Happened at TERRA

June 2026

Excellence in Research

Researchers from the TERRA Associate Laboratory were honored at the 2026 edition of the University of Lisbon / Caixa Geral de Depósitos (ULisboa/CGD) Scientific Awards. TERRA saw the merit of its members publicly recognized in the fields of Agronomy and Geography and Territorial Studies.

TERRA Makes Its Presence Felt

Teresa Afonso do Paço (LEAF/TERRA) represented Portugal at the final workshop of the COST Action FruitCREWS. José Luís Zêzere (CEG/TERRA) was invited by ICEA to speak about extreme events and hydrogeomorphological risks in Portugal during the cultural session “Environment and Extreme Events.” Patrícia Rodríguez González (CEF/TERRA) attended the 23rd Congress of the Iberian Association of Limnology (AIL) in Bilbao.

May 2026

Systemic, interdisciplinary, and evidence-based approaches

TERRA released a policy brief focused on urban renaturalization as an essential tool for addressing the climate crisis and improving public health in Portugal—“Greener Cities: Scientific Evidence to Inform Public Policies on Urban Renaturalization.”

The Link Between Science and Public Administration

Researchers from CEF and LEAF presented at ISA Europe’s first biochar oven dedicated to processing the invasive macroalgae Rugulopteryx okamurae—the goal is to transform an urgent environmental problem into an opportunity for innovation and sustainability by studying new, valuable applications for the collected biomass.

April 2026

TERRA 2026 Annual Meeting

The TERRA Associated Laboratory marked World Earth Day on April 22 with its Annual Meeting, a session dedicated to the growing impacts of severe weather and extreme weather events in Portugal.

TERRA Science

A study involving Teresa Ferreira (CEF/TERRA) warns of the critical state of European rivers; a study led by Ph.D. student Arthur Macedo and co-authored by João Farminhão (CFE/TERRA) describes two new species of orchids of the genus Rhipidoglossum in Central Africa. Researcher Ana Isabel Ribeiro-Barros (CEF/TERRA) is a co-author of a study that reveals, in unprecedented detail, how post-harvest fermentation shapes the aromatic profile of African Arabica coffee.

March 2026

The link between science and public administration

TERRA and CHANGE brought together researchers, policymakers, and representatives of public agencies at a meeting that reinforced the role of the Associated Laboratories as strategic actors in the development of public policies grounded in scientific knowledge.

Featured TERRA Researchers

César Capinha (CEG/IGOT) played a key role in the creation of a future European Center for Biodiversity Observation Coordination, and Teresa Ferreira attended the event “Evidence-Based Public Policies for the Twin Transition.”

January & February 2026

TERRA Researchers in the Spotlight

The BEATS Project, led by Catarina Silva (CFE), has been recognized by the University of Coimbra; Margarida Tomé (CEF) has been named Professor Emerita at ULisboa; and Helena Pereira (CEF) has joined the IST Evaluation Board.

TERRA Researchers in the Media

From advocating for a national ecological infrastructure in Público to analyzing extreme weather events on CNN and RTP, and including the discovery of new species on Antena 1, TERRA researchers have maintained a constant presence in the media with solid and insightful scientific contributions.

E-book Happened at TERRA 2025

The TERRA Associate Laboratory has once again compiled all of its monthly newsletters from 2025 into a single compilation, celebrating yet another year of collaboration and scientific innovation. Here you will find a record of the activities carried out by TERRA and its Research Units, from pioneering projects, scientific publications, events, and initiatives to awards and distinctions.

December 2025

TERRA inaugurates Digital Exhibition “35 Christmas Cards by Jorge Paiva”

The TERRA Associate Laboratory presented the digital exhibition “35 Christmas Cards by Jorge Paiva — 35 years, 35 Christmases, 35 cards, 35 alerts,” a display that brings together more than three decades of environmental messages sent by the prestigious botanist and CFE researcher Jorge Paiva.
Jorge Paiva’s exhibition inaugurates the new digital exhibition area on the TERRA website, developed
to broaden access to scientific knowledge through more engaging visual formats.

