Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes

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Publications

Diversity and biological activities of medicinal plants of Santiago island (Cabo Verde)

Publication . Romeiras, Maria M.; Essoh, Anyse P.; Catarino, Sílvia; Silva, Joceline; Lima, Katelene; Varela, Eromise; Moura, Mónica; Gomesi, Isildo; Duarte, Maria Cristina; Duarte, Maria Paula

Plants continue to constitute key elements of medical practice in West African countries. The Cabo Verde archipelago hosts a great diversity of medicinal plants and local markets are considered important sites for trading plants harvested by rural communities. This study has two main goals: (i) to assess the medicinal uses of native species in Santiago, the biggest island of the archipelago, and (ii) to evaluate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antidiabetic/antihyperglycemic activities of two native trees (Tamarix senegalensis and Sideroxylon marginatum) used in traditional medicine and traded in local markets. Our results revealed that on Santiago Island, 24 native plants are used in traditional medicine. The main uses of these species (e.g., forage, timber, food and fibres), their medicinal applications, the plant parts used, their mode of administration and conservation status are presented here for the first time. Moreover, the pharmacological characterization of two native tree species revealed that hydroethanolic extracts were richer in phenolic compounds and more active than their aqueous counterparts. All the studied extracts revealed significant antioxidant properties (DPPH and FRAP assays) and were generally moderately active against Gram-positive bacteria. All the extracts inhibited the activities of the carbohydrate digestive enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a dose-dependent manner. For α-glucosidase, the detected inhibitory activity (IC50 values from 2.0 ± 0.2 μg/mL

2023-04Journal article

Open access

From canopy to single flowers: a downscale approach to flowering of the invasive species Acacia longifolia

Publication . Vicente, Sara; Giovanetti, Manuela; Trindade, Helena; Máguas, C.

Context: Acacia longifolia is a native legume of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania and is invasive in many parts of the world. A key feature to its success is the production of a high quantity of flowers every season, resulting in a massive seedbank that remains dormant in the soil for decades. Many studies have been performed on this species’ reproductive biology, but none has focused on flowering in detail. Aims: Our main objective was to understand this species’ resource allocation strategy that ensures its successful reproduction in the invasive range. Methods: We developed an integrative approach, assessing flowering at different levels, namely, canopy and branch flowering (macro scale), downscaling to individual flower functional stages and their duration, pollen longevity and stigma receptivity (micro scale). We performed this study in three different locations in sand dunes along the Portuguese coast with different environmental conditions. Key results: Canopy flowering shows no difference among sites. Pollen and stigma assessment showed that this species is protogynous, with the stigma being highly receptive long before pollen is released. Once released, pollen lasts roughly 72 h. Individual flowers are relatively short-lived, with a rapid progression from closed flower buds to fully open flowers. Implications: Our results indicated that A. longifolia has a resource trade-off strategy of investing in flowers and pollen that are relatively short-lived, which are counterbalanced by their massive quantities.

2022-12-01Journal article

Open access

Developing tools and criteria for sustainable cultivation of an endogenous product – Terfezia species

Publication . Ferreira, Inês; Houghton, Cristina Maria Nobre Sobral de Vilhena da Cruz

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) cultivation has a promising future in the Mediterranean region, offering economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. Recent biotechnological ad-vancements have enabled the development of sustainable cultivation methods and technologies, especially for high-value species like desert truffles. ECMF is increasingly relevant for rural communities as it opens new business opportunities. Furthermore, these wild fungi are a valu-able food resource and play a vital role in forest ecosystems. However, the diversity of fungal species, both ECMF and non-ECMF, in forests presents opportunities and challenges. Mush-room harvesting is a significant income source for rural communities. However, inexperienced enthusiasts often struggle with accurate species identification, which is crucial for sustainable management and cultivation. Efficient, cost-effective methods for distinguishing fungal spe-cies, including potentially harmful ones, are needed. This research proposes combining an electronic nose with discriminant analysis to dif-ferentiate wild fungal species and assess their edibility based on aromatic profiles. While further data expansion is necessary, initial results suggest this approach could match the accuracy of identifications performed by mycologists and molecular biology experts. Moreover, the elec-tronic nose has the benefit of requiring less technical training while offering a cheaper and faster analytical alternative. Initially, centralized usage in distribution centres, mycological associa-tions or official services is recommended, with the potential for broader accessibility in the future. In addition to wild fungi harvesting, ectomycorrhizal fungi cultivation is becoming increasingly relevant for rural communities. The cultivation of desert truffles, particularly Terfezia truffles, stands out as a successful example of ectomycorrhizal fungi cultivation. These truffles are highly valued traditional delicacies in the Mediterranean region and have numerous biotechnological applications. Terfezia species, like T. arenaria, offer balanced nutritional and chemical composition and a unique aroma dominated by C8 volatile organic compounds, such as 1-octen-3-ol. With a distinct aroma and nutritional composition similar to meat, this desert truffle is an excellent candidate for use in plant-based meat products. Due to their singular volatile profile, an electronic nose was used to identify T. arenaria; due to its unique aroma profile, it was possible to distinguish it from other edible fungi species. This tool can significantly contribute to the sustainable production and commercialization of T.arenaria by ensuring the authenticity and quality of these truffles in the food market. Beyond the food industry, e-nose technology can advance research on these truffles, including studying their ecological role, identifying new Terfezia species, and developing early field detection methods. The volatile organic compounds these fungi produce serve as communication tools among various species, including ectomycorrhizal fungi, microorganisms, animals, and even humans. One of the most abundant volatiles in fungi is, 1-octen-3-ol, is responsible for their recognizable "mushroom aroma." This volatile, found in high concentrations in the sporocarps of many fungi, plays a vital role in ECMF interactions, influencing underground and above-ground ecosystems. It may act as a key mediator in altering these communities. Additionally, it may serve as an indicator of fungal fructification. During sporocarp development, ECMF pro-duces 1-octen-3-ol, which could trigger the formation of "burnt areas". Plant germination is inhibited or delayed in these areas, allowing fungal mycelium to expand and create space for sporocarp growth. Furthermore, 1-octen-3-ol could be detected by technologies like the elec-tronic nose, aiding in the early detection of hypogeous fungi like T. arenaria. This early detec-tion can help monitor production and expedite harvesting, particularly Terfezia species and other hypogeous fungi. This research highlights the significance of new technologies, such as the electronic nose, as tools to create innovative and sustainable solutions for managing, cultivating, and identifying ECMF species. Also, by combining multidisciplinary approaches, this thesis explores and showcases an endogenous resource – T. arenaria - a highly nutritional quality product, a still underrated product with a high ecologic, economic, and social potential. By deepening our understanding of their ecology and physiology, we can develop sustainable practices that value these endogenous natural resources and empower rural communities.

