Terceira Island Research Articles

Revision of the Azorean catalogue of tsunamis

Abstract The Azores islands, owing to their complex geographical and geodynamic setting, are exposed to tsunami events associated with different triggering mechanisms, local or distant. Since the settlement of the Azores, in the fifteenth century, there have been numerous accounts that relate coastal area flooding episodes with unusually high waves that caused death and destruction. In this work is presented a review and a characterization of the different events registered in the archipelago that can be associated with tsunamigenic phenomena. For this purpose, diverse documentation was collected such as chronics, manuscripts, newspaper articles and magazines, scientific publications and international databases available online. Thus, new relevant information allowed better characterization of some events. Furthermore, it was possible to add new entries and to discard others included in previous compilations owing to a lack of quality in historical sources or instrumental records. Some teletsunamis, among them the 1 November 1755 which killed six people on Terceira Island, regional and local tsunamis were identified. Although the majority of these events result from tectonic sources, some were also triggered by landslides, such as the 9 July 1847 Quebrada Nova tsunami which killed 10 people on Flores and Corvo islands, and by meteorological phenomena.

Distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Terceira and São Miguel Islands (Azores).

BackgroundThe data, presented here, come from samples collected during three research projects which aimed to assess the impact of land-use type on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) diversity and community composition in pastures of Terceira Island (Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal) and also in the native forest of two Azorean Islands (Terceira and São Miguel; Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal). Both projects contributed to improving the knowledge of AMF community structure at both local and regional scales.New informationLittle is known on the AMF communities from Azores islands and this study reports the first survey in two Azorean Islands (Terceira and São Miguel). A total of 18,733 glomeromycotan spores were classified at the species level from 244 field soil samples collected in three different habitat types – native forests (dominated by Juniperus brevifolia and Picconia azorica), semi-natural and intensively-managed pastures. Thirty-seven distinct spore morphotypes, representing ten glomeromycotan families, were detected. Species of the family Acaulosporaceae dominated the samples, with 13 species (38% of the taxa), followed by Glomeraceae (6 spp.), Diversisporaceae (4 spp.), Archaeosporaceae (3 spp.), Claroideoglomeraceae (3 spp.), Gigasporaceae (3 spp.), Ambisporaceae and Paraglomeraceae, both with the same number of AMF species (2 spp.), Sacculosporaceae (1 sp.) and Entrophospora (family insertae sedis). Members of the family Acaulosporaceae occurred almost exclusively in the native forests especially associated with the Picconia azorica rhizosphere, while members of Gigasporaceae family showed a high tendency to occupy the semi-natural pastures and the native forests of Picconia azorica. Members of Glomeraceae family were broadly distributed by all types of habitat which confirm the high ecological plasticity of this AMF family to occupy the more diverse habitats.

The new town of Angra (Terceira, the Azores): confirming a contested urban planning history using reverse historical analysis and flood modelling tools

AbstractThe Portuguese discovered the uninhabited Azores archipelago in 1427 and started to settle it during the fifteenth century. Angra, located on Terceira Island, soon became the most important Azorean city, leading to rapid urban development. This article investigates the overlooked role of streams in the rise of Angra as a pivotal Atlantic urban centre. Through the intersection of historical and flood modelling methods, it makes a unique contribution to our understanding of Angra's urban morphologic development, highlighting the potential of applying urban flood modelling to analysis of the rise of coastal urban settlement.

Wildlife inventory from camera-trapping surveys in the Azores (Pico and Terceira islands).

