Publicações

In this article, we examine how sensitive the methodology for calculating a Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) is to changes in the source of the meteorological data series and the weighting factors used. Three different sources of meteorological data ground-based observations, modeled satellite-derived data, and ERA5 reanalysis data were used to determine the sensitivity of the TMY to the data source. The TMY was created for five different climatic regions in Brazil using 13 years of hourly data for meteorological indices consisting of maximum, minimum, and average air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, global total horizontal radiation, and normal direct solar radiation. The study shows that the source of the meteorological data plays little role in determining the most typical months. The typicality of the months was consistent even when data sources as diverse as in situ and modeled data were used. The study also shows that the exact choice of weighting scheme for the meteorological data source is relatively arbitrary, if not irrelevant. This is because meteorological parameters are not independent variables and therefore often represent redundant information. A few independent parameters are sufficient to produce a good TMY and adding several interdependent parameters does not improve the quality of the TMY produced.

This study tests the hypothesis that a more salt-excluder rootstock can attenuate salt stress in grapevine plants by enhancing photosynthesis and providing ionic and oxidative protection. Plants of BRS Vitória variety, grafted with the rootstocks IAC 313 (salt-excluder) and SO4, were subjected to salinity by adding NaCl (0, 50, and 100 mM) for 30 days. Plants with SO4 showed more severe salt toxicity symptoms in leaves and lower chlorophyll content under salinity. Conversely, plants with IAC 313 showed improved photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, along with higher carboxylation efficiency under salt compared to SO4. Under salinity, plants with SO4 showed higher losses of K+ in stems, roots, and petioles, as well as increased accumulation of Na+ in these organs, relative to IAC 313. Furthermore, plants with IAC 313 had lower leaf Na+ content under salinity and reduced leaf Cl− content at 50 mM NaCl, a response associated with a higher Na+ allocation in petioles of IAC 313. At 50 mM, IAC 313 exhibited better photochemical activity, as indicated by electron transport rate and non-photochemical quenching. However, at 100 mM, both rootstocks showed similar trends, suggesting that the photosynthetic restriction was primarily due to stomatal disturbances. Plants with IAC 313 showed better APX activity and ascorbate balance under salinity. IAC 313 showed more salt-resistance traits than SO4, although the growth was similarly affected in both rootstocks. This response could be due to the reduced time of salt treatment (30 days). In summary, our data indicate that IAC 313 rootstock possesses better salt tolerance traits than SO4.

The impact of hydrological and geological disasters has resulted in significant social, economic, and human losses, which added climate change impacts, and such events have become more frequent and intense. Therefore, our objective is to analyze the extreme rainfall (trends) in the Metropolitan Region of the Paraiba do Sul Valley and North Coast of Sao Paulo (RMVPLN). This analysis will support the most affected areas by landslides identification, which mainly impact roads and their population. In addition, evaluate the atmosphere conditions that supported these extreme rainfall events. To achieve our objectives, we have surveyed historical landslide data reported by the Brazilian government and information related by press and media. The precipitation evaluation used CHIRPS v.2 data and ETCCDI indices and the vertically integrated moisture flow and wind speed were calculated by ERA5 reanalysis. Our results show that the frequency and intensity of rainfall indicators such as seasonal PRCPTOT, R20mm, R30mm, and SDII have increased, particularly in the coastal and mountainous regions of Sao Paulo. This is due to positive anomalies of moisture transport and an increase of ocean winds influenced by the intense South Atlantic Subtropical Anticyclone (SASA). The region with the highest susceptibility to landslides triggered by extreme rainfall is the one that combines deforested areas, high slope topography, and excessive anthropic intervention. The presence of mountainous regions increases the risk of landslides, which can damage local infrastructure and expose the vulnerability of populations in these risk areas.

The Amazon is the largest continuous tropical forest in the world and plays a key role in the global carbon cycle. Human-induced disturbances and climate change have impacted the Amazon carbon balance. Here we conduct a comprehensive synthesis of existing state-of-the-art estimates of the contemporary land carbon fluxes in the Amazon using a set of bottom-up methods (i.e., dynamic vegetation models and bookkeeping models) and a top-down inversion (atmospheric inversion model) over the Brazilian Amazon and the whole Biogeographical Amazon domain. Over the whole biogeographical Amazon region bottom-up methodologies suggest a small average carbon sink over 2010-2020, in contrast to a small carbon source simulated by top-down inversion (2010-2018). However, these estimates are not significantly different from one another when accounting for their large individual uncertainties, highlighting remaining knowledge gaps, and the urgent need to reduce such uncertainties. Nevertheless, both methodologies agreed that the Brazilian Amazon has been a net carbon source during recent climate extremes and that the south-eastern Amazon was a net land carbon source over the whole study period (2010-2020). Overall, our results point to increasing human-induced disturbances (deforestation and forest degradation by wildfires) and reduction in the old-growth forest sink during drought.

