Central Southern Brazil Research Articles

Climatic extremes and their influence on the design of local road drainage systems in central-southern Brazil

Climatic extremes and their influence on the design of local road drainage systems in central-southern Brazil

Update of the non-marine (terrestrial & freshwater) molluscs systematic inventory occurring in Santa Catarina State/ SC, Central Southern Brazil region

Introduction: The survey of the mollusc fauna (malacofauna) of a geopolitical region (State) is important from several aspects, reaching several important sectors of knowledge. So if all regions could do the same we would have within, a few years, expanded and completed the catalog of molluscs in Brazil, with much still to be added with regard to terrestrial and freshwater fauna. Objective: Updated general rеᴠiеw of the inventory of non-marine molluscs occurring in the Santa Catarina State/ SC, subtropical Central Southern portion of the Brazilian territory. Methodology: Organization of a occurring State species taxonomic checklist and their corresponding reference database, comprising the regional knowledge formally produced around the theme at least since the year 2003. Results and Conclusions: Confirmed and recorded regional total of 241 species (202 Gastropoda & 39 Bivalvia), among which at least 86 (79 Gastropoda & 7 Bivalvia) exhibit radicals synonymical (among others) changes recently reported through the global platform "MolluscaBase" and available literature of recent production, taxonomically included all in 95 genera (83 Gastropoda & 12 Bivalvia) and 40 families (35 Gastropoda & 5 Bivalvia), with aggregated additional information about their known biogeographical distribution in the territorial space of the State.

Population and Slavery in Vila Rica de Ouro Preto (1712-1770)

The discovery of gold at the end of the 17th century and of diamonds during the 1730s in central-southern Brazil caused profound dislocation in the slave trades, turning the Minas Gerais region into an unprecedented pole of attraction for migrant and slave labor. In this work, we perform a sociodemographic analysis of the slave population in Vila Rica de Ouro Preto, the capital of the captaincy of Minas Gerais, in a period ranging from 1712 to 1770. For this purpose, and based on previous literature, we use the data series gathered from the two parishes that made up the urban geography of the region, as well as the notarial records preserved at the Arquivo Histórico do Museu da Inconfidência - Casa do Pilar. The reconstruction of families and the study of the relationship between the sociodemographic data of the slave contingent and those of the rest of the population, the processes of manumission, and the evolution of the slave import market have allowed us to prove the dependence of the slave population on slave trade.

Mineral-associated and particulate organic matter in aggregates as a proxy for soil C changes in pasturesugarcane land use transitions

ABSTRACT To meet the growing demand for bioenergy such as ethanol, the area cultivated with sugarcane has expanded, especially in areas currently occupied by extensive pastures with low productivity. However, land-use change (LUC) from pasture to sugarcane implies changes in soil structure and variations in organic matter (SOM) stored in the soil. This study aimed to quantify the impact of LUC on organic matter fractions – particulate organic matter (POM) and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) – in soils with contrasting textures, and to explore the correlations between possible alterations in soil aggregation and the effects on carbon (C) stocks and SOM fractions. The study was conducted in two areas in Central-Southern Brazil, one with clayey soil and the other with sandy soil. In each area, a LUC chronosequence was evaluated: native vegetation (NV), pasture (PA), short-term sugarcane (SC1), the area analyzed during the sugarcane plant cycle; long-term sugarcane (SC2), area analyzed during the ratoon sugarcane cycle. In each use, undisturbed and disturbed samples were collected and macroaggregates and microaggregates were obtained by wet sieving and soil samples. In these samples, the physical fractionation of the SOM and the calculation of the C contained in each fraction of the SOM and C total stock of each use were performed. The conversion of NV to PA increased C stocks by more than 50 %, mainly in the MAOM fraction, and maintenance of macroaggregates (more than 80 %) in sandy site; and reduction of C stocks by more than 30 %, mainly MAOM in the clayey area. These benefits acquired from grazing on sandy area were lost with the expansion of sugarcane, a reduction of more than 20 % in macroagregation and C stocks. The sugarcane expansion into pasture with clayey site resulted in C accumulation (more than 2 Mg C ha -1 yr -1 ) and recovery of stocks on a SC2 basis. Expanding sugarcane areas into low-productivity pasture areas can be considered a sustainable strategy, especially in clayey soils, in which multiple gains occur through C sequestration and improved soil quality, as well as the reduction of CO 2 emissions through the diversification of the energy matrix with the production of ethanol.

