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This paper contributes to the literature regarding gendered patterns of participation in conservation by examining participation in sea turtle conservation and community life in coastal Northeast Brazil. We used a mixed methods approach, comprised of questionnaires and focus groups, and our findings indicate that conservation participation can be partially explained by gendered characteristics related to issues of structural access, cultural attitudes and values, and agency. Results show greater gender differences in access and agency than attitudes toward sea turtle conservation, demonstrating how patterns of participation are influenced by close knit and gendered social networks that decrease an individual's chance of being invited to participate. While gender issues are not universal, a framework examining issues of structure, culture, and agency allows differences related to age, class, race, etc. to be considered as well, presenting useful information in understanding the barriers and motivations involved in conservation participation

Resumo: O papel e atribuições constitucionais do Ministério Público (MP) como fiscal da lei garantiu a este um protagonismo no enforcement da legislação e accountability das agências ambientais no Brasil. Para tanto, o MP implementou promotorias temáticas e regionais na área ambiental e criou equipes de peritos para oferecer embasamento técnico e científico. Este artigo analisa a participação dos peritos do Ministério Público do Estado de São Paulo (MPSP) e do Ministério Público Federal (MPF) no processo de licenciamento ambiental de um empreendimento do setor de petróleo e gás, intitulado "Projeto Mexilhão" que foi instalado na Bacia de Santos e na região costeira do estado de São Paulo. A partir de análise documental e de entrevistas, o trabalho evidencia diferentes interpretações e enquadramentos dos riscos e impactos ambientais do projeto entre os experts do MP. O trabalho discute ainda as implicações da atuação do Ministério Público nas decisões do órgão licenciador federal acerca do empreendimento

Abstract: New coexistence scenarios have been imposed on fishermen in the Santos Estuarine System region, a coastal city located 75 km from the largest city in Latin America (São Paulo). Whether due to the expansion of port and industrial activities, or due to the environmental liabilities associated with other human activities, thousands of workers from fishing communities are compelled to seek new forms of subsistence in the face of the gradual reduction of their fishing territories. The objective of this investigation was to develop a methodological framework to assess, based on local knowledge, ecological and social attributes of resilience in socio-ecological systems of small-scale fisheries over the last decades. To experimentally test the application of the framework, pilot interviews with fishermen, master craftsman and local leaders of the Santos Estuarine System were carried out with questions on aspects concerning eleven attributes of resilience, for three different time periods (currently, 25 years ago, and 50 years ago). Scores were assigned to the responses according to the contribution of the aspect addressed to the resilience of small-scale fisheries in the face of the various disturbances suffered over the years. The attribute scores in each period were then compared in a multivariate manner and the results of this pilot evaluation showed a decrease in overall resilience in recent decades, according to the perceptions of interviewees. Ecological attributes showed a significant decrease in the same period associated with anthropic pressures with losses in the attributes diversity, modularity and variability. Social resilience attributes did not show significant variation, although there was an increase in the attributes recognition of slow variables, tight feedbacks and overlap in governance. Although the use of the framework proposed requires its application on a broader scale for the characterization of resilience of small-scale fishing communities, the present study demonstrated that the methodological framework is applicable and provides useful information on attributes of socio-ecological resilience based on local knowledge

Abstract: Low carbon agricultural techniques, which aim to reduce agricultural emissions without compromising productivity, are being widely adopted as one strategy to promote more sustainable food systems. Evaluating the impact of such practices requires an effective monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) system. To our knowledge, no MRV system has been designed or implemented for monitoring and measuring the impacts of the adoption of low carbon agricultural practices. The goal of this paper is to explore the opportunities and challenges of developing a large scale MRV system for low carbon agriculture in Brazil - a major global food producer. The analysis presented in this paper is based on primary data, collected through interviews and conversations with experts, and secondary data from a literature review as well as from public and private databases. Hence, we discuss the three phases of monitoring, reporting and verification. In each case, we analyze the informational needs of an MRV system, evaluate the strengths and limitations of available tools to collect and process these data, and present a vision of how these constituent parts could form a comprehensive MRV system for Brazil. Our analysis reveals technical and governance challenges. On the technical side, challenges include the need to develop emissions factors to calculate mitigation across a range of biomes and low carbon agricultural techniques, and the high costs of gathering and verifying information on farm level. On the governance side, there is a need to generate economic incentives for farmers to share private, farm-level data with a public MRV system. The MRV system could help producers to demonstrate adoption and mitigation, giving them improved access to low-interest credit or certification programs. We conclude that the implementation of a large scale MRV system for low carbon agriculture demands an integrative approach based on a hybrid public-private governance system that prioritizes cost-effectiveness and facilitates smooth information transfer

