Brazilian forest code: Advances and setbacks

In a scenario of expansion of agricultural frontiers, based on the production of grain and other commodities, Brazil today lives in a privileged position when it comes to the production and productivity of various agricultural crops and livestock. However we can see that developments in the legislative system often do not keep pace with anthropic action, which makes the degradation of the natural environment potentially disturbing. The evolution in jurisprudence has to occur concisely and quickly based on landscape parameters, and from the perspective of the technique, with a holistic behavior focused on the actions of preservation and conservation of natural resources. Forests are indispensable systems in the process of 'water generation', contributing significantly to the dynamics of the hydrological cycle, a complex and fundamental mechanism for the maintenance and regulation of life on earth. In this sense, the objective of this article is to explain some environmental, technical and legislative aspects related to the Forest Codes that were in force in Brazil, analyzing its historical relevance, flaws and finally major changes. Its preparation was based on articles, books and materials available online from the available knowledge bases. A broad revision was carried out including the Magna Carta in addition to the laws that deal with the Brazilian Forest Code, in its three versions of 1934, 1965 and 2012. As articulated considerations it can be verified that despite the evolution in the form of proposition of the current law, some modifications still need to be made, considering that the current Forest Code contains residual political and economic sequelae that neglect the socio-environmental character, and that even after the adoption of its latest version, severe damage is still being caused to the natural environment, which requires greater commitment from regulators to enforce legislation

Genetic Variability of Ceraeochrysa cincta, Ceraeochrysa claveri, and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) Populations in Agroecosystems of Southeast Brazil

The species of the genus Ceraeochrysa, known as green lacewings or trash-carriers, are widely distributed along the Americas and its islands. In Brazil, 28 species are found, including Ceraeochrysa cincta (Schneider), Ceraeochrysa claveri (Navás), and Ceraeochrysa cubana (Hagen). These species are recorded on many crops, where they are often used for biological control. For this use, knowledge of the genetic features of the species is extremely important because they are associated to the species’ ability to withstand different conditions in new environments, such as variations of temperature and presence of pathogens. However, little is known about the genetic features of Ceraeochrysa species. Here, we analyze and compare the distribution of the genetic variability of C. cincta, C. claveri, and C. cubana in agroecosystem populations of southeast Brazil. We found a high genetic diversity in each of the three species, and no strong genetic structure was detected, such that genetic diversity is broadly shared among the crops and localities analyzed. We can conclude that there was a high gene flow among the sampled Ceraeochrysa populations (natural or driven by anthropic action) since the exchange of seedlings among crops can lead to the distribution of the specimens.

ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF CAATINGA BIOME WITH AND WITHOUT ANTHROPIC ACTION1

ABSTRACT The Caatinga is an exclusively Brazilian biome that has been under high anthropogenic action, which directly interferes in the quality of its soil. In order to evaluate and monitor the quality of the soil, chemical and biological indicators are used, with the determination of the enzymatic activity gaining prominence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of soils of the Caatinga biome in preserved and anthropized areas belonging to the Catimbau National Park, located in Pernambuco, Brazil, during the two periods of the year (rainy and dry), for three consecutive years, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Enzymatic activities of β-glucosidase, urease, arylsulfatase, and acid and alkaline phosphatase in the soil were evaluated. Anthropic action caused reduction in the enzymatic activities of β-glucosidase, arylsulfatase and urease. Regarding the periods of the year, the dry one showed smaller values of enzymatic activity of β-glucosidase, arylsulfatase and urease. Among the evaluation years, when correlating accumulated precipitation and enzymatic activity, the highest correlations were observed in the preserved area in both periods of the year. The fragility of Caatinga soils under anthropic action was observed in both periods of the year, over time. The increasing anthropization of areas of the Catimbau National Park has a direct effect on soil quality, affects its ecological balance, causing degradation and reduction of its quality. Appropriate enforcement measures are urgently needed to ensure their environmental preservation.

A estátua-menir do Pedrão ou de São Bartolomeu do Mar (Esposende, noroeste de Portugal) no contexto arqueológico da fachada costeira de entre os rios Neiva e Cávado

The statue-menhir of Pedrão was studied and revaluated in 2018 and it was found that it had a head, a rounded base and engravings, some of them destroyed by the anthropic action. It was found that the arrangement of the eight cup-marks on the south face, if joined, would form the typical rectangular motif of the northwestern Iberian Peninsula statues-menhirs, so it should be included in this group and in the same generic age. This statue-menhir is out of place, although testimonies and popular traditions indicate that it would be close to its original context: on the coastal platform in front of Mount of Sanfins. It will has functioned as a symbol of identity and power marking a geostrategic place of encounter between populations for religious, social and exchange purposes.