Edaphic and epigeic macrofauna responses to land use change in Brazil

The expansion of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) over extensive pasture areas has been one of the primary land-use change (LUC) scenarios in central-southern Brazil. However, LUC could negatively affect soil fauna along with the multiple functions and services associated with these organisms. Numerous groups of macroinvertebrates inhabiting the soil surface (i.e., epigeic) or the soil profile (i.e., edaphic) are fundamental for litter fragmentation, soil structuring and stabilization, water infiltration, biogeochemical cycling. In this study, both the edaphic and epigeic macrofauna communities were surveyed simultaneously to assess responses induced by the expansion of sugarcane cultivation over extensive pastures and to investigate whether the magnitude of such responses to LUC differs according to the community niche (i.e., soil profile versus surface). We hypothesized that LUC to a semi-perennial crop such as sugarcane would increase the density and diversity of the edaphic macrofauna, while the epigeic community would be negatively affected by LUC due to drastic changes in surface litter. The studied areas were two sites varying in soil texture (i.e., clay versus sandy soils) each including the following land uses: i) native vegetation, ii) extensive pasture, iii) newly planted sugarcane crop (sugarcane); and iv) established sugarcane (sugarcane ratoon). To evaluate edaphic macrofauna the TSBF methodology was adopted, while pitfall traps were installed at the same sampling points to collected epigeic macrofauna. The evaluated community attributes were density, Shannon diversity index, evenness index, richness of soil macrofauna taxa, as well as the chemical and physical attributes of the soil. Linear mixed effects analysis showed that LUC affected the relative abundance of edaphic (Land use p = 0.1191 r2marginal = 0.28, r2conditional = 0.33) and epigeic (Land use p = 0.0176; r2marginal = 0.22, r2conditional = 0.32) macroinvertebrates. Both groups showed the greatest density of organisms under native vegetation. Coleoptera and earthworms were associated with pasture areas, especially in clayey soil. Response ratios of LUC effects on macrofauna showed stronger responses of the epigeic compared to edaphic macrofauna, indicating a greater sensitivity of surface-dwelling organisms and their functions to disturbances such as those caused by LUC. In general, the density and diversity of macrofauna exhibited a positive correlation with soil organic matter, microbial carbon and nitrogen, macroporosity, and total porosity, and a negative correlation with soil density (p < 0.05). Also, the conversion of pasture to sugarcane cultivation (planting) causes significant macrofauna losses, particularly, in the clay soil. The cultivation of ratoon sugarcane led to a reduction of the density, taxonomic richness, diversity, and evenness of macrofauna. Given the importance of epigeic macroinvertebrates for litter fragmentation and decomposition, these results may indicate a rapid loss of key soil functions related to decomposition and carbon and nutrient cycling following LUC.

Geoconservation of geological and mining heritage related to banded iron formation of Itabira Group, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil: A challenging issue

