Pasture Floristic Composition as an Indicator of Soil pH Correction and Sheep Stocking Rate in Montado Ecosystem João Serrano, Paula Matono, Emanuel Carreira, Shakib Shahidian, Francisco J. Moral, Luís L. Paniagua, Rui Charneca, Alfredo Pereira, Anabela Belo Environments Mdpi, 2025 The application of dolomitic limestone is a recommended practice for improving pastures established on acidic soils. On the other hand, pasture availability should determine the adjustment of the biotic load. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of pasture plant community composition as an indicator to assess the effects of intensification strategies in the Montado ecosystem, specifically soil pH correction and/or increasing animal stocking rate. Forty-eight sampling areas of a biodiverse pasture were monitored on a 4-ha plot located at the Mitra farm (Évora district; southern Portugal). The experimental design included four treatments: with and without limestone application (respectively, DL and WDL) × traditional low stocking rate (LSR, 7 sheep ha−1) and high stocking rate (HSR, 18 sheep ha−1). Floristic composition, structural parameters, and diversity metrics were recorded and analyzed using multivariate statistical tools. Pasture diversity was assessed through the computation of richness indices, with plant species identified as ecological indicators representative of each study area. The results showed Rumex pulcher, Trifolium subterraneum, Plantago lanceolata, and Lolium rigidum as botanical indicators of the four treatments of this study, respectively, LSR in untreated soil, HSR in untreated soil, HSR in treated soil, and LSR in treated soil. The results also show that soil amendment led to a more distinct and stable pasture floristic composition (PFC) compared to untreated areas. Conversely, the stocking rate (SR) played a secondary but still ecologically relevant role. Notably, HSR appears to reduce the need for lime application to achieve a balanced floristic composition and desirable plant community structure, potentially lowering soil amendment costs without compromising pasture quality. In LSR areas, the application of lime was essential to significantly improve the floristic richness, the vegetation cover, and the presence of legumes.
How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management Carla Pinto‐Cruz, Paula Matono, Erika Almeida, Catarina Meireles, Mariana P. Fernandes, Luís Ferreira, Anabela D. F. Belo Restoration Ecology, 2023 Mediterranean temporary ponds (MTPs) are seasonal wetland habitats usually flooded during the rainy season but drying out during the warmer months. Due to their biodiversity, uniqueness, and numerous threats, they are listed as a priority for conservation under the Habitats Directive. Despite all the efforts made so far, they are still in poor conservation status in the Mediterranean biogeographic region, making it urgent to define efficient conservation and restoration actions. In this work, we used two case studies to evaluate the conservation status improvement of MTPs located on the southwest coast of Portugal, following the implementation of different management techniques. Sampling was based on floristic surveys to assess plant richness and species frequency, namely of characteristic MTPs species. In the first case, we tested three management techniques (direct grazing, vegetation cutting, and biomass cut/removal, followed by topsoil plowing—simulating wild boar trampling and wallowing) in plots installed in three MTPs between 2017 and 2018. Plots subject to wild boar simulation disturbance showed higher species richness, higher frequency of characteristic species, and lower dominance of Agrostis stolonifera. In the second case, we upscaled this technique as an ecological restoration action by using it in 10 MTPs between 2018 and 2021. We observed a positive effect on the habitat's structure and conservation status, although the possible influence of recurrent drought periods in the last decade is discussed. This study provides insights into a rare wetland habitat based on lessons learned from hands‐on conservation actions, while also identifying new challenges and knowledge gaps.