BackgroundThe present publication provides a dataset from five camera-trapping sampling campaigns on two islands of the Azorean archipelago (Pico and Terceira islands), between 2013-2018. This dataset was obtained as a by-product of campaigns designed for different purposes. The sampling campaigns were designed to: (i) study the ecology of introduced mammals; (ii) assess the impact of introduced mammals on native birds (Azores woodpigeon - Columba palumbus azorica and Cory's shearwater - Calonectris diomeda borealis), through nest predation; and (iii) obtain information about the impact of vertebrates on agricultural systems, particularly on Azorean traditional vineyards. A total of 258 sites and 47 nests were sampled using camera traps. These sampling campaigns provided a large data series that allowed the creation of a vertebrate wildlife inventory.New informationWe obtained a total of 102,095 camera-trap records, which allowed us to to identify 30 species of vertebrates: one amphibian, one reptile, 17 birds and ten mammal species. This represented 100% of the amphibians and terrestrial mammals, 58% of the breeding birds and 50% of the reptile species known for Pico and/or Terceira islands. Concerning the colonisation status of the species, we recorded 15 indigenous (native non-endemic or endemic) and three introduced bird species; all known terrestrial amphibians, reptiles and mammals in the Azores are introduced species. The data collected contribute to increasing knowledge on the distribution of vertebrate species on Pico and Terceira islands, where most existing records of some species were only available to Island level (e.g. mustelids and hedgehogs). None of the identified species was previously unknown to the study area.

The distribution and naturalness of peatland on Terceira Island (Azores): instruments to define priority areas for conservation and restoration

The distribution and naturalness of peatland on Terceira Island (Azores): instruments to define priority areas for conservation and restoration

Progressive Changes in Magma Transport at the Active Serreta Ridge, Azores

AbstractVolcanism in the Eastern Azores Plateau occurs at large central volcanoes and along subaerial and submarine fissure zones, resulting from a mantle melting anomaly combined with transtensional stresses. Volcanic structures are aligned WNW‐ESE and NW‐SE, reflecting two tectonic stress fields that control the direction of lateral melt transport. Terceira Island is influenced by both stress fields, dividing the island into an eastern and western part. Several submarine volcanic ridges with variable orientations are located west of Santa Bárbara, the youngest central volcano on Terceira. Major, trace element and Sr‐Nd‐Pb‐Hf isotope compositions from submarine lavas and glasses, in part associated with the 1998–2001 Serreta Ridge eruption, vary between different lava suites, suggesting a formation from different mantle sources. Submarine lavas are more primitive than those from Santa Bárbara volcano, indicating that they are not laterally connected with the shallow magma reservoir located in 2‐ to 5‐km depth beneath the central volcano. Mineral thermobarometric data suggest that the older Serreta magmas were laterally transported at depths >5 km from Santa Bárbara predominantly in WNW direction. We propose that lithospheric extension controls magma transport from the central volcano to Serreta Ridge. The youngest Serreta lavas differ from Santa Bárbara and other submarine ridges in having less radiogenic Pb and higher Hf isotope ratios representing a new magma pulse ascending from the mantle. We conclude that lateral magma transport and the morphology of volcanic ridges are controlled by tectonic stresses in the lithosphere, whereas vertical melt transport is initiated by processes in the mantle.

Thermodynamic, Environmental and Economic Simulation of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for Waste Heat Recovery: Terceira Island Case Study

Abstract The aim of this study is to analyse from the thermodynamic, environmental and economic point of view an ORC for heat recovery from urban waste, using R245fa as a working fluid on the example of Terceira Island (Azores). The proposed ORC system includes two evaporators, two turbines, a condenser, a pump and a generator. The thermodynamic model is created using the Visual Basic programming language. In order to analyse the influence of pressure, temperature and mass flow on net output, efficiency, and mass flow rate of the power plant, the sensibility analysis is carried out. The results show that from the energetic point of view, urban waste recovery (using an ORC) could be a viable solution on Terceira Island, since the maximum net output produced from this system for a mass rate of 19 727 tonnes is 485 kW. The efficiency of the ORC is 25 %. Environmentally, the incineration of the urban waste produced on the island is a positive solution for these residues since it will reduce the amount of waste deposited in the landfill. However, this project is not economically viable. The losses estimated in this study exceed 500 000 EUR (per year).

