Category: Sem categoria

The second fieldwork campaign of the European project RESTORE4Cs took place from 23 to 25 of January 2024 in Ria de Aveiro. RESTORE4Cs – Modelling Restoration of wetlands for Carbon pathways, Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem services, and biodiversity, Co-benefits – follows a transdisciplinary approach to assess the impact of European coastal wetlands restoration on climate change mitigation, adaptation, ecosystem services and biodiversity.

This fieldwork campaign corresponds to the winter season, as these campaigns are conducted every three months for a year to cover seasonal variability. The team gathered experts from the University of Aveiro (CESAM), University of Valencia, University of Barcelona, WasserCluster Lunz Research Centre (University of Vienna) and from the National Research Council (CNR, Italy). Researchers measured greenhouse gases exchange rates of altered, restored, and intact seagrass beds of Ria de Aveiro, during high and low tide, to determine the role of their status on carbon dynamics. Ultimately, data collected will help unravelling the impact of restoration actions on the capacity of wetlands to mitigate climate change.

Ria de Aveiro is one of the 6 case pilots studied by RESTORE4Cs, representing an Atlantic-European biogeographical region. The other case pilots identified by the project are the Valencian Wetlands and Camargue (Mediterranean), South-West Dutch Delta (Atlantic), Curonian Lagoon (Baltic) and Danube Delta (Black Sea).

More information about the project and the 6 case pilots can be found on the website at www.restore4cs.eu or on the CESAM page here.

Text by: Patrícia Silva

On February 2nd, the kick-off meeting for the “LIFE Godwit Flyway” project took place at Companhia das Lezírias. This project aims to protect the black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), a migratory bird closely linked to the quality of our wetlands.

The main objective of this LIFE project is to create a “safe harbor” for the European population of black-tailed godwits along their East Atlantic migratory route. José Alves, a researcher at CESAM and the project coordinator at UA, shared insights about this project and its significance for the conservation of the black-tailed godwit.

Listen here to this brief interview:

Learn more about this project here.

Also read the articles published in the media about this project: Público, RTP Notícias e JN.

The video entitled “BioPradaRia – Seagrass restoration, conservation & management (Ria de Aveiro, Portugal)” provides insights into this project that was dedicated to advancing the safeguarding and restoration of seagrass meadows and biodiversity of these ecosystems, together with stakeholders. The project targets the Ria de Aveiro as a case study for more effective management and conservation of coastal wetlands’ marine biological resources. We invite you to view this video to gain a deeper understanding of this CESAM project. Please click here to watch the video. 

On January 31st, at the Tejo Estuary Natural Reserve, a meeting of the Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) expert group of the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) took place, co-organized by the ICNF and CESAM/UA. José Alves, a researcher from CESAM/DBio, gave a presentation titled “How the main conservation challenge in Portugal may resonate across the flyway,” acting as a technical expert for the species in Portugal. 

Portugal is a signatory to AEWA, within the framework of the CMS (Convention for Migratory Species) and UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program), with ICNF serving as the focal point and having various technical experts for the different species included in this agreement. 

^{Military base in Montijo – Image by MIGUEL MANSO}

On January 30th, the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) rejected the renewal of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Montijo Airport in response to the request from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA). This unfavorable opinion was based on new scientific information recently released in a study on the impact the new airport would have on bird species in the Tagus Estuary.

The research cited by ICNF was published in the journal Animal Conservation and authored by José Alves, a researcher at CESAM. It demonstrated that the construction of the airport in Montijo could have a substantial impact, affecting up to 68% of the population of Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa). These results indicate significant consequences for the conservation of this species in the Tagus Estuary. In addition to this study, researchers Teresa Catry and José P. Granadeiro were also cited for an article published on April 22, 2021, in the journal Bird Conservation International. The article revealed that the construction of the airport in Montijo could lead to a 30% loss in the “conservation value” of the estuary concerning intertidal feeding areas for wintering bird populations.

Read the articles published in the media: Público.pt and Expresso.pt.

