Environmental Preservation Area Research Articles

Does soil type influence the occurrence of fire outbreaks in Cerrado, Brazil?

Forest fires associated with anthropic activities in Cerrado, Brazil, have been the main cause of the degradation of the biome. Thus, this study aims to understand the dynamics of fire foci and Gross Primary Production as a function of soil classes in an Environmental Preservation Area. This study combined soil types with meteorological variables of rainfall, soil moisture and air temperature to relate to fire occurrences and Gross Primary Production (GPP) for the years 2001–2020. For the evaluated period, there was an increase in temperature (±0.5 ºC) and a reduction in rainfall (±50 % in the driest years). The highest numbers of fire outbreaks were recorded in the areas corresponding to the Neossolos (Arenosols), followed by Latossolos (Ferralsols) between August and October. The future projection of the occurrence of foci for the next 10 years indicated that there would be an increase in the number of fire foci in all soil classes (700 %), especially for Neossolos. The future projection of GPP for the next 10 years indicates that there would be a reduction in coverage, especially for Gleissolo (Gleysol, 40–80 %). As a prevention strategy, attention should be doubled between August and October, as these months are the most conducive to fire outbreaks in the Cerrado.

Analysis of Electric Power Transmission Lines Through Graph Theory: Protecting Environmental Preservation Areas Through Strategic Planning

Electrical networks consist of generation plants, transmission and distribution substations of electrical en-ergy. Power is transmitted through towers and lines that span hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. To ensure the health, stability of ecosystems and our quality of life, we must protect the environmental areas where transmission lines intersect. Given the global challenges related to sustainability, the conservation of natural resources and the mitigation of climate change, these studies are imperative. Through graph algorithms, especially vertex degree search and depth-first search, we identify alternative routes, avoiding sensitive regions such as conservation areas within the 440kV transmission networks of São Paulo, Brazil. By reallocating energy transport, we can ensure net-work maintenance and reduce environmental impacts from potential accidents. The results highlight the sustainable planning of transmission lines, aligning energy needs with Brazilian environmental conservation efforts, including the Rio State Park Peixe, Aguapeí State Park, Itapetinga State Park and Itaberaba State Park. Combining existing environmental laws with the promotion of sustainable technologies and practices, promoting more efficient use of resources while protecting the environment.

EVALUATION OF SPECTRAL INDICES FOR DETECTION OF BURNED AREAS IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA USING SPOT-5 IMAGES

The Cerrado biome has great importance in ecological biodiversity, but deforestation has accelerated in recent decades. The Rio Preto-BA Environmental Preservation Area, known for the high agricultural activity of grains, continually suffers from forest fires and loss of native vegetation. Satellite remote sensing is proposed as an alternative to accurately locate and quantify fire-affected surfaces and their impacts on the landscape. With the recent free availability of SPOT-5 images, it has made it possible to detect burned areas with considerable spatial and spectral resolution. The objective of the present study was to determine the ideal spectral index for detection of the burned area inserted in the APA Rio Preto through two SPOT-5 scenes and the application of the Support Vector Machines (SVM) model. The burned areas detected were submitted to the calculation of five spectral indices, BAI, BAIM, NBR, NDVI and EVI2. The ability of each index to discriminate burned areas was estimated by comparing them with each other using a statistical separability index, SVM regression and accuracy analysis. BAIM was identified as the index with the greatest potential for discriminating burnt areas with maximum separability and classification accuracy above 90%, while the NDVI and EVI2 indices had low performance. It is hoped that these results can be used to evaluate and prioritize monitoring areas, contribute to the implementation of a fire management plan in the APA and to support subsequent studies on fire dynamics in forest systems integrated with advanced computational technologies.

Lotus leaf-inspired thermal insulation and anti-icing topography.

Porous sandwich-like structures with surface roughness possess the capacity to sustain droplets, diminish the area of contact between solids and liquids, and augment heat conductivity, and thus delay ice formation when the temperature drops below the freezing point. The prevalence of this combination of surface roughness and a hollow sandwich structure has been observed in several organisms, such as lotus leaves, which have developed these features as a result of environmental adaptation. This study introduces a new design for a surface consisting of a micro-nano conical array and a foam structure with a gradient of pores. The primary components of this design were isocyanate and polyether. The hollow gradient sandwich structure was created by manipulating the water content to increase the porosity, resulting in the formation of a conical-pit morphology on the underside of the specimen. This configuration significantly decreased the amount of heat lost and the modulus of elasticity of the sample. Additionally, the micro-nano hydrophobic structure on the upper surface hindered the transmission of temperature and delayed the formation of ice. This concept, inspired by natural structures, has significant potential applications in the areas of anti-icing, energy conservation, and environmental preservation.

