Southeastern Region Of Brazil Research Articles

Deciphering Trends in Cancer Mortality: A Comprehensive Analysis of Brazilian Data From 1979 to 2021 With Emphasis on Breast and Prostate Cancers.

This study examined cancer mortality trends in Brazil from 1979 to 2021, emphasizing breast and prostate cancers. Utilizing data from the Brazilian Mortality Information System and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, it analyzed cancer deaths nationally and regionally, highlighting gender-specific and regional disparities. The research finds that cancer death rates have been growing at an average of 12% per year, contrasting with the population growth rate of 2.2%. This trend is more pronounced in the southern and southeastern regions of Brazil. A comparison of cancer mortality rates between Brazil, the USA, and China reveals that while the Brazilian and Chinese rates exhibit slower growth, the US rate shows a continuous decline since the 1990s. The study adopts a novel approach by focusing on growth rates and employing polynomial interpolation, revealing a deceleration in cancer death growth over the last 15 years across all malignant neoplasms. The study also contextualizes these findings within Brazil's cancer control policies, tracing the evolution of preventive measures and treatment advancements. It highlights the significant role of the National Cancer Institute and the Unified Health System in implementing effective strategies. The decreasing trend in cancer mortality rates in Brazil, despite population growth, illustrates the effectiveness of comprehensive cancer control and prevention measures, underlining their importance in public health policy.

Evaluation of reports received on a digital platform for monitoring and self-care of individuals facing the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil: Contributions to public health

ObjectivesTo evaluate the contribution of the digital platform “Meu Diário de Quarentena (MDQ)" or My Quarantine Diary concerning the monitoring and self-care of individuals with COVID-19 in Brazil. And to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics related to the disease and the users who adhered to the support provided by MDQ. MethodsMDQ was developed by a multidisciplinary team and offered to the general population to provide self-care and health education during the COVID-19 pandemic, relying on users' self-reporting of information (such as signs and symptoms, pre-existing health conditions, and medications used during quarantine). The outcomes were measured, and the web app's support experience for public health was reported. ResultsMDQ had 2439 active users on the platform, with 485 (19.9 %) self-reporting a COVID-19 diagnosis, mostly from individuals in the southeastern region of Brazil (56.5 %). The most common pre-existing health condition reported was related to circulatory system diseases. The most frequent reported signs and symptoms included headache, cough, myalgia, nasal congestion and muscle weakness. Corticosteroids, multivitamins, and anti-inflammatories were the most used medications during the pandemic period. There were several reports related to how users were feeling during the pandemic, and among these reports, negative feelings toward isolation stood out, such as “feeling lonely”, “anxious”, and “feeling useless”. A significant association was found between sex (p < 0.001) and age (p < 0.001) in relation to self-reported cases of COVID-19. ConclusionsThe use of MDQ during extended quarantine was an easy and interesting way of interaction and support for people during COVID-19 pandemic.

When the predator becomes the prey: record of Mischocyttarus rotundicollis (Cameron, 1912) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) feeding on a spider in southeastern Brazil

Social wasps are commonly considered generalists in their feeding habits, but there are genera with little information regarding their diet, such as Mischocyttarus de Saussure, 1853 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), the most species-rich wasp genus in the world. The objective of this study is to report Mischocyttarus rotundicollis (Cameron, 1912) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) feeding on a spider in the southeastern region of Brazil, aiming to expand information about its feeding behavior. The record occurred occasionally on September 23, 2023, in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the ecotone region between the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. The feeding of a species from the Araneidae family occurred in its web, and the individual of M. rotundicollis used the tarsi of its legs to cling to the silk threads of the web, which could suggest a specialization for the exploitation of this food resource. Our record provides further information on the feeding behavior and diet of M. rotundicollis and presents the first information on spider feeding by this species. Further studies are suggested to evaluate this possible hypothesis of specialization of the genus for foraging in spider webs.

Profile of Surgeons Who Treat Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in Brazil

Abstract Objective To describe the profile of surgeons who treat patients with inflammatory bowel disease as well as the characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease care, unmet demands, and difficulties. Methods The research participants answered a Google Forms questionnaire. Results Of the 99 surgeons who participated in the survey, 84.5% were coloproctologists, 40% were from the southeastern region of Brazil, and 77.7% were male and had been working for more than 19 years. Regarding the healthcare sector, 63.6% of surgeons worked in both public and private clinics, and most clinically cared for up to 50 patients with inflammatory bowel disease and operated on up to 5 cases per year. Conclusion This is the first national study that aimed to identify the profile of surgeons working with inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil. The vast majority are experienced male coloproctologists, located in the southern and southeastern regions, who perform clinical and surgical treatment of these pathologies, with major surgeries being performed in large centers by a small number of surgeons.

