Amazon Biome Research Articles

Effect of environmental parameters on squamate reptiles in an urban forest fragment in central Amazonia

ABSTRACT The increasing urbanization of the Amazonian biome has promoted the creation of several forest fragments surrounded by an urban matrix, but the relationship of animal assemblages to the urban environment, especially in forest fragments, is poorly known. Here we aimed to 1) determine the composition of the squamate fauna of the largest urban forest fragment from central Amazonia, in the Brazilian city of Manaus, and 2) evaluate the influence of environmental parameters on assemblage diversity. We sampled 10 standardized riparian plots through visual search in six surveys between 2008/09 and 2015, totaling 360 observer-hours. We found 15 species of lacertoids (lizards and amphisbaenians) and seven species of snakes through active search. After considering occasional encounters and search in museum collections, we recorded a total of 24 lacertoid and 22 snake species. Multiple regression models indicated that species richness and abundance of individuals increased with the distance from the edge of the fragment, while other structural parameters of the environment did not affect the assemblage. We conclude that this forest fragment 1) consists of a subset of the regional species pool, and 2) undergoes reduction of species richness and abundance of individuals from the center to the borders. This and additional urban forest fragments should be continually monitored in order to evaluate their long-term role in maintaining the tropical biodiversity.

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) in the Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado biomes: multi scale governance for Implementing enhanced socio-biodiversity chains

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), contribute to the livelihoods of over 6 million people in Amazon and over 4 million people in the Cerrado biomes. Here we explored data on the socio-ecology of extractivist landscapes at the biome scale in Amazonia and Cerrado in Brazil. We found that there are market chains for 45 and 58 NTFPs in Brazilian Amazon and Cerrado, respectively. Although there is a vast repertoire of empirical data for characterizing sociobiodiversity in Brazil this body of literature is mostly case-study driven, focusing on a very limited number of products and using different methodological approaches. Therefore, although there is a robust research legacy meaningful comparisons are very challenging. So far we have a fragmented view of vegetal extractivist dynamics at the biome scale. Our work contributes to upscale from the socioecology of individual NTFP to the biome scale encompassing a variety of products and its associated livelihoods.

EVALUATION OF SEMANTIC SEGMENTATION METHODS FOR DEFORESTATION DETECTION IN THE AMAZON

Abstract. Deforestation is a wide-reaching problem, responsible for serious environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss and global climate change. Containing approximately ten percent of all biomass on the planet and home to one tenth of the known species, the Amazon biome has faced important deforestation pressure in the last decades. Devising efficient deforestation detection methods is, therefore, key to combat illegal deforestation and to aid in the conception of public policies directed to promote sustainable development in the Amazon. In this work, we implement and evaluate a deforestation detection approach which is based on a Fully Convolutional, Deep Learning (DL) model: the DeepLabv3+. We compare the results obtained with the devised approach to those obtained with previously proposed DL-based methods (Early Fusion and Siamese Convolutional Network) using Landsat OLI-8 images acquired at different dates, covering a region of the Amazon forest. In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the methods to the amount of training data, we also evaluate them using varying training sample set sizes. The results show that all tested variants of the proposed method significantly outperform the other DL-based methods in terms of overall accuracy and F1-score. The gains in performance were even more substantial when limited amounts of samples were used in training the evaluated methods.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through good enough governance: lessons from Argentine and Brazilian Municipalities

This article analyses how two environmental “good enough-governance” approaches in climate change vulnerable areas in Argentine (Pampa biome) and Brazilian (Amazon biome) municipalities have the potential of contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 12 (responsible consumption and production), 13 (climate action), 15 (life on land), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (partnerships for the goals). Local public officials from Brazil often by-pass frustrating bureaucracy by transferring their own public responsibilities to NGOs (subsidiarity principle). Argentine public servants, on the other hand, are frequently filling the gaps left by the fragile vertical integration of environmental actions through bottom-up, horizontal initiatives among municipalities. Both approaches show strengths but also fragilities, such as the lack of policy continuity. In spite of the socio-environmental differences, many Brazilian and Argentine local agents are developing a common array of individual and social “soft skills” which are usually attributed to NGOs: goal-oriented, innovative thinking, teamwork, integration and flexibility, all necessary to the localization of the Agenda 2030. Environmental institutions and norms at the local level could be rearranged to worship these soft skills in the public sector by putting people at the centre of adaptive decision-making through capacity development, career incentives and accountability.

