The franciscana, Pontoporia blainvillei, is endemic to the South Atlantic coast of South America. The species is of conservation concern because it suffers elevated mortality rates due to incidental captures in fishing nets, and perhaps it is one of the most threatened small cetaceans in this region. Previous morphological and genetic studies have suggested the existence of at least two distinct stocks to the north and south of Santa Catarina Island in Brazil. Fixed differences were found between a sample from Rio de Janeiro and one from Rio Grande do Sul, in southern Brazil. Using 94 sequences of the control region of mitochondrial DNA, we examined the genetic structure of the species. We found no shared haplotypes between Rio de Janeiro and samples from the southern range of the species distribution. However, a phylogenetic analysis suggests that the former population is diphyletic with respect to the southern samples. This suggests that the populations have not been isolated long enough to reach reciprocal monophyly. Furthermore, genetic differentiation is broadly consistent with a simple model of isolation by distance, that therefore appears as an alternative to a model of strict isolation of two stocks. The estimated levels of gene flow are higher among neighboring populations, and decrease as more distant localities are compared. Finally, the molecular data suggest that franciscanas have expanded in Rio de Janeiro.

Participatory research in which experts and non-experts are co-researchers in addressing local concerns (also known as participatory action research or community-based research) can be a valuable approach for dealing with the uncertainty of social-ecological systems because it fosters learning among stakeholders and co-production of knowledge. Despite its increased application in the context of natural resources and environmental management, evaluation of participatory research has received little attention. The objectives of this research were to define criteria to evaluate participatory research processes and outcomes, from the literature on participation evaluation, and to apply them in a case study in an artisanal fishery in coastal Uruguay. Process evaluation criteria (e.g., problem to be addressed of key interest to local and additional stakeholders; involvement of interested stakeholder groups in every research stage; collective decision making through deliberation; and adaptability through iterative cycles) should be considered as conditions to promote empowering participatory research. Our research contributes to knowledge on evaluation of participatory research, while also providing evidence of the positive outcomes of this approach, such as co-production of knowledge, learning, strengthened social networks, and conflict resolution.

Enfoques que promovem algum tipo de participação comunitária estão sendo cada vez mais utilizados para abordar problemáticas socioambientais. Um exemplo são as pesquisas participativas (PP): estratégias de pesquisa nas quais diversos atores trabalham de forma colaborativa para um tema de interesse comum. O grupo de trabalho formado para conduzir a pesquisa participa, de forma horizontal, em todas as etapas, desde a definição da pergunta de pesquisa até a difusão dos resultados. A aplicação destes enfoques na formação universitária representa desafios por vários pontos de vista: redefine o papel do especialista; questiona as visões científicas tradicionais e seus métodos; e promove a reflexão, nao só sobre estas temáticas, mas também sobre o binômio pesquisa/ação. Após caracterizar o enfoque específico das PP, o objetivo desde trabalho é descrever três experiências de formação universitária vinculadas a uma PP na pesca artesanal de Piriápolis (Uruguai), e apartir destas experiências discutir  potencialidades e desafios da inclusão deste enfoque no ensino universitário no Uruguai. A PP em Piriápolis foi iniciada em 2011 visando abordar problemáticas locais vinculadas à pesca artesanal entre distintos atores: pescadores artesanais, pesquisadores universitários, organização governamental encarregada da gestão pesqueira, e ONGs. Esta PP foi iniciada durante uma pesquisa de doutorado, permitiu uma dissertação de graduação, e serviu de plataforma para uma disciplina de graduação em ciências. Destas experiências conclui-se que as PP constituem enfoques transdisciplinares que potenciam, metodológicamente e conceptualmente,  iniciativas universitárias integradas com énfase na inter ou transdisciplinaridade e no  diálogo entre saberes. Ademais, as PP são compatíveis com a realização de estudos e trabalhos de graduação e pós-graduação, e podem ser vinculadas a diversas plataformas educativas.

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As part of the formulation of the first National Water Plan (NWP) in Uruguay, a mini-public process called ‘Citizen Deliberation on Water (Deci Agua)’ was developed in 2016. While the draft of the plan was being discussed in the formal arenas of water governance (Basin Commissions and Regional Water Resources Councils), a University research team (led by the authors), in coordination with the national water authority, adapted the mechanism of consensus conferences in order to incorporate the citizens’ visions and to contribute to public understanding of the NWP challenges. This article analyses the main aspects of the developed participation strategy and discusses them regarding a set of quality criteria used to evaluate deliberative processes. Although the final version of the NWP (passed by decree in 2017) incorporated some of the contributions of the Citizen Panel, an in-depth analysis of the scope of the deliberative process of Deci Agua allows us to delve into some key aspects related to the quality of participation processes and the challenges. A mixed approach that combines stakeholder participation and lay citizens is novel and desirable in water governance since it increases the scope of participation, deepens the legitimacy of decision-making and improves the public debate.