Sociedade & Natureza

The Contribution of the FPEIR/TOPSIS Model in The Environmental Diagnosis of Water Security in Areas Affected by the B1 Dam, Brumadinho, MG

Priscila Aparecida da Rocha Honorato — 2025-01-28

The Paraopeba River Basin, located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, has been severely impacted by extreme climatic events and the 2019 Vale S.A. dam failures in Brumadinho. This study underscores the importance of integrating multi-criteria decision analysis with a conceptual model to diagnose water security in the region based on socio-environmental indicators. Employing the DPSIR methodology, socio-environmental indicators are proposed and analyzed to assess water security and to support the planning and management of water resources in the Paraopeba River Basin (BHRP). The approach combines the TOPSIS multi-criteria analysis model with the entropy weight method to rank municipalities according to their levels of water security. The analysis identified critical challenges, including population growth, industrialization, and agricultural expansion, which exacerbate water contamination. Brumadinho and Betim emerged as the most vulnerable municipalities, exhibiting high rates of waterborne diseases and inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure. Intense industrial and agricultural activities have further heightened environmental risks, as exemplified by the dam failures. The study underscores socio-environmental pressures and highlights the importance of integrated approaches. The findings emphasize the need for robust public policies, sustainable agricultural practices, participatory management, infrastructure improvements, and climate change adaptation to ensure water security and improve quality of life.

Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm): A Scoping Review on Institutionalization, Effectiveness, and Dismantling

Guilherme Dourado dos Reis — 2025-01-23

The primary sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Brazil stem from activities associated with land use and forest changes, particularly due to the clearing of native vegetation. The agricultural sector is the second largest emitter. Geographically, the Amazon region is the focal point of these emissions, and the escalating deforestation in the area led to the creation of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm, in Portuguese) in 2004. This article presents the results of a literature mapping focused on the PPCDAm, guided by key questions regarding the institutionalization process of the plan, its effectiveness, and its recent period of dismantling, as analyzed from the perspective of specialized literature. The methodology adheres to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) standards for Scoping Reviews (ScR). This review enabled the description and analysis of the four phases of the PPCDAm, spanning from 2004 to 2019, highlighting the effectiveness of the plan’s initial phases (2004–2012), which achieved an 84% reduction in deforestation by 2012 compared to 2004. The literature mapping revealed a gap in academic studies concerning the analysis of the fourth phase (2016–2019) and the dismantling of the plan. This phase is contextualized by Brazil's focus on mitigating climate change to meet the targets of the National Climate Change Plan for 2020, the signing of the Paris Agreement—committing to zero illegal deforestation by 2030—, and the political shifts during the Temer administration and the beginning of the Bolsonaro administration, at which point the PPCDAm was discontinued.

The Influence of Environmental Variables on the Distribution of Mangroves in Northeast Brazil

Ana Caroline Damasceno Souza de Sá — 2025-01-23

This research aims to spatialize mangroves and correlate them with environmental variables, exploring potential variation in the distribution of mangrove and salt flat forests in relation to areas with different rainfall patterns and drought periods within the same Brazilian region. CBERS-4A satellite images and manual vectorization of mangrove and apicum forest polygons in QGIS v. 3.10.14 software were used, as well as fieldwork. Pearson's correlation analysis, carried out using RStudio software, considered variables such as rainfall, dry months, mangrove species, fragmentation, and area size. The results indicate that variations in rainfall and the number of dry months have a strong influence on the distribution of mangroves. For example, in the Piranhas-Açu hypersaline estuary (RN), a large fragmentation of mangrove forests was observed, with 1.379 polygons mapped in an area of 2.396 ha, receiving 500 mm of annual rainfall and having 8 dry months. In the Timonha (CE) and Itarema (CE) estuaries, with 1000 mm of rain and 6 dry months, 131 and 118 polygons were identified, respectively, on 2482 and 1093 ha. In contrast, the Mamanguape River estuary (PB), with the highest annual rainfall of 1750 mm and only 3 dry months, has a distribution of 4256 ha in 24 polygons. As for the salt flats, the Piranhas-Açu (RN) has a fragmentation of 674 polygons in an area of 4858 ha and the Mamanguape River estuary (PB) has six polygons mapped in an area of 2.4 ha. The research highlights the impacts of climatic variables on the distribution of mangroves, anthropogenic interference in land use due to economic activities and the negative effects of fragmentation, underscoring the importance of conservation and proper management of these vital ecosystems.