TERRA Policy Hub: scientific excellence transformed into strategic action for the country

The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon campus in Torres Vedras hosted the TERRA Policy Hub on December 15 and 16. This collaborative working meeting brought together around 40 researchers from the five Research Units that make up TERRA, with the aim of building solid bridges between scientific knowledge production and political decision-making. As a direct result of this meeting, TERRA will publish four specific Policy Briefs (one for each thematic area).

November 2025

New section on the TERRA website: FAQ page

As part of Open Science Month, celebrated in October, the TERRA Associated Laboratory reinforces its commitment to promoting more transparent, inclusive, and collaborative scientific practices. As part of this mission, a new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page has been launched on its official website, a new information resource to support the scientific community in adopting good practices in data management, open access, and responsible research.

New Thematic Infographics

The TERRA Associated Laboratory launches two new infographics: Disease-Carrying Mosquitoes: Risk, Surveillance, and Prevention and Sustainable Food Environments.

October 2025

New Thematic Infographic

The TERRA Associate Laboratory, in collaboration with NEMATO-lab at the Center for Functional Ecology (CFE), launches a new infographic dedicated to phytoparasitic nematodes—microscopic organisms that severely affect agricultural production.

TERRA researchers in the Media

Ruben Heleno (CFE/TERRA) shared worrying results on biodiversity loss in Europe on 90 Segundos de Ciência (90 Seconds of Science) and reinforced the urgency of protecting functional ecosystems, which are fundamental to the survival of our species.

August 2025

TERRA researchers in the Media

August brought science with impact. Several TERRA researchers were active in public debate, shedding light on divisive and urgent issues: from the structural crisis in forest management to extreme heat, the controversial extinction of the FCT, and critical oversight of the wine sector.

TERRA’s Science

CFE researchers described a new species of orchid in the Western Rift Valley; at CEG, Eduardo Gomes once again secured funding in the Science4Policy competition; at LEAF, Natália Cunha and Manuela Raposo Magalhães edited an international work on rural landscape planning; and TERRA collaborated in promoting a pioneering course on Introduction to Natural Engineering Techniques.

July 2025

TERRA Researchers in the Media

Madalena Lordelo (LEAF) appeared on Canal Q’s “Bitalk Podcast” to discuss the challenges of animal production in Portugal. Elsa Rodrigues (CFE) presented the results of a study on the food safety of macroalgae and halophytes on Antena 1. Maria Fernanda Rollo (CFE) published an op-ed in Público calling for greater recognition of science managers. Meanwhile, a group of CEF researchers collaborated with the Florestas.pt portal to raise awareness about the importance of river restoration.

TERRA Mission

TERRA’s science manager and communicator, Sofia Viegas, discusses the potential for creating and developing virtual exhibitions hosted on institutional websites, using the University of Turku Herbarium project as an example.

June 2025

EARTH AND PUBLIC POLICIES

During the month of June, the TERRA Associated Laboratory dedicated itself to reflecting on the role of science in the formulation of public policies in Portugal. TERRA researchers such as Paulo Branco (CEO TERRA), Gonçalo Rodrigues (LEAF), Luís Mendes (CEG) and Ana Louro (CEG) actively participated in the public debate by publishing several opinion articles in national media, addressing issues such as land use planning, housing, agricultural policy and urban development.

THEME OF THE MONTH

On June 27, the Thalia Theater in Lisbon hosted the event “Transformative Knowledge: Science and Policies for TERRA”, promoted by the Associated Laboratory TERRA. The initiative brought together researchers, policymakers and representatives of public institutions to reflect on the application of scientific knowledge in the formulation of public policies in areas such as the environment, health, land management and spatial planning.

May 2025

Clarification session on European funding brought TERRA researchers together with ANI at TERRA

On May 15, in the TERRA meeting room, an information session on European funding was held in close collaboration between the TERRA Associated Laboratory and the National Innovation Agency (ANI).

