The natural organization of Brazilian inter-and subtropical landscapes

Aziz Nacib Ab'sáber

doi:10.5935/0100-929x.20000005

Abstract

Present conditions are rather favorable to the development of interdisciplinary studies of the organization of Brazilian inter- and subtropical landscapes. Among such conditions are the easy access to the diverse physiographical and ecological regions, the very large number of aerial photographs that are available, and a perrnissive attitude toward the formation of interdisciplinary teams. The theme in itself is attractive, as the display of Brazilian inter- and subtropical landscapes is markedly original within the tropical world

Highlights

Present conditions are rather favorable to the development of interdisciplinary studies of the organization of Brazilian inter- and subtropical landscapes
Most of the country is subject to the conflicting influences of Nature and Man, there still exist fairly favorable conditions for the characterization of natural spaces, in an objetive attempt to reconstruct their primary organization. 1twill perhaps be the task of the present generation of Brazilian researchers to document this issue in the literature on earth and life sciences in Brazil
From the beginning I want to stress that it is by alI means convenient to intensify studies on the functioning and organization of Brazilian landscapes, taking into account regional and local conjunctures resulting from anthropic actions

Summary

D VI - PRAIRIES

Massive complex plateaus and compartmented sedimentary plateaus, cerrados and cerradões on the interfluves; continuous gallery forest, of varying width; headwaters in dales, i.e., small swampy amphitheatres; soils in general with low primary fertility; both primary and secondary elements of the drainage perennial, waterways on slopes and interfluves intermittent; very broad interfluves and widely or spaced valleys; little branching of the drainage in the core area; forest enc1aves on better soils and around springs; no mamelonization; particular types of fluvial channels, generally nonmeandrous on the plateaus; levels of pediplanation on plateau compartments, step-like pediments and terraces with gravels; indications of c1imatic and landscape fluctuations in the central and peripheral intermontane depressions; c1imate of Sudanese type, rainfall 1300-1800 mm/year, concentrated in the summer, relatively low in winter. The domain pccupies sedimentary terrains of diverse age, as well as basaltic areas, and makes inroads into crystalline areas of the Uruguay-Rio Grande do Sul plateau, commonly known as the "Serras de Sudeste"

THE BELTS OF TRANSITION AND CONTACT BETWEEN THE GREAT

THE EVOLUTION OF FLORAS FROM THE CRETACEOUS TO THE

MAMELONIZATION VS PEDIMENTATION IN THE EVOLUTION OF

THE FINAL STAGES OF MAMELONIZATION

Findings

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS