A5038647854- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Horticultural and Viticultural Research
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Marine and fisheries research
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Fern and Epiphyte Biology
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Forest Management and Policy
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
University of Coimbra
2015-2025
University of Lisbon
2023
Universidade dos Açores
2023
Forest Research
2023
Universidade de Vigo
2023
Gorongosa National Park
2023
Lusíada University of Lisbon
2023
University of Bristol
2012-2016
Institute of Marine Research
2012
Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia
2010
Summary Understanding the distribution and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi ( AMF ) rules that govern assemblages has been hampered by a lack data from natural ecosystems. In addition, current knowledge on is biased towards temperate ecosystems, whereas little known about other habitats such as dry tropical We explored structure communities in grasslands, savannas, forests miombo protected area under climate (Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique) using 454 pyrosequencing. total, 147...
Species interaction networks are traditionally explored as discrete entities with well-defined spatial borders, an oversimplification likely impairing their applicability. Using a multilayer network approach, explicitly accounting for inter-habitat connectivity, we investigate the structure of seed-dispersal across Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. We show that overall is composed by spatially explicit communities dispersers spanning habitats, functionally linking landscape mosaic....
Large animals are important seed dispersers; however, they tend to be under a high extinction risk worldwide. There is compelling evidence that the global biodiversity crisis leading deterioration of several ecosystem functions, but there virtually no information on how large-scale refaunation efforts can reinstate dispersal. We evaluated effectiveness 62-km2 wildlife sanctuary, which was established recover populations large mammals in Gorongosa National Park (Mozambique), restoring...
Abstract Aim Biogeographical comparisons of interaction networks help to elucidate differences in ecological communities and ecosystem functioning at large scales. Neotropical ecosystems have higher diversity a different composition frugivores fleshy‐fruited plants compared with Afrotropical systems, but lack intercontinental limits understanding (a) whether plant–frugivore are structured similar manner, (b) the same species traits define roles animals across continents. Location Afrotropics...
Fruits and seeds are critical food sources for many European passerines during the autumn migration, which in turn contribute to disperse either internally, i.e. after ingestion (endozoochory), or externally, when adhere body surface (epizoochory). Despite recognized importance of birds as seed dispersers, vast majority studies focused on endozoochory while external transport is frequently invoked being potentially important, but remains largely unexplored. This particularly important...
Many vertebrate species act as both plant pollinators and seed-dispersers, thus interconnecting these processes, particularly on islands. Ecological multilayer networks are a powerful tool to explore interdependencies between processes; however, quantifying the links engaging in different types of interactions (i.e. inter-layer edges) remains great challenge. Here, we empirically measured edge weights by role individually marked birds seed-dispersers Galápagos over an entire year. Although...
Abstract Species interactions can propagate disturbances across space via direct and indirect effects, potentially connecting species at a global scale. However, ecological biogeographic boundaries may mitigate this spread by demarcating the limits of networks. We tested whether large-scale (ecoregions biomes) human disturbance gradients increase dissimilarity among plant-frugivore networks, while accounting for background spatial elevational differences in network sampling. assessed...
Agriculture is vital for supporting human populations, but its intensification often leads to landscape homogenization and a decline in non-provisioning ecosystem services. Ecological multifunctional landscapes are suggested as nature-based alternatives intensive agriculture, using ecological processes like natural pest regulation maximize food production. Birds recognized their role increasing crop yields by consuming invertebrate pests several agroecosystems. However, the understanding of...
Abstract Keystone species are disproportionately important for ecosystem functioning. While all engage in multiple interaction types with other species, keystone importance is often defined based on a single dimension of their Eltonian niche, that is, one type (e.g. predator). It remains unclear whether the unidimensional or if it extends across types. We conducted meta‐analysis tripartite networks examining niche mirrored dimensions, and this associated outcome, intimacy richness. show...
Abstract Biological communities are intrinsically dynamic, with species and interactions changing over time. However, the temporal dynamics of interaction networks is usually assessed using independent ‘snapshot’ networks, which may provide an incomplete representation ecological processes. The use multilayer where (i.e. layers) formally interconnected via interlayer links, can circumvent such limitation, allowing for a more realistic characterization community structure better predictions...
Abstract Species phenology is being altered by ongoing climate changes with yet underappreciated consequences for ecological processes and ecosystem stability. Contrary to what happens some key life events of flowering plants, comparatively little information exists about fern lycophyte how it affected the current climatic changes. In part, this stems from lack long‐term datasets. Here we provide on collection day site spores 121 native introduced (Polypodiopsida) lycopod (Lycopodiopsida)...
Abstract World forests face many threats, including wildfires, with tremendous ecological, social, and economic implications. Mediterranean ecosystems have evolved in the presence of fire, but changes to fire regimes associated other global pose new challenges postfire community regeneration. Forest regeneration largely depends on plant adaptations survive wildfires or recolonization burnt areas through seed dispersal. However, value service provided by wild animals forest remains...
Abstract In the aftermath of 2019’ tropical cyclones Idai and Kenneth, we assessed ground beetle communities Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Mozambique. The influence habitat shelters, namely buffering role closed microhabitat conditions on Alpha diversity community trait values during a long period drought, was evaluated across main types park: miombo forests, mixed transitional grasslands (open savannas). These comprised distance gradient relation to lake Urema, center GNP. Miombo forests...
Abstract Species-rich ecosystems as tropical forests are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic destruction. Most plant species rely on animals disperse their seeds. However, patterns of mutualistic interactions have rarely been explored, and seed dispersal networks still poorly studied in Africa. Here, we examine how forest edges’ (FE) differ from the mature (MF) at a West African sub-humid within National Park Cantanhez (Guinea-Bissau). Additionally, explore species’ roles network. MF had...
Social Impact Statement In the face of unprecedented rate climate change, understanding whether plant species can track favourable climatic conditions is an urgent challenge. Recent independent studies suggest that timing fruiting (fruiting phenology) strongly affect future vegetation dynamics and composition via direct seed dispersal. With comprehensive datasets on phenology, researchers may predict impact forests. Nevertheless, long‐term, broad‐scale, taxonomically phenology are still...
The natural forests of southern Europe have been altered over the last decades. One these changes is proliferation invasive woody alien species, resulting in highly ecosystems, so-called "novel ecosystems". These affect biodiversity at both local and landscape scales. Using piecewise structural equation models, we evaluate effects variables on diversity birds insects across three common forest types Central Portugal, namely: Native Forests (dominated by Quercus sp.) two novel Acacia...