Miguel Moreira

O território abrangido pelo Pinhal Interior integra 139 freguesias distribuídas por 24 Municípios, correspondendo a uma área de 5.484 km, o que representa cerca de 19,4% da Região Centro e 5,9% do território nacional. Este território estende-se parcialmente por quatro Municípios e insere-se em cinco das oito Comunidades Intermunicipais da Região Centro: Região de Coimbra, Região de Leiria, Médio Tejo, Beira Baixa e Beiras e Serra da Estrela.

The conceptual framework of the Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) for natural resources management and conservation was materialised in the Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) approach in 2018. Since then, the application of the NCP framework has expanded significantly across diverse scales and case studies. In this systematic review, we assessed how the NCP approach has contributed to the scientific and policy fields, focusing on natural resource management, human–nature relationships, or social–ecological aspects. We identified the main strengths of the NCP approach, especially the relational values that emphasise the mutual benefits and co-production between humans and nature, and the applicability and communication of the NCP approach across different spatial scales, contexts, and audiences. Furthermore, we explore the integration of the NCP approach with the ecosystem services (ES) concept and the co-production perspective. While the NCP framework enriches scientific and societal engagement in nature conservation, its limited focus on abiotic (non-living) ecosystem components and processes presents a gap. These elements are critical for ecosystem functionality and the delivery of Nature’s Contributions to People. To address this, we propose complementing the NCP approach with frameworks that explicitly incorporate ES typologies, fostering a more comprehensive and holistic perspective. Lastly, we present insights into the key topics that arose from our review, proposing further research and future developments that could be developed and framed within the NCP methodological approach.

Defined as the benefits derived from nature to humans, the Ecosystem Services (ES) concept clarifies how ecosystems contribute to human well-being. Despite its relevance, integrating this concept into decision-making processes remains a challenge. Participatory approaches have proven crucial in developing mechanisms for managing, conserving, sustainably using and valuing ES. This work aimed to analyse the perceptions of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves’ (BR) managers regarding the ES provided by these territories through a participatory workshop. During the workshop, each participant specified the most relevant ES provided by the BR. The study identified three key ES: "Cultivated terrestrial plants (including fungi, algae) grown for nutritional purposes", "Characteristics of living systems that enable scientific investigation or the creation of traditional ecological knowledge" and "Characteristics of living systems that enable education and training". Additionally, participants discussed perceived threats, opportunities and potential solutions to enhance the value of these key ES in these areas. "Climate change" and "Pollution" were identified as the most significant threats, while "Climate adaptation", "Quality of life" and "Sustainable agriculture" emerged as the main opportunities. Solutions to address threats and maximise opportunities include the establishment of a closer, systematic and articulated relationship within BR to promote sustainability and resilience. Overall, the workshop was positively evaluated and deemed productive. It was also considered a powerful tool to foster collaboration towards a more holistic promotion of BR' sustainable governance, benefitting the environment, communities and the economy.

The rapid river flow variations due to hydropower production during peak demand periods, known as hydropeaking, causes several ecological impacts. In this study, we assessed the potential of an overhead cover and velocity-refuge structure in an indoor flume as an indirect hydropeaking mitigation measure for the cyprinid species Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei). We designed a lab-scale LUNKERS-type structure using two different materials which were used separately: Wood (opaque) and acrylic (transparent), tested under hydropeaking and base-flow events. Physiological (glucose and lactate) and behavioral (structure use) responses were quantified. The structure use (inside and in the vicinity) and the individual and schooling behavior was assessed. Although there was no evidence that the hydropeaking event triggered a physiological response, the wood structure use was significantly higher than the acrylic one, where the metrics of use increased in the hydropeaking event. Differences between individual and group behavior were only higher for the entrances in the wood structure. The higher frequency of wood structure use under hydropeaking conditions suggests that the visual stimulus conferred by this shaded refuge enables fish to easily find it. The results suggest that the use of overhead and velocity-refuge structures may act as an effective hydropeaking flow-refuge mitigation measure.

Peak-operating hydropower plants are usually the energy grid’s backbone by providing flexible energy production. At the same time, hydropeaking operations are considered one of the most adverse impacts on rivers, whereby aquatic organisms and their life-history stages can be affected in many ways. Therefore, we propose specific seasonal regulations to protect ecologically sensitive life cycle stages. By reviewing hydropeaking literature, we establish a framework for hydrological mitigation based on life-history stages of salmonid fish and their relationship with key parameters of the hydrograph. During migration and spawning, flows should be kept relatively stable, and a flow cap should be implemented to prevent the dewatering of spawning grounds during intragravel life stages. While eggs may be comparably tolerant to dewatering, post-hatch stages are very vulnerable, which calls for minimizing or eliminating the duration of drawdown situations and providing adequate minimum flows. Especially emerging fry are extremely sensitive to flow fluctuations. As fish then grow in size, they become less vulnerable. Therefore, an ‘emergence window’, where stringent thresholds on ramping rates are enforced, is proposed. Furthermore, time of day, morphology, and temperature changes must be considered as they may interact with hydropeaking. We conclude that the presented mitigation framework can aid the environmental enhancement of hydropeaking rivers while maintaining flexible energy production.