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Translation, Editing/proofreading, Voiceover (dubbing), Training
Portuguese to English: Research Proposal (Extract) General field: Science Detailed field: Biology (-tech,-chem,micro-)
Source text - Portuguese Já foram descritos 48 gêneros de formigas em pelo menos 83 espécies de Ficus, com o maior número de registros na Ásia-Austrália e continente Americano (Bain et al. 2013). Dessas 83 espécies, apenas 19 são hospedeiras de formigas de nidificação, sendo duas consideradas verdadeiras mirmecófitas, com estruturas anatômicas especializadas para abrigar formigas (Maschwitz et al., 1994; Bain et al 2012). As formigas de nidificação são encontradas em uma variedade de locais nas plantas hospedeiras tais como cavidades de tronto e ramos com madeira morta (Schatz & Hossaert-McKey, 2003), troncos ocos (Vergara Navarro et al., 2007; Santini et al., 2011), entre as folhas (Crozier et al., 2010) e sicônios caulifloras (Dalecky et al., 2003), raízes (Fresneau, 1985) e em jardins de formigas (Wheeler, 1921). No entanto, dados quantitativos do potencial efeito predatório das formigas nidificadoras em todos os estágios do ciclo reprodutivo de figos e vespas-de-figo e o real papel delas na estrutura da comunidade de vespa e produção de sementes estão ausentes.
Translation - English Forty eight types of ant have been documented in at least 83 species of Ficus, with the largest number recorded in Asia-Australia and the American continent (Bain et al. 2013). Of these 83 species, only 19 are host to nesting ants, two being considered true myrmecophytes, with specialised anatomical structures for sheltering ants (Maschwitz et al., 1994; Bain et al 2012). Nesting ants are found in a variety of locations in host plants, such as trunk cavities and branches with dead wood (Schatz & Hossaert-McKey, 2003), hollow trunks (Vergara Navarro et al., 2007; Santini et al., 2011), between leaves (Crozier et al., 2010) and cauliflorous syconia (Dalecky et al., 2003), in roots (Fresneau, 1985) and in ant gardens (Wheeler, 1921). However, quantitative data on the potential predatory effect of nesting ants at all stages of the fig and fig wasp reproductive cycles and their real role in the structure of the wasp community and seed production are not available.
Even accepting that the ants play an important selective force on the wasp community, it is still unclear whether their presence is accidental or if the wasps alone provide a sufficient source of food to attract the ants to the host plant. If this is indeed the case, we might expect some species of Ficus to present adaptations which facilitate ant patrols among figs and, consequently, encourage the presence of the ants (Schatz et al 2008).
Portuguese to English: Urban Planning General field: Science Detailed field: Environment & Ecology
Source text - Portuguese Apesar da importância da manutenção da vegetação para amenizar a perturbação ambiental em ambientes urbanos e, da importância da mata ciliar no equilíbrio do ecossistema aquático, nenhum estudo com a comunidade vegetal foi desenvolvido em áreas urbanas na região Amazônica. Este fato deve ser considerado preocupante, pois alguns estudos já mostraram que esses ambientes estão sofrendo consideravelmente pelo processo de urbanização (Couceiro et al. 2006). Além disso, o desmatamento e a presença de espécies de plantas não nativas têm influência na riqueza e oferta de alimento para a fauna desses ambientes, o que pode causar danos irreversíveis a biota local (Lima e Gascon 1999).
Assim, o presente estudo teve como objetivos (i) descrever a estrutura, composição e diversidade de espécies de plantas presentes nos igarapés urbanos na cidade de Manaus, avaliando o padrão das espécies exóticas e nativas; e (ii) compreender os padrões da estrutura da comunidade entre as bacias hidrográficas. Esse conhecimento será importante para identificar aspectos específicos da urbanização que estão afetando a comunidade vegetal dos igarapés e orientar o planejamento das cidades e a conservação sustentável da biodiversidade amazônica.
Translation - English In spite of the importance of maintaining vegetation to reduce the impact of environmental disturbance in urban areas, and of the importance of ciliary forest in aquatic ecosystem equilibrium, no plant community studies have been done in urban areas in the Amazon region. This is somewhat alarming, since there is already evidence to suggest that these environments are suffering considerably through the urbanisation process (Couceiro et al. 2006). In addition, deforestation and the presence of non-native vegetation influence species richness and the availability of food for associated fauna. This may cause irreversible damage to the local biota (Lima and Gascon 1999).
The objectives of the present study are (i) to describe the structure, composition and diversity of plant species present in the urban streams of the city of Manaus, evaluating the pattern of native and exotic species; and (ii) to compare the pattern of community structures of the different hydrographic basins. This knowledge will be important in identifying the specific aspects of urbanisation that are affecting plant communities in streams and in informing the urban planning process and the sustainable conservation of Amazonian biodiversity.
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Years of experience: 19. Registered at ProZ.com: Feb 2015.
CV available upon request - please see "About Me" for general background information.
Bio
I'm a UK-qualified accountant with a first degree in Accounting and an MBA. I'm also PRINCE II Project Management certified, Novell Networks certified, have a Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, a UK pilot´s licence - and a Bushmills Irish Whiskey Taster´s certificate (yes really).
I have worked in Brazil teaching English and translating, on and off, since 1995. After writing and publishing the Amazon Handbook in 2009, I now co-own and run the Amazon Handbook visitor centre in Manaus, where we also teach English and specialise in technical, commercial and academic translations for local industry and private universities.
I'm married with a young son and we live near the rainforest in Brazil's gateway to the Amazon.
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