Showing papers by "Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso published in 2012"

Application of the Köppen classification for climatic zoning in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract: The knowledge of the climatic conditions of a region is crucial for its agricultural development. It is also extremely important for understanding the fact that certain cultures have to develop under prevailing temperature and humidity conditions and assist in the adoption of a suitable irrigation technique, as well as its management and operationalization. The Koppen system of climate classification is widely used for the identification of homogeneous climate zones as it considers only rainfall and temperature as the meteorological elements for classification. For this study, we used climatic databases of rainfall and temperature in a raster format, with a spatial resolution of 30″ of arc (an approximate area of 0.86 km2 pixel−1), from 1961 to 1990. Through geoprocessing techniques, we obtained a map of climatic classification for the state of Minas Gerais. We found that the state has the following three major climatic groups: A, B and C, which correspond to tropical rainy, dry and warm temperate climates, respectively. The climate classes obtained were Aw, Am, BSh, Cwa and Cwb, with Aw, Cwa and Cwb classes occupying 99.89% of the territorial area of the state. The validation of the results showed a satisfactory agreement, with 93.75% reliability.

Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants of the Pantanal Region (Mato Grosso, Brazil)

Abstract: Traditional knowledge is an important source of obtaining new phytotherapeutic agents. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants was conducted in Nossa Senhora Aparecida do Chumbo District (NSACD), located in Pocone, Mato Grosso, Brazil using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. 376 species of medicinal plants belonging to 285 genera and 102 families were cited. Fabaceae (10.2%), Asteraceae (7.82%) and Lamaceae (4.89%) families are of greater importance. Species with the greater relative importance were Himatanthus obovatus (1.87), Hibiscus sabdariffa (1.87), Solidago microglossa (1.80), Strychnos pseudoquina (1.73) and Dorstenia brasiliensis, Scoparia dulcis L., and Luehea divaricata (1.50). The informant consensus factor (ICF) ranged from 0.13 to 0.78 encompassing 18 disease categories,of which 15 had ICF greater than 0.50, with a predominance of disease categories related to injuries, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (ICF = 0.78) having 65 species cited while 20 species were cited for mental and behavioral disorders (ICF = 0.77). The results show that knowledge about medicinal plants is evenly distributed among the population of NSACD. This population possesses medicinal plants for most disease categories, with the highest concordance for prenatal, mental/behavioral and respiratory problems.

Erratum to Chromosome differentiation patterns during cichlid fish evolution

Abstract: Background: Cichlid fishes have been the subject of increasing scientific interest because of their rapid adaptive radiation which has led to an extensive ecological diversity and their enormous importance to tropical and subtropical aquaculture. To increase our understanding of chromosome evolution among cichlid species, karyotypes of one Asian, 22 African, and 30 South American cichlid species were investigated, and chromosomal data of the family was

Development and validation of PCR-based assays for diagnosis of American cutaneous leishmaniasis and identification of the parasite species.

Abstract: In this study, PCR assays targeting different Leishmania heat-shock protein 70 gene (hsp70) regions, producing fragments ranging in size from 230-390 bp were developed and evaluated to determine their potential as a tool for the specific molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). A total of 70 Leishmania strains were analysed, including seven reference strains (RS) and 63 previously typed strains. Analysis of the RS indicated a specific region of 234 bp in the hsp70 gene as a valid target that was highly sensitive for detection of Leishmania species DNA with capacity of distinguishing all analyzed species, after polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). This PCR assay was compared with other PCR targets used for the molecular diagnosis of leishmaniasis: hsp70 (1400-bp region), internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd). A good agreement among the methods was observed concerning the Leishmania species identification. Moreover, to evaluate the potential for molecular diagnosis, we compared the PCR targets hsp70-234 bp, ITS1, G6pd and mkDNA using a panel of 99 DNA samples from tissue fragments collected from patients with confirmed CL. Both PCR-hsp70-234 bp and PCR-ITS1 detected Leishmania DNA in more than 70% of the samples. However, using hsp70-234 bp PCR-RFLP, identification of all of the Leishmania species associated with CL in Brazil can be achieved employing a simpler and cheaper electrophoresis protocol.

