a database useful for the scientific community, hydrographic survey was carried out in the main navigation channel, in the mouth in Barra, and in the channels from and to Gafanha da Encarnação Marine. Data are available in the platform ZENODO and will be accessible through CESAM’s webpage – Science to Society.

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  • Documentary “Lousada -Reencontro com a Natureza” nominated for prize

    Published in 19/10/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] O documentário “Lousada -Reencontro com a Natureza” está nomeado para prémio do público de Melhor Documentário no ART & TUR - International Tourism Film Festival 2020, para o qual todos podem votar! Basta entrar em https://tourfilm-festival.com/votacao-publica-2/ com uma rede social e deixar o seu “like” em DOCUMENTÁRIOS / Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza. “Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza” está também nomeado para prémio atribuído pelo Júri do festival Art&tur Viseu 2020, com exibição pública no dia 20 de Outubro às 18h30 no Teatro Viriato em Viseu.  Transmitido no dia 22 de Março, pelo canal de televisão SIC, o documentário “Lousada - Reencontro com a Natureza” foi visto por cerca de 700 mil pessoas, merecendo o destaque no site da SIC (http://www.sic.pt/.../2020-03-22-Documentario-Vida...). O  CESAM é o parceiro científico deste documentário e a maioria dos biólogos envolvidos neste projeto fez a sua formação na Universidade de Aveiro. As filmagens do documentário, com 45 minutos de duração, demoraram cerca de 18 meses e mais de 800 horas de filmagens. Joaquim Pedro Ferreira, investigador do CESAM, partilha a autoria deste documentário com Manuel Nunes e Milene Matos e a realização com Pedro Miguel Ferreira.

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  • Study of CESAM-FCUL reveals that enigmatic small mammal is bolder and more active in urban environments

    Published in 15/10/2020

    Although rarely seen, the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula), a small insectivorous mammal, occurs in the gardens and parks of several European cities, including Lisbon. It was precisely in the Portuguese capital that a recent study detected substantial differences in the behavior and metabolism of urban animals when compared to individuals from natural areas. The study was conducted by an international group of researchers from the Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal, and from the Adam Mickiewicz University Pozna?, Poland. The results, which will be integrated in Flávio Oliveira's PhD thesis, have already been published in the scientific journal Behavioral Ecology. “The personality tests we applied revealed that shrews in the city exhibit a bolder behavior and are more predisposed to explore an environment unknown to them”, says Flávio Oliveira. This type of urban adaptation is in line with studies carried out in other species, namely birds and insects. The researcher adds “The lack of natural vegetation and the constant external stimuli typical of the urban environment, such as noise and artificial light, make the animals that inhabit here behave bolder in search of food and a place to live.” While the behavioral adaptations were as expected, the analysis of the energy the animals spent gave surprising results. "We were expecting to find a direct correlation between bold and active behaviors with high rates of energy consumption, that is, with a higher metabolic rate" says Sophie von Merten, co-author of the study. "Instead, we found that urban animals have a metabolic rate 37% lower than animals in natural areas", reveals the researcher. The factors that influence the way urban animals use energy are still unknown, but one thing is certain: Considering the relationship between behavior and metabolism, these small animals seem to be adapted to live both on the countryside and in the city. “Contrary to what happens in most animals, shrews seem to adopt an energy allocation strategy. That is, animals with a faster metabolism are more timid and explore their surroundings less, while animals with a slower metabolism are bolder and explore more territory. This way, their energy budget remains relatively constant”, concludes Flávio Oliveira. With the expansion of urban areas, which is expected to continue increasing, more animals will be exposed to such novel habitats. Maria da Luz Mathias, also co-author of the study, comments: “Unfortunately, most species will not be able to adapt to an environment as altered as urban areas. It is therefore essential to continue studying the phenomenon of urban adaptation in all its aspects: ecological, physiological, behavioral, and evolutionary. Our study revealed that the white-toothed shrew can be an important model species to help us understand the fate of species in the face of a global change such as increasing urbanization.”

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  • Minister of the Sea visit ECOMARE

    Published in 13/10/2020

    The Minister of the Sea, Ricardo Serrão Santos, and the Director General for Maritime Policy, Helena Vieira, were present yesterday at the University of Aveiro (UA), for one of the three presentation sessions of the National Strategy for the Sea 2021-2030. In this context, the Minister and the Director General visited ECOMARE – Laboratory for Innovation of Marine Biological Resources of University of Aveiro. This visit was accompanied by the Mayor of Ílhavo, Fernando Fidalgo Caçoilo, the Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Training in the 3rd cycle of UA, Prof. Doctor Artur Silva, and Doctor Ricardo Calado, responsible by CEPAM – Centre for Extension and Environmental and Marine Research and researcher at CESAM.

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  • First National Week about Invasive Species (SNEI) is coming!

    Published in 7/10/2020

    The first ever National Week about Invasive Species (SNEI) in Portugal will be taking place between 10th and 18th of October. More than 90 activities are being prepared around Portugal for the whole community to engage. CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology of University of Aveiro is promoting several activities. Visit the website and select an activity near you to participate! CESAM-UA & DBio activities may be consulted here. More info at the website SNEI: https://www.invasoras.pt/pt/semana_nacional_especies_invasoras_2020 List of activities SNEI (being updated): https://www.invasoras.pt/pt/actividades-em-portugal Social media: https://www.facebook.com/InvasorasPt & https://www.instagram.com/invasoraspt/

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  • CESAM-UA researcher leads international effort to understand species distribution across chemosynthesis-based ecosystems

    Published in 7/10/2020

    MACROCHESS – A Macroecological Database for Species Distribution across Chemosynthesis-Based Ecosystems is a new database incorporating over a decade of new discoveries and the most recent taxonomic knowledge of species occurring in chemosynthesis-based-ecosystems (CBEs). The database is being compiled by a working group funded by the International Cooperation in Ridge-Crest Studies – InterRidge. The group is chaired by Lissette Victorero (Norwegian Institute of Water Research and CESAM-UA) and comprises 17 experts from ten countries and four continents working on hydrothermal vents, seeps and organic falls across a wide variety of disciplines. This database will enable characterising the global distribution, composition and relationship of species occurring in CBEs at both global and regional scales and hence aims to rapidly advance theoretical research and conservation efforts.

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  • Testing and demonstrating post-fire emergency stabilization in CESAM-UA projects

    Published in 7/10/2020

    A major concern after the smoke has cleared is often the risk of post-fire soil erosion, because of its possible consequences in terms of additional on-site land degradation due to soil (fertility) losses as well as of downstream flooding and contamination of surface water bodies with eroded soil, including wildfire ash. UA Online explains how the projects  Epyris (Interreg Sudoe) and LIFE REFOREST are testing and demonstrating the application of various emergency stabilization measures in burnt areas. The team of CESAM-UA in both projects is coordinated by the researcher Jan Jacob Keizer.  The complete article available here.

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  • EMSO – PT website launch

    Published in 6/10/2020

    The website for the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and Water Column Observatory, Portugal (EMSO – PT) has been launched. CESAM is one of the members of the team. EMSO-PT is a European Large Scale Research Infrastructure, consisting of multidisciplinary underwater observatories and other data processing support infrastructures. The goal of EMSO-PT is to generate continuous scientific data on marine environmental processes related to the interaction between the geosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere, made available through open access to all stakeholders. Fifteen institutions, universities and marine technology companies participate in the project, providing key expertise and knowledge. The project is classified as a “Research Infrastructure” and is integrated into the EU’s wider deep sea observatory network,  EMSO-ERIC. To find out more about the project, visit www.emso-pt.pt.

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  • CESAM celebrates the World Habitat Day highlighting the project BioPradaRia

    Published in 6/10/2020

    World Habitat Day, celebrated by the United Nations on the first Monday of October, intends to promote the reflection on the state of our towns and cities and to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of the place where we live. In the city of Aveiro and surrounding areas, Ria de Aveiro is a major contributor to a healthy environment and citizens’ well-being. The project of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies -  ‘BioPradaRia - Restoration, management and conservation of biodiversity and biological resources associated with Ria de Aveiro seagrass ecosystems’is funded by the program MAR2020. This project aims to contribute to enhancing the protection and restoration of aquatic biodiversity for better management and conservation of marine biological resources, particularly the ones associated with seagrass ecosystems. The project BioPradaRia uses an integrative approach, combining scientific knowledge with the knowledge of the users of Ria de Aveiro. Presently, nature-based solutions are being tested to minimize the impact of exotic invasive species, such as the polychaeta Arenicola sp. and the Manila clam, in seagrass ecosystems and associated habitats. These areas are important for several species of fish, bivalves, polychaetas and other organisms, housing great biodiversity. As important reservoirs of carbon (Blue Carbon), these habitats contribute to a reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, being also an important recreational and leisure area for the citizens. Given the importance of these habitats and their current decline worldwide (due to different threats), their preservation and recovery are essential, not only for the health of the ecosystem but also for the health of the inhabitants of the region. The team of the project BioPradaRia

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  • One Health Day @ CESAM

    Published in 19/10/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] No âmbito da Linha Temática “Ambiente & Saúde”, o CESAM está a organizar um workshop para comemorar a iniciativa “One Health Day”. O Workshop vai realizar-se no dia 11 de novembro à tarde e englobará duas sessões temáticas e uma sessão de posters. O programa do workshop encontra-se aqui e pretende-se o evento seja presencial (Universidade de Aveiro). No entanto, devido à incerteza da atual situação pandémica pode ser em formato à distância (a confirmação será enviada atempadamente). Para a sessão de posters, qualquer membro do CESAM (integrado ou colaborador - desde alunos de pesquisa a alunos de doutoramento) poderá submeter um resumo até ao dia 13 de outubro às 17 h.  Para submeter o resumo basta enviar um mail para cesam@ua.pt que deve incluir: Título (em inglês); Nome do autor principal e coautores (se existentes); Resumo (em português e inglês com ca. 250 palavras). O One Health Day é uma iniciativa com caracter internacional coordenada por redes de investigação, como a One Health Comission e a One Health Platform Foundation, que escolheram o dia 3 de novembro como o Dia da Saúde Única. O conceito One Health remete à interdependência entre a saúde humana, dos animais e do ambiente. O Workshop será um fórum de debate interdisciplinar na solução de desafios globais que envolvem a saúde humana, animal e ambiental. Pretende-se que este evento permita à academia e ao público em geral discutir um problema atual, as doenças infeciosas emergentes, abordando os microrganismos envolvidos - vírus, bactérias, fungos e parasitas - mas também os fatores envolvidos na incidência destas doenças, nomeadamente, atividades humanas que direta ou indiretamente atingem o ambiente, as alterações climáticas e o uso indiscriminado de antibióticos.  O registo é gratuito mas obrigatório e deve ser feito aqui.

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  • Project of CESAM-UA develops a fast sensor for the microbiological control of bivalves in Portugal

    Published in 30/9/2020

    The SeeBug project is being developed at Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), University of Aveiro (UA), coordinated by Catarina Marques and co-coordinated by Amadeu Soares. This project  intends to be a tool for all the stakeholders of the bivalve fishing industry. Shellfish production in Portugal has been increasing substantially, leading the ranking of mollusk marketing in some areas of national production, so its economic impact on the domestic and export market is increasingly relevant. However, the bivalves’ production sites are often affected by fecal contamination, which promotes the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria in these filtering organisms. As bivalves are often consumed alive, it is essential to apply control systems that may guarantee food safety and prevent negative impacts on consumers' health. Presently, regulated microbiological screening methods are sensible and accurate  and  allow to get results in 2-3 days. after bivalves’ collection.,. However, this  time gap is enough to cause economic, social, environmental and health damages.  The aim of this research project is to develop and apply broad spectrum and specific SEEBug sensors, capable of detecting early contamination of bivalves by pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the SEEBug mobile phone application will be developed based on artificial intelligence algorithms, to generate low-cost technology, user-friendly and environmentally sustainable.  This applicationcan be used by operators of the bivalve fishing industry, from Fishermen to final sellers. This tool does not intend to replace  the current regulated analyzes for assessing the contamination status of bivalves, but it is a  complement to decrease the damages caused afterwards. The project SEEBug is coordinated by Catarina R Marques (CESAM and DBio), in collaboration with  Prof. Amadeu MVM Soares (CESAM e DBio, UA), as co-coordinator. The project counts with more CESAM’ researchers and also  Instituto de Engenharia Eletrónica e Informática de Aveiro (IEETA), Associação de Pesca Artesanal da Região de Aveiro (APARA), DOCAPESCA – Portos e Lotas, S.A, and members of the bivalve fishing industry all over the country. This way, the transfer of knowledge from scientists and fishermen will be maximized through collaboration, promoting the development of a tool meant to be applied by all.

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  • Project “Red Book of Mammals of Continental Portugal” calls on for citizens’ collaboration

    Published in 30/9/2020

    Project coordinated by Prof. Maria de Luz Mathias and with participation of the researcher Clara Grilo, as executive coordinator, both from  CESAM – Ciências ULisboa, calls on the citizens to help to map the mammals in Continental Portugal. Dozens of citizens, technicians and nature vigilants of ICNF- Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas joined to create a new Red Book of Mammals of Continental Portugal. The goal is to improve, until 2021, knowledge on these species contributing to establishmeasures and conservation actions. The help of the citizens will be essential to ensure the success of the project. To help on this, it is only necessary to take a picture of the animal or of traces of its presence (e.g. footprints, feces and body hair), register the location, and get in touch with the team. More information about  the project can be read here (UA Online) or here (Ciências ULisboa) and details on how you can collaborate here. You can also see a short presentation of the project in this video [in PT]. This project is funded by POSEUR, Portugal 2020, FCiências.ID - Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências is the beneficiary ahaving ICNF as partner.

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  • Covid-19: CESAM-UA scientists warn about pandemic waste

    Published in 30/9/2020

    Researchers of CESAM, alerted to the problem, after seeing public spaces flooded with masks and gloves abandoned, wrote three articles which concluded that it is urgent to find alternatives to the use of disposable masks and gloves. In the first study, Joana Prata, Ana Luísa Silva, Armando Duarte and Teresa Rocha-Santos prepared a series of recommendations for collective and individual management of this new waste that threatens to flood rivers and seas. In the second study, they warned of the need to find alternatives for the proper use and final management of protective equipment.  In the third publication, which also had the participation of Amadeu Soares and Diana Campos, also from CESAM, the scientists address the short-term impacts of the production and use of this garbage and summarize a series of policy recommendations for its proper management. The complete article (UA Online) here.

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  • Webinar ‘Tools for assessing the impacts of contamination in the reproduction of marine organisms'

    Published in 28/9/2020

    The research team of the project NanoReproTox (PTDC/CTA-AMB/30908/2017) welcomes the scientific community and the general public to attend the webinar: ‘Tools for assessing the impacts of contamination in the reproduction of marine organisms’ to be held on the 14th October, 14h (UTC). In this webinar, we will present how commonly used methodologies can be applied to evaluate the impacts of contamination on the reproduction of marine organisms (e.g. CASA, cytometry, comet assay and histology). A link between the research updates on human male reproduction and environmental risk assessment will be also provided. The speakers belong to an interdisciplinary team from CESAM, Ibimed, CCMAR and MARE-Nova.id.UNL. The webinar is free, but registration is mandatory (ana.carvalhais@ua.pt). For detailed information on the program and speakers, please follow this link.

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  • CESAM celebrates the World Tourism Day highlighting the project ARTUR

    Published in 28/9/2020

    Tourism has several positive aspects, namely the socioeconomic development of touristic destinies and the preservation of cultural and natural resources. However, it is well-known that touristic activities may also be a cause of environmental impacts, for example in the air quality. The project ARTUR – Impact of air quality on the competitiveness of the tourism destinations, focused on the central region of Portugal, aims to assess the impact of the tourism on air quality and to investigate how air quality could be a criterion to increase the competitiveness of a tourism destination. This project is coordinated by CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and it has a multidisciplinary team with researchers from the Department of Environment and Planning, and of the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism of the University of Aveiro.The results of the project will serve to produce guidelines to support future strategies for the tourism sector and environmental sustainability. The team of the project ARTUR

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  • CESAM celebrates the World Maritime Day highlighting the participation in the COST Action OceanGov

    Published in 25/9/2020

    The ocean covers about 70% of the surface of the Earth, represents 97% of the available water, is a source of life and energy, and is crucial for regulate the climate. One of the top priorities in the political, environmental and economic agendas of Portugal and Europe is the need to build awareness about the ocean’s value for our future. To know the benefits of using the sea, it is crucial to invest in scientific research focused on ocean governance and sustainability. The COST action OceanGov: Ocean governance for sustainability – Challenges, options and the role of Science brings together scientists, policymakers and civil society representatives from 29 Member-States, to create and coordinate an inter- and transdisciplinary research network on ocean governance in the European Union and adjacent areas. This network is focused on six challenges of governance: Land-Sea Interactions; Area-Based Management; Seabed Resource Management; Nutrition Security and Food Systems; Ocean, Climate Change, and Acidification; and Fisheries Governance. This COST action aims to establish an integrated vision and various approaches that will guide research and future policy towards sustainability, addressing the currently exiting fragmentation with regard to the governance of the oceans, seas and coastlines throughout regional waters, and the open ocean, and areas outside national jurisdiction. The Doctor Cristina Pita of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies is a member of the Management Committee of the OceanGov and actively participates in the working group of Fisheries Governance. CESAM’s representative of the COST Action OceanGov

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  • Publication of CESAM is highlighted by FEMS Journals

    Published in 22/9/2020

    An article of the CESAM researchers Daniel Cleary, Ana Rita Polónia and Newton Gomes (Laboratory of Molecular Studies of Marine Environments) has been selected to be included in a new ‘Six Key Topics’ collection from FEMS Journals to showcase the breadth of topics covered by FEMS Journals. The article ‘A comparison of prokaryote communities inhabiting sponges, bacterial mats, sediment and seawater in Southern Asian coral reefs’ published in the journal FEMS Microbiology Ecology, was considered as one of the representatives of the key topic Microbiomes.

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  • Researcher of CESAM-UA writes in Science on the construction of an airport in the heart of Portugal’s largest wetland

    Published in 18/9/2020

    In a Letter published today in Science, José Alves, Conservation Ecologist at the CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and Department of Biology of University of Aveiro, and Maria Dias, Marine Science Coordinator at BirdLife International, highlight the contradiction between the recently appointed EU Commission’s intention to shift EU economies to more sustainable models of growth (The European Green Deal), and the environmental permission recently issued by an EU member state (Portugal) for the construction and operation of an international airport at the heart of the largest wetland in the country, the Tagus estuary. The estuary hosts the largest concentrations of waterbirds in Portugal and is the second most important wetland for these species in Iberia. The importance of the Tagus estuary for biodiversity extends well beyond Portuguese borders; it is a designated Special Protection Area (European Birds Directive), a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Convention), an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (Birdlife International) and also classified as a Nature Reserve (national law)1. The Tagus estuary is a major international hub for migratory waterbirds and other bird species using the East Atlantic Flyway, connecting breeding areas across the northern hemisphere to wintering areas in Africa, for an estimated 300,000 waterbirds. The authors of the Letter argue that this decision by an EU member state violates two of the main pillars of the Green Deal – to tackle the global problem of climate change, and to reverse the biodiversity crisis. Despite the substantial increase in local carbon emissions that a second airport in the capital area would generate, Lisbon currently holds the banner of European Green Capital. Ironically, Lisbon’s bid for European Green Capital award benefited from its proximity to this nature reserve, even though the flight paths for the proposed new Lisbon airport will irreplaceably disrupt some of the most important areas for waterbirds in this wetland, with aircrafts flying below 200 meters within the protected area. Waterbirds move around the Tagus in large flocks which can exceed tens of thousands of birds, as they take advantage of the complex mosaic of wetland habitats sculpted through millennia. For example, flocks of 80,000 black-tailed godwits, a species listed by IUCN as threatened with globally Near Threatened with extinction, which breed in Iceland, the Netherlands and other northern European countries, use the Tagus each spring to feed and rest during their annual migration to sites further south. Several other species that breed across the arctic and temperate Europe, many of which are declining sharply in number, also depend on this wetland. Despite the impact of Covid-19 on air-traffic, the private company promoting and financing the new Lisbon airport ANA owned by French group VINCI, has announced that it remains firm in its commitment to move forward, and the Portuguese government publically supported such intentions in June, July and September 2020, when the Covid-19 impact on the aviation industry is very clear. This is a striking example of a European state attempting to disregard conservation laws, international agreements and publicly-stated plans to move towards a more sustainable and carbon-neutral future. Given the Tagus estuary’s role in supporting species from across the migratory flyway, including species that benefit from publicly-funded conservation programs on many of their range states, other nations may consider holding Portugal accountable for the consequences of this development. The Environmental Impact Study that preceded the issuing of the environmental permit has been heavily criticized, due to lack of data, technical errors and adoption of subjective criteria2. The Portuguese Environmental Agency issued the controversial environmental permit based on a favourable statement by the board of directors at the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forestry, the governmental institution responsible for evaluating impacts on birds, overturning their own technician’s recommendation3. Compensation measures will be impossible to implement effectively, given that about half of the Tagus estuary will be impacted and cannot be replaced. The authors urge the Portuguese government to reconsider this development and take the opportunity of having Lisbon as the European Green Capital to become European Green Leaders of the movement towards an increasingly sustainable future. The original article can be read here.

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  • 1st National Symposium on early exposure to contaminants and its impact on human health

    Published in 17/9/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] Decorrerá já no próximo dia 25 de setembro, o 1.º Simpósio Nacional sobre “Exposição precoce a contaminantes e seu impacto na saúde humana”, realizado no âmbito do projeto earlyMyco “Early-life exposure to mycotoxins and its impact on health”, financiado pela FCT. Este simpósio é organizado pelo Departamento de Alimentação e Nutrição (DAN) do Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), em colaboração com os seus parceiros do projeto, Fundação Champalimaud, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade de Évora e Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. A iniciativa decorrerá no INSA e contará ainda com a possibilidade de participação on-line. O evento tem como objetivo promover o diálogo e interação entre participantes que desenvolvam estudos sobre a exposição precoce a contaminantes através da alimentação ou ambiente, contribuindo assim para conhecer melhor a realidade nacional neste domínio. O programa do evento pode ser consultado aqui. A participação é gratuita mas com inscrição obrigatória até 18 de setembro, aqui. A participação on-line será via Facebook.

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  • CESAM’s researcher fights for Biodiversity Conservation

    Published in 16/9/2020

    In today’s edition of Público, the efforts of CESAM’s researched José Alves, towards biodiversity conservation in the largest and most important wetland in Portugal for waterbirds, the Tagus estuary, are news once again. It reports the recent complaint presented to the secretariat of the Bern convention, which has already formally proceeded with the official process. This complaint is presented following the issuing of a favourable but conditional environmental permission in January of this year for the construction of the new Lisbon Airport at the heart of the Tagus estuary, which continues to be heavily criticized. It joins another complaint presented in December 2019 to AEWA (Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds, hosted by the United Nations Environmental Program), before the issuing of the environmental license, which is still ongoing and in which the same researcher was a leading actor. The news article in Público can be read here [translated version].

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  • Ciência com Impacto - New initiative of CESAM

    Published in 16/9/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] Retirar as descobertas científicas do laboratório e dos gabinetes dos investigadores, divulgando-as e promovendo-as junto da comunidade, é o grande objetivo do programa Ciência com Impacto, iniciativa do Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM), Laboratório Associado da Universidade de Aveiro, e que tem a Bondalti e a Play Solutions Audiovisuais como parceiros ativos. Que impacto têm as descobertas científicas na sociedade? E como é que podem ajudar na nossa vida quotidiana? Estas são as questões de partida que inspiram o Ciência com Impacto, um programa que reflete a própria constituição do CESAM, reunindo investigadores de diferentes áreas, como o ambiente, a saúde humana, o mar, a ecologia, a química e a biotecnologia. O projeto será constituído por vídeos temáticos de três minutos e podcasts com uma hora de duração. Estes conteúdos terão uma periodicidade quinzenal, com a publicação dos vídeos a alternar com a semana de divulgação dos podcasts. Serão ainda realizados debates sobre temas da atualidade, associados às áreas do ambiente, saúde humana, ecologia, mar e biotecnologia, entre outras áreas do conhecimento. Estes encontros contarão com a presença e o contributo de investigadores e de outros atores relevantes para a temática abordada. Os destinatários desta iniciativa são o grande público, com destaque para os jovens. Está previsto um conjunto de ações de divulgação em diferentes plataformas, que ganharão maior expressão e visibilidade no portal https://cienciacomimpacto.pt. A Bondalti vai assumir a produção, realização e divulgação dos podcasts, que serão alojados num media host e disponibilizados nas plataformas habituais (em áudio) e no Youtube (em vídeo). Os podcasts serão gravados na Rádio Voz da Ria, que se associa através da cedência dos estúdios, e a Mitipro ficou responsável pela edição em vídeo do podcast. A série vídeo “Ciência com Impacto” será produzida e realizada pela Play Solutions Audiovisuais. O Diário de Notícias também aderiu, através da criação de uma rúbrica intitulada "Ciência com Impacto", que publicará os filmes e os podcasts e um texto editado a partir desses conteúdos. O Ciência Com Impacto contará, igualmente, com uma componente de ciência cidadã, de modo a envolver as empresas e o público em projetos de investigação.

