Ecological Impacts of the African Catfish Clarias Gariepinus at Environmental Protection Area in Southeastern Brazil

The African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is considered one of the most important species of catfish for aquaculture. It has a great capacity to withstand several stress factors, such as harsh abiotic conditions, in addition to wide feeding flexibility. However, the species was detected in the Guapimirim Environmental Protection Area in southeastern Brazil, threatening native fish diversity and ecosystem functioning of this ecosystem. In 2018, during the dry and wet seasons, samples of the fish community were collected at thirty-two sites of the Guapi-Macacu River, in addition to abiotic variables (salinity, pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and transparency) to diagnose which factors influence the distribution of the alien species along the river. Multivariate analyses indicated that African catfish dominate the region in the buffer zone to the Environmental protection area, benefiting from higher levels of dissolved oxygen and temperature. However, C. gariepinus does not dominate yet the most protected area of Guapimirim, where the highest percentage of native fish species inhabit. Climate change associated with changes in abiotic factors might significantly contribute to the dominance of the invasive alien species in this protected area, which might colonize the entire river.

Levantamento Florístico da Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) da Lagoa da Maraponga, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brasil

A Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) da Lagoa da Maraponga é uma unidade de conservação municipal localizada no bairro Maraponga, município de Fortaleza, estado do Ceará. Composto predominantemente por um ecossistema lacustre, no qual se destaca a Lagoa da Maraponga, com área de 31 hectares, ameaçada pela ação antrópica, fazendo com que a conservação se torne uma prioridade. Objetivou-se fazer o levantamento florístico da APA da Lagoa da Maraponga e elaborar um guia de campo. Foram realizadas coletas botânicas, observações de campo, fotografias e identificações das espécies. Registraram-se 98 espécies pertencentes a 82 gêneros e 37 famílias botânicas. As famílias mais representativas foram Fabaceae (18 spp.), Malvaceae (13 spp.), Asteraceae (dez spp.), Rubiaceae (cinco spp.), Arecaceae, Convolvulaceae e Solanaceae (quatro spp., cada). Constatou-se que o hábito das espécies tem como predomínio o porte herbáceo (41 spp.), seguido de espécies subarbustivas (19 spp.), arbóreas (17 spp.), arbustivas (dez spp.), trepadeiras (sete spp.) e palmeiras (quatro spp.). Conclui-se que esta área tem demonstrado que mesmo com a interferência humana e o grande avanço da urbanização em seus arredores, a flora local apresenta elevada riqueza de espécies nativas que precisa ser conservada, mantida e reconhecida por políticas públicas e pela sociedade, as quais podem ser auxiliadas pelo guia de campo elaborado. Floristic Survey of the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Maraponga Lagoon, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil A B S T R A C TThe Maraponga Lagoon Environmental Protection Area (EPA) is a municipal conservation unit located in the Maraponga neighborhood, in the municipality of Fortaleza, state of Ceará. Composed predominantly of a lake ecosystem, in which the Maraponga Lagoon stands out, with an area of 31 hectares, threatened by anthropic action, prioritizing conservation. The objective was to carry out the floristic survey of the EPA of Maraponga Lagoon and to prepare a field guide. Botanical collections, field observations, photographs and species identification were carried out. A total of 98 species belonging to 82 genera and 37 botanical families were registered. The most representative families were Fabaceae (18 spp.), Malvaceae (13 spp.), Asteraceae (ten spp.), Rubiaceae (five spp.), Arecaceae, Convolvulaceae and Solanaceae (four spp., each). It was found that the habit of the species predominates the herbaceous size (41 spp.), followed by sub-shrubs (19 spp.), trees (17 spp.), shrubs (ten spp.), climbing plants (seven spp.) and palm trees (four spp.). It’s concluded that this area has shown that even with human interference and the great advance of urbanization in its surroundings, the local flora has a high number of native species that need to be conserved, maintained and recognized by public policies and society, which can be assisted by the field guide prepared.Keywords: Urban biodiversity, conservation, vegetable diversity, richness, conservation unit.

