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- Cost-benefit analysis of tidal energy production in a coastal lagoon: the case of Ria Formosa – PortugalPublication . Rodrigues, Nuno; Pintassilgo, Pedro; Calhau, Francisco; G-Gorbeña, Eduardo; Pacheco, AndréThe energy that can be extracted from tidal currents is one of the most promising renewable energy sources due to its high density/predictability. Within this paper this energy source is evaluated economically respecting sustainability principles. This evaluation contrasts from previous studies due to the application of a cost-benefit analysis based on a hydro-morphodynamic model, and moving away from the classic proxy of wind energy. It further includes, via the Monte Carlo method, a probabilistic underpinning to the project. The hydro-economic model was applied to a tidal energy project using an Evopod 1:4th scale prototype, based on a real deployment of an Evopod 1:10th scale device in the Ria Formosa, Algarve. The results show that, under the current costs and benefits, the project is not economically viable. However, there are admissible parameter ranges that make the project viable such as significant reduction of investment costs, increased capacity factors and favourable energy prices. This novel methodology has potential to be applied to other tidal energy projects on estuarine systems worldwide, and consists of a comprehensive modelling approach, including the technical, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions of the project, not only in a deterministic setting but also in a probabilistic one.
- Sustainable drive tourism routes: a systematic literature reviewPublication . Cruz, Sandra; Ribeiro de Almeida, Cláudia; Pintassilgo, Pedro; Raimundo, RicardoDrive tourism (DT) has become an attractive way to visit tourism destinations for an increasing number of visitors along driving routes. This flow of visitors has made sustainability a major issue, that is, the way by which tourism development ensure economic benefits for local communities and preserves local identity, along the route, without compromisingtheenvironmental resources. Many studies focused the topic of DT, mainly the analysis of a particular angle, either be economic sustainability, e.g., advantages of the ones related to economic and environment sustainability, such as the impact of tourists along the route environment. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the social consequences of DT in the local entrepreneurial environment and the resulting exaggeration of their cultural representativeness in the sense of authenticity. Our aim is to summon these points of view and achieve, through a systematic literature review, a clear and integrative picture of the driving tourism impacts in terms of sustainability along the routes throughout local communities. A systematic literature review was performed using the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. This systematic literature review sought to consolidate knowledge on the subject. In order to illustrate the link between major categories and their corresponding trends, authors used VOSviewer scientific software. The gathering of existing knowledge around the three components of sustainability highlighted the importance of community involvement and collaboration among DT stakeholders to address the trade-off between the protection and promotion of DT routes. Opportunities for future studies are suggested.
- Comunidades energéticas sustentáveis: estudo de implementação de uma comunidade eólica no AlgarvePublication . Calhau, Francisco; Pintassilgo, Pedro; Guerreiro, J.Este livro aborda o tema da geração de eletricidade com recurso à energia eólica, dando assim o seu contributo para a redução das emissões de dióxido de carbono e demais gases causadores do efeito de estufa. O principal objetivo do trabalho nele descrito foi o de estudar a implementação de uma unidade de geração de eletricidade a partir da energia eólica, que permita satisfazer as necessidades de consumo de uma pequena comunidade local, na região do Algarve, e analisar a sua viabilidade financeira e económica. Acredita-se que este estudo possa, também, dar algum contributo para a maior utilização das energias renováveis na geração de eletricidade de forma descentralizada, em particular através da energia eólica. Nesse sentido, incentiva-se a constituição de sistemas locais de geração de eletricidade para autoconsumo de pequenas comunidades urbanas, indo ao encontro do conceito das Renewable Energy Communities, mais especificamente das Wind Communities.
- Environmental attitudes and behaviour of birdwatchers: a missing linkPublication . Pintassilgo, Pedro; Pinto, Patrícia; Costa, Andreia; Matias, António; Guimarães, M. HelenaBirdwatching is one of the fastest growing sectors of ecotourism. Managing this nature-based activity requires understanding birdwatchers’ attitudes and behaviour towards the natural environment. This paper proposes assessing these attitudes and the link to behavioural intentions by combining the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) with a criterion-based segmentation method, the chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID). This methodology was applied through a survey questionnaire to birdwatchers in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a wetland located in South Portugal. The amount birdwatchers were willing to pay for an improvement in the environmental quality of the site, a behavioural intention variable, was used as the criterion in the CHAID analysis. Two birdwatcher segments willing to pay above average were identified and labelled as ‘environmental stewards’ and ‘birdwatching fans’. A key result that emerged from our study is that the NEP score is not a significant predictor of the willingness to pay for environmental improvement in the CHAID analysis. Hence, there is a missing link, as pro-environmental attitudes do not translate into pro-environmental behavioural intentions.