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  • CESAM celebrates the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer highlighting the project EMERGE

    Published in 16/9/2020

    The ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas that protects the globe by absorbing 95% of the ultraviolet B radiation which is responsible for deleterious effects in living beings ultimately leading to death. This way, the ozone layer is crucial to preserve life on Earth. Recently, there have been improvements in the protection of the ozone layer through the gradual elimination of chemical products that destroy it and that are also strong greenhouse gases. The latest analysis points out that the ozone layer has been recovering at a rate of 1-3% per decade since 2000. This success is related to the Montreal Protocol (1987) on substances that lead to the destruction of the ozone layer. On the scope of this protocol, 197 signatory countries are compromised with the replacement of these substances. Presently, Montreal Protocol is the only environmental multilateral agreement with a universal adoption, being an inspiration on how Humanity is able to cooperate to face global challenges as well as an instrument to face the real climatic crisis. The project EMERGE – Evaluation, control and mitigation of the environmental impacts of shipping emissions, funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 program, aims to develop effective strategies and measures to reduce the environmental impact of shipping. At the University of Aveiro, this project gathers a multidisciplinary team of members of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, that will measure and model the pollutant emissions of shipping, aiming to evaluate the impacts of these emissions in the water and in the air. This team will also contribute to the definition of mitigation measures along the main shipping routes and on sensitive marine regions of Europe. One of the study cases is the Port of Aveiro and the Lagoon of Aveiro as an ecosystem with a particular interest. The results of this project will be presented as recommendations and guidance for stakeholders and decision-makers useful to draw cost-beneficial options for a sustainable use of shipping on the medium and long term. This will be a major contribution to resolve the climatic crisis particularly giving the relevance of shipping on global transportation. The team of the project EMERGE

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  • Innovative method allows to quantify scientific capacity building in marine studies

    Published in 15/9/2020

    An innovative study, with authors from the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) of the University of Aveiro (UA), quantifies, on a global scale, the scientific training achieved over the last 50 years for the discovery of new natural products of marine origin. The study was published in the renowned magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). The developed tool will be essential to provide data for international political negotiations and to evaluate the successful implementation of the Nagoya Protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.  Marine biodiversity has an enormous potential for blue biotechnology, constituting an incredible reservoir of genetic and biological resources that can be used, for example, in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. The increased interest in these products and the fact that they are bioprospected mostly by developed countries, and not necessarily by the countries where the biological material is collected, has raised several legal problems, namely related to the benefits resulting from the use of these resources. This issue is part of the Convention on Biological Diversity implemented in 1993, and later by the Nagoya Protocol. This Protocol provides practical guidance on how the process of accessing biological resources and sharing the benefits resulting from their use and associated knowledge should work. One of the key aspects of this Protocol is to empower the countries of origin of the resources so that they can exploit them in a sustainable manner and take advantage of their benefits. However, measuring the capacity of these countries is a complex task for which little data exist. The article “Fifty years of capacity building in the search for new marine natural products” shows how the capacity to improve knowledge, effectiveness and scientific independence of countries performing bioprospecting has changed since 1965. The authors have developed several metrics related to the country of origin of the compound and affiliation of the authors of the article that described it. While there have been long-standing efforts to build capacity in developing countries with marine areas with high levels of biodiversity, as well as to promote equity and scientific independence, the results show that not all countries are able to exploit their marine biological resources equally. Furthermore, the study shows that economic capacity affects the way countries with high levels of marine biodiversity are able to effectively exploit these resources. For example, countries such as India, Indonesia and Palau have demonstrated greater scientific capacity after 1993. Although countries such as Australia, the United States and Japan continue to maintain a dominant scientific position in this area of research before and after 1993, China has developed most in terms of scientific capability and independence. Since the article provides measurable data comparable across countries around the world, it is expected that these results may influence high-level international political negotiations that currently take place on access and benefit sharing associated with the exploitation of biological resources. The study is led by researcher Miguel Leal, from CESAM-UA, in co-authorship with Ricardo Calado, member of the same research unit. The team also includes two emeritus professors from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), pioneers in the research of natural compounds of marine origin. The original article can be read here.

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  • Citizen Science project involving members of CESAM is highlighted in the new school year of the national schools

    Published in 14/9/2020

    The project “Populational dynamics of an invasive species in Baixo Vouga Lagunar”, coordinated by CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and DBio – Department of Biology of the University of Aveiro, has been presented to the national school community as an example of goodpractices in tools of the Minister of the Education and Science. This citizen science project results from a partnership with Estarreja Secondary School. In the document “Orientações para a recuperação e consolidação das aprendizagens ao longo do ano letivo de 2020/2021” (DGE – Direção-Geral da Educação (Minister of the Education and Science)), the project is mentioned as an example of goodpractices for the management and operationalization of the students’ curriculum in the context of the Domains of Curricular Autonomy and for the reorganization of the school, encouraging the work of learning stations/laboratories. This document was distributed to all the national schools and is intended to be an essential support tool in planning the upcoming school year. This roadmap, that resulted from the current scenario of uncertainty due to the COVID pandemic, has supporting material, presents concepts, and several examples that will benefit the schools. The project was also selected by DGE to be part of a set of videos of successful projects dedicated to the initiative Curricular Autonomy and Flexibility. This video shows the different phases of the project and the integration of the several disciplines involved. It can be seen here (in Portuguese). Moreover, an article was written by two students involved in the project. The work was submitted to the 27º Young Scientists National Competition and was awarded  the 4th position (ex aequo  with another project) in a total of 95 candidates. During one year (2018/2019), with monthly fieldwork, the 11ºA class from The Estarreja Secondary School studied the structure and population density of the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Fermelã, Estarreja. This invasive species is responsible for causing serious damage to  rice fields all over the world and its abundant presence in Baixo Vouga Lagunar can be an important aspect to be considered in studies related to agricultural management, given the intense rice production in the region. This project of citizen science was coordinated by Inês Rosa (CESAM), Joana Pereira (CESAM & DBio) and Sofia Guilherme (CESAM & DBio) at the University of Aveiro, and by the Estarreja Secondary School  teachers : Dorinda Rebelo (Biology & Geology), Cecília Bento (Physics & Chemistry), Deolinda Tavares (Philosophy) and Etelvina Bronze (Portuguese). The project also had the logistic support of the Municipality of Estarreja.

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  • CESAM is part of the UA team that coordinates national consortium for training in Marine studies

    Published in 11/9/2020

    CESAM is part of the UA team that coordinates the Regional Ocean Teacher Academy - Portugal, the national center of the Ocean Teacher Global Academy, a body of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) for development and capacity building in Sea Sciences. The application submitted by Portugal, involving 17 national entities and 170 researchers and technicians specialized in the area of sea and oceans was approved in early September and the consortium is being formalized.More information: https://www.ua.pt/pt/noticias/11/64264

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  • CESAM researcher co-authors three chapters of the new book edited by Springer

    Published in 10/9/2020

    CESAM researcher Irina Gorodetskaya co-authors three chapters of the book entitled “Atmospheric Rivers” edited by Springer. This thematic is one of the expertise of this researcher and she participated in the authorship of the chapters “Global and Regional Perspectives”, “Effects of Atmospheric Rivers” and "The Future of Atmospheric River Research and Applications”. The book is available here.

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  • CESAM is partner of Escola Azul

    Published in 10/9/2020

    CESAM is one of the new partners of the initiative Escola Azul, an educative program of the Minister of Maritime Affairs through the Direção-Geral de Política do Mar. This program distinguishes and orientates schools that work in themes related with the sea, and offers a vast quantity of activities with the target audience ranging from pre-school children to teachers. In this initial phase, CESAM proposes activities on the scope of the infrastructure COBI (Biological Research Collection of Marine Invertebrates) and of projects and research done in the research unit (e.g. PERICLES and AIRSHIP projects), but more activities are being planned. Moreover, CESAM offers mentorship in several areas including physical oceanography, ecosystems and marine biodiversity, deep sea, marine biotechnology, coastal risks, marine pollution, and fishing and aquaculture. The mission of Escola Azul is to promote Ocean Literacy in the school community and create more responsible and participative generations able to contribute to the sustainability of the Ocean. More information on this program including the list of partners, schools and activities can be consulted here: www.escolaazul.pt.

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  • CESAM develops SENSECOR project: towards Covid-19's fast tracking

    Published in 10/9/2020

    The project SENSECOR - Immunosensory integrated system for a fast and efficient detection of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 coordinated by CESAM-Universidade de Aveiro (UA), aims to develop an earlier, fast and efficient screening tool to detect the virus SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic patients and is highlighted in the UAOnline news. The project is coordinated by the researcher Catarina Marques and has an interdisciplinary team from UA, including a total of six researchers from CESAM, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, Institute of Electronic Engineering and Informatics of Aveiro (IEETA) and IT2. The complete news can be read here.

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  • Researcher of CESAM awarded with an ERC Starting Grant in the amount of 2.25 million euros

    Published in 3/9/2020

    The researcher Sónia Cruz of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Associated Laboratory of the University of Aveiro, was awarded with an ERC (European Research Council) Starting Grant in the amount of 2.25 million euros to develop the project KleptoSlug. The project “KleptoSlug - Kleptoplasty: The sea slug that got away with stolen chloroplasts” aims to study kleptoplasty in sacoglossan sea slugs. Kleptoplasty is a process in which an organism “steals” specific organelles of plant cells where photosynthesis occurs (chloroplasts) from another organism (algae). Strikingly, these chloroplasts keep their functionality even in the absence of essential components of the plant cell. This fascinating process remains unclear with several unresolved questions, which the project KleptoSlug aims to clarify. Some of the questions that the project will try to answer are: How can an organelle exclusive of algae and plants keep its functionality for long periods in an animal cell? What benefits have the animal in retaining the chloroplast in its cells? Is it just an extra “food reserve” or more than that? How do sea slugs cope with eventual undesirable effects during the process? By the end of the funded 5 years, it will be possible to unravel the cellular mechanisms supporting the sequestration and maintenance of functional chloroplasts inside animal cells, as well as to determine the role of photosynthesis in sea slugs. ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the main European funding organization for excellent frontier research.

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  • CESAM is partner in a European project funded with 15 million euros

    Published in 3/9/2020

    The project SPRINT - Sustainable Plant Protection Transition: A Global Health Approach, funded by the European Commission through the program Horizon 2020, just started and has members of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies in its team. The project has received funded of almost 15 million euros and is coordinated by Wageningen University. SPRINT will make an internationally valid contribution to assess integrated risks and impacts of pesticides on environment and human health, both at regional and European level. This way, the project will contribute to the adoption of innovative transition pathways towards more sustainable plant protection in the context of a global health approach. The team of University of Aveiro has experts in aquatic and terrestrial ecotoxicology and Environmental Risk Assessment with a vast experience in the study of impacts of pesticides in biodiversity. The coordination of this team is made by Doctor Nelson Abrantes.

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  • CESAM´s professor was interviewed by a national newspaper about Covid-19

    Published in 31/3/2020

    Macau closed its casinos for 15 days and measures the temperature at the entrance to public services. Taiwan imposes fines for those who violate measures. Millions of people in China are quarantined. Germans trust their health care system and employers. Portugal, at the tip of Europe, got ready for the battle against Covid-19. The tactics of a fight. Hard. Adelaide Almeida, researcher in the field of viruses and antibiotics, professor of microbiology, understands Macau's response. "It is the third coronavirus outbreak, Macau has the experience of other pandemics and was more frightened than us". The population was aware of the danger, the risks of another coronavirus that was being installed beside them. "People were scared and knew that they had to protect themselves, that they had to isolate themselves." Full news here.

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  • CESAM’s ERA Chair project approved

    Published in 25/3/2020

    The Project BESIDE - Institutional, BEhavioural, critical and adaptive economics towards SustaInable Development, management of natural capital and circular Economy, submitted by CESAM to the H2020 ERA Chairs call, was recently approved. Ana Isabel Lillebø, CESAM's Scientific Coordinator, will be the Coordinator of this Project. ERA Chairs projects bring outstanding academics, with proven research excellence and management skills, to universities and research institutions in Widening countries with potential for research excellence. BESIDE’s project aims to consolidate at the UA Associated Laboratory CESAM a research group of excellence in Environmental Economics and Natural Resources. This will boost the existing fundamental and applied research activities by filling the identified gaps on: i) financial impact of environmental policies, ii) high-skilled jobs opportunities, and iii) circular economy business models. An ERA Chair holder will be hired for the position of Coordinator Researcher and fund 5 researchers and 3 PhD students. BESIDE is fully aligned with UN sustainable development goals for 2030, EU priorities that include the commitment for an intelligent, sustainable and inclusive growth based on knowledge and innovation and the shared pursuit of excellence, and with the national and Centro-Portugal region research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (RIS3).

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  • ISO Plenary Meeting for Soil Quality

    Published in 6/7/2020

    Between October 15th and 18th (2019), the annual Plenary Meeting of the Technical Commission (TC) 190 of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) took place, for the first time, in Portugal, in a joint organization by members of the Universities of Aveiro, Coimbra, and Porto. Several international delegates, representing national standardization entities, governmental and non-governmental, met at the University of Aveiro for the standardization of regulation for the evaluation of soil quality.

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  • Perto de 700 mil pessoas viram documentário em que o CESAM é parceiro científico!

    Published in 26/3/2020

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    (Only available in Portuguese) Transmitido no passado domingo, dia 22 de março, pelo canal de televisão SIC, o programa “Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza” foi visto por cerca de 700 mil pessoas, merecendo o destaque no site da SIC (https://sic.pt/maissic/2020-03-22-Documentario-Vida-Selvagem-gravado-por-equipa-portuguesa). Para este ano está prevista a produção de mais dois documentários, a exibir em horário nobre, que contarão com o envolvimento e a autoria de investigadores do CESAM. Divulgar como o conhecimento científico é cada vez mais importante nas nossas vidas e é uma das prioridades do CESAM. Quando este tempo, difícil para todos, passar iremos dar a conhecer novos projetos de divulgação de ciência, que queremos inclusivos e com um grande envolvimento da comunidade CESAM e UA, além de outros parceiros científicos.   Para quem não viu o documentário e tenha uma box TV, pesquise por Domingo 12H12 SIC  “Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza”.   O programa “Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza” traz ao grande ecrã histórias naturais desconhecidas do grande público, de que são exemplos: uma águia que alimenta as crias com favos de vespa asiática, as lutas entre enormes escaravelhos, até aos maiores lagartos da Europa que vivem num campo de futebol. Foram mais de 800 horas de filmagens de comportamentos animais, alguns nunca filmados antes em Portugal. Situado no norte de Portugal, Lousada é um concelho densamente povoado, e, como consequência, a paisagem é marcada por uma grande concentração de casas e outras estruturas humanas. Aqui, a atividade humana é intensa, mas, apesar do desaparecimento de grande parte dos habitats naturais, a vida selvagem tende a resistir e muitas espécies começam a aproveitar as oportunidades geradas pela presença humana. Vamos dar a conhecer um projeto de conservação da natureza inovador e o trabalho extraordinário de um grupo de pessoas dedicadas à proteção da diversidade biológica. "Lousada - reencontro com a Natureza" envolveu o apoio logístico dos biólogos e técnicos do Município de Lousada e do Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM) da Universidade de Aveiro, que foi parceiro cientifico.  

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  • A photography from a CESAM’s researcher was selected for the cover of the Marine Biotechnology Journal’s April issue

    Published in 23/3/2020

    A photography from Tânia Caetano, CESAM’s researcher, was selected for the cover of the Marine Biotechnology Journal’s April issue. The photography illustrates the culture of a halophilic microorganism from the Archaea domain surrounded by a high amount of salt. The scientific work included in the volume and which led to the selection of this image is entitled "Antibiotics from Haloarchaea: What Can We Learn from Comparative Genomics?”. The work was carried out by Inês Castro, MSc in Microbiology, from the Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory under the supervision of the Assistant Researcher Tânia Caetano and Assistant Professor with aggregation Sónia Mendo (CESAM&DBio).The study explores comparative genomics as method to deepen the knowledge on the mechanisms of secondary metabolites biosynthesis. The biosynthesis of halocins was used as proof-of-concept, which are antibiotics produced by Archaea halophils - the haloarchaea. + https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10126-020-09952-9

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  • "Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza" - March 22, 12pm at SIC - with CESAM as scientific partner

    Published in 19/3/2020

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    'Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza', portrays the work of inventorying the diversity of animals and plants and the conservation efforts to help wildlife in the municipality of Lousada. This is a territory with a strong human presence and therefore the natural areas are reduced and are dispersed throughout the landscape. But despite this, many species, some threatened, manage to survive in this region. 'Lousada. Reecontro com a Natureza' will bring to the big screen natural stories unknown to the general public like the largest lizards in Europe living in a football field. It is a documentary that portrays our natural values, their relationship with humanized spaces, but also social involvement, and the way in which this involvement results in the sustainability of the territory and the enhancement of Biodiversity. It will also showcase an innovative nature conservation project and the extraordinary work of a group of people dedicated to the protection of biological diversity. This 45 minutes documentary took about 18 months and over 800 hours of footage. Joaquim Pedro Ferreira, CESAM's researcher, shares the authorship of this documentary with Manuel Nunes and Milene Matos and the production with Pedro Miguel Ferreira. 'Lousada. Reencontro com a Natureza' is a Play Solutions-Audiovisuais and Municipality of Lousada Production, that has CESAM as scientific partner. 

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  • CESAM member nominated as national representative for the Management Committee of the new COST action in epigenetics/epigenomics

    Published in 2/9/2020

    The CESAM Professor and Researcher Glória Pinto has been nominated as national representative for the  Management Committee of the COST ACTION CA19125: EPI-CATCH - EPIgenetic mechanisms of Crop Adaptation To Climate cHange”. This new COST action aims to define, develop, generate and share new breaking knowledge and methodologies for the investigation of epigenetic mechanisms modulating plant adaptation to environmental stresses driven by climate change. More specifically, EPI-CATCH has been created with the objective of standardizing methodology in plant epigenetics/epigenomics and better integrate these data with other “omic” approaches, creating a pan-European framework for networking in this under-investigated research field. 

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  • Covid 19 - CESAM supports Hospital de Aveiro delivering protective material

    Published in 23/3/2020

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    "We responded positively to a challenge from the Centro Hospitalar do Baixo Vouga (CHBV) that asked for the provision of some protective materials. UA community responded immediately and continues to help and will be available to help in whatever is necessary," said Artur Silva, UA vice-rector for research.  In addition to the production and delivery of disinfectant, assured from CESAM by Anabela Pereira, Biology/Environmental Laboratories Technician, and Joana Barata, Technological Development Researcher,  the Academy responded to the request for delivery of protective material for the clinical staff of the Hospital de Aveiro with the delivery of lab coats, masks and gloves stored in the Chemistry, Biology and Environment Departments, Escola Superior de Saúde and ECOMARE, as well as in several Research Units (CESAM, CICECO, LAQV_REQUIMTE-Aveiro). + https://bit.ly/2QnUA2H

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  • COVID-19 info

    Published in 21/5/2020

    Dear CESAM member: Taking into account the current situation and the recommendations by the Portuguese Government and the Rector of the University of Aveiro, CESAM staff has been reduced to a minimum possible onsite - the administrative staff is working remotely (those who are not on leave due to assistance to children). Until further notice, all communications with any staff member should favor the use of email and/or phone calls. As requested before please use institutional emails -this facilitates the correct and fastest way of response. We will try to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Please keep following the current situation which is updated regularly in the University of Aveiro website https://www.ua.pt/en/covid-19-info https://www.ua.pt/en/covid-19-faq       Imagem de mohamed Hassan por Pixabay 

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  • CESAM's Researcher - José Alves - signs an article in national newspaper

    Published in 16/3/2020

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    The land of make-believe — that will certainly be made to pay the bill! Since the Environmental Impact Assessment for Montijo Airport was made public, in July 2019, its failures, with regard to the evaluation of impacts on the birds of the estuary have come to be revealed. In September 2019, these limitations were presented in public consultation to the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). In January 2020 they released a Declaration of Environmental Impact (DIA) “conditionally approving” the project — nullifying practically any subsequent discussion of this subject. However, it has now been reported that the technical report by specialists of the national authority for nature conservation (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e Florestas — ICNF) attests that the impacts of this project “…call into question the integrity of the whole Special Protection Area” of the Tagus Estuary, and that the assessment of the ICNF “must be negative”, on pain of “possible future [European] community legislation.” Continue reading here: https://bit.ly/2vuTivS This article was written by the Researcher José Alves.

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  • CESAM participates in work that reveals that banana peels may be efficient in cleaning contaminated waters

    Published in 11/3/2020

    The PhD student of CESAM & CICECO Elaine Fabre is the first author of the article published in the journal Science of the Total Environment that shows that banana peels are highly efficient in removing heavy metals of contaminated waters, namely with mercury. The complete news can be read here and had a national visibility (e.g., SIC Notícias).

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  • CESAM brings closer researchers and the community with the new project "Ciência com Impacto"

    Published in 10/3/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] Que impacto têm as descobertas científicas na sociedade? E como podem ajudar na nossa vida quotidiana? Estas são as questões de partida que inspiram o “Ciência com Impacto”, uma nova iniciativa do Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM) da Universidade de Aveiro. O programa acaba de arrancar, tendo começado já a chegar ao grande público através de canais digitais, seguindo-se um conjunto de ações no terreno. “Ciência com Impacto” representa uma forma inédita de retirar as descobertas científicas do laboratório e dos gabinetes dos investigadores, divulgando-as e promovendo-as junto da comunidade. A ação é constituída por vídeos temáticos de três minutos e de podcasts com uma hora de duração. Estes conteúdos são divulgados com uma periodicidade semanal, com a publicação dos vídeos a alternar com a semana de divulgação dos podcasts. O primeiro vídeo já está disponível em https://cienciacomimpacto.pt e é protagonizado por Catarina Eira, investigadora do CESAM, que fala do seu trabalho na área da ecologia e conservação das populações de mamíferos marinhos que ocorrem na costa portuguesa. O primeiro podcast estará disponível na próxima segunda-feira, dia 16 de março. No âmbito da iniciativa “Ciência com Impacto” serão ainda realizados debates sobre temas da atualidade, associados às áreas do ambiente, saúde humana, ecologia, mar e biotecnologia, entre outros. Estes encontros contarão com a presença e o contributo de investigadores do CESAM e de outros atores relevantes para a temática abordada. A Bondalti, indústria química parceira do projeto, assume a produção, realização e divulgação dos podcasts, que estão a ser alojados num media host e disponibilizados nas plataformas habituais (em áudio) e no Youtube (em vídeo). Além desta divulgação, o podcast será emitido pela Rádio Voz da Ria, que se associa através da cedência dos estúdios. O Diário de Notícias também se associou e será criada uma rúbrica quinzenal intitulada "Ciência com Impacto", que publicará o podcast e uma entrevista editada a partir dele.  “Ciência com Impacto” contará, igualmente, com uma componente de ciência cidadã, de modo a envolver as empresas e o público em projetos de investigação.

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  • CESAM in the Science Week of a local school

    Published in 10/3/2020

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    [Text only available in Portuguese] Membros do Laboratório de Biotecnologia Molecular (Departamento de Biologia e CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro), estiveram presentes na Semana da Ciência da Escola Secundária Adolfo Portela em Águeda nos dias 04 e 06 de março. No primeiro dia, Joana Barbosa, recentemente doutorada foi apresentar o seu trabalho de Doutoramento numa palestra intitulada “Bactérias: Quando os vilões trabalham a nosso favor”. A palestra foi dirigida a cerca de 50 alunos e professores essencialmente do 10º e 11º anos. No dia 06 de março, investigadores do laboratório (um doutorado e estudantes de doutoramento e de mestrado) dinamizaram um workshop sobre Técnicas de Cultura de procariotas e avaliação de características fenotípicas. Este workshop foi dirigido a 20 alunos do 11º ano.

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  • Research project led by University of Aveiro receives 300 000 € funding to study Côa Valley

    Published in 9/3/2020

    The project rWILD-COA was approved for funding by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), in the scope of the International Research Program on Côa Valley, which aims to promote interdisciplinar and multidisciplinar R&D activities performed in the region of Côa Valley, classified by UNESCO as World Heritage Site in 2019. The project rWILD-COA - Ecological challenges and opportunities of trophic rewilding in Côa Valley, has a multidisciplinary and international team: João Carvalho (Principal Investigator), Rita T. Torres, Rui Morgado, Susana Loureiro and Carlos Fonseca, all from Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, Association Rewilding Iberia, Association Transumância e Natureza, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and  Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona.   rWILD-COA will use Côa Valley as a natural laboratory to test and quantify the potential role of wild ungulates as ‘engineers’ of Mediterranean ecosystem. The project rWILD-COA will provide the necessary knowledge to the implementation of self-sustainable ecosystems. By integrating a variety of specialized teams and disciplines, rWILD-COA is aimed to i) evaluate the effects of extensive and intensive grazing and/or browsing on fire risk mitigation, ii) predict how ungulates impact soil ecological processes and functioning (e.g. soil microbial activity, biogeochemical cycling) by grazing, grubbing, trampling and dunging, and study how these activities influence vegetation structure and invertebrate communities through soil nutrient mediation, iii) explore the direct and indirect pathways by which ungulates buffer or strengthen changes in species richness and diversity in the face of other environmental perturbations, such as climate warming, and iv) analyse plant-soil feedback effects and the role of inter and intraspecific competition on foraging efficiency, diet quality and animal health of reintroduced individuals. the ecological and functional processes of the soil (e.g. microbial activity, biogeochemical cycles), and study how these activities influence the structure of the vegetation and the community of invertebrates through the mediation of the nutrients’ cycle, iii) evaluate the effects of intensive and extensive pastoralism in the mitigation of fire risk, and iv) analyze the effects of the resources competition in the quality of the diet and physiological parameters of reintroduced animals.