Risk assessment of PM2.5 to child residents in Brazilian Amazon region with biofuel production

Abstract: Exposure to fine fractions of particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with increased hospital admissions and mortality for respiratory and cardiovascular disease in children and the elderly. This study aims to estimate the toxicological risk of PM2.5 from biomass burning in children and adolescents between the age of 6 and 14 in Tangara da Serra, a municipality of Subequatorial Brazilian Amazon. Risk assessment methodology was applied to estimate the risk quotient in two scenarios of exposure according to local seasonality. The potential dose of PM2.5 was estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation, stratifying the population by age, gender, asthma and Body Mass Index (BMI). Male asthmatic children under the age of 8 at normal body rate had the highest risk quotient among the subgroups. The general potential average dose of PM2.5 was 1.95 μg/kg.day (95% CI: 1.62 – 2.27) during the dry scenario and 0.32 μg/kg.day (95% CI: 0.29 – 0.34) in the rainy scenario. During the dry season, children and adolescents showed a toxicological risk to PM2.5 of 2.07 μg/kg.day (95% CI: 1.85 – 2 .30). Children and adolescents living in the Subequatorial Brazilian Amazon region were exposed to high levels of PM2.5 resulting in toxicological risk for this multi-pollutant. The toxicological risk quotients of children in this region were comparable or higher to children living in metropolitan regions with PM2.5 air pollution above the recommended limits to human health.

Currently used pesticides in water matrices in Central-Western Brazil

Abstract: This study provides data on the presence of the pesticides atrazine, chlorpyrifos, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, flutriafol, malathion and metolachlor in water matrices in urban and rural areas of Campo Verde and Lucas do Rio Verde Cities, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Surface, rain, and groundwater samples were collected in the rainy and dry seasons during 2007 and 2008 in these important grain-producing areas. The findings revealed a higher diversity of compounds and frequency of detection in the rain water than in surface and groundwater samples. Concentrations of atrazine, endosulfan and malathion above those permitted by Brazilian regulations were found in some surface and groundwater samples, and the degradation products DIA (deisopropylatrazine) and endosulfan sulfate, rather than their parental compounds, were found at higher levels in some samples. Our findings show the vulnerability of water systems in these areas and point to the risk of pesticide contamination in important headwater streams.

Rickettsial infection in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected on birds in southern Brazil.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate rickettsial infection in ticks from wild birds of the Semidecidual and Atlantic Rainforest remnants of three municipalities of the State of Parana, southern Brazil. Overall, 53 larvae and nymphs collected from birds were checked for the presence of Rickettsia DNA by molecular tests. Five tick species were tested: Amblyomma aureolatum (Pallas), Amblyomma calcaratum Neumann, Amblyomma longirostre (Koch), Amblyomma ovale Koch, and Amblyomma parkeri Fonseca and Aragao. A. longirostre ticks were infected with the spotted fever group agents Rickettsia amblyommii strain AL (32.3% infection rate) and Rickettsia parkeri strain NOD (5.9% infection rate). A new rickettsial genotype was detected in the tick A. parkeri (50% infection rate), which had never been reported to be infected by rickettsiae. Through phylogenetic analysis, this new genotype, here designated as strain ApPR, grouped in a cluster composed by different strains of Rickettsia africae, Rickettsia sibirica, and R. parkeri. We consider strain ApPR to be a new genotype of R. parkeri. This study reports for the first time rickettsial infection in ticks from birds in southern Brazil. The role of migrating birds in the dispersal of these rickettsial strains should be considered in ecological studies of spotted fever group agents in Brazil.

Evaluation of the effects of a preoperative 2-hour fast with maltodextrine and glutamine on insulin resistance, acute-phase response, nitrogen balance, and serum glutathione after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a controlled randomized trial.

Abstract: Background: Prolonged preoperative fasting increases insulin resistance (IR). The authors investigated whether an abbreviated preoperative fast with glutamine (GLN) plus a carbohydrate (CHO)–based beverage would improve the organic response after surgery. Methods: Forty-eight female patients (19-62 years) were randomized to either standard fasting (control group) or to fasting with 1 of 3 different beverages before video-cholecystectomy. Beverages were consumed 8 hours (400 mL; placebo group: water; GLN group: water with 50 g maltodextrine plus 40 g GLN; and CHO group: water with 50 g maltodextrine) and 2 hours (200 mL; placebo: water; GLN: water with 25 g maltodextrine plus 10 g GLN; and CHO: water with 25 g maltodextrine) before anesthesia. Blood samples were collected pre- and postoperatively. Results: The mean (SEM) postoperative homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance was greater (P < .05) in control patients (4.3 [1.3]) than in the other groups (placebo, 1.6 [0.3]; CHO, 2.3 [0.4]; and GLN, 1...

