It is one of the most common birds in the country.

The turdus merulla, (scientific name) the blackbird, has a song that leaves no one indifferent, though his species is very little appreciated by the farmers, because the similarities they share with the starlings. In Portugal, there are three different specimens resulting from geographical isolation. The Azores and Madeira, with the exception of the island of Porto Santo, respectively have two completely different types of exemplar's from the existing species on the continent, but these features are not physically visible, are only demarcate by their genetic code that distinguishes them from each other.
According to the official website of the birds of Portugal, the Blackbird "presents no difficulties in identifying, highlighting, in the case of males, the general color black, orange beak and yellow halo around the eye. Both the male and the female, have long legs and the tail too. The general pattern of females and juveniles are brown with some faint stripes. Despite the easy identification, it can however be confused with the black starlings, especially in low light conditions. Still, the plumage of this species is matte, while that of starlings is bright. "This bird is distributed throughout the country due to its great capacity to adapt to the environment, it is estimated that there are between 200,000 to 2 million of these small specimens, although it is an inexact number. Recently it was found that the blackbirds abound in cities and more they stay the whole year in our country, although in general, Portuguese and Spanish do not know that they are migratory birds. Many birds fly from northern Europe in winter to the Iberian Peninsula in search of a milder climate and more food. The Turdus merulla is not a threatened species, but the proliferation of cats is believed to have an impact on its numbers.
http://www.avesdeportugal.info/

The Alentejo town of Nisa was awarded an international prize which will be delivered in the city of Hiegen, Switzerland, the next 29th of September.

"The nuclear free future award" of 2012, was assigned to the movement uranium in Nisa, no! (Munn) and the president of the city council, Gabriela Tsukamoto for their commitment and social activism in favor of nuclear non-proliferation and preservation of the environment. Recalling, that the former government executive, sought to revive the mining of uranium in greater deposit of the region, but ran into a great civic movement that opposed strictly to the development of this industrial activity due to its social disastrous and environmental impact. An organized civil combat which caused a wide media frantic that helps to warn the Portuguese about the need to discuss the nuclear issue of the territory. More recently a documentary directed by Marcia Gomes and Norbert Schuchanek, helped to highlight even more the uprising of the populations of Nisa, as an example of a preventive civic struggle against the nuclear.
The "Nuclear-Free Future Awards" are awarded since 1998 by Franz Moll Foundation for Future Generations to activists, individuals or institutions that have distinguished themselves in the struggle for a world without nuclear power development in any of its components, and alternatively have been committed by citizenship and sustainability. This award was also created with the aim to raise an awareness of the dangers of nuclear and sharpening the understanding that the actions taken today must take into account how they will affect future generations, advocating the need for a paradigm shift for current energy.

It's a link between academia and the business world with positive results. A pilot study developed by a group of researchers from the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP) allowed the reduction of production costs and  its environmental impact on a company of fiber glass plastic.

Investigators from the ISEP and FEUP developed the project called "Pultreficaz ', which aimed to support a company to optimize energy resources, usually consumed in the manufacture of materials. On the other hand, they also sought to find new solutions to the waste resulting from production. With this innovation the company will be able to reduce the energy bill of the manufacturing process of the materials used increasingly in the sanitation areas and construction of more than 50%, reusing waste as new raw material. Stairs, bridges, dams and structures, train and metro stations are some of the equipment and infrastructure where there is an increased use of pultrudites profiles. This is a material made from plastic reinforced with fiberglass which replaces the steel, aluminum or wood, more easily corrosive products.

In economic terms, this project helped to improve production efficiency, namely a 57% reduction in energy consumption. Moreover, by cutting and milling waste, it was possible to incorporate them in plaster to ensure a safe and beneficial use therefore minimizing the economic and environmental impact. This reuse of waste as new raw material avoids also the payment of respective fees for waste disposal in landfill. For both faculties, this study "helped to create a performance model that can in future be used in other companies or industries sector", concludes Ana Castro Meira, lecturer and researcher at the ISEP.

It is a self-sustaining project to save the native reforest, for that all you have to do is a small gesture.