Sowing wildflower meadows in Mediterranean peri-urban green areas to promote grassland diversity Mariana P. Fernandes, Paula Matono, Erika Almeida, Carla Pinto-Cruz, Anabela D. F. Belo Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 2023 IntroductionThe increase of urban areas and their infrastructure network is homogenizing the landscape and threatening biodiversity and ecosystems functions and services. Wildflower meadows have a high biodiversity value and can prosper in degraded areas dominated by nitrophilous species, making them suitable to be used in peri-urban and urban areas to promote local flora, create habitat for pollinators and other small fauna, and increase overall biodiversity. Moreover, the application of wildflowers seed mixes suitable for rehabilitating anthropized environments should be restricted to native species of regional origin, and the results properly monitored. However, thorough monitoring of seed mixes evolution is uncommon. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a seed mix of wild native species developed to promote grassland diversity in Mediterranean peri-urban areas.MethodsThe study was divided into two sequential phases. Firstly, a preparatory phase consisted in developing two seed mixes and sowing them (autumn 2016) in ex-situ plots (three plots of 5 × 2 m2 per mix) at an experimental field to choose the one with the best performance. The second phase consisted of the in-situ application (autumn 2018) of the chosen seed mix by sowing 14 plots (10 × 2 m2) in pocket parks distributed along pedestrian trails of South Portugal. All plots were monitored through floristic surveys for two springs (ex-situ trials: 2017 and 2018; in-situ trials: 2019 and 2020).ResultsAll sowed species germinated in the in-situ plots over the first 2 years. The seed mix application positively contributed to the floristic community, generating a significant increase in the total species richness, diversity, evenness, and vegetation cover. The seed mix establishment did not require watering nor soil fertilizing and the mowing frequency was low (once in late spring), contributing to sustainable and low-cost management of these green areas.DiscussionThe tested seed mix promoted native flora diversity rapidly and seems suitable for use in peri-urban context under identical climate conditions. Given the small number of native seed mixes tested in the Mediterranean, this study represents a contribution toward improved management standards of native flora diversity in Mediterranean green urban and peri-urban areas.
Types of dry-season stream pools: environmental drivers and fish assemblages Maria Ilhéu, Janine da Silva, Manuela Morais, Paula Matono, João Manuel Bernardo Inland Waters, 2020 Many river networks in southern Europe are intermittent. In summer, the surface flow is zero and many streams become isolated pools. In this study, 128 dry season pools were studied covering first- to fourth-order streams on the Degebe River network (south Portugal). The aim of the study was to identify pool types based on environmental drivers and conditions and fish assemblages. In summer, dry streambed area exceeded 50% in all reaches and 95% in headwater sections. The pool features were primarily shaped by their location in the river network, which determined the pool morphology and the structure of fish assemblages. Pool sizes increased from upstream to downstream, as did species richness and diversity. Pools in upstream reaches were dominated by small native fishes while the larger-sized individuals tended to occupy deeper, larger, and more persistent pools. Smaller pools in downstream reaches were dominated by non-native species, which may be related to habitat preferences and minimization of negative interactions between native and non-native species. Because dry season pools represent key habitats in intermittent streams, conservation programs should be designed to reduce human pressures and improve hydromorphological heterogeneity and water quality, taking into account the natural patterns of pool types at regional and local scales.
Behavioural interactions between the endangered native fish saramugo, Anaecypris hispanica, and the invasive bleak, Alburnus alburnus Janine Da Silva, Paula Matono, Eduardo N. Barata, Joao M Bernardo, Ana M. Costa, Maria Ilheu Limnetica, 2019 Invasive species have the potential to impact native fish through interference competition, which is especially concerning for the conservation of the valuable endemic ichtyofauna of the Iberian Peninsula. This study investigated the potential negative effect of the invasive bleak Alburnus alburnus on the behaviour of the critically endangered Iberian saramugo Anaecypris hispanica. The behaviour patterns were analysed under experimental conditions in outdoor tanks through observations on shelter use, shoaling, space use, swimming and direct interactions between individuals. Saramugo showed a strong social character, being the monospecific shoal a sharp behavioural feature, independently on the presence of the bleak. Sheltering was also an important and consistent behaviour to the species. The presence of the bleak resulted in the increase of individual space exploration, as well as swimming and especially fast swimming events, and a wider use of the available space, including the water column in addition to the bottom. This points to higher activity levels of saramugo in the presence of the bleak. Negative direct interactions, particularly through aggression, were not frequent but only occurred when the bleak was present and were always triggered by this species. The future possible coexistence of these two species in the wild is likely to promote an increase of saramugo individual's activity, reducing shelter use and leading to higher metabolic expenses as well as predation risk.
