Disponibilidade hídrica potencial em face da distribuição espaço-temporal das precipitações no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

The state of Rio Grande do Norte, possessor of an extremely irregular regime of rains, has the necessity of enlarge and specify the researches about its own hydro-climatic conditions, to achieve trustworthy results that are able to minimize the adversities imposed by these conditions and make possible the implementation of a better planning in the economic activities and of subsistence that somehow utilize of the multiple uses of hydro resources of the State. This way, the daily values observed from the pluviometric series of 166 posts, with 45 years uninterrupted of historic data, were adjusted to the incomplete gamma function to the determination of the probability of rain in the 36 period of ten days in which the year was divided. To the attainment of the α and β parameters of this function it was applied the method of the maximum verisimilitude allowing, in the end, to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution of the rain in the level of 75% of probability. The values of potential evapo-transpiration were calculated by the Linacre method that, through the SURFER software, were confronted with the dependant rain, obtaining, in this way, the spatialization of the potential hydro availability, which the values can be known to any period of ten days of the year, city and/or region of the state of Rio Grande do Norte. With the identification of the main meteorological systems that act in the State, we sought to better comprehend how this systems interfere, in the irregular regime of rain, in the situations of several clime in the major part of Rio Grande do Norte and in the hydro regional balance. And, finally, with these data in hand and with the generated maps, we verified that space-temporal distribution of the rain and of the potential hydro availability were heterogeneous in the whole State, mainly in the West and Central regions, inserted in potiguar s semi-arid, which, after the period of the rains station, suffers with dry season and length drought during the rest of the year

Influência dos fatores abióticos sobre a variação espaço-temporal de paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875) (pisces, sciaenidae) componente da fauna acompanhante da pesca de camarões no litoral Norte de São Paulo

Knowledge of the environmental factors influence on the spatial-temporal variation of fishes is important to fisheries management and conservation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of the abiotical factors on the spatial-temporal distribution of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Pisces, Sciaenidae) caught by-catch with the shrimp fishing of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba regions, north coast of São Paulo State. The fishes were captured every month from January to December 2002. Samples were collected by otter trawl at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m depths. The temperatures (surface and bottom), salinities (surface and bottom), sediment features and organic matters were verified for each depth. During all period of the study 12.642 specimens of P. brasiliensis were captured at Ubatuba and 17.166 at Caraguatatuba, which totalized the biomass of 267 for the first and 339kg for the other region. The females outnumbered males in fish population. The greatest values of biomass and number of individuals were registered at the summer and autumn seasons, while the lowest values were observed at the winter and spring seasons. The greatest abundances were found from 15 to 25m depth. In this study, it was verified that P. brasiliensis is a coastal waters associate species. The spatialtemporal distribution of P. brasiliensis is affected by intrusion of SACW and depth for the coastal region and by depth and sediment in sheltered areas such as Caraguatatuba

Influência dos fatores abióticos sobre a variação espaço-temporal de paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875) (pisces, sciaenidae) componente da fauna acompanhante da pesca de camarões no litoral Norte de São Paulo

Knowledge of the environmental factors influence on the spatial-temporal variation of fishes is important to fisheries management and conservation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of the abiotical factors on the spatial-temporal distribution of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Pisces, Sciaenidae) caught by-catch with the shrimp fishing of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba regions, north coast of São Paulo State. The fishes were captured every month from January to December 2002. Samples were collected by otter trawl at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m depths. The temperatures (surface and bottom), salinities (surface and bottom), sediment features and organic matters were verified for each depth. During all period of the study 12.642 specimens of P. brasiliensis were captured at Ubatuba and 17.166 at Caraguatatuba, which totalized the biomass of 267 for the first and 339kg for the other region. The females outnumbered males in fish population. The greatest values of biomass and number of individuals were registered at the summer and autumn seasons, while the lowest values were observed at the winter and spring seasons. The greatest abundances were found from 15 to 25m depth. In this study, it was verified that P. brasiliensis is a coastal waters associate species. The spatialtemporal distribution of P. brasiliensis is affected by intrusion of SACW and depth for the coastal region and by depth and sediment in sheltered areas such as Caraguatatuba