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  • Irina Gorodetskaya is interviewed regarding the temperature rise in Antarctic

    Published in 4/3/2020

    The national journal JPN wrote, on February 20, an article on the temperature record obtained in Antarctic. CESAM researcher Irina Gorodetskaya was interviewed to give her testimony on this thematic and the article was updated on February 26. Irina Gorodetskaya is an expert in meteorology and clime with several works in Antarctic. The article can be read here [in Portuguese].

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  • X Iberian Symposium - Minho River Basin & Final Seminar of the COOPERMINHO Project in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal 25-26 Sep

    Published in 30/4/2020

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    O Simpósio vai decorrer em vila Nova de Cerveira de 25 a 26 de setembro de 2020. A realização do SIBHRM, com uma periodicidade bianual, junta participantes de Espanha e Portugal, no sentido de atualizar informação e promover a discussão sobre temas pertinentes para a região, tendo por base os recursos naturais e importância da preservação da biodiversidade associada ao Rio Minho. A edição deste ano, irá realizar-se em conjunto com o Seminário Final do projeto COOPERMINHO - Valorização da Produção Piscatória do Rio Minho – Contribuição para a Gestão e Valorização de Produtos da Pesca do Rio Minho – Comunicação e Formação Socioambiental da Comunidade Local para a valorização dos Recursos Piscícolas do Rio Minho. A inscrição neste evento é gratuita mas obrigatória e pode ser feita aqui. Datas importantes: Data limite de inscrição: 31 julho Data limite de envio de resumos: 31 julho Data limite de envio de trabalhos: 01 setembro

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  • Documentary with the support of CESAM will be soon released

    Published in 3/3/2020

    The documentary “Lousada - Reencontro com a Natureza” will be soon released in the national TV channel, SIC. This documentary involved the logistic support of biologists and technicians of the Municipality of Lousada and CESAM, which was the scientific partner. Joaquim Pedro Ferreira, researcher of CESAM, shared the authorship and direction of this documentary. Placed in the North of Portugal, Lousada is a place with a dense population and, as a consequence, the landscape has a big concentration of houses and other human-built structures. Regardless the elimination of several natural habitats, the wild life often resists and several species took profit from the opportunities created by the human presence. The company Play Solutions Audiovisuais and the Municipality of Lousada present natural histories unknown for the general public, such as: an eagle that feeds its offspring with honeycombs of Asian hornets, the fights between huge scarab beetles, and the largest lizards in Europe living in a football field. The documentary resulted from more than 800 filming hours of animal behavior, some of them were never registered in Portugal. We invite you to meet an innovative project of nature conservation and the extraordinary work of a group of people dedicated to the protection of biodiversity. The trailer can be seen here.

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  • A new book on Methods to Study Litter Decomposition - A Practical Guide was published with the contribution of CESAM’s researchers

    Published in 28/8/2020

    A new  book on Methods to Study Litter Decomposition - A Practical Guide was published with the contribution of CESAM’s researchers to the following chapter:   Flindt, M.R., A.I. Lillebø, J. Pérez, V. Ferreira (2020) Total phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon in leaf litter. In: Methods to Study Litter Decomposition: A practical guide. Scientific Editors: Baerlocher, Felix, Gessner, Mark O., Graça, Manuel A.S., Springer. Chapter 11, pp 91-105.    

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  • Catarina Eira gives the alarm: At least one dolphin dies per day in Portugal due to fishing nets

    Published in 2/3/2020

    The CESAM researcher  Catarina Eira, explains in the online journal Observador, how fishing nets can contribute to the extinction of some dolphin species and possible solutions to this problem. Data result from LIFE+ project MarPro.

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  • CESAM participates in a sea turtle conservation project on the beaches of Angola

    Published in 2/3/2020

    Cambeú project is focused in the protection of sea turtles that spawn in the beaches of Angola and that are seriously threaten. The news was given by UAOnline and was also highlighted by the journal Wilder [in PT].

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  • Book of CESAM in Science Communication

    Published in 27/2/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] Já pode ser lido o livro Comunicação de Ciência – das universidades ao grande público, editado pelas Edições Afrontamento (coleção Biologicando). Este livro foi publicado no âmbito das atividades do CESAM e conta com a contribuição de vários membros e colaboradores desta unidade de investigação. A obra é dirigida a todos os que ambicionam melhorar as suas capacidades de comunicação para vários públicos e responde a várias questões que assolam os Cientistas, Comunicadores e a Sociedade. O Reitor da Universidade de Aveiro, prof. Paulo Jorge Ferreira, refere no antelóquio que “com abordagens teóricas e práticas na dose certa, os onze capítulos focam-se naquilo que deve ser a comunicação de ciência das universidades para o grande público, nas várias formas que pode assumir e nos diversos contextos em que pode acontecer”. Assim, neste livro, poderá ler-se como comunicar ciência (desde um artigo científico a uma banda desenhada) e em contextos variados (por exemplo Centros de Ciência Viva e ONG). Este livro pretende não só beneficiar a comunidade científica e a Ciência, mas também a Sociedade, contribuindo para melhorar a prática da comunicação e a discussão das questões teóricas que fundamentam essa prática.

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  • ANICT 2020 local symposium - March 5th , UA

    Published in 24/2/2020

    ANICT 2020 events are a group of local symposia, organized by the scientific community in various parts of the country, with the aim of collecting information on the main problems that doctoral researchers face in the development of their work activity, as well as presenting and discussing concrete proposals with priority scientific policies that the government should implement. The relevance and urgency of these events is related to the mandate of the Comissão de Avaliação de Alto Nível de avaliação do Programa de Estímulo ao Emprego Científico, which should present its recommendations to the Government, by the end of March 2020. ANICT invites the entire community to participate in the events. Specifically, the event to be held at the University of Aveiro will take place on March 5th at Carlos Borrego Amphitheater (DAO), between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm, with the organization and moderation of CESAM Scientific Coordinator Ana Lillebø and the researchers Sónia Cruz and João Amaral.  

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  • Asian clams clean contaminated water

    Published in 18/2/2020

    Work of CESAM with University of Porto explores the potential of an invasive species to treat contaminated waters. The complete news here.

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  • CESAM hosts the series Bio Id & Ciência

    Published in 2/3/2020

    [Content only available in Portuguese] O objectivo da série é dar a conhecer a diversidade de organismos, o seu papel nos ecossistemas e o contributo que têm dado à ciência. Cada episódio, com periodicidade quinzenal, inicia com uma espécie de “bilhete de identidade” de um organismo e dará a conhecer as descobertas científicas que lhe estão associadas. É um catálogo de diversidade biológica, desde bactérias a grandes vertebrados, dado a conhecer por investigadores do CESAM. Esta produção audiovisual insere-se no cumprimento da missão do CESAM de promoção e divulgação do conhecimento científico. O primeiro episódio pode ser visto aqui. Esta série era antes uma iniciativa do Departamento de Biologia da Universidade de Aveiro e que também teve a colaboração de vários membros do CESAM. Todos os vídeos publicados até ao momento podem ser vistos aqui.

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  • CANCELLED - Public presentation of the project CIÊNCIA COM IMPACTO

    Published in 5/3/2020

    FOR PERSONAL AND FAMILIAR REASONS OF ONE OF THE INVOLVED PARTIES, THIS EVENT WAS CANCELED AND WILL BE POSTPONED FOR A NEW DATE NOT YET CONFIRMED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. [Text available only in Portuguese] O CESAM-Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar tem uma nova iniciativa que pretende retirar as grandes e pequenas descobertas científicas do laboratório e dos gabinetes dos investigadores. O projeto terá o nome de Ciência com impacto e a sua apresentação pública será no dia 06 de março, pelas 15h no Auditório do ISCA da Universidade de Aveiro. Ciência Com Impacto é um projeto de divulgação e promoção do conhecimento científico produzido nas áreas do ambiente, saúde humana, do mar, da ecologia e da biotecnologia por investigadores do Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM) da Universidade de Aveiro.  O principal objetivo deste projeto é mostrar como o conhecimento científico, que está a ser gerado neste preciso momento, tem impacto nas nossas vidas e no nosso quotidiano, como esse conhecimento resolve problemas, ajuda a tomar decisões e como permite que sejamos cidadãos mais ativos e responsáveis. Ciência Com Impacto será constituída por vídeos temáticos de três minutos e de podcasts com uma hora de duração. Estes conteúdos terão uma periodicidade quinzenal: a publicação dos vídeos alterna com a semana de divulgação dos podcasts. Serão ainda realizados debates sobre temas da atualidade, associados às áreas do ambiente, saúde humana, ecologia, mar e biotecnologia, entre outros que contarão com a presença e o contributo de investigadores do CESAM e de outros atores relevantes para a temática abordada. Ciência Com Impacto terá, também, uma componente de ciência cidadã de modo a envolver as empresas e o público em projetos de investigação. Ciência Com Impacto é um projeto da Universidade de Aveiro, que conta com o apoio da produtora Play Solutions Audiovisuais  e a parceria da Bondalti – a maior indústria química portuguesa. 

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  • CESAM faculty is the new CTO of ForestWISE

    Published in 14/2/2020

    Carlos Fonseca, professor of CESAM, took office as CTO of the Collaborative Laboratory ForestWISE on February 10, in a ceremony which had the presence of the Minister Manuel Heitor. The event at UTAD, brought together companies and public institutions interested in seeking answers to the challenge of an integrated management of rural fires. The complete news here.

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  • CESAM in the scientific commission of Jornadas Luso-Espanholas de Hidrografia

    Published in 13/2/2020

    The Instituto Hidrográfico (Portugal) and Instituto Hidrográfico de la Marina (Spain) co-organize, for the first time, the 1st Luso-Spanish Journeys on Hydrography. The CESAM researcher, Doctor Ana Lillebø, belongs to the scientific commission of this event. These journeys will happen in Instituto Hidrográfico from 23 to 25 June. This event occurs in the context of the World Hydrography Day (21 June) and is an opportunity for the scientific community discuss themes related with hydrographic engineering and in related areas. The themes that are going to be addressed in the journeys are: Hydrography Cartography Navigation and Maritime Services Oceanography Marine Geology Chemistry in marine environments Sea Technologies Marine Geospatial Data infrastructures Important dates: Abstract submission: 13 Mar Extended abstract submission: 04 May Release of temporary program: 15 Apr Registration: 15 Apr – 09 Jun More information here.

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  • CESAM inputs for the declaration and themes for the 2020 UN Ocean Conference

    Published in 10/2/2020

    Following the participation in the Preparatory Meeting of the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference held in the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 4-5 February CESAM’s representatives contributed to the stakeholders E-Consultation on elements for the declaration and themes for the interactive dialogues of the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference that will take place in Lisbon, 2-6 June. The complete CESAM’s contributions can be read here (line 99).

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  • A new Open Access book was published with the contribution of CESAM’s researchers

    Published in 27/8/2020

    A new Open Access book - O’Higgins T., Lago M., DeWitt T. (eds) (2020) Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity, Springer, 580pp (ISBN : 978-3-030-45842-3) - was published with the contribution of CESAM’s researchers to the following chapters:   Culhane F.E., Robinson L.A., Lillebø A.I. (2020) Approaches for Estimating the Supply of Ecosystem Services: Concepts for Ecosystem-Based Management in Coastal and Marine Environments. In: O’Higgins T., Lago M., DeWitt T. (eds) Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45843-0_6Lillebø A.I., Teixeira H., (...) Nogueira A.A.J.  (2020) Mitigating Negative Unintended Impacts on Biodiversity in the Natura 2000 Vouga Estuary (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). In: O’Higgins T., Lago M., DeWitt T. (eds) Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45843-0_24McDonald H., (…) Teixeira H. (2020) Ecosystem-Based Management for More Effective and Equitable Marine Protected Areas: A Case Study on the Faial-Pico Channel Marine Protected Area, Azores. In: O’Higgins T., Lago M., DeWitt T. (eds) Ecosystem-Based Management, Ecosystem Services and Aquatic Biodiversity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45843-0_25     Download book here: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-45843-0

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  • Participatory meeting on the control of invasive species in Ria de Aveiro had the presence of CESAM

    Published in 6/2/2020

    The Directorate-General responsible for nature conservation and forests convene on February 03 2020, in University of Aveiro, a participatory meeting on the control of invasive alien species in Ria de Aveiro. Several entities of the region of Aveiro were present, including University of Aveiro represented by CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies. The participatory meeting organized by the Direção Regional da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas do Centro focused on the “Control of invasive alien species in Natura 2000 Site Ria de Aveiro in the context of the commemoration of the World Wetlands Day, this year dedicated to the theme Wetlands and Biodiversity. The main goal of the meeting was to prepare and operationalize a control plan of the invasive alien species in Ria de Aveiro Site. Invasions has been identified in the National Strategy for the Conservation of Nature and Biodiversity 2030 as one of the major threats to biodiversity. CESAM researcher Heliana Teixeira, was invited to be present in the meeting and presented the first exhaustive survey of the aquatic invasive alien species in Ria de Aveiro that has been made by her team. Professor Hélia Marchante from Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra and researcher of CFE- UC, co-responsible for the platform Invasoras.pt, was also present and reported the terrestrial invasive alien species that constitute major impacts and of higher concern in the area. Several entities of the Central region of Portugal participated in this meeting, including municipalities, environmental agencies, relevant Directorates-General, University of Aveiro represented by CESAM, other high education entities, Guarda Nacional Republicana, Port of Aveiro administration and Capitania.

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  • CESAM present in the Ocean Conference Preparatory Meeting in New York

    Published in 5/2/2020

    In anticipation of the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference, the General Assembly of UN decided to convene a two-day preparatory meeting from 4-5 February 2020 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Ana Lillebø, the Scientific Coordinator of CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies and representatives of the CESAM thematic line Marine Ecosystems & Resources are present in this event. The 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference will be held in Lisbon, 2-6 June 2020 co-hosted by Government of Portugal and Kenya. This event comes at a critical time as the world is strengthening its efforts to mobilize, create and drive solutions to realize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In anticipation of this Conference, the General Assembly organized a preparatory meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York aiming to discuss the actions to support the implementation of UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 14 – Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Universidade de Aveiro is present in this event with Ana Lillebø, CESAM’s scientific Coordinator, together with Ricardo Calado and Cristina Pita, coordinator and co-coordinator of the CESAM thematic line Marine Ecosystems & Resources, respectively. The main aims of this thematic line are to contribute to a Blue Society, where solutions are inspired by the ocean, and improve ocean and coastal decision-making, supported by solid scientific knowledge. This is in line with the ultimate goal of the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference which is to use science and innovation to improve the knowledge on marine ecosystems and manage the marine resources in a sustainable way. At the opening of the meeting, the delivery from the Portuguese Minister of the Sea, Dr. Ricardo Serrão Santos, highlighted that “Portugal, as a strong voice for ocean law and governance, and for science-based policy, will stay at the forefront of the advocacy for the recognition that we need transformative action”, reinforcing the relevance of this theme at a national level in the future.  More on this preparatory meeting and on the 2020 United Nations Ocean Conference here.

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  • Portuguese newspaper Público takes CESAM researcher to the area that will be impacted by the construction of the new airport in Lisbon

    Published in 4/2/2020

    The Portuguese newspaper Público made na article on the impact of Montijo Airport in birds and took the CESAM researcher, José Alves, and Joaquim Teodósio from the Portuguese society of birds (SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves). Watch the video here [in PT]. This issue was cover on the today’s newspaper.

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  • CESAM paper is highlighted in Nature Climate Change

    Published in 3/2/2020

    The work of CESAM researcher Isabel Lopes and collaborator Cátia Venâncio entitled Active emigration from climate change-caused seawater intrusion into freshwater habitats was highlighted in the prestigious journal Nature Climate Change. One of the aims of this research was to answer the question if mobile freshwater organisms emigrate from salinity-disturbed habitats, i.e. if they avoid the salinity stress. Results show that planktonic crustacean (Daphnia magna), epibenthic ostracod (Heterocypris incongruens), frog (Xenopus laevis) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) show this behavior.  Seawater intrusion is an expected event under climate change scenarios, resulting in a salinization of low-lying coastal freshwater ecosystems. Usually, ecological risk assessment of this intrusion is based in standard toxicity tests.  The highlight given by Nature Climate Change is a call for attention that, for mobile organisms, stress avoidance emigration may occur and it will be important to consider it to assess the full risk of local losses due to salinization.

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  • CESAM researcher in Dutch media talking about the threat to the national bird

    Published in 31/1/2020

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    The black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa) is one of many wader species that uses the Tagus estuary as resting and feeding area during the winter, and one which is predicted to be seriously affected by the new Lisbon airport, located in the Montijo peninsula, in the middle of the Tagus estuary. The breeding population of black-tailed godwit in central Europa (particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and England) has suffered drastic declines of 30-49% during the last 26 years. Due to such negative population trend, the species is classified as “near threatened” by the International Union for Nature Conservation, and is currently targeted by several conservation programs, many of which financed by the European Union (Life Projects, Agri-Environemtal Schemes, etc.). And, in the Netherlands, the black-tailed godwit is the national bird! José Alves, DBIO & CESAM researcher was interview this week by broadcaster from Friesland (Omrop Fryslan), Dutch province where black-tailed godwits are very abundant. The new was published on-line and broadcasted in the radio and tv, reaching national media (e.g. NOS), which in turn lead to environmental NGOs asking the Dutch government about the issue. The news has been gaining momentum in the Netherlands and “it is very interesting to notice that an EU member state dedicates so much attention to one species, when in Portugal, where many other species will be directly affected by the airport location, this topic has had little to no debate”.

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  • CESAM in an inventory of pollinator insects in the spaces of UA

    Published in 31/1/2020

    About 200 species of insects, mainly pollinators, were identified in 3 spaces of Universidade de Aveiro (UA) on the scope of the Master thesis in Applied Ecology of David Alves supervised by the researchers of Department of Biology and CESAM, Olga Ameixa and Paula Maia. More information on this work here [in PT].

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  • 6th Smart Green Homes Open Campus: 120 publications and 23 patents

    Published in 30/1/2020

    The project Smart Green Homes (SGH) that has CESAM members in its team boosted another edition of the Smart Green Homes (SGH) Open Campus in 29 January at Universidade de Aveiro. This event gathered the researchers of this project in the discussion and presentation of the worked obtained so far. The complete news here [in PT].

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  • CESAM participates in event organized by the Ministry of the Sea on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

    Published in 30/1/2020

    Ministry of the Sea, Academia das Ciências de Lisboa and the Portuguese Committee for IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission)/UNESCO are organizing a session dedicated to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development: From challenges to actions. This session will be held on the 14th February 2020 in Academia das Ciências de Lisboa. Program includes the participation of experts that will present and debate on how Ocean Science can contribute to Sustainable Development and the objectives of Agenda 2030. The event will have the presence of the Minister of the Sea, Dr. Ricardo Serrão Santos and of the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Eduaction, Dr. Manuel Heitor. Prof. Luis Menezes Pinheiro, President of the Portuguese Committee for IOC and researcher at CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Universidade de Aveiro, will share the opening session with the Minister of the Sea and will be the moderator of the panel The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Doctor Ana Hilário, researcher at CESAM, with a recognized curriculum on deep sea ecosystems, will be a speaker in the round table Ocean observation and protection measures. The complete program of the event can be consulted here. This session will be interesting for all including young researchers and post-grad students. The event is public but requires registration through the email: eventos@dgpm.mm.gov.pt.  UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development was declared by the United Nations and will be held from 2021 to 2030 aiming to provide a common framework to ensure that ocean science can fully support countries to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Decade will provide a unique opportunity to create a new foundation, across the science-policy interface, to strengthen the management of our oceans and coasts for the benefit of humanity. The Decade will strengthen the international cooperation needed to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society. The Decade will require the engagement of many different stakeholders to create new ideas, solutions, partnerships and applications, these include: scientists, governments, academics, policy makers, business, industry and civil society. More information on the Decade here.

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  • CESAM work shows that the quality of water in Lisbon may be “seriously compromised”

    Published in 3/2/2020

    The research work of Diana Vieira and  Marta Basso together with researchers from University of Lisbon, warns that, as a consequence of the forest fires of 2017 in the Centre of Portugal, the supply of water from Rio Zêzere may be impacted. The news was disseminated in several national media and can be read here: Público [in PT] RTP online [in PT] Visão [in PT] TSF [in PT] Expresso [in PT]

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  • CESAM paper is cover in Environmental Science & Technology journal

    Published in 22/1/2020

    The paper Structural features and pro-inflammatory effects of water-soluble organic matter in inhalable fine urban air particles authored by CESAM members, together with researchers from iBiMED and QOPNA & LAVQ-REQUIMTE of Universidade de Aveiro, is cover of the next number Environmental Science & Technology journal. In this work, researchers collected inhalable fine particulate matter from the atmosphere to identify differences in the composition of water-soluble organic matter (WSOM), and the oxidative and pro-inflammatory potential of WSOM samples in alveolar macrophages, which are related with the physiological responses of the immune system. Researchers concluded that exposure to these particles induced a moderate pro-inflammatory status, which may lead to a long-term reduction in the response capacity of the macrophages to further pro-inflammatory stimuli. These results suggest that, a decrease in the capacity of the alveolar macrophages to deal with pathogens may occur as a long-term effect. However, these are only preliminary results and further studies are necessary to understand the mechanisms responsible to cause the apparent increase of susceptibility to respiratory diseases due to the inhalation of these particles.

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  • Researcher of CESAM is guest editor in a special issue of the journal Animals

    Published in 4/8/2020

    The researcher of CESAM Rita Tinoco Torres is the guest editor in a special issue of the journal Animals. The subject of this special issue is “Wildlife Diseases” and the deadline for manuscripts submission is May 31, 2021. More information about this Special Issue can be read here.

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  • CESAM researcher and Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds raise complaint against Portuguese Government due to a violation of an international agreement

    Published in 21/1/2020

    CESAM researcher, José Alves, together with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA - Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves) and a researcher from MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, raised a complaint against Portuguese Government, accusing it of violating the AEWA – African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, following the construction of a new airport at Montijo, Portugal. AEWA is an international agreement that protects 255 aquatic bird species. The news was published in the nature magazine Wilder – Rewilding your days and can be read here (in Portuguese).

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  • CESAM researcher is co-organizing a SEB+ session at the annual conference of the Society for Experimental Biology

    Published in 21/1/2020

    Diana Madeira, CESAM's post-doctoral researcher, is organizing a special session SEB+ at the annual conference of the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB), in collaboration with Prof Piero Calosi (Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada).  The SEB annual meeting will take place in Prague from the 7th to the 10th of July 2020 and is a multi-disciplinary conference for researchers working on animal, plant and cell biology. It gathers over 800 biologists from all over the world and it will give its participants a great networking opportunity. The special SEB+ session co-organized by Diana Madeira will take place on the 11th of July 2020 and is titled “Within and transgenerational plastic responses and adaptive evolution of marine metazoans in a changing ocean: from molecules to biotic communities”. In more detail, the topics to be discussed in this session include: - Impacts of global change on marine biodiversity: trends and challenges for research and conservation - Tools and methodological developments to study global change impacts on biodiversity -Development of an integrated approach to global change research and biodiversity conservation  This SEB+ session, associated to the main event, will give its participants the opportunity to:  1. Interact with several of the world's top experts on climate change and marine biodiversity  2. Participate in open discussions 3. Present a poster or deliver a talk  4. Share ideas and establish multi-disciplinary collaborative networks Abstracts should be submitted until the 13th of March 2020 here.

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  • Key messages for the new EU Biodiversity Strategy from ALTER-Net

    Published in 9/6/2020

    ALTER-Net, the international network that has CESAM as a member, and EKLIPSE offer 12 messages to contribute to the development of the next EU biodiversity strategy.  In June 2019, researchers, scientists, decision-makers, and practitioners of several disciplines convened in Ghent for the 2019 ALTER-Net & EKLIPSE Conference. The purpose of this conference was to consider the post-2020 European Biodiversity Strategy and the role of research in shaping this strategy and its goals. The primary output of this conference is a collection of the 12 Key Messages, which have now been published and submitted to the European Commission. Here you can read all the messages and the full argumentation for each message.