Biota from the coastal wetlands of Praia da Vitória (Terceira, Azores, Portugal): Part 4 – Vascular plants

BackgroundThe data presented here come from field observations, carried out between 2014 and 2017, as part of a LIFE research project aiming to preserve and restore three coastal wetlands of Praia da Vitória (Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal) (LIFE-CWR). A total of 23 vascular plant species surveys were carried out in three sites: one for each semester in Paul da Praia da Vitória (PPV) and Paul da Pedreira do Cabo da Praia (PPCP); one for each semester (except in 2014) in Paul do Belo Jardim (PBJ). The main objectives were to determine the plant richness of the three sites and to monitor yearly variation on species composition.New informationA total of 107 taxa, belonging to 50 families, were observed, many of which are new records for the area, especially in PBJ and PPCP, where 78 and 92% of species records were new. A few very rare species in the Azores were recorded in these coastal wetlands, namely Lotus creticus, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Juncus maritimus and Polygonum maritimum.

The Loss of a Unique Palaeobotanical Site in Terceira Island Within the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark (Portugal)

Terceira Island (Azores archipelago, central Atlantic Ocean) presents a unique but poorly studied Quaternary palaeobotanical record. Among the sites referenced in the literature, Fanal Bay, within Angra do Heroismo city, is known at least since the 1940s. Field prospection in the summer of 2016 revealed two layers of leaf fossils with an unexpected fossil abundance. The preliminary results showed that these represented autochthonous or para-autochthonous (T0) fossil assemblages, preserved by the emplacement of ash or lapilli layers by volcanic events, in a leaf litter of a laurel palaeoforest. Unfortunately, in 2018, the site was destroyed due to development works to consolidate and requalify the Fanal Bay cliff from further sea erosion. This prevented a detailed study and the ex situ preservation of an important palaeontological site, within the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark. With this work, we hope to call the attention to the need of implementing geoconservation strategies in order to prevent the destruction of important geoheritage within the Azores Islands and to transpose this warning to other geoconservationists in oceanic islands worldwide.

Taxonomic and functional diversity of insect herbivore assemblages associated with the canopy-dominant trees of the Azorean native forest.

Oceanic islands have been providing important insights on the structuring of ecological communities and, under the context of the present biodiversity crisis, they are paramount to assess the effects of biological invasions on community assembly. In this study we compare the taxonomic and functional diversity of insect herbivore assemblages associated with the dominant tree species of Azorean native forests and investigate the ecological processes that may have originated current patterns of plant-herbivore associations. Five dominant trees—Erica azorica, Ilex perado subsp. azorica, Juniperus brevifolia, Laurus azorica and Vaccinium cylindraceum—were sampled in the remnants of the native forest of Terceira Island (Azores) using a standardised methodology. The taxonomic and functional diversity of insect herbivore assemblages was assessed using complementary metrics and beta diversity partitioning analysis (species replacement and richness differences) aiming to evaluate the variation in insect herbivore assemblages within and between the study plant species. Sixty two insect species, mostly bugs (Hemiptera) and caterpillars (Lepidoptera), were found in the five study plants with indigenous (endemic and native non-endemic) insects occurring with higher species richness and abundance than introduced ones. Species replacement was the most important component of insect herbivore taxonomic beta diversity while differences in trait richness played a major role on functional beta diversity. The endemic E. azorica stands out from the other study plants by having associated a very distinct insect herbivore assemblage with a particular set of functional attributes, mainly composed by large bodied and long shaped species that feed by chewing. Despite the progressive biotic homogenization witnessed in the Azores during the last few decades, several strong associations between the endemic trees and their indigenous insect herbivores remain.

Biota of coastal wetlands of Praia da Vitória (Terceira Island, Azores): Part 2 - Bryophytes.

