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- The fishes of ascension Island, central Atlantic Ocean - new records and an annotated checklistPublication . Wirtz, Peter; Bingeman, Jane; Bingeman, John; Fricke, Ronald; Hook, Timothy J.; Young, JimmyA checklist of the fishes of Ascension Island is presented. The species Rhincodon typus, Alopias superciliosus, Isurus oxyrinchus, Carcharhinus obscurus, Galeocerdo cuvier, Sphyrna lewini, Hexanchus griseus, Manta birostris, Gymnothorax vicinus, Hippocampus sp., Epinephelus itajara, Cookeolus japonicus, Apogon pseudomaculatus, Phaeoptyx pigmentaria, Remora albescens, Caranx bartholomaei, Carangoides ruber, Decapterus tabl, Seriola dumerili, Thalassoma sanctaehelenae, Cryptotomus sp., Ruvettus pretiosus, Acanthocybium solandri, Auxis rochei, Auxis thazard, Euthynnus alletteratus, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus obesus, Xiphias gladius, Istiophorus platypterus, Kajikia albida, Makaira nigricans, Tetrapturus pfluegeri, Hyperoglyphe perciformis, Schedophilus sp., Cantherhines macrocerus, Sphoeroides pachygaster and Diodon eydouxii are recorded for the first time from Ascension Island. We have recognized two previous records as identification errors and indicate 11 other records as doubtful. Including the 40 new records, we now list 173 fish species from Ascension Island, of which 133 might be considered 'coastal fish species'. Eleven of these (8.3%) appear to be endemic to the island and a further 16 species (12%) appear to be shared endemics with St Helena Island.
- IMMUNOLOGY Mind the immuno-connection gapPublication . Link, WolfgangBiologic drugs that modulate the immune system have revolutionized the therapeutic landscape for several selected cancer types. A new study reports an image-based assay system to monitor cell–cell interactions, identifying small-molecule compounds with immunomodulatory capacity.
- Marxan as a zoning tool for development and economic purposed areas - Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs)Publication . Sales Henriques, Nuno; Monteiro, Pedro; Bentes, Luis; Oliveira, Frederico; Afonso, Carlos; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel SantosThe increased number of human activities within the marine environment and the demand for maritime space has increased to a point where in some parts of the globe the demand for maritime space has exceeded the available area. The overlapping objectives and activities have caused severe conflicts among users and with the natural marine environment itself. For that reason, holistic strategies such as Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) and Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) have been evolved and developed to sustainably manage the marine environment, avoiding conflicts and creating synergies. Spatial analysis tools like Marxan have been used for several years as decision support tools mostly for conservation plans, such as design and establishment of protected areas. In this study we approach the potential of this tool with a different purpose in mind: instead of using the available information of the region for the development of a conservation plan, we used this tool and the available information to select areas to establish Aquaculture Management Areas (AMAs). We also intended to analyse how the existing features of the region would affect the final result of a spatial plan aimed to establish areas for economic and development purposes. We conclude that the use of Marxan can be advantageous to support the planning and development of coastal regions, not only in a conservationist point of view (as it has been mostly used), but also into a developing and economic driven approach. This tool can be particularly useful in regions or situations where there is a large number of stakeholders, ecological and geographical features that could potentially conflict with the establishment, the management and the success of the proposed management areas. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Physiological traits and oxidative stress markers during acclimatization of micropropagated plants from two endangered Plantago species: P-algarbiensis Samp. and P-almogravensis FrancoPublication . Gonçalves, Sandra; Martins, Neusa; Romano, A.Plantago algarbiensis Samp. and Plantago almogravensis Franco are species endemic to Portugal at risk of global extinction. The aim of this study was to investigate the ex vitro performance of micropropagated P. algarbiensis and P. almogravensis plants in terms of survival, relative water content (RWC), photosynthetic pigment contents, H2O2 accumulation, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation, and soluble protein content, in comparison with wild-grown plants. Relatively high survival rates and RWC values during the acclimatization process were observed for both species. In P. algarbiensis, the pigment content increased when plantlets were transferred to ex vitro conditions, indicating enhanced light absorption capacity. No significant alterations in H2O2 content, CAT activity, or lipid peroxidation level were observed during acclimatization, but the protein content decreased in plants at the end of the growth chamber and greenhouse stages. When P. almogravensis plantlets were transferred to the ex vitro environment, decreases in the H2O2 content were observed that correlated to increased CAT activity and SOD maintenance, which lead to decreased lipid peroxidation and protein content. It was concluded that micropropagated P. algarbiensis and P. almogravensis plants were able to manage the oxidative stress induced by the in vitro environment and to perform well under ex vitro conditions.
