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- Diversity of Useful Plants in Cabo Verde Islands: A Biogeographic and Conservation PerspectivePublication . Duarte, Maria Cristina; Gomes, Isildo; Catarino, Silvia; Brilhante, Miguel; Gomes, Samuel; Rendall, Aline; Moreno, Ângela; Fortes, Arlindo Rodrigues; Ferreira, Vladmir Silves; Baptista, Isaurinda; Dinis, Herculano; Romeiras, Maria ManuelCabo Verde’s biodiversity is threatened by activities that meet human needs. To counteract this, an integration of scientific and indigenous knowledge is required, but no comprehensive list of the useful local plants is available. Thus, in this work, we assess (1) their diversity and phytogeography; (2) the role of geophysical, historical, and socio-economic factors on species distribution and uses; and (3) potentially relevant species for sustainable development. Data were obtained from flora, scientific publications, historical documents, herbarium specimens and field work. Many species were introduced since the 15th century to support settlement and commercial interests. We identified 518 useful taxa, of which 145 are native, 38 endemic and 44 endangered. The number of useful taxa is correlated with altitude and agricultural area, as well as with rural population indicators, but not with total population or socio-economic indicators such as gross domestic product. Native taxa are mostly used for fuelwood, forage and utilitarian purposes. Agrobiodiversity and traditional practices seem crucial to cope with recurrent droughts and ensure food security. Most of the introduced species do not present conservation problems, contrasting with the overuse of some native taxa. The safeguarding of native populations will ensure the sustainable exploitation of these resources and benefit the local economy.
- Insights into the cashew production system in Guinea-Bissau: implications for agroecosystem sustainabilityPublication . Sierra-Baquero, Paola Vanessa; Catarino, Sílvia; Costa, Gonçalo João; Barai, Amidu; Correia, Zinha; Ferreira, Maria Rosa; Varón-Devia, Edgar; Romeiras, Maria M.; Catarino, Luís; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Monteiro, FilipaIntroduction: West Africa, particularly Guinea-Bissau, heavily relies on cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale L.) production, which significantly impacts the countries’ economies. Cashew exhibits remarkable adaptability to impoverished and arid soils. Understanding producers’ socio-economic characteristics is crucial due to their potential influence on crop productivity and household income. Methods: This study aims to characterize the socio-economic, productive, and phytosanitary aspects of cashew production in Guinea-Bissau, through 151 interviews with producers across all administrative regions of the country. Results: Our findings reveal that cashew producers are mainly males aged 40 to 60, they typically manage plantations under 5 ha, with the smaller plantation areas located in Gabú, Cacheu, and Bolama. The age of the older trees averaged 31 years, with the highest age found in Biombo. Tree density averaged 286 trees per hectare, with higher values in Cacheu, Bafatá, and Bolama. Cashew nut yield in 2020 averaged less than 0.5 tons per hectare, with farmer-set prices generally lower than government determined prices. Oio, Tombali, and Bolama were the regions most affected by pests, while Oio and Cacheu (North) were the most affected by diseases. Top pests included termites, branch girdler, weaver ants, African grasshopper, and stem borer; while top diseases comprised gummosis, anthracnose, and dieback. Discussion: Characterization of cashew production system is crucial at both national and regional levels to identify region-specific limitations and strengths, aiding in the formulation of tailored strategies for sustainable production. Moreover, cashew production plays a crucial role in household incomes in Guinea-Bissau, underscoring the necessity of developing integrated management strategies.
- Editorial: Reconciling nature conservation and sustainability of tropical ecosystemsPublication . Duarte, Maria Cristina; Massante, Jhonny Capichoni; Bandeira, Salomão; Romeiras, Maria M.
- PLANT COMMUNITIES OF NAMIBE SALTMARSHES (SOUTHWEST OF ANGOLA)Publication . Cardoso, João Francisco; Costa, José Carlos; da Silva Neto, Carlos; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Monteiro-Henriques, TiagoThis work constitutes the first phytosociological analysis of saltmarshes on the Angolan coast. Sixty-five relevés were carried out resulting in the description of six new plant associations. These saltmarshes are characterized by a lower floristic richness when compared to the Holarctic saltmarshes. Eighteen taxa were identified, some of them succulent. Saltmarshes occur from the mouth of the Cunene River to the Cuanza River, although in this last part they are already very impoverished. In the Cuanza river, saltmar shes occupy only a narrow strip in the inner sector of the mangroves in contact with conti nental ecosystems and are often made up of just one taxon, Sarcocornia natalensis subsp. affinis. Mangroves reach their southern limit in the city of Lobito, although they are almost extinct there. The occurrence and distribution of saltmarshes are affected by the Cold Ben guela Current, that influences the west coast of Africa between Cabo da Boa Esperança and Benguela. The height of the saltmarsh’s platforms colonized by halophyte, sub-halophyte or halotolerant plants determines the flooding period and thus the plant community’s floristic composition. Soil granulometry also plays an important role in the spatial organization of plant communities. One of the main originalities of Angolan saltmarshes is the predomi nance of fine sandy or sandy-loam soil texture as a consequence of the proximity of the Namibe desert. The PCA segregated the different plant communities described.