Nitrogen Fluxes in an Agro-Livestock System under Land Use Change: A Temporal Analysis in an Environmental Protection Unit

In recent decades, significant changes have driven the advancement of agricultural production systems in Brazil. The objective of this study is to analyze the efficiency and transformation of the agricultural production system in the Ibirapuitã Environmental Preservation Area (EPA) through nitrogen input and output flows. Methodologically, the approach is considered mixed, consisting of a case study and based on quantitative and qualitative techniques. Flowcharts and indicators were elaborated to evaluate nitrogen flows over time. The results were confirmed through semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that production based on economic efficiency is one of the main factors transforming the livestock system. The transformation of the production system into livestock did not reduce nitrogen flows. Productive and economic indicators reaffirm the transformation and volatility of livestock systems under economic and political contexts, even in an environmental protection unit.

Soil properties changing and carbon losses by anthropic drainage in savanna palm swamp (vereda), central Brazil

In the Cerrado, the palm swamps ( veredas ) are characterized by being humid and stable environments that lead to the formation of Histosols ( Organossolos ). and soils with surface horizons of organic constitution, which are fragile and sensitive to anthropic action. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of anthropization (recurrent forest fires and livestock farming) on the chemical, physical and morphological properties of soils in two palm swamps in the Environmental Preservation Area (EPA) of Pandeiros [...]

Bacterial diversity of an acid mine drainage beside the Xichú River (Mexico) accessed by culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches.

Xichú River is a Mexican river located in an environmental preservation area called Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve. Around it, there are tons of abandoned mine residues that represent a serious environmental issue. Sediment samples of Xichú River, visibly contaminated by flows of an acid mine drainage, were collected to study their prokaryotic diversity. The study was based on both cultural and non-cultural approaches. The analysis of total 16S rRNA gene by MiSEQ sequencing allowed to identify 182 Operational Taxonomic Units. The community was dominated by Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, "Desulfobacterota" and Acidobacteriota (27, 21, 19 and 16%, respectively). Different culture conditions were used focusing on the isolation of anaerobic bacteria, including sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and arsenate-reducing bacteria (ARB). Finally, 16 strains were isolated. Among them, 12 were phylogenetically identified, with two strains being SRB, belonging to the genus Solidesulfovibrio ("Desulfobacterota"), while ten are ARB belonging to the genera Azospira (Pseudomonadota), Peribacillus (Bacillota), Raineyella and Propionicimonas (Actinomycetota). The isolate representative of Raineyella genus probably corresponds to a new species, which, besides arsenate, also reduces nitrate, nitrite, and fumarate.

Nitrogen dynamics in small watersheds in the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado in Northeastern Brazil

The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of nitrogen (N) in two biomes, Atlantic Forest (AF) and Cerrado (CR), at the interface between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This involved evaluating N in vegetation (litterfall), soil and water in small watersheds in environmental protection areas in northeastern Brazil. Soil chemical and physical analyzes were performed and mineralization and nitrification rates were determined. The forms of organic, inorganic and particulate nitrogen in water were determined by spectrophotometry. Two collections were carried out, one in the dry season (October and November 2019) and another in the rainy season (February and March 2020), in two environmental preservation areas, Estação Veracel Private Natural Heritage Reserve - (Atlantic Forest) and Chapada Diamantina National Park (Cerrado), with five small watersheds sampled in each biome. The N concentration in litterfall was similar in both biomes, with averages of 0.69%. In relation to soil and water, N concentrations were higher in AF compared to CR, with concentrations of 0.95 ± 0.40 and 0.59 ± 0.14 µg.Ng-1 of nitrate in the soils of AF and CR, respectively, and 3.53 ± 2.51 µM of nitrate in water in AF and 0.76 ± 0.78 µM in CR.