ANÁLISE DESCRITIVA DAS MODIFICAÇÕES AMBIENTAIS PRESENTES NO PERCURSO SOBRAL – MERUOCA-CE

No presente trabalho, desenvolveu-se uma análise descritiva das modificações existentes no percurso Sobral – Meruoca, bem como a observação e descrição das potencialidades e fatores biogeográficos. Utilizando-se o método descritivo, que visa à descrição das feições da área através da análise e observação dos diferentes biossistemas, seja na depressão sertaneja presente em Sobral, ou no Maciço Residual da Serra da Meruoca, bem como da ação antrópica. Sendo necessária a identificação da mudança na flora, fauna, aspectos socioespaciais, uso e ocupação do solo, modificação ambiental, dentre outros, estes em prol da identificação do desenvolvimento da área juntamente com a intervenção humana. Portanto, constata-se que com o passar dos anos e com os avanços de construções, foram identificados uma expansão dos loteamentos e construções de médio e grande porte no sopé da Meruoca, o que modifica a dinâmica natural da área.Palavras-chave: Fatores Biogeográficos; Dinâmica Natural; Maciço Residual. ABSTRACTIn the present work, a descriptive analysis of the modifications in the route Sobral – Meruoca was developed, as well as the observation of the main potentials and the position of the population in relation to its geographical distribution area, among others. Using the descriptive method, which aims to analyze the features of the area through the analysis and observation of the different biosystems, either in the country depression present in Sobral, or in the Residual mass of the Serra da Meruoca, as well as the anthropic action. It is necessary to identify the change in flora, fauna, Socioespaciais aspects, use and occupation of the soil, environmental modification, among others, for the identification of the development of sustainable forms of use of the area along with the Human intervention. Therefore, it is noted that over the years and with the advances of the buildings, an expansion of the plots and constructions of medium and large size were identified at the foot of the Meruoca, which modifies the natural dynamics of the area as disappearance of species Natives, decreased sources, increased temperature.Keywords: Biogeographical factors; Natural Dynamics; Residual Mass. RESUMENEn el presente trabajo, se desarrolló un análisis descriptivo de las modificaciones en la ruta Sobral - Meruoca, así como la observación de los principales potenciales y la posición de la población en relación a su área de distribución geográfica, entre otros. Utilizando el método descriptivo, que tiene como objetivo analizar las características del área a través del análisis y observación de los diferentes biosistemas, ya sea en la depresión del país presente en Sobral, o en la masa residual de la Serra da Meruoca, así como la acción antrópica. . Es necesario identificar el cambio en la flora, fauna, aspectos socioespaciales, uso y ocupación del suelo, modificación ambiental, entre otros, para la identificación del desarrollo de formas sostenibles de uso del área junto con la intervención humana. Por lo tanto, se observa que a lo largo de los años y con los avances de los edificios, se identificó una expansión de las parcelas y construcciones de mediano y gran tamaño al pie de la Meruoca, que modifica la dinámica natural de la zona como la desaparición de especies. Nativos, disminución de fuentes, aumento de temperatura.Palabras clave: Factores biogeográficos; Dinámica natural; Masa Residual.

Estudo da erosão no Seridó paraibano como indicador do processo de desertificação: Juazeirinho, Paraíba (Study of erosion in Seridó paraibano as an indicator of desertification: Juazeirinho, Paraíba)

O estudo da erosão em regiões semiáridas, principalmente quando o solo e a vegetação tornam-se vulneráveis por meio de atividades antrópicas, sem que haja conservação do ambiente explorado, indica que além do processo erosivo natural, o ambiente erodido pode sofrer um processo de desertificação. Diante desse contexto foi possível observar e analisar a erosão, a vulnerabilidade e os riscos na região do Seridó paraibano, especialmente no município de Juazeirinho, por apresentar uma fisiografia de Caatinga, solo arenoso e baixa pluviosidade, além de apresentar econômica e socialmente, explorações de minérios, sobretudo, da rocha caulim. As proposições metodológicas colocadas no trabalho, às coletas feitas in loco e a ferramenta do SIG contribuiu para apontar indicadores de riscos à erosão tanto do processo natural quanto o antropogênico. Os resultados apontaram uma vulnerabilidade natural média e alta para a região estudada, devido às instabilidades pluviométricas e a condições geomorfológicas da área. O processo erosivo pela ação antrópica mostrou um alto e severo risco à erosão, consequentemente deixando o ambiente propicio à desertificação em que se constatou um valor de 217.686,12km², (46,56%) da área do município, praticamente a metade do mesmo, gerando, portanto, uma preocupação grave pelo empobrecimento do solo e da cobertura vegetal nativa. A B S T R A C TThe study of erosion in semiarid regions, especially when the soil and vegetation become vulnerable through anthropogenic activities without environmental conservation explored, indicates that besides the natural erosive process, the eroded environment can suffer a process of desertification. In this context it was possible to observe and analyses the erosion, the vulnerability and risks in the Northeast region of Brazil, especially in the municipality of Juazeirinho by presenting a physiography of Caatinga, sandy soil and low rainfall, as well as present economic and socially, holdings of ores, especially, caulim rock. The methodological propositions placed on the work, the collections made on the spot and the GIS tool contributed to point indicators of risks erosion of both the natural process as anthropogenic. The results showed a natural medium and high vulnerability to the region studied, due to rainfall and geomorphologic conditions instability of the area. The erosive process by anthropic action showed a high and severe erosion risk, consequently leaving the environment propitious to desertification in which if found in a value of 217,686.12 Km ², (46.56%) the area of the city, practically half of the same, generating thus a serious concern by the impoverishment of soil and vegetation cover.Keywords: Erosion, vulnerability, Risks, Process of desertification, Mapping.

LEVANTAMENTO AMBIENTAL DA MICROBACIA DO CÓRREGO DOS MACACOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE ÁLVARES MACHADO - SP

The increase in urbanization occurs uncontrollably and increasingly the population has been appropriating the use of natural resources and watersheds, causing severe degradation to the environment, due to this the importance of environmental planning as a justification for sustainable development. The objective of this work was to carry out an environmental survey of the Hydrographic Microbasin of Córrego dos Macacos - Álvares Machado, in order to highlight the main impacts caused by anthropic action. The work was based on the methodology of Leal (1995) the from the following stages: organization, Inventory, Environmental Diagnosis and elaboration of Improvement Proposals for the area under analysis. The obtained results reveal that the existing activities cause intense degradations in the slopes that are easily visible. Therefore, from the proposals raised in the present work, it is worth executing Projects for the Recovery of these Degraded Areas, in order to minimize the presented impacts.