Uso de agrotóxicos na produção de soja do estado do Mato Grosso: um estudo preliminar de riscos ocupacionais e ambientais

Abstract: Objective: To identify and to discuss some of the major risks associated to pesticide use in the soybean production in Mato Grosso State, Midwestern Brazil. Method: It is a descriptive exploratory pilot-study that was carried out between 2008 and 2009, using methodological triangulation, comprising the following: analysis of an agricultural database, analysis of biological indicators of pesticide exposure, and analysis of rainwater contamination by these chemicals. Results: Analysis of pesticides consumption data showed a high and growing use of pesticides in soybean production, particularly glyphosate. Rainwater analysis evidenced the occurrence of different pesticide residues, indicating the amplification of the risks beyond workplace. This environmental exposure was also detected by biological indicator analysis among workers and residents of the plantation neighboring areas. Conclusion: The study data indicate the need for permanent environmental and human health monitoring in soybean production areas as part of workers’ health and environmental surveillance strategies.

Evolutionary dynamics of rRNA gene clusters in cichlid fish

Abstract: Among multigene families, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes are the most frequently studied and have been explored as cytogenetic markers to study the evolutionary history of karyotypes among animals and plants. In this report, we applied cytogenetic and genomic methods to investigate the organization of rRNA genes among cichlid fishes. Cichlids are a group of fishes that are of increasing scientific interest due to their rapid and convergent adaptive radiation, which has led to extensive ecological diversity. The present paper reports the cytogenetic mapping of the 5S rRNA genes from 18 South American, 22 African and one Asian species and the 18S rRNA genes from 3 African species. The data obtained were comparatively analyzed with previously published information related to the mapping of rRNA genes in cichlids. The number of 5S rRNA clusters per diploid genome ranged from 2 to 15, with the most common pattern being the presence of 2 chromosomes bearing a 5S rDNA cluster. Regarding 18S rDNA mapping, the number of sites ranged from 2 to 6, with the most common pattern being the presence of 2 sites per diploid genome. Furthermore, searching the Oreochromis niloticus genome database led to the identification of a total of 59 copies of 5S rRNA and 38 copies of 18S rRNA genes that were distributed in several genomic scaffolds. The rRNA genes were frequently flanked by transposable elements (TEs) and spread throughout the genome, complementing the FISH analysis that detect only clustered copies of rRNA genes. The organization of rRNA gene clusters seems to reflect their intense and particular evolutionary pathway and not the evolutionary history of the associated taxa. The possible role of TEs as one source of rRNA gene movement, that could generates the spreading of ribosomal clusters/copies, is discussed. The present paper reinforces the notion that the integration of cytogenetic data and genomic analysis provides a more complete picture for understanding the organization of repeated sequences in the genome.

[Social support and health: standpoints from the social and human sciences].

Abstract: This article analyses the themes and conceptual-theoretical approaches of the social support in the literature from important international journals about social sciences and medicine, and in from 1983 to 2005 are analyzed. 259 international and 57 national abstracts was reading for the identification and computing the relations of the social support with health/disease/care. A deeper conceptual analysis about social support and the theories of social science were reported in an intentional sample of 56 international and 18 national texts. The international literature is based on the social psychology, in the several trends of the sociology and of the political science and less in the anthropology. The national literature dialogues less with the psychosocial theories and more with the sociological and anthropological theories. In this latter literature the social support approaches are concerned with social network theories; reciprocity, exchanges and cultural values. It is concluded that different trends guide the conceptual-theoretical analyses of the social support, being the international literature older, wider, more diversified and empirical, but with scarce anthropological production. The national literature is more reflexive them empirical.

Employment of a noninvasive magnetic method for evaluation of gastrointestinal transit in rats

Abstract: AC Biosusceptometry (ACB) was previously employed towards recording gastrointestinal motility. Our data show a reliable and successful evaluation of gastrointestinal transit of liquid and solid meals in rats, considering the methods scarcity and number of experiments needed to endorsement of drugs and medicinal plants. ACB permits real time and simultaneous experiments using the same animal, preserving the physiological conditions employing both meals with simplicity and accuracy.