Avaliação espaço-temporal do zooplâncton da laguna estuarina de Guaraíras (RN, Brasil)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Dinâmica espaço-temporal em uma guilda de borboletas frugívoras no limite norte da floresta atlântica nordestina

The extent of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, a global biodiversity hotspot, has been reduced to less than 7% of its original range. Yet, it contains one of the richest butterfly fauna in the world. Butterflies are commonly used as environmental indicators, mostly because of their strict association with host plants, microclimate and resource availability. This research describes diversity, composition and species richness of frugivorous butterflies in a forest fragment in the Brazilian Northeast. It compares communities in different physiognomies and seasons. The climate in the study area is classified as tropical rainy, with two well defined seasons. Butterfly captures were made with 60 Van Someren-Rydon traps, randomly located within six different habitat units (10 traps per unit) that varied from very open (e.g. coconut plantation) to forest interior. Sampling was made between January and December 2008, for five days each month. I captured 12090 individuals from 32 species. The most abundant species were Taygetis laches, Opsiphanes invirae and Hamadryas februa, which accounted for 70% of all captures. Similarity analysis identified two main groups, one of species associated with open or disturbed areas and a second by species associated with shaded areas. There was a strong seasonal component in species composition, with less species and lower abundance in the dry season and more species and higher abundance in the rainy season. K-means analysis indicates that choice of habitat units overestimated faunal perceptions, suggesting less distinct units. The species Taygetis virgilia, Hamadryas chloe, Callicore pygas e Morpho achilles were associated with less disturbed habitats, while Yphthimoides sp, Historis odius, H. acheronta, Hamadryas feronia e Siderone marthesia likey indicate open or disturbed habitats. This research brings important information for conservation of frugivorous butterflies, and will serve as baseline for future projects in environmental monitoring

Influência espaço-temporal e fisiológica na absorção de nutrientes e elementos tóxicos por Eichhornia crassipes visando o uso adequado da sua biomassa: o caso do Rio Apodi/Mossoró - RN

This study aims to determine the amount of nutrients and toxic elements in aquatic macrophytes of species Eichhornia crassipes present in River Apodi/Mossoró - RN and check some of the possibilities of using the biomass produced, based on the influence of space - temporal and physiological absorption of nutrients by plants. For this, was determined: Leaf area, Leaf wet mass, Leaf dry mass, Real humidity, Apparent humidity, Ash, Total nitrogen, Crude protein, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Total phosphorus, Sodium, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt, Aluminum, Cadmium, Lead and Total chromium at different times, 2 sampling points and 2 parts of plants (leaves and roots). The results show that the levels of nutrients, protein and toxic elements present in plant tissue of Eichhornia crassipes are influenced by spatial, temporal and physiological variability. In general, because the maximum values in the dry matter for total nitrogen (4.4088 g/100g), crude protein (27.5549 g/100g), total phosphorus (0.642 g/100 g), calcium (1.444 g/100g), magnesium (0.732 g/100 g), potassium (7.51 g/100 g), copper (4.4279 mg/100g), manganese (322.668 mg/100g), sodium (1.39 g/100g), iron (194.169 mg/100g) and zinc (3.5836 mg/100g), there was the possibility of using biomass of Eichhornia crassipes for various purposes such as in food animal, products production for human consumption, organic fertilizers, fabrication of brick low cost, and crafts. For all these applications requires a control of the levels of substances in plant tissue. Based on the levels of nutrients and crude protein, the younger plants (0 Month) would be best to have their biomass used. Moreover, one factor that contributes to the use of larger plants (6 Months), the levels of toxic elements which have significantly small or below the detection limit. Therefore, further studies quantifying the biomass produced/m2 at 0 and 6 months are needed for a more correct choice for the best time of harvest

Evolução espaço-temporal da ocupação urbana sobre áreas naturais no município de Natal-RN