In Brazil, Petr ‘ opolis, situated in the mountainous region of the Rio de Janeiro, stands out as one of the areas most severely affected by disasters. The present study aims to provide: i) an overview of disaster cases in Petr ‘ opolis (2018 to 2022); ii) the geometeorological mechanisms that supported the occurrence of the extreme precipitation event on February 15, 2022; and iii) the role of urban planning policies in disaster risk management in Petr ‘ opolis. 194 different disasters events were identified, with the majority (51%) being landslides. In February 2022, the landslides and floods resulted from the contribution of the extreme precipitation event, which led to a daily accumulation of 260 mm. A cold front over the ocean brought moisture to the southeast of Brazil, and local topography favored southward winds, supporting storm formation. It is worth noting that despite the existence of a previous risk assessment study conducted by the municipality’s administration, disasters continue to occur, highlighting the need for monitoring and revision of local public policies. Beyond random misfortunes, the occurrence of disasters underscores the socio-environmental injustices produced by the omission of public administration, contributing to Petr ‘ opolis becoming a risk-prone area.

Cruzeiro do Sul, a municipality in Northwestern Brazil is recurrently impacted by floods, particularly along the Jurua River. This study presents a comprehensive flood risk analysis by integrating geoprocessing, remote sensing, and hydraulic modeling techniques. Our objectives are to simulate flood extents, identify high-risk areas, and guide sustainable territorial management. Our findings illustrate that the flood impacts are distributed across urban (27%), agricultural (55%), and forest/grassland (17%) landscapes. Historical records and literature reviews also underscore a recurring pattern of extreme floods in the municipality, notably during February’s La Nina events. Some vulnerable urban neighborhoods were identified: Vila Cruzeirinho, Centro, Miritizal, and Da Varzea. These areas are especially susceptible due to their proximity to the river and increased surface runoff during high flood events. By amalgamating various data sources and methods, this research aids decision making for flood mitigation and urban development, fostering resilience against recurrent flooding events in Cruzeiro do Sul.

Non-Technical Summary Powerful influences on societal knowledge, values, and behavior, artificial intelligence-infused media systems, new and old, currently reinforce the interlinked problems of inequality and unsustainable consumption. This problem is rarely discussed in environmental research and policy, and even less so how it might be overcome. Discussing this consequential blind spot and the power structures that underpin it, this article argues that sustainability researchers should centrally explore the need and possibilities for democratic reconfiguration of the political economies and charters of media systems to achieve sustainability and other broad, inclusive public goals.Technical Summary Powerful influences on societal knowledge, values and behavior, artificial intelligence-infused media systems, new and old, currently tend to reinforce the interlinked problems of inequality and unsustainable consumption. This problem is rarely discussed in environmental research and policy, and even less so how it might be overcome. Discussing this consequential blind spot and the power structures that underpin it, this article argues that sustainability researchers should centrally explore the possibilities for democratic governance and reconfiguration of the political economies of media systems to foster human wellbeing and just transformations toward sustainability.Social Media Summary Sustainability transformations require ‘signification steering’ and interventions in media systems’ configurations.

The possibility that the Amazon forest system could soon reach a tipping point, inducing large-scale collapse, has raised global concern13. For 65 million years, Amazonian forests remained relatively resilient to climatic variability. Now, the region is increasingly exposed to unprecedented stress from warming temperatures, extreme droughts, deforestation and fires, even in central and remote parts of the system1. Long existing feedbacks between the forest and environmental conditions are being replaced by novel feedbacks that modify ecosystem resilience, increasing the risk of critical transition. Here we analyse existing evidence for five major drivers of water stress on Amazonian forests, as well as potential critical thresholds of those drivers that, if crossed, could trigger local, regional or even biome-wide forest collapse. By combining spatial information on various disturbances, we estimate that by 2050, 10% to 47% of Amazonian forests will be exposed to compounding disturbances that may trigger unexpected ecosystem transitions and potentially exacerbate regional climate change. Using examples of disturbed forests across the Amazon, we identify the three most plausible ecosystem trajectories, involving different feedbacks and environmental conditions. We discuss how the inherent complexity of the Amazon adds uncertainty about future dynamics, but also reveals opportunities for action. Keeping the Amazon forest resilient in the Anthropocene will depend on a combination of local efforts to end deforestation and degradation and to expand restoration, with global efforts to stop greenhouse gas emissions.