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  • Minister of the Sea present in an event organized by CESAM on the scope of the deep ocean in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

    Published in 24/1/2020

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    Deep ocean is the major bioma of the planet and many remain unknown, particularly regarding biodiversity and ecosystems functioning. However, it is largely recognized that human well-being is highly related with the integrity of the deep ecosystems due to several services such as climatic regulation and resources availability. In general, for society, the deep ocean is a remote and unknown place with almost no biodiversity and clear inaccessibility. Nevertheless, a combination of geological, physical and geochemical factors creates a vast number of complex habitats with unique characteristics that, together, contribute to the environmental balance of our planet. Fauna from these habitats, present specific adaptations to high pressure, darkness, low temperatures, lack of food and, in some cases, isolation. Consequently, generally, animal physiology and the function of deep ocean ecosystems are highly different from the ones of terrestrial and shallow waters environments. Moreover, biodiversity from bathyal and abyssal depths is among the more elevated in the planet and the discovering potential is huge ranging from new genetic resources to new roles that these habitats play in the marine environment. In this context, the functioning and the ecosystem services supported by deep ocean biodiversity together with the impacts and resilience of the deep-ocean to human activity, is a major gap of knowledge. Historically, one of the great limitations to the knowledge of the deep ocean is the fact that the approach is fragmented and biased, with data collected mainly in the North Hemisphere and in the Exclusive Economic Zones of developed countries. United Nations have declared 2021-2030 as the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and on its roadmap, UN recognizes the lack of data in the deep ocean as an obstacle to the sustainable management of the oceans and requests the scientific community collaboration and coordination when planning the oceanic science. Scientific community in the deep ocean has answered to this challenge through two international initiatives: (1) Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative (DOSI) which contributes to the identification of the priority scientific questions for the Decade and the technological potential necessary to answer these questions, and (2) the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) that supports a working group aiming to plan a global approach using standard and adapted methods to the different habitats for the acquisition and integration of biological data of the deep ocean, and create technology transfer resources and capacitate human resources for the ocean sciences. CESAM has an essential role in this process, by coordinating these working groups. Moreover, CESAM had organized a DOSI workshop for the identification of the scientific priorities for the Decade (October 2018) and is now receiving SCOR for its first meeting (22-24 January 2020). This event will have a public session on January 24 which will have the presence of several national and international researchers, together with the national Minister of the Sea, Dr. Ricardo Serrão Santos. The program of this public event can be consulted below.   THE DEEP OCEAN IN THE UNDECADE OF OCEAN SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT  24 January 2020, University of Aveiro (Anfiteatro do DEMaC, Building 9, room 9.1.1) 14.30 Welcome and introduction Prof. Paulo Jorge Ferreira, Rector of the University of Aveiro (TBC); Dr. Ana Hilário, University of Aveiro 14.50 Advances since the Census of Marine Life (2000-2010) and challenges for the next decade Dr. Paul Snelgrove, Memorial University, Newfoundland, Canada 15.10 Deep-Ocean science programmes in the Decade Prof. Lisa Levin, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, USA 15.30 The role of Portugal in a Decade of deep-ocean science Dr. Ricardo Serrão Santos, Minister of the Sea, Portugal & Member of the Executive Planning Group of the Decade 16.00 Round table discussion Moderator: Dr. Ana Colaço, University of the Azores, Portugal  

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  • Unique ethnobiological research on the sea lamprey in Minho River involves CESAM members

    Published in 17/1/2020

    CESAM, together with the Department of Biology of Universidade de Aveiro, contribute to the project CCOPERMINHO, in which it is responsible for a unique ethnobiological research in Minho River foccused in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus. More information on this work here [in PT]. In the context of this project, do not miss the premiere of the documentary COOPERMINHO on the 22nd of January at Universidade de Aveiro.

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  • Thematic Agenda for Research and Innovation – Climate Change is available to the public

    Published in 14/1/2020

    The finished document of the Thematic Agenda for Research and Innovation on Climate Change is already available at the site of FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (https://www.fct.pt/agendastematicas/altclim.phtml.pt). Some CESAM members had an important role in this document, namely, Prof. Henrique Queiroga, who participated as a Redactor, and Prof. Carlos Borrego and Doctor Sandra Rafael, who collaborated as experts. This Agenda is part of a group of fifteen Thematic Agendas at the responsibility of FCT, following an annex of the Council of Ministers decision nº 32/2016 on the commitment to the future (in PT). These agendas intend to mobilize experts from R&D institutions and companies in the identification of challenges and opportunities for the national scientific and technological system until 2030. The process of creation of the Agendas has been inclusive and dynamic, involving experts from academia, research centers, companies and public entities, but also citizens. Presently, the Agenda for Climate Change, is waiting for the graphic design but is already available to consult and download here.

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  • The premiere of the documentary "Cooperminho" will be on January 22nd at 3pm in the Meeting Room of CESAM

    Published in 13/1/2020

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    https://projetocooperminho.com/

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  • UGIIC 2020 - Urban Green Infrastructure International Conference

    Published in 2/1/2020

    The project GENESIS - Green roofs and walls ENvironmental Economic and SocIal Savings: Modelling uncertainty and investors / users preferences in all-inclusive cost-benefit analysis of green roofs and walls, which has CESAM members on its team, is organizing the URBAN GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE to be held in Lisbon, 2-3 April 2020. Besides having the presence of CESAM members in the organizing committee, Professor Ana Isabel Miranda and researcher Vera Rodrigues are in the scientific committee. UGIIC 2020 is an interdisciplinary conference on green infrastructures (GI) and nature-based solutions (NBS) for cities. The aim of this event is to share and discuss the most recent work on green walls and green roofs, bringing together researchers, architects, engineers, urban planners, landscape architects and policy-makers from different nationalities. More information here. Important dates: - Abstract submission: 31 Jan - Paper/poster submission: 31 Jan - Presentation submission: 29 Feb

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  • CESAM wishes you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

    Published in 20/12/2019

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    How many irrelevant e-mails do you send in one day? 65? You have just contributed with the same amount of CO2 as if you were driving a car for only 1 km! In 2020, CESAM proposes you to strive to be more mindful & sustainable and avoid sending irrelevant e-mails. https://tinyurl.com/environmental-impact-of-emails  

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  • CESAM welcomes researchers from several parts of the world with the main objective of creating a MSc Programme in Aquaculture and Fisheries

    Published in 20/12/2019

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    Between 17 and 19 December the University of Aveiro hosted several researchers from Palermo University in Italy, Dubrovnik University of Croatia, EMUNI (Euro-Mediterranean University) in Slovenia, University of Alexandria in Egypt, University of Aswan in Egypt and Arab Academy of Sciences and Maritime Transport in Egypt for the start-up meeting of the Erasmus+ FishAqu project ("Knowledge Exchange in sustainable Fisheries management and Aquaculture in the Mediterranean region"). The main objective of this project is to create a Master's programme in Aquaculture and Fisheries in the light of the principles of the Bologna process. The beginning of this meeting was marked by the welcome reception by the Vice-Rector of the University of Aveiro, Professor Artur Silva. During the meeting the bases for the implementation and execution of the project were established and the curricular development will be based on future meetings in Aveiro and Marsa Matrouh in Egypt, as well as in Piran in Slovenia. This project involves, among other activities, the mobility of teachers and students from the University of Aveiro to Egypt where they will participate in the teaching of Master's modules, as well as the reception at the University of Aveiro of Egyptian students. http://fishaqu.eu/

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  • CESAM researcher writes an opinion article comparing the action of the government when facing the pandemic and the Montijo Airport

    Published in 3/8/2020

    The researcher José A. Alves writes an opinion article in the national newspaper Público. In this article, he compares the action of the Portuguese government when facing the present pandemic in which the experts were essential in the decision-making, with the process of the construction of the new Airport in Montijo in which experts were ignored. The opinion of José A. Alves may be read in Portuguese or in English.

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  • Birds also drink palm wine in Bijagós Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau

    Published in 17/12/2019

     [Content only available in Portuguese] Investigadores do CESAM – Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, FCUL - Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa observaram três espécies de aves a alimentarem-se de seiva de palma, parcialmente fermentada, aproveitando a recolha feita nas palmeiras pelas populações locais para produção de vinho de palma, no Arquipélago dos Bijagós, Guiné Bissau. São poucos os grupos de animais vertebrados que conseguem alimentar-se de seiva de plantas, no entanto, algumas espécies de aves e mamíferos incluem este recurso altamente energético na sua dieta. Um estudo realizado em 2019 por investigadores do CESAM – Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, FCUL - Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa documentou (Jorge Gutiérrez, Teresa Catry, José Pedro Granadeiro), pela primeira vez, três espécies de aves (Tecelão-malhado Ploceus cucullatus, Engole-malagueta Pycnonotus barbatus (na imagem) e Beija-flor do Gabão Anthreptes gabonicus) a alimentarem-se em pontos de recolha de seiva de palma. Na verdade, o consumo de “vinho de palma”, produzido a partir da seiva recolhida das palmeiras, é uma prática comum em muitos países do Oeste Africano. Para isso os habitantes locais fazem cortes no topo das árvores a partir dos quais extraem a seiva.  Neste trabalho, que decorreu durante três meses na ilha de Orango, no arquipélago dos Bijagós, as aves foram observadas a tirar partido desta oportunidade, bebendo diretamente dos pontos de recolha de seiva nas palmeiras. Esta seiva, além de rica em açúcares, pode também ser uma fonte de água importante na época seca. No entanto, “Apesar de não se terem observado alterações no comportamento destas aves, esta seiva já está parcialmente fermentada, contendo entre 5,6 e 7,6 % de álcool (o equivalente a uma cerveja). De alguma forma estas espécies parecem estar adaptadas para lidar com este nível de álcool, mas serão necessárias mais experiências para o provar” explica Jorge Gutiérrez, um dos autores deste trabalho. Os autores destacam ainda que é muito interessante “o facto destas aves potencialmente aprenderem este comportamento de aproveitamento deste recurso umas com as outras, podendo servir como modelos de estudo de transmissão cultural em ambiente selvagem”.  Este é um exemplo de um caso em que o Homem facilita o acesso de alimento a estas espécies de aves que, de outra forma, não conseguiriam aproveitar este recurso. Interessante também é o facto destas aves parecerem estar familiarizadas com a localização e produção dos diferentes pontos de recolha e defenderem-nos ativamente de outras que tentem alimentar-se neles. Os próximos passos serão “investigar a ocorrência deste comportamento em outras ilhas do arquipélago dos Bijagós e realizar experiências com aves marcadas individualmente para se perceber a relevância do vinho de palma na sua alimentação e o potencial papel da transmissão cultural neste comportamento” diz Jorge Gutiérrez. O artigo original pode ser lido aqui. O trabalho foi realizado no âmbito do projeto MigraWebs. [Créditos da imagem: Jorge Gutérrez]

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  • Workshop on Soil Research @CESAM - Celebrating the World Soil Day 18 December - UA

    Published in 19/12/2019

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  • Project TraSeaFood on the traceability of geographic origin of marine resources was presented at ECOMARE

    Published in 13/12/2019

    A presentation workshop took place December 10 at ECOMARE (University of Aveiro), featuring project TraSeafood - Traceability of Geographic Origin as an Intelligent Appreciation Path for Endogenous Marine Resources (PTDC / BIA-BMA / 29491/2017). This project is supported by FCT/MEC through national funds, and co-funding by FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020. The whole project research team was present at the workshop, as well as representatives of Autoridade Marítima Nacional, Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos (DGRM), Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) and several other partner entities that are part of the stakeholders’ committee of project TraSeafood. Speakers presented the biogeochemical and biochemical techniques employed, as well as the statistical models developed, that already allowed to establish the best methodologies to achieve a reliable traceability of the geographical origin of various marine organisms collected along the Portuguese continental coast and Galicia. TraSeafood project will continue until May 31, 2021 assisting law enforcement agencies to combat illegal fishing and expose fraudulent practices and/or threats to public health.

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  • Special Issue on Functional Aquafeeds co-edited by CESAM researchers Miguel C. Leal and Ricardo Calado

    Published in 9/12/2019

    Miguel C. Leal and Ricardo Calado, researchers at CESAM and members of the Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA) research group, co-edited a Special Issue on Functional Aquafeeds published by the Journal of the World Aquaculture Nutrition (Wiley). In the editorial of this Special Issue both researchers highlight that “lack of suitable legal frameworks that encompass the most recent scientific breakthroughs often postpone their use by the industry. If such regulatory bottlenecks arise for functional aquafeeds, aquaculture may not be able to deliver the world its much needed sustainably farmed protein.” [Caption of image: Infographic of the Featured article in JWAS Special Issue Functional Aquafeeds]

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  • Homenagem ao Professor Casimiro Pio, 1º Coordenador Científico do CESAM, continuamos a contar consigo!

    Published in 18/12/2019

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  • A paper from CESAM researchers is highlighted in Environmental Science & Technology journal

    Published in 15/1/2020

    The paper “Structural features and pro-inflammatory effects of water-soluble organic matter in inhalable fine urban air particles” (https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b04596), from the Environmental Processes & Pollutants research group, in partnership with researchers from iBiMED and QOPNA & LAVQ-REQUIMTE from the University of Aveiro, has recently been accepted for publication in the prestigious journal Environmental Science & Technology. The article was also selected for the cover of Environmental Science & Technology journal, Volume 54, number 2, to be published in January 2020.

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  • Lisa Sousa, investigadora do CESAM, em destaque no Caderno produzido pelo Açoriano Oriental sobre a Conferência Internacional “Governança dos Oceanos em Regiões Arquipelágicas”

    Published in 3/12/2019

    Lisa Sousa, investigadora do CESAM e do grupo COPING do Departamento de Ambiente e Ordenamento, em destaque no Caderno produzido pelo Açoriano Oriental sobre a Conferência Internacional “Governança dos Oceanos em Regiões Arquipelágicas”, que decorreu no Faial em outubro. A Conferência reuniu mais de 80 convidados e 195 participantes de vários países do mundo para partilhar conhecimento e debater os desafios da gestão e governança do mar. Discutiram-se temas como a monitorização e avaliação dos recursos marinhos, literacia para os oceanos, socioeconomia das pescas, ordenamento do espaço marítimo e áreas marinhas protegidas. A investigadora foi convidada a apresentar os resultados da Avaliação Ambiental Estratégica (AAE) do Plano de Situação do Ordenamento do Espaço Marítimo. Este trabalho foi coordenado pela Professora Doutora Fátima Lopes Alves e Doutora Lisa Sousa, no âmbito do contrato celebrado com a Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos (DGRM). A AAE foi realizada, em paralelo com o Plano de Situação, pela Universidade de Aveiro e em estreita ligação com as equipas da administração responsáveis pela elaboração do Plano no Continente (DGRM), Madeira (DROTA - Direção Regional do Ordenamento do Território e Ambiente) e Açores (DRAM - Direção Regional dos Assuntos do Mar). Teve como objetivo identificar, descrever e avaliar os eventuais efeitos significativos no ambiente, resultantes das opções estratégicas de desenvolvimento propostas pelo Plano de Situação, tendo sido garantida uma abordagem de natureza estratégica consonante com um processo de AAE. O acompanhamento contínuo, interativo e sistemático do Plano de Situação permitiu potenciar os efeitos positivos decorrentes da sua implementação, bem como minimizar os efeitos negativos, nomeadamente através da identificação de medidas de minimização desses efeitos, integradas nas boas práticas constantes do Plano de Situação, para cada uso/atividade, e estabelecer diretrizes de monitorização, integradas na respetiva monitorização do plano. Link para o Caderno do Açoriano Oriental: https://www.acorianooriental.pt/files/multimedia/docs/249.pdf

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  • World Soil Day Lecture - 04 December - UA

    Published in 28/11/2019

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  • UA-WOMAN - 04 December - with CESAM researcher Mónica Amorim

    Published in 25/11/2019

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    Mónica Amorim Principal:Ecotoxicology: Several years were devoted to the development of an active research programme in ecotoxicology, mostly terrestrial, in field and laboratory, addressing a series of both fundamental and pre-normative research questions. In the area of soil ecotoxicology research activities include the development of the avoidance behaviour test, genomic tools and use of multi-species tests; refinement of existing protocols and development of new bioassays to assess soil contamination. Additionally, has developed and implemented in E. albidus a behavioural test - avoidance test - having shown its high ecological relevance.Specialization:Ecotoxicogenomics: Extensive progresses have taken place since 2006, such as the development and the enrichment of a new microarray [1], developed for the first time for an Enchytraeid (E. albidus)[2], and is now an Agilent custom platform. At present E. crypticus was subject of a massive parallel sequencing (454-pyrosequencing) and a high gradient Nimblegen microarray is validated. [2] http://bioinformatics.ua.pt/enchybase/Nanotoxicology: Collaborating with both national and international experts in the area. Developments in soil nanotoxicology, which are far less studied than in water media, present particular challenges. Investigation is progressing (3 publications 2011) and rapidly moving.Other skills/activities:Standardisation of new guidelines, and joining ring tests that precede it, such as the Bioacumulation in Oligochaetes, Collembolan Reproduction test (addition of a new test species) or the Evaluation of a biotest battery for the ecotoxicological characterisation of waste and waste eluates. Promoted and optimized the development of novel avoidance behaviour tests for Enchytraeids, having initially produced 3 papers that kicked research in this topic with other species. [1] A microarray is a multichannel lab chip. It is a solid matrix (usually a glass slide or a thin silicone celular film) that tests high amounts of biological material in high-throughput. Also called a gene chip. Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/484499905744703/ Online broadcast: https://youtu.be/Azg1gw_W1vw          

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  • CESAM researcher participates in a workshop from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil)

    Published in 25/11/2019

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    Ana Lillebø, researcher and scientific coordinator of CESAM, participated as a lecturer in the workshop 'BIOGEOGRAPHY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PROVIDED BY COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS' held on November 21 and 22, 2019, at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (Brasil). https://tropikos.weebly.com/news.html

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  • 4 out of 19 approved projects by the call for Projects to Prevent and Fight Forest Fires are coordinated by CESAM

    Published in 3/8/2020

    CESAM coordinates 4 out of the 19 approved projects approved in the framework of the 3rd Call for R&D Projects to Prevent and Fight Forest Fires, indicating the strong capacity of research in this specific area. A total of 81 projects were submitted to FCT, aiming to promote scientific research and innovation, enabling the production of new knowledge as well as strengthen technical skills, in different important areas for the prevention and fight of agricultural fires, in a multidisciplinary perspective, and incorporating a component of dissemination and application of the results. The CESAM approved projects were: - BioValChar – Valorização sustentável de biomassa residual para biochar | Luís Tarelho - Fogo controlado, risco de incêndio e produtividade do eucaliptal: da investigação à prática | Sofia Corticeiro - Smoke Storm – previsão e comunicação do fumo de incêndios florestais | Ana I. Miranda - Partilhar as decisões nas florestas – metodologia participativa para o envolvimento do público e dos atores sociais na proteção e valorização das florestas em Portugal| Sandra Valente Read more here.

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  • DBio & CESAM´s PhD graduated publishes on Science about changes in biodiversity

    Published in 19/11/2019

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    Laura Antão graduated by the University of Aveiro and the University of St Andrews, under the supervision of Dr Maria Dornelas and Professor Amadeu Soares, and currently a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, published in the high impact journal Science under BDio&CESAM´s affiliation. The work is about the rapid change on biodiversity driven by climate change and other human influences. The team analysed the global patterns in temporal change in biodiversity using a large quantity of time-series data from different regions (the data include many different ecosystems across continents and cover the marine, terrestrial and freshwater realms (BioTIME database*)). Their findings reveal clear spatial patterns in the rates of richness and composition change, where marine taxa exhibit the highest rates of change. The marine tropics, in particular, emerge as hotspots of species richness losses. Given that human activities are affecting biodiversity in magnitudes and directions that differ across the planet, these findings will provide a much needed biogeographic understanding of biodiversity change that can help to inform conservation prioritization." * citation: Dornelas M, Antão LH, Moyes F, Bates, AE, Magurran, AE, et al. BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene. Global Ecol Biogeogr. 2018; 27:760 - 786. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12729  

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  • Wilder spoke with José Alves, CESAM researcher, about the Montijo Airport and its consequences for the population of birds

    Published in 19/11/2019

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    In early November, Wilder went to Estuário do Tejo to see how thousands of birds could be affected by the new airport (Montijo). Wilder spoke with José Alves, researcher at CESAM, who has been studying migratory birds from Estuário do Tejo for 15 years. Full news here, but only in portuguese.

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  • CESAM gets funding to study cockles

    Published in 22/11/2019

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    Although they play a crucial role in the ecosystem and its importance in the economy of the coastal zones and the region, the cockle is an illustrious unknown to science towards its distribution, evolution and health of its populations in Ria de Aveiro. Therefore, the COACH project - “A cooperative approach applied to the conservation and management of cockles” was one of three funded by the Oceans Conservation Fund. The COACH project, coordinated by Luísa Magalhães, aims to collect multifactorial information on cockle fishing, its biology and the physical-chemical characteristics of the places where it occurs. Full news here, but only in portuguese.

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  • Study from CESAM researchers - 'Striped dolphins as trace element biomonitoring tools in oceanic waters: Accounting for health-related variables' was published on 'Science of the Total Environment' journal

    Published in 11/11/2019

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    In Europe, monitoring contaminant concentrations and their effects in the marine environment is required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC). The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is the most abundant small cetacean species in Portuguese oceanic waters, representing a potential biomonitoring tool of contaminant levels in offshore waters. Concentrations of nine trace elements were evaluated by ICP-MS in kidney, liver and muscle samples of 31 striped dolphins stranded in the Portuguese continental coast. The mean renal Cd concentration was high (19.3?μg.g−1 wet weight, range 0.1–69.3?μg.g−1 wet weight) comparing to striped dolphins from other locations. Therefore, the present study reports a possibly concerning level of Cd in the oceanic food chain in Portuguese offshore areas. This study also aimed at evaluating potential relationships between trace element concentrations and striped dolphins' biological and health-related variables. Individual length was related with some of the trace element concentrations detected in striped dolphins. Indeed, Cd, Hg and Se bioaccumulated in larger animals, whereas the reverse was observed for Mn and Zn. Striped dolphins with high parasite burdens showed higher levels of Hg, while animals showing gross pathologies presented higher concentrations of Cd and Se. This study reported relationships between trace element concentrations and health-related variables for the first time in striped dolphins and it also provided information on the relative contamination status of Portuguese oceanic waters in comparison to other regions in the world. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969719344018?via%3Dihub

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  • Poster of Rafael D. S. Tavares was the winner of the event "One Health Day"

    Published in 9/12/2019

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  • ONE HEALTH DAY

    Published in 11/11/2019

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    BOOK - ONE HEALTH DAY

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  • Life Reforest, coordinated by Jan Jacob Keizer, CESAM researcher, implemented in pilot areas affected by rural fires

    Published in 7/11/2019

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    The European project LIFE REFOREST, coordinated by Jan Jacob Keizer, has begun the implementation and validation of its mycothecosol system to mitigate soil erosion in areas affected by rural fires in Portugal and Galicia-Spain. https://lifereforest.com/ Full news here, but only in portuguese.

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  • CESAM researchers, Ana Hilário and Sofia Ramalho, are members of a team of scientists on an Arctic expedition

    Published in 22/11/2019

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    An international and multidisciplinary team of 36 scientists and engineers, with the assistance of the officers and crew of the vessel, will conduct the first full-scale multidisciplinary investigation of deep (4000 m) hydrothermal vents under permanent ice cover in the Arctic, investigating the Aurora vent field (82.5°N) in the Gakkel Ridge. HACON - HOT VENTS IN AN ICE-COVERED OCEAN - will unravel the geochemical and physical processes that shape the Aurora biological communities and assess the role played by the Gakkel Ridge in connectivity of chemosynthesis-based ecosystems between ocean basins. The project will provide empirical robust data of a pristine system prior to expected climate-change variations and increased human activities in the Arctic region. + https://haconfrinatek.com/ Alexander Eeg - photography credits

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  • Montijo Airport: José Alves, CESAM researcher, reports errors and serious omissions

    Published in 8/11/2019

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    José Alves, CESAM researcher, raises important criticisms of the environmental impact study on Montijo airport and how the process is being developed. Wilder spoke to this bird study specialist. For 15 years José Alves studied the migratory birds in the Estuário do Tejo and also in the Arctic and West Africa. During a public consultation on the Environmental Impact Study (EIA), José Alves claims that  “the evaluation of the project's impacts on the estuarine birds is very poor and in some points erroneous”. For this reason, he says, that Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) should “make the project in question impracticable and not propose that it be favorably conditioned.  Here are three of the various errors pointed out by this expert to the document released by APA last July, concerning the birds: 1. Consider that a new airport building has only local impact 2. Lack of estuarine bird’s data and field studies 3. Areas affected by aircraft noise estimated “wrongly” Full news only in portuguese.    

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  • Irina Gorodetskaya, CESAM researcher, was nominated as a Lead Author of the IPCC WG1 Atlas Chapter

    Published in 8/11/2019

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    Irina Gorodetskaya was nominated as a Lead Author of the IPCC WG1 Atlas Chapter. Her responsibilities include Polar Regions section, particularly Antarctica, in the WG1 Atlas, also ensuring cross-chapter links in WG1 and WG2 cross-chapter paper on Polar Regions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group I (WG I) aims at assessing the physical scientific basis of the climate system and climate change. Its main topics include: changes in greenhouse gases and aerosols in the atmosphere; observed changes in air, land and ocean temperatures, rainfall, glaciers and ice sheets, oceans and sea level; historical and paleoclimatic perspective on climate change; biogeochemistry, carbon cycle, gases and aerosols; satellite data and other data; climate models; climate projections, causes and attribution of climate change. More on IPCC WG1: https://wg1.ipcc.ch/ Some highlights from IPCC news: The latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report highlights the urgency of prioritizing timely, ambitious and coordinated action to address unprecedented and enduring changes in the ocean and cryosphere: https://www.ipcc.ch/2019/09/25/srocc-press-release/ Registration opens for Expert Review of IPCC Working Group II contribution to IPCC Sixth Assessment Report: https://www.ipcc.ch/2019/10/11/wg2-ar6-first-order-draft-expert-review/    

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  • CESAM´s article is on the cover page of the journal Environmental Science: Nano

    Published in 27/7/2020

    The revision article “The gut barrier and the fate of engineered nanomaterials: a view from comparative physiology” was recently published and is highlighted in the journal Environmental Science: Nano. The article results from a consortium with different institutions, and the CESAM researchers Susana Loureiro, Patrícia V. Silva and Zahra Khodaparast are among the authors. This revision was written under the scope of the Horizon 2020 project NanoFASE.

