Centre for Functional Ecology - Science for People & the Planet

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Natures instead of nature—plural perceptions and representations of nature and its challenges for ecological transition: a systematic review of the scientific production

Publication . Vidal, Diogo Guedes; Alves, Fátima; Valentim, Cristina Sá; Freitas, Helena

Background Recognizing nature and the environment as sociocultural constructions is critical to enhancing a transformational ecological change. This involves understanding their diverse sociocultural meanings and societal approaches and how these understandings afect equitable ecological transitions. We reviewed empirical studies and essays, categorizing 161 studies into three main categories: opposition, domination, and interdependencies, refecting varying knowledge, power dynamics, cultures, and contexts. These studies aim to uncover how societies conceptualize, explain, and engage with nature and the environment, shaping society–nature relationships and infuencing ecological transitions. Results This study underscores the diverse perceptions and representations of nature, from a controllable resource to an integrated web of life. Three main categories emerged: (i) nature against society, in a logic of opposition; (ii) nature subordinated to society, in a logic of domination, although integrated into society; and (iii) nature united with society, in a logic of interdependence. Thus, this study advocates discussing “natures” as sociocultural constructs, highlighting the plurality of social perceptions and representations, which can inform policies and challenge sociopolitical and socio-economic systems. Conclusions This review may pave the way to, frst, give visibility and value that diversity and plurality as an instrument that can enrich policies and defy socio-political and socio-economic systems to change and, second, identify the main drivers and resistances that the implementation of an ecological transformation change may face in diferent sociocultural contexts.

2024Journal article

Open access

Impact of the altitude on the wood anatomical traits of Calluna vulgaris

Publication . Costa, Inês Boal Afonso de Oliveira; Nabais, Cristina; Caldeira, Maria da Conceição

Climate change scenarios for the Iberian Peninsula forecast an increase in temperature and a considerable decline in precipitation for all seasons. Heat waves, floods, and other extreme events can be expected to challenge the ability of several species to survive the new environmental trends. Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull is a small to medium-sized evergreen woody shrub, with a large geographical distribution, being able to survive freeze conditions below −20°C in Mediterranean climates. Probably C. vulgaris presents a high genetic diversity and/or a high morphological and physiological plasticity, translated in a high degree of adjustment to different climatic conditions. To understand if C. vulgaris has high morphological plasticity, woody stems were collected from populations located at different altitudes in Serra da Estrela. The altitudinal gradient was used as a proxy for changing temperature. Several wood anatomical traits were measured: shrub-ring width (SRW), average vessel area (AVA), and percentage of cell wall (PCW). SRW was correlated with the prevalent climatic conditions. SRW from all populations showed a negative correlation with the summer temperature. Populations from lower altitudes showed a positive correlation with the minimum temperature of January, while the populations from higher altitudes showed a positive correlation with precipitation from May to September. The SRW, AVA, and PCW from 2016 to 2020 showed no significant differences between the populations. The measured wood anatomical traits showed no significant differences with altitude, indicating that they are highly conserved, independent of the climatic conditions, or have a limited value as an adaptive trait. However, growth response to climatic conditions was slightly different between low and high-altitude populations of C. vulgaris, indicating adjustments in the response to the prevalent climatic conditions. Besides these results, more studies are necessary to understand shrub growth dynamics and adaptive traits, especially under scenarios of climate change.

2022-12-23Master thesis

Unknown

Editorial: Climate change and society

Publication . Alves, Fátima; Schmidt, Luísa

Climate change presents one of the greatest challenges of the 21st Century. It will massively affect human societies in complex and multiple ways. And it seems to be almost uncontrollable in the near future. Our knowledge of the chemistry and physics of climate change, its causes and its consequences for planetary systems, is far greater than our understanding of the societal changes it poses. Climate change results from a complex process of societal transformations, which we all need to understand to better cope with the challenges it presents. Climatic conditions play a significant role and interfere with people's lives in multiple ways. The causes are essentially known, based on unequivocal human action. All solutions also involve human decision and action. It is social and human action in both individual and social settings that are decisive for the future pathways of climate change and its disentanglement.

2022Journal article

Open access

Recent land use and land cover pressures on Iberian peatlands

Publication . Fernandes, Raquel; Geraldes, Miguel; Marchante, Elizabete; Durán, Jorge; Capinha, César

Iberian peatlands have been severely affected by land use and land cover (LULC) changes. Despite these pressures, some peatlands persist in the region, although their susceptibility to LULC change remains poorly understood. This study presents the most detailed and extensive distribution data for Iberian peatlands to date and analyzes the dynamics and drivers of LULC in Iberian peatlands and their surrounding areas. We compiled peatland records from various sources and used Corine Land Cover Change layers to determine LULC shifts in their surrounding areas for 1990, 2000, 2006, 2012, and 2018. Environmental and socioeconomic variables were used to create Boosted Regression Tree models explaining spatial variations in the mean percentage of changed area. Analysis of 270 peatland locations in the Iberian Peninsula revealed that forests and seminatural areas constituted over 80% of the peatland’s surroundings. Agricultural areas expanded the most, except between 2006 and 2012 when the artificial areas showed more gains. While most surrounding areas experienced an average change of 0%-9.51% of the total area, between 1990 and 2018, lowland peatlands (littoral and sublittoral) suffered more intense changes (9.51% to 38.43%). Our models showed that only elevation and agricultural area density were relevant predictors of the spatial distribution of changes. Upland Iberian peatlands showed lower susceptibility to LULC change, while lowland peatlands underwent remarkable transformations. This study substantially expands previous knowledge about the distribution and conservation needs of these ecosystems in the Iberian Peninsula, especially those in littoral and sublittoral lowlands.

2024Journal article

Open access