"The green cork is a recycling program of Cork Stoppers develop by Quercus, in partnership with corticeira Amorim, the Biological and the Continent, which aims the transformation of the corks used in other products, but also with their efforts to recycling, to finance part of the "Forest Policy", which will only use trees that are indigenous to our forests, including the cork oak" according to Quercus. The project is not intended to recicle the cork stoppers to manufacture new ones, as this raw material has many other applications in the manufacturing industry. The objective of this initiative is to create platforms that reduce waste, the use of stopper as an ecological product, the consequent defense of the "montados" and the planting of new species. The delivery of stoppers can be made in several hypermarkets "continente", "modelo", in "dolce vita" shopping centers and the scouts national groups. The money that comes from the processing are all directed to the reforestation of the mountains. Altogether since 2010, the starting year of this program, were planted 10, 412 trees in the national territory, with particular emphasis on the indigenous species, as this initiative is part of the project trees that has the intention to "plant a forest of 100 specimens for the Centenary Celebration of the Republic, and that is, not only as a project to raise awareness of the advantages and importance of using our native species, but also as a pilot project to launch a wider project of forestation " concludes. The participation of civil society and various public institutions has been critical to the strength of the program that wants above all to reforest many areas of the country with strong environmental benefits and sustainability for the population. Be part of this chain and give away your corks.

http://earthcondominium.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/relatorio-bosques-centenario_2fase.pdf

Portuguese researchers have managed to create a plant material that does not pollute the environment.

The investigating team led by textile engineering at the University of Minho, Fernanda Viana and scientists at the University of Fernando Pessoa, sought and found a way to create posters that comply with the national legal framework and the result is a corn, soy and bamboo fiber that minimizes environmental impact and do not harm public health. It's an innovative idea that has emerged from an observation of everyday life, the political and advertising outdoors we see on the streets are not biodegradable, unlike prescribed by law, many are made of PVC and coated with resin.
Another novelty presented by the researchers is the application of liquid crystals. This is new technology that allows you to change the advertising message on the billboard by environmental stimuli or intentional. That is, it is possible to have different advertising or political propaganda poster in the same range by varying thermal action. These scientific discoveries have no date for its marketing, once the project is in the process of analysis of patenting, through the National Institute of Industrial Property. A less appealing aspects of the potential of this innovation are the costs that slightly exceed the non-biodegradable ​​posters. However, scientists ensure that an enhancement of the production line in large scale can create an approximation of the power values.

A study led by scientist Tomas Albergaria point’s failures in national legislation.

Soils contaminated with gasoline and oil products represent a major cause of contamination around the world including Portugal. The presence of these contaminants can affect the vegetation and groundwater, creating a hazard to animals (who eat it) and thru an indirect pathway for humans. A major cause of such pollution is caused by the construction of the reservoir filling stations for fuel. Portugal does not have legislation that promotes the protection of the soil, allowing situations to occur that lead to contamination with uncontrolled damage to the environment and in extreme cases to the public health. For Tomas Albergaria, researcher at the Superior Institute of Engineering of Porto (ISEP) and responsible for a study that shows solutions to the problem, "it is urgent for our country to take measures in this area" similar to what happens to countries like Belgium or the Netherlands. The Group Reactions and Chemical Analysis of ISEP (GRAQ) have as one of its areas of research soil remediation. The study focused on the combination of two of the most used technologies for the remediation of soils contaminated with petroleum compounds, the Vapor Extraction (VE) and Bioremediation (BR), evaluating the efficiency and feasibility of the combination of both.
Other technologies, including nanotechnology have been studied and developed to respond to various types of contamination. According to the researcher, "we have been working with several remediation technologies to increase their knowledge and develop new applications. It is a work that has had international repercussions. From the research we were able to publish several articles in scientific journals of high impact. There are solutions to move forward with the remediation of soils, all we need is sufficient political will to begin implementing the contaminated sites that present themselves. "
In scientific terms, the work in ISEP has enabled the establishment of partnerships, including the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Aarhus, which has allowed the exchange of specific know-how and students. A final note in Portugal there is no legislation to check the real quality of our soils and promote decontamination, since the national legal framework is not changed since 1976, unlike what happens in Belgium, the UK or in Holland. "In these countries there is a maximum concentration of certain contaminants in soil. Reached this index, the owners are required to decontaminate it," explains Tomas Albergaria.

The extension of the special zone of the islands Berlengas is half of the recommended area.

Portuguese society for birds study (SPEA) regrets that the Portuguese government has not used the knowledge and recommendations of the scientific community to extend the special protective zone of the islands Berlengas. The approved proposal fell short of expectations, as the government sanctioned only half the size recommended by the original opinion submitted by biologists who over four years and in partnership with the "Life Marine IBAs", collected data in order to overcome the lack methodology provided for these marine areas.

