Luís Vicente

Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being: a Participatory Study in a Mountain Community in Portugal

Ecosystem services are essential for human well-being, but the links between ecosystem services and human well-being are complex, diverse, context-dependent, and complicated by the need to consider different spatial and temporal scales to assess them properly. We present the results of a study in the rural community of Sistelo in northern Portugal that formed part of the Portugal Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. The main purpose of our study was to assess the linkages between human well-being and ecosystem services at the local level, as perceived by the community. We used a range of tools that included participatory rural appraisal and rapid rural appraisal as well as other field methods such as direct observation, familiarization and participation in activities, semistructured interviews, trend lines, wellbeing ranking, and other ranking and scoring exercises. Sistelo has a unique landscape of agricultural terraces that are now being abandoned because of the depopulation of the region, a common trend in mountainous rural areas of Europe. From the community perspective, some components of well-being such as material well-being have been improving, whereas some ecosystem services, e.g., food production, have been declining. Although a few of the local criteria for well-being are closely related to local ecosystem services, most of them are not. People recognize many of the services provided by ecosystems, in particular, provisioning, cultural, and regulating services, although they feel that provisioning services are the most important for well-being. It is apparent that, for the Sistelo community, there is an increasing disconnect between local well-being and at least some local ecosystem services. This disconnect is associated with greater freedom of choice at the local level, which gives the local inhabitants the power to find substitutes for ecosystem services. The consequences of land abandonment for human well-being and ecosystem services at different temporal and spatial scales are discussed.

Trace element status (Se, Cu, Zn) in healthy Portuguese subjects of Lisbon population: a reference study.

Serum levels of selenium, copper, and zinc were systematically determined in healthy subjects of the Lisbon population. The sample consisted of 183 blood donors of both genders who were divided into two age groups: 20–44 and 45–70 yr of age; relationships with gender, age, the lipid profile, and tobacco consumption were investigated. In the female group, the intake of oral contraceptives and pregnancy were considered for the youngest women, and hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) was taken into account for the oldest ones. Serum concentrations of these elements were in the same range as those found for populations of other European countries. Differences between genders were observed for the three elements studied, with serum selenium and zinc concentrations higher in men and copper levels higher in women. Age-dependent differences were found for selenium: The oldest subjects (regardless gender) presented the highest concentrations of selenium in serum as further demonstrated by the positive correlation with age. In both pregnant and contraceptive-using women, copper was greatly increased, confirming the influence of estrogen status and/or oral contraceptive intake on increased serum copper levels. However, in postmenopausal women, HRT did not significantly affect serum copper levels. Selenium, copper, and zinc status were not different between normolipidemic and hyperlipidemic subjects for the same gender and age range, but selenium levels tended to increase with hyperlipidemia when considering the whole group of subjects. With respect to the lifestyle, higher serum zinc levels were found in tobacco-consuming men. Albumin serum levels were similar for all considered subgroups, except for the pregnant women, for whom a decrease in this parameter was observed. The present study allowed one to obtain reference values for this healthy group of population, which will serve for a comparative study with groups having pathological conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

Social relationships in a herd of Sorraia horses: Part I. Correlates of social dominance and contexts of aggression

Factors related to dominance rank and the functions of aggression were studied in a herd of Sorraia horses, Equus caballus, under extensive management. Subjects were 10 adult mares 5-18 years old and a stallion introduced into the group for breeding. Dominance relationships among mares were clear, irrespective of rank difference, and remained stable after introduction of the stallion. The dominance hierarchy was significantly linear and rank was positively correlated with age and total aggressiveness. Higher-ranking mares received lower frequency and intensity of agonistic interactions. Nevertheless, higher-ranking dominants were not more likely to elicit submission from their subordinates than lower-ranking dominants. Neither close-ranking mares nor mares with less clear dominance relationships were more aggressive towards each other. Agonistic interactions seemed to be used more importantly in regulation of space than to obtain access to food or to reassert dominance relationships. Contexts of aggression were related to mare rank. The results suggest that dominance relationships based on age as a conventional criterion were established to reduce aggressiveness in a herd where the costs of aggression are likely to outweigh the benefits.

Systemic markers of the redox balance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent and its pathogenesis is still not completely clarified. Clinically stable patients (n=21) and healthy subjects (n=24) were studied for blood markers of oxidative injury and antioxidant status. The plasma concentration of protein carbonyls was significantly increased in COPD patients, both ex-smokers (0.76±0.28 nmol mg−1) and smokers (0.99±0.20 nmol mg−1) versus controls (0.49±0.14 nmol mg−1). The concentration of total thiols was slightly enhanced in plasma of the COPD patients (ex-smokers 492±23 μmol l−1 and smokers 505±36 μmol l–1 versus controls 450±67 μmol l−1; p<0.05). The activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was increased in erythrocytes (activity in U g−1 haemoglobin: ex-smokers 4460±763 and smokers 4114±1060 versus 3015±851 in controls; p<0.01), while glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased in total blood (activity in U g−1 haemoglobin: ex-smokers 27±9 and smokers 23±9 versus 47±25; p<0.01). Lower levels of selenium in plasma were also found for COPD patients (concentration in mg l–1: ex-smokers 0.030±0.019 and smokers 0.032±0.024 versus 0.058±0.023 in controls; p<0.01), being more evident in those with very low levels of arterial oxygen pressure. In addition, the levels of potassium and rubidium were increased in blood cells of the patient group. All these changes might reflect oxidant damage and an altered electrolytic homeostasis and can be interpreted as markers of COPD rather than as indicators of smoking habits.

