Brazilian Landscape Research Articles

Leaves in movement: The letters of Roberto Burle Marx

World famous Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994) was an avid correspondent. The letters he wrote from the 1940s to the 1990s are a unique and significant source of knowledge about his multifaceted professional activities and his personal life. This essay offers a brief analysis of the extensive collection of over 2,000 letters preserved in his office, written to and received from family members, landscape architects, botanists, horticulturists, institutions, and various well-known people in Brazil and other countries across the world.

Burle Marx e o Parque Ibirapuera: quatro décadas de descompasso (1953 - 1993)

RESUMO Uma das grandes imprecisões que atravessam as seis décadas de história do Parque Ibirapuera é que seu projeto paisagístico teve a autoria de Roberto Burle Marx, o principal nome do paisagismo brasileiro. Este artigo busca reconstruir os processos de aproximação e desaproximação do paisagista com o parque e suas propostas de intervenção nos anos 1950, 1970 e 1990. Visa, ainda, retraçar as razões pelas quais tais projetos encontraram resistência à sua realização, pois apenas o último gerou resultados práticos e, ainda assim, parciais, o que torna o equívoco de atribuição, ainda corrente, um mito que neutraliza um processo histórico bastante tumultuado.

Perspectiva sociológica sobre a expansão do Budismo e das religiões japonesas no Brasil

De um ponto de vista estatístico, os movimentos Budismo, Xintoísmo e novas religiões japonesas representam apenas uma pequena porção das religiões no Brasil. No entanto, esse subcampo é relevante em termos históricos e - ao menos para certos segmentos da sociedade brasileira - como uma religião alternativa à maioria católica no país. O artigo começa com um a visão global do desenvolvimento histórico do Xintoísmo, do Budismo e das novas religiões japonesas no Brasil. Baseado em resultados do último censo nacional, a segunda parte resume as características demográficas atuais desse subcampo.

Land cover and forest connectivity alter the interactions among host, pathogen and skin microbiome

Deforestation has detrimental consequences on biodiversity, affecting species interactions at multiple scales. The associations among vertebrates, pathogens and their commensal/symbiotic microbial communities (i.e. microbiomes) have important downstream effects for biodiversity conservation, yet we know little about how deforestation contributes to changes in host microbial diversity and pathogen abundance. Here, we tested the effects of landcover, forest connectivity and infection by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) on amphibian skin bacterial diversity along deforestation gradients in Brazilian landscapes. If disturbance to natural habitat alters skin microbiomes as it does in vertebrate host communities, then we would expect higher host bacterial diversity in natural forest habitats. Bd infection loads are also often higher in these closed-canopy forests, which may in turn impact skin-associated bacterial communities. We found that forest corridors shaped composition of host skin microbiomes; high forest connectivity predicted greater similarity of skin bacterial communities among host populations. In addition, we found that host skin bacterial diversity and Bd loads increased towards natural vegetation. Because symbiotic bacteria can potentially buffer hosts from Bd infection, we also evaluated the bi-directional microbiome-Bd link but failed to find a significant effect of skin bacterial diversity reducing Bd infections. Although weak, we found support for Bd increasing bacterial diversity and/or for core bacteria dominance reducing Bd loads. Our research incorporates a critical element in the study of host microbiomes by linking environmental heterogeneity of landscapes to the host-pathogen-microbiome triangle.

Explore inhabitants’ perceptions of wildfire and mitigation behaviours in the Cerrado biome, a fire-prone area of Brazil

Fire represents an important natural feature of Brazilian landscape, especially in the Cerrado biome. The Cerrado is the economic livelihood of thousands of people from rural areas in Brazil. It is one of the most important hotspot of biodiversity in the world but also it is a fire-prone area thanks to the high flammability index of the vegetation. Residents and native people of this environment use fire very frequently. The majority of wildfires are caused by humans, though there are some aggravating natural factors affecting the risk, intensity and severity of wildfires. Since residents are continuously involved in fire suppression activities, understanding their perceptions is important for the decision makers who must assess the local capacity to preserve natural resources. This study explores perceptions about wildfire risk and fire mitigation behaviors within three municipalities of the state of Tocantins (Brazil). The study demonstrates that survey participants perceived wildfire risk as rather high, although the perceptions were complex and conflicting among interviewees. A wide range of confused perceptions about fire ignition and heterogeneous point of view have carried out form the survey. However, the residence of interviewees and their educational attainment result the variables that significantly (p-value <0.05) affect the inhabitants’ perceptions.

