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- Knowledge and grazing journeys: dialogues on adaptive responses to climate change in Montesinho (Portugal)Publication . Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, José; Castro, João Paulo; Amieira, João; Serieperi, Vitor; Castro, Marina; Aleixo-Pais, Isa G.Biophysical, ecological and sociocultural local adaptative responses of pastoralism (small ruminant indigenous breeds) to climate change. Understanding the place of local ecological knowledge and climate perceptions in adaptive responses. Engaged Researech Building on the dialogue between different types of knowledge (herders, state service technicians, zootechnical and forestry scientists, anthropologists/ethnobiologists), the results are intended to equip practitioners and decision-makers with tools that guarantee the continuity of mountain pastoralism while safeguarding local experiences and knowledge.
- Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate cladePublication . Elst, Tobias van; Sgarlata, Gabriele M.; Schüßler, Dominik; Tiley, George P.; Poelstra, Jelmer W.; Scheumann, Marina; Blanco, Marina B.; Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Evasoa, Mamy Rina; Ganzhorn, Jörg U.; Goodman, Steven M.; Hasiniaina, Alida F.; Hending, Daniel; Hohenlohe, Paul A.; Ibouroi, Mohamed T.; Iribar, Amaia; Jan, Fabien; Kappeler, Peter M.; Pors, Barbara Le; Manzi, Sophie; Olivieri, Gillian; Rakotonanahary, Ando N.; Rakotondranary, S. Jacques; Rakotondravony, Romule; Ralison, José M.; Ranaivoarisoa, J. Freddy; Randrianambinina, Blanchard; Rasoloarison, Rodin M.; Rasoloharijaona, Solofonirina; Rasolondraibe, Emmanuel; Teixeira, Helena; Zaonarivelo, John R.; Louis, Edward E.; Yoder, Anne D.; Chikhi, Lounès; Radespiel, Ute; Salmona, JordiGlobal biodiversity is under accelerating threats, and species are succumbing to extinction before being described. Madagascar’s biota represents an extreme example of this scenario, with the added complication that much of its endemic biodiversity is cryptic. Here we illustrate best practices for clarifying cryptic diversification processes by presenting an integrative framework that leverages multiple lines of evidence and taxon-informed cut-offs for species delimitation, while placing special emphasis on identifying patterns of isolation by distance. We systematically apply this framework to an entire taxonomically controversial primate clade, the mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus, family Cheirogaleidae). We demonstrate that species diversity has been overestimated primarily due to the interpretation of geographic variation as speciation, potentially biasing inference of the underlying processes of evolutionary diversification. Following a revised classification, we find that crypsis within the genus is best explained by a model of morphological stasis imposed by stabilizing selection and a neutral process of niche diversification. Finally, by clarifying species limits and defining evolutionarily significant units, we provide new conservation priorities, bridging fundamental and applied objectives in a generalizable framework.
- A pastorícia, transformações e resistência, pelo olhar das mulheresPublication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Castro, José; Castro, João Paulo; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, MarinaO pastoreio extensivo, particularmente de pequenos ruminantes, é uma atividade histórica no Parque Natural de Montesinho (PNM) no nordeste de Portugal. Na continuidade e herança da organização económica camponesa, esta atividade toma contornos de resistência, adequando-se a uma economia agrária marcada, entre outros, pelas diretivas europeias da política agrícola comum, pelo subsídio dependência e pelas oscilações do mercado liberal. A partir da etnografia de caminhada conduzida desde 2022, com cinco pastores do PNM e das entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas às mulheres das mesmas unidades domésticas (no âmbito do Projeto PASTOPRAXIS; FCT-MTS/CAC/0028/2020), retratamos as transformações na organização do trabalho, e a complementaridade de ocupações, parte delas não agrárias, dos membros destas unidades, com enfoque no papel das mulheres. Desconstruir-se-á assim a visão da pastorícia enquanto atividade imutável e de trabalho individual do pastor na relação com os seus animais. Trata-se de uma aproximação pelo feminino às formas de resiliência do sistema agro-silvo-pastoril num território fortemente despovoado e transformado, fruto da situação político-económica da segunda metade do séc. XX, e, agora, fustigado pelos efeitos das mudanças climáticas. Em consonância, serão apresentadas as perceções e expectativas destas mulheres face ao futuro, e, em concreto, sobre a possibilidade de futuro para a pastorícia.
