Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-10-12"
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- Factors influencing the diving behavior of juvenile green turtles in shallow mangrove creeks in the BahamasPublication . Doñate Ordóñez, Ruth; Castilho, Rita; Robinson, Nathan JackAnimal-borne devices (= bio-loggers) have revolutionized marine megafauna research. Nevertheless, there is limited data on how bio-logger attachment and handling stress affect animals. This study used animal-borne cameras with time-depth recorders to examine short term diving behavior (< 210 min) and the factors driving dive duration in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in understudied shallow water habitats (< 5 m depth) in The Bahamas. We compared the behavior of 58 turtles with bio-loggers to 25 non-handled turtles observed by Unoccupied Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which do not cause panic in turtles. After release, turtles spent 70-80% of their time swimming with a mean dive duration of 45.3 ± 34.3 seconds (SD). Over 90 min, dive duration increased while swimming time decreased until stabilizing. However, the UAV data was similar to turtle behavior immediately after bio-logger deployment, suggesting that bio-loggers and handling stress influence diving behavior for at least 90 min. Afterward, the effect of bio-loggers either: (1) has a small effect and UAVs may produce biased data on “natural” turtle behavior or (2) a longer period of data collection (> 3h) is necessary for turtles to return to non-handled behaviors. This study recorded some of the shortest mean dive durations observed for juvenile green turtles (66.43 ± 75.85 seconds SD). Maximum dive depth, breath duration, and mean temperature exhibited a statistically significant positive effect on dive duration. Longer breath duration provided more oxygen, allowing longer and deeper dives. Tidal patterns increased temperature when the turtles were already relaxed, which prolonged dive duration despite typically raising metabolic rates. The likelihood of active behavior decreased throughout the dive duration while resting increased, reflecting oxygen use: active behaviors require more oxygen, shortening dives, while resting allows longer dives. In conclusion, juvenile green turtles in shallow waters do not perform long dives, and (2) dive duration is influenced by breath duration and activity patterns.
- Study of parasite diversity and otolith shape of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) off the coast of Iceland for stock discriminationPublication . Pubert, Eve-Marine; Randhawa, Haseeb; Erzini, KarimUnderstanding the stock structure of a commercial species is essential for sustainable management. Failure to do so can lead to the depletion of regional sub-populations, genetic diversity erosion, and ecosystem services loss. Plaice, Pleuronectes platessa, are a commercially important species for the Icelandic economy and are found in warm southern and cold northern waters. However, plaice is managed as a single stock. Over the last three decades, the use of parasites as biological markers has proved effective in distinguishing between different fish stocks. The use of otolith shapes for stock discrimination has gained popularity in recent years thanks to advances in image analysis tools and geometric methods. The study on 82 individuals of plaice from different geographical locations and seasons in Iceland showed that the community of parasites and the morphology of otoliths varied significantly between regions and periods, constituting several sub-populations in Icelandic waters. A notable differentiation between Icelandic plaice stocks was observed according to otolith shape and parasitic diversity. Otolith shape showed significant differences between the four geographical and seasonal groups (North-Summer, North-Winter, South-Summer, and South-Winter). Plaices collected in the southern region during the winter had otoliths with distinct shapes compared with the other groups. The parasite study confirmed the otolith shape results. The South-Winter group was also distinguished by a higher abundance of parasites and a different parasite composition than the other groups. Hysterothylacium aduncum was a candidate to be a parasite tag due to its constant presence throughout the year and in all regions but with notable variations in abundance and prevalence.