Para quem é a proteção ambiental? Disputas territoriais entre a Vale e comunidades camponesas: O caso da APA do Rio Gelado em Carajás (PA)

Desvendar a relação de poder assimétrica entre Neoextrativismo e o Campesinato na região mineradora de Carajás, é nesse viés em que consiste o esforço de pesquisa demonstrado, parcialmente, neste artigo. Destacamos para isso, ser necessário a relação entre a dimensão ambiental da Questão Agrária na Amazônia. No primeiro semestre de 2021 adentramos na Área de Proteção Ambiental do Igarapé Gelado, APA do Gelado, localizada na Floresta Nacional de Carajás – FLONACA, no Sudeste do Pará, l0cus do nosso estudo. Para a coleta de dados, utilizamos documentos institucionais (IBAMA, ICMBio e Vale/SA). Contudo, a etapa principal da nossa pesquisa foi o trabalho de campo. Utilizamos como técnica de pesquisa, gravações de áudio e entrevistas semiestruturadas, a qual busca dialogar entre o momento da conquista da terra e a relação estabelecida entre a Vale e as famílias camponesas. Além disso, utilizamos fotografias para aproximar o leitor da realidade imagética de nossa pesquisa. Em outros momentos, o uso do diário de campo foi imprescindível. Percorremos os lotes dos colonos que ainda resistem no território. Discorremos sobre isso porque muitas famílias sofreram impactos profundos em seu modo de vida e de produção e, logicamente, em sua reprodução social camponesa. Barragens, vigilância e uso restrito ao território na APA são alguns dos elementos constrangedores às territorialidades dessas unidades familiares. Os dados nos induzem a problematizar a ação da prática mineradora, promovida principalmente pela Vale, que reforça as contradições próprias da sua atividade, causando problemas ambientais ao converter os bens comuns em uma lógica de acumulação permanente. Como consequência, intensifica-se os conflitos territoriais e, contraditoriamente, se abrem possibilidades para a permanência das famílias camponesas que têm resistido no território e construindo sua liberdade tecidas no trabalho diário com a terra. Palavras-chave: Unidades de Conservação; Neoextrativismo; Vale; Direitos Territoriais; Campesinato. Abstract Our research efforts involve revealing the asymmetrical power relations between neo-extractivism and the peasantry in the mining region of Carajás, as demonstrated in part in this article. In the first semester of 2021, we entered the Carajás Environmental Protection Area FLONACA in the southeast of Pará, the main site of our study. We used institutional documents from IBAMA, ICMBio and Vale/SA to collect data. However, the principal phase of our research was fieldwork. Our research techniques included using audio recordings and semi-structured interviews about the moment of winning land and about the relation between Vale and the peasant families. In addition, we used photography to bring the reader closer to the visual reality of our research. In other moments, the use of field notes was essential. We say this because many families suffered profound impacts to their livelihoods and their production and, logically, in their social reproduction as peasantry. Dams, security, and restrictions to land use in the environmental protection area are some of the elements constraining the territoriality of these family units. The data leads us to problematize the mining activity promoted primarily by Vale, which reinforces the very contradictions of its own activity, causing environmental problems upon converting common goods into a permanent logic of accumulation. As a result, territorial conflicts intensify and, paradoxically, possibilities to remain emerge for families who have resisted within the territory and built their freedom through daily labor with the land. Keywords: Conservation Areas; Neo-Extractivism; Vale; Land Rights; Peasantry. ¿Para quién es la protección del ambiente? Disputas territoriales entre Vale y comunidades campesinas: El caso de la APA Rio Gelado en Carajás (PA) Resumen Develar la relación asimétrica de poder entre neoextractivismo y campesinato en la región minera de Carajás fue lo que nuestro esfuerzo de investigación quedó parcialmente demostrado en este artículo. Para ello, destacamos la necesidad de una relación entre la dimensión ambiental de la Cuestión Agraria en la Amazonía. En el primer semestre de 2021 ingresamos al Área de Protección Ambiental Igarapé Gelado, APA do Gelado, ubicada en el Bosque Nacional Carajás – FLONACA, en el Sureste de Pará, el lugar de nuestro estudio. Para la recolección de datos utilizamos documentos institucionales (IBAMA, ICMBio y Vale/SA). Sin embargo, la etapa principal de nuestra investigación fue el trabajo de campo. Utilizamos como técnica de investigación, grabaciones de audio y entrevistas semiestructuradas, dialogando entre el momento de la conquista de la tierra y la relación entre Vale y las familias campesinas. Además, utilizamos fotografías para acercar al lector a la realidad imaginaria de nuestra investigación. En otras ocasiones, el uso del diario de campo fue fundamental. Recorrimos los lotes de colonos que aún resisten en el territorio. Decimos esto porque muchas familias han sufrido impactos profundos en su forma de vida y producción y, por supuesto, en su reproducción social campesina. Represas, vigilancia y uso restringido al territorio en la APA son algunos de los elementos que limitan la territorialidad de estas unidades familiares. Los datos nos llevan a problematizar la acción de la práctica minera impulsada, principalmente por Vale, que refuerza las contradicciones inherentes a su actividad, provocando problemas ambientales al convertir los bienes comunes en una lógica de acumulación permanente. Como consecuencia, se intensifican los conflictos territoriales y, contradictoriamente, se abren posibilidades para la permanencia de las familias campesinas, que han resistido en el territorio y construido su libertad entretejida en el trabajo diario con la tierra. Palabras clave: Unidades de conservación; Neoextractivismo; Vale; Derechos territoriales; Campesinado.