Diagnostic criteria and case definitions for abdominal angiostrongyliasis: a systematic review from the Brazilian experience.

Although rare, Angiostrongylus costaricensis infection may be a more prevalent etiology of inflammatory bowel disease than ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease in endemic areas in Central and South America. The present study reviewed the occurrence of A. costaricensis in Brazil, its clinical presentation and pathology; and proposed diagnostic criteria and case definitions for abdominal angiostrongyliasis (AA). Southern and southeastern Brazilian regions are the main endemic areas, and AA affects both genders and all age groups. A review of all 23 published reports of 51 Brazilian patients highlighted the following features that were subsequently classified as minor diagnostic criteria: abdominal pain, palpable mass in the right lower abdominal quadrant, history of exposure, ileocecal tumor, and intestinal perforation with wall thickening. Proposed major criteria include right lower quadrant abdominal pain, blood eosinophilia, positive serology (antibody detection), intense eosinophilic infiltration that involves all strata of the intestinal wall, eosinophilic granulomatous reaction, and eosinophilic vasculitis. In addition to the definitions of suspected and possible cases according to increasing strength of evidence of this infection, demonstration of worms/eggs/larvae in tissues or Angiostrongylus DNA in tissues or serum are required for a confirmed diagnosis. The application of the proposed criteria and definitions may improve patient management, epidemiologic surveillance, and identification of new endemic areas.

Plant-parasitic nematodes associated with Panicum maximum and Mimosa hirsutissima in a pasture field

Pastures and weed plants can host plant-parasitic nematodes of economic importance, with the limited yield of pastures representing a continuous challenge for agriculture, especially in the lower Jequitinhonha Valley in southeastern Brazil, where dairy and beef cattle play a crucial role in the local economy. From this perspective, this study aimed to provide information on the population density of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça and Mimosa hirsutissima, weed species commonly found in pasture areas cropped with this grass in the municipality of Almenara, MG, in the Jequitinhonha Valley region of southeastern Brazil. Soil and root samples were collected from the field and placed in plastic bags, which were labeled and taken to the laboratory for nematode extraction. Nematode population densities were estimated in a Peters counting slide under a light microscope, and genera identification was based on morphological traits. In rhizosphere soil (100 g) of P. maximum cv. Mombaça, the highest population densities were observed for Helicotylenchus sp. (3,999), followed by Tylenchus sp. (1,191), Meloidogyne spp. (939), and Pratylenchus sp. (544). In roots (1 g), on the other hand, the highest values corresponded to Pratylenchus sp. (19.6) and Meloidogyne spp. (15.5). However, in rhizosphere soil of M. hirsutissima, the highest population densities were recorded for Tylenchus sp. (2,072), Helicotylenchus sp. (1,883), Pratylenchus sp. (751), and Meloidogyne spp. (307). In contrast, in the roots, the highest values were observed for Meloidogyne spp. (6.9), Tylenchus sp. (4.4), and Pratylenchus sp. (2.7). These findings are essential to take decisions on the management of plant-parasitic nematodes.

Perfil do acupunturista veterinário no Brasil

ABSTRACT: Veterinary acupuncture is a complementary and alternative medicine practiced widely in Brazil and is recognized as a specialty by the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine. However, despite the growing interest of professionals for training and of clients for care, there are no studies on the socioeconomic profile of these veterinary acupuncturists in Brazil. The present survey received 295 (complete) replies, the majority of the respondents were 40 years old or less, female (87%) and were from the southeastern region of Brazil. Furthermore, 57% of respondents were at the beginning of their acupuncture careers with less than 5 years of practice. Most respondents chose to be an acupuncturist for personal satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of acupuncture. Experienced acupuncturists received better financial rewards and were more satisfied with their earnings and valued by their clients. Most respondents believe that acupuncture has scientific evidence through experimental and clinical studies. The socioeconomic profile of veterinary acupuncturists is essential to elaborate future action plans and help improve the quality of veterinary professionals.