BackgroundDuring the LIFE-CWR project "Ecological Restoration and Conservation of Praia da Vitória Coastal Wet Green Infrastructures", there was the opportunity to undertake a systematic record of bryophytes at Paul da Praia da Vitória (PPV), Paul do Belo Jardim (PBJ) and Paul da Pedreira do Cabo da Praia (PPCP), three coastal wetland areas of Praia da Vitória (Terceira, Azores, Portugal). The objective of the study was to perform a biodiversity assessment, comparing the three sites at two different moments, before and after the implementation of several conservation measures. This project also contributed to improve the knowledge of Azorean bryophyte diversity at both local and regional scales, including the recording of two new taxa for the Azores and three new taxa for Terceira Island.New informationThis paper reports the results of the first extensive survey of bryophyes of the three coastal wetland areas of Praia da Vitória (Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal). The identification of a total of 504 samples, 240 collected in 2013 and 2016 (before the LIFE-CWR intervention) and 265 in 2017 and 2018 (after the intervention), resulted in a list of 58 species of bryophytes (one hornwort, eight liverworts and 48 mosses). These include two new records for the Azores (Bryum klinggraeffii, Ptychostomum bornholmense), three new records for Terceira Island (Bryum tenuisetum, Dicranella howei, Trichostomum crispulum) and at least 15 new records for the municipality of Praia da Vitória (e.g., Cephaloziella hampeana). Some species that had not been recorded on the island since 1937 (e.g., Fissidens crispus) were collected during this study, as well as a Macaronesian endemic liverwort (Radula wichurae), an Iberian-Macaronesian liverwort (Frullania azorica) and a moss species with European distribution (Ptychomitrium nigrescens). From the recorded species, only one moss (Leptophascum leptophyllum), of subtropical origin, is considered invasive in Europe.

Implications of climate change to the design of protected areas: The case study of small islands (Azores).

Climate change is causing shifts in species distributions worldwide. Understanding how species distributions will change with future climate change is thus critical for conservation planning. Impacts on oceanic islands are potentially major given the disproportionate number of endemic species and the consequent risk that local extinctions might become global ones. In this study, we use species climate envelope models to evaluate the current and future potential distributions of Azorean endemic species of bryophytes, vascular plants, and arthropods on the Islands of Terceira and São Miguel in the Azores archipelago (Macaronesia). We examined projections of climate change effects on the future distributions of species with particular focus on the current protected areas. We then used spatial planning optimization software (PRION) to evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas at preserving species both in the present and future. We found that contractions of species distributions in protected areas are more likely in the largest and most populated island of São Miguel, moving from the coastal areas towards inland where the current protected areas are insufficient and inadequate to tackle species distribution shifts. There will be the need for a revision of the current protected areas in São Miguel to allow the sustainable conservation of most species, while in Terceira Island the current protected areas appear to be sufficient. Our study demonstrates the importance of these tools for informing long-term climate change adaptation planning for small islands.

Os órgãos na ilha Terceira na primeira metade do século XIX: elementos introdutórios a uma cartografia organológica

Angra foi uma importante cidade do arquipélago dos Açores enquanto centro de passagem das rotas marítimas atlânticas, assento de diocese desde 1534 e, na segunda metade do século XVIII, da Capitania-Geral dos Açores. Foram fundadas várias instituições religiosas na cidade desde o século XVI, nomeadamente igrejas paroquiais e conventos, até à sua extinção em 1832. O presente estudo pretende apresentar uma cartografia dos órgãos existentes na ilha Terceira durante esse período, bem como a rede de relações entre instituições e alguns dos indivíduos que estiveram presentes de forma a estabelecer um itinerário virtual de instrumentos, construtores e instrumentistas.

Biota from the coastal wetlands of Praia da Vitória (Terceira, Azores, Portugal): Part 3 - Birds.

BackgroundThe data presented here come from field observations of Aves between August 2013 and October 2018 as part of a LIFE research project aiming to preserve and restore three coastal wetlands from Praia da Vitória (Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal). Systematic monthly observations were carried out for five years in order to provide a checklist and monitoring of bird species and subspecies observed in three sites: Paul da Praia da Vitória (PPV), Paul do Belo Jardim (PBJ) and Paul da Pedreira do Cabo da Praia (PPCP). Main objectives were to determine their ornithological richness while also adding data to the overall knowledge of Azorean Avifauna and to monitor seasonal and between-year variation on species abundance.New informationDuring a five-year observation period (2013-2018), a total of 82,985 birds belonging to 108 species/subspecies were observed. From this, 16,663 were in PPV, 11,793 from PBJ and 54,529 from PPCP. The total richness was 55, 40 and 85, respectively. Three species are first records for the Azores: Aythya americana (Eyton, 1838); Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815) and Tringa brevipes (Vieillot, 1816). One species is a new record for Terceira Island: Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus, 1758).

