Loading...
Research Project
Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences
Funder
Authors
Publications
New technologies for expedited forest inventory using smartphone applications
Publication . Sandim, André; Amaro, Mariana; Silva, Maria Emilia; Cunha, Jorge; Morais, Susana; Marques, Alexandra; Ferreira, André; Lousada, José Luis; Fonseca, Teresa
The forest inventory plays a crucial role in forest management planning, and it is the first
step in planning actions for forest production. However, conducting an inventory can be expensive
and complex. Forest inventory applications on smartphones have emerged as an alternative to
traditional methods and they aim to make field data collection more accessible to non-professionals
while ensuring accuracy in determining the volume of wood in a given area. This study evaluates
the effectiveness of the Katam, Arboreal, and Trestima applications compared to traditional data
collection methods. The study focuses on assessing the stand density and diameter of sampled
trees—two key variables that are assessed in forest inventories. Two species, maritime pine (Pinus
pinaster Aiton) and Eucalyptus spp. (mainly Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens), were used
to evaluate the performance of the methods, with assessments performed in the stands of diverse
dendrometric characteristics, specifically those regarding the tree age, stand density, and topographic
conditions (flat or sloping terrain). For the purpose of comparison, goodness-of-fit statistics (R2,
RMSE, and BIAS) were calculated, and an analysis of the diameter distribution and comparison of
the mean diameter, number of trees per hectare, and basal area were performed. In general, the
applications were accurate, and the average basal area did not differ significantly from the traditional
method. The diameter measurements showed good accuracy. The accuracy of the applications varied
depending on the terrain and forest characteristics, with the applications performing better in areas
with flat terrain, as well as with older forests that were regular and had low under-cover density. In
contrast, the applications performed worse in younger, irregular forests with sloping terrain, high
tree density, and those with a great deal of understory vegetation. The applications still need to
evolve in evaluating other important variables (such as tree height or volume) as they are currently
estimated from auxiliary variables through mathematical equations.
Ecoinformática e geobotânica em Portugal: necessidade de integração e acesso livre
Publication . Monteiro-Henriques, Tiago; Arsénio, Pedro; Ribeiro, Sílvia
Uma das questões fundamentais em ecoinformática é a disponibilidade de dados/informação em formatos digitais que sejam utilizáveis por computadores. Desta forma, os dados e informação podem ser (facilmente) introduzidos em processamentos e análises computacionais. Ao longo das últimas décadas, os botânicos e geobotânicos têm produzido um conjunto importante de dados e de informação cuja integração, disponibilização e tratamento é premente. Nesta apresentação, reveem-se as principais bases de dados e fontes de informação relacionadas com a geobotânica portuguesa, de uma perspectiva ecoinformática, i.e. avaliando a sua integrabilidade em programas informáticos. O acesso livre e em linha a tais bases e fontes é relevante para o desenvolvimento de ferramentas informáticas úteis à comunidade científica. A título de exemplo, apresenta-se um conjunto de ferramentas, em desenvolvimento, dedicadas a facilitar a importação e harmonização taxonómica de dados de vegetação, bem como à análise e manipulação de matrizes fitossociológicas (pacotes desenvolvidos em linguagem R, em código aberto). Defende-se que é urgente a criação de portais que integrem os dados, a informação e as ferramentas relacionadas com a ciência da vegetação (e.g.:https://point-veg.utad.pt/). A partilha de dados e informação entre a comunidade científica (preferencialmente em formatos baseados em tabelas, listas, ou similares) será fundamental quer para a sua aplicação prática à gestão e à conservação dos recursos naturais.