Microplastics in Rivers of South America: An Emerging Area of Research

Adriana Carolina Gamboa — 2025-01-21

Plastic pollution has emerged as one of our most pervasive and pressing environmental issues, impacting ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health globally. Microplastic research has primarily focused on oceans, whether in water, sediments, or organisms, generating a significant gap in understanding their presence and impact on other environments like rivers, which is a concern worldwide, and of paramount importance for us in Latin America and the Caribbean. To address this situation, we examined the current research on microplastics in South American rivers by conducting a Google Scholar search with keywords and Boolean operators, which allowed us to recover a series of articles related to this topic. We reviewed 49 articles published in 2023 to know methods for collecting and analyzing river samples. Our findings revealed limited information on microplastics in South America, with data only from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. Additionally, we found considerable variations in sample collection and analysis methods, hindering study comparisons. Bridging this knowledge gap is crucial for comprehending the extent of plastic pollution in the region. Since rivers are major microplastic contributors to oceans, this research will significantly aid in environmental protection efforts, emphasizing the global relevance of addressing riverine plastic pollution.

An Assessment of the Contributions of Ecosystem Services in Guinea-Bissau: A Case Study of Cantanhez National Park

Joaquim Silva Fernandes — 2025-01-21

Valuation of ecosystem services (ES) is vital for national growth and development, particularly in Guinea-Bissau which is ranked among the poorest nations worldwide. Therefore, this study assessed the contributions of five ES (land, sea, medicinal plant, mangrove and tourism) in the Cantanhez National Park with a view to establishing their effects on the growth and development of Guinea-Bissau. Data were purposively obtained through semi-directed interviews and questionnaires from 226 respondents in Tombali. A multi-stage sampling method was employed in this study. At the primary stage, the purposive sampling technique was used to select 11 villages closely situated 3-4km apart within Cantanhez Park while at the secondary stage, a second stage of purposive sampling was employed in the selection of 20 individuals in each village and at the final stage, face-to-face interviews were conducted to establish the robustness of our results. The study adopted the Contingent Valuation Method to elicit information from respondents, while data were subjected to descriptive statistics. The study revealed that people were willing to pay between 1 and 25000 FCFA for the ES, an average of about 12,500 FCFA based on the income of respondents. This value was used to project the additional income and per capita income that could be generated annually from the five ES. These were approximately 5.07 billion FCFA and 2574.09 FCFA respectively. The result showed that ES observed in this study could contribute to the growth and development of Guinea Bissau; and to ensure maximal contribution, successful implementation of the conservatory and regulatory policies is requisite. The study concludes that periodic ecological valuation of ES is essential for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Thornthwaite Moisture Index for the Triângulo Mineiro, Brazilian Cerrado Region, Under Climate Change

João Alberto Fischer Filho — 2025-01-10

Climate change represents one of the main challenges of the 21st century for planning and sustainable development. However, little is known about how climate change can affect a region's climate zones. The objective was to evaluate probable changes in climatic zones using the Thornthwaite climate classification (1948). Historical series between 1981 and 2021 of rainfall and air temperature were used. The water balance was calculated from Thornthwaite and Mather. Thornthwaite's humidity index (1948) was used to classify localities according to their level of humidity and the scenarios RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0 and RCP 8.5 to analyze projections for the 21st century (period 2081–2100). The current characterization, with historical data, of the region's climate presented air temperature, rainfall and average potential evapotranspiration, respectively, of 22.4ºC, 1,318.8 mm and 1,123.74 mm, in addition to a water surplus of 391.04 mm and water deficit of 195.04 mm. The region currently has five climate indices, with a prevalence of more humid classes (B1, B2 and B3), corresponding to 62% of the territory. The results derived from the projections indicate reductions in climate classes and an increase in the area occupied by drier climates. For example, the percentage of area occupied by class C1 (dry subhumid) would increase from the current 8.4% to 69.68% in the RCP 8.5 scenario. The study of these change projections is important since profound consequences for the hydrology, ecology and social area of the region will take place, potentially harming agriculture, the region's main economic activity.