The Quadrilátero Ferrífero is a mineral-rich region covering about 7,000 km2 in Central-Southern Brazil. It is known for its extensive gold and iron ore reserves, and for its historical cities. Many geological and mining sites related to gold mining and iron ore mining are in protected areas, and have been studied for preservation and use in educational and tourism projects, but at the same time, the region has suffered many pressures from mining companies and its preservation is in a constant state of alert. Recently, geoconservation studies have emphasised the value of geological and mining heritage, its importance for understanding the history of territorial occupation, as well as the geological evolution of our planet. For example, the Cauê Peak is the type-locality of the Cauê Formation, where six new minerals (arsenopalladinite, atheneite, isomertieite, palladseite, jacutingaite and palladinite) were identified in the AuPd deposits which were listed by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), and where the systemic iron mining activities began with the creation of the first mining company, the Brazilian Hematite Syndicate, in 1909. Since the 19th century, many of these geosites have been the target of research and educational field trips in the training of geologists and mining engineers at the Ouro Preto School of Mines and Federal University of Minas Gerais. These geosites can be used to explain the geological history in the Archaean-Paleoproterozoic boundary of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero (QF), the depositional environment of banded iron formations of the Cauê Formation, and also through the Transamazonian (2.1-1.94 Ga) and Brazilian (650-450 Ma) orogenies responsible for development of AuPd and iron deposits. When observing the Cauê Peak, the Itabira Peak and the Curral Mountain, the different stages in the evolution of the anthropic landscape can be observed. The Cauê Peak has been transformed into an open pit mine, the Itabira Peak is surrounded from all sides by mining activities and the Curral Mountain undergoes processes for authorization of mining activities in an area that should be preserved.

Updated and referenced inventory of invasing exotic molluscs that occur in the State of Santa Catarina/ SC, Central Southern Brazil region

Introduction: Biological invasions, from molluscs among others, have been recognized as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in the world, and when non-native species invade, they can modify the structure of the community and the functioning of ecosystems, in addition to representing a serious socio-economic threat. Objective: Updated general review of the inventory of invasive exotic molluscs occurring in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina/ SC. Methodology: An unprecedented organization of a reference database comprising the total knowledge generated around the topic in just over two decades of systematic regional research. Results and conclusions: Regional total confirmed and registered of 31 taxa/ species of invasive exotic molluscs (five (5) Bivalvia marihnos &amp; 26 continental forms: nine (9) freshwater – five (5) Gastropoda &amp; four (4) Bivalvia – as well as 17 terrestrial/ terrestrial Gastropoda), all verified through the global platform "MolluscaBase", taxonomically included in 29 genera (22 Gastropoda &amp; 7 Bivalvia) and 21 families (15 Gastropoda &amp; 4 Bivalvia), including additional information about their biogeographic distribution known in the territorial space of the State.

Situation of the systematic non-marine molluscs inventory in Santa Catarina's State/ SC, Central Southern Brazil region: review of their present taxonomic status and adjustments in the frame of reported species

An updated overview of the inventory of non-marine molluscs occurring in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina/ SC is finally presented, involving a verified total of 250 species (211 Gastropoda &amp; 39 Bivalvia), among which at least 53 (49 Gastropoda &amp; 4 Bivalvia) exhibit radicals synonymical changes recently reported through the global platform "MolluscaBase", taxonomically included all in 101 genera (88 Gastropoda &amp; 13 Bivalvia) and 39 families (34 Gastropoda &amp; 5 Bivalvia). Additional informations about their known biogeographical distribution in the territorial space of the State is included.

Soil tillage and machinery traffic influence soil water availability and air fluxes in sugarcane fields

Intensive soil disturbance by conventional tillage and heavy machinery traffic for planting, cultivation, and harvesting operations are the main causes of soil compaction and degradation of soil physical quality in sugarcane fields. However, the adoption of conservation soil tillage practices, such as no-till and reduced tillage associated with traffic control have been proposed as a key strategy to preserve soil physical quality, enhancing water availability and air fluxes. Nevertheless, the effects of reduced tillage associated with traffic control in sugarcane fields are still not well documented. A study was carried out to quantify soil water availability and air flux indicators in two soils with contrasting textures (named Sandy Loam and Clayey soil) under conventional and reduced tillage practices associated with and without controlled machinery traffic in central-southern Brazil. Soil physical parameters such as bulk density, total porosity, air-filled porosity, air permeability, pore continuity index, and the least limiting water range (LLWR) were measured. In both soils, there was no difference between conventional and reduced tillage in bulk density, air permeability, and LLWR. However, reduced tillage with non-traffic decreased bulk density and increased macroporosity, air-filled porosity, air permeability, pore continuity, and LLWR in Sandy Loam soil. In Clayey soil, the bulk density and LLWR did not change between tillage practices, but air permeability and pore continuity index were larger under reduced tillage with non-traffic. These results highlighted that soil disturbance by conventional tillage does not improve the water availability and air permeability during the crop cycle. However, the traffic control is essential to support the adoption of reduced tillage in sugarcane fields, preserving soil water availability and air fluxes for the subsequent ratoons. Reduced tillage and traffic control are two of the most important pillars for reducing soil compaction and promoting sustainability of sugarcane production in Brazil.