In this work the landscape morphodynamics was used to check the strength and importance of the changes carried out by man on the environment over time, in Natal-RN municipality. The occupation of partially preserved natural areas was analyzed, but environmentally fragile, such as riparian forests, vegetation on the banks of waterways, which play regulatory role of the water flow, and the dunes, which guarantee the rapid recharge of aquifers. The impacts of urban sprawl in Natal Southern and West zones Were identified and characterized, through a detailed mapping in the period between 1969 and 2013 the main Permanent Preservation Areas - PPA (banks of rivers and lagoons, and dunes remaining) and their temporal changes. For this were used aerial photographs and satellite imagery, altimetry data, and pre-existing information, which allowed the creation of a spatial database, and evolution of maps of impervious areas, evolution of the use and occupation and Digital Terrain Model (DTM) from contour lines with contour interval of 1 meter. Based on this study presents a diagnosis of the environmental situation and the state of conservation of natural areas, over the last 44 years, compared to human pressures. In general, it was found that the urban settlement has advanced about 60% of studied natural areas. This advance was growing by the year 2006, when there was a slowdown in the process, except for the Environmental Protection Zone (EPZ) 03, where the river Pitimbú and your PPA, which experienced a more significant loss area. The urban occupation affected the natural drainage and contributed to the contamination of groundwater Natal, due to increased sealed area, the release of liquid and solid waste, as well as the removal of riparian vegetation. Changed irreversibly the natural landscape, and reduced the quality and quantity of water resources necessary for the population. Thus, it is necessary to stimulate the adoption of use and protection of PPA planning measures, to the preservation of the San Valley Region inserted into the EPZ 01, and integrate more remaining dunes, in good condition, this EPZ, due to the importance of those remaining on the environment and the maintenance of quality of life. It is suggested, also, protection of catchment areas, such as PPA ponds and Pitimbú River. Finally, it is expected that this study can assist the managers in making decisions in urban and environmental planning of the municipality

Aprendizagem espaço-temporal e efeitos das condições luminosas no aprendizado do peixe paulistinha

Para processar a informação ambiental e perceber o tempo, os indivíduos utilizam-se de pistas ambientais, como luz e temperatura, que servem como guias para o relógio interno. O mecanismo temporizador endógeno é chamado relógio circadiano, o qual comanda uma grande variedade de ritmos diários bioquímicos, fisiológicos e comportamentais presentes nos organismos. Com isso, os animais podem antecipar eventos espaço-temporalmente distribuídos e usar essa informação para organizar as atividades diárias, o que é uma vantagem adaptativa para os indivíduos, já que muitos fatores ambientais apresentam variação circadiana. Aprendizagem espaço-temporal (do inglês: "time-place learning’’-TPL) é a habilidade de associar lugares com importantes eventos biológicos em diferentes horas do dia. Em nosso estudo utilizamos como modelo o peixe paulistinha (Danio rerio), conhecido por ser altamente social, para testar aprendizagem espaço-temporal baseada em reforço social. Além disso, objetivamos averiguar os efeitos das condições de claro constante e escuro constante na aprendizagem espaço-temporal, e se nessas condições, a atividade do peixe paulistinha é alterada. Para isso, testamos três diferentes condições (n=10): grupo claro-escuro (CE), grupo claro constante (CC) e grupo escuro constante (EE) durante 30 dias da seguinte maneira: diariamente, um grupo de 5 peixes paulistinha foi introduzido em um recipiente localizado no compartimento da manhã (um dos lados do aquário), às 8:00h e retirado às 9:00h, e em outro recipiente do compartimento da tarde (lado oposto do aquário), às 17:00h e removido às 18:00h, servindo como estímulo para que o peixe experimental ocupasse o compartimento onde o grupo fosse colocado. O comportamento foi filmado nos dois horários, 15 minutos antes e durante os 60 minutos de exposição ao estímulo, no 15º e no 30ª dia, porém neste último, os peixes foram filmados sem a presença do estímulo a fim de averiguarmos a aprendizagem espaço-temporal. Por fim, para saber a influência das três condições luminosas na atividade dos peixes, filmamos os últimos 6 dias de teste, para registrar o padrão de atividade. Nossos resultados mostraram que em ciclo claro-escuro (CE) o peixe paulistinha apresenta TPL, bem como é capaz de antecipar a hora e local do estímulo (grupo de coespecíficos), enfatizando a importância do estímulo social para a aprendizagem. Em condições de claro constante e escuro constante, o peixe paulistinha não apresentou aprendizagem espaço-temporal. Ademais, após 30 dias em condições luminosas constantes (claro constante e escuro constante), o peixe paulistinha mantém ritmo circadiano, porém em claro constante sua atividade é aumentada e seu ritmo atividade-repouso é alterado, através de um padrão de atividade distribuída homogeneamente ao longo das 24h, ao invés de concentrada na subjetiva fase clara, como nos grupos de ciclo claro-escuro e escuro constante, os quais conservam o padrão de atividade diurno da espécie.

