Browsing by Author "Mendes, Maria Paula"
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- A água enquanto matéria construtora da paisagemPublication . Alfaiate, T.A.; Quintino, Maria; Ribeiro, Luís; Mendes, Maria Paula; Moura, Carla
- Determination of baseline groundwater levels for tree conservation in urban historical botanical gardens using applied geophysicsPublication . Paz, Maria Catarina; Falcão, Ana Paula; Garcia, César Augusto; Esteves, Miguel; Afonso, Nuno; Mendes, Maria PaulaHistorical botanical gardens hold a significant place in cultural heritage. They serve as interpretive repositories of past botanical knowledge and practices, showcase plant collections cultivated over centuries, provide space for the emergence of new ecologies, offer numerous human well-being benefits, and supply vital regulating ecosystem services, which are especially important in urban areas. Nowadays, however, plants within urban historical botanical gardens can be at risk due to urban development. Therefore, it is crucial to achieve a comprehensive understanding of these spaces to help implement protective measures and support proper urban planning of the surrounding areas. This study investigates the subsurface of the Botanical Garden of Lisbon (JBL), which is subject to nearby construction works that may alter groundwater flow and depth. We employed a methodology designed for minimal on-site disturbance and high adaptability to the spatial constraints typical of these spaces. Two non-invasive applied geophysical techniques were used: ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Our main objectives were: (1) to assess groundwater levels in the construction area and establish the piezometric surface, and (2) to determine if the tree-root zones reach the saturated zone, establish a groundwater baseline, and suggest protective measures. The establishment of the piezometric surface and the delimitation of the tree-root zone, extending up to 3.0 m in depth, revealed that tree-root zones can reach groundwater levels. This finding underscores the critical need for vigilant monitoring and management of groundwater levels during excavation activities, as decreased lateral groundwater contributions from the potential excavation site can adversely affect groundwater levels in the plant beds. These findings and methodology can be applied to urban botanical gardens worldwide, as many of these gardens face similar challenges due to urbanization and environmental changes.
- Vulnerabilidade, monitorização e risco de contaminação por nitratos na Zona vulnerável do TejoPublication . Sousa, Pedro Leão de; Cerejeira, Maria José; Silva, Emília; Batista, Sofia; Ribeiro, Luís; Paralta, Eduardo; Mendes, Maria PaulaTaking in account the hydrogeologic characteristics and the intensive agricultural occupation, on 3rd September of 2004, through Portaria 1100/2004, the Northern Tagus alluvium was defined vulnerable zone to diffuse pollution with nitrates from agricultural source (ZVT). This region enclosing Golegã, Alpiarça, Santarém, Chamusca, Vila Nova da Barquinha, Constância and Torres Novas councils, has an approach area of 19124 ha not integrating the Paúl de Boquilobo protection area. Currently, ZVT is to be studied in the scope of the project AGRO 530 entitled “Intervention Plan and Support Decision System Development for the Northern Tagus Alluvium”. With the beginning in July of 2004, the institutions “Instituto Superior de Agronomia” (ISA) (Coordination), “Instituto Superior Técnico” (IST) and “Direcção Regional de Agricultura do Ribatejo e Oeste” (DRARO) participate in this project. From the moment that an area is designed as vulnerable zone, one of the procedural obligations is the elaboration of an action plan(according to the Decree-Law 235/97, article 7º). One of the objectives of this project is to contribute for one correct implementation of the plan towards a sustainable and socially acceptable agriculture. The work, that now is presented, intends to divulge the outlines of this project. The results already obtained on the groundwater quality in the vulnerable zone, mainly concerning nitrates and pesticides contamination, show that in the involving areas of Golegã, Azinhaga and Chamusca occur nitrates levels much higher than parametric value of 50 mg/ l of NO3 - , and that in a total of 89 groundwater samples, collected in 2004, in 27% were detected at least one of the pesticides and/or metabolites, being that, in 146 groundwater samples collected in 2005, the detection frequency of, at least, on pesticide and/or metabolite, it was of 38%. These results reinforce the development need of support decision systems, particularly for the sustainable nitrogen fertilizer and pesticide use in the main cultures of the ZVT.