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  • LECTURE: 'On the road to (mal)adaptation complex responses of amphibians to polluted ponds' 08 NOV

    Published in 30/10/2019

    LECTURE: 'On the road to (mal)adaptation complex responses of amphibians to polluted ponds' Professor Steven P. Brady Southern Connecticut State University, United States www.stevenpbrady.com Amphitheater António Correia, Department of Biology Novembro 8th, 2019, 15:00

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  • Study from CESAM researchers was published on Scientific Reports

    Published in 22/11/2019

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    This work assessed the Blue Carbon (C) stock in the seagrass meadows (Zostera noltei) of Ria de Aveiro coastal lagoon (Portugal), and evaluated its spatio-temporal trend over the 2003–2005 to 2013–2014 period. Zostera noltei spatial distribution, restricted to intertidal areas in 2014, was mapped by remote sensing using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and aerial photography. Zostera noltei biomass was also monitored in situ over a year and its Blue C stock was estimated. By 2014, intertidal meadows covered an area of 226 ± 4 ha and their Blue C stock ranged from 227 ± 6 to 453 ± 13 Mg C. Overall, Ria de Aveiro Z. noltei intertidal meadows increased in extent over the 2003–2005 to 2013–2014 period, corroborating the recent declining trend reversal observed in Europe and contrary to the global decline trend. This spatio-temporal shift might be related to a natural adjustment of the intertidal meadows to past human intervention in Ria de Aveiro, namely large-scale dredging activities, particularly in the 1996–1998 period, combined with the more accurate assessment performed in 2014 using the UAV. This recovery contributes to the effective increase of the Blue C stock in Ria de Aveiro and, ultimately, to supporting climate regulation and improving ecosystem health. However, major dredging activities are foreseen in the system’s management plan, which can again endanger the recovery trend of Z. noltei intertidal meadows in Ria de Aveiro. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-50425-4  

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  • Rain decrease put in risk ecosystems warns Paula Quinteiro, CESAM researcher

    Published in 29/10/2019

    Between the years 2046 and 2065, mainland Portugal will experience a decrease in average annual rainfall of 10 per cent in the northern and coastal areas and about 30 per cent in the interior and south. The previsions, made at the University of Aveiro (UA), point to a scenario of water shortage in the ecosystem and, of course, for human consumption. Researchers call for urgent measures to be taken to better capture and manage rainwater in the future. Paula Quinteiro, Sandra Rafael, Bruno Vicente, Martinho Marta-Almeida, Alfredo Rocha, Luís Arroja and Ana Cláudia Dias are the CESAM researchers responsible for this study. Full news here but only in portuguese.

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  • Rosário Domingues, CESAM researcher, was invited as a speaker at the Conference of the Portuguese Association of Applied Algology

    Published in 29/10/2019

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    Rosário Domingues, CESAM researcher, was invited as a speaker at the Conference of the Portuguese Association of Applied Algology (APAA), which took place at CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research) on October 21 and 22, 2019. This conference was attended by leading national researchers in the area and by leading macroalgae and microalgae producers in Portugal. This conference included the various aspects of relevance to the algae sector, from research, production and marketing, and the different uses, including the biotechnological use of this marine and aquatic resources, both nationally and internationally.

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  • A paper from Irina Gorodetskaya, CESAM researcher, 'Atmospheric rivers trigger melting in West Antarctica’, was published in Nature Geoscience journal

    Published in 5/11/2019

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    Surface melting in West Antarctica is triggered by atmospheric rivers that transport heat and moisture from the mid-latitudes and sub-tropics to the polar regions according to a new study from researchers from the University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Sorbonne University (France), CESAM/University of Aveiro (Portugal) - Irina Gorodetskaya - and British Antarctic Survey (United Kingdom). You can read the paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-019-0460-1

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  • 'Impact of atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic stressors in coastal ecosystems' organized by EPP - CESAM Research Group

    Published in 25/10/2019

    The first Workshop "Impact of atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic stressors in coastal ecosystems" organized within the framework of AMBIEnCE Project (https://projectambience.wordpress.com/) was held on the 23rd of October 2019, at the University of Aveiro. This Workshop had presentations from members of CESAM research groups “Environmental Processes and Pollutants” and “Functional Biodiversity”, as well as a researcher from GeoBioTec Research Unit and a researcher from University NOVA de Lisboa. More than 50 participants, among researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students jointed together for one day to address and discuss the impact of different atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic multi-stressors currently threatening biogeochemical cycles in sensitive coastal areas.

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  • Workshop 'Contributions towards monitoring Cetacean population health in Portugal and Galicia' organized by Catarina Eira, CESAM researcher

    Published in 22/11/2019

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    The workshop 'Contributions towards monitoring Cetacean population health in Portugal and Galicia' will be held on 21 November 2019 between 2pm and 4pm, at the Amphitheater of Building 03 - University of Aveiro. It is a workshop integrated in the Applied Marine Biology Master Degree of the University of Aveiro ('Departamento de Biologia') under the project 'Conservation of the marine environment' (Programa Fundo Ambiental). 14:00h Catarina Eira, CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro - Introduction 14:10h - 14:30h Pedro Santos, CBMA, Universidade do Minho - The cetacean microbiome 14:30h - 14:50h Carolina Bento, CIISA, Fac. Med. Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa - Evaluation of Morbillivirus and Herpesvirus infections in cetaceans stranded along the portuguese coast 14:50h - 15:10h João Monteiro & Rosário Domingues, CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro - Characterization  of the cardiac phospholipidome of different small cetacean species  provides adaptational insight and a foundation for indirect population  health screening   15:10h - 15:30h Alfredo López, CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro, & CEMMA - Increase of ulcerative lesions caused by Anisakis spp. in cetaceans stranded in Galicia 15:30h - 15:50h Sílvia Monteiro, CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro - Dolphins rocked by heavy metals in the portuguese coast 15:50h-16:00h Closing  

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  • Use of high resolution satellites in coastal management with CESAM collaboration

    Published in 24/10/2019

    Since January 2019, CESAM is integrated in the European project SPORE - SPACE for SHORE (http://spaceforshore.eu/), led by I-Sea. The project analyzes about 1000 km of coastline, spread over five Member States (Germany, France, Greece, Romania and Portugal) and five pilot zones. The main objective of the project is related with the collection of coastal indicators, such as shoreline and beach width, according to precision requirements previously defined by entities responsible for coastal management at local, regional and national level (from each Member State). Over the last few decades the main and most reliable sources of data on coastal morphodynamic have been and are still supported by traditional solutions, namely in-situ methods of acquiring topographical and bathymetric information. However, developments in Earth observation programs open new perspectives on the quality of high resolution (HR) satellite observations in radar and optical domains. Members on this project:  Paulo Renato Enes Baganha Baptista, CESAM Researcher Cristina Bernardes, CESAM Researcher Filomena Mª Cardoso Pedrosa Ferreira Martins, CESAM Researcher Full news only available in portuguese.  

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  • CESAM collaborator wins Best Poster Award from the International Society for Ecological Modelling

    Published in 24/10/2019

    Ana Raquel de Azevedo e Costa, under her PhD in Biology at the University of Aveiro, won the Best Poster Award, in the Student and Early Career Researcher category, from the International Society for Ecological Modelling.

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  • Invited Talks organized by José Alves, CESAM researcher

    Published in 21/10/2019

    Invited Talks 24.10.19 @ 15:00 – Anf. IV (DETi)  “Tracking migratory seabirds to identify priority areas for marine conservation” Dra. Maria Dias Birdlife International “Think globally, act locally: the annual cycles of shorebird migrants” Prof. Theunis Piersma University of Groningen & NIOZ

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  • Conference "Lipids in the Ocean" in Aveiro, Portugal 05-08 Jul 2021

    Published in 2/11/2020

    Due to the pandemics of COVID-19 this event was postponed to 2021. Please check the new dates here.  The Marine Biotechnology & Aquaculture (MBA) Research Group from CESAM and the Mass Spectrometry Centre from the University of Aveiro have the great pleasure to bring forward the 2nd edition of the Conference Lipids in the Ocean, that will be held at University of Aveiro from 17-19 of November 2020. The event is organized by Professor Rosário Domingues from CESAM.  Important dates: Abstract submission for oral communication: July 31st 2020 Abstract submission for posters*: July 31st 2020 Notification of abstract selection: September 15th 2020 Early registration: May 15th – September 30th 2020 Late registration: October 1st – October 31st 2020 *First 18th poster registrations will be invited for Pitch sessions   Details about the conference can be seen in the webpage (http://lipids2021.web.ua.pt/)

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  • CESAM shares the benefits of the biochar in vulnerable soils with the agroforestry sector

    Published in 20/7/2020

    Researchers from CESAM – Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Ana Catarina Bastos (DBio) and Frank Verheijen (DAO), have demonstrated the potential benefits of biochar in agroforestry ecosystems, within the framework of the SEED+ Demonstration Action, within the Integra@tec project. The action that took place at UA involved the participation of 6 invited institutions linked to the agroforestry sector. The SEED+ team anticipates that the results of this study may contribute to the sustainable management and adaptation of vulnerable ecosystems to global change. The complete news in UA online.

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  • 'Maritime traffic pollution may increase' - Alexandra Monteiro, CESAM researcher

    Published in 21/10/2019

    Air pollution on the Portuguese coast from maritime traffic represents about 20 per cent of pollution caused by nitrogen oxides (NOx), one of the most harmful pollutants to human health and the environment, concludes the researcher Alexandra Monteiro. Full news here, but only in portuguese.

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  • Science for Environment Policy from European Commission highlights study from CESAM researchers

    Published in 21/10/2019

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    Moss helps prevent soil erosion on fire-damaged land, a Portuguese study suggests. The researchers Flávio Castro Silva, Diana Vieira and Jan Jacob Keizer from CESAM analysed water that ran off from post-fire hillsides. They found less sediment and organic matter in run-off from patches of land with high levels of moss than from those with low levels of moss. Moss quickly establishes itself on land after fires, so the study suggests that land managers could take advantage of its restorative effects by deliberately encouraging its growth.

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  • Biology and Ecology of Global Changes (BEAG) I PhD Meeting – October 25, 2019

    Published in 18/10/2019

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    International joint doctoral programme: University of Aveiro | University of Lisbon Welcome to the I PhD Meeting of the BEAG Programme. The ‘Biology and Ecology of Global Changes’ PhD programme is a postgraduate international programme involving the Universities of Aveiro and Lisboa, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology and with the collaboration of CESAM - the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies. The main objectives of the Programme are centred in global changes issues, including the understanding of the impact of global changes in living organisms and ecosystems, taking into account current scenarios and projections. Students are enrolled in five areas of specialization: Tropical Biology and Ecology, Marine Biology and Ecology, Ecology and Functional Biodiversity, Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics, Environmental Biology and Health. The meeting will be held on the 25th of October in the Faculty of Science of the University of Lisbon. This is the first meeting involving BEAG PhD students of both the University of Aveiro and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. Its main aim is to offer students an opportunity to present their work, to be involved in scientific discussions, to establish new research connections and to network and enjoy each other company.

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  • Annual Meeting of MiningImpact2 organized by CESAM members

    Published in 21/11/2019

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    MiningImpact2 - Environmental Impacts and Risks of Deep-Sea Mining (JPI-Oceans, 2018-2022)  MiningImpact2 (MI2) ( https://miningimpact.geomar.de/home ) follows up on the results of the JPI Oceans pilot action on "Ecological Aspects of Deep-Sea Mining" which ended in December 2017. While the initial MiningImpact phase investigated experimental and rather small-scale disturbances of the seafloor over decadal timescales, the MI2 will independently study and comprehensively monitor in real time the environmental impact of an industrial trial to mine manganese nodules on the seafloor which will be conducted simultaneously and independently by the Belgian contractor DEME-GSR in the Belgian an German licence areas in the Clarion-Clipperton-Zone (Pacific Ocean).  Annual Meeting of MiningImpact2, Aveiro, 21-23 October 2019 After the three and a half months aboard the RV SONNE at the beginning of this year, the community comes together again to discuss first results of the oceanographic cruise and the next steps in terms of data processing and field work. Among various ecological aspects, MI2 team intends to further study regional connectivity of species in the deep-sea and their resilience to impacts, as well as the integrated effects of deep seabed mining on ecosystem functions, such as the benthic food-web and biogeochemical processes. This first annual meeting of the MI2 community will take place at the University of Aveiro (Sala de Atos, Rectory Building) from 21 to 23 October 2019. It gathers ca. 60 participants from 20 European partner institutions, science policy and environmental agencies, research and innovation promoters as well as several recognized NGOs that aim the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems at European and international levels. Local Organizers: Marina R Cunha (marina.cunha@ua.pt ) e Clara F Rodrigues (clara.rodrigues@ua.pt )  

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  • Luis Menezes Pinheiro, Professor at CESAM, was elected President of the Scientific Committee on Marine Geosciences of CIESM

    Published in 15/10/2019

    Luis Menezes Pinheiro, Professor at CESAM, was elected on October 11th during the 42nd Congress of the CIESM (Commission Internacionale pour l’Exploration Scientifique de la Mediterranée –Mediterranean Science Commission - http://www.ciesm.org/), unanimously and for a three-year term (2019-2022), President of the Scientific Committee on Marine Geosciences (1 of 6 CIESM Scientific Committees).    

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  • Exposition - 150 years after the publication of Mendeleev's first periodic table - with CESAM participation

    Published in 11/10/2019

    Exposition: 150 years after the publication of Mendeleev's first periodic table   Museu da CidadeRua João Mendonça n.º 9/11 3800 – 200 Aveiro40º38’29.93’’ N | 8º39’16.04’’ O   Until 20 Oct

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  • Célia Alves, CESAM researcher: 'Burning of agricultural waste harms the environment and it´s dangerous to public health'

    Published in 21/10/2019

    Burning of agricultural waste has a negative impact on air quality, contributes to global warming, and it´s dangerous to public health. These study is from Célia Alves, CESAM researcher, who studied the environmental and health consequences of the outdoor burnings fumes from tree pruning remains in Portugal.  

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  • CESAM researchers are members of a project related with salmon aquaculture at sea

    Published in 2/10/2019

    CESAM participates in a pilot open sea salmon aquaculture project in Ílhavo that could change the region's economy. The partnership led by SeaCulture, a Jerónimo Martins Agro-Food Group company, involves CESAM/UA and is developed at ECOMARE - Laboratory for Innovation and Sustainability of Marine Biological Resources.

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  • X Iberian Symposium about Minho River and COOPERMINHO Project Seminar

    Published in 8/4/2020

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    Contribution to the management and recovery of fishery products from the Minho river -  COOPERMINHO VILA NOVA DE CERVEIRA, Portugal - 25/26 SEP 2020    

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  • Microbiota fingerprints within the oral cavity of cetaceans as indicators for population biomonitoring: new study with the collaboration of CESAM Researchers

    Published in 25/9/2019

    The first study about 'Microbiota fingerprints within the oral cavity of cetaceans as indicators for population biomonitoring' was published with the collaboration of CESAM researchers, namely: Alfredo López, José Vingada e Catarina Eira. https://tinyurl.com/nature-articles

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  • Videos of Webinar on Online Science Communication now available

    Published in 2/9/2020

    CESAM organized a webinar on Online Science Communication: How to present my project/my thesis, that took place on 22 June, 3 PM (ZOOM platform), as a result of a consortium with CIDTFF, CICECO e ccTIC-UA. The target audience were PhD students that are going to present their project or thesis online. Nevertheless, other interested people attended, once it had an important part of general aspects regarding online communication. The speakers of this event are experts in different areas of online communication:  researcher Miguel Leal (CESAM), Professor Maria José Loureiro (ccTIC-UA), researcher Cecília Guerra (CIDTFF) and researcher Nuno Silva (CICECO) The webinar was moderated by the Scientific Coordinator of CESAM, Ana Lillebø. The webinar included a synchronous session with a video with presentations by the speakers followed by a moment of Questions & Answers. 122 participants attended this event belonging to the three research units of the consortium and also from other universities. Participants were distributed all over the world. The video with the presentations of the speakers can be seen here in Portuguese ou here in English (2GB).

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  • An online environmental toxicology book was published with the collaboration of a CESAM Professor as a reviewer

    Published in 25/9/2019

    This open online textbook on Environmental Toxicology aims at covering the field in its full width, including aspects of environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology, toxicology and risk assessment. With that, it will contribute to improving the quality, continuity and transparency of the education in environmental toxicology. This book also want to make sure that fundamental insights on fate and effects of chemicals gained in the past are combined with recent approaches of effect assessment and molecular analysis of mechanisms causing toxicity. The book contains tools for self-study and training, like a (limited) number of questions at the end of each module. To guarantee quality of the book, each module was reviewed by at least one of the members of the project team but also by an international reviewer from outside the project team. An advisory board and a steering committee were involved in supervising the project, as well as educational advisors, while the project team served as an editorial board. Susana Loureiro, CESAM Professor, is one the reviewers of this book. +  https://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=501319930

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  • CESAM researcher reports environmental impact study for Montijo Airport

    Published in 24/9/2019

    "It is through old, non-validated data, extrapolations beyond acceptable, assumptions based on a very limited number of species and wrong model applications that are evaluated the impacts of Montijo Airport's functioning on the areas and number of birds affected." The conclusion is from José Alves, a CESAM researcher specialized in the study of birds, with several scientific articles published in prestigious magazines such as Nature or Science.

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  • CESAM PhD student wins National Geographic Society scholarship

    Published in 10/9/2019

    Priscilla Campos was awarded a $ 7,000 grant from the National Geographic Society to study the ecological imbalance in Brazilian corals, involving the fishing community of Bahia in the recovery of local biodiversity. The work of Priscilla Campos for the National Geographic “was to collect these corals in Brazil and transport them to be studied at the Aveiro Academy to try to find out the cause of this ecological imbalance”.   More about Priscilla Campos's work:  https://oceanlive.home.blog/ https://youtu.be/FaMPGxQcZo4 https://youtu.be/OjHJeou_-58 https://youtu.be/tFcZ5gtGUQ4

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  • CESAM Researcher nominated Management Committee Member of a COST Action

    Published in 10/9/2019

    CESAM researcher Susana Loureiro was nominated as Management Committee Member of a  COST action (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) entitled: “European Soil-Biology Data Warehouse for Soil Protection” (EUdaphobase) CA18237.  

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  • Special issue of the 'Sustainability' journal will be edited by CESAM researchers

    Published in 5/9/2019

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    Special issue of the 'Sustainability' journal will be edited by Rosa Freitas and Luísa Magalhães under the theme 'Interactions and Effects of Different Climate Change Scenarios with Emergent Pollutants'.Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 Jun 2020.

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  • UA Research Highlights - research@ua 2019

    Published in 5/9/2019

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  • CESAM´s PhD student presents abstract and network about "Acacia longifolia"

    Published in 1/8/2019

    The Acacia longifolia Network (from the OP@CESAM 2018 initiative) was presented as a poster at EEFLisbon2019- the 15th European Ecological Federation Congress & 18th Meeting of the Portuguese Ecological Society, occurring in Lisbon from July 29th to August 2nd. The project was presented by Sara Vicente, through an abstract also authored by Rúben Oliveira, Cristina Máguas and Helena Trindade with the title “Acacia longifolia: the deceivingly beautiful plant”. Visit the network at acacialongifolia.web.ua.pt for the abstract details and updates on future events!

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  • Researchers from CESAM/DAO were present at 4th edition of the Feira do Mar in Sines

    Published in 31/7/2019

    On the 12th to 14th of July, the researchers Sílvia Monteiro and Daniela Castelo were present at 4th edition of the Feira do Mar in Sines, as part of the INTERREG Cephs and Chefs project (Department of Environment and Planning & CESAM). The participation in this event included a stand in the exhibition with information about the project, a presentation to the general public and stakeholders about the Cephs and Chefs project and the educational activity “Polvos: os troca-tintas!”, oriented towards children, which contributes to increase ocean literacy. Feira do Mar is organized by Sines Tecnopolo and the City Council of Sines and intends to gather different stakeholders and activities related with the sea, from areas of technology, science, gastronomy, fisheries and tourist animation (among others).

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  • CESAM's researcher takes third place in Ecology Doctoral Award

    Published in 24/7/2019

    The winners of the 2019 edition of the Doctoral Award in Ecology - Amadeu Dias Foundation, organized by SPECO - Portuguese Society of Ecology are already known. The top three will receive the award and will present their work at the 18th National Ecology Meeting, which this year will be held simultaneously with the 15th European Ecology Congress to be held from 29 July to 2 August at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon. Inês Gomes Teixeira, researcher at CESAM, won third place. In her doctoral thesis Inês developed tools to support the evaluation of the ecological coherence of marine protected areas, using the mussel as a model species and making important practical contributions to the current work at national level of the Marine Protected Areas network and for the planning of the national maritime space. The award received 9 eligible doctoral candidates with thesis defended at the Universities of Lisbon, Coimbra, Aveiro and Minho.

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  • Wildlife Seminars

    Published in 13/7/2020

    The Wildlife Seminars are an initiative of the Wildlife Research Unit (DBio & CESAM, University of Aveiro) that aims to share knowledge and experiences, within the scope of the study of wildlife, in different dimensions and contexts. The initiative is aimed at the academic community but also at all people who are interested in the study, management and conservation of wildlife. In the first edition, in June 2020, we had an average participation of 20 to 25 people. The program for July edition is now available.

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  • IEETA/CESAM researchers found that smoke from forest fires severely affects firefighter's health

    Published in 26/7/2019

    Respiratory and circulatory problems are just some of the health problems that affect firefighters in forest fire fighting scenarios. Research from the University of Aveiro (UA), which for the first time monitored the vital signs of firefighters in experimental fire scenarios, points out that frequent and prolonged exposure to high levels of pollutant concentration during firefighting can lead to acute health problems or long-term health problems. Some of these problems "may appear quickly, such as acute and instant eye eruptions, nose and throat irritation, and shortness of breath". These are symptoms that "usually develop into headaches, dizziness and nausea and may last for several hours". During firefighting, firefighters are especially exposed to pollutants that are inhaled, affecting their respiratory system. Indeed, “frequent and prolonged exposure to high levels of pollutant concentrations during forest fire fighting can lead to acute or long-term health problems”. There is also “decreased lung function, which may result in slightly decreased respiratory capacity, respiratory tract constriction and small airway hypersensitivity”. In addition to these symptoms, and according to the US National Fire Protection Association, most of the firefighter´s deaths are due to inhalation of pollutants in the smoke. The pioneering work monitored firefighter´s heart rates and their exposure to carbon monoxide in different firefighting scenarios. Measurements made it possible to verify situations of fire exposure to high carbon monoxide levels, as well as changes in heart rate associated with peak exposure values for this gas of great toxicity to human health. “Although further studies are needed, the results suggest that firefighter´s heart rates react to variations in exposure to gases such as carbon monoxide, and that the location of the firefighter in relation to fire and smoke may be relevant as regards the effects of gas inhalation”.

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  • External Scientific Advisory Committee visit to CESAM

    Published in 19/7/2019

    On June 25 and 26, 2019, the External Scientific Advisory Committee visited CESAM and its laboratories and, between work sessions, its collaborators. The Committee had also the opportunity to visit ECOMARE and attend the presentation of some research projects, followed by a sunset & dinner. On the following day, the Committee, in addition to the work sessions, joined the commemorations of CESAM’s Day 2019.

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  • Researchers from the UA/CESAM apply an innovative method for the study of efficiency in the artificial feeding of beaches

    Published in 11/7/2019

    In the scope of the Sandtrack project a field campaign on the coast of the region of Aveiro is held between July 8 and 12 with the objective of to evaluate the efficiency of the artificial feeding interventions of the beaches that are being carried out, using an innovative method that uses magnetic tracers whose path will be monitored by sea and land. Sandtrack - Artificial beach feeding: an integrated methodology to support coastal management - represents a coastal defense intervention that replicates natural dynamics, capable of reducing coastal erosion processes and preserving the beach's recreational values. In this project an innovative multidisciplinary approach is proposed, combining the use of fluorescent and magnetic tracers with numerical modeling, to quantify sediment transport and to improve the efficiency of artificial feeds. In a later phase, several monitoring campaigns of the sedimentary tracers are foreseen, either by the sea route with the boat NEREIDE, of the CESAM, and another one of the Hydrographic Institute by the terrestrial route.