How does an invasive cyprinid benefit from the hydrological disturbance of Mediterranean temporary streams? Paula Matono, Janine Da Silva, Maria Ilhéu Diversity, 2018 The Iberian Peninsula has been subjected to numerous fish introductions and the colonization of new areas by non-native species is constantly reported. However, there is a lack of knowledge about many aspects of the bio-ecology of these species and their invasive success within the environmental context of Mediterranean temporary rivers. This study aimed to address the following questions: (i) what are the main regional and local environmental drivers influencing fish assemblages and differentiating native from non-native species, particularly A. alburnus?; (ii) what are the environmental and anthropogenic disturbance factors responsible for the occurrence and abundance of A. alburnus?; (iii) is there a pattern in the spatiotemporal distribution of A. alburnus size classes, along the tributaries of reservoirs where the species occurs? Data on fish species, environmental variables, and anthropogenic disturbance were collected in 77 sites of the Guadiana and Sado river basins in the south of Portugal. Additionally, a seasonal sampling was performed along an upstream-downstream gradient of several tributaries from three reservoirs in these river basins. A multivariate analysis and a multi-model approach were used in data analyses. Native and non-native fish assemblages showed different environmental drivers and responses to anthropogenic disturbance levels, though A. alburnus has revealed similarities with native species. The occurrence of A. alburnus was mainly determined by hydrological and morphological disturbances driven by anthropogenic activities. Furthermore, this species apparently performed seasonal movements along the tributaries of several reservoirs, profiting from these lentic habitats as a stepping-stone for further invasions. This study highlighted the wide ecological plasticity of A. alburnus, as it benefits from the anthropogenic hydrological disturbance (induced by reservoirs), and is also able to cope with the natural hydrological disturbance (resulting from the intermittency of these streams), to guarantee and enhance its invasive success in Mediterranean intermittent streams. It also gives a sound contribution to understand the spread of A. alburnus in these vulnerable freshwater ecosystems, and to delineate management measures, namely by identifying critical points in the river network along with prioritizing river restoration measures that benefit native species.
Evaluation of potential hybridization between native fishes and the invasive bleak, alburnus alburnus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) Carla Sousa-Santos, Paula Matono, Janine da Silva, Maria Ilhéu Acta Ichthyologica Et Piscatoria, 2018 Background. Freshwater fishes are among the most threatened taxa worldwide. The proliferation of introduced species in the Iberian Peninsula is currently one of the main drivers of native fish declines. One of such species, the bleak, Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758), has become widespread in the last 25 years and, due to its phylogenetic proximity, poses a high risk of hybridization with native species. The aim of this study was to improve the current knowledge on this issue by 1) evaluating the presence of hybrids with Alburnus alburnus in the wild, using molecular screening of individuals representing the intermediate morphology and 2) testing if artificial crosses between Alburnus alburnus and the highly threatened native cyprinid Anaecypris hispanica (Steindachner, 1866) resulted in viable hybrid offspring. Materials and methods. The genetic profile of Alburnus alburnus was established using the cytochrome b and beta-actin genes to allow comparisons with the profiles of the sympatric species with which it could potentially hybridize: Anaecypris hispanica; Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866); and Squalius pyrenaicus (Günther, 1868). This profile was further used to assess if fish with the intermediate morphological features were indeed hybrids. Finally, artificial crosses between Alburnus alburnus and Anaecypris hispanica were conducted to test the viability of the offspring. Results. Alburnus alburnus individuals were genetically identical to the stocks introduced in Spain and the Czech Republic. A reference library composed of 15 species-specific nDNA loci was built and used to characterize wild fish showing intermediate morphological features. Results showed that Alburnus alburnus is currently hybridizing with males and females of Squalius alburnoides and that morphometric identification is insufficient for a reliable detection of the hybrids. Artificial crosses between the bleak and the highly threatened Anaecypris hispanica did not result in viable offspring. Conclusion. Phylogenetic relatedness, traduced in the absence of pre- and post-zygotic barriers to reproduction, together with other factors related to the ecology and life history of the species involved are essential for hybridization to occur. As such, the proliferation of the bleak through the Iberian hydrographical network represents a serious additional threat for the already imperilled native Squalius and Anaecypris species.
