ESACB - Escola Superior Agrária
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Browsing ESACB - Escola Superior Agrária by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "15:Proteger a Vida Terrestre"
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- Connecting present and future soil erosion risk in the upper Tagus river Region of PortugalPublication . Duarte, A.C.; Quinta-Nova, L.; Monteiro, M.C.H.; Çiner, A.Soil water erosion causes soil degradation, affecting its fertility and, consequently, leading to the loss of its productive capacity and may contribute to a process of desertification. Countries in the Mediterranean basin are under the influence of a climate pattern that is unfavorable to maintaining effective soil cover, with peak precipitation events occurring, and an increase in soil erosion rates is expected in changing scenarios. Climate, where the occurrence of extreme meteorological phenomena will be more frequent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the present situation and estimate the future soil erosion risk of in the upper region of the Portuguese part of the Tagus River basin, where agricultural use and livestock activities are dominant in soils that are highly susceptible to erosion. The soil loss estimation was carried out for the current situation and for the climatic conditions projected for 2050, considering two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). We use the RUSLE methodology to determine the risk of soil water erosion. Although annual precipitation decreases for both RCPs, the erosivity index will increase in both scenarios. Our findings provide insights into the consequences of socioeconomic development options on physical land degradation and loss. To understand the process of soil water erosion, using modeling and other tools, is very important for the design of policy instruments that minimize the effects of climate change on soil.
- Ecosystem services and biodiversity in regional development. The landscape approach.Publication . Quinta-Nova, Luís; Cabaceira, Suzete; Castanho, RuiThe establishment of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment by the United Nations sparked increased interest in Ecosystem Services (ES), leading to the publication of various articles. Currently, the most accepted definition describes ES as the “benefits that people obtain from ecosystems.” An ecosystem is defined as a “dynamic complex of plant, animal, and microorganism communities and the nonliving environment, interacting as a functional unit”. Over time, the occupation and transformation of land use have markedly reduced the extent of natural habitats and significantly increased their fragmentation. This threatens biodiversity and has negatively affected ecosystems’ functions in producing goods and services essential to human societies. Developing and implementing an ecological network (EN) is considered an effective strategy for nature conservation, enhancing biodiversity and fostering ecological connectivity. In this context, EN adopts a comprehensive perspective on spatial planning, positioning it at the heart of a larger Green Infrastructure framework.
- A spatial decision support system to assess the nature-based tourism development potential in the Centro Interior Region of PortugalPublication . Quinta-Nova, L. C.; Abreu, A.; Carvalho, J.V.; Liberato, D.; Castanho, R.A.With its potential to conserve environmental values, integrate local communities, boost sustainable development, generate jobs, improve infrastructure, and support the local economy, nature-based tourism is a significant source of income for local communities, stimulating entrepreneurship and economic diversification. Based on this principle, this study aims to assess the potential of existing natural resources in the Centro Interior region that can anchor the creation of tourism products that respect the fundamental criteria of nature-based tourism. Identifying areas suitable for developing tourism activities and their constraints was based on integrating a set of criteria using multicriteria spatial analysis tools in a GIS environment. The following descriptors were integrated: the bird and plant richness, target species of plants and animals, protected areas, landscape diversity, hemeroby level, geologic values, road network, accommodation offer, existing water bodies and watercourses, and pedestrian routes. The criteria were classified into three suitability levels by applying the Hierarchical Analytical Process. The results indicate the region’s favorable conditions for engaging in nature-based activities. The study, with its comprehensive analysis, suggests that the information produced could prove valuable in formulating new policies to enhance the value of natural assets through tourism, empowering stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions for the Centro Interior region.