O presente artigo tem como objetivo principal apresentar a trajetória histórica de Belo Monte no rio Xingu no Pará. Terceira maior do mundo e uma das obras mais importantes do Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento no Brasil está inserida em contexto mais amplo, onde se põe em causa o modelo de desenvolvimento e suas repercussões no planejamento energético na região amazônica. O aproveitamento energético da bacia do rio Xingu foi proposto ainda durante a ditadura militar no Brasil e, mesmo após quarenta anos, ainda é emblemático por continuar repleto de controvérsias no seu percurso. A premissa inicial da pesquisa estabelece que o subdimensionamento de impactos sociais e ambientais do empreendimento em questão acompanhou toda a trajetória do projeto e o presente estudo de caso apresenta importantes lições para um aperfeiçoamento desse instrumento da política ambiental brasileira

Abstract: This text proposes to contextualize and analyze the novel by Maria (Nenê) Macaggi (1913-2003), " A mulher do garimpo: o romance no extremo sertão do Amazonas " (The woman from the garimpo: the romance in the Amazon’s extreme backlands), published in 1976 by the Official Press of Manaus, drawing a parallel with the author’s biographical trajectory. In the 40’s, Nenê Macaggi participated in an expedition to the northern region of the country and ended up settling in Roraima. It was in the region of the Tepequem and Cotingo rivers, where Nenê discovered the garimpo and worked as an indigenist for the Indian Protection Service (SPI). Several excerpts from the author’s fictional narrative resonate with her trajectory and based on the novel, it is possible to think about historical and gender aspects of artisanal small-scale mining, currently also called garimpo in Brazil. The book tells the story of two characters: Ádria, an orphan born in a tenement in Rio de Janeiro. She was raised as a boy, thus "turning" into José Otávio. As an adult, he migrates to the Amazon region, traveling through several cities, stopping at a mine located at the time in the Territory of Rio Branco, today the State of Roraima. Also Pedro Rocha, a migrant from Ceará to the north of the country, who became a gold miner, but also an extractor of the Amazon’s natural riches: rubber tree, natural rubber (caucho and balata) and Brazilnut. The present article also intends to extract information about the garimpo and the gold miners in Roraima, in the second half of the 20th century, present in the descriptions of some chapters of the novel. By presenting elements that can be highlighted in the universe of the garimpo of this region and time, which may come to collaborate towards a better historical understanding of artisanal mining or prospecting in this region. Divided into two parts: trajectory and novel, the article tries to relate literary text and biographical elements of the novelist's work in relation to mining, in order to explore its proximity to the context and history of the mining theme in Roraima. Resumo Este texto se propõe a contextualizar e analisar o romance de Maria (Nenê) Macaggi (1913-2003), A mulher do garimpo: o romance no extremo sertão do Amazonas , publicado em 1976 pela Imprensa Oficial de Manaus, traçando um paralelo com a trajetória biográfica da autora. Na década de 1940, Nenê Macaggi participou de uma expedição à região norte do país e acabou se estabelecendo em Roraima. Foi na região dos rios Tepequém e Cotingo que Nenê conheceu o garimpo e trabalhou como indigenista para o Serviço de Proteção aos Índios (SPI). Vários trechos da narrativa ficcional da autora ressoam da sua trajetória e, a partir do romance, é possível também pensar aspectos históricos e de gênero sobre o garimpo (atualmente chamado também de mineração de pequena escala) nessa região. O livro conta a história de dois personagens: Ádria, órfã nascida num cortiço do Rio de Janeiro e criada como menino, "virando" assim José Otávio, que quando adulto migra para a região amazônica, viajando por várias cidades, parando em um garimpo do então Território Federal do Rio Branco, hoje estado de Roraima; e Pedro Rocha, cearense migrante para o norte do país, que se torna garimpeiro, mas também extrativista das riquezas naturais amazônicas: seringa, caucho, castanha e balata. O presente artigo pretende ainda extrair informações sobre o garimpo e os garimpeiros roraimenses na segunda metade do século XX, a partir das descrições de alguns capítulos do romance que apresentam elementos que podem ser destacados no universo do garimpo da região, vinculados à época, que possam vir a colaborar para uma melhor compreensão histórica da mineração artesanal ou garimpagem desta região. Dividido em duas partes, trajetória e romance, o artigo tenta relacionar texto literário e elementos biográficos da atuação da romancista em relação ao garimpo, a fim de explorar sua proximidade com o contexto e a história do tema do garimpo em Roraima

