Author
Carolina Joana da Silva
Other affiliations: Mato Grosso State University, Amazon.com, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso ...read more
Bio: Carolina Joana da Silva is an academic researcher from Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso. The author has contributed to research in topics: Wetland & Floodplain. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 71 publications receiving 1059 citations. Previous affiliations of Carolina Joana da Silva include Mato Grosso State University & Amazon.com.
Topics: Wetland, Floodplain, Biodiversity, Humanities, Species richness
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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TL;DR: The Pantanal wetland is a Biosphere Reserve and is considered a wetland of international importance as discussed by the authors, but only 2.5% of the upper Paraguai River basin is formally protected.
Abstract: : The Pantanal, one of the largest wetlands on the planet, comprises 140,000 km2 of lowland floodplain of the upper Rio Paraguai basin that drains the Cerrado of central Brazil. The diverse mosaics of habitats resulting from the varied soil types and inundation regimes are responsible for an extraordinarily rich terrestrial and aquatic biota, exemplified by the bird richest wetland in the world—463 birds have been recorded there—and the largest known populations of several threatened mammals, such as Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), and jaguar (Panthera onca). Until recently, deforestation of the adjoining Brazilian central plateau was considered the major threat to this area, but now deforestation is a critical problem within the floodplain itself. More than 40% of the forest and savanna habitats have been altered for cattle ranching through the introduction of exotic grasses. And there are other threats that lead to large-scale disruption of ecological processes, severely affecting biodiversity. Although the Pantanal wetland is a Biosphere Reserve and is considered a Wetland of International Importance, only 2.5% of the upper Paraguai River basin is formally protected. To date, protected areas have been created opportunistically and as such, although of undoubted value, protect only a fraction of the Pantanal's wildlife and habitats. Among the conservation initiatives in the area, the private sector is increasingly participating in the establishment of private reserves. The prospects are far from optimistic, however, and the major challenge is to find alternative socioeconomic models that allow for conservation and economic uses of the land in association with the development of specific environmental legislation that reflects the unique characteristics of the region.
Resumen: El Pantanal, 140,000 km2 de llanura inundable de la cuenca alta del Rio Paraguai que drena el Cerrado en el centro de Brasil, es uno de los humedales mas extensos del planeta. Los diversos mosaicos de habitats que resultan de diversos tipos de suelo y regimenes de inundacion son responsables de una biota terrestre y acuatica extraordinariamente rica, ejemplificada por el humedal con mayor riqueza de aves en el mundo – se han registrado 463 especies de aves – y las mayores poblaciones conocidas de varios mamiferos amenazados, como el venado de las Pampas (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), el venado de pantano (Blastocerus dichotomus), la nutria gigante (Pteronura brasiliensis) y el jaguar (Panthera onca). Hasta hace poco, la deforestacion de la meseta central Brasilena adyacente era considerada como la mayor amenaza a esta area, pero ahora la deforestacion es un problema critico dentro de la misma llanura inundable. Mas de 40% de habitats de bosque y sabana han sido alterados para produccion de ganado mediante la introduccion de pastos exoticos. Y hay otas amenazas que conducen a la disrupcion de los procesas ecologicos a gran escala que afectan severamente a la biodiversidad. Aunque el humedal del Pantanal es una Reserva de la Biosfera y es considerado un Humedal de Importancia Internacional, solo 2.5% de la cuenca alta del Rio Paraguai esta protegido formalmente. A la fecha, las areas protegidas han sido creadas oportunisticamente y por lo tanto, aunque de valor indudable, solo protegen a una fraccion de la vida silvestre y habitats del Pantanal. Entre las iniciativas de conservacion del area, el sector privado esta incrementando su participacion en el establecimiento de reservas privadas. Sin embargo, las perspectivas estan lejos de ser optimistas y el mayor reto es encontrar modelos socioeconomicos alternativos que permitan la conservacion y utilizacion economica de tierras en asociacion con el desarrollo de legislacion ambiental especifica que refleje las caracteristicas unicas de la region.
219 citations
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TL;DR: The atmospheric input of pesticides to ecosystems seemed to be of higher relevance in the tropical study area than known from temperate regions.