Changes in soil temperature and moisture due to sugarcane straw removal in central-southern Brazil

Crop residues left in the field cover and protect the soil surface, and regulate key processes and functions, such as gas and water exchanges. However, the Brazilian sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) sector has begun to use straw as feedstock to produce bioenergy. We conducted a field study to evaluate the effects of sugarcane straw removal in soil temperature and moisture changes at three sites (with different soil textures: Site 1 - clayey Oxisol, Site 2 - medium texture Oxisol, and Site 3 - sandy Ultisol) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four rates of straw removal: i) no removal (NR); ii) moderate removal (MR); iii) substantial removal (SR), and iv) total removal (TR). Soil temperature was measured by sensors in the 0- to 5- and 5- to 10-cm soil layers. Undisturbed soil samples were collected from the 0- to 20- and 20- to 40-cm layers to determine soil moisture. Intensive straw removal (HR and TR) increased the soil temperature between 2 and 3 °C and the thermal amplitude between 5 and 9 °C in the 0- to 5-cm layer, compared to MR and NR. Soil moisture decreased between 0.03 and 0.07 g g–1 in the 0- to 20-cm layer with intensive straw removal. The sandy soil was more susceptible to straw removal. Therefore, straw maintenance on the soil surface plays an essential role in temperature regulation and preservation of higher soil moisture, especially in regions with severe water deficits and long periods of water stress.

Five Independent Lineages Revealed by Integrative Taxonomy in the Dendropsophus nanus–Dendropsophus walfordi Species Complex

One of the many taxonomic challenges found in the Dendropsophus microcephalus species group is the Dendropsophus walfordi distinction from D. nanus. Recent phylogenetic inferences have indicated the paraphyly of these species, although they were not designed to assess this issue. To contribute to the delimitation of these species, we analyzed the 12S, 16S and COI mitochondrial genes, the morphological traits, and the advertisement calls of specimens from northern Amazonia to Argentina, including the type localities of D. nanus and D. walfordi. Paraphyly of D. nanus with respect to D. walfordi was inferred by maximum-parsimony and Bayesian analyses, and five major clades exhibiting nonoverlapping geographic distributions were recognized. The bPTP and ABGD analyses supported the existence of five independently evolving lineages in this complex. Acoustic and morphological data clearly distinguished the clade that included the topotypes of D. walfordi from the others, corroborating the validity of this species. To avoid the paraphyly of D. nanus with respect to D. walfordi, we recognize the clade distributed from central-southern Brazil to Argentina as D. nanus, the clade distributed in Amazonia as D. walfordi, and discuss the existence of unnamed cryptic species closely related to D. nanus and D. walfordi.

A new species of Amphisbaena (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) from the Orinoquian region of Colombia