Notes on the life history of Aguna megacles megacles (Mabille, 1888) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Eudaminae) feeding on Bauhinia species in the State of Alagoas, Brazil

Eudaminae Mabille, 1877 (Hesperiidae), recognized as subfamily recently, is rich in Brazil. It is along the Neotropical Region where a significant part of the diversity is found, however, information that involves the biology of species is poorly yet. This paper gathers new bioecological data of an Aguna species from the municipality of Maceió (Alagoas, Brazil), close to the Environmental Protection Area of “Catolé” and “Fernão Velho”, a remnant of Atlantic Forest. Leaves containing eggs were collected in a peri-urban area (9° 33’ 26” S, 35° 46’ 36” W) and taken to laboratory to observe post-embryonic development. Larvae were also collected from another host plant in an intra-urban area (9° 39’ 40” S, 35° 41’ 58” W). The specimens were identified as Aguna megacles megacles (Mabille, 1888) and the two Fabaceae as Bauhinia pentandra (Bong.) D. Dietr. and Bauhinia monandra Kurz. from exsiccates deposited at the Herbarium. Rearing from the eggs collected on B. pentandra exposes a post-embryonic development that lasted 53.4 days for six larval instars individuals, and 46 days for the five larval instars specimen. The larvae built a shelter since the first instar and in laboratory conditions they preferred pupate on the base of the cage. This is the first report of development features for A. m. megacles, including six and five larval instars, as well as a new locality for the State of Alagoas, and two more host plants of Bauhinia suggesting specialist behavior.

Creation of an environmental protection area in a public supply source: possibilities and challenges in Cianorte - Paraná

This work analyzed the contribution that the creation of Environmental Protection Areas (EPA) may bring to the conservation of hydrographic basins used as public water sources. The object of study of this work was the hydrographic basin of the Ligeiro River which, by 2022 onwards, will be the new source of public supply in the city of Cianorte-Paraná, replacing the hydrographic basin of the Bolívar stream. The latter has environmental impacts caused mainly by the expansion of urban areas and inadequate practice of land use, occupation, and management, which affects the population’s supply, particularly on days with high levels of rainfall. The study area involved the creation of two municipal EPAs in the hydrographic basin of the Ligeiro River, located in the municipalities of Araruna and Cianorte, with areas of 209.76 km² and 219.82 km², respectively. It is believed that the creation of Environmental Protection Areas in the Ligeiro River hydrographic basin will also present challenges, but it will enable the conservation of natural resources and, especially, of water resources, given the quality of the water. It is expected that these actions will help to minimize or even prevent, in the future, the Ligeiro river hydrographic basin from being as or more impacted as the Bolivar stream basin.

First case of the pigo-ischio-cephalopago deformation in a neonate of a gallube shark (Squalus acanthias- Linnaeus -1758) captured in Peruíbe, south coast of São Paulo, in the Cananeia -Iguape-Peruíbe environmental protection area

Connatural alterations can be deformations or malformations discovered in the embryonic development phase of the animal, which can disguise structures or roles of the systems. Congenital disorders can range from small changes, slight changes, serious adulterations and also genetic inconsistencies. There are no apparent defined reasons, and these changes may be caused by environmental and genetic factors. Pigopagus twins are joined at the back, have a coccyx, the gastrointestinal tract may have a single or separate rectum, a single bladder in some cases and obligatorily separate spinal cord and always with sharing of the pelvic bones. The ischiopagus are united by the ventral region from the navel to the pelvis, two sacrum and two pubic symphysis, in addition to a single gastrointestinal tract and a varied number of limbs. Reporting and discussing the morphological and anatomical deformities presented in a species of Squalus acanthias, recorded by LOPES in 2020, is a big step to better understand the anatomy and physiology of animals, which are considered the top of the food chain in the oceans and are in serious trouble. risk of extinction. RESUMO Alterações conaturais podem ser deformações ou más-formações descobertas na fase de desenvolvimento embrionário do animal, podendo disfarçar estruturas ou papéis dos sistemas. Os distúrbios congênitos podem ocorrer desde pequenas mudanças, alterações leves, adulterações sérias e também incoerências genéticas. Não existem motivos aparentes definidos, podendo estas alterações serem causados por fatores ambientais e genéticos. Os gêmeos Pigopagus são unidos pelo dorso, apresentam um coccix, o trato gastrointestinal pode apresentar reto único ou separado, bexiga única em alguns casos e obrigatoriamente medula espinhal separada e sempre com compartilhamento dos ossos pélvicos. Os isquiópagos apresentam-se unidos pela região ventral do umbigo à pelve, dois sacros e duas sínfises púpicas além de tratos gastrointestinal único e número de membros variados. Relatar e discutir as deformidades morfológicas e anatômicas apresentadas em uma especie de Squalus acanthias, registrada por LOPES em 2020, é um grande passo para entender melhor a anatomia e fisiologia de animais, que são considerados o topo da cadeia alimentar nos oceanos e correm um sério risco de extinção.