O artigo apresenta as ações correspondentes à construção de um site e quatro minidocumentários, partes do projeto “Arqueologia e Divulgação Científica: Diálogos e Saberes”, desenvolvido pelo Laboratório de Arqueologia Pública Paulo Duarte e pelo Laboratór

Abstract: Millions of people across the world live off-grid not by choice but because they live in rural areas, have low income, and have no political clout. Delivering sustainable energy solutions to such a substantial amount of the world's population requires more than a technological fix; it requires leveraging the knowledge of underserved populations working together with a transdisciplinary team to find holistically derived solutions. Our original research has resulted in an innovative Convergence Framework integrating the fields of engineering, social sciences, and communication, and is based on working together with communities and other stakeholders to address the challenges posed by delivering clean energy solutions. In this paper, we discuss the evolution of this Framework and illustrate how this Framework is being operationalized in our on-going research project, cocreating hybrid renewable energy systems for off-grid communities in the Brazilian Amazon. The research shows how this Framework can address clean energy transitions, strengthen emerging industries at local level, and foster Global North-South scholarly collaborations. We do so by the integration of social science and engineering and by focusing on community engagement, energy justice, and governance for underserved communities. Further, this solution-driven Framework leads to the emergence of unique approaches that advance scientific knowledge, while at the same time addressing community needs

Os padrões de distribuição e estoque do carbono em áreas manejadas de Mata Atlântica ainda são pouco conhecidos. Visando compreender o papel destas áreas na fixação de carbono, procurou-se caracterizar a estrutura florestal e estimar a biomassa acima do solo em áreas de colheita de frutos de juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.). O trabalho foi realizado em áreas alteradas nas quais foi introduzido o manejo de frutos de juçara, no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar - SP e no seu entorno, abrangendo as fitofisionomias Floresta Submontana e Floresta Montana. Para representar todas as diferentes situações em que é praticado o manejo, foram selecionadas oito áreas e em cada uma foi alocada uma parcela de 10 x 100 m dividida em subparcelas de 10 x 10 m, nas quais foram inventariados todos os indivíduos arbóreos (árvores, juçaras, bananeiras e pteridófitas) com DAP (diâmetro a altura do peito) > 4,8 cm. As áreas estudadas foram caracterizadas como Florestas Secundárias e como sistemas de Consórcio de Banana e Juçara. A biomassa encontrada nas parcelas estudadas variou de 47,9 a 279,9 Mg ha-1. As Florestas Secundárias apresentaram maior biomassa que os sistemas de cultivo em Consórcio de Banana e Juçara, sendo as árvores responsáveis pela maior parte dessa biomassa. O manejo dos frutos da palmeira juçara para a produção de polpa alimentar representa uma alternativa sustentável à extração ilegal do palmito na região, diversificando os cultivos de banana existentes, agregando valor às florestas e aumentando o estoque de carbono em áreas de Mata Atlântica com sistemas agroflorestais