Complex multimorbidity in hemodialysis patients: Study in a metropolitan region in Brazil.

The objective of this article was to analyze the factors associated with complex multimorbidity (CMM) among hemodialysis patients in a metropolitan region in southeastern Brazil. To this end, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out with 1,024 individuals in the year 2019. CMM data were collected through the application of a questionnaire to hemodialysis patients. The binary logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between independent variables and CMM. The prevalence of CMM was 81% and the results indicated that: living in cities with a low rate of general mortality (OR = 0.395, 95%CI = 0.179-0.870), being aged between 18 and 29 (OR = 0.402, 95%CI = 0.196-0.825), having an elementary education (OR = 0.536, 95%CI = 0.290-0.966) and assessing health as good/very good (OR = 0.446, 95%CI = 0.301-0.661) are factors that reduced the chances of having CMM, whereas a longer period of hemodialysis (OR = 1.779 and 95%CI = 1.057-2.997) increased the chances of CMM. The findings show that characteristics of the social and individual context are associated with CMM in hemodialysis patients, signaling the need for public health policies that include monitoring the complex multimorbidity condition among individuals undergoing hemodialysis treatment.

Validation of the SPEIbase for the Southeastern Brazil Region

Resumo A seca é um fenômeno natural, que causa impactos severos em diferentes setores da sociedade. Para avaliar a seca, são utilizados índices que permitem comparar eventos em diferentes regiões e escalas temporais. O SPEIbase é uma base de dados em grade que fornece estimativas do SPEI em escala global, com ampla abrangência temporal (1901 a 2022), resolução espacial de 0,5° x 0,5° e segue em processo de atualização. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o SPEIbase v2.9 na representação dos padrões espaço-temporal da seca na Região Sudeste Brasileira. Para isso, foram comparados os valores da SPEIbase via dados de oito estações meteorológicas convencionais (EMC), para o período de 1961 a 2010. A SPEIbase apresentou resultados satisfatórios para a Região Sudeste Brasileira. Os dados em grade apresentaram tendência linear positiva para todas as oito EMC, com correlação forte (0,70 &lt; r &lt; 0,90) para mais de 50% das estações. Além disso, a SPEIbase apresentou desempenho satisfatório na identificação da frequência e intensidade das secas. O SPEIbase é um importante produto que pode ser usado para a análise de secas na Região Sudeste Brasileira.

Dual‐method survey of recreational fishing for guitarfishes in Southern and Southeastern Brazil

AbstractWe comprehensively assessed marine recreational fishing of threatened guitarfishes (Pseudobatos percellens, Pseudobatos horkelii, and Zapteryx brevirostris) in Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. A dual‐method approach integrated social media reports and in‐person interviews to explore practices, challenges, and conservation implications of recreational fishing for these species. Seasonal capture of guitarfishes required the promotion of catch‐and‐release, especially during gestational periods, and the development of best angling practices manuals and accessible identification guides. With a focus on land‐based activities and engagement with fishers, our findings underscored the importance of collaboration among researchers, recreational fishers, and conservationists to map and monitor recreational capture and contribute to guitarfish research and conservation.

Marine wildlife in Brazilian zoohandicrafts: assessing the expansion of an uncontrolled trade

The trade of wild animal parts as souvenirs, hereafter termed zoohandicrafts, has witnessed significant growth in Brazil due to increasing tourism and the associated demand for souvenirs. This study aimed to investigate the diversity of marine wildlife traded as zoohandicrafts along the Brazilian coast, identify the prevalent categories for these products, and assess the extent of this trade across the country. Sampling was conducted in 23 markets at tourist destinations, covering 11 states from the Northern, Northeastern, Southeastern, and Southern regions of Brazil, between 2017 and 2022. A total of 160 items or voucher specimens were examined, revealing the presence of 68 invertebrate species and two fishes. Statistical analysis indicated significant variations in the number of species across different categories of use and within the visited states and regions. Several species were found to serve multiple purposes. Whole mollusk shells constituted the most frequently traded item, with 58 identified species. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed two distinct groups—one including species with diverse uses in all regions of Brazil and the other encompassing species predominantly associated with decoration and religious purposes—particularly in the Northeastern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. An increasing diversity of species and a lower frequency of use were observed in the Southeastern region, relative to the Northeastern region. Approximately 20% of the species recorded are exclusively from the Indo-Pacific Ocean and are regarded as non-native to Brazil. Only 12 of the species were listed in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and two are regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This research sheds light on the status of the zoohandicraft trade in Brazil and highlights the lack of regulatory measures, the potential threats posed to biodiversity loss, and the economic importance of these species for people’s livelihoods. Further investigations are required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the actual social, economic, and ecological impacts of the trade in zoohandicrafts in Brazil and to devise strategies that promote both conservation and the socioeconomic wellbeing of all people involved in this commerce, from sourcing, production, distribution, and sale.