Transfer of Maternal Immunity to Newborns of Diabetic Mothers

Abstract: This study was carried out with hyperglycemic pregnant women to investigate the transfer of antibody classes to newborns across the placenta or by colostrum and the functional activity of phagocytes in maternal blood, cord blood, and colostrum from diabetes mothers. Samples from maternal blood, cord blood, and colostrum were collected from 20 normoglycemic and 20 hyperglycemic pregnant women. We determined antibodies levels, superoxide release, phagocytosis and bactericidal activity of phagocytes. We demonstrated that IgG levels in cord blood were higher in the hyperglycemic group. IgA and IgM levels were higher in maternal than in cord blood samples. Plasma antibody levels were lower in hyper- than in normoglycemic women. The colostrum of diabetic mothers had lower IgA and IgG levels. Colostrum and maternal blood phagocytes when exposed to EPEC increased the superoxide release. Cord blood phagocytes of hyperglycemic group, independently of bacteria, had higher superoxide release. Colostrum and blood phagocytes from diabetic group exhibited some phagocytic and microbicidal activity in response to EPEC. Mononuclear phagocytes from cord blood had the lowest phagocytosis, and bactericidal activity for EPEC, regardless of glycemic status. These data showed that hyperglycemia altered IgG transfer across the placenta and decreases immunoglobulin levels in maternal blood and colostrum.

Delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can identify the risk for ventricular tachycardia in chagas' cardiomyopathy

Abstract: Ronaldo Peixoto de Mello1, Gilberto Szarf3, Paulo Roberto Schvartzman5, Edson Minoru Nakano3, Mariano Martinez Espinosa2, Denis Szejnfeld3, Veronica Fernandes6, Joao A. C. Lima6, Claudio Cirenza4, Angelo A.V. De Paola4 Departamento de Cardiologia Hospital e Pronto Socorro Municipal de Cuiaba1; Departamento de Departamento de Estatistica Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso2, Cuiaba; Departamento de Radiologia Hospital Sao Paulo Escola Paulista de Medicina3; Departamento de Eletrofisiologia Hospital Sao Paulo Escola Paulista de Medicina4, Sao Paulo, SP; Servico de Radiologia Hospital Moinhos de Vento5, Porto Alegre, Brasil; Divisao de Cardiologia, Hospital Johns Hopkins6, Baltimore, EUA

Factors associated with dietary patterns in adolescents: a school-based study in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso

Abstract: OBJETIVO: Identificar padroes alimentares de adolescentes e sua associacao com caracteristicas socioeconomicas, estilo de vida e estado nutricional. METODOS: Investigou-se amostra probabilistica de estudantes entre 14 a 19 anos de idade do ensino medio publico e privado de Cuiaba/Mato Grosso (n = 1.139). Os dados foram coletados em sala de aula utilizando-se questionario autoaplicado. Para a obtencao de dados de consumo alimentar, aplicou-se questionario de frequencia alimentar semiquantitativo. O estado nutricional foi classificado pelo escore z do Indice de Massa Corporal (IMC = peso/estatura²). Para a classificacao socioeconomica considerou-se a escolaridade do chefe da familia e a presenca de bens e equipamentos no domicilio. Os padroes alimentares foram identificados por meio da analise fatorial exploratoria (metodo de extracao: analise de componentes principais) e sua associacao com as caracteristicas socioeconomicas, estilo de vida e estado nutricional foi estimada por modelos de regressao linear multipla mutuamente ajustados para os outros padroes. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados tres padroes alimentares: "ocidental", "tradicional" e "misto". Estudar no turno vespertino e consumir bebidas alcoolicas foram associados (p < 0,05) a maior aderencia ao padrao "ocidental". Meninos de escolas publicas, com menor poder aquisitivo e IMC na faixa de normalidade aderiam ao padrao "tradicional". O padrao "misto" foi adotado pelos meninos, estudantes de escolas publicas e que relataram pratica de atividade fisica. CONCLUSAO: Em adolescentes, varios fatores se associam aos padroes alimentares, mas destacamos que o consumo dos alimentos tradicionais da dieta brasileira associou-se ao IMC na faixa de normalidade.

Delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance Imaging can identify the risk for ventricular tachycardia in chronic Chagas' heart disease

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Invasive and non-invasive tests have been used to identify the risk of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with chronic Chagas' heart disease (CCHD). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) using the delayed enhancement (DE) technique can be useful to select patients with global or segmentary ventricular dysfunction, with high degree of fibrosis and at higher risk for clinical VT. OBJECTIVE: To improve the identification of predictors of VT in patients with CCHD. METHOD: This study assessed 41 patients with CCHD [30 (72%) males; mean age, 55.1 ± 11.9 years]. Twenty-six patients had history of VT (VT group), and 15 had no VT (NVT group). All patients enrolled had DE and segmentary ventricular dysfunction. In each case, the following variables were determined: left ventricular volume; percentage of ventricular wall thickness impairment in each segment; and DE distribution. RESULTS: No statistical difference regarding the DE volume between both groups was observed: VT group = 30.0 ± 16.2%; NVT group = 21.7 ± 15.7%; p = 0.118. The probability of VT was greater in the presence of two or more contiguous transmural fibrosis areas, and that was a predictive factor of clinical VT (RR 4.1; p = 0,04). Agreement between observers was 100% regarding that criterion (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The identification of two or more segments of transmural DE by use of CMRI is associated with the occurrence of clinical VT in patients with CCHD. Thus, CMRI improved risk stratification in the population studied.