Resumo: As cimenteiras são responsáveis por aproximadamente 3% das emissões mundiais de Gases de Efeito Estufa (GEE) e por aproximadamente 5% das emissões de dióxido de carbono (CO 2 ). Uma das alternativas utilizadas para reduzir as emissões de GEE na indústria cimenteira é o uso de combustíveis alternativos por meio do coprocessamento de Resíduos Sólidos (RS) e da utilização de biomassa. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar a mitigação das emissões de GEE de um cimenteira no Distrito Federal, baseado na utilização de combustíveis alternativos, tendo como foco o coprocessamento de RS no processo produtivo do cimento. A metodologia utilizada foi a Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) com a categoria de impacto "mudanças climáticas". Concluiu-se que, dentre os cenários analisados, aquele correspondente à utilização de 70% de coque de petróleo e 30% de Resíduos Sólidos Agrossilvopastoris (RSA) é a melhor alternativa para a geração de calor nos fornos de clínquer do ponto de vista de emissões de GEE

Abstract: Nature and society have undergone fast and intense changes in the last decades. Consumption is expanding at a hyperbolic rate. Technological innovation has bypassed some environmental problems, but it is hardly sufficient to solve them. As a result, understanding the factors related to people's behavior is imperative when finding a novel approach for intervention policies that can effectively alleviate environmental impacts caused by human activities. A promising alternative to designing waste prevention (WP) policies is to develop strategies to endure behavioral change through collective actions. This paper briefly reviews some WP status worldwide and highlights the possibility of using agent-based modeling and simulation (ABMS) to plan WP policies and programs. ABMS enables a more in-depth analysis since experiments with a large sample in real situations are financial, temporal, and social cost-demanding. Preliminary results show an influence of the social norm on the adoption of reusable bags by individuals with medium and lower pro-environmental motivations. Understanding these dynamics relations in which WP policy is embedded makes it possible to forecast future waste generation and composition scenarios. Also, a framework for planning WP with ABMS is proposed

Utilizando Sistemas de Informação Geográficas (SIG´s), dada sua capacidade de análise de dados
de natureza espacial, foi confeccionado um banco de dados espacial atualizado da sub-bacia do
córrego do Descalvado, município de Botucatu, SP, possibilitando uma avaliação e diagnostico
da área quanto à ocupação do território e os processos de degradação que nela ocorrem. Através
do SIG foram definidas áreas prioritárias à recomposição florestal por meio da Avaliação
Multicritérios, utilizando o método da Média Ponderada Ordenada, que permite que o tomador de
decisão decida pela recuperação de uma área, frente a uma limitação de recursos, entre um dos
cenários propostos ou o faça por etapas. Conclui-se que há presença de processos erosivos
acelerados nas cabeceiras de nascentes dos corpos d´água; há fragmentação da vegetação nativa,
principalmente nas áreas de encosta e pequena presença de vegetação nativa nas zonas ripárias. A
aplicação da Análise Multicriterial pelo método da Média Ponderada Ordenada foi importante,
pois discriminou e sistematizou os cenários de prioridade para a recomposição florestal

Resumo: Diversas políticas públicas ambientais, com o intuito de proporcionar segurança hídrica e/ou conservação da biodiversidade, se baseiam na monetização de serviços ambientais, a exemplo do ICMS ecológico, do programa produtor de água e do pagamento pelo uso da água, que adotam o princípio do Produtor-Recebedor ou do Pagador-Poluidor. No entanto, tais políticas fornecem respostas limitadas, devido a sua abordagem fragmentada e com ênfase no valor econômico da natureza, quando o intuito é a construção de um sistema alimentar sustentável. Este sistema está baseado na inter-relação entre segurança alimentar, segurança hídrica e conservação da biodiversidade, adaptada aos diferentes contextos socioeconômicos. Observa-se, então, a necessidade de políticas públicas compatíveis com a complexidade das inter-relações água-alimento-conservação ambiental. Neste trabalho exploramos os estudos de caso dos corredores ecológicos criado em 2010 pelo governo do Estado de Santa Catarina no Brasil, como parte do projeto Microbacias II e o projeto Produtores de Água desenvolvido na bacia do Rio Camboriú. Estes modelos de políticas públicas são exemplos de abordagens que buscam atuar de forma sistêmica, que se aproxima da concepção de um sistema alimentar sustentável e, portanto, mais adaptados à realidade socioeconômica local. Embora de grande relevância para a construção de um sistema sustentável, estas políticas apresentam desafios quanto à sua replicação, continuidade e avanço