Immunohistochemical studies of cytokeratins and differentiation markers in bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma
Publication . Vala, Helena; Carvalho, Tânia; Pinto, Carlos; Pereira, Maria A.; Mesquita, João R.; Peleteiro, Maria C.; Ferrer, Lluís; Fondevila, Dolores
Bovine Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma is considered the most common bovine tumour, causing significant economic losses, mainly by abattoir condemnations. To obtain a better insight into the genesis and neoplastic transformation, 19 samples collected at slaughter from Holstein Friesian cattle and diagnosed as Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma were studied. Tumours were histologically classified into three categories: poorly (26.3%), moderately (26.3%), and well differentiated (47.4%). Expression of keratins (MNF116 and LP34) and of cornified envelope precursors (involucrin and profilaggrin) was studied. Expression of MNF116 was observed in all carcinomas. LP34 immunostaining was seen in all but three carcinomas, one from each degree. Involucrin immunoreaction was observed in all but one poorly differentiated carcinoma. Profilaggrin was present in only two moderately differentiated carcinomas, in all but one well differentiated, and in all but one poorly differentiated. MNF116 is a useful marker to confirm the epithelial origin of the tumour and stain most neoplastic cells in these tumours. The expression of involucrin and LP34 demonstrates that, in all tumours, cells have reached the final program of differentiation, regardless of the grade. The expression of profilaggrin could indicate molecular changes during malignant transformation but their expression does not seem to be of diagnostic value.
Acorn flour from holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia): Assessment of nutritional, phenolic, and technological profile
Publication . Martins, Rita Beltrão; Gouvinhas, Irene; Nunes, Maria Cristiana; Ferreira, Luís Mendes; Peres, José A.; Raymundo, Anabela; Barros, Ana I.R.N.A.
Acorn is the fruit of holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia), being mainly used nowadays to feed animals, however a
substantial part remains in the fields without any valorization. Underexploited crops are gaining new interest,
driven by food security concerns and health benefits potential as well. In the present work, it was studied the
physicochemical characteristics and functional perspective of acorn flour, as an ingredient for human diet. The
study included nutritional composition analysis, phenolic compounds profile through HPLC, starch content and
its microstructure, fibre, and pasting properties assessment. Acorn flour presented a high content in fat,
particularly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated (oleic and linoleic acids), and high minerals content in
particular K. Concerning phenolic profile, rutin, catechin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and syringic acid were
identified. In regards to technological profile, fibre was mainly insoluble, with around 11%, and starch content
was 50%. Its pasting behaviour revealed a high gelatinization temperature (85 ◦C), with low breakdown, and
higher retrogradation consistency. These results show acorn flour potential as a valuable and sustainable
multipurpose food ingredient
Forest in Mozambique: actual distribution of tree species and potential threats
Publication . Joaquim-Meque, Eugénia; Lousada, José Lousada; Liberato, Margarida L. R.; Fonseca, Teresa F.
In recent decades, there has been a perception that the Mozambican forests have been
threatened with massive exploitation for commercialization, deforesting vast areas, leading to desertification
and contributing to the extinction of some forest species. The present research summarizes the
official information obtained by monitoring the country’s natural resources over time and identifying
the major types of existing forests in Mozambique. The main objective is to elucidate on the current
state of Mozambican forests, analyze change and trends, and characterize the actual distribution of
forest species in Mozambique to verify the sustainability of forest resources and their composition.
It is a case study of the qualitative descriptive type, with data obtained through a bibliographic
research method focusing on scientific articles on the type of forest species existing in Africa and
Mozambique and data from official sources of the forests. Various types of forests were identified,
such as mopane, mercrusse, semi-deciduous, miombo, and semi-evergreen, including the gallery
forest. Forest species with particular relevance were highlighted, such as Afzelia quanzensis, Swartzia
madagascariensis, Pterocarpaus angolensis, Combretum imberbe, and Millettia stuhalmannii. Major threats
to these natural resources were identified and reported, including anthropogenic activity associated
with traditional practices of illegal logging or due to the valuation of other goods of primary necessity,
lack of protection and conservation measures, and impacts resulting from climate change. The Munza
district is presented as a case study, carrying out a characterization of the forest in this district and
identifying the main threats in the study area from 2015 to 2020.
Organizational Units
Description
Keywords
Contributors
Funders
Funding agency
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Funding programme
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Funding Award Number
UIDB/04033/2020