New records of Apostolepis kikoi Santos et al., 2018 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) in the state of Mato Grosso, Central-West Brazil

The fossorial snake Apostolepis kikoi Santos et al., 2018 is known only from its type locality, in Chapada dos Guimarães, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Here, we present the first records of this species after its description, expanding its distribution to transition areas between the Amazon and Cerrado biomes, in the southwestern portion of Mato Grosso. The new record expands the known distribution of A. kikoi by 297 km west from the type locality. In addition, we provide data on morphological variation by comparing our sample with the type series.

Análise de séries temporais de focos de calor em biomas brasileiros utilizando o Grafo de Visibilidade Horizontal

As queimadas são processos complexos que podem ter causas naturais ou serem resultado da interferência humana. O efeito do fogo em um ecossistema varia de acordo com sua sensibilidade, mas a recorrência do fogo pode afetar o equilibrio ambiental e a saúde humana. Buscando reduzir os efeitos negativos das queimadas, faz-se necessário monitorar sua ocorrência e compreender sua dinâmica. No Brasil, o monitoramento é realizado via satélite, com que se detectam os focos de calor. Esse processo é realizado pelo Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE), que disponibiliza os dados utilizados neste trabalho. Com o objetivo de estudar a variabilidade temporal das queimadas nos biomas Amazônia, Cerrado, Caatinga e Mata Atlântica, utiliza-se neste trabalho o método Grafo de Visibilidade Horizontal, com que se transformam as séries temporais de focos de calor desses biomas em redes complexas. Delas, extraem-se as medidas topológicas com as quais é possível avaliar se a dinâmica que governa cada rede gerada representa um processo estocástico ou caótico. Tais medidas são: o Coeficiente λ da distribuição de grau do nó, o Coeficiente de Agrupamento e o Comprimento Médio do Caminho. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as propriedades topológicas das redes variam de acordo com o número de focos de calor e com a relação (n° de focos de calor)/(área do bioma). A dinâmica de queimadas apresentou características de um processo estocástico correlacionado para os biomas Amazônia, Cerrado e Mata Atlântica, e um processo caótico para o bioma Caatinga.

Choosing pasture maps: An assessment of pasture land classification definitions and a case study of Brazil

Pasture land occupies extensive areas and is increasingly of interest for sustainable intensification, land use diversification, greenhouse gas emission mitigation, and bioenergy expansion. Accurate maps of pasture and other managed land covers are needed for monitoring, intercomparison, assessing potential uses, and planning. Yet, land maps can be generated from different types of classification datasets – i.e. as a land use or land cover type – as well as different sources. In this study our aim was to assess and compare land use and land cover definitions for pasture, and examine variability in the resulting pasture land classification maps. First, we conducted a review of pasture definitions in commonly used mapping databases. We then performed a case study involving Brazil, a dominant global producer of pasture-based livestock. Six geospatial databases were harmonized and compared to each other and to MODIS land cover for Brazil including the Cerrado and Amazon biomes, which are internationally recognized for their ecological value. Total pasture area estimates for Brazil ranged by a factor greater than four, from about 430,000 km2 to over 1.7 million km2. Our analysis showed high variability in pasture land maps depending on the definitions, methods and underlying datasets used to generate them. The results are illustrative of a symptomatic problem for all manage land datasets, demonstrating the need for land categories studies and geospatial data resources that fully define land terms and describe measurable management attributes. Additionally, the suitability of individual geospatial datasets for different types of land mapping must be better described and reported. These recommendations would help bring more consistency in the consideration of managed lands in research, reporting, and policy development, as demonstrated here for pasture land using six case study datasets from multiple sources.