- Early survival of Quercus ilex subspecies from different populations after infections and co-infections by multiple Phytophthora speciesPublication . Corcobado, T.; Miranda-Torres, J. J.; Martin-Garcia, J.; Jung, Thomas; Solla, A.Forests in Europe are threatened by increased diversity of Phytophthora species, but effects on trees of simultaneous infections by Phytophthora and ecological consequences of their coexistence are unknown. This study explored variation in early survival of Quercus ilex to Phytophthora infections and assessed interactions between Phytophthora species when trees were co-infected. Three Phytophthora species (P. cinnamomi, P. gonapodyides and P. quercina), seeds from 16 populations of Q. ilex (ballota and ilex subspecies) and two infection times were used as sources of variation in two experiments. The influence of Phytophthora species, Q. ilex subspecies and populations on plant germination and survival were analysed using generalized linear mixed models and survival analysis techniques. Germination rates were not influenced by Phytophthora spp. (P = 0.194) but by the subspecies and populations of Q. ilex (P < 0.001). In Phytophthora-infested soils, Q. ilex subsp. ilex germinated at higher rates than Q. ilex subsp. ballota. Plant survival was strongly influenced by Phytophthora species (P < 0.001), not by the subspecies and populations of Q. ilex. Seedling mortality was reduced and delayed if a less virulent Phytophthora species infected plants prior to infection by a more virulent Phytophthora species. The results help to explain oak decline syndrome and the lack of natural and artificial regeneration of Q. ilex forests. Lack of interspecific variability of early survival to Phytophthora spp. discourages direct sowing for artificial reforestation programmes. Large, thick seeds, giving plants rapid growth, are advantageous traits when soils are infested with Phytophthora spp.
- Six new Phytophthora species from ITS Clade 7a including two sexually functional heterothallic hybrid species detected in natural ecosystems in TaiwanPublication . Jung, Thomas; Horta, Marília; Scanu, B.; Seress, D.; Kovacs, G. M.; Maia, Cristiana; Perez-Sierra, A.; Chang, T. -T.; Chandelier, A.; Heungens, K.; van Poucke, K.; Abad-Campos, P.; Leon, M.; Cacciola, S. O.; Bakonyi, J.During a survey of Phytophthora diversity in natural ecosystems in Taiwan six new species were detected. Multigene phylogeny based on the nuclear ITS, beta-tubulin and HSP90 and the mitochondrial cox1 and NADH1 gene sequences demonstrated that they belong to ITS Clade 7a with P. europaea, P. uniformis, P. rubi and P. cambivora being their closest relatives. All six new species differed from each other and from related species by a unique combination of morphological characters, the breeding system, cardinal temperatures and growth rates. Four homothallic species, P. attenuata, P. flexuosa, P. formosa and P. intricata, were isolated from rhizosphere soil of healthy forests of Fagus hayatae, Quercus glandulifera, Q. tarokoensis, Castanopsis carlesii, Chamaecyparis formosensis and Araucaria cunninghamii. Two heterothallic species, P. xheterohybrida and P. xincrassata, were exclusively detected in three forest streams. All P. xincrassata isolates belonged to the A2 mating type while isolates of P. xheterohybrida represented both mating types with oospore abortion rates according to Mendelian ratios (4-33 %). Multiple heterozygous positions in their ITS, beta-tubulin and HSP90 gene sequences indicate that P. xheterohybrida, P. xincrassata and P. cambivora are interspecific hybrids. Consequently, P. cambivora is re-described as P. xcambivora without nomenclatural act. Pathogenicity trials on seedlings of Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica and Q. suber indicate that all six new species might pose a potential threat to European forests.
