PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 11: Disturbance Ecology
Tuesday, August 9, 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM, Exhibit Hall 220 A-E, Level 2, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Consequences of agriculture expansion on riparian forests and water amount in the Southeastern of Brazil.
Silva Matos, Dalva*,1, Abrão Neri, Ana Carolina2, 1 Universidade Federal de São Carlos., São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil2 Universidade Federal de São Carlos., São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
ABSTRACT- Formerly found in large areas parallel to the Atlantic Ocean in the Southeast of Brazil, the Atlantic Forest is one of the worlds richest ecosystems, now reduced to 8% of its original area. Remaining forests are becoming increasingly fragmented and isolated in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in which the Atlantic Forest once covered 96% of the state's total area. The social instability and economic situation in this region dictates opportunism and short-term exploitation, increasing the risks of local extinction of species and landscape degradation. Using a small river basin as a model, the objective of this work is to show that the combination of indiscriminate agriculture expansion in a poor region could produce negative impact on biodiversity and consequently on the water quantity, even when it is protected by law. This study was carried out in the region of Teresòpolis (Rio de Janeiro state) (71 72 51/75 32 514 - 71 95 01/75 33 229) were agriculture is the main resource for innumerous families. The social status of the local community was evaluated through the analysis of recent government reports and structured interviews with local people. Changes on biodiversity and water amount were evaluated indirectly by the interviews and by the analysis of springs (22) and riparian vegetation in that region. A total of only 9 springs were found under closed canopy while 6 of these produce enough water that can be used for the local population. Considering their general aspects only 1 spring was surrounded by vegetation in a good conservation status. The expansion of agriculture without planning has contributed significantly to degradation and extinction of riparian forests and also to the disappearance of wild animal species which used to be found in that area. As a consequence of deforestation the amount of water from the springs has substantially decreased while others produce no water during the dry season. Financial support from CNPq/ASCIn.
Key words: atlantic forest, riparian vegetation, water amout, social problems