Samantha J Hughes | Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD) (original) (raw)

Papers by Samantha J Hughes

Research paper thumbnail of A predictive modelling tool for assessing climate, land use and hydrological change on reservoir physicochemical and biological properties

Area, 2012

ABSTRACT Reservoirs are fundamental for water and energy supply but vulnerable to impacts includi... more ABSTRACT Reservoirs are fundamental for water and energy supply but vulnerable to impacts including climate change. This paper outlines the steps in the development of a model to predict how climate, land use and hydrological change could affect the physiochemical and ecological quality of reservoirs in Portugal's Douro region. Climatic data will be downscaled for subsequent finer spatial scale models to develop scenarios and outputs. Field observations and satellite imagery analysis will create dynamic maps providing data on change in land use and vegetation cover, while Artificial Neural Networks will determine how climate, land use and vegetation cover change may influence catchment hydrology. Data from field surveys of biological indicators, greenhouse gas emissions plus additional research will be applied in the Stochastic Dynamic Methodology, a sequential modelling process based on statistical parameter estimation, developed to predict and model physiochemical and ecological changes in reservoirs. This interdisciplinary approach will provide vital modelling tools for end users essential for water resource management in Portugal and to comply with the EU Water Framework Directive.

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Research paper thumbnail of Azorean freshwater invertebrates: Status, threats and biogeographic notes

Limnetica, 2012

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 7–13 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 7–13. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator (except fig. 9: Cloeon dipterum): 7, forel... more FIGURES 7–13. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator (except fig. 9: Cloeon dipterum): 7, foreleg. 8, tarsal claw (Cloeon peregrinator). 9, tarsal claw (Cloeon dipterum). 10, distal margin of abdominal tergum IV. 11, lateral margin of abdominal segments VII–IX. 12, gill IV. 13, paraproct.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 1–6 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 1–6. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator: 1, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal). ... more FIGURES 1–6. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator: 1, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal). 2, hypopharynx. 3, right mandible. 4, left mandible. 5, right maxilla. 6, labium.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 25–31 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 25–31. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 25, foreleg. 26, tarsal claw. 27, distal ... more FIGURES 25–31. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 25, foreleg. 26, tarsal claw. 27, distal margin of abdominal tergum IV. 28, gill IV. 29, paraproct. 30, median caudal filament. 31, detail of antenna (scape and pedicel).

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 14–15 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 14–15. Female imago of Cloeon peregrinator: 14, dorsal view. 15, ventral view.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 32–33 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 32–33. labial palps of Baetis spp: 32, Baetis atlanticus. 33, Baetis rhodani.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 18–24 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 18–24. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 18, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal)... more FIGURES 18–24. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 18, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal). 19, hypopharynx. 20, right mandible. 21, left mandible. 22, right maxilla. 23, tip of maxillary palp. 24, labium.

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Research paper thumbnail of Description of a peculiar Rhithrogena nymph from the Iberian Peninsula

Description of a peculiar Rhithrogena nymph from the Iberian Peninsula (Ephemeroptera, Heptagenii... more Description of a peculiar Rhithrogena nymph from the Iberian Peninsula (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) Recent collecting in southern Portugal (Algarve) let to the discovery of an unusual Rhithrogena that possibly belongs to the so-called Rh. sowai group. The nymph of the species is described but not named, and affinities and relationships with other members from the Iberian Peninsula are discussed. Key words: Portugal, Rhithrogena, nymph, Rhithrogena sowai group, description. RESUMEN Descripción de una ninfa peculiar de Rhithrogena para la Península Ibérica (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) Una especie poco frecuente de Rhithrogena, que posiblemente pertenece al llamado grupo Rh. sowai ha sido descubierta en unos muestreos realizados recientemente en el sur de Portugal (Algarve). En este trabajo se describe la ninfa de la especie pero no se le da nombre. Se discuten también las relaciones y afinidades con otros miembros del género de la Península Ibérica.