Abstract: Addressing sustainability in small-scale gold mining (SSGM) can be controversial. In Brazil there is a heated debate over the sustainable approach in SSGM operations, especially in the Amazon biome where biodiversity conservation and indigenous peoples' rights raise global concern. Opposing opinions about what should be "sustained" emerge from two extreme perspectives: ensuring the perpetuation of small-scale gold mining to guarantee incomes and productivity, and considering this activity as one of the major threats to Amazonian ecosystems. It is important to understand if, in the Brazilian Amazon, this debate is condemned to remain as "SSGM versus sustainability" or if it could be transformed into "SSGM and sustainability", meaning that SSGM might embrace an understanding of sustainability that is more balanced between economic and environmental component. Therefore, this study aims at addressing the perceptions of small-scale miners (garimpeiros) themselves regarding sustainability. The research unfolds the dynamic between state impositions of environmental regulations and garimpeiros' response by showing: i) the problematics over environmental licensing and the role of cooperatives in helping with its legal aspects, and generally promoting environmental sustainability; ii) the controversial relationship between garimpeiros and environmental law enforcement agencies; iii) how miners understand the impact of deforestation; and finally, iv) how they explore sustainability pathways with landscape impact-mitigation practices. The results show that garimpeiros’ actions point to the prolongation of their SSGM activity. Nevertheless, it is possible to see seeds of transformation towards more sustainable practices reinforced by associations, the adoption of cleaner technology and initiatives of rehabilitation of mined-out landscapes. Still, SSGM associations mostly employ the notion of sustainability as a palliative to allow their economic growth at the expense of the natural environment. This practice fuels the polarized debate over sustainability in the Amazon and exposes the extreme divergence of positions among all the actors in the arena. Moreover, the notion of sustainability is so malleable that there is a risk that scholars, institutions, and miners might interpret it in different, idiosyncratic ways to serve their particular political values, interests, desires, and visions of the future

Resumo: Climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation are two major environmental actions that need to be effectively performed this century, alongside ensuring food supply for a growing global human population. These three issues are highly interlinked through land management systems. Thus, major global food production regions located in biodiversity hotpots and with potential for carbon sequestration face trade-offs between these valuable land-based ecosystem services. The state of Mato Grosso in Brazil is one such region, where private lands that have been illegally used for agriculture could be restored to natural vegetation - with potential benefits for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation, although with potentially negative effects on food production. To address this challenge, in this study we used a multicriteria nexus modeling approach that considers carbon stocks, priority areas for biodiversity conservation, and the opportunity for food production, to develop scenarios of land allocation that aim to balance the benefits and drawbacks of ecosystem restoration. Results show that forcing landowners to restore their individual lands compromises the potential for a "green land market" throughout the Amazon biome in which private landowners with lower food production capacities (e.g., less connected to markets and infrastructure) would benefit from restoration programs that compensate them for the inclusion of environmental restoration among their economic activities, instead of taking large economic risks to produce more food. We additionally highlight that strategic ecosystem restoration can achieve higher gains in biodiversity and carbon with lower costs of restoration actions and with minimal impacts on agriculture. Analyses like ours demonstrate how scenarios of land allocation that simultaneously address climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation through ecosystem restoration, while also minimizing possible impacts on food production, can be sought to move the world towards a sustainable future

