Patch size, functional isolation, visibility and matrix permeability influences neotropical primate occurrence within highly fragmented landscapes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Partitioning the relative contribution of one-phase and two-phase seed dispersal when evaluating seed dispersal effectiveness

Seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) is a conceptual framework that aims at quantifying the contribution of seed dispersal vectors to plant fitness. While it is well recognized that diplochorous dispersal systems, characterized by two successive dispersal steps performed by two different vectors (Phase I=primary seed dispersal and Phase II=secondary seed dispersal) which are common in temperate and tropical regions, little attention has been given to distinguishing the relative contribution of one-phase and two-phase dispersal to overall SDE. This conceptual gap probably results from the lack of a clear methodology to include Phase II dispersal into the calculation of SDE and to quantify its relative contribution. We propose a method to evaluate the relative contribution of one-phase and two-phase dispersal to SDE and determine whether two seed dispersers are better than one. To do so, we used the SDE landscape and an extension of the SDE landscape, the Phase II effect landscape, which measures the direction and magnitude of the Phase II dispersal effect on overall SDE. We used simulated and empirical data from a diplochorous dispersal system in the Peruvian Amazon to illustrate this new approach. Our approach provides the relative contribution of one-phase SDE (SDE1) and two-phase SDE (SDE2) to overall SDE and quantifies how much SDE changes with the addition of Phase II dispersal. Considering that the seed dispersal process is context dependent so that Phase II depends on Phase I, we predict the possible range of variation of SDE according to the variation of the probability of Phase II dispersal. In our specific study system composed of two primate species as primary dispersal vectors and different species of dung beetles as secondary dispersal vectors, the relative contribution of SDE1 and SDE2 to overall SDE varied between plant species. We discuss the context dependency of the Phase II dispersal and the potential applications of our approach. This extension to the conceptual framework of SDE enables quantitative evaluation of the effect of Phase II dispersal on plant fitness and can be easily adapted to other biotic and/or abiotic diplochorous dispersal systems.

Vereda and Murundu wetlands and changes in Brazilian environmental laws: challenges to conservation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Worldwide evidence of a unimodal relationship between productivity and plant species richness

The search for predictions of species diversity across environmental gradients has challenged ecologists for decades. The humped-back model (HBM) suggests that plant diversity peaks at intermediate productivity; at low productivity few species can tolerate the environmental stresses, and at high productivity a few highly competitive species dominate. Over time the HBM has become increasingly controversial, and recent studies claim to have refuted it. Here, by using data from coordinated surveys conducted throughout grasslands worldwide and comprising a wide range of site productivities, we provide evidence in support of the HBM pattern at both global and regional extents. The relationships described here provide a foundation for further research into the local, landscape, and historical factors that maintain biodiversity.

Utilização de imagem de satélite Landsat no mapeamento da ocupação da terra e seus conflitos de uso em APPs na bacia hidrográfica do ribeirão Paraíso - São Manuel (SP)

The objectives of this study were to evaluate land use and occupation of Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA) as well as its use conflicts by TM (Thematic Mapper) image of the 2010 Landsat-5 satellite, according to the Forest Code. For that purpose, Geographic Information Systems in the Ribeirão Paraíso watershed, São Manuel, SP were used. The combination of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System technologies allowed representation of spatial distribution of the landscape and data integration in the diagnosis of geographic interest. The 2010 mapping showed 12 use categories, and the sugar cane crop had the largest land occupation, 48.25% of the area. The areas of permanent preservation amounted to 925.74 ha, which is an ideal value based on the Brazilian legislation. Mapping of land use conflicts showed intensive anthropic actions going 80.13% forward on PPAs, with only 19.87% remaining forests, which highlights their negative impact and illegal situations in these areas.

Construção de Conceitos Matemáticos na Educação Básica numa Abordagem Peirceana

Peircean semiotic analysis is employed to examine the construction/representation of signs-thinking of 32 early elementary school students regarding the concept of length measurement. The work consisted of developing concepts of standard unit, reading and interpretation of measurement by instruments, so that the mathematical language presented in the concrete materials was being signified and re-signified as a tool for perception and representation of new concepts. The pedagogical triad Feeling-Perceiving, Relating-Concept (F-P/R/C) co-related with the dynamism of the semiosis process, defined by Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914) in his semiotic theory on the production of the sign (Object, Representamen and Interpretant), enabled the interpretation and analysis of the students' inferences in the phase of perception (feel, admire), induction (experience), and deduction (concept).

The use of scaled semivariograms to plan soil sampling in sugarcane fields

Spatial sampling designs used to characterize the spatial variability of soil attributes are crucial for science studies. Sample planning for the interpolation of a regionalized variable may use several criteria, which could be best selected from an estimated semivariogram from a previously established grid. The objective of this study was to optimize the procedure for scaled semivariogram use to plan soil sampling in sugarcane fields in the Alfisol and Oxisol regions of Jaboticabal Town in So Paulo State, Brazil. A scaled semivariogram for several soil chemical attributes was estimated from the data obtained from two grids positioned on a sugarcane field area, sampled at a depth of 0.0-0.5 m. The research showed that regular grids with uniform intervals did not express the real spatial variability of the soil attributes of Oxisols and Alfisols in the study area. The calculated final sampling density based on the scaled parameters of the semivariogram was one sample for each 2 ha in Area 1 (convex landscape) and one sample for each 1 ha in Area 2 (linear landscape), as indicated by SANOS 0.1 software. The combined use of the simulation programs and scaled semivariograms can be used to define sampling points. These results may help in soil fertility mapping and thereby improve nutrient management in sugarcane crops.