Diversity and distribution of avifauna at Warathenna-Hakkinda Environmental Protection Area in Kandy, Sri Lanka

The present study was carried out in the recently established Warathenna-Hakkinda EPA in the Kandy District, Sri Lanka to investigate the avifaunal diversity and conservation threats. Sampling was conducted in two main habitat types: river islands and riverine forests. Both point count (10 m radius) and line transect (200 m long) methods were utilized and maximum of 30 minutes was used to sample the birds in each point. Food habit, niche type, endemism, abundance, and diversity indices (Shannon & Margalef) were calculated to compare the two habitats in this area. A total of 74 bird species belonging to 61 genera and 35 families were encountered from the study site. Among these, seven species are endemic: Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill, Sri Lanka Green Pigeon, Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot, Crimson-fronted Barbet, Yellow-fronted Barbet, and Sri Lanka Hill Mynah; while six were migratory: Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Indian Pitta, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, and Grey Wagtail and the rest were non-endemic natives. Most of them were canopy and sub canopy dwellers associated with riverine forests and islands. According to the National Red List of Sri Lanka, three species, the Sri Lanka Wood Pigeon, Sri Lanka Hill Mynah, and Alpine Swift, are listed as threatened. Ardeidae, Alcedinidae, Columbidae, Accipitridae, and Apodidae were the most species rich families in this habitat. Out of the sampled species, 31% and 25% of the birds were carnivores and insectivores, respectively, while 5% were nectarivores. According to the avifauna, the riverine forests are more diverse (Shannon index H’= 2.55; Margalef’s index M= 10.92) than the river islands (H’= 2.29; M= 5.07) in this landscape. The variety of habitats along the Mahaweli River at Warathenna appears to aid in sustaining a rich bird community and this Environmental Protection Area will help create a safe haven for the birds.

EVALUATION OF OPTIMAL ECOLOGICAL TOURISM ROUTES OBTAINED VIA GOOGLE EARTH SOFTWARE IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA

Ecological tourism stands out as an economic activity that can be reconciled with nature conservation. Such activities have been carried out in several conservation units in Brazil. However, for satisfactory implementation, it is necessary to effectively plan the activities to be conducted, places to be visited, and paths to reach those places. In this context, we aimed to assess whether Google Earth software can assist in the expansion of the plan to use these areas for ecotourism, especially the routes that may be taken by tourists within the conservation unit. For this purpose, tourist interest sites were defined in the State Environmental Protection Area of Rio Pandeiros in the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais. The shortest routes between the pairs of locations obtained using Google Earth and QGIS software were evaluated. Additionally, it was necessary to perform vectorization and classification of all roads in the area. The lengths of the paths obtained were compared using a method identity test. The results showed that for most routes, Google Earth showed longer paths than QGIS. It can be concluded that for the purpose of ecotourism, precise planning should consider the vectorization of roads in areas with many rural roads.

Evaluation of potability of water consumed by residents of the Lagoa de Cima region

The research is directed towards the study of water quality, specifically, of the residents who live in the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Lagoa de Cima, in Campos dos Goytacazes – RJ. Water is a primordial resource for the survival of all living beings, but when it comes to human beings, some care is needed in relation to its potability. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to portable water or even adequate treatment for it, which can lead to health problems in the future. This work aimed to evaluate the quality of water that is consumed by residents living in the urban center of São Benedito, which is located in Lagoa de Cima. Regarding the methodology, the following procedures were carried out: collection of bibliographic and documentary data, such as: ordinance, theses, articles, pre-existing “shapefiles” from Lagoa de Cima and the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes; systematic review; collection of water samples from shallow wells for physicochemical and bacteriological analyses, map generation with spatialized water samples and elaboration of tables. According to the results obtained from the bacteriological analyses, the presence of total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms was found in some samples. Among the physicochemical parameters analyzed, pH, Fe and Mn are in disagreement with the consolidation ordinance of Nº. 5/2017. Thus, it can be concluded that it is necessary that the public authorities provide assistance to the local population in relation to water quality