Browsing by Author "Juen, Leandro"
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- Citizen science as a monitoring tool in aquatic ecology: trends, gaps, and future perspectivesPublication . Lameira, Helton Luis Nina; Guerrero-Moreno, Mayerly Alexandra; Silva, Everton Cruz da; Oliveira, Fernando Abreu; Teodosio, Maria; Dias-Silva, Karina; Moura, James Ferreira; Juen, Leandro; Oliveira-Junior, José Max BarbosaAquatic ecosystems are essential for biodiversity and ecosystem services, but anthropogenic pressures threaten them. In this context, citizen science has emerged as an innovative strategy for biodiversity conservation and environmental monitoring. We conducted a scientometric analysis to identify patterns and gaps in the scientific literature on citizen science in aquatic ecology. We analyzed 185 articles published between 2003 and 2024 on the Web of Science and Scopus databases, with the highest number of publications on the topic (15.14%) in 2023. The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom were the most productive and frequently studied countries. Studies focused on marine ecosystems (50.28%), while freshwater environments, such as rivers (12.99%), remain under-represented. Taxonomic groups such as fish (30.64%) and aquatic mammals (13.87%) were most commonly studied. The focus of monitoring was on ecology and species conservation. The projects adopted a contributory model of citizen engagement (92.97%), with a predominance of urban citizens (60.51%). Participants were trained through online platforms (25.75%) and in-person courses (21.56%), while communication methods involved sharing photos and videos (38.77%) and online uploads (23.79%). Therefore, expanding studies on freshwater ecosystems and rural and traditional communities, and integrating different levels of citizen participation, is essential.
- Neotropical dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) as key organisms for promoting community-based ecotourism in a Brazilian Amazon conservation areaPublication . Guerrero-Moreno, Mayerly Alexandra; Juen, Leandro; Puig-Cabrera, Miguel; Teodosio, Maria; Oliveira-Junior, José Max BarbosaIncorporating insects into ecotourism activities increases awareness of their importance in ecosystems. However, the inclusion of this group in ecotourism activities is still rare. In this context, we identified the perception of indigenous and non-indigenous leaders and residents about the potential of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) as key organisms for promoting community- based ecotourism (CBET) in the Tapajos-Arapiuns Extractive Reserve, Brazilian Amazon. We designed a semi-structured questionnaire and conducted interviews with 415 indigenous and non- indigenous residents (222 women and 193 men) from 73 communities and villages. When shown images of dragonflies (Anisoptera and Zygoptera), 98.55 % of respondents recognized them, predominantly identifying them as "jacinas" (55.11 %). Respondents noted differences between Anisoptera and Zygoptera based on body color and size, identified them as part of the insect group (45.78 %), and associated their habitat with forests and jungles (57.34 %). Most participants (96.38 %) indicated that current ecotourism activities do not include information about invertebrates, emphasizing the need for greater understanding of their biology and ecological significance (44.64 %), and management (29.16 %). They stated that seeing (99.52 %) and observing (99.04 %) dragonflies could attract tourists due to their striking appearance (57.10 %) and beautiful (39.03 %). Most respondents recognized the importance of dragonflies for the environment (99.52 %), culture (63.13 %), and economy (55.66 %), acknowledging their potential to generate income through tourism. Additionally, 89.88 % expressed a desire to participate in the development of ecotourism activities involving Odonata. The results reflect the enormous potential of dragonflies to be included as key organisms in the development of CBET, allowing for environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, cultural appreciation, and income generation for local communities. Furthermore, the study highlights the need to implement educational and training programs on Odonata, along with the development and funding of public policies to ensure the success and sustainability of such initiatives.
- Patterns of co-occurrence and body size in dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) in preserved and altered Amazonian streamsPublication . Oliveira Junior, José Max; Teodosio, Maria; Juen, LeandroInterspecific interactions, such as competition, are among the key factors that determine the distribution, abundance and diversity of organisms in natural communities of aquatic ecosystems. However, a marked reduction in the environmental integrity of streams may lead to modifications of the natural dynamics of these communities, including co-occurrence patterns and body size. In the Amazon, the replacement of forests by production systems is one of the leading causes of alterations to riverine ecosystem. The insects of the order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are predators known to compete for environmental resources but are also sensitive to environmental changes such as those caused by shifts in land use. In this scenario, the present study evaluated species co-occurrence and body size patterns in adult odonates found at preserved and altered Amazonian streams, to determine whether there are morphological differences among the species that enable their coexistence. During the study, 98 streams in the eastern Amazon region were sampled, and a habitat integrity index (HII) was used to evaluate the integrity of each stream (based on variables such as the condition of the riparian vegetation and channel, and land use). Ten male individuals were selected from each species, and nine morphometric measurements were taken from each individual. A total of 3588 specimens were collected and distributed in nine families, 49 genera and 134 species. We found a non-random pattern of co-occurrence in the species of the odonate suborder Zygoptera and a random pattern in the suborder Anisoptera, in both preserved and altered streams. We found morphological divergence between pairs of zygopteran species, in the whole sample and both categories of stream integrity separately. No such morphological divergence was found in the pairs of anisopteran species. The distribution patterns of odonate species are limited by specific environmental processes, especially in preserved environments and in specialists, such as most zygopterans. Zygopteran species have more specific microhabitat requirements, which could explain this pattern, whereas anisopterans prefer open environments, which usually have a greater supply of resources, although there tends to be less microhabitat heterogeneity, which leads to reduced competition. Given this, future studies should use limiting similarity (e.g. morphological attributes) in addition to environmental and spatial factors to better understand the factors structuring these communities. Among these mechanisms, the effects of common ancestry (phylogenetic inertia) and biogeography are important factors that should also be considered in future studies.
- The response of neotropical dragonflies (Insecta: Odonata) to local and regional abiotic factors in small streams of the AmazonPublication . Oliveira Junior, José Max; Dias-Silva, Karina; Teodosio, Maria; Juen, LeandroSince the relative role of local and regional abiotic factors on the Odonata diversity in rainforest streams is still poorly understood, we evaluated the effects of these factors on adult Odonata (Insecta) from preserved and altered streams in the Amazonian region. Adult Odonata were sampled in 98 streams in the Eastern Amazon, Pará, Brazil. Six variables were used to measure local environmental factors: habitat integrity index; mean canopy over the channel; and four physical and chemical descriptors of the water. To measure regional environmental factors, six variables were also used: altitude gradient, three bioclimatic variables and two percentage forest variables. In partial redundancy analysis, both abiotic factors (local and regional) were important to explain the variation in the Odonata community. The Odonata community can be influenced by regional and local factors. The relationship between Odonata and the local (e.g., integrity, canopy cover, and physical and chemical descriptors of the water) and regional (e.g., bioclimatic and forest cover variables) environmental variables recorded in this study has important implications for the use of these organisms to monitor small streams of the Eastern Amazon. The scale at which habitat is measured is an important issue in community structuring studies considering the rapid environmental changes. It is of great importance to consider the different scales in studies assessing community structure, once an adequate habitat must meet the ecological needs of all stages of the life of the Odonata.