Mendelian inheritance, genetic linkage, and genotypic disequilibrium for nine microsatellite loci in Cariniana estrellensis (Raddi) Kuntze (Lecythidaceae).

Cariniana estrellensis is one of the largest trees found in Brazilian tropical forests. The species is typical of advanced stages of succession, characteristic of climax forests, and essential in genetic conservation and environmental restoration plans. In this study, we assessed Mendelian inheritance, genetic linkage, and genotypic disequilibrium in nine microsatellite loci for a C. estrellensis population. We sampled and genotyped 285 adult trees and collected seeds from 20 trees in a fragmented forest landscape in Brazil. Based on maternal genotypes and their seeds, we found no deviation from the expected 1:1 Mendelian segregation and no genetic linkage between pairwise loci. However, for adults, genotypic disequilibrium was detected for four pairs of loci, suggesting that this result was not caused by genetic linkage. Based on these results, we analyzed microsatellite loci that are suitable for use in population genetic studies assessing genetic diversity, mating system, and gene flow in C. estrellensis populations.

Effects of Grazing Management and Cattle on Aquatic Habitat Use by the Anuran Pseudopaludicola mystacalis in Agro-Savannah Landscapes

Because of their strong dependence on the environment, the spatial distribution of pond-breeding amphibians can be greatly influenced by anthropogenic habitat alteration. In some agricultural landscapes in Brazil, the anuran Pseudopaludicola mystacalis appears to be highly influenced by land use. Because adult males and tadpoles of this species are usually found in marshy areas with cattle hoof prints, we hypothesized that P. mystacalis preferentially occupies aquatic habitats with marshy areas that are trampled by cattle. To test our hypothesis, we assessed whether the occurrence of P. mystacalis is associated with the presence of cattle and trampled marshy areas, and which environmental features best explain the spatial distribution and abundance of P. mystacalis. To do so, we sampled 38 aquatic habitats in an area intensely used for livestock in southeastern Brazil. We found that the presence of cattle and trampled marshy areas in aquatic habitats are positively associated to P. mystacalis occurrence. Additionally, the abundance of calling males is better predicted by variables of landscape and local habitat structure. Specifically, the size of trampled marshy areas and the proportion of herbaceous vegetation within the aquatic habitat are positively associated with abundance, while distance to nearest aquatic habitat are negatively associated with abundance of calling males. All three of these variables can be directly or indirectly linked to the presence of cattle or grazing management. Therefore, this work shows evidence that Pseudopaludicola mystacalis is positively influenced by grazing management with cattle, and draws attention to other unknown potential consequences of different land use to fresh water diversity.

EPISTEMOLOGIA-ONTOLOGIA-METODOLOGIA PELA DIFERENÇA: LOCUS TRANSFRONTEIRA EM IRONIA MULTIMODAL

RESUMO Este artigo pretende contribuir para uma reflexão sobre a maneira de compreender multimodalidade, com destaque para o lócus fronteiriço em que a construção de sentido ocorre. Dessa forma, apresentamos e discutimos como estudantes de Curso de Letras, cada vez mais imersos nos meios tecnológicos, compreendem parte dos cenários político e educacional atual no Brasil e como se apropriam da canção Que país é esse? e do vídeo clip de Another brick in the wall para então produzir um vídeo com recursos disponíveis, cujo fio condutor é uma ironia. A avaliação de Another brick in the wall pelos alunos e a visão da pesquisadora, autora deste artigo, instigam relações de crise que circulam nos âmbitos políticos, sociais e educacionais do Brasil. Para a produção do vídeo a noção de pensamento de fronteira (MIGNOLO, 2008) é contemplada. Ela requer ser ouvida pela diferença e está interligada à metodologia adotada, ou seja, de natureza qualitativa, interpretativa e descritiva. Sugere-se, assim, uma ampliação no conceito de multimodalidade (KRESS, 2003, 2010), ou seja, uma multimodalidade de transfronteira que chama a atenção para processos ambíguos e multidirecionais de articulação de sentidos e saberes. Conclui-se que a criatividade, aprendizagem e transformação são possíveis quando há abertura para maiores discussões envolvendo o papel da língua/linguagem, o uso de tecnologias e a perspectiva de formação de cidadãos (FREIRE, 2005) pelas Letras.