Helena Vieira (CESAM/DAO) and Ricardo Calado (CESAM/DBIO) attended the BIOMARINE 2024 conference, held on January 30 and 31 in Biarritz, France. This event is dedicated to the blue economy at large and is a high-level trans-sectorial networking meeting.

During the conference, researcher Helena Vieira took on the role of moderator in the panel titled “The Silent Revolution of Marine Origin Biomaterials,” while researcher Ricardo Calado played the role of panel member in “Marine Biotech Disruptive Innovation (What is coming soon?)”.

Participation in this event is of great importance for CESAM as an Associated Laboratory/Research Unit and for the University of Aveiro as it “reinforces their positioning as open agents to society and partners of excellence in providing scientific support to blue bioeconomy companies and investors,” as emphasized by Helena Vieira. For both, participation in this event “reaffirms the institutional commitment to the Blue Bioeconomy, one of the engines of sustainable development for Portugal and the European Union,” as highlighted by Ricardo Calado.

The BIOMARINE 2024 conference, in its 15th edition, brought together representatives from industry, investors, policy makers, and academics in the Blue Bioeconomy, providing a space for discussion on the latest trends in this industry.

Learn more about this conference here.

Text by: CESAM in collaboration with Helena Vieira and Ricardo Calado

On January 25th and 26th, the kick-off meeting for the newly initiated project LIFE LUPI-LYNX, titled “Creating Socioecological Conditions for the Expansion of Iberian Wolf and Iberian Lynx,” took place in Pinhel. The project is coordinated by Rewilding Portugal, with the University of Aveiro as a partner. 

The meeting was attended by researchers Rita Torres, Eduardo Ferreira, João Carvalho, as well as doctoral students Mariana Rossa and Paloma Linck. All other project partners were also present: Rewilding Portugal, Grupo Lobo, BIOPOLIS/CIBIO, the Municipality of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo (Plataforma da Ciência Aberta), AMUS (Acción por el Mundo Salvaje) and Junta de Extremadura. 

This project aims to establish the necessary socioecological conditions for the Iberian wolf and Iberian lynx in a transboundary area south of the Douro River, where both species are undergoing recolonization. Enhancements in ecological conditions will include increasing the abundance of wild prey and improving habitats, while social improvements will involve promoting positive coexistence with rural communities and fostering socio-economic development. Additionally, the project seeks to enhance capacity and facilitate knowledge exchange in the assessment of damage prevention and the detection of environmental crimes. 

Text by: CESAM in collaboration with Rita Tinoco

A documentary series consisting of 10 episodes is currently airing on RTP3 as part of the Tech3 program, every Saturday at 6:50 PM, with a repeat on Sundays at 3:50 PM. The series focuses on the “Vertical Algae” project, of which CESAM is a partner. This project, led by PhytoBloom by Necton and considered the largest within the Blue Bioeconomy Pact, is funded by the PRR (Recovery and Resilience Plan) and the Next Generation EU. Our researchers, Rosário Domingues (CESAM/DQUA) and Ricardo Calado (CESAM/DBio), are actively involved in the project.

The main objective of “Vertical Algae” is to provide competitive advantages to the algae sector by emphasizing the creation of sustainable products, optimization of technoscientific processes, and the introduction of innovative services. In collaboration with 38 entities connected to algae, including major business groups, SMEs, innovative startups, universities, collaborative laboratories, research and development (R&D) centers, and business associations, “Vertical Algae” promises to revolutionize the landscape of the blue bioeconomy.

The series is also available on RTP Play.

From January 23 to 24, we received a visit from the Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation of the Embassy of France at the University of Aveiro. During this occasion, the Attaché expressed interest in getting acquainted with the ongoing research projects that involve collaboration between the University of Aveiro and French institutions/entities.

Yesterday, on January 24, CESAM researchers had the opportunity to present the 16 projects currently in development in partnership with French institutions. Each of these projects was showcased, highlighting their objectives, contributions, and impacts.

