António Fabião | Universidade de Lisboa (original) (raw)

Papers by António Fabião

Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 1997

Page 1. Leaf area estimation from tree allometrics in Eucalyptus globulus plantations José MC Per... more Page 1. Leaf area estimation from tree allometrics in Eucalyptus globulus plantations José MC Pereira, Margarida Tomé, João MB Carreiras, José A. Tomé, João S. Pereira, Jorge S. David, and António MD Fabião Abstract: Data ...

Resumo. A ocorrência de doenças em árvores urbanas é um dos principais constrangimentos técnicos ... more Resumo. A ocorrência de doenças em árvores urbanas é um dos principais constrangimentos técnicos e económicos na gestão do património arbóreo. O conhecimento do estado sanitário das árvores ea possibilidade de monitorizar a ocorrência de determinados patogéneos, ...

Environmental Research, 2020

In Mediterranean area, Acacia melanoxylon biomass is an abundant waste material from non-native a... more In Mediterranean area, Acacia melanoxylon biomass is an abundant waste material from non-native and invasive tree species control actions, requiring suitable disposal. Valorization of such biomass residues requires its complete characterization to best approach the full potential of each plant material that could suit specific applications. This study compares mature and juvenile A. melanoxylon plant tissues (wood and bark) from two stands in different locations, regarding their chemical characteristics and organic growing media properties, such as mineral content and phytotoxicity effect for Lepidium sativum seeds. Juvenile bark (JB) showed greater total extractives (29%) extracted using solvents of increasing polarity (dichloromethane, ethanol, and water), followed by mature bark (MB) (21%). MB revealed the highest lignin content (>50%) suggesting material resistance to microbial biodegradation in horticultural applications. High barks phenolic content proved to be phytotoxic for cress seeds (null JB root index), although the toxic substances may be removed. After 1 week, ageing effect reduced MB phytototoxicity (root index > 60%) improving seed performance. Bark presented more mineral elements availability than wood. Wood high cellulose (>50%), low extractive (<9%) and moderate total lignin (<30%) contents can be attractive for pulp production, while bark growth medium profile may potentiate its application for horticultural uses. The future research on novel uses of A. melanoxylon plant residues can result in economic benefits that may alleviate management costs.

Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021

Abstract Worldwide, the circular economy approach increased the need of waste-streams minimizatio... more Abstract Worldwide, the circular economy approach increased the need of waste-streams minimization, promoting by-products re-circulation into the value chain which creates sustainable industrial synergies. Eucalyptus globulus bark fiber is a waste from pulp and paper industry that can be re-used in horticultural applications. This work aims to use low-temperature hydrothermally treated E. globulus bark as a fiber material for growing media formulation. Three types of bark fiber were used: industrial E. globulus fresh bark (IB) ground to output sieve of 6 × 6 mm, and two low-temperature hydrothermally treated barks (TB60: 60 °C, 20 min; TB100: 100 °C, 40 min). The three fiber materials were blended at 25 and 50% (v v−1) (B25; B50) with peat. IB was phytotoxic for Cress (Lepidum sativum) seeds, causing low germination (91%) and root growth inhibition. TB60 and TB100 reduced significantly phytotoxicity with germination rates of 98 and 100%, and Munoo Liisa index around 90% compared to commercial substrate. A pot experiment using Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis) as a model plant, revealed lower germination (95%) in IB blends than in treated ones and in commercial substrate (CS) (98–100%), reinforcing the IB phytotoxicity. B50 decreased water retention, and reduced plant growth due to nitrogen immobilization inherent to woody biomass. B25 showed shoot weight, and root growth statistically equal or higher than CS, encouraging use of this blending proportion of low-temperature hydrothermally treated bark in future growing media formulation. Circular horticulture approach is applied through the present fiber valorization into substrate component.

