PARTICIPATIVE MANAGEMENT OF AMAZONIAN NATURAL RESOURCE – PROVÁRZEA’S EXPERIENCE

A partir da década de 1990 a Amazônia tornou-se alvo do desenvolvimento de projetos e pesquisas direcionados para a conservação da natureza. Uma destas iniciativas foi o ProVárzea, projeto vinculado ao PPG7 voltado para o manejo dos ecossistemas de várzea da região central da Bacia Amazônica. O presente estudo analisa os resultados, impactos e lições do apoio do ProVárzea a projetos de manejo participativo dos recursos naturais amazônicos. No período de 2004 a 2007, foram feitas visitas técnicas e realizadas reuniões envolvendo beneficiários, técnicos e coordenadores de cada um dos projetos apoiados. Complementarmente, foram analisados relatórios de implementação de atividades das experiências de manejo desenvolvidas. Ao longo de seis anos, o ProVárzea apoiou técnica e financeiramente 25 projetos, beneficiando 115.486 pessoas em 39 municípios dos estados do Amazonas e Pará, e promovendo o manejo em cerca de 100.000 hectares de ecossistemas terrestres e aquáticos. Os projetos apoiados desenvolveram sistemas inovadores de manejo dos recursos naturais em quatro linhas temáticas - manejo dos recursos pesqueiros, manejo dos recursos florestais, fortalecimento institucional e agropecuária. O modelo de uso e gestão participativa dos recursos naturais praticado pelas instituições e comunidades apoiadas pelo ProVárzea representou uma nova forma de integrar as ações do Estado com a sociedade civil organizada, contribuindo com a sustentabilidade social, econômica e ambiental na Amazônia.Palavras-chave: Amazônia, desenvolvimento sustentável, políticas públicas.From the 1990s the Amazon became the target of development projects and research directed to the conservation of nature. One of these initiatives was the ProVárzea, project linked to PPG7 facing the management of floodplain ecosystems of central Amazon Basin. This study analyzes the results, impacts and lessons from the ProVárzea support regarding participatory management projects of Amazonian natural resources. In the period 2004-2007, were conducted technical visits and realized meetings involving beneficiaries, technicians and coordinators to each one of the projects supported. Additionally, reports of implementation of activities of the experiences of developed systems were analyzed. During six years, the ProVárzea project invested an amount of R$ 8.928.834,34 among 25 supported projects, benefiting 115.486 people in 39 municipalities in the states of Amazonas and Pará, and promoting management in approximately 100.000 ha of terrestrial and water ecosystems. The supported projects have developed innovative systems of natural resource management in four thematic areas - management of fishery resources, forest resources management, institutional strengthening and agriculture. The model of use and participative management of natural resource practiced by the institutions and communities supported by ProVárzea represented a new way of integrating the state shares with organized civil society, contributing to social, economic and environmental sustainability in the Amazon.Keywords: Amazon; Sustenable development; Public policies

Pesquisa e monitoramento como subsídios para a conservação dos recursos pesqueiros na Rebio do Abufari (Amazonas, Brasil)