Pedigree analysis and inbreeding depression on growth traits in Brazilian Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds.

Abstract: The study of population structure by pedigree analysis is useful to identify important circum- stances that affect the genetic history of populations. The intensive use of a small number of superior in- dividuals may reduce the genetic diversity of popula- tions. This situation is very common for the beef cattle breeds. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to analyze the pedigree and possible inbreeding depression on traits of economic interest in the Marchi- giana and Bonsmara breeds and to test the inclusion of the individual inbreeding coefficient (F i) or individual increases in inbreeding coefficient (ΔFi) in the genetic evaluation model for the quantification of inbreeding depression. The complete pedigree file of the Marchi- giana breed included 29,411 animals born between 1950 and 2003. For the Bonsmara breed, the pedigree file included 18,695 animals born between 1988 and 2006. Only animals with at least 2 equivalent generations of known pedigree were kept in the analyses of inbreed- ing effect on birth weight, weaning weight measured at about 205 d, and BW at 14 mo in the Marchigiana breed, and on birth weight, weaning weight, and scro- tal circumference measured at 12 mo in the Bonsmara breed. The degree of pedigree knowledge was greater for Marchigiana than for Bonsmara animals. The average generation interval was 7.02 and 3.19 for the Marchi- giana and Bonsmara breed, respectively. The average inbreeding coefficient was 1.33% for Marchigiana and 0.26% for Bonsmara. The number of ancestors explain- ing 50% of the gene pool and effective population size computed via individual increase in coancestry were 13 and 97.79 for Marchigiana and 41 and 54.57 for Bons- mara, respectively. These estimates indicate reduction in genetic variability in both breeds. Inbreeding depres- sion was observed for most of the growth traits. The model including ΔF i can be considered more adequate to quantify inbreeding depression. The inclusion of F i or ΔFi in the genetic evaluation model may not result in better fit to the data. A genetic evaluation with si- multaneous estimation of inbreeding depression can be performed in Marchigiana and Bonsmara breeds, pro- viding additional information to producers and breed- ers.

Geostatistical analysis of fruit yield and detachment force in coffee

Abstract: The aim of this study was to use geostatistical analysis to evaluate the spatial variation in the detachment force of coffee fruit and coffee yield by variograms and kriging for precision agriculture. This study was conducted at Brejao farm, Tres Pontas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The detachment force of green and mature coffee fruit was measured with a prototype dynamometer and georeferenced. The yield data were obtained from manual harvesting and were georeferenced. The data were evaluated by variograms estimated by residual maximum likelihood (REML), which provided a satisfactory approach for modeling all the variables with a small sample size. Spherical and exponential models were fitted, the first provided the better fit to mature fruit detachment force and the latter provided the better fit to coffee yield and green fruit detachment force. They were used to describe the structure and magnitude of spatial variation in the variables studied. Kriged estimates were obtained with the best fitting variogram models and mapped. The statistical and geostatistical analyses enabled us to characterize the spatial variation of the detachment force of green and mature coffee fruit and coffee yield and to visualize the spatial relations among these variables. The precision agriculture techniques used in this paper to collect, map and analyze the variables studied will help coffee farmers to manage their fields. Maps of coffee yield will enable farmers to apply nutrients site-specifically and manage harvesting either manually or mechanically. In addition, maps of detachment force of coffee fruit can enable farmers to harvest coffee selectively by choosing the appropriate places and the right time to start. This will improve the quality of the final product and also increase profits.

Oxidation of Cholesterol in Foods and Its Importance for Human Health

Abstract: Cholesterol oxidation products are present in different biological pathways and in oxidized cholesterol-containing food. More than 70 molecules have been identified and most of them present cytotoxic, atherogenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. They can change important characteristics of the cellular membrane and inhibit the biosynthesis of several molecules. Foods of animal origin can develop these derivatives by the action of oxygen, heat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, water, pH, radiation, and inadequate packaging and storage, affecting their quality and exposing consumers to potential health problems. Despite the interest in cholesterol oxidation products, safe biological levels for them have not yet been established. The purpose of this review is to examine cholesterol oxidation products in foods and examine their importance for human health.