- Altered epiphyte community and sea urchin diet in Posidonia oceanica meadows in the vicinity of volcanic CO2 ventsPublication . Nogueira, Patrícia; Gambi, Maria Cristina; Vizzini, Salvatrice; Califano, Gianmaria; Tavares, Ana Mafalda; Santos, Rui; Martinez-Cruz, BegonaOcean acidification (OA) predicted for 2100 is expected to shift seagrass epiphyte communities towards the dominance of more tolerant non-calcifying taxa. However, little is known about the indirect effects of such changes on food provision to key seagrass consumers. We found that epiphyte communities of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in two naturally acidified sites (i.e. north and south sides of a volcanic CO2 vent) and in a control site away from the vent at the Ischia Island (NW Mediterranean Sea) significantly differed in composition and abundance. Such differences involved a higher abundance of non-calcareous crustose brown algae and a decline of calcifying polychaetes in both acidified sites. A lower epiphytic abundance of crustose coralline algae occurred only in the south side of the vents, thus suggesting that OA may alter epiphyte assemblages in different ways due to interaction with local factors such as differential fish herbivory or hydrodynamics. The OA effects on food items (seagrass, epiphytes, and algae) indirectly propagated into food provision to the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus, as reflected by a reduced P. oceanica exploitation (i.e. less seagrass and calcareous epiphytes in the diet) in favour of non-calcareous green algae in both vent sites. In contrast, we detected no difference close and outside the vents neither in the composition of sea urchin diet nor in the total abundance of calcareous versus non-calcareous taxa. More research, under realistic scenarios of predicted pH reduction (i.e. <= 0.32 units of pH by 2100), is still necessary to better understand cascading effects of this altered urchin exploitation of food resources under acidified conditions on ecosystem diversity and function. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Flow rate measurements under sluice gatesPublication . Silva, Carlos Otero; Rijo, ManuelSluice gates are commonly used in canals for control and measurement of the flow. The discharge under sluice gates can be determined through the energy-momentum method (EM), the orifice flow rate equations and the application of the.-theorem of the dimensional analysis. The different discharge methods available, for free and submerged hydraulic jump including the transition between flows, were compared with experimental data. The performance of the different calibration methods was analyzed. The test program was conducted in the laboratory flume and in the experimental irrigation canal of the University of vora, Portugal. The test program shows that the evaluation of the discharge under sluice gates for free and submerged flows and for the transition between both flows through the methods based in the EM were those who had better results. For the studied gates openings, the results also show that the methods that consider the division of the submerged flow in partial and totally submerged did not improve the discharge results. (C) 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
- Kinetic study of Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions over hierarchical MCM-22 zeolitesPublication . Aleixo, Rodrigo; Elvas-Leitao, Ruben; Martins, Filomena; Carvalho, Ana P.; Brigas, Amadeu; Martins, Angela; Nunes, NelsonFriedel-Crafts acylation was studied under mild conditions using hierarchical MCM-22 zeolites prepared by desilication and by desilication + acid treatment, using furan, pyrrole and anisole as substrates, and acetic anhydride as acylating agent. Enhanced catalysis was observed for furan and anisole, especially at short reaction times. Kinetic results modelling using non-linear regressions applied to a simplified Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation showed that desilication treatment followed by acid treatment improved kinetics (higher k and TOF). A QSPR methodology using nine substrate and zeolite descriptors was applied to model kinetics and adsorption. For both processes, the best QSPR model equations lead to the same descriptors, namely, Bronsted acidity, as zeolite's feature, and both van der Waals volume and Dimroth-Reichardt E-T(N) parameter (related to dipolarity and Lewis acidity) as substrates' characteristics. Normalization of descriptors allowed quantification of each descriptor's relative importance leading to a better understanding of the catalytic and adsorption processes. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Sex estimation with the total area of the proximal femur: A densitometric approachPublication . Curate, Francisco; Albuquerque, Anabela; Ferreira, Izilda; Cunha, EugeniaThe estimation of sex is a central step to establish the biological profile of an anonymous skeletal individual. Imaging techniques, including bone densitometry, have been used to evaluate sex in remains incompletely skeletonized. In this paper, we present a technique for sex estimation using the total area (TA) of the proximal femur, a two-dimensional areal measurement determined through densitometry. TA was acquired from a training sample (112 females; 112 males) from the Coimbra Identified Skeletal Collection (University of Coimbra, Portugal). Logistic regression (LR), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), reduce error pruning trees (REPTree), and classification and regression trees (CART) were employed in order to obtain models that could predict sex in unidentified skeletal remains. Under cross-validation, the proposed models correctly estimated sex in 90.2-92.0% of cases (bias ranging from 1.8% to 4.5%). The models were evaluated in an independent test sample (30 females; 30 males) from the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection (University of Coimbra, Portugal), with a sex allocation accuracy ranging from 90.0% to 91.7% (bias from 3.3% to 10.0%). Overall, data mining classifiers, especially the REPTree, performed better than the traditional classifiers (LR and LDA), maximizing overall accuracy and minimizing bias. This study emphasizes the significant value of bone densitometry to estimate sex in cadaveric remains in diverse states of preservation and completeness, even human remains with soft tissues. (C) 2017 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
- Ascension Island shallow-water Zoantharia (Hexacorallia: Cnidaria) and their zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium)Publication . Reimer, James Davis; Lorion, Julien; Irei, Yuka; Hoeksema, Bert W.; Wirtz, PeterThis is the first report on the Zoantharia fauna (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia) of the isolated oceanic island of Ascension, southern Atlantic, where zoantharians are a dominant component of the shallow-water benthos. Specimens from two expeditions (1983, 2012) were examined regarding external morphology and molecular phylogeny using three DNA markers, which confirmed the presence of four zoantharian species: Palythoa caribaeorum; Palythoa aff. clavata; Parazoanthus swiftii; and Zoanthus sp. Two of these, Palythoa aff. clavata and Parazoanthus swiftii, were previously only known from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. Molecular examination of the zooxanthellae (=Symbiodinium spp.) of Palythoa specimens showed that they were in association with only one type, subclade C1.
- Heterobranch sea slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Ascension Island, South Atlantic OceanPublication . Padula, Vinicius; Wirtz, Peter; Schrodl, MichaelThe small volcanic island of Ascension is situated in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, more than 1500 km from the coast of Africa, its nearest continental area. To date, eight 'opisthobranch' species were reported from the island. As a result of a recent survey, 10 species were found. Seven species are new records from Ascension: Platydoris angustipes (Morch, 1863), Diaulula sp., Dolabrifera dolabrifera (Rang, 1828), Aplysia parvula Guilding in Morch, 1863 and Caliphylla mediterranea A. Costa, 1867, and two new species: Phidiana mimica sp. nov.; and Felimida atlantica sp. nov. Half of the species found have a wide geographical distribution, being not restricted to the Atlantic Ocean. However, traditional taxonomy based on few characters is probably masking complexes of species.
- The seismic performance of stone masonry buildings in Faial island and the relevance of implementing effective seismic strengthening policiesPublication . Maio, Rui; Estêvão, João M. C.; Ferreira, Tiago M.; Vicente, RomeuEnhancing the seismic performance of traditional stone masonry buildings is considered a crucial mea- sure towards the preservation and safeguarding of our built heritage, particularly in seismic prone areas such as the Azores archipelago, in Portugal. In this context, the present paper is focused on the seismic vulnerability assessment of two traditional stone masonry building located in the Faial Island, taken as typologically representative of the rural Azorean building stock. The case study buildings were modelled based on the equivalent frame model approach and non-linear static (pushover) analyses were performed to assess their seismic performance. Firstly, results were com- pared in terms of capacity curves, and secondly, two different seismic performance-based assessment methods (N2 and CSM) were used to determine the respective performance points and assess the seismic safety of both structures. The seismic demand was defined by a set of real ground motion records, which the authors assumed as representative of the 1998 Azores earthquake, both in terms of magnitude and epicentral distance. Additionally, a set of traditional retrofitting solutions were implemented to the original models in order to analyse and compare their influence over the building’s global seismic performance. These solutions were adopted in the aftermath of the 1980 and 1998 Azores earthquakes by different design offices and engineering consultants, based on the designing recommendations specifically prepared by the Regional Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LREC) under the scope of the Faial rehabilitation process. Finally, fragility curves were derived based on the spectral response approach, and the results were crit- ically discussed.