Contemporary Quantitative Analysis of Events Such as Downgrading, Resizing and Declassification of Federalized Protected Areas in Brazil

Thispaperpresentsacontemporaryanalyticalandquantitativestudyof protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement-type events of federalized protected areas in Brazil. In view of its continentaldimensions, it has faced strong pressures to build sustainable conservation standards,which culminated in a long and brilliant process of updating and perfecting its environmentallegislation, considered one of the most modern in the world. However, due to the whimsof the capitalist system, Brazil had to relinquish land within environmental preservation areas soroadandhydroelectricinfrastructuresystemscouldbeexpandedtobetterservethepopulation.Faced with this scenario, some critical questions arise: how did the “Conservation Units” (UC’s) in Brazil originate? How many of these UCs are under federal governance? Howmany protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement (PADDD) events of conservation areas haveaffected or influenced federal UCs? What are the primary provocative tendencies of these PADDDevents?WhatcanbesuggestedtominimizetheeffectsofPADDDeventsontheexistingUCsintheBrazilian territory? Employing bibliographic surveys and analysis of data related to the PADDDevents in Brazil and on the federal UCs, provided by institutes involved in environmental preservation, we will arrive at the most satisfactory and coherent answers to theaforementionedquestions.

Geoenvironmental mapping of the Mamanguape River estuary (PB)

Estuaries and mangroves are important breeding and feeding areas for many species of larval fish and invertebrates that usually complete their life cycles in the sea. The Mamanguape River estuary is located between parallels 06 ° 48' and06 ° 51 'south latitude, and meridians 35 ° 07' and 34 ° 54 'west longitude, it is configured as an Environmental Preservation Area (APA in Portuguese), which has the largest mangrove reserve in the state of Paraíba. Considering its importance in environmental and economic, it takes planning and management for the development of economic activities. Thus this paper aims to Thematic Mapping in the scale of 1:10000, identifying the environments and their Geoenvironmental Units, representing them individually on maps; moreover, treat their potential, suggesting skills for use and occupation. Digital image processing of QuickBird data and WordView, field trips, vectorization of geoenvironmental units and elements of interest, were used as methodology through the development of this paper. As result, the structuring of an Environmental Georeferenced Database of multisource Data mapping for storage and their further manipulation

Análise prospectiva da distribuição da soja no estado do Tocantins, considerando-se cenários de mudanças climáticas

ABSTRACT Soybean is one of the agroenergy crops of greatest supply and demand in the Brazilian economy. Even though positive slopes in the productivity curves are constantly perceptible, the demands for arable land are evolving wildly, inevitably promoting deforestation actions and deleterious effects on the natural biogeochemical cycles, such as the carbon cycle. Several environmental models are used to explain these complex phenomena, whose variables change spatially and temporally as a function of economic, social and natural factors. Therefore, this study aimed at prospecting the soybean cultivation area using a territorial dynamics model (Dinamica EGO), in regions where sustainable use conservation units are located in the Tocantins state, considering different climate risk scenarios based on the water requirement satisfaction indexes (WRSI), calculated using daily average rainfall and temperature data from the MIROC5 global climate model. The WRSI contributed to a greater exploitation of natural resources around the environmental preservation areas of Ilha do Bananal/ Cantão, Lago de Palmas and Serra do Lajeado. Furthermore, a possible decrease in the soybean area in some recognized producing centers was prospected, as well as a scenario of greater distancing of this species cultivated areas, in a near future, from the mosaic of conservation units of Jalapão, which has become of high climatic risk for the soybean grain yields usually demanded by the market.

ASSESSING THE PERFORMANCE OF A MASTER PLAN FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE PRODUCTION OF SPACE IN ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION AREAS

Decision-making in urban planning should be based on accurate information on the performance of the spaces produced related to socioeconomic and environmental aspects. However, despite the current pattern observed in the peri-urban areas of most Brazilian cities, the planning system implemented does not establish models for investigating conflicts arising from the production of urban space. To expand the forms of assessment and control of environmental impacts, a theoretical-methodological framework is presented for assessing the performance of the space produced in urban areas of environmental preservation. The indicators of that framework are important measures to identify internal discrepancies to the system, showing its heterogeneity. The present study aimed to assess the performance of the Master Plan for Urban Development of the city of Pelotas, RS, Brazil in the production of space in areas of Environmental Preservation. The investigation considered socio-spatial, socioenvironmental and socio-economic aspects. The proposed analysis uses multivariate statistical analysis to classify the space produced. The study is useful in the production of a framework for monitoring and managing the current and future panorama of development in urban environmental preservation areas.