Ecology of neotropical mistletoes: an important canopy-dwelling component of Brazilian ecosystems

Abstract: Ervas-de-passarinho tem sim sido regularmente estudadas em paises temperados por afetar negativamente especies cultivadas e florestas manejadas Em comparacao com ambientes temperados pouco se conhece sobre a ecologia das ervas-de-passarinho neotropicais Desta forma, e necessario maior conhecimento sobre o grupo porque sao importantes elementos de comunidades vegetais, atuando como recurso-chave para polinizadores, dispersores de sementes e herbivoros Atraves de uma combinacao de trabalhos classicos ja publicados com evidencias empiricas recentes, nos apresentamos padroes emergentes da interacao entre ervas-de-passarinho com os organismos associados e questionamentos para estudos adicionais Existe um crescente interesse neste grupo no Brasil E embora existam informacoes sobre dispersao de sementes, estudos sobre biologia reprodutiva sao raros e representam um campo a ser explorado O conhecimento da biologia basica das ervas-de-passarinho sera relevante para modelar sua distribuicao espacial usando uma abordagem metapopulacional ou epidemiologica Nesta revisao nos sumarizamos os principais estudos conduzidos na regiao Neotropical para fornecer um panorama atual das pesquisas desenvolvidas, bem como novas ideias para futuras investigacoes, especialmente no Brasil

Pasture clearing from invasive woody plants in the Pantanal: a tool for sustainable management or environmental destruction?

Abstract: With a total area of 160,000 km2, the Pantanal is one of the largest wetlands in South America and certainly the most famous. It is essential for the maintenance of biodiversity and is highly ranked in national and international protection plans. The ecology of the Pantanal is influenced by the annual inundation, frequent fires during the dry period, and multiple human activities. To maintain traditional low density cattle ranching, which is the economic basis for the Pantanal’s human population, the spread of woody vegetation into former pasture areas requires pasture clearing. Legal restrictions, however, have led to the confusion of pasture clearing with the illegal deforestation that has accompanied Brazil’s rapid economic development, thus creating serious conflicts between the Pantanal’s ranchers and the governmental environmental agency. This dichotomy of interests, i.e., the need to maintain habitat and species diversity while guaranteeing the livelihoods of the ranchers but warding off deforestation, can only be resolved through modern management plans that reconcile the requirements of environmental protection with the economic needs of the ranchers, who are the owners of most of the Pantanal. The key to any such plan’s successful implementation is to consider the Pantanal not as a pristine wetland, but as a valuable cultural landscape. Over the last two and a half centuries, the vegetation in large parts of the Pantanal has been altered due to the presence of cattle ranches. This has maintained its habitat diversity and multiple services to humans and to the environment, including the enhancement of species diversity. This management practice corresponds to modern approaches in other parts of the world, where low density animal grazing, sometimes in combination with mechanical removal of woody vegetation are considered powerful management tools for the maintenance of valuable cultural landscapes.

Fogo e dinâmica da comunidade lenhosa em cerrado sentido restrito, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso

Abstract: Estudos sobre a dinâmica e estrutura da vegetacao lenhosa apos incendios naturais ocorridos no Parque Estadual da Serra Azul mostram que as queimadas afetam a sobrevivencia e o crescimento das plantas sendo o impacto dependente da intensidade, frequencia e duracao dos incendios. Dez parcelas (20 × 50 m) queimaram em 2002 e 2007 (Area 1) e outras 10 (Area 2) queimaram em 2002, 2005 e 2007. Em janeiro de 2009, a Area 1 apresentou menor mortalidade (2,0%) e maior recrutamento (3,7%) que a Area 2 (4,3% e 0,05% respectivamente). A mortalidade decresceu com o aumento das classes de diâmetro. O tamanho medio (altura e diâmetro) dos individuos decresceu na Area 2. O padrao de rebrotas apos o fogo foi relacionado ao tamanho dos individuos. As rebrotas ocorreram na base dos individuos pertencentes as menores classes de tamanho e na copa daqueles pertencentes as maiores classes de tamanho. Os estimadores Jacknife e Chao 2 indicaram reducao da riqueza na Area 2 submetida a maior frequencia de queimadas. A longevidade das arvores adultas e a persistencia de individuos menores atraves das rebrotas podem determinar a manutencao da comunidade lenhosa no cerrado se os intervalos entre queimadas nao forem inferiores a cinco anos.