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  • ECOMARE is a finalist for the 2019 RegioStars Awards

    Published in 10/7/2019

    By becoming this Tuesday, July 9, one of the 24 finalists of the competition, ECOMARE is increasingly close to winning the RegioStars Awards 2019, awarded annually by the European Commission to EU-funded projects that demonstrate excellence and new approaches in the framework of regional development, with the aim of inspiring other regions and project managers throughout Europe. One of the five finalists in category 2 - linking blue, green and gray, ECOMARE - Laboratory for Innovation and Sustainability of Marine Biological Resources of the University of Aveiro links the Port of Aveiro (gray) to a special conservation area - the iconic Ria de Aveiro (green) - promoting the protection and sustainable use of marine biological resources (blue). The winners in the five categories and the winner of the "Public Prize" will receive the well-deserved prize at the festive REGIOSTARS awards ceremony to be held in Brussels in October 2019. To support ECOMARE go to https://bit.ly/32eJKAt and vote until midnight of 9 September.    

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  • CESAM/Dbio researchers discover that sea slugs can deal with the risks of incorporating functional chloroplasts

    Published in 9/7/2019

    Chloroplasts are subcellular structures that we generally associate with plants and algae, but may also be present in certain sea slugs. They are sites for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with potential negative effects on the chloroplasts themselves and the host cells. ROS production in chloroplasts is generally associated with excessive light situations. A study recently published in the Journal of Experimental Biology led by researchers from CESAM/Dbio - Paulo S. D. Cartaxana, Luca Morelli, Bruno Jesus, Gonçalo Calado, Ricardo Calado and Sónia Marisa Gonçalves da Cruz - shows that the sea slug "Elysia tímida" has ways to mitigate stress oxidative induced by strong light. One is the dissipation of energy in the form of heat associated with the conversion of existing pigments in the Kleptoplasts. The authors of this study conclude that the maintenance of functional chloroplasts in these sea slugs is, in part, dependent on this photoprotection capacity. The work was developed under the project: “HULK - Functional Chloroplasts inside Animal cells: cracking the puzzle”. Full news here. Full article here.

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  • Professor and researcher at Dgeo/CESAM represents Portugal on the Executive Board of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

    Published in 8/7/2019

    The researcher Luís Menezes Pinheiro, President of the Portuguese Committee for the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO), represents Portugal on the Executive Board of IOC/UNESCO since 2016, for which our country has just been reelected. Luís Menezes Pinheiro has participated in several documents of the European Marine Board, and is one of the experts who is collaborating with the United Nations within the scope of the 2nd World Ocean Assessment.

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  • CESAM/Dqua research in the treatment of contaminated rainwater using biomaterials published in the journal “Water Research”

    Published in 9/7/2019

    Rainwater is a natural resource that can and should be used to obtain water for domestic purposes, and when it is possible, makes the population centers more sustainable. Depending on where rainwater is collected, water may have elevated levels of contamination that put the user at risk. The treatment of rainwater is an inevitable step for its use in safety. A study, coordinated by the Researcher Patrícia Santos of CESAM, tested the biomaterial white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to remove zinc from contaminated rainwater and demonstrated that this material constitutes a viable solution for reducing the metal in rainwater. This study is the result of a multidisciplinary work done by a team of scientists from the Department of Chemistry, and simultaneously from CESAM, constituted by Armando Duarte, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Patrícia Santos, João Pinto da Costa, Maria Teresa Caldeira, Mónica Ferreira  and the CICECO scientist Ana Estrada. The success of this study was demonstrated with the publication in the  scientific journal "Water Research", first scientific journal in the category "Water Resources". The full article is here: https://bit.ly/2YzjLBH   

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  • Science for Environment Policy News Alert of European Commission highlights CESAM´s research on the effects of pharmaceutical drugs in biological systems

    Published in 4/7/2019

    Science for Environment Policy News Alert of European Commission, of 13 June 2019,  highlights a CESAM´s research about the Contamination of the aquatic environment by pharmaceutical drugs used in human and veterinary medicine. This study, from the CESAM´s researcher Bruno Nunes, explored how the marine organism Hediste diversicolor, a polychaete worm, responded to exposure to salicylic acid, a key component of aspirin. They found the species to adapt and respond in a way that minimised the effects of metabolising the contaminating compound, suggesting that the acid does not currently pose a threat to marine polychaetes.   Read this News Alert here.

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  • Researcher at the CESAM/DBio is one of the authors of a comment published on Science

    Published in 24/6/2019

    Climate and ecosystems are changing globally, but predation on shorebird (or wader) nests changed little across the globe over the past decades, finds an international team of 60 researchers. The study was published in Science on 14 June 2019, and challenges a recent claim (published also in Science on 9 November 2018) that due to climate change shorebird eggs are more often eaten by predators, and that this effect is exacerbated in the Arctic compared to the tropics. Indeed, these claims seem to be a methodological artefact. In sum, there is no evidence that “the Arctic no longer is a safe haven for shorebirds”, such as Science wrote and which was published about in many media outlets. Shorebirds worldwide are in trouble due to human impact and their conservation deserves all possible attention. Conclusions about alternative threats based on poor statistics and assumptions only distract from the real issues. Link  for the full comment published on Science: dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aaw8529

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  • Cephs and Chefs project participates in the Children’s Day in Lourinhã

    Published in 6/6/2019

    As part of the INTERREG Cephs and Chefs project (Department of Enviornment and Planing & CESAM), the University of Aveiro established a protocol with the City Council of Lourinhã, in order to collaborate in several events related to the Octopus Gastronomic Fortnight of Lourinhã. On the 2nd of June, the researchers Sílvia Monteiro and Fábio Matos were present at the Children’s Day event organized by the City Council of Lourinhã with the educational activity “Polvos: os troca-tintas!”, which contributes to increase ocean literacy. This educational action consisted of different octopus-related activities, including a didactic quiz with curiosities about the biology, sustainability and fishing of this species, puzzles and paintings related to common octopus.

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  • Citizen Science project involving CESAM members wins prize in the 27º Young Scientists National Competition

    Published in 3/6/2019

    Students Ana Domingues and Bernardo Pinto from Estarreja Secondary School were awarded with the 4th prize of the 27º Young Scientists National Competition with the project “Populational dynamics of an invasive species in Baixo Vouga Lagunar”. The presented work is a result of a citizen science project coordinated by the CESAM members Inês Rosa, Joana Pereira and Sofia Guilherme that had the support of the Biology and Physics-Chemistry teachers Dorinda Rebelo and Cecília Bento, respectively. During one year, the class of 11ºA from Estarreja Secondary School studied the structure and population density of the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii in Fermelã, Estarreja. This invasive species is responsible for causing serious damages in rice fields all over the world and its abundant presence in Baixo Vouga Lagunar can be an important aspect to be considered in studies related with the agricultural management given the intense rice production in the region. Following the end of the field campaigns, these two students submitted a paper to the 27º Young Scientists National Competition. The project was selected to be presented on the 13th National Science Exhibition that was held in Porto, 30 May-01 June, where it was awarded with the 4th place (ex aequo with another project) in a total of 95 candidates. Ana Domingues and Bernardo pinto received 600 euros and in July they will participate in the International Wildlife Research Week in Switzerland.

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  • CESAM participates in a project funded with 18 million Euros

    Published in 9/7/2020

    CESAM and the University of Aveiro participate in the European project RadoNorm - Managing Risks from Radon and NORM, funded by Euratom - European Atomic Energy Community and coordinated by BfS, the German Official Office for Radiological Protection. With a funding of 18 million Euros, RadoNorm will start on the 1st September and has the participation of 56 partners from 19 member states of the European Union and the United Kingdom. It integrates scientifically renowned research groups from different multidisciplinary areas belonging to national Universities, Research Centers and Radiological Protection Institutions. In a joint effort, the teams from the different participating institutions will contribute to the clarification of the possible effects arising from exposure to ionising radiation emitted by radon and naturally occurring radioactive material or NORM, thus contributing to a better management of risks to human health and the environment. Besides the University of Aveiro, the University of Porto and the Association of the Instituto Superior Técnico for Research and Development are participating in this project. Thus, the above-mentioned National Institutions are responsible for inventorying the sites of exposure to ionizing radiation emitted by radon and other radionuclides, in Portugal. The researchers Joana Lourenço and Sónia Mendo from the Department of Biology & CESAM participate in this consortium. They have been working for more than ten years in evaluating and characterizing the molecular effects of exposure to residues from uranium mines, contaminated with metals and NORM. This research has already resulted in several research papers published in high impact factor WoS journals. Portugal has more than 60 deactivated uranium mines, the largest of which have already been remediated. In these mining areas the evaluation of the effects of exposure to ionising radiation occurs simultaneously with exposure to metals, some of which are highly toxic or carcinogenic. Many of these metals co-occur with radionuclides in the uranium decay chain, mainly alpha emitters such as radon. The uranium extraction activity, with great economic and strategic importance in Portugal especially during the cold war, led to environmental contamination and chronic exposure of human populations living nearby. Geological formations dominated by granites, in many regions of the country, also contribute to the exposure to radon. The results of the research carried out and which has been done in collaboration with Prof. Ruth Pereira of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto & GreenUPorto, led to the integration of the University of Aveiro in the European Radioecology Alliance in 2017. The scientific outputs and technological developments resulting from this project will contribute to a better characterization of exposure (through the improvement of dosimetry techniques, especially for low dose exposures) and to the risk assessment and mitigation processes. RadoNorm will thus support the European Commission in the implementation of Directive 2013/59/Euratom by defining safety standards for exposure to ionizing radiation.

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  • iMarCo2019 - International Marine Connectivity Conference

    Published in 18/9/2019

    The 5th International Marine Connectivity Conference (iMarCo2019), will be held at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, on September 23-25, 2019. iMarCo 2019 will only have oral presentations. The focus of the meeting is on the study of marine connectivity through a broad spectrum of marine science disciplines including physical oceanography, microchemistry, genetics, and evolutionary ecology, behaviour, tagging, and fisheries.The event also includes an introductory methodological one-morning workshops on the 25th of September, on otolith microchemistry and tools for simulating larval dispersal in the marine environment. Important dates: Abstract submission: 30 Jun Early-bird registration: 20 Jul   For more information, you can check the event's website here.  

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  • CESAM researcher is the new Port of Aveiro's CEO

    Published in 2/10/2019

    Fátima Lopes Alves, CESAM researcher, is the new Port of Aveiro's CEO. Specialist in coastal and marine planning and management, the researcher taked on the leadership of the administration of the Aveiro and Figueira da Foz Ports since April 2019.

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  • Exhibition Mar Profundo Português in the University of Aveiro until June 26

    Published in 31/5/2019

    The exhibition on the Portuguese Deep Sea is now located in the inferior floor of the Library of Universidade de Aveiro until June 26. Ocean covers more than 70 % of our planet’s surface but only 5 to 10 % are known. This exhibition presents a background of the pioneers in Portuguese Oceanography and the progressive organization of the research in this area. It also presents information on the Portuguese deep-sea diving and the project to extend the continental platform. Moreover, the exhibition highlights the relevance to boost National Sea as a crucial element to the development of the country. This exhibition is an initiative of the Minister of the Sea following the Oceans Meeting 2018 and has already been in several locations of the country.

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  • New visitation rules for the Berlengas Natural Reserve based on CESAM study

    Published in 30/5/2019

    The Portuguese Government has set the human carrying capacity of the Berlengas Natural Reserve at a maximum of 550 visitors per day simultaneously, by the Ordinance 355/2019 published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, of the 22nd of May 2019. This value does not include tourist-support staff, temporary residents and authorities’ officers. This decision was based on a study commissioned in 2010 by the Institute for Nature Conservancy and Forests (ICNF) and developed by Profs. Henrique Queiroga and João Serôdio (Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro). The study by the researchers of the University of Aveiro proposed four different values (ranging from 240 to 1290) for the maximum allowable visitors per day in the main island (including tourists, tourist-support staff, temporary residents and authorities’ officers), based on the combination of two scenarios of environmental protection (high and low environmental protection) and two scenarios of visitors’ satisfaction (high and low satisfaction). All scenarios met the constraints of the Berlengas reserve management plan. However, in line with recommendations for the compliance to, and dissemination of, good environmental practices, the study recommended a maximum number of 500 people daily, contingent to the requalification of the waste-water treatment system to a capacity of 500 population equivalent. Considering the average turnover rate of the different visitor profiles, the value of 550 simultaneous visitors likely represents more than 700 people visiting the Berlengas main island daily, to which tourist-support staff, temporary residents and authorities’ officers must be added. This will likely raise the maximum number of allowed people in the island to close to 900, once the measures to control visitation are fully set in place. This is clearly above the capacity of the current waste-water treatment system, which was never requalified aiming the target of 500 population equivalent. This value will be, nevertheless, a moderate progress relative to the effectively uncontrolled visitation load during the last two decades. The current visitation monitoring procedures set by the ICNF recorded 19 days with over 1000 visitors per day during the 2018 touristic season, and a total number of more than 82,000 visitors during the year. The researchers of the Biology Department and CESAM continue committed to work with the ICNF, the Municipality of Peniche, touristic operators, fishers and other stakeholders in order to promote a sustainable visitation of the Berlengas Archipelago, in line with the goals of the management plan and the Biosphere Reserves statutes.

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  • Smoke from forest fires can severely affect the health of firemen

    Published in 4/6/2019

    Research from CESAM members (Ana Isabel Miranda, Joana Valente e Sandra Sorte) studied, for the first time, the vital signs of firemen in experimental scenarios of forest fires. The results indicate that the regular and extended exposure to high levels of pollutants during the fire fight can cause acute and long term health problems. The complete news here [in PT]. Some of the National cover of the news: Público Correio da Manhã Jornal de Notícias

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  • Project Cephs and Chefs was present in several national and international events

    Published in 24/5/2019

    The project Cephs and Chefs – Octopus, squid, cuttlefish, sustainable fisheries and chefs had an intense activity of dissemination during May. On May 7-9, the researcher Cristina Pita (Departament of Environmental and Planning & CESAM), was presente in the Seafood Expo Global 2019, Brussels (Belgium), which is the largest trade fair connected to the fisheries sector worldwide. The researcher was present by special invitation of Xunta de Galicia to present the project. On May 16, the project was invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the gastronomical event 11ª Quinzena Gastronómica do Polvo da Lourinhã (Portugal). This ceremony included presentations on the event, on the nutritional value of the octopus and count with the presence of the researchers Sílvia Monteiro and Fábio Matos to talk on the development of new cephalopod’s products, octopus sustainability, and research on new markets and products.On the next day, the researchers went to Ericeira (Portugal) to the 4th edition of the Octopus Festival that will happen until May 26. On this event, the team establish contacts with restaurants involved in the initiative, in order to obtain data to the project.Moreover, from March 17-19, the researcher Cristina Pita participated in the Seafood Expo North America 2019, Boston (EUA), the largest exhibition of North America dedicated to the fish trade. The researcher was present in the Octopus Sustainable Roundtable Meeting targeting stakeholders from the fisheries industry where she presented the Portuguese and Spanish study cases integrated in the project Cephs and Chefs.

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  • CESAM researchers participate in the review of the Red data Book of Mammals

    Published in 23/5/2019

    CESAM researchers from ABEP – Adaptation Biology & Ecological Processes research group are in the coordination team of a project supported by ICNF (Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas) that aims to fill up the information gaps regarding the conservation status of mammals in Continental Portugal. Red Lists are essential tools for an active and efficient management of species and habitats. In the last revision of the Red Book of Vertebrates of Continental Portugal (2005), 28 % of marine and terrestrial mammals had Insufficient Information. Recognizing this as a serious problem, the project ‘Review of the red data book of mammals in continental Portugal and contribution to the evaluation of their status of conservation” aims to update information on the distribution, population status and threat status of native mammal species occurring in the national territory. The main output will be a revised and updated Red Book of Portuguese Mammals with the assessment of the conservation status of species by filling up the information gaps, at the level of the distribution area, abundance, type of occurrence and taxonomic clarification of the species of marine and terrestrial mammals.

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  • CESAM is actively involved in program that aims to recover forestlands destroyed by 2017 October’s wildfires

    Published in 22/5/2019

    The report produced by the Scientific Commission of the Programme for Rehabilitation of the Matas do Litoral (public forestlands located in the Portuguese Litoral Central) is available on the website of the Institute for Nature and Forests Conservation (ICNF). This report was developed following 2017 October’s wildfires, which destroyed the Matas do Litoral region, and as a result from a cooperation protocol between research and academic institutions with ICNF. Researchers from CESAM were integrated in this commission in diverse topics, such as monitoring and controlling water and wind erosion (Jan Jacob Keizer, Oscar González-Pelayo, Sérgio Prats, Diana Vieira), recovery of terrestrial habitats (Bruna Oliveira, Carlos Fonseca, Isabel Campos, João Puga, Miguel Rosalino, Victor Bandeira), recovery of aquatic and riparian ecosystems (Nelson Abrantes) and stakeholder participation and environmental education (Sandra Valente). The report can be consulted here.

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  • ICFC 2019 - International Conference on Food Contaminants

    Published in 21/5/2019

    The International Conference on Food Contaminants: challenges on risk assessment (ICFC 2019) will be held in Aveiro (Portugal) on the 26th and 27th September, 2019 and has several CESAM members in the organizing an scientific committees. This multidisciplinary congress provides a forum for both internationally established and young researchers to exchange advanced knowledge on Food Contaminants and Human Health. The congress will include keynote lectures given by world-renowned scholars, in addition to platform and poster presentations. Several sessions will cover developments and new challenges in risk assessment: Session 1 - Challenges in risk assessment in foods: new perspectives Session 2 – Human exposure to chemical food contaminants Session 3 – Other agents (microbiological and nutritional) affecting risks Session 4 – Risk-benefit assessment in foods in Europe Important dates: Abstract submission: 16 Jun Early-bird registration: 31 Jul Late registration: 17 Sep Website of the event here.

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  • CESAM researchers participate in the discovery of new species of marine fungi

    Published in 7/7/2020

    Fourteen new species and one genus of marine fungi were discovered in the scope of the PhD thesis of Micael Gonçalves, entitled “Fungos marinhos: diversidade e potencial biotecnológico”, under the supervision of Artur Alves, professor of Department of Biology of University of Aveiro (DBio) and researcher of the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), and Ana Cristina Esteves, professor of the Faculty of Dentistry of the Catholic University of Portugal, researcher of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Health Research. The complete news here.

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  • Deep-sea research for the next decade will have large scientific and societal benefits

    Published in 21/5/2019

    DOSI (Deep-Ocean Stewardship Initiative) Decade of Ocean Science Working Group, co-chaired by the CESAM researcher Ana Hilário and Kerry Howell (University of Plymouth, UK) has released the position paper ‘Deep-Sea Research in the Decade of Ocean Science Mapping the role of the deep ocean in human society’.In this paper, they compromise with the aim of reliably map and model the distribution of key habitats and species, the connectivity of populations, the delivery of ecosystem goods and services by deep-sea species and habitats, and the impact of human activities in the deep ocean by the end of the decade.The proposed 10-year programme will fill critical gaps of knowledge on the ecology of deep-sea populations crucial to make reliable and robust predictions on which to base ocean management decisions. In fact, it is intended that the acquired scientific knowledge during the Decade will inform policy and provide tools for the sustainable use of deep ocean. In addition, a major societal benefit of the project will be the legacy value of data that will be made freely available to future generations of scientists and stakeholders.The full position paper can be read here. DOSI pursues to integrate science, technology, policy, law and economics to advise on ecosystem-based management of resource use in the deep ocean and strategies to maintain the integrity of deep-ocean ecosystems within and beyond national jurisdiction.More information on DOSI here.  

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  • Creative solution to minimize the problem of illegal coralline rock extractions using oyster shelves

    Published in 15/5/2019

    Researchers from CESAM, on the scope of the project SMARTBIOR, study alternatives to the coralline rocks used in aquaria that are often illegally extracted from Indo-Pacific areas, threatening coral reefs. The proposal is to use oyster shelves that are a common subproduct from oyster farming and that have presently a low added value. Following this study, the team of biologists gave life to a CESAM and University of Aveiro logo using oyster shelves as a substrate that was occupied by living tropical corals.  The complete news here (in PT).

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  • PhD student of CESAM wins prize for entrepreneurship

    Published in 10/5/2019

    Mario Heredia Salgado wins the with his start-up “Andes”. This prize was granted by the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) for the first time as part of the Elsevier Foundation ISC3 Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge. With the winner project, he has developed a process to produce biochar from agribusiness biomass wastes to improve stressed soils. “Andes” was created based on his academic thesis in Energy Systems and Climate Change supervised by Prof. Luis Tarelho. The prize consists of a cash award of 25 000€ plus the onboarding at the ISC3 Global Start-up Service and was awarded on 6 May 2019 at the 4th Green and Sustainable Chemistry Conference in Dresden in Germany. More on this here.

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  • Researcher from CESAM is Guest Editor of a special issue in the journal Antibiotics

    Published in 9/5/2019

    The researcher Felisa Rey from CESAM & DBio together with the researcher Eliana Alves from QOPNA-DQ, University of Aveiro have been invited by the journal Antibiotics, MDPI (ISSN 2079-6382) to be Guest Editors of a special issue entitled "Antimicrobial Lipids from Plants and Marine Organisms". Plants and marine organisms are extraordinary reservoirs of natural products with biological activity. In order to combat the remarkable increase in antibiotic resistance, it is necessary to find novel antimicrobials from natural sources that have intrinsic defense strategies. Lipids include a myriad of structures and the ability to adapt to environmental changes and protect plants and marine organisms from different environmental stresses. Several lipid classes obtained from these matrices have antimicrobial activity on different human pathogens. Free fatty acids have been the most studied compounds. However, the great world of lipids as antimicrobials is far from being fully explored. Thus, it is imperative to explore these endless sources of bioactive lipids, and to isolate, identify and characterize the compounds that exert the antimicrobial activity and to evaluate their in vitro and in vivo efficiency. This special issue of Antibiotics aims at gathering the most recent work from researchers keen to demonstrate that lipids from natural sources are promising candidates as antibiotics and to boost new biotechnological applications of lipids in medicine, and in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. The deadline for manuscript submission is 28th February 2020.

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  • Antibiotic resistance in European wastewater treatment plants mirrors the pattern of clinical antibiotic resistance prevalence

    Published in 7/5/2019

    Antibiotic resistance is among the greatest human health threats of this century. Wastewater treatment plants are receptors and sources of antibiotic resistance. A study recently published in Science Advances compares the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants in seven European countries: Finland, Norway, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus. This first trans-Europe surveillance shows that countries with higher clinical antibiotic resistance levels (e.g. Spain, Portugal, Cyprus) have more antibiotic resistance genes entering wastewater treatment plants. This north-to-south gradient is also evident in terms of antibiotic consumption: Finland, Norway, and Germany are known for their low antibiotic use while in Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus antibiotic consumption is higher. Environmental temperature was also identified as an important factor determining antibiotic resistance, which rises additional concern in a climate changes context.  The good news is that the most part of treatment plants were effective in removing antibiotic resistance genes. However, the relative abundance of a few clinically relevant genes increased in the final effluent and the north-to-south gradient of contamination remained after treatment. The study included researchers from seven countries, being coordinated by Universidade Católica Portuguesa. CESAM was represented by Isabel Henriques from the Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra. Original article can be read here.

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  • Participatory Budgeting - OP@CESAM 2019

    Published in 7/5/2019

    CESAM is organizing the 2nd edition of the OP@CESAM. The main goal of this initiative is to promote the engagement of junior researchers, namely PhD students in scientific activities and activities of communication and dissemination of CESAM. The regulation of this initiative as well as the form to participate are available on the INTRANET (only available for CESAM members). You can apply until 20 May and may qualify to get up to 10 000€ to fund your idea. Do not miss this pportunity! Important dates: Deadline for submission of proposals: 20 May, 17h00 Disclosure of the list of voters: 20 May Disclosure of the proposals to voters: 21-24 May Analysis of proposals: until 31 May Voting: 01-09 June, 17h00

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  • 27th International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution

    Published in 7/5/2019

    The International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Air Pollution has successfully been reconvened for 27 years, always attracting a wide international spread of delegates. This time it will be held in Aveiro from 26-28 June 2019. Professor Carlos Borrego and Professor Myriam Lopes of CESAM are two of the Chairmen of the conference. CESAM will be also be represented by the Professor Ana Isabel Miranda and the researcher Joana Ferreira as members of the International Scientific Advisory Committee. This important conference brings together contributions from scientists from around the world to present recent work on various aspects of air pollution phenomena. Notable in each of the conferences in this series has been the opportunity to foster scientific exchange between participants. Each meeting has provided a further opportunity for identifying new areas of air pollution science demanding collaborative investigation. More information on this event here.

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  • 25th International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment

    Published in 7/5/2019

    The International Conference on Urban Transport and the Environment has successfully been reconvened for 25 years, always attracting a wide international spread of delegates. It is well-established as the premier event of its type. This time it will be held in Aveiro from 25-27 June 2019. Professor Carlos Borrego (CESAM) is a Chairman together with Professor Giorgio Passerini (Marche Polytechnic University, Italy). CESAM will be also be represented by the researcher Alexandra Monteiro as a member of the International Scientific Advisory Committee. The variety of topics covered by the conference reflects the complex interaction of the urban transport systems with their environment and the need to establish integrated strategies. The aim is to arrive at optimal socio-economic solutions while reducing the negative environmental impacts of current transportation systems. More information on this event here.