Leisure practices of individuals on hemodialysis and the social determinants of health

ABSTRACT Hemodialysis treatment negatively change people’s daily lives, which can be minimized by improving the social determinants of health. This study aims to learn the leisure activities of individuals on hemodialysis and analyze the differences in the proportions of social determinants of health. This is a cross-sectional, census, analytical study with 1024 individuals on hemodialysis in a metropolitan region of southeastern Brazil. The most practiced domains of leisure are the idle and contemplative (41.7%), social (37.1%), and intellectual (32.5%). The population can be described as men (56.7%), aged between 30 and 59 years (51.6%), with less than eight years of schooling (51.6%), with an income of up to two minimum wages (56.2%). Men practice more physical activities (p < .001) and women tend to practice manual activities (p = .027). Lower education and lower income also indicate higher proportions of individuals not engaged in leisure. Understanding and acting on the social determinants of health would minimize health inequities, whereas expanding leisure practices would improve the well-being of people undergoing treatment.

Extreme rain event highlights the lack of governance to face climate change in the Southeastern coast of Brazil

New rainfall records were registered in the southeastern region of Brazil during February 2023. The amount of rain in the north coast region of the State of São Paulo was more than 650 mm in less than two days. Landslides and tragedies with a socioeconomically vulnerable population marked this climatic extreme. The country has a regulatory system that suggests the elaboration and implementation of municipal public policies aimed at territorial organization, environmental conservation, and the prevention of disasters induced by natural hazards. In addition, both federal and state funds earmarked for such hazard's prevention have been underutilized over the last decade. In addition to this current devastating climate episode, other events were registered in this decade, reinforcing that financial governance is a key challenge to face the climate crisis in Brazil. The predicted future extreme events in different regions of Brazil will require a different governance system to minimize social inequality, seek sustainable alternatives for urban environments and manage to adapt cities for the challenges posed by climate change.

High risk of bat bites in an indigenous village in Brazil: Warning of the re-emergence of rabies among the Maxakali People

Bat-mediated human rabies is a viral zoonotic disease that poses a serious threat to the public health of traditional peoples, especially indigenous populations that maintain primitive cultural and social habits, such as the Maxakali ethnic group, located in the southeastern region of Brazil. The sociocultural habit of this population led to the emergence between April and May 2022 of the viral spillover of rabies transmitted by bats, which decimated the lives of four children from this population who maintained contact with this animal as a recreational practice. Because the vampire bats Desmodus rotundus have exceptional ecology and social characteristics that can have important effects on the dynamics of viral dispersion in this indigenous population, I present the dynamics of contact between native children and the bat and the meaning of this relationship, which involves ritualistic and recreational significance. As important as knowing the reasons for this practice is discussing some intrinsic and extrinsic factors that imply risks that intensify the vulnerability of this population to the transmission of the rabies virus at any time. In view of this, I warn of the need to adopt efficient strategies to mitigate the risks of a new emergency in this region. Although emergency containment measures were carried out during the critical period of the outbreak, such animal and environmental control actions must become routine programmatic and structuring interventions. Essential for rabies surveillance in this population is to develop culturally adapted interethnic health education campaigns to guarantee the accessibility of the Maxakali indigenous people to the content taught, so that any attempt at domestication, captivity and recreational practices with bats of any species is discouraged, thus avoiding a possible re-emergence of this anthropozoonosis that has impacted not only the epidemiological scenario in this region, but throughout Brazil, and also throughout Latin America.

Menstrual health: Inequities in a cohort of menstruating people in the Brazilian southeastern region.