Caracterização histórico-ambiental da APA dunas e veredas do baixo-médio São Francisco (BA)

O presente artigo busca traçar a caracterização histórico-ambiental da APA Dunas e Veredas do Baixo-Médio São Francisco, objetivando discutir aspectos gerais dos campos de dunas quaternárias existentes no Brasil e especialmente na APA supracitada, além de trazer ao debate as tipologias de dunas encontradas na região, o processo histórico-social da área e os principais impactos antropogênicos existentes na área de estudo. As dunas situam-se na ecorregião Dunas do São Francisco, é de responsabilidade do Poder Público Estadual, por meio do Decreto n. 6.547 de 18 de julho de 1997 e possui uma área de 1.085.000,00 hectares. O processo de ocupação no Brasil é caracterizado por total ausência de planejamento e pela destruição massiva dos recursos naturais, representada pelos diversos biomas, causando assim, uma gama de problemas ambientais, como por exemplo, a extinção de fauna e flora, alterações climáticas locais, assoreamento de cursos d’água, erosão dos solos e fragilização de paleo-ecossistemas, a exemplo das dunas fluviais em estudo, que margeiam o rio São Francisco no Nordeste brasileiro, e está ameaça pela ação desenfreada da prática de agricultura, pastoreio, retirada indiscriminada de areais, turismo (des)planejado, construções imobiliárias e desconhecimento da sua relevância pelos ribeirinhos. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, onde inicialmente postergou-se por uma análise bibliográfica sistemática e posteriormente, fez-se o trabalho de campo, fundamentando-se substancialmente na Teoria Ecodinâmica de Tricart (1977). Neste sentido, é urgente a intervenção ambiental e a execução de propostas de conservação destes paleoambientes, representativos das mudanças climáticas pretéritas e verdadeiro laboratório natural a céu aberto no cenário semiárido do Brasil.

Rare disease landscape in Brazil: report of a successful experience in inborn errors of metabolism.

Brazil is a country of continental dimensions, with many social inequalities. The latter are reflected on its health system, which comprises a large public component called SUS, a small paid health insurance component and a third very small private component, in which patients pay personally for medical services. Seventy five percent of the population depends on SUS, which thus far does not provide adequate coverage for genetic medical procedures. In 2014, SUS introduced the “Policy for the Integral Attention to Subjects with Rare Diseases”, establishing guidelines for offering diagnosis and treatment. The policy defines the two main axes, genetic and non-genetic rare diseases. In this fashion, public genetic services in SUS will be installed and funded not by themselves, but as part of the more general policy of rare diseases. Unfortunately, up to now this policy is still depending on financial allowances to be effectively launched. In this article, our intention was to describe activities developed in the area of inborn errors of metabolism by a Brazilian reference center. In spite of the lack of support of SUS, thousands of Brazilian families affected by rare genetic metabolic disorders, and many health professionals from all regions of Brazil, already have benefited from the services, training programs and research projects provided by this comprehensive center.

Research Landscape in Brazil: Challenges and Opportunities

Decades of investments in infrastructure for research and training of graduate students in Brazil have placed the country in a relatively prominent position in the production of papers, though the visibility and impact of Brazilian papers are still modest. In this viewpoint paper, a short description of the evolution of Brazilian science is presented, in addition to a critical analysis of its strengths and limitations, with a view of the required actions for improving quality and impact. Special emphasis is given to physical chemistry and its relationships to other areas of chemical sciences in the country.

Paisagem Cultural: discussões contemporâneas por um (novo) olhar para o patrimônio cultural

From the valorization of the isolated monument to the consideration of the intangible heritage, different constructions of meaning have conditioned the conception of cultural heritage, culminating today in the category of Cultural Landscape. Conceived as a new way of thinking and preserving cultural heritage that comprehends the materiality and immateriality of heritage assets as well as its natural and cultural sphere, the notion of landscape already integrates former discussions on heritage, under different values, in conventions and heritage documents. In the same way, since the institution of IPHAN (National Historic and Artistic Heritage Institute) the notion of landscape has moved between the categories of cultural heritage and natural heritage, and has been consolidated recently as a specific type of heritage asset, the seal of Brazilian Cultural Landscape, that proposes, as a consequence, a new understanding about Brazilian heritage. In this sense, the objective of this article consists in analyzing the process of heritage activation that would consolidate the notion of Cultural Landscape as a new category of heritage asset in Brazil, and the elements comprehended under this typology. Keywords: cultural heritage, heritage activation, cultural landscape.