- From the ground to the sky: new challenges for territory and landscape photography across cultures in the drone eraPublication . Souza, Davi Magalhães de; Loureiro, NunoSpatial patterns on different scales, intertwined with ecological processes on different organizational levels, are an utmost important field of study in landscape ecology. Spatially explicit human impacts, whether direct or indirect, are among the most valued topics, and cartographic figures are a suitable way of presenting part of the obtained results. Historical and recent maps, and various levels of remote sensing, from orthophotography to satellite imagery, are among the sources of spatial information sought and studied. All of these information sources offer a vertical view, from top to bottom, with different spatial resolutions. Photographs taken at ground level, that offer a horizontal view, are equally useful. But between one and the other sets of data sources, there is a gap, either in scale or in privileged point of view to survey, fastly or accurately, places and landscapes. Recently, drones have emerged as perfect tools for observing and recording the spatial-visual properties of places and landscapes, and also to fill the aforementioned gap because they easily provide views from above, horizontally, and also oblique panoramic gazes, in bird's eye views. They are low-cost and easy-to-use equipment, although subject to some legal restrictions, increasingly powerful in features such as fly autonomy and image resolution. After the first generations of drones with RGB cameras, drones with multi-spectral and thermal cameras also became common, allowing to further deepen the analysis and interpretation of places and landscapes. Incorporating curricular units that teach drone piloting and imagery use is an urgent need in Landscape Architecture and related fields globally. Despite the growing importance of drone technology in various domains, the integration of drones into educational curricula remains limited in many regions. This should follow a foundational focus on Photography, Place, and Landscape Representation. Similarly, greater concern and integration between landscape and site representation are emerging alongside the new challenges presented by the age of drones. Thus, this article seeks to create a conceptual model that serves as a basis for landscape representation challenges arising from recent technological developments, both at ground level and for photographs taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The diagram, as well as conceptualised based on analytical and holistic values, is also tested in an exercise undertaken in Armação de Pêra, in the municipality of Silves, Portugal. It expresses a coherent methodology and results that prove the veracity and differences between ground and aerial photographs, subsequently associating them with cultural, social and religious values. The aim of this article is to identify New Challenges for Territory and Landscape Photography Across Cultures in the Drone Era. The specific objectives are as follows: (i) to examine how culture influences landscape and place, which will be discussed in Chapter 2; (ii) to analytically conceptualise, through a theoretical diagram, the spatialisation of place and landscape, based on drone photography; and (iii) to conduct a case study that validates the established diagram. Thus, the article answers the following guiding question: - How are the new challenges for territory and landscape photography perceived across cultures in the drone era? This article consists of five main chapters. The first chapter characterises the study and its relevance. The second chapter presents the theoretical framework that sustains the thesis, based on the different cultures and representations of the landscape. The third chapter offers an analytical perspective on the various facets of landscape and photography, as well as conceptualisation through a diagram created. The fourth chapter tests the concept through a case study in Armação de Pêra, Portugal, using photographs taken with drones as well as ground-level images. The fifth and final chapter presents a discussion of the case study and concludes with the importance of integrating photography, technology and drones into curricular units on landscape representation.
- Estratégias de diferenciação na hotelaria 5 estrelas: Explorando o Bubbly LifestylePublication . Dias, André Carrasquinho; Rassal, Carimo; Serra, ManuelA hotelaria de cinco estrelas no Algarve enfrenta o desafio de se diferenciar num mercado altamente competitivo, exigindo inovação contínua na oferta de serviços e experiências. Esta dissertação explora o conceito de bubbly lifestyle como uma estratégia inovadora de diferenciação, que combina finger food com bebidas carbonatadas para criar uma experiência social, multissensorial e sustentável. A investigação foi conduzida através do método Delphi em Tempo Real (DTR), recolhendo a opinião de especialistas da área de hotelaria, e apoiou-se também na gastrofísica para examinar as interações sensoriais entre paladar, som e tato, aprofundando o conhecimento sobre como essas perceções influenciam a experiência gastronómica. Os resultados indicam que a adoção do bubbly lifestyle pode elevar significativamente a perceção de exclusividade e satisfação dos hóspedes nos hotéis de cinco estrelas, enquanto promove a sustentabilidade através do uso de produtos locais e práticas gastronómicas inovadoras. O conceito também demonstra capacidade de atrair turistas gastronómicos e de mitigar a sazonalidade, projetando o Algarve como um destino de excelência em turismo gastronómico. Conclui-se que o bubbly lifestyle é uma estratégia viável e promissora para a diferenciação no setor hoteleiro, com potencial para contribuir para o desenvolvimento sustentável e cultural da região.
- Loss of biodiversity in sea urchin patches in the Ria Formosa, due to the invasive behaviour of caulerpa?Publication . Hartmann, Tim Felix; Duarte, Duarte; Gamito, SofiaRia Formosa, a shallow, multi-barrier lagoon system located along Portugal's southern coast between Loulé and Vila Real de Santo António, is recognized as an ecologically significant wetland with substantial economic value. Protected as a natural park since 1987, the lagoon serves as a vital nursery ground for various species of fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. Despite its importance, certain habitats within the lagoon, particularly with high biodiversity, known as sea urchin patches, have remained understudied. Spread in the less vegetated bottoms, spatially restricted patches of seagrass can be found, marked by the dominance of sea urchins and are here referred to as sea urchin patches. However, this habitat isincreasingly threatened by the invasion of non-native species, such as Caulerpa prolifera, which has become an emerging concern for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning in the region. Extensive fieldwork was conducted, including diving campaigns and sample analysis, to access the changes in fauna composition and distribution in the sea urchin patches dominated by sea urchins and those invaded by Caulerpa prolifera. The results revealed that C. prolifera invaded patches support a distinct assemblage of species compared to sea urchin-dominated areas. The sampled fauna included Annelida species, which were predominantly found in C. prolifera invaded patches. In contrast, arthropods were more frequently encountered in sea urchin patches, with a notable absence in C. prolifera invaded areas. Chordates were primarily present in sea urchin patches. Molluscs, including various orders, were distributed across all patches without a clear pattern. Echinoderms were also predominantly found in sea urchin patches, with only a one exception in C. prolifera invaded areas. The flora samples revealed that not only the patches dominated by C. prolifera are affected by an invasion. Unexpectedly, the remaining patches mainly presented an invasive alga, the recently described Rugulopteryx okamurae, instead of the expected native algae species Ulva sp. and Codium sp. This complicates the evaluation of biodiversity changes due to multiple overlapping invasions and highlights the lack of data for this specific habitat of the Ria Formosa lagoon. The analyses indicate the significant ecological impact of Caulerpa prolifera invasion that alters the species composition and abundance in marine habitats, possibly affecting the diversity and distribution of organisms. The observed alteration in flora and fauna highlights the ecological vi impact of invasive species on local biodiversity and the need for further research on this habitat. Moreover, the simultaneous presence of multiple invasive species complicates efforts to manage and protect the native biodiversity of this ecosystem.