Tick fauna in non-anthropogenic areas in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with the presence of the Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest in Amblyomma ovale

The aim of this study was to evaluate tick fauna and identify the possible presence of Rickettsia spp. in ticks of the genus Amblyomma from two environmental preservation areas in different regions of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. CO2 traps, visual observation and cloth dragging were used to capture ticks. Three hundred ticks were submitted to the hemolymph test, and samples that showed organisms morphologically compatible with Rickettsia were used for rickettsial DNA detection by PCR. DNA was extracted using guanidine-phenol isothiocyanate, and the primers CS78 and CS323 were used for PCR, which amplified a 401-base pair fragment of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. If positive, the DNA sample was tested by primers Rr190.70p and Rr190.602n that produce a 530 bp amplicon of the ompA gene that is present only in rickettsiae of the spotted fever group. A total of 1,745 adult ticks were collected, including 1,673 specimens of Amblyomma sculptum, 63 of Amblyomma coelebs, five of Amblyomma naponense and four of Amblyomma ovale. Thirteen ticks of the species A. ovale, A. coelebs and A. sculptum showed structures compatible with Rickettsia inside the hemocytes; after DNA extraction, the presence of Rickettsia spp. in a sample of A. ovale was confirmed by PCR in both analyzed fragments. In the sequencing analysis, 100% identity for the Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest was obtained according to GenBank. The two environmental preservation areas showed A. sculptum as the predominant species, as well as the presence of marked seasonality for this species. This paper is the first report of the R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest in A. ovale ticks in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

Review of the medicinal potential of the Flora of Embu-Verde Environmental Preservation Area

The Atlantic Forest Biome is essential for 72% of the Brazilian population, but only a small part of the population has knowledge and values this environmental heritage. This biome is under constant threat; thus, strategies and actions are needed for its preservation and conservation. The Embu-Verde Environmental Preservation Area (EPA) concentrates a big part of the remaining biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, and because it is close to the largest urban center in the country, it is increasingly threatened. The use of plants as a medicinal tool has been explored since the beginning of mankind. In fact, many of the compounds used in the health area derive from the flora. In this context, this study aimed to identify the medicinal potential of the EPA Embu-Verde flora, from the perspective that it is necessary to know to be able to preserve. Based on previous studies registering the biodiversity of EPA Embu-Verde, all the species of flora listed were investigated to identify its medicinal potential. We show here that of the 202 native species identified in the EPA Embu-Verde, there are 35 species of 23 botanical families that presented medicinal potential. The Myrtaceae family was the most cited, and its anti-inflammatory potential was the most prominent, moreover, several other uses were reported for the remaining flora. The medicinal potential of the flora of EPA Embu-Verde is still underestimated, therefore the recognition of medicinal species by the population is important. The preservation of the flora is essential to guarantee the possibility of future bioprospecting studies that will investigate the therapeutic potential of the still unknown medicinal species.

Evaluation of radon, radium and gamma radiation at the environmental preservation area of Passaúna river, Brazil

The objective of this research was to evaluate the levels of natural radiation in the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of the Passaúna River (Campo Largo region) in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Gamma radiation measurements were obtained with the gamma spectrometer, and for the measurements of radium and radon concentrations in soil and water the AlphaGUARD monitor and its accessories were used. Until the present time, 4 water samples from Passaúna’s River, 2 well water samples from the region, 2 sample of a secondary lake and 4 soil samples. The results show that the gamma spectrometric measurements found values ranging from 0.052 to 0.204 μSv / h. However, the results of the radon concentrations in the soil were significant, since the values obtained varied from 110 ± 1.30 kBq/m³ to 9 ± 0.80 kBq/m³, which results can be compared with the radon and radio measurements obtained in the wells water, which indicated values higher than the national limit of 0.5 Bq/L, established by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization. The values in the lake water were lower the limits. More measurements are needed to map the region to understand the radiation levels and to correlate water and soil measurements with the geological features of the place.

Characteristics and patterns of inappropriate disposal of construction and demolition waste in the municipality of Cabo Frio, Brazil

Abstract The main objective of this study was to identify and quantify inappropriate disposal of construction and demolition waste (CDW) in Cabo Frio, Brazil. The municipality has areas of environmental preservation and suffers significant environmental impacts due to the large flow of tourists and the inappropriate disposal of CDW. Data collection, carried out from June to September-2019, covered eighteen neighborhoods. 179 inadequate CDW disposal points were detected corresponding to a volume of approximately 448.75m3. The results were grouped by neighbourhood, kind of disposal place and CDW type. Pareto diagrams were also presented to help define priority neighborhoods for inappropriate disposal reducing actions. There was inappropriate disposal in areas of ecological, landscape or scientific interest, over drainage places, on public roads or sidewalks, and on vacant lots. Besides analysing the disposal characteristics and suggesting actions to solve the problem, a methodology for surveying of inappropriate disposal of CDW was proposed, including a method for the rough calculation of CDW volumes. The development of a smartphone application is another contribution that can facilitate data registration and assist decision making. Although the research focuses on a Brazilian municipality, the same work can be expanded to other municipalities in the world.