In northern South America, amphisbaenians are rarely seen among the herpetofauna.Thus, general knowledge about them is very poor. During a herpetological survey in 2012 at Casanare, Colombia, we found two specimens of an unusual Amphisbaena. A third specimen sharing the same morphotype labeled Amphisbaena sp. from Vichada department was found deposided in an Colombian reptile collection. Based on morphological analyses together with phylogenetic analyses of 1029 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we describe a new species of Amphisbaena that inhabits in the Orinoquian region of Colombia. The new species is part of a phylogenetic clade together with A. mertensii and A. cunhai (central-southern Brazil), exhibiting a great genetic distance (26.1–28.9%) between the newly identified lineage versus those taxa, and versus the sympatric taxa A. alba and A. fuliginosa. Morphologically, this new Amphisbaena can be distinguished from their congeners by characters combination of number of preocloacal pores, absence of malar scale, postgenial scales and body and caudal annuli counts. Amphisbaena gracilis is on morphology grounds the most similar species. However, the new species can be distinguished from it by having higher body annuli counts, angulus ories aliegned with the edges of the ocular scales and center of frontal scales, less number of large middorsal segments of the first and second body annulus, and rostral scale visible from above. The description of this new Amphisbaena species points out the urgent need to increase the knowledge of worm lizards in Colombia

A new species of Amphisbaena (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) from the Orinoquian region of Colombia

In northern South America, amphisbaenians are rarely seen among the herpetofauna.Thus, general knowledge about them is very poor. During a herpetological survey in 2012 at Casanare, Colombia, we found two specimens of an unusualAmphisbaena. A third specimen sharing the same morphotype labeledAmphisbaenasp. from Vichada department was found deposided in an Colombian reptile collection. Based on morphological analyses together with phylogenetic analyses of 1029 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we describe a new species ofAmphisbaenathat inhabits in the Orinoquian region of Colombia. The new species is part of a phylogenetic clade together withA. mertensiiandA. cunhai(central-southern Brazil), exhibiting a great genetic distance (26.1–28.9%) between the newly identified lineage versus those taxa, and versus the sympatric taxaA. albaandA. fuliginosa. Morphologically, this newAmphisbaenacan be distinguished from their congeners by characters combination of number of preocloacal pores, absence of malar scale, postgenial scales and body and caudal annuli counts.Amphisbaena gracilisis on morphology grounds the most similar species. However, the new species can be distinguished from it by having higher body annuli counts, angulus ories aliegned with the edges of the ocular scales and center of frontal scales, less number of large middorsal segments of the first and second body annulus, and rostral scale visible from above. The description of this newAmphisbaenaspecies points out the urgent need to increase the knowledge of worm lizards in Colombia

Soil health response to sugarcane straw removal in Brazil

Sugarcane straw removal is a promising strategy to increase bioenergy production in Brazil. However, if straw removal is not properly managed, it may lead to soil health degradation, thus threatening sustainability of the entire bioenergy production system. In this context, a comprehensive assessment was conducted in 12 field experiments located in central-southern Brazil, the world’s largest sugarcane-producing region, to investigate the impacts of straw removal scenarios on soil health, using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). Two groups of experiments were arranged in this study, consisting of three (no–NR; moderate–MR; and total removal–TR) and four straw removal treatments (NR; low–LR; high–HR; and TR). Soil samples were collected (0–10 and 10−20 cm) to evaluate a selected set of soil health indicators (i.e., pH, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, bulk density and soil organic carbon). Indicators were individually scored and then integrated into an overall Soil Health Index (SHI) and its chemical, physical, and biological components. Datasets were analyzed by site, experiment groups and soil texture (clayey and sandy soils) and the relationships among straw removal, soil health, and sugarcane yield were also investigated. Our findings showed that soil health responses to straw removal were properly detected by SMAF scoring curves. Based on SHI, sandy and clayey soils were functioning at 41–56% and 67–86% of their full potential, respectively. Soil health degradation was mostly induced by TR and HR, while LR and MR resulted in minimal detrimental effects on a short-term basis compared with NR. However, sandy soils were more prone to soil health degradation, indicating that straw removal should be avoided on those soils. For clayey soils, decline in soil health was driven by physical degradation. Healthier soils were associated with higher sugarcane stalk yields, and physical degradation was the main driver for crop yield losses. Conclusions drawn from this study suggest that comprehensive soil health assessments by integrating chemical, physical and biological indicators are fundamental to design more sustainable straw management and bioenergy production systems in Brazil.