Resilience and Place Identity in the Context of the Global Climate Emergency: A Comparative Study in Brazil and Portugal

Alexandro Francisco Camargo — 2025-01-08

In this comprehensive study, Portuguese university students were compared with Brazilian counterparts on the parameters of place identity and resilience traits. To this end, following data collection via a questionnaire, psychometrics was combined with statistical analysis methods, with the primary goal of understanding how place identity and resilience contribute to fostering climate resilience. The results reveal a generally accurate perception among participants regarding the consequences of climate change in their respective regions, with a more pronounced awareness observed in areas predicted to experience greater climate changes. Notably, in Portugal, a significant correlation emerged between a heightened risk of floods and stronger local identity, whereas among Brazilian participants, a similar correlation was observed with dry conditions. This presentation focuses on the analysis of Local/Social Identity and Resilience (Takviriyanun scale). The results also highlight a predominantly positive connection between participants and their local communities. It is noteworthy that individuals with a stronger sense of local identity demonstrate greater resilience in four out of the five factors analyzed (Support, Determination, Optimism, and Other Supports). It is concluded, therefore, that a strengthened local identity is associated with an increased capacity to cope with climate change. In this way, the possibility arises to analyze the relationship between place identity and resilience as an essential psychogeographic concept for territorial management, as it emerges as a strategic tool to promote and enhance adaptation processes.

The Heat Index (HI) in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará

Antonio Ferreira Lima Junior — 2024-12-18

Over time, changes in space have resulted in changes in natural characteristics. In this context, thermal comfort indicators have emerged, as developed to interpret environmental conditions in relation to thermal stress. The objective of this study was to apply the Heat Index (HI) in different neighborhoods of the city of Fortaleza, which choice was based on the different types of land cover. We carried out data collection campaign at ten points in the city, using thermohygrometer sensors. We applied the HI equation to the data collected, according to the intervals of the National Weather Service and the intervals adapted for the municipality. The data indicate that Fortaleza experienced high temperatures throughout the analyzed period (dry and hot months), having a negative impact on the HI (up to 42°C). The comparison of the comfort indicator classes showed that, in the original interval, few records indicated comfortable conditions in the different neighborhoods, while the interval of classes considering the acclimatization of the population indicated situations that were more comfortable. The worst comfort conditions occurred in the afternoon, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. The most critical points are associated with the density of buildings and the lack of urban green infrastructure, with neighborhoods Parque do Cocó and Bairro de Fátima (with more trees) that presented the highest frequency in the comfort class. We concluded that the entire territory of the city faces thermal stress; however, green structures have the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of the thermal field, improving human comfort in the urban environment.

Geoepidemiological Profile of Venomous Animal Incidents in Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Populations in Brazil

Maurício Polidoro — 2024-12-12

This study analyzes venomous animal incidents between 2012 and 2023 using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), focusing on differences between indigenous and non-indigenous populations. The adopted methodology is cross-sectional and ecological, incorporating descriptive statistical analyses and Moran's spatial autocorrelation to examine geographic patterns and identify prevalence clusters. The results reveal a concentration of notifications in the Southeast region. Among the groups analyzed, the indigenous population exhibited the highest prevalence rate, with 2,654 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, demonstrating significant vulnerability to venomous animal incidents. Indigenous children and adolescents were particularly susceptible in terms of age groups. Regarding causative agents, scorpions led among non-indigenous individuals (57.3%), while snakes were more prevalent among indigenous groups (56.6%). The study underscores the need for public policies and prevention strategies that consider the cultural and environmental specificities of vulnerable populations, emphasizing the importance of educational and public health actions adapted to local realities.