The Breeding Biology of the Endemic Azores Woodpigeon Columba palumbus azorica

The Azores Woodpigeon Columba palumbus azorica is considered an endemic subspecies and is currently listed in the Annex I of the EU Birds Directive. However, despite its status, the bird has rarely been studied and is classified as ‘Data Deficient’ in the Portuguese Red Data Book. Herewith, we present the first results on the breeding biology of this subspecies, based on data collected from November 2012 to October 2014 on Terceira Island. Data were obtained by monitoring nests, and additional information on breeding phenology was provided during regular counts from 100 points distributed over the island. Fifty-four nests were found mainly in exotic trees, suggesting that the species does not depend on the highly degraded native laurel forest for nesting. Egg-laying occurred from late-February to late-September, reaching its peak in May; the main laying period lasted 140 days from 1 April to 19 August. Mean clutch size (±SE) was 1.77 ± 0.06 eggs (range 1–2 eggs) and did not vary with time. Overall breeding success, calculated using the Mayfield method, was amongst the lowest ever detected for this species across its breeding range: 0.091 ± 0.048 (SE). Extreme weather events and predation by introduced mammals are likely to explain high nest failure. The population is likely to have undergone a period of growth since 1992, following a period in the 1960's when the bird was very scarce in the Archipelago due to hunting pressure. In recent years, farmers have increasingly complained to the Regional Government about damage to crops, including vineyards, caused by the Azores Woodpigeon on some of the Azorean islands.

Attitudes Towards Functional Foods Scale: Psychometric Proprieties and Adaptation for Use Among Adolescents

Functional foods are those that promote health and well-being and/or decrease the risk of certain chronic diseases. It is known that young people' knowledge about functional foods is low. The aim of this study is to assess the psychometric proprieties of the "Attitudes towards Functional Foods Scale" in a sample of adolescents and, based on that analysis, adapting the scale for its use among this population group. After a pre-test, the scale was applied to 340 students attending the 3rd cycle of basic education in Terceira island (Azores, Portugal), whose ages ranged between 11 and 19 years (mean = 14.0, standard deviation = 1.2). We analyzed the scale's internal consistency and construct validity. The study of the psychometric proprieties led to the exclusion of one item. Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.876) showed a good internal consistency of the scale, and factor analysis revealed that, as the original (adults) version, it presents an unifactorial structure. The scale showed to be an instrument easy and quick to apply among adolescents. We emphasize that its application should be preceded by the clarification on the concept of functional foods in order to ensure the adequacy of the answers. This study has demonstrated the adequacy of the Attitudes Towards Functional Foods Scale to assess Portuguese adolescents' perception regarding functional foods, highlighting the need of using its adapted version.

Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Macaronesia I: The native forests of the Azores (Pico and Terceira islands).

BackgroundThe data presented here come from samples collected as part of two recent research projects (NETBIOME - ISLANDBIODIV and FCT - MACDIV) which aimed at understanding the drivers of community assembly in Macaronesian islands. We applied the sampling protocol COBRA (Conservation Oriented Biodiversity Rapid Assessment, Cardoso 2009) in sixteen 50 m x 50 m native forest plots in the Azorean Islands of Pico (6 plots) and Terceira (10 plots) to assess spider diversity. Through this publication, we contribute to the knowledge of the arachnofauna of the Azores and, more specifically, to that of the islands of Pico and Terceira.New informationThe collected samples yielded 8,789 specimens, of which 45% were adults (3,970) belonging to 13 families, 36 species and three morphospecies that have yet to be described. Species of the family Linyphiidae dominated the samples, with 17 species and two morphospecies that have yet to be described (48% of the taxa). Out of the identified (morpho)species, 16 were introduced, 13 Azorean endemic (three of which were undescribed) and seven native (five of them Macaronesian endemics). We report the first record of the introduced species Haplodrassus signifer and Agyneta decora in Pico Island.

