Showing papers in "Biota Neotropica in 2001"
TL;DR: This work presents a unified notion of landscape as “a heterogeneous mosaic composed by interactive landscape units, where heterogeneity exists for at least one parameter, one specific observer and at a particular scale”.
Abstract: Landscape ecology is a new subject in ecology characterized by two main approaches: a geographical one, which studies how man affects and manages landscapes; and an ecological one, which emphasizes the effects of spatial structure on ecological processes and the importance of these relationships for conservation purposes. The construction of a common theoretical foundation is a difficult task with the coexistence of different and conflicting notions and definitions from these two approaches. In the present work, I present a unified notion of landscape as “a heterogeneous mosaic composed by interactive landscape units, where heterogeneity exists for at least one parameter, one specific observer and at a particular scale”. The heterogeneity is essentially interpreted through the “human eyes” in the geographical approach and through the “eyes” of other species or communities in the ecological perspective. The proposed landscape definition also shows that landscape does not necessarily correspond to broad spatial scales or a new biological level, just above the ecosystem. The scale and the biological level will be det ermined by the observer or the studied species. Landscape ecology is promoting a paradigm shift in fragmentation and biological conservation studies as far as it integrates the spatial heterogeneity and the concept of scale in the ecological analysis, transforming ecology in a more useful science for environmental problem solving.
172 citations
TL;DR: A survey of the fish species in the streams of the Morro do Diabo State Park was performed as mentioned in this paper, where a predominance of Order Siluriformes, followed by Characiformes was registered.
Abstract: Resumo Stream fishes of the Morro do Diabo State Park, Upper Parana River basin, SP.A survey of the fish species in the streams of the Morro do Diabo State Park was performed. Four first and second order streams were sampled and 22 fish species and 1,573 individuals were collected, belonging to five orders and 11 families. A predominance of Order Siluriformes, followed by Characiformes was registered. Based on general aspects of their biology, the fish species were classified in eight guilds. The studied species are able to use several food sources and microhabitats available in these environments, being particularly favored by their small size. An identification key for the species, together with illustrations of their live coloration is provided.Peixes de riacho do Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo, bacia do Alto rio Parana, SPNeste trabalho foi realizado um levantamento das especies de peixes de riacho que ocorrem no Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo. Quatro riachos foram amostrados, de primeira a segunda ordem, onde foram coletadas 22 especies, pertencentes a cinco ordens e 1 1 familias, num total de 1.573 individuos. Foi registrado o predominio da Ordem Siluriformes, seguida por Characiformes. Com base em aspectos gerais da biologia das especies de peixes, as mesmas foram classificadas em oito guildas. De modo geral, as especies estudadas sao capazes de utilizar diversos recursos alimentares e micro-habitats disponiveis nesses ambientes, sendo particularmente favorecidas pelo pequeno porte apresentado. Chave de identificacao e fotos de exemplares recem-coletados de toda s as especies de peixes sao fornecidas.
163 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of deforestation patterns, private nature-reserve extents and agricultural fallow periods on forest conservation were simulated for settlement projects in the Brazilian Amazon that produce a fishbone pattern of occupation and where slash-and-burn agriculture is predominantly used.
Abstract: The effects of deforestation patterns, private nature-reserve extents and agricultural fallow periods on forest conservation were simulated for settlement projects in the Brazilian Amazon that produce a fish-bone pattern of occupation and where slash-and-burn agriculture is predominantly used. Data for simulation was obtained from previous work at the Bragantina region, the oldest agricultural frontier in the Brazilian Amazon. Forest conservation was evaluated using the size of remnant forest fragments, the amount of interior habitat, the connectivity among fragments and the extent of fragmentation. Results showed that the best scenario for forest conservation is the maintenance of 80% of the lot as privatereserve using deforestation pattern that allow to group the reserves from different farmers at the end of the lot. When private-reserve coverage is bellow 80% of the landscape, forest conservation status will be influenced by the deforestation pattern. Some patterns (e.g. random location of deforestation plots) will then be particularly deleterious, producing a highly fragmented landscape, while other patterns (e.g., progressive deforestation from one edge) can allow the maintenance of large forest fragments. To get forest conservation in these cases, private-reserve extent and deforestation pattern should be considered together. Considering both forest conservation and agricultural use, progressive patterns of deforestation (or land use) in a lot of 2,000m by 500m, with private nature-reserves covering 50% of the landscape seems to be the best compromise. To guarantee the private forest preservation, these forests should be pre-established when settlements are planned and grouped at the end of the lots.
36 citations
TL;DR: Diet analysis indicates that C. britskii is a generalist insectivore with a relatively short digestive tube, which feeds on autochthonous items captured in a broad array of habitats such as in the water column or at the surface, buried in or over the bottom, or associated with macrophytes and submerged vegetation debris.
Abstract: We qualitatively studied the gut contents of 20 specimens (36.1-71.3 mm standard length) of the pike cichlid Crenicichla britskii from a 100 m stretched second order stream running inside a small gallery forest in a large pasture area of Rio Aguapei basin, State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The diet, in terms of per cent composition, constituted primarily of aquatic insects (50%) (mostly immature forms), crustaceans (14.3%), unidentified organic material and filamentous green algae (both with 10.7%), followed by fishes and arachnids (both with 7.1%). Diet analysis indicates that C. britskii is a generalist insectivore with a relatively short digestive tube, which feeds on autochthonous items captured in a broad array of habitats such as in the water column or at the surface, buried in or over the bottom, or associated with macrophytes and submerged vegetation debris.
18 citations
TL;DR: The Biota program has been in operation for three years now, long enough to pose questions about its promise as mentioned in this paper, and what attributes of the Biota progam have allowed it to succeed where others have failed.
Abstract: Brazils state of Sao Paulo ranks among the few governments that has recognized the importance of biodiversity. It has successfully launched Biota as part of its FAPESP program in biology. The Biota program has been in operation for three years now, long enough to pose questions about its promise. The questions I will try to address here are: What attributes of the Biota progam have allowed it to succeed where others have failed? Can the Biota program serve as a global model for biodiversity efforts?
2 citations
TL;DR: The implementation of advice received and the development of the FAPESP/Biota project through the first three years are explored, and some views on future directions for the project are provided.
Abstract: This paper explores the development of the FAPESP/Biota project from the view of an external adviser. It explores the implementation of advice received and the development of the project through the first three years, and provides some views on future directions for the project.
1 citations