- Mechanism of plasmin generation by S100A10Publication . Miller, Victoria A.; Madureira, Patricia; Kamaludin, Ain Adilliah; Komar, Jeffrey; Sharma, Vandna; Sahni, Girish; Thewell, Craig; Longstaff, Colin; Waisman, David M.Plasminogen (Pg) is cleaved to form plasmin by the action of specific plasminogen activators such as the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Although the interaction of tPA and Pg with the surface of the fibrin clot has been well characterised, their interaction with cell surface Pg receptors is poorly understood. S100A10 is a cell surface Pg receptor that plays a key role in cellular plasmin generation. In the present report, we have utilised domain-switched/deleted variants of tPA, truncated plasminogen variants and S100A10 site-directed mutant proteins to define the regions responsible for S100A10-dependent plasmin generation. In contrast to the established role of the finger domain of tPA in fibrin-stimulated plasmin generation, we show that the kringle-2 domain of tPA plays a key role in S100A10-dependent plasmin generation. The kringle-1 domain of plasminogen, indispensable for fibrin-binding, is also critical for S100A10-dependent plasmin generation. S100A10 retains activity after substitution or deletion of the carboxyl-terminal lysine suggesting that internal lysine residues contribute to its plasmin generating activity. These studies define a new paradigm for plasminogen activation by the plasminogen receptor, S100A10.
- Segurança sísmica em áreas de reabilitação urbana localizadas em zonas ribeirinhas do AlgarvePublication . Estêvão, João Manuel CarvalhoNos últimos anos foram definidas diversas Áreas de Reabilitação Urbana (ARU) um pouco por todo o Algarve, no enquadramento da legislação atualmente em vigor, sendo que muitas delas se localizam em zonas ribeirinhas. Em muitos dos documentos anexos à criação das ARUs situadas no Algarve aparecem referências aos danos motivados por sismos, com particular ênfase nos que resultaram do sismo de 1 de novembro de 1755. É também referida a influência deste sismo na alteração do tecido urbano das zonas afetadas. De uma forma geral, não são apresentados documentos oficiais que realcem o problema do risco sísmico associado às ARUs de zonas ribeirinhas, designadamente tendo em conta as características geológicas da costa algarvia. Nesse contexto, no presente trabalho é feita uma descrição dos fatores que mais influenciam a segurança sísmica das construções tipicamente existentes em ARUs da costa algarvia, e é ilustrado numericamente o problema da cidade de Albufeira.
- Pollen in marine sedimentary archives, a key for climate studies: the example of past warm periodsPublication . Desprat, Stephanie; Oliveira, Dulce; Naughton, Filipa; Sanchez Goni, Maria FernandaThe interglacials of the last 800,000 years are all warm periods comparable to the current interglacial, called the Holocene. However, their intensity, duration, variability and regional expression are different as the result of different astronomical and greenhouse gases forcing. The work presented here focuses on the regional expression of these interglacials in southwestern Europe, and it is based on recent studies using pollen from Iberian margin sedimentary sequences that enables a direct comparison of atmospheric and marine processes. This work highlights the diversity of these interglacials in southwestern Europe in terms of duration as well as vegetation and climatic variability, in particular in southwestern Iberia where changes in precipitation play an important role. This work additionally allows discussing mechanisms involved in glacial inception during orbital analogs of the current interglacial (i.e. marine isotopic stages 19c and 11c).
- Latitudinal incidence of phototrophic shell-degrading endoliths and their effects on mussel bed microclimatesPublication . Lourenço, Carla R.; R Nicastro, Katy; McQuaid, Christopher D.; Sabour, Brahim; Zardi, Gerardo I.Aggregations of organisms commonly benefit their members by mitigating the effects of predators and environmental stresses. Mussel aggregations also form important intertidal matrices that support associated infaunal communities, the structures of which are largely shaped by the conditions within the interstitial spaces. Intertidal mussels are frequently parasitized by phototrophic endoliths that infest the shell and have thermoregulatory effects on both solitary and aggregated mussels by changing shell albedo. A large-scale sampling was carried out May June 2016 along Portuguese and Moroccan shores to investigate a latitudinal gradient of endolithic infestation of the intertidal mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Endolithic infestation increased towards lower latitudes most likely as a response of greater light availability. Additionally, artificial beds of either 100% non-infested or infested biomimetic mussels were used to test whether infestation alters the temperature and humidity of the interstitial spaces within beds, and if mussels surrounded by infested mussels experience lower body temperatures than those surrounded by non-infested ones. Conditions within beds of infested mussels were significantly cooler and more humid than in non-infested beds and individuals in the centre of infested mussel beds experienced significantly lower body temperatures. Under a scenario of warming climate, endolithic infestation of mussel beds might thus represent an ecological advantage not only for M. galloprovincialis as a species but also for the associated communities.