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  • Event THE PERFECT PITCH IN 5’ was a success

    Published in 23/4/2019

    On the 17 April, CESAM organized an event to improve and give more communication skills to its members. The event THE PERFECT PITCH IN 5’ lasted all day and the participants found the event very useful and were satisfied with the used approached. During the morning there were several talks with experts that covered issues such as general tips on how to make good pitches (Miguel Leal from the company Scite – Science Communication and Joaquim Macedo Sousa from HIESE), the relevance on communicate to non-scientific audiences (Pedro Farias, SCIRP, Universidade de Aveiro), and some design tips aimed to help to optimize the presentations (Joana Quental, ID+, Universidade de Aveiro). The room was crowded and the audience was clearly more aware for new aspects related with science communication. During the afternoon, there were 3 parallel workshops targeting CESAM non-doctorate members. One of the workshops was for MSc students and research fellows of CESAM and was boosted by Cecília Guerra and Susana Ambrósio from CIDTFF, Universidade de Aveiro. The other workshop targeted PhD students and was oriented by Miguel Leal, from the company Scite – Science Communication. PhD students also had the opportunity to participate in a workshop together with the PhD students of Design. This workshop was boosted by Joana Quental, ID+, Universidade de Aveiro and was an opportunity for CESAM students work closely with Design students and have a different perspective from their own research work. The complete program and CV’s of the speakers/trainers can be read here.

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  • Projects to preserve wild fauna in Greater Côa Valley and Douro region officially started

    Published in 23/4/2019

    On March 26 and 27, Guarda (Portugal), the Wildife Research Unit (WRU of CESAM & Department of Biology, University of Aveiro) was represented by Carlos Fonseca, Eduardo Ferreira, Rita Torres and João Carvalho in a two-day kick-off meeting to discuss the actions and strategies of both projects, the LIFE Wolflux “Decreasing socio-ecological barriers to connectivity for wolves south of the Douro river” and the  “Scaling Up Rewilding in Western Iberia”, funded by  the Endangered Landscapes Programme.The University of Aveiro, and the organizations Rewilding Portugal, Associação Transumância e Natureza and Zoo Logical are partners in two complementary European projects aimed at rewilding the Greater Côa Valley and fostering the functional connectivity of landscape at south of Douro river.Over the project’s lifetime (2019 – 2023), the partners expect to create the baseline conditions to boost biodiversity, restore trophic chains and promote the sustainable management of natural resources. Wolflux and Scaling Up Rewilding in Western Iberia will consider the contributions of a diverse array of stakeholders (e.g. hunters, agricultures) to create a spatially-explicit framework that accommodates stakeholders’ expectations in environmental and conservation planning. The conceptual, scientific and educational advancements of these projects will support the emergence of nature-based economies, essential to revert the current trend of rural depopulation.

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  • CESAM researchers publish a chapter in Springer's encyclopedia

    Published in 7/7/2020

    Victor Bandeira and Carlos Fonseca from the Department of Biology & CESAM of the University of Aveiro published the chapter “Wildlife and Sustainable Development” for the Encyclopedia “Life on Land. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals”, by Springer. The complete news here.

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  • Open call for applications for the doctoral program DO*MAR until 20 May

    Published in 15/4/2019

    The Do*Mar doctoral programme on Marine Science, Technology and Management has just published a call for applications to the Universities of Aveiro, Minho and Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Nine Do*Mar-FCT scholarships are available in this call. Details of the application and selection procedures are available in http://www.campusdomar-pt-domar.net. Deadline for application: May 20, 2019.

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  • Researchers from CESAM published a study on the coral reef microbiome in the high-impact journal Nature Communications

    Published in 9/4/2019

    One of the most recent and fascinating developments in Biology is the perception of the microbiome and its importance in human and animal health and ecosystem functioning. In marine environments, sponges have been considered a model organism to study host-microbiome relationships. Sponges are the most ancient of metazoans and are considered a reservoir of microbial diversity in the world´s oceans. However, until now, it was not clear if and to what extent microorganisms found in sponges are also present in other coral reef biotopes.Members of CESAM/Dbio, in collaboration with researchers from different institutions in Taiwan, Thailand and the Netherlands, carried out an extensive and ambitious study that aimed to characterize the microbiome from more than 200 coral reef samples from multiple taxa in the Indo-Pacific region. Using high-throughput DNA sequencing and the computer cluster ARGUS from the University of Aveiro (Argus), for the first time, microbiomes from algae, chitons, stony corals, sea cucumbers, sponge denizens, flatworms, nudibranchs, soft corals, sponges, sea urchins, seawater and sediment were analyzed. The researchers found that a high number of microorganisms are shared between different biotopes, supporting the hypothesis of Baas Becking that “everything is everywhere but the environment selects”. Contrary to what was believed until now, sponges are not the main contributors to total prokaryote diversity in coral reefs. They are only one, albeit an interesting, component of a much larger coral reef metacommunity.  The original paper here.

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  • Scientific paper by researcher selected to the cover of journal “Ecology and Evolution”

    Published in 8/4/2019

    It is common knowledge that during Easter shops get flooded with chocolate eggs which make the delights of young and older alike. But what few will know is that the traditional game of “egg hunting” in early spring is due in large part to the existence of the very first wader nests of the year! In northern Europe, particularly in England, but also in Scotland and the Netherlands, egg collection of wader eggs in Easter was once at such scale that it originated a parliamentary act for the protection of a wader species, forbidding the sale of Vanellus vanellus (Lapwing) eggs from 14 March to 11 August (The Lapwing Act 1928). Although many birds have advanced their laying dates and wild egg collection is increasingly less frequent, many species are currently declining due to other factors. For example, when they are unable to match the advances in the phenology of the resources they depend upon, such as the insects that compose the diet of many of these species. In fact, the warming trend felt globally in recent years seems to be the origin of changing phenology in several groups of species, be it the date of first flowering of plants, the hatching of insects, or the migratory movements of bird species. But, the changing of the timing of these events may also influence demographic processes and ultimately affect population growth. This was the issue that an international team of researchers, lead by Dr. José Alves (Dep. Biology and CESAM – University of Aveiro) decided to explore. In order to do so they selected a population of a migratory wader species that breeds in the northernmost limit of its distribution area, Iceland, where the effects of global warming are very apparent due to “arctic amplification”. The researchers first had to “play egg hunting” to find the nests of the black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa islandica), in Iceland, during several years in order to assess the variation in phenology of laying in relation to local temperature. This study initiated in 2001 (a particularly cold breeding season in Iceland) started to yield results ten years later, in 2011 (another cold season), and carried on until 2013, encompassing a period in which the average air temperature fluctuated between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius during the breeding season of this bird. This information allowed establishing a relationship between temperature and laying dates: the warmer it is, the earlier these birds are able to lay their clutches. As this species conceals its nests in the vegetation, these birds must wait for the local plants to growth following snowmelt and defrosting of soils. In warmer seasons, soil defrosts and plant growth occur at an higher rate, allowing godwtis to safely lay their eggs earlier (successfully hiding those from potential predators). But this was only the first step in the study. It was important to understand if such local responses could have an effect at the population level. In order to do so, the chicks from this species were located every two days by radio-tracking their parents (which guard them around the clock), to establish how much time is required for them to become independent and fledge. By tracking chicks born in years during which air temperatures differed, it was possible to establish that in warmer years, chicks fledge about 15 days earlier than chicks born in colder years (considering the total period since egg laying to fledging). With the help of an extensive network of collaborators across Europe that report colour-ringed Icelandic godwits across its range (Iceland-Iberian Peninsula), it was possible to carry on tracking these chicks, now juveniles, until the end of their first migration, and this allowed demonstrating that chicks born earlier enjoy an higher recruitment probability. Hence, in warmer years, the breeding phenology of this bird advances and chicks from those years experience a higher probability of increasing the number of individuals on the population. Once average temperatures in Iceland have increased since 1845, and warm springs have been more frequent in recent decades, the research team was able to link the population growth experience by this population and its expansion into new areas in Iceland and in West Europe (during the non-breeding season), to the warming recorded on its natal island c. At the start of the XX century, this population was restricted to a breeding area in the SW cost of Iceland and it is estimated to haven been composed by 5000 individuals. The warming trend in temperatures occurring since, allowed the birds in these original locations to produce offspring that gradually colonized almost all coastal areas of the country. Their number increased to 50.000 individuals, with areas colonized earlier producing more individuals as local temperatures increased. This study goes beyond descriptive patterns of individual responses to climate change, establishing a link between those and the potential effects in the demography and distribution of species. These effects are extremely important, as they can help to improve our predicting capacity to what may occur to biodiversity in a climate change scenario. In the case of the Iceland godwit, global warming seems to be promoting its expansion, which could be expected for a population that occurs at the northern part of its distribution range, and is likely to be limited by the low temperatures at such latitudes. However, this is not the case for many other species of migratory birds that often are unable to advance their phenology at a similar rate of the insects they depend upon for themselves and to raise their young. We should therefore promote current efforts for the reduction of carbon emissions in an attempt to slow down global warming which is already very apparent. More than helping biodiversity in its attempts to respond to such changes, we will surely avoid that many chocolate eggs melt in their hiding places while we search for them in ever warming Easters. The original article in open access available here.

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  • New environment-friendly solutions for anti-fouling compounds

    Published in 8/4/2019

    The paper "Toxicity of innovative anti-fouling nano-based solutions in marine species" authored by members of CESAM's Functional Biodiversity group and Department of Biology, with major contributions from CICECO and the Portuguese company Smallmatek was just published on Environmental Science: Nano. Briefly, this study concluded that is possible to develop "greener" nano-based antifouling additives for maritime coatings without compromising their efficacy. The novel compounds were carefully characterized and their toxicity assessed and compared against commercial state-of-the-art compounds in several marine species representative of different trophic levels. The original article here.

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  • Art exhibition based on casts of snowflakes collected by CESAM researcher

    Published in 5/4/2019

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    Researcher Irina Gorodetskaya and colleagues collected casts of snowflakes as part of the project ‘Quantifying precipitation and its contribution to surface freshening in the Southern Ocean’ during the Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition in January-February 2017 funded by the Swiss Polar Institute. Besides this, Irina was also involved in scanning the images as part of the project ‘EXPAR - EXtreme Precipitation events in Antarctica: investigating the role of Atmospheric Rivers’ included in the Programa Polar Português funded by FCT. Part of this work was used by the artist Yvonne Weber that created the exhibition ‘Casting the Ephemerality’. This exhibition was opened on the 1st April and is present at the Maritime Museum of Ushuaia, Argentina until the 30th April 2019. It will be part of the conference SC-HASS 2019 – Antarctic Connections at the end of the world (3-5 April). More on the artist’s motivation and exhibition together with the images of the exhibition can be seen here.

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  • AMBIEnCE project receives important endorsement by the international project SOLAS

    Published in 12/4/2019

    The project AMBIEnCE - Impact of atmospheric multi-stressors to coastal marine systems in a changing climate scenario (PTDC/CTA-AMB/28582/2017) has just been endorsed by the international research project SOLAS (Surface Ocean - Lower Atmosphere Study), which is sponsored by GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research. The SOLAS project holds more than 2500 researchers from all over the world aiming to understand the key biogeochemical-physical interactions and feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere. AMBIEnCE is a multidisciplinary research project aiming to assess the impact of atmospheric organic aerosols deposition on the molecular composition and reactivity of dissolved organic matter in different coastal marine systems, as well as exploring how the intrinsic chemical features of both organic aerosols and dissolved organic matter drive the bioavailability of atmospheric-derived trace metals in seawater. AMBIEnCE directly addresses the SOLAS core theme on “Atmospheric deposition and ocean biogeochemistry”. Additional details here. SOLAS enews with the mention and recommendation to AMBIEnCE project can be consulted here.

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  • Report of the working group on Marine Protected Areas of the Sea Platform counts with the participation of CESAM

    Published in 25/3/2019

    The report of the working group on Marine Protected Areas (MPA) of the Sea Platform under the Sea Minister was recently disclosure. This report results from the first shared exercise, which involved different entities and experts of the marine biodiversity conservation area. This is the first document of this kind elaborated in Portugal and allows the discussion of MPA and their relevance in the national maritime space. In this report, several CESAM members participate. The document may be consulted here.

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  • Is there pollution in Antarctica? CESAM approaches this question at school

    Published in 25/3/2019

    Researcher Joana Pereira presented on 20th March a talk at Escola EB 2,3 de Aradas. This talk was inserted in the International Polar Week, promoted in Portugal by the project Propolar Education, associated to PROPOLAR (Portuguese Polar Program), APECS PORTUGAL (Associação de Jovens Investigadores Polares de Portugal) and PEI (Polar Educators International). The talk of Joana Pereira was focused on the pollution in Antarctica, namely on the type of pollution, the effects and how we can protect the Antarctic ecosystems. This event was organized by two professors of the school and the audience was constituted by a group of more than 40 students ageing between 9 and 11 years old.

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  • COST Action meeting will occur in Aveiro and is supported by CESAM

    Published in 22/3/2019

      From 25 to 27 March 2019 it will occur at University of Aveiro, the second meeting of the COST-Action SENSECO - Optical synergies for spatiotemporal sensing of scalable ecophysiological traits.  This meeting gets together 62 scientists from European Union, neighbor countries and other international partners that develop their research in the area of Earth Observations. The organization of this event is at the responsibility of the post-doctoral research fellow Bruna Oliveira from CESAM and DAO. The main goal of this COST-Action is to develop synergies in the utilization of different optical sensors for the spatio-temporal measurement of the ecophysiological traits of the ecosystems.

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  • CESAM brings impacts of pharmaceuticals in fish to school

    Published in 22/3/2019

    Researcher Bruno Nunes was present on 14th of March  at Colégio Nossa Senhora da Assunção, Anadia, for the presentation of a lecture entitled “Pharmaceuticals on the loose: why drugs kill fish?”. This lecture was presented to students of the 7th and 8th years, and was part of the activities developed by this school devoted to the generic theme of the Environment.

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  • Impacts of the pandemic in the fishing and aquaculture sectors in Portugal

    Published in 2/7/2020

    CESAM members disclosure a briefing note about the impacts of COVID-19 in the fishing and aquaculture sectors and related activities in Portugal, within the scope of the project COVIDPESCA. For this, interviews were made to 48 representatives of shipowners’ associations, fishermen, aquacultures, preserving plants, freezing industry and producer organizations, among others, aiming to identify the main difficulties that the fishing sector is facing and the main adaptation and mitigation measures. Among the reasons that caused a negative socioeconomic impact, it is highlighted the lack of tourists and the loss of the main international markets, the closing and limited reopening of the hotels, restaurants and cafes, the price of the fishing products, the loss of buyers, the reduction in the catchment volume, the logistic restrictions, the transportation costs, and some constraints regarding the crew. The briefing is signed by the researchers Cristina Pita, Katina Roumbedakis, Teresa Fonseca and Daniela Castelo and can be read here (in Portuguese).

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  • O Zézé deixou-nos...

    Published in 21/3/2019

    [Only available in Portuguese] Opinião de Carlos Fonseca sobre a partida de José Vingada, referência maior da conservação e gestão da Natureza em Portugal.

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  • WATER Symposium

    Published in 20/3/2019

    On the scope of the World Water Day, the symposium WATER will occur on the 22 Mar 2019. It has the support of the department of Biology and CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro. The theme suggested by this year by United Nations (UN) is “Leaving No One Behind - Human Rights and Refugees". Following this and taking into account the research lines at the university, the theme "Water access matters, engaging everyone" was proposed for this symposium. Speakers list considers the ongoing projects of CESAM and also the business context of the region of Aveiro. This way, the talks will have a special focus on the management of aquatic resources and how they contribute for the resilience and well-being of human populations. The symposiumwill be held at University of Aveiro (Carlos Borrego, Amphitheater, DAO), 09:30-13h. Presentations will be in English (15’ each). More on the event here. You can also assist these event through this link.

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  • Science and Nature articles highlight work of expedition with CESAM researchers

    Published in 19/3/2019

    The researchers Ana Hilário and Patrícia Garrote are presently on board of the oceanographic vessel Sonne that works in the Pacific (Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone). Their present in this expedition are in the scope of the project MiningImpact2 (JPIO), led by the Researcher Matthias Haeckel (GEOMAR) and coordinated at the University of Aveiro by Prof. Marina Cunha (FCT-Mining2/0002/2017) and funded by an international consortium. Science and Nature recently highlighted some work within the scope of this campaign in articles that can be read here and here, respectively More news on this expedition will be given by the end of it, late in May.

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  • Sea lettuces remove metals from contaminated waters

    Published in 19/3/2019

    Study of CESAM found in sea lettuces a potential solution to remove metals from contaminated waters resulting from industries and domestic use. The complete news may be read here [in Portuguese].

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  • Study of CESAM allows fighting fatal infections using light

    Published in 19/3/2019

    Research of CESAM found that photodynamic therapy inactivates the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus responsible for several infections that may be fatal for humans. The complete news may be read here [in Portuguese].

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  • CESAM in national consortium for the creation of a network of competences for the sustainable development and innovation in the agribusiness of Centre region

    Published in 11/3/2019

    Members of CESAM belong to a national consortium that involves seven institutions from Centre region of Portugal for the creation of a network of competences for the sustainable development and innovation in the agribusiness of Centre region  (Rede de Competências para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável e Inovação no Sector Agroalimentar da Região Centro), on the scope of the call CENTRO-45-2018-21, Centro 2020. The consortium So+Centro is coordinated by University of Aveiro and will contribute to the knowledge of endogenous species of Centre region allowing the study of their valorization in the actual context than demands more sustainable solutions. The complete news here [in Portuguese].

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  • Network ALTER-Net is organizing conference

    Published in 11/3/2019

    The network ALTER-Net to which CESAM belongs, is organizing the conference 2019 ALTER-Net & EKLIPSE  on the EU Biodiversity Strategy Beyond 2020: Research insights and needs for biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe). This event will occur in Ghent, Belgium, 17-19 June 2019. The conference targets researchers, decision-makers and practitioners from all disciplines and fields and will cover the following themes: Envisaging plausible futures Probable changes in nature New relationships Policy responses More information on this here. Important dates: Abstract submissiom: 31 March Registration deadline: 1 June

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  • Researcher is highlighted in the book "Women in Science"

    Published in 8/3/2019

    Mónica Amorim, researcher of CESAM and Department of Biology (DBio), was highlighted by Ciência Viva in the bool "MULHERES NA CIÊNCIA" (Women in Science). The new edition of this book is going to hapen on the 8 March, International Women's Day, in Lisbon. Her testimony in this book can be seen here and more on this initiative here. The complete news here [in PT].

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  • PhD student supervised by CESAM members is awarded with a grant from National Geographic

    Published in 7/3/2019

    Joana Pereira, supervised by Prof. Carlos Fonseca and by the collaborator of CESAM Luís Miguel Rosalino, was awarded with an Early Career Grant by the National Geographic Society. The project aims to study ways to minimize the conflicts that exist between the communities and wildlife of the protected area of the Quirimbas National Park in the north-east of Mozambique. More on this award here [in Portuguese].

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  • CESAM members are in the scientific committee of the 15th EEF

    Published in 6/3/2019

    The researcher Ana Isabel Lillebø and the faculty Henrique Queiroga and José Pedro Granadeiro belong to the scientific committee of the EEF - 15th European Ecological Federation Congress that will take place at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon from the 29th of July to the 2nd of August 2019. The overarching theme of this conference, Ecology across boarders: Embedding Ecology in Sustainable Development Goals, is intended to promote discussions and interactions on how to integrate basic and applied ecological research, and their trans-disciplinarily impacts, for the effective implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The meeting is open to all: students, researchers from the public and private sectors, and stakeholders involved in the fields of ecology and conservation, evolution, genetics, environmental sciences, climate change, agro-forestry, social-ecology and economy, among others. Important dates: Abstract submission: 13 March 2019 Early-bird registration: 30 April 2019  

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  • Researcher of CESAM is guest editor in a special issue of the journal Diversity

    Published in 1/7/2020

    The researcher of CESAM Clara Grilo is one of the guest editors in a special issue of the journal Diversity, together with Doctor Anthony P. Clevenger, Doctor Aliza le Roux, and Doctor Bilal Habib. The subject of this special issue is “Transportation Infrastructure Impacts on Biodiversity in Emerging Economies”. The deadline for manuscripts submission is December 31, 2020. More information about this Special Issue can be read here. More information on manuscript preparation and related matters can be consulted here.

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  • Diana Madeira was awarded with one of the L’Oreal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science 2018

    Published in 6/3/2019

    Diana Madeira, post-doctoral research fellow of CESAM and Dbio, was awarded one of the L’Oreal Portugal Medals of Honor for Women in Science 2018. In this 15th edition, 4 scientists were awarded 15.000€ to develop projects within the areas of health and environmental sciences. The aim of the research proposal is to unravel the molecular and physiological mechanisms underpinning transgenerational plastic responses of marine organisms exposed to ocean warming and pollution. This project will contribute to the improvement of environmental management plans envisaging the long-term sustainability of aquatic resources.  Diana Madeira is a marine biologist since 2009, and since then she has been devoted to eco-physiological research within a global change context. She has contributed to rank the vulnerability of over 30 marine species (temperate and tropical) to ocean warming based on molecular and thermal tolerance assays, studied how ocean warming impacts different life-cycle stages of marine fish and is currently working on long-term plastic responses of marine organisms to global change in collaboration with several institutions including Universidade Nova de Lisboa and Université du Québec à Rimouski (Canada). Additional information: Interview in Antena 1 here (08:17) [only available in Portuguese] News on UA online here [only available in Portuguese] News on RTP TV channel here [only available in Portuguese] News on SIC TV channel here [only available in Portuguese]

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  • CESAM in na international Consortium towards fisheries without garbage waste

    Published in 25/2/2019

    CESAM is part of the team of the project NetTag- Tagging fishing gears and enhancing on board best-practices to promote waste free fisheries, funded by the European Commission. This project is focused on the prevention and reduction of marine debris that result from fisheries. Among the several objectives of the project, NetTag aims to reduce the quantity of lost gears and other wastes that daily threat marine biota. The complete news on this project can be read here [only available in Portuguese].

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  • CESAM was present in Forum of Professions organized by the Lycée Français International de Porto (LFIP)

    Published in 21/2/2019

    Bruno Nunes, researcher of CESAM & dBio, was present on March 15 at the Forum des Métiers / Forum of Professions, organized by the Lycée Français International de Porto (LFIP), for students in 9th grade (14-15 years) and 10th grade (15-16 years old) . This space aimed to answer the curiosities and to help the students of the LFIP to better understand the professions and the different professional paths related to several areas: Health; Arts / music; Press / media; Engineering; Design; Life sciences and research (panel that was attended by Bruno Nunes); Diplomacy and politics; Justice / Law; Management; Tourism / Industry; Computing; Finance / Banking.

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  • Oporto needs more green areas to fight against heat waves

    Published in 15/2/2019

    CESAM research concluded that Oporto needs to take urgent measures to fight heat waves that are becoming more frequent, stronger and harmful for the environment and human health. Some of the proposed solutions are have new green areas, expand the gardens and parks already existent and use the vegetation and plants on the roofs of the buildings. Also, use lighter colours on the roofs and urban pavements will help in refreshing the city. More information on this study of David Carvalho and Carlos Borrego may be obtained here.

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  • MEC2019 - 5th Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Morphodynamics

    Published in 15/2/2019

    The 5th Conference on Estuarine and Coastal Morphodynamics will be held by the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, 24-26 June 2019. This event is supported by CESAM through the participation of some of its members in the organizing and scientific committees and intends to be a presentation forum of research works related with the morphodynamics of coastal zones. Moreover, the event aims to potentiate the discussion of ideas and spread the knowledge on coastal zones. The works for oral and poster presentations may be submitted under the following themes: Estuarine and coastal dynamics Data analysis Climate change impacts in coastal zones Anthropic interventions in coastal zones Coastal risks Spatial planning and management of coastal zones Works on the dissemination of research projects related with the estuarine and coastal morphodynamics will also be accepted. Important dates: Abstract submission (2 pages limit): 28th Feb 2019 Abstract acceptance: 30 Mar 2019 Early-bird registration: 30 Apr 2019 Regular registration: 24 Jun 2019

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  • Workshop “Orienting Young Scientists of EuroMarine” gets together EuroMarine and the young marine scientists

    Published in 8/2/2019

    Last 28th - 29th of January 2019, prior to the EuroMarine General Assembly meeting held in the same week, the Young Scientist Working Group (YSWG) of the network EuroMarine was present in a workshop in Cádiz, Spain, hosted by CEIMAR and the University of Cádiz, which aimed to: Analyzing and discussing the results of the YSWG survey to young marine researchers in Europe and the EuroMarine member institutions, launched in October 2018; Identifying the main motivations and concerns regarding academic research and career expressed by the young marine scientists; Planning a way forward for the YSWG, exploring the potential of establishing a permanent presence within EuroMarine and expanding the YSWG community; Elaborating a synthesis presentation of YSWG outcomes during its first year of existence as well as workshop outputs, to be presented to the EuroMarine GA. The outputs directly benefit EuroMarine by highlighting young scientists’ perspectives on topics and issues potentially overlooked by senior scientists, as well as developing and proposing a set of early-career researcher-oriented activities and platforms to be made available in the future for the marine research community. Additionally, developers of the OpenAIRE platform, which aims at shifting scholarly communication towards openness and transparency, held a training session during the workshop to teach about the potentialities of the platform. A short video of the session can be found here. Our PhD student Marco Custódio is the representative of CESAM in the YSWG and participated in this workshop. In due time, a presentation of the results will become available to CESAM's community.