Improve Pasture or Feed Grain? Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Profitability, and Resource Use for Nelore Beef Cattle in Brazil's Cerrado and Amazon Biomes.

Simple SummaryDeforested areas in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado savannah have historically transitioned to pasture for grazing tropical beef cattle. Brazil’s projected growth in beef exports emphasizes the importance of sustainably intensifying Brazil’s cattle industry on existing agricultural land without increasing deforestation nor accelerating land conversion. We adapted a widely used simulation model for cattle, pasture, and crops to closely match two cooperating beef farms, one in the Cerrado and one in the Amazon. We then simulated the adoption of pasture fertilization, pasture re-seeding, and pasture-based grain supplementation of cattle by a model beef farm. These three sustainable agricultural intensification strategies were compared to extensive cattle grazing, the status quo in Brazil. Beef productivity and economic returns were greater for grain supplementation, followed by pasture fertilization and pasture re-seeding. Grain supplementation had the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, with less energy and nitrogen use compared to extensive grazing, as measured as a “footprint” for every unit of beef body weight produced. Pasture re-seeding and fertilization had lower greenhouse gas footprints compared to extensive; however, water and energy use and nitrogen losses were greater. Grain supplementation used more human edible livestock feed than other strategies, so pasture intensification could increase future human food availability.Economic development, international food and feed demand, and government policies have converted Brazil’s natural ecosystems into agricultural land. The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) was evaluated using production, economic, and weather data collected on two cooperating farms in the Legal Amazon and Cerrado biomes in the Midwest state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Three sustainable agricultural intensification strategies, namely grain supplementation, pasture re-seeding, and pasture fertilization were simulated in IFSM with double the beef cattle stocking density compared to extensive grazing. Livestock dry matter consumption simulated in IFSM was similar for pasture grazing estimates and actual feed consumed by beef cattle on the two collaborating farms. Grain supplementation best balanced beef production and profitability with lower carbon footprint compared to extensive grazing, followed by pasture fertilization and pasture re-seeding. However, pasture re-seeding and fertilization had greater use of water and energy and more nitrogen losses. Human edible livestock feed use was greatest for grain supplementation compared to other modeled systems. While grain supplementation appears more favorable economically and environmentally, greater use of human edible livestock feed may compete with future human food needs. Pasture intensification had greater human edible feed conversion efficiency, but its greater natural resource use may be challenging.

Rapid diversification rates in Amazonian Chrysobalanaceae inferred from plastid genome phylogenetics

AbstractWe studied the evolutionary history of Chrysobalanaceae with phylogenetic analyses of complete plastid genomes from 156 species to assess the tempo of diversification in the Neotropics and help to unravel the causes of Amazonian plant diversification. These plastid genomes had a mean length of 162 204 base pairs, and the nearly complete DNA sequence matrix, with reliable fossils, was used to estimate a phylogenetic tree. Chrysobalanaceae diversified from 38.9 Mya (95% highest posterior density, 95% HPD: 34.2–43.9 Mya). A single clade containing almost all Neotropical species arose after a single dispersal event from the Palaeotropics into the Amazonian biome c. 29.1 Mya (95% HPD: 25.5–32.6 Mya), with subsequent dispersals into other Neotropical biomes. All Neotropical genera diversified from 10 to 14 Mya, lending clear support to the role of Andean orogeny as a major cause of diversification in Chrysobalanaceae. In particular, the understory genus Hirtella diversified extremely rapidly, producing > 100 species in the last 6 Myr (95% HPD: 4.9–7.4 Myr). Our study suggests that a large fraction of the Amazonian tree flora has been assembled in situ in the last 15 Myr.