Invasibility of mediterranean-climate rivers by non-native fish: The importance of environmental drivers and human pressures Maria Ilhéu, Paula Matono, João Manuel Bernardo Plos One, 2014 Invasive species are regarded as a biological pressure to natural aquatic communities. Understanding the factors promoting successful invasions is of great conceptual and practical importance. From a practical point of view, it should help to prevent future invasions and to mitigate the effects of recent invaders through early detection and prioritization of management measures. This study aims to identify the environmental determinants of fish invasions in Mediterranean-climate rivers and evaluate the relative importance of natural and human drivers. Fish communities were sampled in 182 undisturbed and 198 disturbed sites by human activities, belonging to 12 river types defined for continental Portugal within the implementation of the European Union's Water Framework Directive. Pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus (L.), and mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki (Girard), were the most abundant non-native species (NNS) in the southern river types whereas the Iberian gudgeon, Gobio lozanoi Doadrio and Madeira, was the dominant NNS in the north/centre. Small northern mountain streams showed null or low frequency of occurrence and abundance of NNS, while southern lowland river types with medium and large drainage areas presented the highest values. The occurrence of NNS was significantly lower in undisturbed sites and the highest density of NNS was associated with high human pressure. Results from variance partitioning showed that natural environmental factors determine the distribution of the most abundant NNS while the increase in their abundance and success is explained mainly by human-induced disturbance factors. This study stresses the high vulnerability of the warm water lowland river types to non-native fish invasions, which is amplified by human-induced degradation.
Pasture Floristic Composition as an Indicator of Soil pH Correction and Sheep Stocking Rate in Montado Ecosystem J Serrano, P Matono, E Carreira, S Shahidian, FJ Moral, LL Paniagua, ... Environments 12 (10), 385 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Promoting Landscape Heterogeneity in Silvopastoral Systems through Very High-Voltage Power Line Pylons: An Unconventional Approach M Fernandes, P Matono, C Pinto-Cruz, E Almeida, A Nunes, A Belo, ... ARPHA Conference Abstracts 8, e148149 , 2025 2025
How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management C Pinto‐Cruz, P Matono, E Almeida, C Meireles, MP Fernandes, ... Restoration Ecology 31 (8), e14045 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Sowing wildflower meadows in Mediterranean peri-urban green areas to promote grassland diversity MP Fernandes, P Matono, E Almeida, C Pinto-Cruz, ADF Belo Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11, 1112596 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Grazing as a conservation tool in Mediterranean temporary ponds N Pedroso, A Belo, E Almeida, P Matono, C Meireles, C Pinto-Cruz Sapienza University of Rome & MUSE-Museo delle Scienze di Trento , 2022 2022
Best Pratice Guide to Manage Vegetation and Promote Biodiversity in Linear Infrastructures ADF Belo, C Pinto-Cruz, MP Fernandes, P Matono, P Canha Universidade de Évora , 2022 2022
Guião de Boas Práticas de Gestão da Vegetação para a Promoção e Biodiversidade em Infraestruturas Lineares ADF Belo, C Pinto-Cruz, MP Fernandes, P Matono, P Canha Universidade de Évora , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
Types of dry-season stream pools: environmental drivers and fish assemblages M Ilhéu, J da Silva, M Morais, P Matono, JM Bernardo Inland Waters 10 (4), 516-528 , 2020 2020 Citations: 6
from a Case Study in the South of Portugal P Matono, T Batista, E Sampaio Land Use: Assessing the Past, Envisioning the Future, 29 , 2019 2019
Effects of Agricultural Land Use on the Ecohydrology of Small-Medium Mediterranean River Basins: Insights from a Case Study in the South of Portugal, Land Use P Matono, T Batista, E Sampaio, M Ilhéu Luís Carlos Loures, IntechOpen , 2019 2019 Citations: 15
Behavioural interactions between the endangered native fish Saramugo, Anaecypris hispanica, and the invasive Bleak, Alburnus alburnus J Da Silva, P Matono, E Barata, JM Bernardo, AM Costa, M Ilhéu Limnetica , 2019 2019 Citations: 7
Manual de Boas Práticas do Saramugo e de Rios Temporários P Matono, J Da Silva, J Bernardo, AM Costa, S Fragoso, L Roque, ... Universidade de Évora , 2019 2019
LIFE SARAMUGO PROJECT: EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF SEVERAL BARRIER TYPES TO PREVENT BLEAK FROM REACHING AREAS WITH SARAMUGO POPULATIONS JM Bernardo, P Matono, AM Costa, M Ilhéu SYMPOSIUM FOR THE CONSERVATION OF FRESHWATER FISH AND HABITAT … , 2018 2018
Evaluation of potential hybridization between native fishes and the invasive bleak, Alburnus alburnus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) C Sousa-Santos, P Matono, J Da Silva, M Ilheu Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 48, 109-122 , 2018 2018 Citations: 16
How does an invasive cyprinid benefit from the hydrological disturbance of Mediterranean temporary streams? P Matono, J Da Silva, M Ilhéu Diversity 10 (2), 47 , 2018 2018 Citations: 14
Patterns of habitat use of the endangered fish species Saramugo, Anaecypris hispanica, and the invasive Bleak, Alburnus alburnus: implications for native fish fauna conservation. P Matono, JM Bernardo, AM Costa, J Da Silva, D Sousa, P Rodrigues, ... 2017
PATTERNS OF PRECIPITATION INTERMITTENCY IN SOUTHERN PORTUGAL: IMPLICATION FOR THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF MEDITERRANEAN INTERMITTENT RIVERS P Matono, M Ilhéu, L Bugalho, T Batista, J Corte-Real 10th Symposium for European Freshwater Sciences , 2017 2017
Fish response to anthropogenic pressures in temporary streams: the importance of environmental drivers P Matono, JM Bernardo, AM Costa, M Ilhéu River Research and Applications 30 (10), 1281-1295 , 2014 2014 Citations: 15
Invasibility of Mediterranean-climate rivers by non-native fish: the importance of environmental drivers and human pressures M Ilheu, P Matono, JM Bernardo PLoS One 9 (11), e109694 , 2014 2014 Citations: 27
Anthropogenic Pressures in Temporary Streams: the importance of environmental drivers. P Matono, JM Bernardo, AM Costa, M Ilhéu River Research and Applications/John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. , 2014 2014
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Interannual variation of fish assemblage structure in a Mediterranean river: implications of streamflow on the dominance of native or exotic species JM Bernardo, M Ilhéu, P Matono, AM Costa River Research and Applications 19 (5‐6), 521-532 , 2003 2003 Citations: 177
Tipologia de rios em Portugal Continental no âmbito da implementação da Directiva Quadro da Água. I-Caracterização abiótica. MH Alves, J Ferreira, J Pádua, JP Martins, T Rafael, G Tomaz, ... Instituto da Água, Ministério do Ambiente e ordenamento do Território. , 2008 2008 Citations: 77
Effects of natural hydrological variability on fish assemblages in small Mediterranean streams: Implications for ecological assessment P Matono, JM Bernardo, T Oberdorff, M Ilhéu Ecological Indicators 23, 467-481 , 2012 2012 Citations: 51
Effects of land use intensification on fish assemblages in Mediterranean climate streams P Matono, D Sousa, M Ilheu Environmental Management 52 (5), 1213-1229 , 2013 2013 Citations: 32