The generation of knowledge to manage natural resources is essential to establish conservation strategies. Thus, research, monitoring, integration of scientific and empirical knowledge, with the objective of preserving the ichthyofauna are being carried out in the Abufari Biological Reserve (Rebio do Abufari), the results can subsidize managers and communities on management and the establishment of a Term of Commitment to minimize conflicts between fisheries by riverine populations and the restrictive category of the protected area. A Fishing Diagnosis was developed with the purpose of characterizing fisheries and its importance in this protected area. At the same time, a protocol for self-monitoring fisheries by fishermen was implemented by the Freshwater Subprogram of the Monitora Program of the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, in partnership with the Institute of Ecological Research, to observe changes in activity, through analysis of the results produced by fishermen and the communities. In addition, the protected area is part of the Long-Term Ecological Research Program - Diversity of Floodplains (PELD DIVA-CNPq) coordinated by the National Institute of Research in the Amazon, which aims to produce knowledge about ichthyofaunistic diversity and fishing stocks in floodplains and to discover how fish communities react to different management actions and climate change. To promote the dialogue on the results of the initiatives among the actors involved, the Meeting of Knowledge at this protected area was held in 2020. In this article we will describe the activities carried out and the main results, aiming to subsidize the Term of Commitment and ichthyofauna conservation strategies that can reduce existing conflicts between the different actors. La generación de conocimiento orientado a la gestión de los recursos naturales es fundamental para establecer estrategias de conservación de la biodiversidad. En ese sentido, en la Reserva Biológica de Abufari (Rebio do Abufari) se están realizando iniciativas de investigación, monitoreo, integración de conocimientos científicos y empíricos, con objetivos de conservación de la ictiofauna. Los resultados de estas iniciativas podrán apoyar a los gestores y comunidades en la gestión y establecimiento de un Carta de Compromiso que minimice los conflictos generados por el uso de los recursos pesqueros por parte de las poblaciones tradicionales en una unidad de conservación (UC) de protección integral. Se elaboró un Diagnóstico Pesquero con el objetivo de caracterizar la pesca y su importancia en la Reserva. Al mismo tiempo, un protocolo de Automonitoreo de pesquerías, como parte del Subprograma Acuático Continental del Programa Monitora del Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), en alianza con el Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, para observar cambios en la actividad pesquera con el tiempo. Además, la UC es parte del Programa de Investigación Ecológica de Largo Plazo - Diversidad de peixes na várzea amazônica (PELD DIVA-CNPq), que tiene como objetivo producir conocimiento sobre la diversidad ictiofaunística y las poblaciones de peces en áreas de llanuras aluviales y descubrir cómo reaccionan las comunidades de peces a las diferentes acciones de manejo y al cambio climático. Para promover el diálogo sobre los resultados de las iniciativas entre los actores involucrados, en 2020 se realizó el primer Encuentro de Saberes en la Rebio. En este artículo describimos las actividades realizadas y principales resultados, con el objetivo de subsidiar la elaboración del Carta de Compromiso y establecer estrategias para la conservación de la ictiofauna que minimicen los conflictos de interés entre los diferentes atores. A geração de conhecimentos voltados para o manejo de recursos naturais é fundamental para estabelecer estratégias de conservação da biodiversidade. Neste sentido, iniciativas de pesquisa, monitoramento, integração de conhecimento científico e empírico, com objetivos de conservação da ictiofauna estão sendo realizadas na Reserva Biológica do Abufari (Rebio do Abufari). Os resultados dessas iniciativas poderão subsidiar gestores e comunidades no manejo e estabelecimento de um Termo de Compromisso que minimize conflitos gerados pelo uso de recursos pesqueiros por populações tradicionais em uma unidade de conservação (UC) de uso direto. Um Diagnóstico Pesqueiro foi elaborado com a finalidade de caracterizar a pesca e sua importância na Rebio. Paralelamente, foi implementado um protocolo de Automonitoramento da Pesca, como parte do Subprograma Aquático Continental do Programa Monitora do ICMBio, em parceria com o Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas, para observar mudanças na atividade ao longo do tempo. Além disso, a UC integra o Programa de Pesquisa Ecológica de Longa Duração - Diversidade de peixes na várzea amazônica (PELD DIVA-CNPq), coordenado pelo Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, que visa produzir conhecimento sobre diversidade ictiofaunística e estoques pesqueiros em áreas de várzeas e descobrir como as comunidades de peixes reagem às diferentes ações de manejo e mudanças climáticas. Para promover o diálogo sobre os resultados das iniciativas entre os atores envolvidos, foi realizado em 2020 o primeiro Encontro dos Saberes na Rebio. Neste artigo descreveremos as atividades realizadas e principais resultados, visando a subsidiar a elaboração do Termo de Compromisso e estabelecer estratégias de conservação da ictiofauna que possam minimizar conflitos de interesses entre os diferentes atores.Â

Avaliação das estratégias de capacitação para o monitoramento da biodiversidade em unidades de conservação

