Alberto Gomes

Climate and land‐use drivers of invasion: predicting the expansion of Vespa velutina nigrithorax into the Iberian Peninsula

The yellow‐legged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax) has been identified as a major threat to European entomofauna. Species distribution models have been used to assess its invasiveness risk. No studies were, however, developed specifically for peripheral regions, where unique biodiversity can be threatened by this species. This study aims to address that particular issue by incorporating non‐commonly used drivers and by forecasting regions in Iberian Peninsula where the species has high risk of expansion. Climatic, anthropogenic and land‐use variables were considered. The species potential distribution was assessed using a generalised linear model. Overall, the model predicted the northern regions of the Iberian Peninsula suitable for the species expansion. Only the driest regions at the south are conservatively predicted to not be occupied by the yellow‐legged hornet. Precipitation and temperature have the highest influence in Vespa velutina nigrithorax distribution, with land‐use also playing an important role in its expansion at regional scale. These results highlighted the threat of this species to beekeeping activities. Due to high species richness and endemicity levels, peripheral regions integrated in Biodiversity Hotspots need special attention and control measures.

Flood hazard, Santa Cruz do Bispo Sector, Leça River, Portugal: a methodological contribution to improve land use planning

This paper presents a 1:4000 scale flood hazard map, covering 4,2 km2 of a sector belonging to the Leça river watershed (Portugal), named the Santa Cruz do Bispo sector. The map is the outcome of the combination of several hydrodynamic parameters – velocity, water column height and flood-prone – defined for three return periods (T10, T50, T100), which were calculated. An intensity-probability matrix supports the hazard map which combines the modelling results as a base layer to classify flood hazard along the alluvial plain and to identify exposed elements located inside the T100 prone-flood area, notably roads, bridges and buildings. The hazard map is an important document to support land planning, assisting the definition of correct land use and occupation restrictions that should be applied along this floodplain.

Monoolein as helper lipid for non-viral transfection in mammals.

The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the financial support to the Center of Physics and Center of Molecular & Environmental Biology and funding through projects PTDC/QUI/69795/2006 and SFRH/BD/46968/2009 are acknowledged.