The Institute for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, the state entity that regulates and exercises authority for the conservation of the environment and natural resources, declined to appoint any technical reason that avoid declaring the entire area proposed by the scientific community. SPEA remember that the designation of an area as a marine special protective zone does not imply any change in economic uses (fisheries, tourism, energy, etc..) That may exist in the area, but only reinforce the need for sustainable use of them. Luis Costa, director of the society, regrets that "Portugal again miss an excellent opportunity to lead the protection of the sea, since the methods used by SPEA throughout the Project LIFE Marine IBAs are now the benchmark for many other European countries and the World and are not used in their own home. "it also points out that there are over 16 marine IBAs waiting to be declared as SPZ in Portugal, reiterating that they continue to call for their immediate protection, in addition to the recent extension for designated Berlengas.

http://www.cienciahoje.pt/index.php?oid=54232&op=all

It is one of the most emblematic and vulnerable species in our country.

Have you ever been cataloged as common and finally be recognized as different and very special? That's exactly same thing happened to a seabird of the Azores, to the day when a scientist, Luis Monteiro, realized the morphological, genetic and vocals of this bird distinguished them from other species of paínhos-of-wood, hence the current name and the deserved honor. This species is one of the smallest birds of the archipelago. "They have a length ranging from 18-20 cm and weighing only between 35-60 grams. Its color is black with a white band on rump and tail is slightly forked as the Painho-of-Wood. The eggs are smaller than the other species also "as referred biologist Joel Bride, in his exposition on the specimen.”The Paínhos-of-Monteiro is able to reproduce from two years of age. Like all Procellariiformes, females lay a single egg, making it impossible the replacement in case of failure. The posture of the egg runs from late April until early July. The duration of incubation is about 45 days and the breeding needs two months. Both parents participate in both process. The young leave the nest between mid August and early October. This species is not very affected by the human pressure, since the nests are not only difficult to locate, it is also difficult to reach for birds or its eggs. As for the other sea birds, the main threats are related to the presence of introduced mammals (rats, cats, ferrets) and birds of prey (including native species such as small bufos and Asio otus) in the vicinity of its local nesting. "Analyses suggest these small birds remain all year in the Azores, with particular emphasis on isolated and uninhabited islets of the island of Graciosa and currently these populations of birds exist in small numbers, with only 250-300 pairs, hence their degree of vulnerability.

http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/fauna/aves-marinhas/painho-monteiro/

They are a kind of large rays that can attract tourists.

They are groups of pelagic cartilaginous fish that abound in the waters of the archipelago of Azores and has enormous potential for ecotourism, since this maritime exclusive zone is one of the few areas of the world where they can be seen. The manta, unlike the rays, has not in the end of its tail a long thorn, can reach eight feet in breadth and two tons of weight. Also contrasting with some legends, this marine specimen does not bite, does not attack, because it has no teeth. It feeds exclusively on plankton and small fish. They are harmless and even docile, for all these reasons do not constitute any risk to humans been.

According to a study conducted by researchers at the ocean department of the University of the Azores, through the placement of satellite telemetry devices on the back of these animals, the mantas are a very vulnerable species due to its long life and low rates of growth and fertilization. As a rule, have a litter for each female, and in exceptional situations, may have two more and these features place the manta rays at a very high level of vulnerability. For these reasons deserve conservation measures not only at national level, since that these fish are not limited to the Azorean waters.
According to data collected by the probe, which allowed to recognize the best dive profiles, travel speeds, temperatures and luminosity of the water passed by, the manta only remain sometimes in the Azores. These cartilaginous fish stay in this exclusive maritime zone only during summer, and after ended this period, flock to the warmer waters of the archipelago of Cape Verde.

http://www.uac.pt/noticia/jamantas_podem_ter_potencial_para_o_ecoturismo

SPEA wants to enumerate the species residing in the Azores.

Birds also need to be surveyed. This is the case the priolos, a small species endemic to the island of Sao Miguel, which is in danger of extinction. The initiative is the responsibility of the Portuguese society for the study of birds (SPEA), led by the project LIFE laurel sustainable, Joaquim Theodosius, who want to count on June 29th, with the help of 50 volunteers, all specimens between the counties of the Northeast and Population. The first atlas of birds counted in 2008, between 1000-1500 these animals, making it possible to have a comprehensive idea of this population on the island. The scientist also said that the census allowed to help develop various initiatives over the years contributed to a significant improvement in the incidence of these small birds in their midst, from species "critically endangered with extinction," to the level of "endangered of extinction". Following the efforts, the Priolo population has increased, it is estimated that there are currently between 500 and 800 couples. Among the initiatives that have enabled this important result is the LIFE program for the Priolo, which ended in 2008, followed by the sustainable laurel that expires this year. This project aims to conserve and restore natural habitats of forest and bog laurel altitude in the northeast of St. Miguel, covering the Serra da Tronqueira and the bogs of the Plateau of Graminhais. "It's a very important area of conservation of Priolo," said project coordinator, noting that in the case of peat lands, "are being intervened about 80 hectares and are being obtain good results."

www.lusa.pt