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Research paper thumbnail of Combining habitat and biological characterization: Ecological validation of the river habitat survey

Limnetica

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Research paper thumbnail of Effects of landscape metrics and land-use variables on macroinvertebrate communities and habitat characteristics

Limnetica

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Research paper thumbnail of Habitat-Oriented Sampling of Macroinvertebrates Affects the Determination of Ecological Status in Temporary Mediterranean River Systems

River Research and Applications, 2014

ABSTRACT Inter-annual and annual variation in precipitation levels in Mediterranean temporary riv... more ABSTRACT Inter-annual and annual variation in precipitation levels in Mediterranean temporary river systems strongly influence riverine flow regimes and as a result habitat’ availability for biological assemblages. Under-sampling of less well-presented microhabitats in such changeable, dynamic systems can result in information loss leading to misclassification of Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliant ecological status, with serious consequences for Programmes of Measures in River Basin Management Plans. This paper compares two benthic macroinvertebrate sampling protocols tested in intermittent Mediterranean streams (n = 40) in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The officially adopted WFD compliant European assessment system for the ecological quality of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates, a composite sampling protocol, focuses sampling a greater area of the most representative microhabitats at a given sampling site (proportional habitat sampling). A non-proportional habitat sampling protocol was applied to test the assumption that taxa may have preference for different microhabitats and that this could influence classification of ecological status. Variation was detected in the levels of similarity in the structure and the composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate community within sampling sites and rivers, based on material collected using the two collection methods. Ecological index scores and biotic metrics were higher when the non-proportional oriented sampling protocol was utilized resulting in a ‘good ecological status’ classification at sites that had been classified as ‘Bad’ using the official WFD, Decision tree analysis results indicated that changes in the area of individual microhabitats sampled among protocols was the principal driver behind differences in ecological status derived. The results indicate that more realistic classifications could be achieved in intermittent Mediterranean rivers when considering and sampling less well-represented microhabitat types (non-proportional sampling) rather than distributing sampling effort by the proportion of the dominant habitat present as currently used for the WFD protocol. The application of the non-proportional microhabitat-based approach, which accounts for selective preferences of some benthic macroinvertebrate taxa, would ensure that a greater proportion of a given site community contributes to the assessment.

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Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the 16th International Chironomid Symposium (2008). Editors Hughes SJ, Kadem M and Carvalho MA. Boletim do Museu Municipal do Funchal. Supplement number 13. 227 pp. ISSN 0870-3876

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Research paper thumbnail of The importance of emerging chironomids as a food resource for overwintering passerines in an Iberian high altitude lake

CHIRONOMUS Journal of Chironomidae Research, 2014

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Research paper thumbnail of Mobile RHS: A Mobile Application to Support the “River Habitat Survey” Methodology

Procedia Computer Science, 2015

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Research paper thumbnail of Coupling virtual watersheds with ecosystem services assessment: a 21st century platform to support river research and management

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 2015

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Research paper thumbnail of Contemporary and future distribution patterns of fluvial vegetation under different climate change scenarios and implications for integrated water resource management

Ecological Research, 2015

Knowledge of plant community structure and how it can confer resistance to climate change effects... more Knowledge of plant community structure and how it can confer resistance to climate change effects is required for the management of fluvial ecosystems. Findings from such studies can be applied in decision making processes to implement measures to maintain, conserve or improve fluvial quality. Floristic and environmental data from 100 sample stations located in three River Basin Districts in northern Portugal were gathered as part of the 2010 Water Framework Directive monitoring program carried out on mainland Portugal. Three habitat types were characterized based on the flow dynamic level: the wetted channel, the bankfull area and the riparian gallery. Hierarchical cluster analysis of environmental data revealed three distinct environmental groups of sites. Floristic data were organized by these environmental groups characterized by altitudinal, temperature and precipitation data variables. The combination of taxonomic diversity and species frequency reflect functional differences for these habitats, here explained by a resistance and resilience approach. More low-frequency species and higher levels of functional diversity occurred at stations with more variable environmental conditions. Predictive modelling of the future distribution of the three environmental groups under two different climate scenarios supported the relevance of low-frequency traits in conferring resistance to climatic change effects.