A situação atual da indexação nas tarefas bibliotecárias

Na atualidade a atribuição dos descritores de assuntos ou indexação do conteúdo dos livros, nem sempre está associada ao contexto concreto de cada biblioteca, provocando, em muitos casos, que a recuperação por assuntos não resulte adequada. Neste trabalho analisam-se os principais desafios e perspectivas da indexação dos livros, os avanços de análises de assuntos nos catálogos de bibliotecas, examinam-se procedimentos, instrumentos, regras e condutas utilizadas nas análises e representação do conteúdo dos livros. Também se mostra a interação entre o ensino, a pesquisa e a atuação profissional necessária para que os estudantes possam desenvolver competências na análise, na representação e na procura da informação, assim como os princípios - provavelmente menos evidentes- da organização do conhecimento. Este trabalho coloca em evidência que as políticas de gestão da informação, mais quantitativas que qualitativas, deixam num segundo plano o processamento intelectual do conteúdo prejudicando, desta maneira, a recuperação por assuntos através do catalogo da biblioteca. Finalmente, se recolhe uma serie de propostas docentes relacionadas com a atribuição de descritores de assuntos em contextos bibliotecários.

Organização temática da doutrina jurídica: elementos metodológicos para uma proposta de extensão da classificação decimal de direito

Specificity and updating of the bibliographic classification systems can be considered a determinant factor to the quality of organization and representation of the legal documentation. In the specific case of Brazil, the Brazilian Law Decimal Classification, does not foresee specific subdivisions for Labor Law procedures. In this sense, it carries out a terminological work based on table of contents of doctrinal Labor Law books of the mentioned area, which are compared to the conceptual structure of the Brazilian Law Decimal Classification. As a result, it presents an extension proposal for Labor Procedures as well as a methodological background for further extensions and updates.

Strand Analysis, a free online program for the computational identification of the best RNA interference (RNAi) targets based on Gibbs free energy

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparação de dois métodos de avaliação da fenologia de plantas, sua interpretação e representação

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Adaptation of the reservoir fish assemblage index (RFAI) for assessing the Barra Bonita Reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil)

In order to evaluate the environmental condition of the Barra Bonita Reservoir, we adapted the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). We chose 24 sampling sites in which three types of habitats were sampled: the mouths of tributaries, the central reservoir and the lateral reservoir. Fish were caught in two seasons (dry and rainy) using 10 gillnet gangs, with meshes ranging from 3 to 12 cm between opposite knots, and funnel traps. Abiotic and biotic variables were measured. Due to the artificial nature of the reservoir, the term biotic integrity was considered inappropriate and the term RFAI (Reservoir Fish Assemblage Index) was adopted. Twelve metrics from sixteen possibles were selected using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The reference conditions were set up based on the criteria of the best condition observed. For each metric, a score of 1, 3 or 5 was assigned as it strongly departs (1), slightly departs (3) or approaches (5) the reference condition. The index value is the sum of the metrics partial scores and ranges from 12 to 60. To evaluate the importance of the unit of measurement of the metric, the index was calculated in fish number (RFAI(N)) and in weight (RFAI(w)). The correlation between RFAIN and RFAIw was very high (r = 0.90, n = 46) indicating that the unit of measurement does not influence the final result of the index. Most of the sampling sites were classified in the 'reasonable' RFAI category. Only the central sites were classified as 'poor'. To validate the RFAI, another index, the Habitat Quality Index (HQI), was built starting from the physiochemical and habitat variables collected. The correlation of the RFAI with the HQI was highly significant (RFAIN, r = 0.37; RFAI(w), r = 0.47; n = 46), indicating that they respond in the same way to environmental degradation. The HQI metrics which most affect RFAI were depth, surrounding landscape and macrophyte presence/absence. Copyright C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Geographical variation in genetic structure of an Atlantic Coastal Forest frog reveals regional differences in habitat stability

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Decay properties of a class of doubly charged Higgs bosons

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Multi-criteria spatial decision analysis for demarcation of greenway: A case study of the city of Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil

Concern regarding hydrological resources has been a theme of growing importance in Brazil, associating the development of new management policies and maintenance of natural areas related to rivers. An efficient way to maintain natural areas around rivers has been the development of greenways, and some cites have already adopted specific legislation in this respect. Following this growing evolution in the treatment of hydrological resources, this study was carried out to demarcate a greenway along the Corumbatai River in the state of São Paulo, Using multi-criteria analysis in a GIS environment. First, thematic maps were elaborated based on Landsat 7 satellite, aerial photographs and digital topographic base, Supported by field activities. With the use of multi-criteria analysis, for which ad hoe consultations were conducted to attribute weights to the thematic maps, a suitability map was elaborated for the allocation of the greenway. Sites that should be included in the greenway were also selected, such as areas appropriate for leisure activities, and ecologically important areas. Based on the suitability map, a pathway analysis was done, connecting the relevant points of interest, thus generating a greenway that runs along the Corumbatai River, with the aim of contributing to the conservation of this important hydrological resource. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.