Avaliação espaço-temporal do zooplâncton da laguna estuarina de Guaraíras (RN, Brasil)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Dinâmica espaço-temporal em uma guilda de borboletas frugívoras no limite norte da Floresta Atlântica Nordestina

The extent of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, a global biodiversity hotspot, has been reduced to less than 7% of its original range. Yet, it contains one of the richest butterfly fauna in the world. Butterflies are commonly used as environmental indicators, mostly because of their strict association with host plants, microclimate and resource availability. This research describes diversity, composition and species richness of frugivorous butterflies in a forest fragment in the Brazilian Northeast. It compares communities in different physiognomies and seasons. The climate in the study area is classified as tropical rainy, with two well defined seasons. Butterfly captures were made with 60 Van Someren-Rydon traps, randomly located within six different habitat units (10 traps per unit) that varied from very open (e.g. coconut plantation) to forest interior. Sampling was made between January and December 2008, for five days each month. I captured 12090 individuals from 32 species. The most abundant species were Taygetis laches, Opsiphanes invirae and Hamadryas februa, which accounted for 70% of all captures. Similarity analysis identified two main groups, one of species associated with open or disturbed areas and a second by species associated with shaded areas. There was a strong seasonal component in species composition, with less species and lower abundance in the dry season and more species and higher abundance in the rainy season. K-means analysis indicates that choice of habitat units overestimated faunal perceptions, suggesting less distinct units. The species Taygetis virgilia, Hamadryas chloe, Callicore pygas e Morpho achilles were associated with less disturbed habitats, while Yphthimoides sp, Historis odius, H. acheronta, Hamadryas feronia e Siderone marthesia likey indicate open or disturbed habitats. This research brings important information for conservation of frugivorous butterflies, and will serve as baseline for future projects in environmental monitoring

Encalhes de Cetáceos ocorridos no período de 1984 a 2005 no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Strandings of live or dead aquatic mammals constitute an important instrument to provide information regarding the occurrence, biology and ecology of these species. The aim of this study was to register the stranded species of cetaceans, the frequency and the spatial-temporal distribution of theses strandings during the period of 1984 to 2005, in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Data was acquired through the monitoring of strandings in the north, north-west and south coast of RN, and through information obtained from institutions and newspaper archives of the State. A total of 122 strandings of cetaceans were registered along the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Of the 14 species of cetaceans registered, four species had higher frequencies: Sotalia guianensis (n= 65), Steno bredanensis (n = 6), Globicephala macrorhynchus (n = 6) and Physeter macrocephalus (n = 7). Out of 118 strandings, 93 occurred in the south coast (78.8 %), 23 in the north coast (19.5%) and 2 (1.7%) in the north-west coast of the State. The highest frequency of strandings occurred during the months of August to March and the maximum number of strandings occurred from 2000 onwards, as a consequence of the intense monitoring of the Pequenos Cetáceos Project in Rio Grande do Norte

Estimativa da evapotranspiração espacial em uma região semiárida utilizando sensoriamento remoto