Plant trait distribution and the spatial reorganization of tree assemblages in a fragmented tropical forest landscape

Tropical forests have been rapidly converted into human-modified landscapes but the effects of such conversion on community spatial organization have been rarely addressed. In this paper, we examine to what extent the spatial reconfiguration of tropical landscapes alters plant trait distributions and the spatial organization of tree assemblages. A set of 117 tree species and 1422 individuals (≥10 cm DBH) inhabiting a fragmented Atlantic forest landscape in Brazil were assigned into categories of both vegetative and reproductive life-history traits, and matrices of trait frequencies were correlated to four spatial patch metrics via the concepts of trait-convergent, trait-divergent assembly pattern, and measures of functional richness, evenness, and diversity. Life form and seed dispersal syndrome exhibited the highest and significant degrees of trait-convergence related to connectivity and patch size gradients, respectively. Trait divergence based on seed dispersal syndrome and regeneration strategy emerged as well, particularly in response to patch area and connectivity. Finally, some functional diversity (multiple-traits) measures correlated with either a particular patch metric or species richness. Our results suggest that the spatial distribution of life-history traits and strategies exhibited by tree species correlate with spatial patch metrics, supporting the notion that human disturbances result in new environmental gradients able to spatially reorganize and restructure tree assemblages at broad spatial scales into human-modified landscapes.

A diáspora africana numa trajetória geográfica, territorial e libertadora: da África ao Brasil: a liberdade em Redenção

A análise refere-se a um estudo de uma das trajetórias geográficas das imigrações africanas que chamamos de involuntárias e está embasado em autores como Rogério Haesbaert, João Luís Fernandes, Rafael Sanzio entre outros geógrafos e historiadores que realizam estudos sobre o tema “território” e “diásporas”. Alexandre Marcussi e Gilberto Freyre através de discussões sobre pluralidade étnica e pluralidade cultural brasileira envolveram estudos na temática “território”, não apenas como definido e delimitado a partir de relações de poder, mas como resultado da ação de um grupoo social. A escravatura deixou uma memória que se inscreve na paisagem cultural brasileira polissêmica, com uma diversidade que culminou na diferença de povos, línguas, cultos religiosos, hábitos alimentares e até na musicalidade. Ou senão uma pluralidade de territórios com múltiplas paisagens geográficas. Todavia, a distribuição dos conteúdos a serem analisados está seccionada em: conceito geográfico de diáspora; territorialização da diáspora; reterritorialização e alguns aspectos da libertação em Redenção/Ceará/Brasil. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14195/0871-1623_34_7

A fauna americana sob ataque: as duas ondas de impacto da presença humana sobre a fauna do continente americano e um pequeno debate sobre a questão dos direitos dos animais em nossos dias

There is an increasing necessity to study questions of the actuality through an archaeological perspective as there is an increasing desire of the archaeologists in expand their epistemological horizons in studying current themes. In this article we discuss a theme that is becoming more present in the Brazilian society: the fight for animal rights. We start with the studies about the extinction of the megafauna in the American continent, showing a wide set of theories about this issue. After we discuss the questions related to the impacts of the progress of the big herds above the Brazilian native fauna and above the natural Brazilian landscapes. We conclude this article showing that the current rhythm of consume of animal products, mainly meat, constitutes a serious threat to the Brazilian fauna.

Intellectual property rights and challenges for development of affordable human papillomavirus, rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines: Patent landscaping and perspectives of developing country vaccine manufacturers

The success of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance depends on the vaccine markets providing appropriate, affordable vaccines at sufficient and reliable quantities. Gavi's current supplier base for new and underutilized vaccines, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus, and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is very small. There is growing concern that following globalization of laws on intellectual property rights (IPRs) through trade agreements, IPRs are impeding new manufacturers from entering the market with competing vaccines. This article examines the extent to which IPRs, specifically patents, can create such obstacles, in particular for developing country vaccine manufacturers (DCVMs). Through building patent landscapes in Brazil, China, and India and interviews with manufacturers and experts in the field, we found intense patenting activity for the HPV and pneumococcal vaccines that could potentially delay the entry of new manufacturers. Increased transparency around patenting of vaccine technologies, stricter patentability criteria suited for local development needs and strengthening of IPRs management capabilities where relevant, may help reduce impediments to market entry for new manufacturers and ensure a competitive supplier base for quality vaccines at sustainably low prices.

Brazilian Anopheles darlingi Root (Diptera: Culicidae) Clusters by Major Biogeographical Region.

