http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1027 2026-05-08T02:13:37Z 2026-05-08T02:13:37Z Bilhastre, Beatriz Vala, Helena Ribeiro, Ana Clara Faria, Sara Oliveira, Ana Branco, Sandra Pinto, Carlos http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41948 2026-05-05T13:57:53Z 2026-04-10T23:00:00Z

Title: Bovine Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma—A Descriptive Epidemiological Survey in the Azores, Portugal Authors: Bilhastre, Beatriz; Vala, Helena; Ribeiro, Ana Clara; Faria, Sara; Oliveira, Ana; Branco, Sandra; Pinto, Carlos Editors: Teske, Erik; Carrasco Otero, Librado Abstract: Bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma (BOSCC) is the most common ocular tumour in cattle, with a multifactorial aetiology involving ultraviolet (UV) radiation, genetic factors, pigmentation, and management practices. A detailed epidemiological characterisation of BOSCC in the Azores, Portugal, is provided, with particular emphasis on its spatial distribution and potential risk determinants. Data were obtained through an epidemiological questionnaire completed by field veterinarians between August 2023 and March 2025. A total of 85 BOSCC cases were recorded across 62 farms—45 on Terceira Island and 17 on São Miguel Island. All affected animals were adult Holstein Friesian dairy cows, managed under extensive pasture-based systems. The nictitating membrane was the most frequently affected structure (69.5%), and multiple lesions occurred in 20% of the cases. Farms located at 200–400m of altitude presented the highest number of cases. Continuous exposure to UV under pasture-based management represents the main environmental risk factor. Although periocular pigmentation may provide partial protection, other environmental and genetic factors can also contribute to tumour development. Artificial insemination is considered a promising preventive tool, enabling genetic selection for protective traits such as periocular pigmentation. This research provides the first regional epidemiological characterization of BOSCC in the Azores, highlighting the interplay among environmental, genetic, and management-related factors in disease occurrence.

2026-04-10T23:00:00Z Rivera, Maria Fieldsen, Andrew MUñoz Rojas, José Martin, Susana Van Dijk, Lisa http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41947 2026-05-05T13:57:39Z 2025-06-17T23:00:00Z

Title: Drivers of success when scaling innovations: insights from European agricultural and forestry co-innovation processes Authors: Rivera, Maria; Fieldsen, Andrew; MUñoz Rojas, José; Martin, Susana; Van Dijk, Lisa Abstract: Agriculture and forestry are facing numerous challenges, driven by a complex set of social, economic, and ecological factors. Innovation is a key to devising viable, resilient, and sustainable solutions to these challenges, but for innovations to have impact, they need to be “scaled.” The current policy context, in the European Union (EU) and elsewhere, encourages the use of the “interactive” model of innovation through the so-called “multi-actor” approach. In this study, we explore the dynamics of scaling in agricultural and forestry co-innovation partnerships. We ask whether such partnerships can be effective instruments to scale innovations and what factors play a role in the scaling process. Thus, the novelty of our paper is that it is the first published study of the dynamics of scaling within the current EU policy framework. Our analysis draws upon evidence from eight co-innovation case studies across Europe, encompassing varied contexts, scales, and funding mechanisms, and identifies three distinct forms of scaling: scaling out, up, and deep. The selection by co-innovation partnerships of strategies and enabling mechanisms in pursuit of scaling is dependent on factors such as funding conditions, contextual norms, and partnership objectives. Partnerships need to be clear about the type of scaling they aim to achieve, have an in-depth understanding of contextual complexities, and ensure that scaling is an integral part of the entire project cycle. Co-innovation partnerships can be effective catalysts for transformative change, provided scaling complexities are navigated, and enabling mechanisms leveraged adeptly. Our insights advance the understanding of scaling dynamics in co-innovation and offer evidence-based strategies for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to bolster the impact of co-innovation initiatives in agriculture and forestry.

2025-06-17T23:00:00Z Ebrahimi, E Ahmadzadeh, F Abdoli, A BASTOS ARAÚJO, MIGUEL Naimi, B http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41909 2026-04-24T14:00:31Z 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z

Title: Refined gap analysis for biodiversity conservation under climate change Authors: Ebrahimi, E; Ahmadzadeh, F; Abdoli, A; BASTOS ARAÚJO, MIGUEL; Naimi, B Abstract: In concert with climate change, our planet faces unprecedented biodiversity loss, with half of all species at risk of extinction. Despite global conservation efforts, the biodiversity crisis continues to outpace these actions. The Global Biodiversity Framework seeks to halt this trend by expanding protected areas (PAs) to cover 30 % of terrestrial and aquatic environments by 2030. Conservation gap analysis, based on species distribution models (SDMs), is vital for assessing the effectiveness of PAs under future climate scenarios. However, traditional gap analysis often relies on binary predictions, leading to critical information loss and failing to target multiple species groups simultaneously or address dynamic species distributions. To overcome these limitations, we propose a refined gap analysis method using a fuzzy approach with machine learning models. Our method incorporates multiple species groups, dispersal scenarios, and uncertainty assessments, offering improved conservation planning. We applied this approach to amphibians—a taxon highly vulnerable to climate change—and evaluated PA effectiveness and potential refugia under various future scenarios. Our findings show that while approximately 60 % of amphibians currently protected by PAs may continue to find refuge, their average habitat suitability is expected to decline significantly under future conditions, indicating potential losses in PA effectiveness. Our refined fuzzy gap analysis captures a continuous spectrum of habitat suitability, facilitates species comparability, and integrates multiple conservation targets. This approach provides a robust tool to guide biodiversity strategies, ensuring that conservation efforts are more adaptive, resilient, and precise in the face of climate change uncertainties.

2025-03-10T00:00:00Z Mestre, F Pereira, AL BASTOS ARAUJO, MIGUEL http://hdl.handle.net/10174/41907 2026-04-24T13:58:37Z 2024-06-20T23:00:00Z

Title: Climate correlates of bluetongue incidence in southern Portugal Authors: Mestre, F; Pereira, AL; BASTOS ARAUJO, MIGUEL Abstract: Model forecasts of the spatiotemporal occurrence dynamics of diseases are necessary and can help understand and thus manage future disease outbreaks. In our study, we used ecological niche modelling to assess the impact of climate on the vector suitability for bluetongue disease, a disease affecting livestock production with important economic consequences. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between the occurrence of bluetongue outbreaks and the environmental suitability of each of the four vector species studied. We found that the main vector for bluetongue disease, Culicoides imicola, a typically tropical and subtropical species, was a strong predictor for disease outbreak occurrence in a region of southern Portugal from 2004 to 2021. The results highlight the importance of understanding the climatic factors that might influence vector presence to help manage infectious disease impacts. When diseases impact economically relevant species, the impacts go beyond mortality and have important economic consequences.

2024-06-20T23:00:00Z