A methodology for creating greenways through multidisciplinary sustainable landscape planning

This research proposes a methodology for defining greenways via sustainable planning. This approach includes the analysis and discussion of culture and natural processes that occur in the landscape. The proposed methodology is structured in three phases: eco-cultural analysis; synthesis and diagnosis; and proposal.An interdisciplinary approach provides an assessment of the relationships between landscape structure and landscape dynamics, which are essential to any landscape management or land use. The landscape eco-cultural analysis provides a biophysical, dynamic (geomorphologic rate), vegetation (habitats from directive 92/43/EEC) and cultural characterisation. The knowledge obtained by this analysis then supports the definition of priority actions to stabilise the landscape and the management measures for the habitats. After the analysis and diagnosis phases, a proposal for the development of sustainable greenways can be achieved.This methodology was applied to a study area of the Azambuja Municipality in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (Portugal). The application of the proposed methodology to the study area shows that landscape stability is crucial for greenway users in order to appreciate the landscape and its natural and cultural elements in a sustainable and healthy way, both by cycling or by foot. A balanced landscape will increase the value of greenways and in return, they can develop socio-economic activities with benefits for rural communities.     

Fledgling sex ratio variation and future reproduction probability in Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus

I studied patterns of sex ratio variation in 543 fledglings from 192 broods of Montagu's harriers Circus pygargus (1992-1998) in Madrid, central Spain, to determine whether offspring sex ratio was adjusted according to variables influencing future reproduction. Fledgling sex ratio variation was related to estimates of food availability during the pre-laying period, with more females produced in years of higher food availability. This variation was related to the probability that females, but not males, were recruited to the breeding population and were recruited at younger ages, if fledged in good food years. Furthermore, the relationship between food and sex ratio was only significant for the first two nestlings in each brood, and only nestlings from first and second ranks benefited from good breeding conditions to advance their age of first breeding. Results presented here differ from other published data for the same species. Geographical variation in observed sex ratio might be explained by differences between populations in factors influencing age of first breeding or other demographic variables.     

Post-nesting migrations of loggerhead sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico: dispersal in highly dynamic conditions

This study is the first report of post-nesting migrations of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Sarasota County (Florida, USA), their most important rookery in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). In total, 28 females (curved carapace length CCL between 82.2 and 112.0 cm) were satellite-tracked between May 2005 and December 2007. Post-nesting migrations were completed in 3–68 days (mean ± SD = 23 ± 16 days). Five different migration patterns were observed: six turtles remained in the vicinity of their nesting site while the other individuals moved either to the south-western part of the Florida Shelf (n = 9 turtles), the Northeast GOM (n = 2 turtles), the South GOM (Yucatán Shelf and Campeche Bay, Mexico, and Cuba; n = 5 turtles) or the Bahamas (n = 6 turtles). In average, turtles moved along rather straight routes over the continental shelf but showed more indirect paths in oceanic waters. Path analyses coupled with remote sensing oceanographic data suggest that most of long-distance migrants reached their intended foraging destinations but did not compensate for the deflecting action of ocean currents. While six out of seven small individuals (CCL < 90 cm) remained on the Florida Shelf, larger individuals showed various migration strategies, staying on the Florida Shelf or moving to long-distance foraging grounds. This study highlights the primary importance the Western Florida Shelf in the management of the Florida Nesting Subpopulation, as well as the need of multi-national effort to promote the conservation of the loggerhead turtle in the Western Atlantic. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Toxicological effects of active and inert ingredients of imazethapyr formulation Verosil® against Scenedesmus vacuolatus (Chlorophyta)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Imazethapyr, a selective systemic herbicide, is widely used in agriculture and it is frequently detected in water bodies close to application areas....     

Brazilian banana,guava, and orange fruit and waste production as a potential biorefinery feedstock

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Fruit production worldwide is over 675 million tons per year. Brazil is responsible for the production of 43.6 million tons of fruits per year,...