Physical and chemical attributes of a soil cultivated with rubber tree under three management strategies

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a native species of the Amazon biome. This species had great economic importance due to the production of latex, used to obtain natural rubber. Seeking growth in productivity with adequate management is necessary to optimize production and increase areas with rubber trees. This study aimed to verify the physical and chemical attributes of soil under three different managements and two rubber tree clones, searching for the best alternative for the general edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cerrado biome. The experiment was installed in Palmeiras of Goiás, GO, Brazil, in a randomized block design in a 2×3 factorial arrangement, consisting of two rubber tree clones (PB 312 and RRIM 600) and three management strategies (organomineral fertilizer with poultry litter, pigeon pea as green manure, and mechanical mowing-brushcutter). Physical attributes such as soil density, soil penetration resistance, soil moisture and aggregation, soil fertility, and tree development were analyzed. Statistical analyses of variance and Tukey test were carried out in order to compare the dendrometric data and physical and chemical attributes of the soil under the different treatments applied in the inter-row of rubber trees. No significant statistical differences were found among treatments and between clones in relation to soil physical attributes. However, the soil pH reduced the use of organomineral fertilizer and the clone RRIM 600 had the highest heights.

Herbage accumulation, canopy characteristics, and nutritive value of tropical grasses in the Amazon biome

AbstractForage species diversification reduces risk associated with forage–livestock production. In the Amazon biome, an alternative is needed to ‘Marandu’ palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster] because of Marandu death syndrome. Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation (HA), canopy characteristics, and nutritive value of Marandu with two alternative grasses, ‘Guará’ (Paspalum regnellii Mez) and ‘Tupi’ [Urochloa humidicola (Rendle) Morrone & Zuloaga]. During 2 yr, grasses were clipped to a 12‐cm stubble height every 28 (rainy season) or 42 d (dry season). Annual HA did not differ across years for Guará (13.7 Mg dry matter [DM] ha−1) and Tupi (12.2 Mg DM ha−1); however, Marandu HA was 30% less in the second than the first year. Marandu had greatest annual HA in the first year (15.5 Mg DM ha−1), and Guará was superior to the other grasses in the second year (13.5 Mg DM ha−1). Tupi had the least leaf proportion among grasses in both rainy and dry seasons, and its leaf proportion was greater in the dry than rainy season (715 vs. 610 g kg−1). Greatest stem proportion was observed in Tupi and the least stubble mass occurred in Guará (2000 kg DM ha−1). When differences in crude protein occurred, Tupi concentrations (80–130 g kg−1) were less than either Guará (97–157 g kg−1) or Marandu (81–139 g kg−1). Overall, Tupi and Guará HA and nutritive value support their recommendation as alternatives to Marandu monoculture in Amazon forage‐based livestock systems.

Molecular detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in bats of the Amazon biome in Pará state, Brazil.

Histoplasma capsulatum, the fungus causing histoplasmosis, has a strong impact on public health. Histoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent systemic mycoses in the Americas and occurs in several mammalian species. Bats are important in the epidemiological cycle of histoplasmosis because they disseminate the fungus throughout the environment. The aim of the present study was to investigate natural H.capsulatum infection in bats located in forested areas, which have undergone anthropogenic perturbations, as well as in the urban areas of the state of Pará. Twenty-two species of bats were captured in 18 municipalities of Pará; the samples obtained from these animals were subjected to nested PCR for amplification of H.capsulatum DNA. The HCI/HCII and HCIII/HCIV primers were used, and the final 210-pb fragment was amplified. Of the 100 bats analysed, two were confirmed to be positive for H.capsulatum. Samples amplified by nested PCR were sequenced and found to share identity and have 100% match with H.capsulatum DNA. H.capsulatum was detected in the area of study: the state of Pará has a wide diversity of bat species, and the region under investigation is situated in the north of the state, which suffers the most severe environmental and climatic changes. Therefore, it is essential to elucidate the distribution of H.capsulatum hosts in this region to facilitate the implementation of effective disease surveillance.