Epigeic fauna (with emphasis on ant community) response to land-use change for sugarcane expansion in Brazil

The epigeic fauna, ground surface-dwelling invertebrates that inhabit leaf-litter, acts on multiple soil processes and key ecosystem services and is threatened by global land-use change (LUC). In Brazil, LUC for sugarcane expansion over extensive pasture has been taking place for promoting bioenergy production; however, conventional sugarcane cultivation includes monoculture, periodic soil tillage and agrochemicals may alter the quantity and quality of crop residue inputs, soil habitats and communities of soil fauna. Thus, a field study at three sites in central southern Brazil was conducted to evaluate if the expansion of sugarcane cultivation affects soil epigeic fauna. In each site, we sampled epigeic fauna in areas under LUC from native vegetation to extensive pasture, and from that to sugarcane. The epigeic fauna was collected using pitfall traps and then quantified and classified in taxonomic groups (Order, Class, Family). In addition, as a focal organism group, ants were classified at the species level. Overall, 13 taxonomic groups were identified, in which the Formicidae family was the most abundant group (i.e., 67% of individuals), followed by Diptera (13%), Araneae (5%) and Coleoptera (4%). Land transition from native vegetation to pasture increased fauna abundance by 27% but reduced the diversity of epigeic fauna community by 43%. In contrast, sugarcane expansion over extensive pasture reduced fauna abundance (−22%), did not alter the diversity of the invertebrate community at a broad taxonomic level, but decreased species richness of the dominant taxa (ants) by 55%. Ant individuals were classified into 37 species, allowing to verify that sugarcane cultivation over pastures decreased both the abundance and richness of ants and altered community composition. Ant species Ectatomma brunneum were more sensitive to LUC and, therefore, could be characterized as potential indicators of disturbed environments. We demonstrate that sugarcane expansion over pasturelands reduces the total abundance of the soil epigeic fauna, and that effects on fauna diversity vary from broad to fine taxonomic resolutions. Further studies are needed to evaluate if the declines in fauna abundance and ant species richness impair specific soil functions and soil-related ecosystem services.

El Niño Driven Changes in Global Fire 2015/16

El Niño years are characterised by a high sea surface temperature anomaly in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean, which leads to unusually warm and dry conditions over many fire-prone regions globally. This can lead to an increase in burned area and emissions from fire activity, and socio-economic and environmental losses. Previous studies using satellite observations to assess the impacts of the recent 2015/16 El Niño found an increase in burned area in some regions compared to La Niña years. Here, we use the dynamic land surface model JULES to assess how conditions differed as a result of the El Niño by comparing simulations driven by observations from the year 2015/16 with mean climatological drivers of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, air pressure and short and long-wave radiation. We use JULES with the interactive fire module INFERNO to assess the effects on precipitation, temperature, burned area, and the associated impacts on the carbon sink globally and for three regions: South America, Africa and Asia. We find that the model projects a variable response in precipitation, with some areas including northern South America, southern Africa and East Asia getting drier, and most areas globally seeing an increase in temperature. As a result, higher burned area is simulated with El Niño conditions in most regions, although there are areas of both increased and decreased burned area over Africa. South America shows the largest fire response with El Niño, with a 13% increase in burned area and emitted carbon, corresponding with the largest decrease in carbon uptake. Within South America, peak fire occurs from August to October across central-southern Brazil, and temperature is shown to be the main driver of the El Niño-induced increase in burned area during this period. Combined, our results indicate that although 2015/16 was not a peak year for global total burned area or fire emissions, the El Niño led to an overall increase of 4% in burned area and 5% in emissions compared to a ‘No El Niño’ scenario for 2015/16, and contributed to a 4% reduction in the terrestrial carbon sink.

