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The landscape of science communication and public engagement in UNESCO Global Geoparks
( 2025 ) Rodrigues, J. C.; Costa e Silva, E.; Pereira, D. I.
UNESCO Global Geoparks are unique platforms for communicating science and geoscience, especially under the scope of contemporary environmental challenges. Through a bottom-up approach, Geoparks contribute to advocating for geodiversity, preserving geological heritage, and advancing geoscience communication worldwide. These territories are outstanding models for promoting environmental stewardship and fostering community engagement. This study discusses the theoretical framework for science communication within Geoparks, revealing a diverse landscape, and with a wide spectrum of strategies. Despite encouraging signs of progress and significant opportunities, challenges exist, including inconsistent conceptual frameworks and deficit model thinking prevalence.
Processos adaptativos das forças de segurança portuguesas: um estudo comparativo entre sexos
( 2026 ) Oliveira, Beatriz Dias; Maia, Angela
Os elementos das forças de segurança estão frequentemente expostos a acontecimentos potencialmente traumáticos, o que aumenta o risco de desenvolvimento de perturbações psicológicas. Assim, torna-se fundamental compreender os processos adaptativos que permitem gerir as exigências inerentes a esta profissão. O presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar os processos adaptativos, nomeadamente regulação emocional, resiliência, flexibilidade cognitiva e estratégias de coping, entre homens e mulheres das forças de segurança portuguesas (GNR, PSP e PJ). A amostra foi constituída por 412 participantes, 91 mulheres e 321 homens. Foram realizados testes t para amostras independentes e análises de covariância (ANCOVA), controlando a exposição traumática. Os homens reportaram valores médios superiores na subescala supressão emocional (t(96) = -3.65, p < .001) e na subescala desinvestimento comportamental (t(410) = -2.12, p = .035). As mulheres reportaram valores médios superiores na escala total da resiliência (t(410) = 3.84, p < .001), na subescala religião (t(410) = 2.34, p = .020) e na subescala autodistração (F(1,410) = 5.14, p = .024, η²p = .012). Estes resultados reforçam a necessidade de considerar o sexo e a exposição traumática no desenvolvimento de estratégias de avaliação, apoio psicológico e formação dirigidas aos profissionais das forças de segurança.
Predicted effects of climate change on the spatial distribution of soil nematodes at a regional scale
( 2026 ) Carvalho, Rui P.; Duarte, Ana Carolina; Guerra, Carlos A.; Mendes, Susana; Cano-Diaz, Concha; Costa, SR
Soil biodiversity is essential for the provision of ecosystem services, yet the response of belowground communities to climate change remains unclear and poorly integrated into conservation policies. In soil, nematodes are recognized as bioindicators of soil health and function. In this study, we aimed to assess the current distribution and potential shifts in nematode communities across the North of Portugal, considering the climate forecasts. A total of 406 soil samples were collected throughout the region in different land-use types (agriculture, forests, pastures and urban areas), in a stratified sampling design, from which soil nematodes were extracted and identified through morphological characters. Species distribution models were created using ensemble approaches to predict their distribution under current and future climate conditions. Our results show that slope, agriculture cover and precipitation were the most important drivers of nematode distributions. Model projections under three future climate Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1, SSP3, SSP5) for 2041–2070 suggest a decline in nematode richness in 58.10% of the region, particularly in the northwest. Trophic groups responded differently: omnivores, fungivores and herbivores substantially reduced their distribution, while bacterivores expanded their range. Results suggest that protected areas buffer species loss and foster richness gain across all climate scenarios, although their effectiveness remains uncertain. This study highlights the importance of protecting belowground communities and their functions in the face of climate change. Integrating soil biodiversity into policy planning will contribute to build resilient ecosystems under global change.