- Dimensões do perfecionismo e facetas mindfulness: um estudo com estudantes universitáriosPublication . Henriques, Laura Matias Marques; Carmo, CláudiaA saúde mental dos estudantes universitários tem vindo a ser uma crescente preocupação. O perfecionismo clínico ganha relevância, especialmente neste contexto. O perfecionismo é um traço multidimensional, que quando excessivo, pode ser responsável pelo desenvolvimento e manutenção de várias perturbações. Por outro lado, o mindfulness, uma prática que promove a atenção plena e a aceitação sem julgamento, pode ser um forte aliado para ajudar com os efeitos negativos. Este estudo tem como objetivo compreender a relação entre as diferentes dimensões do perfecionismo e as facetas do mindfulness numa amostra de estudantes universitários. Participaram 90 estudantes da Universidade do Algarve no preenchimento de um protocolo online onde forma avaliados os níveis de perfecionismo e as facetas mindfulness. Os resultados não mostraram diferenças significativas entre homens e mulheres nas dimensões do perfecionismo e nas facetas do mindfulness. Em relação às relações entre essas variáveis, os Padrões Pessoais estavam positivamente associados à faceta "Observar", enquanto a Preocupação com os Erros e o Perfecionismo Socialmente Prescrito se correlacionaram negativamente com "Agir com Consciência", "Não Julgar" e "Não Reagir". As análises de regressão indicaram que o Perfecionismo Socialmente Prescrito e a Preocupação com os Erros foram preditores negativos das diferentes facetas do mindfulness, enquanto os Padrões Pessoais previram positivamente a faceta "Observar". Em conclusão, os traços de perfecionismo desadaptativo afetam negativamente a prática do mindfulness, enquanto o perfecionismo adaptativo pode contribuir positivamente para algumas facetas da atenção plena.
- A importância de medir as métricas na gestão de redes sociaisPublication . Sanches, Eva da Silva; Ramos, CéliaEsta dissertação investiga a influência das métricas de redes sociais no crescimento da faturação da KOR Creatives, com foco exclusivo no Instagram, a plataforma mais amplamente utilizada pelas empresas para envolver os consumidores e promover produtos e serviços. O estudo analisa um conjunto de métricas-chave como alcance, impressões, taxa de interação e taxa de viralidade, essenciais para medir o nível de envolvimento dos utilizadores com o conteúdo da marca. Além disso, propõe-se uma nova métrica denominada Taxa de Fidelidade, que combina a taxa de interação e a taxa de viralidade, com o objetivo de quantificar a lealdade dos seguidores, ou seja, aqueles que não só interagem com o conteúdo, mas também o partilham, ampliando o seu alcance orgânico. A metodologia baseia-se em análises estatísticas rigorosas, incluindo estatísticas descritivas, correlações de Pearson e modelos de regressão, que permitiram explorar a relação entre as várias métricas de redes sociais e a faturação mensal da empresa. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a Taxa de Fidelidade tem uma correlação positiva moderada com a faturação, embora os níveis de significância estatística não tenham sido suficientes para comprovar uma relação direta e robusta. No entanto, outras métricas, como o número de seguidores, demonstraram um impacto mais pronunciado no desempenho financeiro, sugerindo que o crescimento da base de seguidores pode ser um fator mais determinante na receita mensal. Este estudo conclui que, embora o envolvimento e a lealdade dos seguidores sejam importantes, a sua influência na faturação faz parte de uma estratégia digital mais ampla, que envolve múltiplos fatores além das interações diretas. São sugeridas recomendações práticas para a melhoria da métrica da Taxa de Fidelidade e para a ampliação do estudo em futuras investigações, nomeadamente com a inclusão de outras plataformas sociais, como Facebook ou LinkedIn, e uma análise ao longo de períodos temporais mais extensos. Isto permitirá uma compreensão mais completa e detalhada da relação entre a atividade nas redes sociais e o desempenho financeiro, maximizando, assim, o retorno sobre o investimento em marketing digital.