With the need to deploy management and monitoring systems of natural resources in areas susceptible to environmental degradation, as is the case of semiarid regions, several works have been developed in order to find effective models and technically and economically viable. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the daily actual evapotranspiration (ETr) through the application of the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL), from remote sensing products, in a semiarid region, Seridó of the Rio Grande do Norte, and do the validation of these estimates using ETr values obtained by the Penman-Monteith (standard method of the Food and Agriculture Organization-FAO). The SEBAL is based on energy balance method, which allows obtaining the vertical latent heat flux (LE) with orbital images and, consequently, of the evapotranspiration through the difference of flows, also vertical, of heat in the soil (G), sensitive heat (H) and radiation balance (Rn). The study area includes the surrounding areas of the Dourado reservoir, located in the Currais Novos/RN city. For the implementation of the algorithm were used five images TM/Landsat-5. The work was divided in three chapters in order to facilitate a better discussion of each part of the SEBAL processing, distributed as follows: first chapter addressing the spatio-temporal variability of the biophysical variables; second chapter dealing with spatio-temporal distribution of instant and daily radiation balance; and the third chapter discussing the heart of the work, the daily actual evapotranspiration estimation and the validation than to the study area

A utilização da modelagem física no estudo do desenvolvimento, geometria e cinemática de falhas distensionais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior

Borboletas no semiárido: sazonalidade e padrões de diversidade de borboletas frugívoras em um ambiente extremo

The spatial and temporal distribution of the population reflects the adjustment of their biological characteristics to environmental conditions and biotic interactions as adaptive and phylogenetic precursors elements. The habitat’s heterogeneity and alternating seasons tend to cause patterns of activity of organisms and species diversity. However, these seasonal and spatial patterns in butterfly communities in dry environments are not yet clear. We studied a community of frugivorous butterflies in ESEC Seridó, in northeastern Brazil, aiming to characterize the guild in semiarid and check the relative contribution of climate and vegetation variables on its composition, diversity and phenofaunistic. The butterflies were sampled monthly during one year, and the distribution of species was associated with structural characteristics of three vegetation types (eg. richness and abundance of tree and shrub species, canopy cover, herbaceous cover, litter) and climatological data (temperature, rainfall and humidity). We captured 9580 individuals of 16 species of butterflies belonging to four subfamilies (Biblidinae, Charaxinae, Nymphalinae and Satyrinae). The richness, abundance and diversity varied in different scales, especially in time, being higher in the rainy season, while the β-diversity and turnover was higher in the dry. The distribution of species mainly followed the changes in humidity, rainfall and vegetation phenology, with no defined boundaries between habitats. The flight period was shared within subfamilies, which should have distinct response to environmental stimuli, as well as respond to the phenology of host plants and have different reproductive strategies. There is even evidence of physiological and behavioral adaptations as seasonal reproduction and aestivation. So there was environmental control over the distribution and diversity of species, with the key role climate Association and vegetation structure in the community of differentiation in the seasons, and the availability and quality of resources on the variation of species abundance in small scales. These results may support the biomonitoring and conservation preserved areas, particularly in environments under human pressure and extreme environmental conditions such as semi-arid.

Encalhes de Cetáceos ocorridos no período de 1984 a 2005 no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Strandings of live or dead aquatic mammals constitute an important instrument to provide information regarding the occurrence, biology and ecology of these species. The aim of this study was to register the stranded species of cetaceans, the frequency and the spatial-temporal distribution of theses strandings during the period of 1984 to 2005, in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Data was acquired through the monitoring of strandings in the north, north-west and south coast of RN, and through information obtained from institutions and newspaper archives of the State. A total of 122 strandings of cetaceans were registered along the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Of the 14 species of cetaceans registered, four species had higher frequencies: Sotalia guianensis (n= 65), Steno bredanensis (n = 6), Globicephala macrorhynchus (n = 6) and Physeter macrocephalus (n = 7). Out of 118 strandings, 93 occurred in the south coast (78.8 %), 23 in the north coast (19.5%) and 2 (1.7%) in the north-west coast of the State. The highest frequency of strandings occurred during the months of August to March and the maximum number of strandings occurred from 2000 onwards, as a consequence of the intense monitoring of the Pequenos Cetáceos Project in Rio Grande do Norte