Invasibility of Mediterranean-climate rivers by non-native fish: the importance of environmental drivers and human pressures M Ilheu, P Matono, JM Bernardo PLoS One 9 (11), e109694 , 2014 2014 Citations: 27
Evaluation of potential hybridization between native fishes and the invasive bleak, Alburnus alburnus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) C Sousa-Santos, P Matono, J Da Silva, M Ilheu Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria 48, 109-122 , 2018 2018 Citations: 16
Effects of Agricultural Land Use on the Ecohydrology of Small-Medium Mediterranean River Basins: Insights from a Case Study in the South of Portugal, Land Use P Matono, T Batista, E Sampaio, M Ilhéu Luís Carlos Loures, IntechOpen , 2019 2019 Citations: 15
Fish response to anthropogenic pressures in temporary streams: the importance of environmental drivers P Matono, JM Bernardo, AM Costa, M Ilhéu River Research and Applications 30 (10), 1281-1295 , 2014 2014 Citations: 15
How does an invasive cyprinid benefit from the hydrological disturbance of Mediterranean temporary streams? P Matono, J Da Silva, M Ilhéu Diversity 10 (2), 47 , 2018 2018 Citations: 14
Sowing wildflower meadows in Mediterranean peri-urban green areas to promote grassland diversity MP Fernandes, P Matono, E Almeida, C Pinto-Cruz, ADF Belo Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11, 1112596 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Fish-based groups for ecological assessment in rivers: the importance of environmental drivers on taxonomic and functional traits of fish assemblages P Matono, JM Bernardo, MT Ferreira, N Formigo, P Raposo de Almeida, ... Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, 04 , 2012 2012 Citations: 8
Behavioural interactions between the endangered native fish Saramugo, Anaecypris hispanica, and the invasive Bleak, Alburnus alburnus J Da Silva, P Matono, E Barata, JM Bernardo, AM Costa, M Ilhéu Limnetica , 2019 2019 Citations: 7
Types of dry-season stream pools: environmental drivers and fish assemblages M Ilhéu, J da Silva, M Morais, P Matono, JM Bernardo Inland Waters 10 (4), 516-528 , 2020 2020 Citations: 6
How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management C Pinto‐Cruz, P Matono, E Almeida, C Meireles, MP Fernandes, ... Restoration Ecology 31 (8), e14045 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Desenvolvimento de um índice piscícola para os rios de Portugal Continental. P Matono, M Ilhéu, N Formigo, MT Ferreira, PR Almeida, R Cortes, ... Revista Recursos Hidricos , 2009 2009 Citations: 4
Development of a fish index for the rivers of continental Portugal P Matono, M Ilhéu, N Formigo, MT Ferreira, P Raposo de Almeida, ... FISH ASSEMBLAGES AS BIOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF ECOLOGICAL QUALITY IN … , 2012 2012 Citations: 3
Pasture Floristic Composition as an Indicator of Soil pH Correction and Sheep Stocking Rate in Montado Ecosystem J Serrano, P Matono, E Carreira, S Shahidian, FJ Moral, LL Paniagua, ... Environments 12 (10), 385 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Manual para a avaliação biológica da qualidade da água em sistemas fluviais segundo a Directiva Quadro da Água-Protocolo de amostragem e análise para a fauna piscícola JM Bernardo, M Ilhéu, P Matono, R Cortes, MT Ferreira, JM Santos, ... Instituto da Água, Ministério do Ambiente e ordenamento do Território. , 2008 2008 Citations: 2
Guião de Boas Práticas de Gestão da Vegetação para a Promoção e Biodiversidade em Infraestruturas Lineares ADF Belo, C Pinto-Cruz, MP Fernandes, P Matono, P Canha Universidade de Évora , 2021 2021 Citations: 1
Aplicação da directiva-quadro da água: tipos de rios portugueses com base na ictiofauna P Matono, M IIHÉU, L Sousa, JM Bernardo, N Formigo, MT Ferreira, ... VIII Congresso da Água. Associaçao Portuguesa dos Recursos Hídricos … , 2006 2006 Citations: 1