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Research paper thumbnail of Application of the chironomid pupal exuviae technique (CPET) in oceanic island streams: a case study for the Azores Archipelago

Freshwater systems in volcanic oceanic islands have very particular characteristics as a result o... more Freshwater systems in volcanic oceanic islands have very particular characteristics as a result of their geological origin and youth, small size, and distinct catchment morphology resulting in freshwater communities that are clearly distinct from continental systems. In accordance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive the Azorean government launched a monitoring study of streams in 2003; results indicated that more traditional biotic indexes (FBI, BMWP, ASPT and BBI) were unsuitable due to the low level of taxonomic resolution (family level). In order to establish a regional monitoring method for biological assessment of water quality pupal exuviae were sampled in 15 streams in Azores archipelago, situated in three different islands during spring 2008. These were used to test the use of chironomid assemblages for stream classification and water-quality assessment in Azores. Downstream reaches of the streams are organically enriched to different extent, but most of the...

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Research paper thumbnail of An outline of modelling tool applications in freshwater ecosystem and resource management

""The quality and availability of freshwater are cornerstone determinants for both ecos... more ""The quality and availability of freshwater are cornerstone determinants for both ecosystem and human health worldwide but are deleteriously affected by complex impacts and pressures associated with an increasing world population and developing economies. The deleterious effects of habitat destruction, land use change, chemical pollution, eutrophication and climatic alterations on aquatic ecosystems due to human activities, combined with the urgent need for sustainable management of water resources has led to the development of improved methods for assessing the ecological condition of freshwater systems. Complex numerous but interlinked catchment processes ultimately affect surface water quality and whether mandatory standards set down by cornerstone legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) will be met. Management strategies must take into account this complexity, including the effect of climate change and develop programmes of actions to maintain or improve ecological and surface water quality, based on results from monitoring programmes. This chapter will outline the importance of mathematical modelling, in particular Stochastic Dynamic Methodology (StDM), in the assessment and management of the ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems, in particular reservoirs, in Portugal. The methods outlined in this chapter can contribute to the development of new, improved assessment techniques ultimately improving aquatic resource management strategies can be adapted and applied to other regions.""

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Research paper thumbnail of Conservation benefits of riparian buffers in urban areas: the case of the Rio Corgo (north Portugal)

Fundamental and Applied Limnology / Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 2014

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Research paper thumbnail of A predictive modelling tool for assessing climate, land use and hydrological change on reservoir physicochemical and biological properties

Area, 2012

ABSTRACT Reservoirs are fundamental for water and energy supply but vulnerable to impacts includi... more ABSTRACT Reservoirs are fundamental for water and energy supply but vulnerable to impacts including climate change. This paper outlines the steps in the development of a model to predict how climate, land use and hydrological change could affect the physiochemical and ecological quality of reservoirs in Portugal's Douro region. Climatic data will be downscaled for subsequent finer spatial scale models to develop scenarios and outputs. Field observations and satellite imagery analysis will create dynamic maps providing data on change in land use and vegetation cover, while Artificial Neural Networks will determine how climate, land use and vegetation cover change may influence catchment hydrology. Data from field surveys of biological indicators, greenhouse gas emissions plus additional research will be applied in the Stochastic Dynamic Methodology, a sequential modelling process based on statistical parameter estimation, developed to predict and model physiochemical and ecological changes in reservoirs. This interdisciplinary approach will provide vital modelling tools for end users essential for water resource management in Portugal and to comply with the EU Water Framework Directive.

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Research paper thumbnail of Azorean freshwater invertebrates: Status, threats and biogeographic notes

Limnetica, 2012

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 7–13 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 7–13. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator (except fig. 9: Cloeon dipterum): 7, forel... more FIGURES 7–13. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator (except fig. 9: Cloeon dipterum): 7, foreleg. 8, tarsal claw (Cloeon peregrinator). 9, tarsal claw (Cloeon dipterum). 10, distal margin of abdominal tergum IV. 11, lateral margin of abdominal segments VII–IX. 12, gill IV. 13, paraproct.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 1–6 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 1–6. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator: 1, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal). ... more FIGURES 1–6. Larval structures of Cloeon peregrinator: 1, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal). 2, hypopharynx. 3, right mandible. 4, left mandible. 5, right maxilla. 6, labium.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 25–31 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 25–31. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 25, foreleg. 26, tarsal claw. 27, distal ... more FIGURES 25–31. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 25, foreleg. 26, tarsal claw. 27, distal margin of abdominal tergum IV. 28, gill IV. 29, paraproct. 30, median caudal filament. 31, detail of antenna (scape and pedicel).