To assess menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and period poverty in a group of low- and medium-income menstruating people. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Campinas, Brazil, from January to June 2022 with 535 participants aged 18-49. For data collection, we used the abbreviated version of the WHO Quality-of-Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) and a pre-tested questionnaire with items regarding MHM and period poverty. We found an inverse relationship between the risk of no access to supplies to perform menstrual hygiene, which increased by 2.5% and each point less in the environmental domain of quality of life (QoL), and this risk increased by up to 3.1 times among participants who reported difficulty making ends meet. The risk of not having adequate conditions to perform menstrual hygiene at home increased by up to 2.6% for every one-point drop in the environmental domain of QoL. The risk of not having adequate conditions to perform menstrual hygiene outside the home increased by up to 1.3% for less points in the psychological domain of QoL, and 44.4% of those who indicated inadequate conditions for menstrual hygiene reported two or more childbirths. Menstruating people who have an increased risk of lacking menstrual supplies and have an increased risk of inadequate conditions for MHM at home and outside the home, as well as those who have two or more deliveries and those having difficulties making ends meet, scored low on the QoL, especially in the environmental and psychological dimensions.

A web-based survey to map the electromyography practice in Brazil.

Detailed information about the electromyography practice in Brazil is largely unavailable. To evaluate where and how electromyography is performed in Brazil, as well as regional disparities and the professional and academic credentials of electromyographers. We conducted an internet-based survey of active Brazilian electromyographers. The websites of health insurance companies, professional academies, medical cooperatives, online search engines, and social networks in each Brazilian state were screened and we evaluated the credentials of each electromyographer listed in the Brazilian Federal Medical Board (BFMB) registration website and their online curricula vitae in the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, CNPq, in Portuguese). We also evaluated the same parameters in a control group of non-electromyographer neurologists randomly matched by geographical distribution and gender. We found 469 electromyographers (384 neurologists and 85 non-neurologists), with a male predominance. In total, 81.9% were BFMB-certified neurologists, 49.9%, BFMB-certified clinical neurophysiologists, and 10.4%, BFMB-certified physiatrists. Among the non-neurologists, 48.2% were physiatrists. Most electromyographers practiced in states on the Southern and Southeastern regions of Brazil. When adjusted by population, the Federal District and the states of Mato Grosso do Sul and Goiás presented the highest of eletromyographers density. Electromyographers were not more likely to have current/past academic affiliations. In Brazil, electromyography is performed predominantly by neurologists, and half of them are BFMB-certified clinical neurophysiologists. The present study highlights regional disparities and may guide government-based initiatives, for instance, to improve the diagnosis of leprosy and the management of neuromuscular disorders within the Brazilian territory.

Air quality simulation with WRF-Chem over southeastern Brazil, part I: Model description and evaluation using ground-based and satellite data

A comprehensive Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) model evaluation is conducted using ground-based and total column observational data from air quality stations and satellite retrievals. Fine particles (PM2.5; ≤ 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter), nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO + NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations and AOD values over southeastern Brazil were analyzed to assess the model's capability in reproducing atmospheric observation. The model simulations were performed over simple one domain at grid resolution of 10 km over southeastern Brazil. This spatial resolution was chosen due to a previous evaluation between five MODIS AOD products with AERONET estimates, resulting in Dark Target at 10 km of spatial resolution the best product to represent the AOD values over our study domain. Model input emissions comprise vehicular emissions derived from a bottom-up emission model, as well as on-line calculations of biogenic and fire emission rates. Given that the atmospheric state affects air pollution dispersion, a model evaluation on the meteorological conditions was carried out to better evaluate the model performance in reproducing the pollutant concentrations. Good agreement between model simulations and observations for air temperature and relative humidity at 2 m height was found, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.85 in most periods. Expected benchmarks for wind speed and direction at 10 m height were also found in this analysis, though with larger uncertainties. Underestimation occurred for daily accumulated precipitation due to the limitations of the cloud microphysics scheme or cumulus parameterization. Model simulations of PM2.5, NOx, CO and O3 agreed well with ground-based observations in terms of temporal variations and trends, with model-observation discrepancies due to uncertainties in the emission inventories. O3 was the better simulated pollutant in terms of temporal variability, with the characteristic large and small amplitudes observed over urban and rural areas being well represented by the model. High O3 concentrations were observed at the Botucatu station, due to transport of pollutants generated in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, and were also represented by the model, indicating the need of more active air quality monitoring stations over inland regions in southeastern Brazil. Moderate and high correlation coefficients (ranging 0.46–0.81) were found for tropospheric NO2 VCD and CO column, and AOD at 550 nm due to uncertainties in the emission inventories and aerosol model simplifications. Both the model and satellite captured higher values in similar regions over our study domain. This work represents a first effort, in southeastern Brazil, that combines numerical modeling, remote sensing and ground-based stations to analyze and understand the impact exerted by the emissions of urban pollution over surrounding areas. A more in-depth analysis of the impact of emissions transport to inland regions from urban areas in southeastern Brazil will be discussed in the second part of this work.