- How feasible is coastal management? A social benefit analysis of a coastal destination in SW SpainPublication . Alves, Bruna; Ballester, Ramon; Riga-I-Torrent, Ricard; Ferreira, Oscar; Benavente, JavierVery few assessments of the beach recreational experience value have been made in Spain. This is both surprising and discouraging considering the importance of sun-and-sand tourism to the country. The present study applies the Travel Cost Method (TCM) to assess the non-market user value of three Atlantic beaches in southern Spain. The results reveal that there are statistically significant differences in visitor type by season and by beach. Calculations show that the socioeconomic benefits generated by one hectare of any of the studied beaches during the high season are one order of magnitude greater than the average annual amount of capital invested in coastal management projects and actions. It is apparent that expenditure on management strategies for the beaches of Cadiz is justified. Policy-makers should recognise that the consumer surplus is an important component of economic value because it represents a measure of social benefits rather than on-site expenditures alone. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Olfactory sensitivity of the marine flatfish Solea senegalensis to conspecific body fluidsPublication . Fatsini, Elvira; Carazo, Ignacio; Chauvigne, Francois; Manchado, Manuel; Cerda, Joan; Hubbard, Peter; Duncan, Neil J.Chemical communication is better understood in freshwater fish than marine fish. The Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) is a marine flatfish wherein one of the problems in aquaculture is the poor reproductive performance of hatchery-bred males. Is chemical communication involved in the reproduction of this species? Urine, intestinal fluid and mucus samples were taken from adult fish (wild-caught and hatchery-bred) over the spawning season (March-May), and assessed for olfactory potency using the electro-olfactogram (EOG). The effect of stimulation of the olfactory system with adult female urine on circulating luteinizing hormone (LH) levels was also tested in males. Intestinal fluid and urine were potent olfactory stimuli for both juvenile and adult conspecifics, evoking large-amplitude, concentration-dependent EOG responses, with thresholds of detection at approximately 1:10(6). However, the amplitude of the response to urine depended on the sex and state of maturity of both the donor and the receiver. Most olfactory activity could be extracted by C18 solid-phase cartridges. Urine from mature females evoked a slight, but significant, increase in circulating LH levels in mature males 30 min after exposure. Furthermore, the olfactory potency of urine differed between wild-caught and hatchery-bred fish; however, contrary to expectations, urine from wild-caught females was less potent than that from hatchery-bred females. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that faeces-and urine-released odorants are involved in reproduction in the Senegalese sole, and establish a basis for further investigation into pheromonal communication in marine teleosts.
- Análise da acessibilidade de percursos culturais em Faro. Um contributo para a regeneração urbana e o turismo acessívelPublication . Pires Rosa, Manuela; Landim, Isabel; Loureiro, Nuno de SantosO Turismo Acessível para Todos atende ao desenvolvimento de atividades de lazer e tempo livre por todo o tipo de pessoas, independentemente das suas condições físicas, sensoriais, sociais ou culturais. Acontece que na sociedade há um conjunto de barreiras físicas que limitam a atividade turística das pessoas com mobilidade reduzida, sobretudo as com deficiência. Os princípios do Design Universal devem incorporar-se no desenho urbano das cidades, na arquitetura dos edifícios, nos meios de transporte e nas tecnologias de informação e comunicação, de forma a promover a inclusão social e qualidade de vida de todos. Com esta comunicação pretende-se apresentar a análise e o diagnóstico das condições de acessibilidade universal da rede de percursos pedonais, de interesse cultural, localizada no Centro Histórico da cidade de Faro. Pretende averiguar-se se as suas características físicas respeitam as exigências do Regime Jurídico Nacional da Acessibilidade. O diagnóstico é concretizado através de um modelo de avaliação do grau de conformidade dos espaços considerando parâmetros de acessibilidade urbanística. A metodologia aplicada, através de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica, constitui um instrumento de apoio à decisão nos processos de regeneração urbana. Os resultados apontam para situações de inacessibilidade nos percursos culturais comprometendo os objetivos do turismo acessível e sustentável.