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 14–15 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 14–15. Female imago of Cloeon peregrinator: 14, dorsal view. 15, ventral view.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 32–33 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 32–33. labial palps of Baetis spp: 32, Baetis atlanticus. 33, Baetis rhodani.

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Research paper thumbnail of FIGURES 18–24 in Revision of Madeiran mayflies (Insecta, Ephemeroptera)

FIGURES 18–24. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 18, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal)... more FIGURES 18–24. Larval structures of Baetis enigmaticus: 18, labrum (left: ventral; right: dorsal). 19, hypopharynx. 20, right mandible. 21, left mandible. 22, right maxilla. 23, tip of maxillary palp. 24, labium.

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Research paper thumbnail of Description of a peculiar Rhithrogena nymph from the Iberian Peninsula

Description of a peculiar Rhithrogena nymph from the Iberian Peninsula (Ephemeroptera, Heptagenii... more Description of a peculiar Rhithrogena nymph from the Iberian Peninsula (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) Recent collecting in southern Portugal (Algarve) let to the discovery of an unusual Rhithrogena that possibly belongs to the so-called Rh. sowai group. The nymph of the species is described but not named, and affinities and relationships with other members from the Iberian Peninsula are discussed. Key words: Portugal, Rhithrogena, nymph, Rhithrogena sowai group, description. RESUMEN Descripción de una ninfa peculiar de Rhithrogena para la Península Ibérica (Ephemeroptera, Heptageniidae) Una especie poco frecuente de Rhithrogena, que posiblemente pertenece al llamado grupo Rh. sowai ha sido descubierta en unos muestreos realizados recientemente en el sur de Portugal (Algarve). En este trabajo se describe la ninfa de la especie pero no se le da nombre. Se discuten también las relaciones y afinidades con otros miembros del género de la Península Ibérica.

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Research paper thumbnail of Combining habitat and biological characterization: Ecological validation of the river habitat survey

Limnetica

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Research paper thumbnail of Effects of landscape metrics and land-use variables on macroinvertebrate communities and habitat characteristics

Limnetica

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Research paper thumbnail of Habitat-Oriented Sampling of Macroinvertebrates Affects the Determination of Ecological Status in Temporary Mediterranean River Systems

River Research and Applications, 2014

ABSTRACT Inter-annual and annual variation in precipitation levels in Mediterranean temporary riv... more ABSTRACT Inter-annual and annual variation in precipitation levels in Mediterranean temporary river systems strongly influence riverine flow regimes and as a result habitat’ availability for biological assemblages. Under-sampling of less well-presented microhabitats in such changeable, dynamic systems can result in information loss leading to misclassification of Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliant ecological status, with serious consequences for Programmes of Measures in River Basin Management Plans. This paper compares two benthic macroinvertebrate sampling protocols tested in intermittent Mediterranean streams (n = 40) in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The officially adopted WFD compliant European assessment system for the ecological quality of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates, a composite sampling protocol, focuses sampling a greater area of the most representative microhabitats at a given sampling site (proportional habitat sampling). A non-proportional habitat sampling protocol was applied to test the assumption that taxa may have preference for different microhabitats and that this could influence classification of ecological status. Variation was detected in the levels of similarity in the structure and the composition of the benthic macroinvertebrate community within sampling sites and rivers, based on material collected using the two collection methods. Ecological index scores and biotic metrics were higher when the non-proportional oriented sampling protocol was utilized resulting in a ‘good ecological status’ classification at sites that had been classified as ‘Bad’ using the official WFD, Decision tree analysis results indicated that changes in the area of individual microhabitats sampled among protocols was the principal driver behind differences in ecological status derived. The results indicate that more realistic classifications could be achieved in intermittent Mediterranean rivers when considering and sampling less well-represented microhabitat types (non-proportional sampling) rather than distributing sampling effort by the proportion of the dominant habitat present as currently used for the WFD protocol. The application of the non-proportional microhabitat-based approach, which accounts for selective preferences of some benthic macroinvertebrate taxa, would ensure that a greater proportion of a given site community contributes to the assessment.