O histórico da relação entre os moradores e os gestores do Núcleo Picinguaba do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar (PESM), localizado no litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo, está caracterizado pelos conflitos relacionados aos direitos de permanência e de uso dos recursos naturais. Criado em 1977, o PESM permaneceu no papel até inícios dos anos 1980, quando começaram os primeiros contatos com os moradores. Estes moradores, trabalhadores do campo e pescadores, viram, então, deslegitimados seus direitos ao trabalho e à continuação de suas atividades produtivas e culturais. Desde então, passaram a ser considerados clandestinos, ilegais ou, segundo suas próprias palavras, “bandidos”, devido a que a legislação proíbe a presença permanente de moradores neste tipo de áreas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar os conflitos, as estratégias e a organização dos diversos atores sociais vinculados ao Núcleo Picinguaba a respeito do uso dos recursos naturais e do acesso à terra e, finalmente, refletir se esta dinâmica influencia positivamente nos processos sociais associados à conservação da biodiversidade. Este conflito originou novas formas de organização no PESM: lideranças locais surgiram e se formaram associações comunitárias. Ao longo dos últimos anos, o diálogo entre gestão e moradores tem se intensificado e novos espaços de discussão e negociação, assim como novos atores com seus próprios interesses, têm aparecido. Três questões são transversais a este conflito: a questão da terra, a questão da identidade e a própria questão do uso e da conservação dos recursos naturais. Assim, os moradores têm se organizado em torno da luta pelo direito à terra, recorrendo para isso a estratégias identitárias e a categorias como populações tradicionais, quilombolas e caiçaras. Tudo isto em um contexto de uma UC de Proteção Integral, localizada em uma região não só altamente biodiversa, mas com um forte histórico de uso dos recursos naturais e de ocupação humana

Abstract: Tropical forests face increasing climate risk1,2, yet our ability to predict their response to climate change is limited by poor understanding of their resistance to water stress. Although xylem embolism resistance thresholds (for example, 50) and hydraulic safety margins (for example, HSM50) are important predictors of drought-induced mortality risk3,4,5, little is known about how these vary across Earth’s largest tropical forest. Here, we present a pan-Amazon, fully standardized hydraulic traits dataset and use it to assess regional variation in drought sensitivity and hydraulic trait ability to predict species distributions and long-term forest biomass accumulation. Parameters 50 and HSM50 vary markedly across the Amazon and are related to average long-term rainfall characteristics. Both 50 and HSM50 influence the biogeographical distribution of Amazon tree species. However, HSM50 was the only significant predictor of observed decadal-scale changes in forest biomass. Old-growth forests with wide HSM50 are gaining more biomass than are low HSM50 forests. We propose that this may be associated with a growth–mortality trade-off whereby trees in forests consisting of fast-growing species take greater hydraulic risks and face greater mortality risk. Moreover, in regions of more pronounced climatic change, we find evidence that forests are losing biomass, suggesting that species in these regions may be operating beyond their hydraulic limits. Continued climate change is likely to further reduce HSM50 in the Amazon6,7, with strong implications for the Amazon carbon sink.

Abstract: Looking beyond a normative analysis of oil palm expansion, this paper offers a nuanced analysis of landscape transformations in the Brazilian Amazonian region of Tomé-Açu. Based on quantitative and qualitative data deriving from interviews with key stakeholders, focus groups and surveys with smallholders and migrant workers, contextualized and cross-checked with observations between 2011 and 2017 and secondary sources, we discuss the processes and outcomes of Brazil's Sustainable Oil Palm Production Program (SPOPP). Despite its participatory component and innovative design, simultaneously tackling environmental, economic and social dimensions, the program underwent rapid structural change and suffered from discontinuity. A new boom and bust cycle emerged in the region, however, both "boom" and "bust" periods were marked by mixed outcomes. Notwithstanding the current governance shift characterized by absent state, reduced participation and disinvestment, local agency has been able to reorganize the sector on the ground and a transformed landscape emerged. However, under the current setting if expansion recommences there is no guarantee the sector will be able to avoid many of the socio-environmental problems experienced in the past

The governance of natural resources is intrinsically linked with the governance of people. However, in practice, social aspects are often viewed as secondary to more technical and pressing issues in the implementation of projects such as dams. The use of water for electricity production in Brazil is a cas d'excellence that exemplifies how the bypassing of socio-environmental safeguards and democratic participation of affected people leads to conflicts. These conflicts delay infrastructure works, such as the Belo Monte Dam, that are found to be crucial for the equilibrium of electricity supply. Recently, social manifestation have become the scapegoat for the sector's crisis. This article discussed the "electricity crisis" from a historical policy analysis perspective. It concludes that the present disregard for social and environmental procedures is a self-inflicted disease that only contributes to the longer-term state of conflicts in the expansion of the electricity sector in Brazil