Social relationships in a herd of Sorraia horses: Part II. Factors affecting affiliative relationships and sexual behaviours

The influence of age, dominance rank, kinship and aggressiveness over affiliative relationships and sexual behaviours were analysed in a herd of Sorraia horses, Equus caballus, kept under extensive management. Subjects were 10 adult mares 5-18 years old that had known each other since birth, and a stallion introduced into the group for breeding for the first time. Kinship coefficient and dominance rank were the most important factors affecting affiliative relationships. Bonds were reciprocal and stronger among mares with higher kinship. Mares spent more time in proximity to close-ranking and lower-ranking females. Mares with stronger affiliative relationships or higher relatedness were not less aggressive towards each other. Affiliative relationships between the stallion and the mares were not reciprocal: lower-ranking mares formed stronger bonds with the stallion but he preferred the less genetically related mares for proximity. However, the stallion was involved in sexual behaviours more frequently with the mares that were more genetically related to him. These results suggest that kinship beyond close relatives may affect affiliative relationships both among familiar and among unfamiliar horses. However, the influence of kinship does not imply that horses possess a kin recognition system and alternative explanations are discussed.

Morphological variability of Podarcis hispanica (Sauria: Lacertidae) in Portugal

A total of 35 morphological characters (biometry, scalation, chromatic pattern) were studied through multivariate analyses on 10 populations sampled across the range of the Iberian wall lizard ( Podarcis hispanica ) in Portugal. Biometry clearly splits the samples into two different types. Differences in scalation between the two types were not clear, but multiple correspondence analyses showed that different chromatic patterns e t each of the types: one presented dark dorsal patterns (e.g. reticulated, eyeled, striped) and whitish-pearly belly, while the other showed green or yellow-brown patterns and yellow-orange belly. These two morphotypes constitute different molecular lineages and have different ranges of distribution.

Chimpanzee oil-palm use in southern Cantanhez National Park, Guinea-Bissau

Cantanhez National Park in southern Guinea‐Bissau is a mosaic of forest, mangrove, savanna, and agricultural fields, with a high prevalence of oil‐palm trees (Elaeis guineensis). It hosts many different animal species, including the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus). Very little is known about the ecology of chimpanzees inhabiting this area. The main aims of this study were to evaluate chimpanzee nesting behavior, define trends of habitat use, and estimate chimpanzee density in four separate forests by applying the marked nest counts methodology. From the 287 new nests counted, 92% were built in oil‐palm trees with a significantly higher frequency of nests in the forest edge than in forest cores. Differences in nest detection rates were observed in the four monitored forests, with two forests being more important for chimpanzees nesting demands. The number of nests documented in the forests seemed to be correlated with the frequency of other signs of chimpanzee activity. Although chimpanzees selected nests on the forest edge, they were most frequently observed in forest core areas. Constraints associated with estimating chimpanzee density through oil‐palm nest counting are discussed. Am. J. Primatol. 73:485–497, 2011.

Phylogeography of the Madeiran endemic lizard Lacerta dugesii inferred from mtDNA sequences

Partial sequences from two mitochondrial DNA genes, cytochrome b and 12S rRNA, were used to assess the phylogenetic relationships of populations of Lacerta dugesii from the volcanic Atlantic islands of Madeira, the Desertas, Porto Santo, and the Selvagens. All four-island groups are genetically distinguishable and populations within each contain similar degrees of genetic diversity. Molecular clock estimates suggest that the islands were colonized much later after their emergence compared to other Atlantic islands, possibly due to their greater geographical isolation. Mismatch analysis of all populations is consistent with exponential growth, as expected after colonization of empty niches. The Selvagens contain genetic substructuring between the islets.

Structure and Evolution of the Mitochondrial DNA Complete Control Region in the Lizard Lacerta dugesii (Lacertidae, Sauria)

We sequenced the complete control region (CR) and adjacent tRNAs, partial 12S rRNA, and cytochrome b (over 3100 bp) from eight individuals of Madeiran wall lizards, Lacerta dugesii, from four distinct island populations. The tRNAs exhibit a high degree of intraspecific polymorphisms compared to other vertebrates. All CR sequences include a minisatellite that varies in length between populations but is apparently fixed within them. Variation in minisatellite length appears between populations separated by apparently very short evolutionary time spans. Many motifs identified in the CR of other vertebrates are not highly conserved, although conserved blocks are identifiable between the few published reptile CR sequences. Overall there are extensive differences in the internal organization of the reptile CR compared to the more widely studied mammals and birds. Variability in the CR is lower than in cytochrome b, but higher than in 12S rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences produces a well-resolved estimate of relationships between populations.

Population subdivision among mouflon sheep (Ovis gmelini) ewes and ranging behaviour of rams during the rut

Population subdivision among mouflon sheep Ovis gmelini ewes and ranging behaviour of rams were investigated in the Caroux-Espinouse massif (southern France). Radio-tracking data from 32 ewes and 41 rams monitored in the course of a 10-year study were used to identify female units and to document the movement patterns of males during the rutting period. Cluster analyses, based on the distance between arithmetic centres and on the degree of overlap of locations, were computed. Ewes were found to be partitioned in three or four main units to which they were faithful. Movement patterns of rams were much more variable: half were faithful to a rutting range, overlapping one or more unit(s), and the others were not. We suggest that a combination of social and spatial attachment could explain this ranging behaviour. Females build up their spatial habits following their mothers and, when adults, they occupy the area where they have been reared. Their spatial attachment is consistent with their social preferences for other females. Males balance between antagonistic spatial attachment and social preferences for other males, and differ in terms of spatial behaviour. The genetic implications are discussed.