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Research paper thumbnail of Proceedings of the 16th International Chironomid Symposium (2008). Editors Hughes SJ, Kadem M and Carvalho MA. Boletim do Museu Municipal do Funchal. Supplement number 13. 227 pp. ISSN 0870-3876

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Research paper thumbnail of The importance of emerging chironomids as a food resource for overwintering passerines in an Iberian high altitude lake

CHIRONOMUS Journal of Chironomidae Research, 2014

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Research paper thumbnail of Mobile RHS: A Mobile Application to Support the “River Habitat Survey” Methodology

Procedia Computer Science, 2015

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Research paper thumbnail of Coupling virtual watersheds with ecosystem services assessment: a 21st century platform to support river research and management

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 2015

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Research paper thumbnail of Contemporary and future distribution patterns of fluvial vegetation under different climate change scenarios and implications for integrated water resource management

Ecological Research, 2015

Knowledge of plant community structure and how it can confer resistance to climate change effects... more Knowledge of plant community structure and how it can confer resistance to climate change effects is required for the management of fluvial ecosystems. Findings from such studies can be applied in decision making processes to implement measures to maintain, conserve or improve fluvial quality. Floristic and environmental data from 100 sample stations located in three River Basin Districts in northern Portugal were gathered as part of the 2010 Water Framework Directive monitoring program carried out on mainland Portugal. Three habitat types were characterized based on the flow dynamic level: the wetted channel, the bankfull area and the riparian gallery. Hierarchical cluster analysis of environmental data revealed three distinct environmental groups of sites. Floristic data were organized by these environmental groups characterized by altitudinal, temperature and precipitation data variables. The combination of taxonomic diversity and species frequency reflect functional differences for these habitats, here explained by a resistance and resilience approach. More low-frequency species and higher levels of functional diversity occurred at stations with more variable environmental conditions. Predictive modelling of the future distribution of the three environmental groups under two different climate scenarios supported the relevance of low-frequency traits in conferring resistance to climatic change effects.

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Research paper thumbnail of Application of the chironomid pupal exuviae technique (CPET) in oceanic island streams: a case study for the Azores Archipelago

Freshwater systems in volcanic oceanic islands have very particular characteristics as a result o... more Freshwater systems in volcanic oceanic islands have very particular characteristics as a result of their geological origin and youth, small size, and distinct catchment morphology resulting in freshwater communities that are clearly distinct from continental systems. In accordance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive the Azorean government launched a monitoring study of streams in 2003; results indicated that more traditional biotic indexes (FBI, BMWP, ASPT and BBI) were unsuitable due to the low level of taxonomic resolution (family level). In order to establish a regional monitoring method for biological assessment of water quality pupal exuviae were sampled in 15 streams in Azores archipelago, situated in three different islands during spring 2008. These were used to test the use of chironomid assemblages for stream classification and water-quality assessment in Azores. Downstream reaches of the streams are organically enriched to different extent, but most of the...

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Research paper thumbnail of An outline of modelling tool applications in freshwater ecosystem and resource management

""The quality and availability of freshwater are cornerstone determinants for both ecos... more ""The quality and availability of freshwater are cornerstone determinants for both ecosystem and human health worldwide but are deleteriously affected by complex impacts and pressures associated with an increasing world population and developing economies. The deleterious effects of habitat destruction, land use change, chemical pollution, eutrophication and climatic alterations on aquatic ecosystems due to human activities, combined with the urgent need for sustainable management of water resources has led to the development of improved methods for assessing the ecological condition of freshwater systems. Complex numerous but interlinked catchment processes ultimately affect surface water quality and whether mandatory standards set down by cornerstone legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) will be met. Management strategies must take into account this complexity, including the effect of climate change and develop programmes of actions to maintain or improve ecological and surface water quality, based on results from monitoring programmes. This chapter will outline the importance of mathematical modelling, in particular Stochastic Dynamic Methodology (StDM), in the assessment and management of the ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems, in particular reservoirs, in Portugal. The methods outlined in this chapter can contribute to the development of new, improved assessment techniques ultimately improving aquatic resource management strategies can be adapted and applied to other regions.""

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Research paper thumbnail of Conservation benefits of riparian buffers in urban areas: the case of the Rio Corgo (north Portugal)

Fundamental and Applied Limnology / Archiv für Hydrobiologie, 2014

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