THE NEW ECOLOGY:

The present study shows that the new organizational ecology is in evidence in the current scenario, requiring investments in practices that aim to produce ecological models to avoid negative impacts on the environment. It is necessary to change the behavior of the individual within organizations and also in society as a whole. We must raise awareness and preserve the environment, avoiding deforestation, fires, pollution generated by industries, unrestrained civil construction, especially in areas of environmental preservation, waste in general, excessive consumption of food of animal origin, disposal trash in inappropriate places, among others. This study was carried out through a literature review on scientific articles. The purpose of this article was to address aspects of the new ecology in the organizational scenario and in individuals. The results observed, through bibliographic studies, were the importance of adopting ecological models in the organizational environment, to avoid negative impacts on the environment, providing a better quality of life for individuals. It was concluded that it is necessary for organizations to adopt measures that preserve the environment, aiming at the welfare and quality of life of society.

Impacts of agrarian reform on land use in the biomes of the Midwest region of Brazil between 2004 and 2014.

Brazil's Midwest is composed of four biomes: the Cerrado, predominant in the region; the Pantanal, the largest wetland in the world; the Amazon, which occupies part of Mato Grosso; and the Atlantic Forest. The objective of this study was to identify the evolution of occupation and use of land in the rural settlements of the Brazilian Midwest depending on the biome of location. A total of 54 settlements distributed in the four biomes of the region were analyzed using direct observation and Landsat images from the years 2004 and 2014. Using the software QGIS 2.8 Wien, the vegetation indices NDVI and NDWI were used to classify agricultural, pasture and forest areas by biome. Native vegetation is declining in most of the analyzed settlements and pastures, for milk production, occupied the largest area. Between 2004 and 2014, pasture areas expanded to the detriment of forests. Although they have the highest percentage of environmental preservation areas, the settlements we analyzed in the Amazon biome do not comply with legislation. Part of the forest in these settlements was transformed into areas of bushy cerrado. However, there was an increase in forests in the settlements of the Atlantic Forest biome.

ESTUDO DO ÍNDICE DE VEGETAÇÃO E TEMPERATURA DA SUPERFÍCIE TERRESTRE NA ÁREA DE PROTEÇÃO AMBIENTAL TRIUNFO DO XINGU (PA) UTILIZANDO O GOOGLE EARTH ENGINE

As áreas de preservação ambiental no Estado do Pará sofrem com a falta de estudos científicos sobre os efeitos das mudanças de uso da terra e da temperatura da superfície terrestre. Neste contexto, este estudo visa analisar o Índice de vegetação por Diferença Normalizada (NDVI) e verificar o comportamento da temperatura superficial da terra na Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Triunfo do Xingu, no estado do Pará, entre os anos 2000 e 2019 utilizando a plataforma Google Earth Engine (GEE). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a temperaturas da superfície terrestre na área de estudo, variou em média de 26,79º C para o ano 2000 a 28,90º C para o ano 2019. Os NDVIs mostraram diminuição representativa da vegetação entre os 20 anos estudados indicando mudanças ocorridas em uma área de aproximadamente 828 km² ( 4,93 % da área total da APA). Os resultados mostraram que apesar das mudanças identificadas na região de estudo, grande parte da cobertura vegetal foi conservada.

Nonlinear models in the study of the cedar diametric growth in a seasonally dry tropical forest

The continuous decrease of forest cover in Brazil and the growing environmental pressure on forest-originate products increase the concern with the protection of the native forests remnants and endangered species such as the cedar (Cedrela fissilis Vell.), which has great economic prominence in the country due to the its excellent wood quality. Therefore, studying in detail its growth as a basis for its sustainable management in the forests is necessary. Based on the knowledge that nonlinear models are traditionally well fit for biological processes, this study aimed to compare the performance of the Brody, Gompertz, Logistic and von Bertalanffy models in reconstructing the cedar diametric growth. To that end, we used data from the mean diameter at breast height accumulated over time, obtained from non-destructive samples of 85 trees in an environmental preservation area. The models were fit using the R software considering the autoregressive error structure as of first order. All models demonstrated a good fit, although the Brody model was the best to describe the diametric growth of cedar over time in the studied region.