Abstract: Within the last 25 years an intensive agriculture has developed in the highland regions of Mato Grosso state (Brazil), which involves frequent pesticide use in highly mechanized cash-crop cultures. To provide information on pesticide distribution and dynamics in the northeastern Pantanal basin (located in southern Mato Grosso), we monitored 29 pesticides and 3 metabolites in surface water, sediment, and rainwater of the study area during the main application season. In environmental samples, 19 pesticides and 3 metabolites were detected in measurable quantities, resulting in at least one pesticide detection in 68% of surface water samples (n = 139), 62% of sediment samples (n = 26), and 87% of rainwater samples (n = 91). Surface water samples were most frequently contaminated by endosulfan compounds (alpha-, beta-, -sulfate), ametryn, metolachlor, and metribuzin, although in low (< 0.1 microgram L-1) concentrations. Sediment samples exhibited concentrations up to 4.5 micrograms kg-1 of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, endosulfan-sulfate, beta-endosulfan, and ametryn. In contrast, rainwater was polluted with substantial amounts of endosulfan, alachlor, metolachlor, trifluralin, monocrotofos, and profenofos (maximum concentrations = 0.3 to 2.3 micrograms L-1) in the highlands. Lowland rainwater samples taken 75 km from the next application area contained 5- to 10-fold lower mean pesticide concentration than in the highlands. Cumulative deposition rates of the pesticide sum within the study period ranged from 423 micrograms m-2 in the highlands to 14 micrograms m-2 in the lowlands. The atmospheric input of pesticides to ecosystems seemed to be of higher relevance in the tropical study area than known from temperate regions.
198 citations
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01 Apr 2011TL;DR: In this paper, a sustainable management concept considering ecological and socioeconomical demands is proposed for the Pantanal, where the sustainable use of the fish resources requires a precise analyis of the stock dynamics, which can be used to specify the economic potential and conservation demands of individual habitats.
Abstract: Authors: Wantzen, Karl M.; Nunes da Cunha, Cátia; Junk, Wolfgang J.; Girard, Pierre; Rossetto, Onélia Carmen; Penha, Jerry M.; Couto, Eduardo G.; Becker, Michael; Priante, Gabriela; Tomas, Walfrido M.; Santos, Sandra A.; Marta, José; Domingos, Ivens; Sonoda, Fatima; Curvo, Marise; Callil, Claudia Document type: InBook Language: English Publisher: Pensoft Review Status: not specified External Publication Status: published Audience: Not Specified Title of Book: The Pantanal: Ecology, biodiversity and sustainable management of a large neotropical seasonal wetland Date of Publication (YYYY-MM-DD): 2011-04 Abstract / Description: Among the globally important wetlands, the Pantanal stands out by a history of harmonious coexistence of man and environment. In the recent years, severe human impacts have developed, which are capable of disintegrating Pantanal’s natural characteristics. This paper contributes a sustainable management concept considering ecological and socioeconomical demands. Intensive agricultural use of the catchments has direct effects on the floodplains of the Pantanal. An integrative catchment management is needed to reduce erosion in the tributaries and excessive sediment deposition in the alluvial fans of the rivers. A careful planning of hydropower plants is needed to maintain (a) some of the tributaries open for fi sh spawning migration, and (b) the natural flood pulse as the overriding ecological factor. In the Pantanal, deforestation for charcoal production and pasture enhances fragmentation of the natural habitats. The traditional human population of the Pantanal is threatened by changes in economic developments. Their knowledge to use fl oodplainspecific species is very important for developing sustainable use strategies. Several positive initiatives are highlighted, including the development of a green seal for Pantanal beef and the re-establishment of gallery forests along tributaries. The sustainable use of the fish resources requires a precise analyis of the stock dynamics. For the further development of the sustainable use, a classification system is provided, which can be used to specify the economic potential and conservation demands of the individual habitats. Place of Publication: Sofia [et al.] Physical Description: 870 S. Full Name of Book-Editor(s): Junk, Wolfgang J.; da Silva, Carolina J.; Nunes da Cunha, Cátia; Wantzen, Karl M. Communicated by: Brigitte Lechner Affiliations: MPI für Evolutionsbiologie/AG Tropenökologie
122 citations
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Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária1, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul2, Panthera Corporation3, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso4, World Wide Fund for Nature5, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso6, Anhanguera-Uniderp University7, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco8, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources9, National Institute for Space Research10, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute11, Federal University of Paraíba12, University of Angers13, National Council for Scientific and Technological Development14, Autonomous University of Madrid15
TL;DR: In this paper, a functional science network can booster the collaborative capability to generate creative ideas and solutions to address the big challenges faced by the Pantanal wetland, one of the largest, most diverse, and continuous inland wetland in the world.
Abstract: Building bridges between environmental and political agendas is essential nowadays in face of the increasing human pressure on natural environments, including wetlands. Wetlands provide critical ecosystem services for humanity and can generate a considerable direct or indirect income to the local communities. To meet many of the sustainable development goals, we need to move our trajectory from the current environmental destructive development to a wiser wetland use. The current article contain a proposed agenda for the Pantanal aiming the improvement of public policy for conservation in the Pantanal, one of the largest, most diverse, and continuous inland wetland in the world. We suggest and discuss a list of 11 essential interfaces between science, policy, and development in region linked to the proposed agenda. We believe that a functional science network can booster the collaborative capability to generate creative ideas and solutions to address the big challenges faced by the Pantanal wetland.