Reframing the Wilderness Concept can Bolster Collaborative Conservation

Indigenous territories represent ~45% of land categorized as wilderness in the Amazon, but account for <15% of all forest loss on this land. At a time when the Amazon faces unprecedented pressures, overcoming polarization and aligning the goals of wilderness defenders and Indigenous peoples is paramount, to avoid environmental degradation.

Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Cheracebus (Callicebinae, Pitheciidae).

Cheracebus is a new genus of New World primate of the family Pitheciidae, subfamily Callicebinae. Until recently, Cheracebus was classified as the torquatus species group of the genus Callicebus. The genus Cheracebus has six species: C. lucifer, C. lugens, C. regulus, C. medemi, C. torquatus, and C. purinus, which are all endemic to the Amazon biome. Before the present study, there had been no conclusive interpretation of the phylogenetic relationships among most of the Cheracebus species. The present study tests the monophyly of the genus and investigates the relationships among the different Cheracebus species, based on DNA sequencing of 16 mitochondrial and nuclear markers. The phylogenetic analyses were based on Maximum Likelihood, Bayesian Inference, and multispecies coalescent approaches. The divergence times and genetic distances between the Cheracebus taxa were also estimated. The analyses confirmed the monophyly of the genus and a well-supported topology, with the following arrangement: ((C. torquatus, C. lugens), (C. lucifer (C. purinus, C. regulus))). A well-differentiated clade was also identified within part of the geographic range of C. lugens, which warrants further investigation to confirm its taxonomic status.

A new earthworm species of the genus Rhinodrilus (Rhinodrilidae, Clitellata) and new records of earthworms species from the Amazon-Cerrado-Caatinga transition in the State of Maranhão, Brazil.

We describe a new species of the genus Rhinodrilus from the transition between the Amazon, Cerrado and Caatinga biomes in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The region is currently being converted to large-scale agriculture, which may cause severe losses in the local fauna and flora diversity yet very poorly studied. Rhinodrilus antonioi sp. nov. has irregular setae in the posterior region of the body, spermathecae without diverticula, tubercula pubertatis in the form of band extended in the line BC in XXI-XXV and clitellum from XIV-XXVII. Five new records are reported for the region, Dichogaster bolaui, Liodrilus mendesi, Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus, Urobenus brasiliensis and Urobenus petrerei.

Sugarcane: Brazilian public policies threaten the Amazon and Pantanal biomes

The Brazilian government once again threatens its natural heritage by issuing a decree that liberates the sugarcane plantations in the Pantanal and the Amazon regions. The production of a non-sanctioned crop is likely to become the newest driver of deforestation in these biomes. Direct conversion of forests, migration of livestock to new forested areas, rising land values, the danger of forest fires spreading and of carbon emissions from burning sugarcane during harvesting can all create a carbon balance debt and impact on water balance that could take centuries to offset and will compromise the sustainability of the Brazilian ethanol sector.

Fatty acid profile and lipid quality of Maximiliana maripa oil obtained by supercritical CO2 and pressurized ethanol

Maximiliana maripa is an underexploited Brazilian native palm from the Amazon biome. The oil obtained from the pulp of ripe M. maripa fruit is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, and bioactive compounds. This study evaluated the maripa palm pulp oil (MPPO) obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with pure supercritical CO2 (scCO2), scCO2 with ethanol as co-solvent (scCO2 + EtOH), and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with ethanol. All the extractions were evaluated at 333.15 K and 20 MPa. The PLE showed higher recovery of MPPO (47.8 wt%) compared to SFE with scCO2 (3.6 wt%), or scCO2 + EtOH (20.4 wt%). Oleic, palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were the main fatty acids in MPPO. Other minor compounds such as phenol, carotene, alcohols, and esters were also detected. PLE and SFE presented many advantages for the extraction of MPPO, whose composition suggests a high potential for application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Hydropower dams and reservoirs and their impacts on Brazil’s biodiversity and natural habitats: A Review