The major drivers of the extensive biodiversity of the Neotropics are proposed to be geological and tectonic events together with Pliocene and Pleistocene environmental and climatic change. Geographical barriers represented by the rivers Amazonas/Solimões, the Andes and the coastal mountain ranges in eastern Brazil have been hypothesized to lead to diversification within the primary malaria vector, Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) darlingi Root, which primarily inhabits rainforest. To test this biogeographical hypothesis, we analyzed 786 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 populations of An. darlingi from across the complex Brazilian landscape. Both model-based (STRUCTURE) and non-model-based (Principal Components and Discriminant Analysis) analysis of population structure detected three major genetic clusters that correspond with newly described Neotropical biogeographical regions: 1) Atlantic Forest province (= southeast population); 2) Parana Forest province (= West Atlantic forest population, with one Chacoan population - SP); and 3) Brazilian dominion population (= Amazonian population with one Chacoan population - TO). Significant levels of pairwise genetic divergences were found among the three clusters, allele sharing among clusters was negligible, and geographical distance did not contribute to differentiation. We infer that the Atlantic forest coastal mountain range limited dispersal between the Atlantic Forest province and the Parana Forest province populations, and that the large, diagonal open vegetation region of the Chacoan dominion dramatically reduced dispersal between the Parana and Brazilian dominion populations. We hypothesize that the three genetic clusters may represent three putative species.

Marina Silva and the rise of sustainability in Brazil

In August 2014, the Brazilian political landscape was rocked by the ‘Marina phenomenon’. After the death of Eduardo Campos in an airplane accident, the presidential ticket of the Brazilian Socialis...

Ecosystem and environmental services researches in rural landscape in Brazil

Pressões antrópicas sobre os ecossistemas causam degradação dos recursos naturais e redução da biodiversidade, com reflexos ao bem estar humano, demandando de forma crescente água, ar, fibras, alimentos, energia e matéria-prima. Em um cenário de alterações climáticas, portanto, a preocupação com este tema aponta para a compatibilização dos componentes econômicos, sociais e ambientais. Muitos foram os dados obtidos por instituições de pesquisa, ensino, governamentais e não governamentais acerca dos recursos naturais nas últimas décadas nos biomas brasileiros, mas sem um foco conceitual e metodológico voltado aos serviços ecossistêmicos. A partir da Avaliação Ecossistêmica do Milênio estão em ascensão pesquisas voltadas ao entendimento dos serviços ecossistêmicos e ambientais mundialmente, assim como no Brasil. A Embrapa também tem acompanhado esta tendência e desde 2014 conta com uma rede de pesquisa intitulada Arranjo em Serviços Ambientais na Paisagem Rural, com mais de 60 projetos vinculados. O propósito do presente artigo é apresentar o estado da arte da pesquisa sobre serviços ecossistêmicos e ambientais relacionados à agropecuária no Brasil, com destaque para o trabalho dessa rede; identificar as suas principais oportunidades e desafios e os resultados potenciais a serem obtidos para a ampliação dos serviços ambientais no meio rural. ABSTRACT Human pressures have caused degradation of natural resources and reduction of biodiversity on the planet, with serious consequences to humanity, which demands so increasing water, air, fibers, food, energy and raw material. It is needed to reconcile economic, social and environmental components in a scenario of climate change. Therefore, concern about this issue increases in all sectors of society. Many data were obtained about natural resources in recent decades in the Brazilian biomes, by research institutions, education, government and non-government, but without a conceptual and methodological focus turned to ecosystem services. From the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment researches aiming at understanding ecosystem and environmental services have been increased worldwide, as well as in Brazil. Embrapa has also followed this trend and in 2014 approved a Projects Arrangement entitled Environmental Services in Rural landscape with over 60 related projects. The purpose of this article is to present the state of the art of researches on ecosystem and environmental services related to agriculture in Brazil, especially at Embrapa SE network; to identify key opportunities and challenges of a research network on this subject and the potential results to be obtained for the expansion of environmental services in rural areas.

Portugues

This article discusses racism as a form of individual and institutional discrimination in Brazil under the definition of Gomes. Using the methodology of documentary and bibliographical research, provides a brief description of the religious landscape in Brazil demonstrated by the Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia Estatística (Brazilian Institute of Geography Statistics) which sets the percentage of the population divided by major religious groups Census 2010. Also presents the evolution of Catholic sexual morality and its relation to discrimination and female sexuality diverse religious concept of sexual normality. And finally demonstrate the relationship between gender discrimination and the Catholic religion, including presenting its existence within the institution over time.