Insights for the Angra do Heroísmo hydrothermal reservoir conceptual model

Onshore and offshore hydrothermal activity over the Azores mostly links to young active large volcanic polygenic edifices. The surface features of upflowing fluids from the hydrothermal reservoirs include fumaroles, water springs, and gas emissions, as in the case of Guilherme Moniz and Pico Alto stratovolcanoes on Terceira Island, Azores. Geology, tectonics, and pressure and temperature of fluid dynamics affect possible lateral and fluid downflow, giving rise to hidden hydrothermal reservoirs. The several hydrothermal features identified on water springs, well fluid production temperature, radon gas emissions, and alteration rock minerals on the vicinities of Angra do Heroismo clearly outline a low-seated hot reservoir, the Angra do Heroismo hydrothermal reservoir. The top reservoir feature, hot water, might result from the mixing of low mineralized meteoric freshwater with a deeper upward hydrothermal fluid component. Several sites of the upflowing hot fluid are unknown, but most probably are linked to the closer young active stratovolcanoes of Guilherme Moniz, Pico Alto, and Santa Barbara. Taking into consideration the available data and interpretation, we estimate the range and probable distribution of the stored heat reserves using Monte Carlo stochastic analysis in the order of 12.99–46.90 MWe. The proximity to potential end users, namely the tourism industry, turns the probable resource into a plausible geothermal reserve. The exploration studies implementation here outlined would highly contribute to the conceptual model improvement.

Paramentos bordados: ocorrências na ilha Terceira (Açores)

A set of vestments with embroidered orphreys applied on velvet fabric, belonging to the Church of the College of Angra do Heroismo (Terceira Island, Azores), have been attributed, by 19th-century studies, to an English origin and unknown date, but prior to the 16th century. Another set found in a rural church of the island (Ribeirinha), comprises a chasuble and a stole, with embroidered orphreys as well. The origins of this set and its incorporation into the assets of the parish remain uncertain. This article attempts to deepen the knowledge about the presence of these liturgical textiles in the Azores along with their date and place of production and it aims to reconstruct the process of their recognition and consolidation as cultural heritage objects.

CO2 fluxes of two lakes in volcanic caves in the Azores, Portugal

This paper characterises diffuse CO2 degassing from lakes located inside volcanic caves on the islands of Terceira and Graciosa (in the Azores archipelago, Portugal). The Algar do Carvão lake is located inside a volcanic pit on Terceira at an altitude of 92 m and has a surface area of 11,500 m2 and a maximum depth of 8.2 m. The Furna do Enxofre lake is located inside a lava cave on Graciosa at an altitude of 500 m and has a surface area of approximately 300 m2 and a maximum depth of 9.3 m.The water temperature of both lakes is low, with values ranging between 11 °C and 13 °C, in both the winter and summer periods, and no variations are observed along their water columns. The electrical conductivity ranges from 585 μS cm−1 to 687 μS cm−1 in Furna do Enxofre and from 117 μS cm−1 to 131 μS cm−1 in Algar do Carvão, reflecting a higher mineralisation in the former lake. The pH values in Furna do Enxofre range between 6.50 and 6.58, which reflects the effect of CO2 dissolution, while in Algar do Carvão, the pH values are more basic (7.42–8.53). The water types are Mg-HCO3 for Furna do Enxofre and Na-HCO3 for Algar do Carvão; the Mg-enrichment in Furna do Enxofre is associated with water–rock interactions, which are enhanced by the acidic environment.Diffuse CO2 flux measurements were made using the accumulation chamber method, with a total of 37 measurements split into two surveys at Algar do Carvão and 71 measurements during a single survey at Furna do Enxofre. The total CO2 emitted from Furna do Enxofre was 6100 kg d−1, which was much lower than that emitted from Algar do Carvão (0.32–2.0 kg d−1). A volcanic origin was assigned to the lake on Graciosa due to the δ13C isotopic signature of the CO2; conversely, the CO2 released in Algar do Carvão is derived from a biogenic CO2 source.Considering the surface areas of the studied lakes, the CO2 flux is in the range of 1.5–6.7 t km−2 d−1 for Algar do Carvão and is 508.3 t km−2 d−1 for Furna do Enxofre.