Additions to the Systematic Inventory of Non-Marine Molluscs Occurring in the State of Santa Catarina/SC, Central Southern Brazil Region

CEMAR: Centre for Marine Studies, Bombinhas Museum and Marine Aquarium, Bombinhas/SC; FURBMO: Malacological Collection of Fundacao Universidade Regional de Blumenau; LMSM: Laboratorio de Malacologia e Sistematica Molecular (Laboratory of Malacology and Molecular Systematics), Zoology Department of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte/MG.

Innovation strategies in the Brazilian sugar–energy industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the innovation strategies of the sugar–energy industry in Central-Southern Brazil with regard to its resource structure and results. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected through a questionnaire covering the three-year period from 2015 through 2017. The results were extracted based on a combination of factor analysis and multiple regression analysis. Findings The innovation strategies of Brazilian sugar–energy companies are characterized as defensive and imitative based on the resources dedicated to innovation and the implementation of innovation with respect to products, processes, eco-innovation and cost reductions. Research limitations/implications The sample is representative, but it does not cover all companies in the Brazilian sugar–energy industry. The data were acquired using a survey, and the results could not be compared to the financial results of the companies. Practical implications Sugar–energy companies need to define their innovation strategies, as these strategies lead to different results that can be achieved only through the management of resources dedicated to the generation and implementation of innovations. Managers and analysts need to know the profile of these innovation strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of the results based on the resources that were invested. Originality/value This study presents an exploratory model that identified two factors related to innovation efforts and three results. It is possible to define the innovation strategies of companies in the Brazilian sugar–energy industry, which is one of the most competitive in Brazil.

Dispersion of Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum in central-southern Brazil: Evidence from an integrative approach.

Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum is the zoonotic agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a disease with a global distribution. The transmission scenario of VL has been undergoing changes worldwide, with the biologic cycle invading urbanized areas and dispersing the parasites into other previously free areas. The epidemiological cycle in Brazil has dispersed from the Northeast to other regions of the country. In this study, an integrative approach, including genotyping Brazilian strains of L. (L.) infantum for 14 microsatellite markers and reviewing historical records of the disease, was used to assess dispersion routes throughout central-southern Brazil. Our results support three L. (L.) infantum dispersion routes: A) dispersion from Bolivia to the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo via the Bolivia-Brazil gas pipeline from 1998 to 2005; B) VL dispersion from Paraguay to the Brazilian side of the triple border (Foz do Iguaçu and Santa Terezinha de Itaipu) during after 2012; and C) emergence of a new L. (L.) infantum cluster in western Santa Catarina State and its dispersion to southern Paraná State (municipality of Pato Branco), after 2013. Hypotheses regarding possible entries of Leishmania (L.) infantum into the area of the triple border are presented and discussed. Understanding how VL has dispersed is vital to the development of control measures for this disease and to avoid future dispersion events.

Sugarcane Straw Removal: Implications to Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Demand in Brazil

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) straw is a promising feedstock for bioelectricity and cellulosic ethanol in Brazil, but some straw is also needed to sustain nutrient cycling and crop yields. A literature review and two field studies were conducted to quantify above-ground macronutrient accumulation by sugarcane. Five straw removal scenarios using different amounts of biomass and nutrient composition data of top (green) and bottom (dry) leaves were constructed to estimate fertilizer requirements associated with straw removal in central southern Brazil. Calculated straw removal for five scenarios (S1 to S5) was 3.5, 7, 3, 6, and 12 Mg ha−1, respectively. By removing 12 Mg ha−1 of straw (S5), the potential N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and S removal was 69, 7, 92, 45, 16, and 14 kg ha−1, respectively. It represents a nutrient (NPK) replacement cost of US$ 90.00 ha−1 or US$ 7.60 per Mg of removed straw. The scenario analysis shows that less-impacting strategies are those that maintain top leaves in the field and harvesting only bottom leaves (S1 and S2), whereas total removal (S5) could double NPK-fertilizer consumption in sugarcane fields by 2050. Our findings provide stakeholder guidelines for improved straw management, establish an economic value for accumulated plant nutrients, and promote both socio-economic and environmental benefits of more sustainable bioenergy production in Brazil.