Explore the list of projects presented during this session:

• RaDoNorm – Towards effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations
• CHRONIC – Chronic exposure scenarios driving environmental risks of chemicals
• PARC – Partnership for the assessment of risks from chemicals
• BlueNIGHTs – A touch of blue in the EU researchers’ nights for a more sustainable use of the ocean
• DEEP REST – Conservation and restoration of deep-sea ecosystems in the context of deep-sea mining
• ARDECO – Assessing Resilience of DEep COrals
• RESTORE4Cs – Modelling restoration of wetlands for carbon pathways, climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem services, and biodiversity, co-benefits
• A-AAGORA – Blueprint for atlantic-arctic agora on cross-sectoral cooperation for restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems and increased climate resilience through transformative innovation
• GES4SEAS– Achieving good environmental status for maintaining ecosystem services, by assessing integrated impacts of cumulative pressures
• B-CUBED – Biodiversity building blocks for policy
• SPRINT – Sustainable plant protection transition: a global health approach
• FIREURISK – Developing a holistic risk-wise strategy for european wildfire management
• PAUL – Pilot Application in Urban Landscapes
• DISTENDER – Developing Strategies by integrating mitigation, adaptation and participation to climate change risks
• SEA2SEE: Innovative blockchain traceability technology and stakeholders’ engagement strategy for boosting sustainable seafood visibility, social acceptance and consumption in Europe
• INCLUE – “From waste to resource: Training young researchers on developing innovative, circular solutions for wastewater treatment sludge”

PRIMA is a long-term partnership aiming to foster joint research and innovation approaches among Participating States with a regional focus on the Mediterranean region to improve water availability, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable food production in a region heavily distressed by climate change, urbanisation, and population growth. In 2024 PRIMA calls is expected to have approximately thirty projects funded, being encouraged that consortia present proposals under a “Multi-Actor Approach”. The PRIMA Work Programme 2024 is structured around 2 Sections:

• Section 1 – Actions and activities organised, managed, and funded by the PRIMA-Implementation Structure with EU funds, according to H2020 Rules – Focused only on Innovation Actions (IAs) aiming to demonstrate the validation of technology or organizational models and their replication in the market. IAs should include activities directly aiming at producing plans and arrangements or designs for new, altered, or improved products, processes, or services. In this section there will also bea contest “PRIMA Woman Greening Food Systems Award in Mediterranean Region” (more information yet to be published).
• Section 2 – Activities organised by PRIMA-IS and funded by the national funding bodies of PS (Portugal: FCT) – Focused only onResearch and Innovation Actions (RIAs) aiming to explore new areas and technologies to advance research and innovation in these domains. In this Section, each national funding body will fund the beneficiaries established in its own country (FCT has allocated to the calls of this section 1 192 500€). FCT will launched this call next week.

Both sections envisage 3 Thematic Areas:

Thematic Area 1 – Water management in the Nexus

Thematic Area 2 – Farming systems in the Nexus

Thematic Area 3 – Food value chain in the Nexus

PRIMA calls will be organised according to a two-stage submission process. For the first step, a first-stage proposal (maximum 10 pages) must be submitted by 2 April for Section 1 projects and 4 April for Section 2 projects. Successful applicants in the first step will be invited to the second step to submit a full proposal (maximum 50 pages) until 24 September for Section 1 projects and 26 September for Section 2 projects.

Eligible countries: Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU): Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia. It includes the Overseas Countries and Territories linked to these Member States.

The following Third Countries associated to Horizon 2020 (AC): Israel, Tunisia, and Turkey.

The following Third Countries not associated with Horizon 2020 (TC), having concluded international agreements for scientific and technological cooperation setting out the terms and conditions of their participation in PRIMA: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco

NOTE: There are specific conditions for consortium constitution.

Duration of the grants: The maximum duration is 36 months.

Topics, expected impacts, and available budget: Information on the available topics within each Section and Eligible countries, as well as the available budget and expected impacts per topic, can be found in the attached excel sheet.

Supporting materials

Here you can find the recording of the PRIMA info day (16 January 2024) and here the presentations.

It is highly recommended that you consult the preliminary PRIMA WP 2024, if you are considering applying.

Find partners for your project ideas among the organisations registered in the PRIMA portal. Also, register yourself!

Please send an email to cesam-gesciencia@ua.pt if you want our support in the process application.