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  • Natura +: A citizen science project to monitor Natura 2000

    Published in 8/2/2019

    On January 14, the Natura + project was officially launched. The mission of Natura + is to promote awareness about the Portuguese sites of Natura 2000 and the wildlife they shelter. This project also aims to gather scientific information with the support of citizens in the monitoring of these sites. For this purpose, Natura + has developed citizen science activities aimed at the general public and schools. Currently, different activities are already fully developed and available at the project’s website. These relate to soil quality, solid waste spread in the surroundings of waterways, otter and bat monitoring. Everybody can do these activities and, by sharing the collected data with Natura +, anyone can easily contribute to the study and conservation of the biodiversity of Portugal. This project is part of a PhD thesis on science communication, developed by Sofia Oliveira, who is supervised by the researchers Ruth Pereira (GreenUPorto), Paulo Santos (CIIMAR-UP) and Joana Pereira (CESAM). More information about this project can be found on the online platforms of Natura +:    Website    Facebook    Instagram    Youtube

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  • CESAM researcher in the organization of the British Ornithologists’ Union Annual Conference

    Published in 6/2/2019

    José Alves, CESAM & DBio member, is one of the organizers of the thematic BOU-British Ornithologists’ Union Annual Conference on “Tracking migration: drivers, challenges and consequences of seasonal movements”. The organizing team is composed by researchers from other four institutions: University of Iceland, University of Amsterdam and Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UK). Recent advances in tracking technologies have allowed us to quantify migratory movements throughout the annual and life cycles in greater detail than ever before, leading to a renewed widespread interest in the field. This conference will therefore bring together ecologists and biologists tracking migratory birds in any form, to explore our understanding of avian migration through the use of any tracking technique: from large scale migratory pulses and fluxes to individual variation in phenology and routes; the implications of behavioural flexibility for distribution and demography of migrants (connectivity and fitness trade-offs); and the development and maintenance of migratory strategies at the individual (ontogeny and life-long tracking) and population levels (partial migration and transgenerational changes). The meeting will take place in the University of Warwick, UK from the 26th to the 28th of March 2019.

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  • CESAM goes to school

    Published in 6/2/2019

    Last January, members of CESAM's Ecotoxicology research group visited schools promoting information, demonstration and dissemination sessions, including results of the research carried out at CESAM by their work teams, namely in the project CliMaStat. On the 21st at Colégio Portugês (Aveiro) and on the 28th at Dr. João Carlos Celestino Gomes Secondary School (Ílhavo), the researchers Susana Galante-Oliveira, Isabel Oliveira, Daniela Figueiredo, Daniela Freitas and Joana Fonsec presented the activity "Changing Oceans: a dive in warmer and more acidic waters" for students and teachers at elementary, secondary and senior university levels, promoting knowledge and reflection on the climate change ongoing in the worlds’ oceans and their impacts, and raising citizens' awareness concerning the adoption of responsible behaviors in the fight against climate change.

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  • 2019 The 6th International Conference On Energy and Environment Research

    Published in 31/1/2019

    ICEER is being held annually and is now a privileged space to discuss current issues related to Energy and the Environment. This event aims to explore emerging technologies and concepts in a collaborative way, bringing together engineers, researchers and professionals from different areas. ICEER 2019 will occur from 22-25 July at University of Aveiro and is a joint organization of the Department of Environment and Planning of University of Aveiro (DAO/UA), the School of Engineering (ISEP) of the Polytechnic of Porto (P.Porto) and the SCIEI, and is held at Aveiro, Portugal, with collaboration of the CESAM,CIETI and LEPABE research groups. You can submit your abstract until 04 Feb 2019 and early bird registration is until 27 May 2019. More on this event here.

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  • CESAM’s PhD students stand out at Research Summit 2020

    Published in 30/6/2020

    The 3rd edition of the Research Summit was an important forum of discussion on the theme of Sea and Sustainability, attended globally by over 800 people during these 3 days. Though online, it brought the research community together! The Rector, Paulo Jorge Ferreira, and the Vice-rector for Research, Innovation and 3rd Cycle, Artur Silva, opened the summit on June 24 and were followed by the intervention of the Minister of Maritime Affairs, Ricardo Serrão Santos, with an interesting perspective on the efforts of Portugal to help the research community in the area of maritime affairs. The NRP Sagres Comandante Maurício Camilo allowed the audience to discover more about Sagres, with his presentation entitled “NRP SAGRES, 58 years showing the Portuguese Flag around the World”. With the support of the American Corner of UA and the US Embassy, William Gerwick, University of California, San Diego, provided the audience with a deep insight on the work developed at his laboratory. Of high interest to UA community was the participation of Annapaola Migani, from Elsevier, whose presented us with an example of application for the recently acquired SciVal. One of the main goals of Research Summit is to foster the inter-and transdisciplinary work among UA researchers, which was materialized with 16 presentations by Research Units, including CESAM’s by Prof. Luis Menezes Pinheiro, focused on "The Ocean - Challenges for a Sustainable Development: contribution from CESAM". Day 2 and 3 were highly attended, with over 800 intervenients, along the 7 simultaneous rooms each day, with 48 doctoral programmes, 641 PhD students and 160 professors involved in the jury.   Two CESAM’s PhD students were winners of this edition of Research Summit 2020: Marco Custódio and Catarina Malheiro. Also noteworthy was the participation of Daniel Jerónimo and Sílvia Coelho, both CESAM’s PhD students.   Room Awardees Classification 1 Mariana Mesquita, Photodynamic Therapy in prostate cancer using chlorin and isobacteriochlorin photosensitizers, 12:15 PM; (Biochemistry) Winner 2 Marco Custódio, Integration of halophytes production to promote coastal aquaculture eco-intensification, 10:55 AM; (Marine science, technology and management) Winner 3 David Oliveira, The use of mobile applications in the University of Aveiro: an exploratory measuring approach, 11:30 AM; (Multimedia in education) Winner* 3 Rita Tavares, Science Education mobile app integrating an educational data mining framework, 12:20 PM; (Multimedia in education) Winner* 4 Amélia Ramos, Smart Antennas for the Future Low-Earth Orbit Satellite Constellations, 9:15 AM; (Electrical engineering) Winner 5 Jéssica Barbosa, A Novel Osteoporosis Treatment with Coordination Systems, 10:35 AM; (Sustainable chemistry) Winner 6 Ana Monteiro, 2D nanomaterials functionalized with porphyrins for cancer therapies, 9:30 AM; (Nanosciences and nanotechology) Winner 8 Catarina Malheiro, Sustainable Plant Protection Products: from conventional to novel practices, 2:45 PM; (Biology and ecology of global changes) Winner 9 Isabel Bjørge, Groovy, 2:25 PM; (Materials science and engineering) Winner 10 Augusto Neves, Covid-19 impacts on teaching approaches in tourism studies: The case of public higher education in Portugal, 3:35 PM; (Tourism) Winner 11 Eduarda Morais, Boosting Biorefinery: Eutectic mixtures as alternative solvents in the extraction and processing of polysaccharides, 2:35 PM; (Chemical engineering) Winner 12 Ágata Ricca, Seeing the world from a “sense of possibility”: perspectives on an experience of choral practice in the daily life of a refugee camp, 2:00 PM; (Music) Winner 13 Pedro Tomé, Compensation of Long-Term Memory Effects in GaN HEMTs, 3:55 PM; (Telecommunications MAP-tele) Winner 14 Carla Oliveira, Between_Generations: intra and inter-generational transmition of health behaviours in families with genetic conditions, 2:05 PM; (Gerontology and geriatrics) Winner 15 Inês Direito, Protein aggregation and hormone-related cancers: a novel approach to improve diagnosis and overcome endocrine therapy resistance?, 9:40 AM; (Biomedicine) Winner 16 Monique Borges, Decision aiding for public policy formulation, 10:25 AM; (Public policies) Winner 17 Luís Nóbrega, IoT technologies for animal grazing and posture control, 10:55 AM; (Computer science MAP-i) Winner 18 Cátia Rosário, Impact of R&D subsidies on company performance, 9:15 AM; (Business and economics) Winner 19 Gonçalo Lopes, Methodology for the seismic assessment of mixed buildings, 9:20 AM; (Civil engineering) Winner 20 Inês Costa, Planeta Tangerina in the publishing world: transfer and mediation in the internationalization of Portuguese children’s literature, 9:50 AM; (Literary studies) Winner 1 Sara Nadine, Dynamic microfactories encapsulating cells for bone tissue engineering, 12:25 PM; (Biochemistry) Mention 2 Daniel Jerónimo, Recycling wasted nutrients from aquaculture effluents through the integrated use of polychaetes assisted sand filters (PASFs) and halophytes in aquaponics, 10:20 AM; (Marine science, technology and management) Mention 4 Daniel Pereira, Noise in CV-QKD, 9:55 AM; (Electrical engineering) Mention 5 Daniela Fonseca, Biopolymeric microneedles: shaping the future of transdermal delivery and diagnostics, 10:30 AM; (Sustainable chemistry) Mention 6 Ricardo Serrazina, FLASH sintering of lead free perovskite oxides towards sustainable processing of materials for energy and related applications, 9:20 AM; (Advanced materials and processing) Mention 8 Sílvia Coelho, Assessing air quality in cities under climate change scenarios: a source apportionment approach, 4:50 PM; (Environmental sciences and engineering) Mention 9 Alexandre Carvalho, Development of graphene-based transducers and devices, 3:05 PM; (Physical engineering) Mention 10 Brenno Costa, Determinantes da escolha de meios de transportes por turistas dentro de um destino, 3:40 PM; (Tourism) Mention 11 Emanuel Crespo, Building Better Wrong Models for the Oil & Gas Industry, 2:40 PM; (Chemical engineering) Mention 12 Hedisson Mota, "Mixing as an Artistic Process: creative approaches in Portuguese urban popular music", 4:00 PM; (Music) Mention 13 José Miguel Cardoso, 4 Design Strategies  for mapping places, 2:25 PM; (Design) Mention 14 Sara Almeida, Effectiveness of the Lifestyle Integrated Functional Exercise for People with Dementia, 2:20 PM; (Gerontology and geriatrics) Mention 15 Pedro Lavrador, Dynamic Control across Adaptable Hydrogels and Engineered Cell Assemblies, 11:50 AM; (Biotechonology) Mention 16 Tiago Conceição, As the Tide Ebbs... What is Radical Left in Latin America?, 9:40 AM; (Political science) Mention 17 Claudio Piedade, CPR Graphs of Highly Symmetric Hypertopes, 11:30 AM; (Applied mathematics) Mention 18 Maria Pereira, Women’s careers in academia: the case of Portuguese Public Universities, 9:40 AM; (Business and economics) Mention 19 Eduardo Roque, Energy performance and thermal comfort of residential Lightweight Steel-Framed buildings (LSF): challenges and enhancement strategies, 9:00 AM; (Civil engineering) Mention 20 Margaret Gomes, English and Social Identity among University Students in a Global Age, 9:15 AM; (Cultural studies) Mention    

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  • CIÊNCIAVITAE will substitute previous FCT platforms

    Published in 12/2/2019

    CIÊNCIAVITAE is a unique, personalized, simple, harmonized and structured curriculum that gathers the information that is presently dispersed in multiple platforms, as FCT-SIG CV, DeGóis, RENATES, REBIDES, ORCID and RCAAP.  Existing platforms will be discontinued by phases and CIÊNCIAVITAE will be fully operational in 2021. After 1 mar 2018 you will not be able to create new curricula and after 1 Jul 2018 the access to edit your curriculum will also end. FCT provides several support and tutorials that help you in the process of transition between platforms.

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  • LIFE+ MarPro project was determinant for the creation of a new area Natura 2000 dedicated to the conservation of cetaceans

    Published in 30/1/2019

    The new protection area Natura 2000, the first marine area exclusively dedicated to the conservation of cetaceans, was approved in the Council of Ministers on the 23 Jan. This area was proposed in the scope of the project LIFE+ MarPro which financed by European Commission and is coordinated by the researcher of CESAM & dBio, Catarina Eira. However, the researcher warns that these areas will be ineffective if there is no effective conservation measures. More details on this approved area and researcher's concerns here [in PT].

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  • CESAM goes to school

    Published in 30/1/2019

    The CESAM & dBio researcher Bruno Nunes was at the Escola Básica e Secundária de Anadia on the 10th of January to make a presentation on the theme "Pollution and Preservation of the Oceans", encompassed in a series of initiatives aimed at citizenship education. The initiative was boosted by the teachers of the referred school, namely Professor Teresa Carapinha, and had about 80 participants of the 6th grade, with an average age between 13 and 15 years old. For about an hour and a half, it was possible to present some of the most problematic pollutants that affect oceans, and talk to students about ways to reduce their environmental impact, to have more conscious and participatory citizens in the future around environmental issues.

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  • First PhD of Do*Mar Doctoral Program in Portugal is from CESAM

    Published in 22/1/2019

    Nuno Cordeiro, a former PhD student of CESAM, is the first PhD of the doctoral program in Marine Science, Technology and Sea Management (Do*Mar) by one of the Portuguese universities of the consortium. On the 14 January 2019, the PhD student Nuno Gonçalo Ferreira Cordeiro get his PhD degree in the international doctoral program Do*Mar. His thesis was on Numerical and observational processes study of NW Iberian margin circulation and oriented by Prof. Jesus Dubert (University of Aveiro), Dr. Eric Desmond Barton (Instituto Español de Oceanografia – Vigo) and Dr. Rita Nolasco  (University of Aveiro). The main result of this Ph. D. was the development of realistic configurations of a numerical model that can be used to advance the understanding of the physical mechanisms of coastal circulation in the NO region of the Iberian Peninsula. This tool can be applied in the study of societal issues of great relevance in this region, such as climate change and biogeochemical cycles, the dispersal of toxic algae, the ecology of the larval phase of species of great commercial interest, or the improvement of operational systems (already existing in the UA). Do*Mar has presently more than 250 registered students form more than 20 nationalities with 46 of them registered in Portuguese universities. The universities that belong to the consortium of this international program are Portuguese and Spanish and include University of Aveiro, Porto, Minho, Trás os- Montes e Alto Douro, Vigo, Coruña and Santiago de Compostela, the Instituto Español de Oceanografia and the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientficas. Moreover, some institutions participate as associated members including the School of Biology of the University of St. Andrews (Scotland), the Station Biologique de Roscoff (France) and the Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de S. Paulo (Brasil). This doctoral program started on 2012-2013 in Spain and in 2013-2014 in Portugal. Do* Mar is a Doctoral program financed by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia with a strong international component that benefit of 24 PhD fellowships. Of these, 21 fellowships have already been awarded and is now in negotiations the extension of the funding of more 6 mix fellowships. FCT fellowships that still need to be assigned are expected to be awarded in the next school year of 2019-2020. In Spain, Do*Mar benefits of a supported program given by Xunta de Galicia that includes around 30 PhD fellowships each year.

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  • Summary of 2018 @UA

    Published in 21/1/2019

    University of Aveiro has published the summary of the year 2018 here. CESAM was an important player during the whole year and it was highlighted in February, April, June, July, August, November, and December. Additionally, in the edition of the magazine Research@UA, the research of CESAM was emphasized, namely the projects SmartBioR, AgroForWealth and SusPhotoSolutions as strategic projects, the project SmartGreenHomes, and the wrok of CESAM members Ana I. Miranda and her team, Rosa Freitas and her team, and Juan Bueno-Pardo and his team. This publication foccuses on the most important scientific highlights of the previous year (2017) and can be consulted here.

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  • H2020 HERA project has officially started

    Published in 15/1/2019

    On the 10-11th January, the kick-off meeting of the project HERA - Integrating Environment and Health Research: a Vision for the EU occurred in Paris. The CESAM members Ana Isabel Miranda (coordinator of the project at University of Aveiro) e Joana Ferreira, were there representing UA. The project HERA is financed by the European Commission and has more than 20 international partners. His main goal is to define priorities for the environment and health research agenda in the EU.

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  • Thesis paper by CESAM PhD student Camilo Carneiro highlighted in a journal’s cover

    Published in 18/1/2019

    The Icelandic subspecies of Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus islandicus), a long distance migratory wader and the focus of Camilo Carneiro’s PhD since 2015, was selected to be in the cover of the January 2019 issue of Journal of Avian Biology, highlighting the paper entitled “Faster migration in autumn than in spring: seasonal migration patterns and non?breeding distribution of Icelandic whimbrels Numenius phaeopus islandicus”. Journal of Avian Biology is an historical outlet for cutting edge ornithological research and is published by the Nordic Oikos Society, ranked 2nd in its area (Ornithology; IF = 2.49). It has been previously revealed, in a paper led by Dr. José A. Alves (CESAM& dBio member) and published in Scientific Reports, that Icelandic Whimbrels are able to fly non-stop between Iceland and West Africa in autumn, but in spring these migratory birds either embark on a second non-stop flight to their breeding grounds or cover this distance in two steps spending a few days in a stopover area, often in UK or Ireland. In this new publication such knowledge is consolidated, the migration routes, wintering and stopover sites are mapped, the seasonal differences in migration duration and speed are assessed with potential causes for these migratory patterns being discussed. The timing of arrival into the breeding sites can influence the subsequent breeding success of birds, particularly at high latitudes such as Iceland. For this reason most seasonal migrants migrate faster in spring than in autumn. However, in the case of Icelandic Whimbrels the pattern is reversed, with individuals migrating faster in autumn than in spring. Seasonal variation in wind patterns could explain the differences observed in this study and the stopover in spring might allow the appraisal of weather conditions closer to the breeding areas and/or allow individuals to improve their body condition in order to arrive at the breeding sites with reserves. Unravelling the carry-over effects and trade-offs undertaken by these birds in a climate change scenario is a focus of Camilo’s PhD thesis, within the doctoral program Biology and Ecology of Global Change at the University of Aveiro (CESAM/DBIO). The complete article here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jav.01938

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  • Researcher of CESAM joins two new European projects in the area of nanotechnologies

    Published in 18/1/2019

    Mónica Amorim,  researcher of CESAM & dBio is the principal researcher of the Portuguese team of two European projects recently approved under the Horizon 2020. Both projects will be developed in the area of nanotechnologies (NMBP-13-2018: "Risk Governance of nanotechnology" and NMBP-14-2018: Nanoinformatics: from materials models to predictive toxicology and Ecotoxicology”). The project “NANORIGO - Establishing a Nanotechnology Risk Governance Framework” has a total budget of 4.748.740 € and is coordinated by the Aarhus University, Denmark. This large consortium involves 29 partners of 15 European countries, besides Korea and USA. The project “NanoinformaTIX - Development and Implementation of a Sustainable Modelling Platform for NanoInformatics” has a total budget of 6.783.556 € and is coordinated by the Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC) in Madrid, Spain. This large consortium involves 36 partners of 20 European countries, besides China and e USA. The portuguese team is responsible for the activities related with hazard and risk assessment in the environment. The evaluation of the environmental impact using new omics tools will be one of the key points to explore, both in the hazard assessment and the implementation in a regulatory context. The researcher Mónica Amorim is also responsible in the project H2020-NMBP-12: “BIORIMA - BIOmaterial RIsk Management”, which started in 2017, hence the University of Aveiro continued the research in the area of nanotechnologies and its environmental impacts via international financing (H2020-NMBP-12-13-14), ensuring also the collaboration in large scientists’ networks and the international industry.

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  • Faculty of CESAM were present in debate on climate change in a school of Oliveira de Azeméis

    Published in 7/1/2019

    Faculty Henrique Queiroga and Paulo Silva, were invited to talk about climate change and its impacts in the oceans in a debate in Escola Básica e Secundária Ferreira de Castro, Oliveira de Azeméis. Prof. Henrique Queiroga talked about the causes of global warming and some of its impacts in marine ecosystems, namely in artic and tropical regions as well as in Portugal. Prof. Paulo Silva talked about the increase of the sea level, the consequences of coastal erosion in Portugal and the possible adaptation measures. This debate is included in the 1st stage of this school application to the Youth Parliament 2019. It was organized by students of the 12th grade and count with the presence of about 100 students from 7th to 12th grade.

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  • Seminar of the project LIFE REFOREST

    Published in 7/1/2019

    On the 16 January 2019 the seminar of the project LIFE REFOREST - Erosion prevention and flora REstauration of burnt FOREST areas through innovative fungal-technosol solution will occur at University of Aveiro. The participation is free of charge but registration is mandatory (esp.team.cesam@gmail.com) until 10 January.

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  • CESAM member highlights the urgency to protect wild songbirds in Nature journal

    Published in 20/12/2018

    The CESAM Post-Doc research fellow Jorge Sanchez Gutierrez together with José Masero (University of Extremadura, Spain) authored a correspondence in the renowned journal Nature highlighting the urgency for the new Spanish government to take quick measures to save wild songbirds that are captured with illegal trapping. Nature Correspondence are 'letters to the Editor' such as short comments on topical issues of public and political interest that are not usually peer-reviewed and so should not contain primary research data. In this correspondence entitled "Save Spanish songbirds from illegal trapping", the authors state “The Spanish government authorized the capture of 1,731,861 finches in 2013–18, presumably to provide a stock of captive-bred birds in case the ban on trapping was ever enforced. In May, the European Commission gave Spain a two-month deadline to stop finch trapping altogether. As of 1 June, just 8 of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions had suspended the trapping of goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis), greenfinches (Carduelis chloris), linnets (Carduelis cannabina), serins (Serinus serinus) and chaffinches (Fringilla coelebs). If the other regions fail to do the same, Spain could risk fines amounting to millions of euros”. The full correspondence can be read here.

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  • CESAM´s researcher is the guest editor of a special edition of the Journal "Animals"

    Published in 24/6/2020

    João Carvalho, CESAM’s researcher, and Luís Miguel Rosalino (cE3c—Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa) are the guest editors of a special edition of the Journal "Animals": "The Response of Wildlife Populations and Communities to Global Change" Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2021. + info:  https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/special_issues/wildlife_global_change

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  • CESAM wishes all its members, collaborators and visitors a Merry Christmas!

    Published in 17/12/2018

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  • CESAM is in the organization of the 15th Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology (BAGECO)

    Published in 17/12/2018

    CESAM members Newton Gomes and Francisco Coelho belong to the team of the 15th Symposium on Bacterial Genetics and Ecology (BAGECO) as co-chair and organizing committee, respectively. BAGECO will happen on the 26-30 May 2019 in Lisbon and is one of the main European conferences in genetics and ecology of bacteria with more than 30 years of tradition. The event will get together the leading scientists in the area to debate the most imperative questions of microbiology, microbial ecology, metagenomics and complementary disciplines. More information on the event here.

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  • CESAM is involved in a viability study for the construction of a breakwater in Vagueira beach

    Published in 17/12/2018

    Experts in  ocean wavesstudies, littoral currents, sedimentary dynamics of coastal zones and surf hydraulics, belonging to the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering and Universities of Aveiro and Lisbon, got together in the past 10 December in Vagos Main Hall, to start a study on the viability of the construction of a multifunctional detached breakwater in front of Vagueira beach. The CESAM researcher Paulo Baganha Baptista coordinates the work at UA and have the collaboration of the professor Paulo Silva, the researcher Peter Roebeling and the external collaborator Joaquim Pais Barbosa. This study was hired by the Portuguese Agency of Environment (APA) and will take 2 years. It will include the monitoring of the evolution of the sea bottom and of the nearby maritime zone, the simulation in models of the natural phenomena aiming to understand the efficiency of the breakwater and the comparative analysis of the costs and benefits. The study will focus on the efficiency of the breakwater in the reduction of seawalls overtoppings in the urban front and in the contribution to reduce beach erosion inverting the present tendency if possible. It is intended that the breakwater potentiates the increase of the sand in the beach and improves the sea conditions for the practice of surf, body-board and similar sports. Before the meeting, the technicians went to Vagueira beach to start the monitoring work concerned with the sedimentary evolution and the occurrence of overtoppings through the adherent defense in the present conditions. During this study they will collect more exact and detailed data on the variability of the beach and on the interactions between the waves, currents, the sedimentary changes and coastal structures.

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  • Work of CESAM members is considered relevant by the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General

    Published in 14/12/2018

    The article "An urban air quality modeling system to support decision-making: design and implementation"  authored by the doctorate Hélder Relvas and the faculty Ana Isabel Miranda was released this week in the newsalert of the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General "Science for Environment Policy". This way, their work may reach over 21 000 policymakers, academics and business people across Europe to assist in the development of effective, evidence-based policies. The article is focused in the development of a new computer model to help decisionmakers quickly assess proposed strategies to cut air pollution. The model uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology and innovatively considers the influence of public opinion in its assessment of emission reduction strategies. You can find the doccument here and the original article here. The newsalert "Science for Environment Policy" is a free service that provides news of the latest environmental research that has been specially selected by our independent scientific advisors. Readers gain a unique insight into the vital scientific issues relevant to current EU environmental policy. You can subscribe the doccument here.