The Atlantic Forest is the most threatened Brazilian biome, with less than 10% of its original surface cover remaining. Thus, several programs of payment for ecosystem services have been developed in this biome focusing on revegetation of degraded areas. Forest regeneration promotes the development of soil invertebrate communities that play an important role in soil processes, delivering a wide range of ecosystem services. We studied the changes in macrofauna communities in three forests under different regeneration stages and the relationship between these invertebrates and soil chemical and physical properties. Macrofauna and soil chemical and physical properties were sampled until 30 cm depth in three forest fragments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest under different regeneration stages: young regenerating forest (∼8 years old), secondary forest in intermediate regeneration stage (∼20 years old) and native secondary forest fragment. No significant differences in saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) were observed among sites, however, the old native forest showed reduction in Ks in deeper layers compared to young regenerating forests. Several macrofauna taxa were positively correlated with Ks and soil carbon. The stage of regeneration modified the abundance and diversity of these invertebrates in general (except for earthworms), and the old native forest showed high abundance of most taxa. In conclusion, our study highlights the potential of macrofauna communities as robust indicators of soil functions re-establishment in regenerating forests within the Atlantic Forest biome. The observed positive correlations between macrofauna abundance and diversity with soil water infiltration and organic carbon content emphasize the key role of these invertebrates to essential ecosystem functions.

In this study, a comprehensive multiscale analysis of compounding drought-heat events in the Pantanal region is presented. The goal is to assess the multiscale nature of drought and determine whether the combined effects of drought and heatwaves, as driving factors, are more relevant than the effects of each event separately. The study describes a persistent interannual extreme event characterized by drought and heatwaves in the Pantanal, lasting from 2019 to 2021. The extreme event involved a prolonged dry season, a shortened and delayed rainy season, and persistent heatwaves, resulting in the emergence of drought-heat compound events. Despite experiencing consecutive months of increasing drought hazards and a delayed rainy season in late 2020 to 2021, the northern Pantanal region was unable to recover from the water deficit accumulated due to water stress in the previous year. This emphasizes the long-lasting impacts of compound events on water availability and ecosystem health. Furthermore, the study suggests that interannual water stress played a crucial role in explaining the context that led to record-breaking daily maximum temperatures during the austral spring of 2020. The regions most at risk for such compound extreme events are the northern and central Pantanal. Looking at longer timescales, the analysis of compound drought-heat events can provide insights essential for understanding and preventing their impacts, particularly those that could trigger fire outbreaks.

The presence of an aerosol layer in the upper troposphere/lower stratosphere (UT/ LS) in South America was identified with the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2). This layer, which we shall refer to as the South American tropopause aerosol layer (SATAL), was identified over the Amazon basin at altitudes between 11 and 14 km. It exhibits a seasonal behavior similar to the Asian tropopause aerosol layer (ATAL) and the North American tropopause aerosol layer (NATAL). The SATAL is observed from October to March, coinciding with the presence of the South American monsoon. It forms first in the eastern Amazon basin in October, then moves to the southern Amazon, where it weakens in DecemberJanuary and finally dissipates in FebruaryMarch. We hypothesize that two main factors influence the SATAL formation in the UT/LS: 1) the source of aerosols from Africa and 2) the updraft mass flux from deep convective systems during the active phase of the South American monsoon system that transports aerosols to the UT/LS. Further satellite observations of aerosols and field campaigns are needed to provide useful information to find the origin and composition of the aerosols in the UT/LS during the South American monsoon.

A Bacia do Rio Paraíba do Sul é um importante depósito de sedimentos, e tal fato, somado a sua localização estratégica, transforma o Vale do Paraíba em uma importante fonte do mineral não-metálico. A região conta com normativos acerca da extração mineral bastante específicos e restritivos, o que leva os empreendimentos minerários a envidarem grandes esforços para o cumprimento das questões legais. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma análise espacial das cavas de mineração de areia no município de Caçapava, Estado de São Paulo, quanto às legislações ambientais. O método utilizado consistiu na identificação e caracterização das áreas de mineração quanto às questões legais utilizando ferramentas de análise espacial baseadas em distância e intersecção. Como resultados, pode-se verificar a presença de áreas com desconformidades no que se refere à distância mínima de áreas urbanizadas, incidência em áreas de proteção ambiental e zonas de várzea. Tais fatos, somados aos já conhecidos impactos ambientais causados pela atividade de mineração, agravam os riscos aos corpos dágua e sua vizinhança. Conclui-se que o método proposto é uma importante ferramenta para o monitoramento constante dessas áreas e que pode auxiliar órgãos ambientais fiscalizadores a tomadas de decisão mais assertivas.