- Pastoral landscapes in north-eastern portugal: drought, changes, and vulnerabilitiesPublication . Castro, José; Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, MarinaClimate change and resulting are significantly impacting the livelihoods of pastoralists in Trás-os-Montes (Portugal)
- Dietary flexibility of western red colobus in two protected areas with contrasting anthropogenic pressurePublication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa; Borges, Filipa; Sesay, Nazie; Songe, Mustapha; Cassama, Mamadu; Camara, Iaia T.; Ramos, Catarina; Barca, Benjamin; Turay, Brima S.; Swaray, Mohamed; Barros, Aissa Regalla de; Quecuta, Queba; Silva, Maria Joana F. da; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Bruford, Michael William; Minhos, TaniaFood distribution and abundance can affect intra- and inter-dietary variation in non-human primates, influencing feeding ecology and altering behaviour. Natural and/or human-induced actions can influence the dynamics between primates and the environment, with associated impacts on socio-ecology and demography. This relationship in anthropogenic landscapes, however, is poorly understood. Here, we use DNA metabarcoding to obtain high resolution dietary diversity data, and multivariate generalised linear models to investigate variation in the diet of this threatened primate. We characterise the diet of the western red colobus (Piliocolobus badius) in both the better preserved Gola Rainforest National Park (GRNP, Sierra Leone), and in the fragmented forests of Cantanhez National Park (CNP, Guinea-Bissau), and evaluate biological, ecological and temporal differences. Dietary plant species richness was high in both protected areas, and the type of plants consumed varied significantly across seasons, space, and time. Although we identify dependence on a few key plants, red colobus in CNP consumed a higher average number of plant taxa than in GRNP, and 11% of the diet consisted of cultivated foods (e.g. mango). This is the first time a molecular approach has been used to investigate red colobus diet, and reveal dietary flexibility in degraded forests. Predicting the consequences of dietary change on long-term population persistence, however, remains a significant knowledge gap. Nevertheless, our results provide critical information to inform targeted regional conservation planning and implementation.
- Old and new climate change adaptation strategies by Montesinho mountain pastoralists, PortugalPublication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa G.; Castro, José; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, João PauloMountain pastoralists are among the communities most affected by climate change, rendering empowerment of mountain communities and supportive policies essential.
- Interdisciplinary investigations identify local knowledge important for pastoralist adaptation to climate change in Montesinho (Portugal)Publication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa G.; Castro, José; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, João Paulo; Castro, MarinaPastoralists are among the most vulnerable groups to climate change and variability, as they depend on bioclimatic conditions for livestock forage biodiversity and production. In the complex socio-ecological system of the mountainous area of Montesinho Natural Park (north-east Portugal, Western Europe), traditional pastoralists are impacted by climate change in their rangelands (e.g. average monthly temperature increase, shifts in precipitation patterns) (Castro et al. 2021; Oliveira 2023). To understand the adaptive responses of local pastoralists to environmental change, this interdisciplinary research applied a three-step method. Firstly, we performed walking ethnographies with shepherds for over two years and used dialogues and observations to identify perceptions and local adaptations. Secondly, adaptive practices from other pastoral groups that could be viable in the study area were identified from the literature. And thirdly, co-participatory consultation workshops with pastoralists and representatives of local and national entities were developed to discuss and assess the adaptive measures for its practicality and sustainability. Shifts in precipitation patterns, drought and higher temperatures in the winter were identified as climate changes by local pastoralists, and several adaptive practices for water provision and conservation, additional fodder supply and livestock thermal comfort were listed by all local stakeholders involved in the project, as feasible solutions to overcome regional ecosystem shocks and trends. Local knowledge and climate perceptions were important for the documentation of adaptations at the rangeland level. This integrative approach, which resulted in a good practices guide, promotes practitioners and decision-makers to identify and discuss measures that will contribute to the resilience of traditional mountain pastoralism in the protected area of Montesinho and similar agro-pastoral systems
- Old and new climate change adaptation strategies by Montesinho mountain pastoralists, PortugalPublication . Aleixo-Pais, Isa G.; Castro, José; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia; Castro, João Paulo; Castro, MarinaMountain pastoralists are among the communities most affected by climate change, rendering empowerment of mountain communities and supportive policies essential.