Abstract: Biodiversity and ecosystems are important elements for addressing national and global socioeconomic and environmental crises, since they provide new development opportunities, for example, as source of job and income creation, and reduction in poverty and socioeconomic inequity. Brazilian biological diversity is also expressed in its immense cultural diversity, with a great variety of knowledge holders. These peoples possess vast knowledge on agrobiodiversity, fishing, fire management, natural medicine, among others of commercial, cultural and spiritual value. The main conclusions of this Summary for Police Makers is that land use changes and climate changes have been - and will continue to be throughout this century - the main drivers that result in the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the country. Political interventions at different levels (from local to national, from public to private) and the enforcement of existing laws (regulatory mechanisms and incentives) are required to cope with the mitigation of the negative impacts of biodiversity and ecosystem services loss. Brazil has already a wide variety of policy instruments and socioenvironmental governance options, as well as global commitments (ODS, Aich Targets, Paris Agreement) related to the objective of a sustainable future. However, inefficient management control or lack of incentive to comply with the rules pose risks to consolidating the path to this future. The country has strong and capable institutions, but infrastructural problems, slow processes, inefficient measurements and judicial, social and ecological conflicts obstruct a proficient performance. There is a lack of communication between science and society which needs to be improved by establishing an effective flow that makes communication inclusive and representative, reaching public and private decision makers. Permanent efforts to integrate Science and policy knowledges are desirable to build confidence between policy makers and researchers. Resumo: A biodiversidade e os ecossistemas são elementos importantes para enfrentar as crises socioeconômicas e ambientais nacionais e globais, uma vez que proporcionam novas oportunidades de desenvolvimento. Incorporar a biodiversidade na vida cotidiana é uma oportunidade de ouro para promover o uso sustentável da biodiversidade e dos serviços ecossistêmicos. A conservação e a restauração da biodiversidade, dos ecossistemas e de seus serviços associados mostram potencial para um novo desenvolvimento social e econômico, como fonte de geração de emprego e renda, redução da pobreza e da desigualdade socioeconômica. A diversidade biológica brasileira também se expressa em sua imensa diversidade cultural, com uma grande variedade de detentores de conhecimento indígenas e tradicionais. Esses povos possuem vasto conhecimento sobre agrobiodiversidade, pesca, manejo do fogo, medicina natural, entre outros de valor comercial, cultural e espiritual. As principais conclusões deste Sumário para Tomadores de Decisão é que as mudanças no uso da terra e as mudanças climáticas tenham sido - e continuarão sendo ao longo deste século - os principais vetores da perda de biodiversidade e serviços ecossistêmicos no país. Intervenções políticas em diferentes níveis (do local ao nacional, do público ao privado) e a aplicação das leis existentes (mecanismos regulatórios e incentivos) são necessárias para promover a mitigação dos impactos negativos sobre a biodiversidade e a perda de serviços ecossistêmicos. O Brasil já possui uma ampla variedade de instrumentos de política e opções de governança socioambiental, bem como compromissos globais (ODS, Metas de Aichi, Acordo de Paris) relacionados à possibilidade de um futuro sustentável. Entretanto, o controle ineficiente da gestão ou a falta de incentivo para cumprir as regras traz riscos para a consolidação do caminho para esse futuro. O país tem instituições fortes e capazes, mas problemas de infraestrutura, processos lentos, medidas ineficazes e conflitos judiciais, sociais e ecológicos impedem a realização de um desempenho eficiente. Há uma falta de comunicação entre a ciência e a sociedade que precisa ser melhorada por meio do estabelecimento de um fluxo efetivo que torne a comunicação inclusiva e representativa, alcançando os tomadores de decisão públicos e privados. Esforços permanentes para integrar essas duas esferas de conhecimento na sociedade são desejáveis para criar confiança entre os formuladores de políticas e os pesquisadores