Waste Management, 2018

The use of industrial Eucalyptus globulus bark residues for organic growing media formulation was... more The use of industrial Eucalyptus globulus bark residues for organic growing media formulation was studied. Hydrothermal treatments were tested using Response Surface Methodology approach. Model design consisted of twelve combinations of temperature (T: 60-140°C) and residential time (t: 20-60 0) to evaluate the effect on bark properties. Temperature had a significant effect in C mineralization and N immobilization rates, where the lowest responses (111.8 mmol CO 2 kg À1 d À1 and NIR = 4.1 mmol N kg À1 d À1 , respectively) compared to IEB (214.6 mmol CO 2 kg À1 d À1 and 8.9 N kg À1 d À1 , respectively) were suggested after modeling at 40°C during 70 0. Industrial bark was phytotoxic and treatments were effective for phytotoxicity removal. Industrial bark presented high air content but low water availability; treatments had no effect on bark physical properties and the use of demineralized water may have leached nutrient content. Results from pot experiment recommend the use of 25% (v v À1) of treated barks in future growing media formulations.

Chemical Engineering Transactions (CET), 2014

Mediterranean summer drought conditions may limit the usefulness of most woody energy crops commo... more Mediterranean summer drought conditions may limit the usefulness of most woody energy crops common in other European regions. Exotic tree species well adapted to summer stress, such as eucalyptus and acacias, may be more promising as biomass producers under such environmental conditions. Eucalypt plantations have been increasing in Portugal, for pulp and paper, over the last decades, and this species may also be considered as an option for bioenergy production. Acacias are becoming an environmental problem due to the invasive character of some species, in Portugal and other Mediterranean countries. According to the Portuguese law, they cannot be introduced anymore and the existing stands must be controlled through large scale eradication plans. The use of their wood for energy may represent an opportunity to reduce the costs of eradication. The aim of this study was the assessment of the potential of acacias to be used as a biomass-for-energy source, taking advantage of their early growth. Clonal rooted cuttings of Eucalyptus globulus were used as a reference and Acacia melanoxylon, A. pycnantha and A. dealbata, which have an invasive behaviour, were privileged as target species. They were propagated in nursery from seeds collected in the wild and a trial consisting of irrigated and rain-fed plots of each species was installed at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA) campus, in Lisbon. Survival and growth were monitored and plants were harvested 1 and 2 years after planting, sorted into biomass components, and oven-dried. Aboveground dry weight was calculated on an area basis, accounting for survival. A. dealbata and A. melanoxylon had both low survival and poor biomass production, even irrigated. A. pycnantha had higher survival and biomass production than eucalypt, even in rain-fed plots, suggesting that control through biomass harvest for energy purposes may minimize eradication costs.

Forest Ecology and Management

Sustainable management of forest resources, including nutrient retention and protection of the so... more Sustainable management of forest resources, including nutrient retention and protection of the soil structure, is required to ensure long-term soil fertility and productivity of later rotations. Potential depletion of soil nutrients is particularly likely in production systems based on fast-growing trees, such as eucalypts. We have studied production of second rotation Eucalyptus globulus stands at two sites in northern Spain and two in central Portugal, after replanting or coppicing, under four treatments, in which plant residues from the first crop were utilised. The residues were either removed from the sites (Treatment R), spread over the soil surface (Treatments S, uniform spreading, and W, in which the woody debris was confined to rows between the trees) or incorporated into the soil by harrowing to 15-cm depth (Treatment I). We measured tree height and girth at intervals over three growing seasons, and root biomass at the Portuguese sites. Decomposition of three residue components: leaves-plus-bark, twigs and branches, was measured in litter bags placed in the position corresponding to the placement of the organic residues.

By the end of the experiment, tree height was significantly greater in Treatment I than in Treatment R at both Spanish sites, if planted as seedlings, with intermediate growth in S and W. In Portugal, tree height was smaller in R, though not significantly. DBH showed similar trends, although treatment differences were not significant. Coppiced trees grew faster than seedling trees, but a significant treatment effect on the growth was only observed at the inland Portuguese site, where it was better in Treatment I by the end of the experiment.

The residues decomposed significantly faster in I than S or W at the Portuguese sites, but not in Spain. Leaves-plus-bark decomposed faster than twigs, and twigs faster than branches.

The results are discussed in relation to recommended management options.