- James Cook and Macaronesian Botany: Typification and nomenclature updates of the new species described by Johann R. Forster and J. Georg A. ForsterPublication . Francisco-Ortega, Javier; Gandhi, Kanchi N.; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Santos-Guerra, Arnoldo; Carine, Mark; Romeiras, Maria M.Johann Reinhold Forster and his teenaged son John Georg Adam Forster (then 17) joined James Cook’s second voyage (1772-1775), as botanist and artist, respectively. Upon their return they described six species that are pertinent to the study of the Macaronesian flora. Previous typifications are revisited and we designate lectotypes for Aytonia rupestris J.R. Forst. & G. Forst. (Aytoniaceae), Borago tristis G. Forst. (Boraginaceae), and Teucrium canescens G. Forst. (Lamiaceae). We designate epitypes for A. rupestris and Epibaterium pendulum J.R. Forst & G. Forst. Our study indicates that Teucrium betonicifolium Jacq. is the accepted name for this Madeiran endemic. Lectotypes, along with epitypes, are also designated for T. betonicifolium and T. betonicum L’Hér.
- The Role of Climate and Topography in Shaping the Diversity of Plant Communities in Cabo Verde IslandsPublication . Neto, Carlos; Costa, José Carlos; Figueiredo, Albano; Capelo, Jorge; Gomes, Isildo; Vitória, Sónia; Semedo, José Maria; Lopes, António; Dinis, Herculano; Correia, Ezequiel; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Romeiras, Maria M.The flora and vegetation of the archipelago of Cabo Verde is dominated by Macaronesian, Mediterranean, and particularly by African tropical elements, resulting from its southernmost location, when compared to the other islands of the Macaronesia (i.e., Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, and Canary Islands). Very likely, such a geographical position entailed higher susceptibility to extreme climatic fluctuations, namely those associated with the West African Monsoon oscillations. These fluctuations led to a continuous aridification, which is a clear trend shown by most recent studies based on continental shelf cores. Promoting important environmental shifts, such climatic fluctuations are accepted as determinant to explain the current spatial distribution patterns of taxa, as well as the composition of the plant communities. In this paper, we present a comprehensive characterization of the main plant communities in Cabo Verde, and we discuss the role of the climatic and topoclimatic diversity in shaping the vegetation composition and distribution of this archipelago. Our study reveals a strong variation in the diversity of plant communities across elevation gradients and distinct patterns of richness among plant communities. Moreover, we present an overview of the biogeographical relationships of the Cabo Verde flora and vegetation with the other Macaronesian Islands and northwestern Africa. We discuss how the distribution of plant communities and genetic patterns found among most of the endemic lineages can be related to Africa’s ongoing aridification, exploring the impacts of a process that marks northern Africa from the Late Miocene until the present.
- Species Diversity and Endemicity in the Angolan Leguminosae FloraPublication . Catarino, Silvia; Goyder, David; Darbyshire, Iain; Costa, Esperança; Figueira, Rui; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Romeiras, Maria ManuelAngola has a great diversity of species and ecosystems and a high level of endemism. However, knowledge of the native flora remains very incomplete and outdated. Leguminosae is the largest family in the country, including many species which are of local or more regional economic importance. Based on an extensive review of bibliographic sources, natural history collections, and online databases, the checklist of Angolan Leguminosae plants was updated, including data on their native distribution, conservation status, and principal uses. The endemic taxa were the subject of additional investigation, including the main habitat, the number of collections preserved in herbaria, and the locality of the first collection. We identified 953 Leguminosae taxa occurring in Angola, of which 165 are endemic to the country. Among the 180 genera found, Crotalaria (136) and Indigofera (96) have the highest number of taxa. Almost half of the studied species have important applications, mainly in traditional medicine (385), forage (267), timber (188), and food (120). Nevertheless, only 27.7% have been assessed according to the IUCN Red List and 10 species are classified as threatened. Thirty-three endemics are known only from the type specimen, revealing the lack of knowledge on these species and the need for further field research. More than 30 type specimens were collected in the Serra da Chela, which highlights the importance of this region for biodiversity conservation.