Much of the electric energy produced within the extensive territory of Brazil (8,511,000 km²) comes from large and small reservoirs built to produce hydroelectric power, which flood large natural areas, negatively impacting regional biodiversity. Huge reservoirs originating from Amazon river dams, such as Balbina (2,360 km², with 26,000 wild animals rescued), in the 1970s, and Tucurui (2,430 km², 284,000 animals rescued, including more than 19,000 howler monkeys), in the 1980s, caused huge losses of natural forest habitats and the consequent decimation of wild fauna. After being rescued, wild animals were released in neighboring areas, whose territories and spaces were already occupied by local animals. In the face of competitive exclusion or because of the principle of xenophobia, these displaced animals ended up dead or experienced truly little success. As well as causing the loss of regional biodiversity, the reservoir creates a vacuum in the previously continuous environment, causing habitat fragmentation. In addition to the Amazon biome, other rivers in different biomes, such as the Pantanal, have also been threatened with the proliferation of dams. There, the hydrological regime influences nutrient cycling, ecological community, phenology, upstream migration of fish and other factors. Fish migrate to the headwaters for spawning behavior that takes place at the headwaters. If they encounter obstacles, such as hydroelectric dams, the migration is interrupted. This review aims to assess the effects on biodiversity of major hydroelectric plants, with their dams and reservoirs, and discusses viable proposals for damage mitigation, environmental compensation, and biodiversity conservation actions.

Use of infrared analysis to identify genetic resources from isolated producers in Brazil as a tool to improve cassava competitiveness in the starch market

SummaryOur objective was to verify the potential of identifying different starches in Brazilian landraces of cassava using near and medium infrared analyses. The survey was conducted on 132 landraces collected throughout the Cerrado, Pantanal and Amazon biomes, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, including 10 commercial starches. The results are reflective of selection for different genetic variants in small isolated producers. Infrared analysis enables rapid identification of this material and is the first step in identifying starches with different properties. The results demonstrate the potential of MIR analyses for in situ evaluation, an additional option for identifying important varieties and value the development of efforts made by small producers, whose landraces have special and economically important properties.

Fertility traits of recipient cows raised in the Amazon biome

This study aimed to evaluate a correlation between environmental temperature-humidity index (THI), rectal temperature (RT) and plasmatic concentration of cortisol in pregnancy rates of recipient cows in the Amazon biome. Recipient cows (n = 235) were submitted to an estrus synchronization simplified P36 protocol for a Fixed-Time Embryo Transference (FTEF). Rectal temperature of recipient cows and ambient temperature, relative humidity (RH) and dry-bulb temperature ( °C) were recorded on day zero (D0), eight (D8) and 16 (D16) of the protocol. On D16, each recipient received an embryo after the confirmation of a corpus luteum. At this moment, a blood sample was collected and cortisol concentration was evaluated in the sample with radioimmunoassay. On D41 (D33 embryo), pregnancy diagnosis was assessed (PD). The yield rates of recipient cows and pregnancy after the protocol were 66.81% (151/226) and 35.76% (54/151), respectively. Cows that became pregnant presented lower means in RT, plasmatic cortisol and THI parameters (P < 0.05) in comparison to non-pregnant group. The percentage of pregnant cows at Day 41 was higher (P < 0.0001) for cows that had RT ≤ 39.1 °C in all the days analyzed (D0, D8 and D16). Likewise, cows that entered the chute area under a low THI (< 74) had better (P < 0.005) pregnancy rates when compared with cows that were at the chute under a higher THI. This was observed on the three days evaluated throughout the protocol. The correlation coefficient between cortisol, RT and THI was above 59%. In addition, cortisol was lower in the PG cows. In conclusion, THI, RT and cortisol level are directly related to pregnancy success. Furthermore, this study could validate the use of THI as an auxiliary tool to assess thermal comfort and stress, which may reflect in the pregnancy outcome of recipient cows in the Amazon biome.