scholarly journals Review on Cyanobacterial Studies in Portugal: Current Impacts and Research Needs

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4355
Author(s):  
Cristiana Moreira ◽  
Alexandre Campos ◽  
José Carlos Martins ◽  
Vitor Vasconcelos ◽  
Agostinho Antunes
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Toxic Metabolite ◽  
Aquatic Biota ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Freshwater Systems ◽  
Future Needs ◽  
Molecular Studies ◽  
Harmful Effects ◽  
Research Impacts

Cyanobacteria have long been associated with harmful effects on humans, animals and aquatic biota. Cyanotoxins are their most toxic metabolite. This review summarizes the current research, impacts and future needs in cyanobacterial studies undertaken in Portugal, the southernmost country of Europe, and with a recent multiplication of cyanotoxicity due to climate change events. Microcystins are still the most prevalent, studied and the only regulated cyanotoxins in Portuguese freshwater systems much like most European countries. With the development of some tools, particularly in molecular studies, the recent discovery of cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins and saxitoxins, both genes and toxins, in North and Center ecosystems of our country highlight current impacts that overall communities are facing with increased risks of exposure and uptake to cyanotoxins. Research needs encompass the expansion of studies at all aspects due to the uprising of these cyanotoxins and reinforces the urgent need of increasing the frequency of surveillance to achieve tangible effects of cyanotoxins in Portugal to ultimately implement regulations on cylindrospermopsins, anatoxins and saxitoxins worldwide.

Averting robo-bees: why free-flying robotic bees are a bad idea

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-729
Author(s):  
Roslyn Gleadow ◽  
Jim Hanan ◽  
Alan Dorin
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Food Security ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Plant Interactions ◽  
Plant Insect Interactions ◽  
Native Habitat ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Insect Interactions

Food security and the sustainability of native ecosystems depends on plant-insect interactions in countless ways. Recently reported rapid and immense declines in insect numbers due to climate change, the use of pesticides and herbicides, the introduction of agricultural monocultures, and the destruction of insect native habitat, are all potential contributors to this grave situation. Some researchers are working towards a future where natural insect pollinators might be replaced with free-flying robotic bees, an ecologically problematic proposal. We argue instead that creating environments that are friendly to bees and exploring the use of other species for pollination and bio-control, particularly in non-European countries, are more ecologically sound approaches. The computer simulation of insect-plant interactions is a far more measured application of technology that may assist in managing, or averting, ‘Insect Armageddon' from both practical and ethical viewpoints.

scholarly journals Multi-function biosystem based on Arthrospira Platensis for space applications

2019 ◽  
pp. 77-83
Author(s):  
Gabriela Soreanu ◽  
Igor Cretescu ◽  
Mariana Diaconu ◽  
Maria Ignat ◽  
Valeria Harabagiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Air Pollution ◽  
Spirulina Platensis ◽  
Arthrospira Platensis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
High Demand ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
New Horizons

This study presents an introduction in air revitalisation practice by using a microalgae-based biosystem. Although the study is developed in the light of space applications, it opens new horizons for implementing such systems for terrestrial applications as well, where biotechnologies for addressing climate change and other issues associated with air pollution is in high demand. The experiments have been performed at laboratory-scale by using Arthrospira (spirulina) platensis as microalgae model. Influence of culture and illumination conditions, as well initial gas composition and other factors/techniques such culture filtration on the biosystem performance were investigated and the relevant results are presented and discussed. Based on the actual findings, future research needs are addressed.

scholarly journals Natural resource mitigation, adaptation and research needs related to climate change in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert

2011 ◽  
pp. i-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra L. Hughson ◽  
David E. Busch ◽  
Scott Davis ◽  
Sean P. Finn ◽  
Steve Caicco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Great Basin ◽  
Natural Resource ◽  
Mojave Desert ◽  
Research Needs
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