The article evaluates several training strategies implemented since 2013 within the Monitora Program’s training cycle. We analyzed 39 national courses for focal points from 2013 to 2023 and 15 courses from ICMBio’s People Development National Plan, from 2021 to 2023. All this effort culminated on the Monitora Program implemented in 113 federal protected areas (PAs). An average of 26 students and 10 federal PAs participated in each course. The largest number of PAs starting monitoring usually occurred about one year after the first courses. Reaction evaluation results showed improvement in the participants’ performance at work (92%) and in their confidence to apply the knowledge and skills acquired (87%). It is a great challenge to develop courses for different social and economic realities, therefore different strategies are needed to better develop students' knowledge, skills, and competencies. In this sense, the following strategies stand out: the variety of modalities (face-to-face courses, hybrid, online) and the multiple levels covered (local – only one PA or regional/national – several PAs), collective construction from course design to data analysis, and the diversity of pedagogical tools used in the learning process.El objetivo de este estudio de caso es evaluar las estrategias de formación que se han implementado desde 2013 en el ciclo formativo del Programa Monitora. Se analizaron 39 cursos de puntos focales nacionales, de 2013 a 2023, y 15 cursos del Plan Nacional de Desarrollo de las Personas del ICMBio de 2021 a 2023. Con este esfuerzo de capacitación, se logró iniciar la implementación del Programa Monitora en 113 areas protegidas (APs) federales. En cada curso participaron, en promedio, 26 estudiantes y 10 APs federales. Se pudo observar que el mayor número de APs que iniciaron el monitoreo ocurrió generalmente alrededor de un año después de los primeros cursos de puntos focales. El resultado de la evaluación de reacción mostró que los cursos contribuyen a mejorar el desempeño profesional de los estudiantes: el 92% respondió que el curso contribuyó a mejorar su desempeño laboral y el 87% señaló confianza en el uso de los conocimientos y habilidades adquiridos. Es un gran reto desarrollar cursos para el monitoreo de la biodiversidad en el panorama de amplia diversidad ambiental, social y económica, por lo que se necesitan diferentes estrategias para desarrollar mejor los conocimientos, habilidades y competencias de los estudiantes. En este sentido, se destacan las siguientes estrategias: las diferentes modalidades de enseñanza utilizadas (presencial, híbrida, aprendizaje virtual), el formato de cobertura de los cursos (local – una sola AP o regional/nacional – varias APs), la construcción colectiva, desde el diseño del curso hasta el análisis de datos, y la variedad de herramientas pedagógicas utilizadas en el proceso de aprendizaje.O objetivo deste estudo de caso é avaliar as estratégias de capacitação que vêm sendo implementadas desde 2013 no ciclo de capacitação do Programa Monitora. Foram analisados 39 cursos nacionais de pontos focais, de 2013 a 2023, e 15 cursos do Plano Nacional de Desenvolvimento de Pessoas do ICMBio de 2021 a 2023. Com esse esforço de capacitação, foi possível iniciar a implementação do Monitora em 113 unidades de conservação (UCs) federais. Para cada curso, a média foi de 26 alunos e 10 UCs federais participando. Foi possível observar que o maior número de UCs que iniciaram o monitoramento, geralmente, ocorreu em torno de um ano após os primeiros cursos de pontos focais. O resultado da avaliação de reação mostrou que os cursos contribuem para o aprimoramento da atuação profissional dos educandos: 92% responderam que o curso contribuiu para a melhoria no seu desempenho no trabalho, e 87% observaram segurança em usar os conhecimentos e habilidades adquiridos. É um grande desafio elaborar os cursos para o monitoramento da biodiversidade em um panorama de ampla diversidade ambiental, social e econômica. Por isso é necessário diferentes estratégias para um melhor desenvolvimento do conhecimento, das habilidades e das competências dos educandos. Nesse sentido, destacam-se as seguintes estratégias: o uso de diferentes modalidades de ensino (presencial, híbrida, EAD) e os formatos de abrangência do curso (local – apenas uma UC ou regional/nacional – várias UCs), a construção coletiva desde a concepção do curso até a análise dos dados e a variedade de ferramentas pedagógicas utilizadas no processo de aprendizagem