Climate risk zoning for wheat crops in the southeastern region of Brazil.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the second most consumed food in the world. One way to meet this demand is the expansion of wheat cultivation to the Brazilian Cerrado in the southeastern region. However, one of the major limitations is that there are few studies related to wheat climate risk zoning. Thus, this study aimed to determine the agroclimatic zoning of wheat by estimating the water needs satisfaction index (ISNA) in the southeastern region of Brazil. For this purpose, a 60-year historical series of meteorological data was used to calculate the potential evapotranspiration, crop evapotranspiration, and climatological water balance values. To define the agroclimatic zones of wheat and sowing date, the ISNA method was used. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine the variations. To obtain the agroclimatic zoning of wheat, the geostatistical method of kriging interpolation was used. The regions with the highest rainfall are the south of Minas Gerais and the coast of São Paulo. The sowing period directly impacts the development of the crop, the available water capacity and the ISNA values indicated the spring and summer had better cultivation conditions, and the best window for wheat cultivation is concentrated in the fall due to the limitation of biotic factors. In terms of altitude (>700 m), Minas Gerais has 39.4% of the area suitable for wheat cultivation. Thus, climatic variations within and between the states of the southeastern region should be considered for the positioning of wheat cultivars in these regions to obtain the maximum yield. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Regulatory Proposals for the Insertion of Distributed Energy Resources based on a Brazilian Utility Case and International Experiences

Utilities, policymakers, regulators, free market, and prosumers share a common interest in understanding whether benefits associated with such increased of DERs outweigh costs. To dimension and qualify B/C relationship, there are intrinsic variables relative to DERs' technical-economic arrangement and standard mechanisms used for its compensation: NEM, feed-in policies, etc. Other side, DERs must be adjusted on established regulatory framework, tariff schemes and utility revenue models. In this article, these three ambits are analyzed including a Brazilian southeastern region user's case study connected to MV network with DG measured data. Thus, some guidelines are pointed for the comprehensive implementation of DERs from the perspective of those involved.

Two centuries of ornithological exploration of the Rio Doce basin, southeastern Brazil. Part I—A history of the landscape, its explorers, and their collections

The Rio Doce Hydrographic Basin (RDB) was once covered by magnificent tropical forest, which remained untouched by Europeans for three centuries after the arrival of the Portuguese colonists in the Brazilian coast in 1500. Nevertheless, a dramatic change in land use occurred throughout the entire RDB after the turn of the 19th century. Currently, the RDB is one of the most degraded regions in southeastern Brazil and, recently, it was the scenario of the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history. In this series of papers, we aim to construct a baseline biodiversity assessment that documents the changes in bird communities within the RDB throughout the last two centuries. In this first part, we present the history of the RDB landscape, its explorers, and their collections based on an extensive literature review and museum data. Early biological surveys in the RDB only started at the beginning of the 19th century and were conducted mostly by German and French naturalists. During the first eight decades of ornithological exploration, foreign field naturalists conducted expeditions to the RDB and collected hundreds of bird specimens. Unfortunately, labelling and curatorial procedures were often poor and despite the prodigious efforts of those naturalists, results obtained were often meagre. The second phase of exploration occurred from the 1900s to the 1960s and was dominated by expeditions conducted by Brazilian natural history museums. During this phase, labelling and curatorial procedures improved considerably and the material collected significantly advanced our knowledge about the RDB avifauna The third phase occurred from the 1970s to the first decade of the 21st century, when collection of specimens decreased sharply and the research activity slowly shifted from museums to universities, with a focus on ecology and natural history. We are now in a fourth, more pluralistic phase, in which research continues to be done by universities, Brazilian natural history museums have resumed their collection activity, and birdwatching has emerged as a popular activity in Brazil, producing a tremendous amount of data in a short period of time.