- Activating an artisanal saltpan: tourism crowding in or waterbirds crowding out?Publication . Ramos, Jorge; Pinto, Patrícia; Pintassilgo, Pedro; Resende, Anabela; Cancela da Fonseca, LuísPurpose There is an increasing interest in visiting protected areas in the Algarve (Portugal). Tourists are interested in contact with nature activities. However, protected areas are quite sensitive to human pressure and are limited in their carrying capacity. The purpose of this study is to fill a literature gap concerning which features attract tourists who visit saltpans via a pedestrian tour and what sort of pressure they inflict on waterbirds' behaviour. Design/methodology/approach The tour consists of a predefined path with interpretive boards and guides who provide explanations to visitors. This study is threefold: to find out if waterbirds are disturbed by the presence of tourists, if tourists prefer to learn more about saltpans instead of finding waterbirds and if tourists have any preferred waterbird species. The methods used are direct observations with binoculars of the saltpan area and a short questionnaire. With the data collected, three hypotheses are tested. Findings The results show that the occurrence of waterbirds does not vary according to the presence or absence of tourist visits, tourists prefer visiting saltpans rather than watching waterbirds and there is some waterbird species preference. Practical implications Few people can visit the saltpan while keeping disturbance of both waterbirds and workers to a minimum. This study gives insights into sustainable ecotourism practices and how to articulate them with saltpan works. Originality/value The value of this study can be demonstrated by the interconnection between traditional salt production, waterbirds' habitat, visitors' interest and their interaction.
- The role of social and technical excludability for the success of impure public good and common pool agreementsPublication . Finus, Michael; Schneider, Raoul; Pintassilgo, PedroWe argue that international fisheries are a prime example to study the incentive structure of forming impure public good and common pool agreements. We consider a fully integrated multiple zone model, in which zones are linked through density-dependent migration. The incentive to accede to Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) is related to multiple characteristics. Firstly, the relative patch sizes of the high seas, which is the internationally (publicly) accessible domain, compared to exclusive economic zones, which are state-owned (privately owned). This can be related to the degree of socially constructed excludability. Secondly, the intensity of fish migration between various zones, which can be related to the degree of technical excludability. Thirdly, the growth rate of the resource, which can be interpreted as the degree of rivalry, with a low (high) degree of rivalry approximating public good (common pool) features. We show that, generally, excludability reduces free-riding incentives but also the need for cooperation, a variant of the "paradox of cooperation". Moreover, we show that the benefit-cost duality between public goods and common pool resources generally holds except for some extreme parameter values for which a low degree of rivalry fosters the success of cooperation. Finally, through a variation of the diffusion matrix, we can also analyze a closed as well as a sink-source system. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Quality of life and emotional solidarity in residents' attitudes toward tourists: The case of MacauPublication . Lai, Hio Kuan; Valle, Patrícia Oom do; Pintassilgo, PedroThis study proposes a model to investigate the relationship between residents' perception of tourism's impact on their quality of life (QoL) and their emotional solidarity toward tourists. The social exchange theory was used as a framework to explain the relationship, and structural equation modeling to assess the hypothesized model. Data for this study were obtained from survey responses of 407 residents in Macau, China, characterized by an intense tourism activity in a small territory. Results indicate that residents' perception of tourism's impact on four life domains (material, community, emotional, and health and safety) influences their satisfaction with the corresponding life domains. However, these domains only partially contribute to their overall satisfaction with QoL. Moreover, overall satisfaction with QoL revealed to be a significant predictor of residents' emotional solidarity toward tourists. The findings indicate the importance of considering QoL in examining residents' attitudes toward tourists. Implications and opportunities for further research are proposed.
- Mountain tourism stakeholders’ perspectives on waste management: The case of Everest in NepalPublication . Sangeeta Neupane; Pinto, Hugo; Pintassilgo, PedroWaste on Mount Everest, both intentional and unintentional, is a significant concern. The study, based on a site visit and interviews with residents, business owners, tourists, and government officials, highlights the region’s severe waste management issues. Key problems include the rising number of tourists, inadequate information, limited waste management infrastructure, and a lack of collective commitment. Stakeholders are not contributing effectively to the site’s sustainability as a tourist destination. There is a general lack of awareness about safe waste disposal among residents and tourists. Despite local belief that public authorities are trying to improve the situation, articulation among stakeholders is insufficient.
- A bioeconomic model for a multispecies small-scale fishery systemPublication . Azevedo, Eric; Pintassilgo, Pedro; Dantas, David; Daura-Jorge, Fábio GonçalvesA fishery encompasses various interconnected systems, including ecological, socioeconomic, and governing systems. Managing fisheries requires the simultaneous consideration of all these systems, making it a challenging endeavor. To address these challenges, fisheries bioeconomic models have emerged as a crucial tool. They are particularly valuable in the context of small-scale fisheries, which are often complex, overlooked and poorly understood. Thus, this paper presents a dynamic multispecies and multigear bioeconomic model that can illuminate the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of small-scale fisheries under different management scenarios. The model was applied to a small-scale fisheries system in Southern Brazil that has as a notable feature a cooperative fishing behavior between dolphins and fishers. Three scenarios were explored: the base scenario (status quo), the optimal management scenario, and the constrained optimal management scenario. The model outputs demonstrated a clear tradeoff between labour effort, species conservation, and economic rent. Shifting from the base to an optimal management scenario would result in a labour employment reduction within the system but concurrently yield higher stock levels, economic rent, and wages. These results illustrate how our model can explore critical management scenarios across the multiple dimensions of fisheries systems. In essence, this research offers a novel contribution in the form of a bioeconomic model tailored for small-scale fisheries involving multiple species.