First name:
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Main project your organisation is involved with, in relation to (sub)tropical biodiversity:
Understanding Underground Biodiversity: Studies on the lava tubes of the Azores. Litlle is known on the distribution, population dynamics and biogeochemical roles of the microorganisms that colonize caves. The existing knowledge is based mostly on cultivation-dependent methods, which underestimate microbial biodiversity, due to the lack of techniques for the cultivation of the large majority of the microbial life in these environments. Using culture-independent methodologies, our workgroup has been unravelling the bacterial biodiversity within Azorean lava tubes and is studying the biotechnological potentialities of these microorganisms as sources of novel antibiotics and other industrially important molecules, such as novel enzymes.
Understanding lactic acid bacteria (LAB) potential: Nutritional benefits and safety advantages in cheeses This project aims at the conservation of a still untapped resource of useful industrial microorganisms: the traditional Azorean foods. Traditional foods are unique microbial ecosystems that are, in some cases, threatened by the introduction of cheap, industrially produced food and by globalization of the food market and food consumption habits. Our work indicates that Azorean foods possess microorganisms with unique properties that could be used to develop innovative food products and lays the foundations for improving the quality and enhancing the sustainability of these traditional products.
Good practices your organisation could share on tropical and subtropical sustainable biodiversity management:
Topic:
Purpose:
Promote the conservation of microbial biodiversity in Azorean lava tubes. Raising the awareness of different focus groups for the need to conserve these ecosystems.
Methodology implemented:
Inventory of the microbial biodiversity in lava tubes. Studies on the impact of human activities (farming, tourism) on microbial biodiversity. Interaction with stakeholders (cave management organizations, government, general public).
Existing results:
Contribution to the creation of a priority list of caves for promoting their conservation. Education of the stakeholders towards understanding better their roles in the conservation of the caves' ecosystems.
Topic:
Purpose:
Promote sustainability of food production. Preserve unique foods and their microbiota. Promote innovation that is based on the uniqueness of each region.
Methodology implemented:
Inventory of the microbial biodiversity in traditional Azorean foods. Study of their potential health and industrial benefits. Study of unique compounds in Azorean foods that display bioactivity and may enhance their nutritional and economical value, as well as their attractiveness towards consumers. Interaction with stakeholders to raise awareness towards the conservation of these environments and to diffuse the generated knowledge.
Existing results:
Although this work is still under way, Azorean foods have emerged as biodiverse systems, wich harbour microorganisms and compounds of great nutritional potential. Strategies for the improvement of these products will be proposed, to enhance their sustainability and survival in today's globalized food market.
Good practice & policies your organisation suggests/desires on (sub) tropical biodiversity management.:
Topic:
Purpose:
Rely on sustainable, low-impact production methods.
Methodology implemented:
Scientific studies. Discussions with stakeholders.
Existing results:
In the Azores, dairy production can best be performed on the basis of grass. Milk and milk products thus produced cost less, have lower impact on the environment, are of higher nutritional quality and may have higher market value.
Topic:
Purpose:
Raise the awareness of food producers, decision-makers and the general public towards these products. Traditional foods are biodiversity domains that have still deserved very little attention. They are either made from unique plant/animal varieties/breeds, or harbour unique microbiotas. Furthermore, they are an important part of the local culture and contribute to Europe's cultural diversity. Traditional foods may afford local economies a means of developing unique products that are attractive to the present market.
Methodology implemented:
Various studies on the bioversity linked to local foods have been carried out. Constant interchange with stakeholders has been sought.
Existing results:
Important steps have been made towards the preservation of local breeds/varieties/strains of animals/plants/microorganisms implicated in the manufacture of traditional foods. The awareness of the local government, producers and general public has been raised, but work is still in progress and the inventory of traditional foods as biodiversity treasure troves is still far from concluded.
Indicate info on projects dealing with socio-econ. valuation of biodiversity your organisation has been involved in/aware of.:
Topic:
Methodology implemented:
Various studies on the bioversity linked to local foods have been carried out. Constant interchange with stakeholders has been sought.
Existing results:
Important steps have been made towards the preservation of local breeds/varieties/strains of animals/plants/microorganisms implicated in the manufacture of traditional foods. The awareness of the local government, producers and general public has been raised, but work is still in progress and the inventory of traditional foods as biodiversity treasure troves is still far from concluded.