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear understanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5,6,7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8,9,10,11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world's most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepresented in biodiversity databases.13,14,15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may eliminate pieces of the Amazon's biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological communities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple organism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region's vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most neglected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lost

Reproductive cycle and spatiotemporal variation in abundance of the one-sided livebearer Jenynsia multidentata, in Patos Lagoon, Brazil

Jenynsia multidentata is an important component of the fish assemblage of the Patos Lagoon estuary in southern South Brazil. In order to investigate its reproductive cycle and abundance patterns, standardized sampling was conducted over large spatial (marine, estuary and lagoon) and temporal (1996–2003) scales. Both females and males were significantly more abundant during summer (December–March) than winter (June–August). Total abundance was significantly positively correlated with water temperature (R=0.91), but not with salinity and Secchi depth. Females achieved higher average (49.1 mm L T) and maximum size (91 mm) than males (37.7 mm; 66 mm), and average sex ratio was female-biased (3.2:1) across all months. An annual reproductive cycle composed of two cohorts was proposed: individuals born from December to March started reproducing during late winter and spring and individuals born from September to November started reproducing during late summer and fall. A 12-month survey conducted throughout the longitudinal gradient of the lagoon indicated that the species was only present in the estuary, and was absent from marine and upper lagoon areas. The abiotic factors analyzed could not explain this spatial distribution. Inter-annual variation in abundance was great, with higher abundance during drier years. A `dilution effect' was proposed to explain the low abundance of the species in the estuary during high-rainfall trigged by El Niño episode

Spatiotemporal variation in shallow-water freshwater fish distribution and abundance in a large subtropical coastal lagoon

Patos Lagoon is located off the southern Brazilian coast and represents one of the largest coastal lagoons in the world. We estimated hydrological and physicochemical conditions associated with spatial variation in the abundance and diversity of freshwater fishes along the lagoon, and inter-annual variability in abundances of freshwater fishes occurring in its estuarine zone. During our study, the region experienced two periods of average rainfall and two periods with above-average rainfall. The characids Astyanax eigenmaniorum and Oligosarcus jenynsii and the siluriform Parapimelodus nigribarbis were the most abundant freshwater fishes in the estuary during wet periods when water levels were higher and salinity was lower. Increases in abundance of these species in the estuarine area, all of which members of primary-division freshwater families, apparently were associated with pulses of reproduction and passive transport from freshwater habitats located near middle and upper lagoon reaches. Abundance of species from secondary freshwater families, such as poeciliids and cichlids, were less correlated with hydrological conditions, and their patterns of occurrence in the estuary suggest active migration from nearby freshwater habitats draining into this area. Findings indicate that freshwater discharge in the basin and expansion/retraction of freshwaters in the middle-upper lagoon determined patterns of freshwater fish abundance and species richness in the estuarine zon

Uso do sensoriamento remoto para mapeamento dos lagos de acordo de pesca no estado do Amazonas – AM

Fisheries in the Amazon can be divided in five categories: artisanal, commercial, industrial, sporting and ornamental fisheries. Restrictions to fishing in certain areas or in closed bodies of water are used mainly by riverside communities to avoid reduction of fisheries resources of freshwater systems used for their subsistence. The mapping of different lakes to implement participatory management among communities is o great importance for a better understanding of the region. Given this context, the present work had the objective of using remote sponsoring techniques to limit and map fishing lakes in the State of Amazonas. Thus, the method used to map the lakes to help fishing management was made trough satellite imaging and with the participation of fisherman from the communities involved in the process of delimitating the different types of managed lakes. The results obtained in this work demonstrate that in order the use of remote sensing to map fishing accords, we need a strong involvement of the communities and that the use of this methodology has contributed significantly to control fishing stocks in lakes, as well as raising the income of workers involved in the process. Ultimately, the techniques used where of fundamental importance to involve the communities in the fishing activities, since we were able to unite economic development with species conservation.Pages: 4932-493