81 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a concept for managing the Pantanal catchment based on the integration of ecological knowledge, institutional organization, and involvement of different stakeholders, which depends on increasing the level of education and access to information as well as implementing procedures to improve public involvement and enforcement of environmental regulations.
Abstract: The Pantanal wetland is a vast seasonally inundated area of extraordinary landscape and biological diversity and complexity. It is located in the upper portion of the Paraguay River basin in central South America. During the rainy season, increased stream discharge from the surrounding basin produces an annual flood pulse through the Pantanal. Increasing human impact, such as dam construction, deforestation, agricultural related activities, and the Hidrovia project in the Parana-Paraguay waterway, threaten the ecological stability of the Pantanal area. As a result, there is an urgent need to introduce new management practices in the Pantanal Basin. In this paper we present a concept for managing the Pantanal catchment based on the integration of ecological knowledge, institutional organization, and involvement of different stakeholders. We propose approaches for an integrated management of the Pantanal and its catchment based on improving data bases and the empowerment of the stakeholder groups. The latter depends on increasing the level of education and access to information, as well as implementing procedures to improve public involvement and enforcement of environmental regulations.
50 citations
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1,017 citations
30 May 2012
TL;DR: A Metodologia Cientifica, mais do que uma disciplina, deve ser encarada como um conjunto de procedimentos sistematicos e racionais, base da formacao tanto do estudioso quanto do profissional as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A Metodologia Cientifica, mais do que uma disciplina, que em principio desperta a ideia de uma linha puramente teorica, deve ser encarada como um conjunto de procedimentos sistematicos e racionais, base da formacao tanto do estudioso quanto do profissional. Ambos atuam, alem da pratica, no mundo das ideias, ou seja, suas linhas basicas caminham pelo campo teorico, porem, o acumulo do conhecimento cientifico teorico, permite a sua aplicacao pratica no desenvolvimento tecnologico, alem de sua utilizacao nas atividades profissionais. Pode-se afirmar que a pratica nasce da concepcao sobre o que deve ser realizado e qualquer tomada de decisao fundamenta-se naquilo que se afigura como o mais logico, racional, eficiente e eficaz. Desta forma, deve-se encarar a Pesquisa Cientifica e o Metodo Cientifico, que fornece os subsidios para a sua realizacao, como fundamentais para o modelo de sociedade que estamos inseridos. Os alunos devem compreender a Metodologia da Pesquisa Cientifica como um instrumento que deve auxilia a humanidade a encontrar as respostas para os problemas que surgem em nossa vida cotidiana, alem da sua importância para a elaboracao do Trabalho Cientifico, que deve ser apresentado ao final do curso de Pos-Graduacao. Para atingir este objetivo, os alunos deverao produzir um resumo cientifico.
921 citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, a wide-ranging and accessible contribution to the study of risk, ecology and environment helps us to understand the politics of ecology and the place of social theory in making sense of environmental issues.
Abstract: This wide-ranging and accessible contribution to the study of risk, ecology and environment helps us to understand the politics of ecology and the place of social theory in making sense of environmental issues. The book provides insights into the complex dynamics of change in `risk societies'.
521 citations
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TL;DR: The Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, is famous for its luxurious plant and animal life as discussed by the authors, however, very few endemic species have been described, however, there are large populations of species that are considered rare or endangered in South America.
Abstract: The Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, is famous for its luxurious plant and animal life. We combine a literature review with recent work and show that species diversity is large but that most major plant and animal groups contain a large number of not wetland-specific species that depend on permanently terrestrial habitats within the Pantanal, or are restricted to dry areas during the low water period. These species occur also in the neighbouring biomes of Cerrado, Amazon Forest or Chaco. Until now, very few endemic species have been described, however, there are large populations of species in the Pantanal that are considered rare or endangered in South America. The number of trees adapted to long term flooding is low in comparison with the Amazon River floodplain. We hypothesize that the reason for the lack of local endemisms and the occurrence of a large number of species with a large ecological amplitude is the climatic instability of the region of the Pantanal, which suffered severe drought during glacial periods. The instability of the actual climate, which is characterized by multi-annual wet and dry periods, has a strong impact on distribution, community structure and population size of many plant and animal species and hinders spatial segregation of populations. The dependence of the system on the flood pulse makes the Pantanal very vulnerable to human induced changes in hydrology and the predicted changes in global climate.
464 citations