" Revista de Ciências …, 2006

To test the viability of riparian cover restoration using common methods of forestation, afield t... more To test the viability of riparian cover restoration using common methods of forestation, afield trial consisting on installation of riparian species was performed at Lagoa dos Linhos (Urso National Forest). The species utilized were: Quercus faginea, Q. robur, Salix atrocinerea, ...

In Lisbon, 20% of urban trees are Celtis australis (European hackberry), but since 2000 Inonotus ... more In Lisbon, 20% of urban trees are Celtis australis (European hackberry), but since 2000 Inonotus rickii, a basidiomycete fungus, is causing heart white rot and the failure of these street trees. In the present work, 374 C. australis located in a residential area of Lisbon were surveyed in 2007 and in 2015 to evaluate the incidence of the disease and the risk of failure associated to each tree, following the Visual Tree Assessment method (VTA). Trees' total height, height to the live crown base and diameter at 1.30 meters height (DBH) were measured. Trees were assessed for the overall condition of trunks, branches and leaves as well and rated with a risk rating value. Major defects were registered and rated according to their failure potential. Following ground level visual inspection, trees showing severe defects on the trunk were further assessed using a IML-Resistograph F-400S. Out of the 374 trees assessed, 279 individuals have symptoms caused by I. rickii. Fruit bodies were ...

influenza of the H5N1 virus subtype in Western European countries induced the fear that it could ... more influenza of the H5N1 virus subtype in Western European countries induced the fear that it could reach Portugal through wild bird migration. Ducks, geese and swans are some of the bird groups with higher prevalence of influenza virus that might be vectors of virus dissemination, considering the existing studies on low pathogenic subtypes that are common in nature (Olsen et al. 2006), and also occur in Portugal (D. Rodrigues et al., unpublished data). Although swans do not occur frequently in Portugal and geese are mostly restricted to Tagus River Estuary Nature Reserve (e.g. Farinha & Costa 1999), ducks are common in Portugal and mostly concentrated on wetlands near the coast (Costa & Guedes 1997), and wintering Aythya duck species are much less numerous than wintering Anas species (e.g. Costa & Guedes 1997). The Portuguese total wintering duck population (Costa & Guedes 1997) is relatively small when compared to the total European population (Scott & Rose 1996), probably due to the...

Soil bioengineering techniques are frequently used in restoration/mitigation projects due to thei... more Soil bioengineering techniques are frequently used in restoration/mitigation projects due to their ability to improve the potential for successful plant colonization and improve streambank stabilization. The application of these techniques in Mediterranean context reveals some implementation difficulties due to the torrential river regimes and subsequent high water table variation. Here we present two case studies that took place in Southern Portugal, using soil bioengineering techniques, with several years of follow up. The first one (2005) took place in Paul da Goucha, Alpiarça (Tagus river basin) and the second one (2011) in the Odelouca river (Algarve). Several different soil bioengineering techniques were used on these locations, including brush mattresses, geotextile rolls (planted and non-planted), live fascines, wattle fences, live stakes and others. Paul da Goucha is located in the Tagus River Basin, in the Alpiarça municipality. It is an area that has been heavily influenc...

Riparian areas are dynamic and complex ecosystems, harboring a rich mosaic of aquatic, semi- aqua... more Riparian areas are dynamic and complex ecosystems, harboring a rich mosaic of aquatic, semi- aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Their vegetation filters pollutants, stabilizes soil against erosion, and functions as a refuge for plant communities and wildlife, thus contributing to preserve biodiversity. They function as ecological corridors and also display a specific up-stream/down-stream organization. It may be difficult for management authorities to implement suitable measures for the conservation and management of riparian zones, either due to poor technical know-how, poor planning, and/or to a lack of indigenous plant species for riparian restoration. To address these problems, the scientific community became involved in an Interreg IIIC - project co- funded by the European Union. The name RIPIDURABLE, coined from “RIPI” (Latin riparius, “river bank”) and “DURABLE” (French, “sustained”), conveys the idea behind this project: “sustainable river”. RIPIDURABLE seeks for a rational c...