- Diversity patterns and conservation of the Vigna spp. in Mozambique: A comprehensive studyPublication . Brilhante, Miguel; Catarino, Sílvia; Darbyshire, Iain; Bandeira, Salomão; Moldão, Margarida; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Romeiras, Maria M.Mozambique supports a high diversity of native legume species, including many Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs). Among them, the still understudied genus Vigna is a particularly notable and promising donor of favorable traits for crop improvement. This study aims to provide an updated overview of Vigna CWRs diversity in Mozambique, defining a conservation strategy for priority target taxa and areas. A checklist of Vigna taxa was prepared and using five criteria (taxonomic group, ethnobotanical value, global and regional distributions, and ex situ conservation status), the prioritization of each taxon was determined. The distribution of Vigna native to Mozambique was studied and diversity hotspots were detected; gaps in in situ conservation were analyzed by overlaying species distribution with Mozambique’s Protected Areas Network. Maps predicting the differences between future conditions and baseline values were performed to investigate expected changes in temperature and precipitation in Vigna’s occurrence areas. There are 21 Vigna native taxa occurring in Mozambique, with the Chimanimani Mountains and Mount Gorongosa, as diversity hotspots for the genus. Following the IUCN Red List criteria, 13 taxa are of Least Concern, while the remaining eight are currently Not Evaluated. According to their priority level for further conservation actions, 24% of the taxa are of high priority, 67% of medium priority, and 9% of low priority. The important hotspot of Chimanimani Mountains is among the areas most affected by the predicted future increase in temperature and reduction of rainfall. The obtained distribution and species richness maps, represent a relevant first tool to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of Protected Areas and IPAs of Mozambique for the conservation of Vigna CWRs. The in situ gap analysis showed that 52% of the Vigna taxa are unprotected; this could be overcome by establishing reserves in Vigna diversity centers, considering the different types of habitats to which the different taxa are adapted, and by increasing in situ protection for the high priority ones. The ex situ conservation of Vigna is very limited and storing seed collections of these CWRs, is an essential component in global food security, as some taxa seem suitable as donors of genetic material to increase resistance to pests and diseases, or to drought and salinity. Overall, we provide recommendations for future research, collecting, and management, to conserve Vigna CWR in Mozambique, providing new data for their sustainable use in crop enhancement, as well as proposing measures for future conservation programs.
- Tackling Food Insecurity in Cabo Verde Islands: The Nutritional, Agricultural and Environmental Values of the Legume SpeciesPublication . Brilhante, Miguel; Varela, Eromise; P. Essoh, Anyse; Fortes, Arlindo; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Monteiro, Filipa; Ferreira, Vladimir; Correia, Augusto Manuel; Duarte, Maria Paula; Romeiras, Maria M.Legume species are important food sources to reduce hunger and deal with malnutrition; they also play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture in the tropical dry islands of Cabo Verde. To improve the knowledge of the heritage of plant genetic resources in this Middle Income Country, this study had three main goals: (i) to provide a checklist of food legumes; (ii) to investigate which species are traded in local markets and, based on field surveys, to compare species for their chemical, phenolic, antioxidant, and nutritional composition; and (iii) to discuss the agronomic value and contribution to food security in this archipelago. Our results revealed that 15 species are used as food and 5 of them are locally traded (Cajanus cajan, Lablab purpureus, Phaseolus lunatus, Phaseolus vulgaris, and Vigna unguiculata). The role of these species as sources of important minerals, antioxidants, and nutritional components for food security is highlighted, and the native ones (Lablab purpureus and Vigna unguiculata) stand-out as particularly well-adapted to the climate of these islands, which are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change. We conclude that the sustainable use of these genetic resources can contribute to the reduction of hunger and poverty, thus meeting some challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Wild Beets (Beta spp.) from the Western Iberian Peninsula and the Azores and Madeira IslandsPublication . Veloso, Maria Manuela; Simões-Costa, Maria Cristina; Guimarães, Joana Bagoin; Ribeiro, Carla Marques; Evaristo, Isabel; Espírito-Santo, Dalila; Pinto-Ricardo, Cândido; Paulo, Octávio S.; Duarte, Maria CristinaIn this work, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, we present new insights into the genetic diversity, differentiation, and structure of Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima of western Iberia and the Azores and Madeira islands and of B. macrocarpa from southern Portugal. B. macrocarpa occurs only in southern Portugal and frequently in sympatry with B. vulgaris subsp. maritima, showing genetic introgression. B. macrocarpa has a better-defined structure than B. vulgaris subsp. maritima, which has a high degree of admixture. A great differentiation (FST ranging from 0.277 to 0.184) was observed among the northern populations of B. vulgaris subsp. maritima. In contrast, only a small differentiation (FST ranging from 0.000 to 0.026) was detected among the southern B. vulgaris subsp. maritima populations. The inland B. vulgaris subsp. maritima populations (“RIO” and “VMT”) are distinct from each other, which also occurs with the two islands’ populations (“MAD” and “AZO”). The existence of two distinct Atlantic Sea currents can explain the fact that Madeira is related to the southern populations, while the Azores is related to the northern populations. We consider that understanding the relationships existing within Beta spp. is key to future genetic studies and for the establishment of conservation measures. Our results show that the southern coastal areas of Portugal should be considered as a potential site for in situ conservation of the beet wild relatives. Special attention is needed in what concerns B. macrocarpa because this is a rare species that also occurs in a sympatric relationship with B. vulgaris subsp. maritima.
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