Smarter Tourismus besser erreichbar, nachhaltiger, mehr Spass!
Unsere Forschung hat zur Aufgabe Ihr Erlebnis zu verbessern, Tourismus erreichbarer zu machen und nachhaltig zu gestalten.
Vom Erkennen einzelner Arten und Naturerscheinungen bis hin zu neuen Produkten und Konzepten, welche einen engeren Kontakt zu der Natur ermöglichen.
Naturalist ist eine Hochschule STARtUP (MARE- Marine und Environmental Sciences Center, Universität von Lissabon)
Bitte beachten Sie Einige Bereiche dieser Website sind in Englisch
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A concept that is put forward by Naturalist Science & Tourism is to collect useful data during tourism activities for environmental monitoring and research.
Discover below some of the projects currently benefiting.
Ecology of the Portuguese man-of-war
Physalia physalis
One of the most dangerous species in the Atlantic
Summary: This colonial invertebrate is widespread in the Azores, an occasional presence in the European coasts. It has unknown ecological importance and patterns of occurrence. It further presents a risk to human health, as a dangerous species, whose knowledge is urgently needed.
Objectives: Contribute to the knowledge on the ecology of P. physalis in the central Atlantic
Methods & Data: Transects with visual counts during boat tours (whale watching, birdwatching, coastal tours), Stranding occurrences since 2012, satellite environmental information.
Publications: “Gone with the wind”: Fatty acid biomarkers and chemotaxonomy of stranded pleustonic hydrozoans (Velella velella and Physalia physalis). AR Lopes, M Baptista, IC Rosa, G Dionísio, J. Gomes-Pereira, J. Paula, C. Figueiredo, N. Bandarra, R Calado, R Rosa 2016. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 66: 297-306. Download
Partners: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre; University of the Azores. University of Lisbon
Azores Hammerhead shark nurserys
Sphyrna zigaena
Jacques Cousteau was the first to record large aggregations of the species in the Azores
Summary: The ecology and distribution of most sharks remains largely unknown. Aggregations of hammerhead sharks, and the presence of juveniles at surface waters during the months of May to August is long known in the Azores, however this has not been studied in detail. Protection of apex predators is of major importance for a healthy ecosystem. Note: These are not dangerous animals and normally will avoid human contact.
Objectives: Understand the ecology and nursery behavior of hammerhead sharks in the Azores
Methods & Data: Opportunistic Pelagic Life Surveys, Measuring and Tagging
Publications:
Partners: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre; University of the Azores.
OTHER PROJECTS
More information available soon
Habitat and Ecology of the Azores noctule
Nyctalus azoreaum
The only diurnal bat in the world!
Summary: First long term study to characterize habitat and seasonal patterns of activity of the only species of mammal endemic of the Azores. The Azorean noctucle is the only diurnal bat species in the world. Originated from lesser noctules (Nyctalus leisleri) which colonized the Azores. Smaller, lighter and with a darker fur it also echolocates at higher frequencies and much of its ecology remains unknown.
Objectives: Understand the habitat and activity patterns of the Azores noctule
Methods & Data: Point counts of 10 minutes, including total number of passages and largest number of animals at sight.
Publications: N/A
Partners:
Pelagic Marine Litter
Floating marine debries
A threat to all life in the oceans
Summary: Marine litter presents now a global threat at different scales in the Ocean. A large diversity of marine life is being affected and all information available is currently relevant.
Objectives: Study the diversity, density and dispersion of floating marine debries.
Methods & Data: Transects with visual counts during boat tours (whale watching, birdwatching, coastal tours).
Publications:
Partners: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre; University of the Azores. University of Lisbon
Photo-ID of False Killer whales
Pseudorca crassidens
Enigmatic top predators
Summary: The Naturalist Azores team is coordinating a study on the ecology and habitat use of the false killer whales Pseudorca crassidens. The species is an understudied top predator with influence on the behaviour and presence of other cetaceans.
Objectives: Study the habitat use and general ecology of Pseudorca crassidens.
Methods & Data: Transects, photo-Identificatio, ecological data collection.
Publications:
Partners: MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre; University of the Azores. University of Lisbon
Veröffentlichungen
Naturalist Veröffentlichungen behandeln naturkundliche Informationen bis hin zur angewandten Forschung.
Die Veröffentlichungen stammen von unserem Forschungsteam und beinhalten Daten die bei unseren Exkursionen und bei Exkursionen in Zusammenarbeit mit anderen Anbietern erhoben werden.
BÜCHER
Darwin auf den Azoren. Persönliches Tagebuch mit Kommentaren.
Language: Portuguese and English
Authors: José Nuno Pereira & Verónica Neves, with commentaries of João Carlos Nunes, Susana Serpa Silva & Paulo Barcelos
Year: 2009
Sinopsis: Characterization of the voyage of Charles Darwin to the Açores onboard Beagle. Diary with commentaries of João Carlos Nunes, Susana Serpa Silva & Paulo Barcelos.
PAPERS
Science & Tourism Interactions
Daily species check‐list from whale-watching. Studying the research potential with an Azorean case study. Pereira, J.N.G. 2008. Journal of Marine Biological Association 88: 1283‐1288. DOI: 10.1017/S0025315408001070.
This work outlines the potential of the WW daily records for monitoring purposes, with particular relevance for rare and less frequently sighted species. The work was done using the dataset of a Whale Watching company (Espaco Talassa).
Rare occurrences and New species records
The little-known Fraser’s dolpin Lagenodelphis hosei in the North Atlantic: new records and a review of distribution. Gomes-Pereira, J. N., Marques, R., Cruz, M. J., & Martins, A. (2013). Marine Biodiversity, 1-12. online.
The first records of L. hosei are given for the Azores and Madeira islands, with Information collected from whale-watching platforms. The North Atlantic distribution of the species is revised.
Photographs: Maria Joana Cruz and João Quaresma
Ecology, Physiology and Systematics
2016
AR Lopes, M Baptista, IC Rosa, G Dionísio, J. Gomes-Pereira, J. Paula, C. Figueiredo, N. Bandarra, R Calado, R Rosa 2016. “Gone with the wind”: Fatty acid biomarkers and chemotaxonomy of stranded pleustonic hydrozoans (Velella velella and Physalia physalis). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 66: 297-306.
Gomes-Pereira, J.N., J.M. Gonçalves & M.R. Clarke 2016. Cephalopod identification keys to Histioteuthidae, Cranchiidae and Octopodiformes of the Azores, with an updated check-list. Arquipelago. Life and Marine Sciences 33: 1-12.
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