Abstract: Considering the emergence of ecosystems dominated by invasive species, there is growing interest in estimating the effect of biological invasions on ecosystem processes and provision of services. African grasses are the most invasive plants in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna), but their impact on C and N stocks is poorly known. We compared patterns of C and N stocks in the aboveground biomass, root biomass and soil in open Cerrado (campo sujo) sites, both uninvaded and invaded by the African grass Urochloa decumbens. In both sites we estimated the aboveground biomass of U. decumbens and native grasses, as well as the root biomass up to 50 cm. We obtained C and N soil content and soil bulk density up to 1 m depth, which were used to obtain the overall soil C and N stocks; we also assessed the variation in soil d13C and d15N. Although invasion did not affect the aboveground biomass, it did affect belowground biomass, leading to more C stocked in fine roots and soil, higher N concentration close to soil surface, and also more C along the soil profile. C and N soil stocks, soil d13C and d15N values did not significantly differ between invaded and uninvaded site. Even a relatively low level of invasion by U. decumbens changed the root distribution pattern and increased C and N contents in the upper soil, which may promote ecosystem changes by altering nutrient dynamics. Although our study was conducted at a single site, it clearly shows effects of the invasive species on the belowground environment, and indicates the necessity of further studies

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most important biomes of Brazil. Originally covering approximately 1.5 million of km2, today this area has been reduced to 12% of its original size. Climate changes may alter the structure and the functioning of this tropical forest. Here we explore how increases in temperature and changes in precipitation distribution could affect dynamics of carbon and nitrogen in coastal Atlantic Forest of the southeast region of Brazil The main conclusion of this article is that the coastal Atlantic Forest has high stocks of carbon and nitrogen above ground, and especially, below ground. An increase in temperature may transform these forests from important carbon sinks to carbon sources by increasing loss of carbon and nitrogen to the atmosphere. However, this conclusion should be viewed with caution because it is based on limited information. Therefore, more studies are urgently needed to enable us to make more accurate predictions.

Abstract: Maximizing carbon sequestration is crucial to mitigate climate change and indicates that the restoration technique used was effective. To quantify carbon stock over time on areas being restored, suitable allometric equations are needed. These equations are lacking for the Atlantic forest, lacking even more for restoration sites, and rare for restoration areas implemented with the active method, technique often used to restore Atlantic forest areas. Thus, the objective of this study was 3-fold. First, to provide an equation to estimate aboveground biomass for 5-year-old Atlantic forest under restoration implemented with the active method. Second, to determine carbon content for the branch, stem, and foliage pools for those areas. Third, to present biomass, carbon content, and carbon stock benchmarks for 5-year-old areas under restoration implemented with the active method. Three sites were sampled with nine plots each, measuring tree height and diameter. One subplot was established in each plot, and all trees within it were harvested and had fresh weight measured and samples were taken to the laboratory to dry weight and carbon content determination. Ten models estimating biomass were fitted and tested. Mean carbon content in foliage, branch, stem, and the weighted average were 44.8, 44.5, 45.8, and 45.3%, respectively. Mean biomass and carbon stock were 20.19 ± 0.146 Mg/ha and 9.73 Mg C/ha. We concluded that the equation that we provide is precise, and very necessary to estimate biomass for young restoration areas at the Atlantic forest

Abstract: Large herbivores, such as elephants, can have important effects on ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles. Yet, the influence of elephants on the structure, productivity and carbon stocks in Africa’s rainforests remain largely unknown. Here, we quantify those effects by incorporating elephant disturbance in the Ecosystem Demography model, and verify the modelled effects by comparing them with forest inventory data from two lowland primary forests in Africa. We find that the reduction of forest stem density due to the presence of elephants leads to changes in the competition for light, water and space among trees. These changes favour the emergence of fewer and larger trees with higher wood density. Such a shift in African’s rainforest structure and species composition increases the long-term equilibrium of aboveground biomass. The shift also reduces the forest net primary productivity, given the trade-off between productivity and wood density. At a typical density of 0.5 to 1 animals per km2, elephant disturbances increase aboveground biomass by 26–60 t ha-1. Conversely, the extinction of forest elephants would result in a 7% decrease in the aboveground biomass in central African rainforests. These modelled results are confirmed by field inventory data. We speculate that the presence of forest elephants may have shaped the structure of Africa’s rainforests, which probably plays an important role in differentiating them from Amazonian rainforests