Abstract
The resilience, ecological function and quality of both agricultural and natural systems were evaluated in the mountainous region of the Atlantic Rain Forest of Rio de Janeiro through Rapid Assessment Methods. For this goal new indicators were proposed, such as eco-volume, eco-height, bio-volume, volume efficiency, and resilience index. The following agricultural and natural systems have been compared according: (i) vegetables (leaf, fruit and mixed); (ii) citrus; (iii) ecological system; (iv) cattle, (v) silvo-pastoral system, (vi) forest fragment and (vii) forest in regeneration stage (1, 2 and 3 years old). An alternative measure (index) of resilience was proposed by considering the actual bio-volume as a function of the potential eco-volume. The objectives and hypotheses were fulfilled; it is shown that there does exist a high positive correlation between resilience index, biomass, energy efficiency and biodiversity. Cattle and vegetable systems have lowest resilience, whilst ecological and silvo-pastoral systems have greatest resilience. This new approach offers a rapid, though valuable assessment tool for ecological studies, agricultural development and landscape planning, particularly in tropical countries.
Highlights
Rapid Rural Assessment methods have been widely developed in the field of agriculture, economics, sociology, anthropology and epidemiology (Rifkin 2007, Brooke and Knuthk 2002.)
The resilience, ecological function and quality of both agricultural and natural systems were evaluated in the mou tainous region of the Atlantic Rain Forest of Rio de Janeiro through Rapid Assessment Methods
An alternative measure of resilience was proposed by considering the actu bio-volume as a function of the potential eco-volume
Summary
Rapid Rural Assessment methods have been widely developed in the field of agriculture, economics, sociology, anthropology and epidemiology (Rifkin 2007, Brooke and Knuthk 2002.). It generally consists of drawing a rough picture in a short time span, for agricultural systems in average one day per observation. How can plex ecosystems functions through quick and sim assessment methods be described with the objec build simulation models based on simple and av data, like plant height, basal area, biomass, richnes Only in this sense, it is possible to rapidly ident quantify rapidly every changing environmental pro and to suggest problem solving remedies within tional deadlines
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