Researchers from the TERRA Associated Laboratory distinguished in Research.com’s international ranking

Recently, several TERRA researchers were featured in the prestigious international ranking of the Research.com platform, which annually distinguishes the scientists with the greatest impact and relevance at a global level, based on objective and demanding criteria. Congratulations to all the researchers whose work has been recognized this year!

April 2025

FCT has released the provisional results of the 2023/2024 evaluation process for R&D Units

Three of the five research units that make up the TERRA Associate Laboratory received the (maxmum) rating of EXCELLENT and two of VERY GOOD in the most recent evaluation promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

World Earth Day: Event brought together science, philosophy and political action for a sustainable future

On April 22, 2025, the TERRA Associate Laboratory held its annual meeting to celebrate World Earth Day at the National Library of Portugal in Lisbon. This meeting brought together representatives from various sectors of society, including government officials, public administration and local government authorities, as well as scientists and academics.

March 2025

FCT has released the provisional results of the 2023/2024 evaluation process for R&D Units

Three of the five research units that make up the TERRA Associate Laboratory received the (maxmum) rating of EXCELLENT and two of VERY GOOD in the most recent evaluation promoted by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

World Earth Day: Event brought together science, philosophy and political action for a sustainable future

On April 22, 2025, the TERRA Associate Laboratory held its annual meeting to celebrate World Earth Day at the National Library of Portugal in Lisbon. This meeting brought together representatives from various sectors of society, including government officials, public administration and local government authorities, as well as scientists and academics.

February 2025

Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)

Professor Teresa Ferreira, coordinator of the TERRA Associate Laboratory, is one of the signatories of an opinion article published in the Público newspaper, which highlights the need to reprogram the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) for the benefit of science and innovation in Portugal.

TERRA Grande Debate Cycle

TERRA recorded another session of the TERRA Grande Debate Cycle, a space for reflection and sharing on key issues for the future of our planet. The debate in this fourth session focused on “Alternative Water Sources: Desalination?”

January 2025

Changing the land use law

CEF/TERRA professor Manuel Madeira warned of the risks of changing the land use law, which was voted on January 24 in Parliament, highlighting soil sealing and changes in the urban landscape.

Research units in the spotlight

The 13th Portuguese Antarctic Flight departed on January 16, carrying 99 scientists and technicians from various
nationalities to Antarctica as part of the Portuguese Antarctic Campaign 2024-25.

E-book Happened at TERRA 2024

TERRA Associate Laboratory has put together all the monthly newsletters for 2024 in a single compilation! With special messages from Executive Director Paulo Branco and Chair of the Board of Coordinators Teresa Ferreira, this publication celebrates a year marked by collaboration and scientific innovation. Here are the activities carried out by TERRA and its Research Units, from pioneering projects, scientific publications, events and initiatives, to awards and distinctions.

December 2024

TERRA members in the spotlight

Susana Barreiro (CEF) and António Monteiro (CEG) have been approved for funding for the Trees4Adapt project.

TERRA presents a new talk by TERRA philosophers: “Complexity in the food system”

TERRA brought together Christophe Béné (Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT), Margarida Queirós (CEG) and João Baptista (ICS) for a conversation about complexity in the food system.

TERRA in the media

Hugo Osório (ISAMB) and César Capinha (CEG) warned of the risks associated with the increased presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito in Portugal – an invasive species that transmits diseases such as dengue.

November 2024

TERRA members in the spotlight

Professor Anabela Raymundo (LEAF/TERRA) was appointed to the National Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CNCTI) and Professor José Miguel Cardoso Pereira (CEF/TERRA) was invited to join the team of experts for the Forest Intervention Plan 2025.

TERRA makes available the third session of the TERRA Grande Cycle of Debates

TERRA has launched the third session of the TERRA Grande Cycle of Debates “Farmers’ rights in the use of water”.

TERRA on the networks

In November, TERRA marked several important anniversaries on its social networks, highlighting issues relevant to science and sustainability.