We review the conservation status and threats to the endemic vascular flora of the Cape Verde islands, mostly based on the past two decades of collecting, literature review and herbarium specimens. The application of IUCN Red List criteria and categories using RAMAS software reveals that 78% of the endemic plants are threatened (29.3% Critically Endangered, 41.3% Endangered, 7.6% Vulnerable). Most of these endemics have a limited geographical range, and half of them have Areas of Occupancy and Extents of Occurrence of < 20 and 200 km 2 , respectively. Our data show that, over the last two decades, the Cape Verde vascular plants have become more threatened and their conservation status has declined, mostly as a consequence of the increase in exotic species, habitat degradation and human disturbance. This paper presents the first comprehensive IUCN Red List data review for the plants endemic to Cape Verde, thus providing an important step towards the recognition and conservation of its threatened endemic flora at the national and global level. It also fills a knowledge gap, as it represents the first thorough assessment of the conservation status of the entire endemic flora of a Macaronesian archipelago.

(4-5)The reduction of resinous species in Portuguese forest areas has caused constraints to wood industry supplies. Portugal represents the extreme southwest of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) natural distribution and large gaps exist in the knowledge of its wood-quality characteristics. Understanding the relationship between these traits is important for recognizing which combination of wood properties is the most suitable for specific uses. To address these questions, we assessed wood-quality traits, namely, wood-density components (microdensitometric analysis), chemical composition (NIR spectrometry) and mechanical properties (bending tests) of wood samples collected at five representative forest sites in Portugal. Our results showed that Portuguese Pinus sylvestris has good radial growth and denser wood, higher extractive content and higher stiffness and strength than northern European provenances. The lignin content was within the range attributed to softwoods. Among the Portuguese stands, trees growing at lower-altitude sites exhibited denser wood and higher mechanical properties, while trees from high-elevations showed higher amounts of lignin. Ring density was more strongly correlated with earlywood than latewood density. A negative, non-significant correlation was found between ring density and width, supporting the assumption that the higher radial growth (ring width) does not negatively affect wood quality (density). In general, chemical properties had a weak relationship with physical and mechanical properties (MOE and MOR). Both mechanical traits were positively correlated with density and growth components, supporting the assumption that trees with high radial growth do not exhibit poorer mechanical performances.

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A R T I C L E I N F O Keywords:Logit models Porto Tree-lined streets design and management Urban forest Urban fabric change A B S T R A C T Street trees can play an important role in the urban green infrastructure (UGI). However, changes in the urban fabric often have perverse effects on the structure, diversity, and performance of street trees, and, consequently, on their perception by the public.This research explores public perception of the current street tree adequacy in a coastal neighborhood of Porto that went through a major densification in its urban fabric during the second half of the 20th century.The research methodology included: i) a survey to evaluate public perception of tree services and disservices, and public perception of the adequacy of street trees in the study area; and ii) two Logit models relating public perception of tree services with the characteristics of respondents and streets.96% of the respondents self-reported as tree lovers. However, more than 30% found the street trees of the study area inadequate to the present urban fabric and 5% have already made a complaint to the municipality.Characteristics of respondents and streets affect respondent's perceptions. Education plays a key role in the acknowledgment of tree services. Older respondents are more likely to perceive trees as dangerous. Respondents who live on streets dominated by Black Poplar are more likely to dislike trees.Results implications on UGI planning and design advise an adjustment of tree dimensions to street dimensions, an increase in street tree diversity, and an improved street planting design. Results also suggest that an investment in education and information could lead to conflict mitigation. among green spaces, contributing to a more cohesive Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) .While in the past, street trees have been essentially perceived as decorative elements (Sanesi and Chiarello, 2006), nowadays their environmental, economic, social and aesthetical services have been increasingly acknowledged (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005;Seamans, 2013). However, the positive attributes of street trees are not the only ones perceived by people. In the streets, trees live alongside with people and buildings, which increases the opportunities for negative interactions (Dandy, 2010). The costs of maintenance, the potential damages to urban infrastructures, the produced green waste and the allergies caused by pollinating can lead people to complain and to feel that, somehow, trees are inappropriate (Rotherham, 2010;Escobedo et al., 2011).Over the years, several studies about public perception, attitudes and opinions regarding street trees were conducted to understand what drives

Background Genetic selection for one trait can have an impact on other important traits for final use; thus, it is important to assess the correlation between traits. • Methods Genetic control and relationships among lignin content predicted by near infrared spectroscopy, radial modulus of elasticity (MOE Rad ) and the radial modulus of rupture (MOR Rad ), as well as its correlations with wood density components and spiral grain were assessed by estimating heritability, phenotypic and genetic correlations using 552 Pinus pinaster trees from 46 half-sib families.• Results The results of this study showed that lignin amount is under a moderate genetic control (h 2 =0.34) but due to the low coefficient of variation observed, selection for lignin content through breeding could yield modest gains. Selection based on density will result in a decrease of the lignin content, and that the lignin content was more dependent on the proportion of latewood. • Conclusions The results show that MOE Rad and MOR Rad are under moderate genetic control (h 2 =0.34 and h 2 =0.30 respectively), suggesting possible genetic gains by selection for higher resistance and elasticity. MOE Rad had higher correlations with latewood than earlywood components. Negative correlations were observed between mechanical traits and lignin content, while the correlations with spiral grain were positive.

Characteristicsand motivations of potential users of urban allotment gardens: The case of Vila Nova de Gaia municipal network of urban allotment gardens.

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