2024-04-24Doctoral thesis

Open access

How do large wildfires impact sediment redistribution over multiple decades?

Publication . Follmi, Dante; Baartman, Jantiene; Benali, Akli; Nunes, João Pedro

Wildfires have become an increasing threat for Mediterranean ecosystems, due to increasing climate change-induced wildfire activity and changing land management practices. In addition to the initial risk, wildfires can alter the soil in various ways—depending on fire severity—and cause enhanced post-fire erosion. Usually, post-fire erosion studies focus on a short time window and lack the attention for sediment dynamics at larger spatial scales. Yet, these large spatial and temporal scales are fundamental for a better understanding of long-term destructive effects of multiple recurring wildfires on post-fire erosion processes and catchment sediment dynamics. In this study the landscape evolution model LAPSUS was used to simulate erosion and deposition in the 404 km2 Águeda catchment in north-central Portugal over a 41-year (1979–2020) timespan, including eight wildfires each burning >1000 ha. To include variation in fire severity and its impact on the soil, four burn severity classes, represented by the difference normalized burn ratio (dNBR), were parameterized. Although model calibration was difficult due to lack of spatial and temporal measured data, the results show that long-term post-fire net erosion rates were significantly higher in the wildfire scenarios (5.95 ton ha−1 yr−1) compared to those of a non-wildfire scenario (0.58 ton ha−1 yr−1). Furthermore, erosion values increased with burn severity and multiple wildfires increased the overall catchment sediment build-up. Simulated erosion patterns showed great spatial variability, with large deposition and erosion rates inside streams. This variability made it difficult to identify land uses that were most sensitive for post-fire erosion, because some land uses were located in more erosion-sensitive areas (e.g. streams, gullies) or were more affected by high burn severity levels than others. Despite these limitations, LAPSUS performed well on addressing spatial sediment processes and can contribute to pre-fire management strategies, by identifying locations at risk of post-fire erosion.

2022-07Journal article

Open access

Quality attributes of cultivated white crowberries (Corema album (L.) D. Don) from a multi-origin clonal field

Publication . Jacinto, João; Giovanetti, Manuela; Oliveira, Pedro Brás; Valdiviesso, Teresa; Máguas, C.; Alegria, C.

There is a growing interest in Corema album (L.) D. Don fruits due to the unique white colour, mildly acidic lemony flavour and health-promoting properties associated with its bioactive composition. This study performs a physical–chemical characterisation of cultivated C. album fruits from a multi-origin clonal field. The field comprises ten wild populations with distinct geographical origins, grown under the same edaphoclimatic conditions. We analysed fruits CIELab colour parameters, texture profile (TPA), pH, acidity (TA, g.100 mL−1), soluble solids content (SSC, %) and total phenolic content (TPC, mg CAE.100 g−1). Our results showed differences between fruits physical–chemical attributes. Variation patterns in fruits SSC and hardness suggest that the differences might be related to the original geographical location of the populations. The determined TPC levels in all samples were very encouraging at a bioactive level, ranging from 185.3 to 355.6 mg CAE.100 g−1. Fruits from Mira and Pego populations stood out from the ten geographical provenances. Mira fruit samples had higher sweetness and lower acidity, while the Pego ones had firmer fruits and higher phenolic content. The multi-origin clonal field allowed us to offer an interesting scientific comparative background, highlighting the large potential of these berries for introduction in the commercial market. Not only our results support the potential of white crowberry as a new crop; the detected differences also indicate a hidden capacity for small fruit market diversification.

2021-02-12Journal article

Open access