Animal production from new Panicum maximum genotypes in the Amazon biome, Brazil.

The Panicum maximum breeding program coordinated by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) has been evaluating and selecting genotypes under different soil and climatic conditions, with the objective to release new cultivars adapted to the diverse regions of Brazil. For the Amazon biome, small-plot experiments carried out in Acre between 2003 and 2005 allowed the selection of some promising genotypes (Valentim and Andrade 2005; Valentim et al. 2006; Andrade and Valentim 2009), with higher potential for forage growth than cultivars on the market. The objective of this work was to compare 2 new P. maximum genotypes with cv. Tanzânia in relation to carrying capacity and animal performance, when managed under rotational stocking in the Amazon biome

Animal Production from New \u3cem\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/em\u3e Genotypes in the Amazon Biome, Brazil

The Panicum maximum breeding program coordinated by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation - Embrapa has been evaluating and selecting genotypes under different soil and climatic conditions, with the objective to release new cultivars adapted to the diverse regions of Brazil. For the Amazon biome, small-plot experiments carried out in Acre between 2003 and 2005 allowed the selection of some promising genotypes (Valentim and Andrade 2005; Valentim et al. 2006; Andrade and Valentim 2009), with higher potential for forage growth than cultivars on the market. The objective of this work was to compare 2 new P. maximum genotypes with cv. Tanzânia in relation to carrying capacity and animal performance, when managed under rotational stocking in the Amazon biome

Herbage accumulation, nutritive value, and organic reserves of continuously stocked 'Ipyporã' and 'Mulato II' Brachiariagrasses.

Although Brachiaria spp. grasses are important components of sustainable forage?livestock systems in the Amazon biome, cultivar diversification is needed to reduce risk from pests and diseases. Brachiaria hybrid ?BRS RB331 Ipyporã? [B. ruziziensis Germ. & Evrard ´ B. brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Stapf] was released in 2017 as an alternative for intensively managed forage?livestock systems. Our objective was to compare herbage accumulation (HA), nutritive value, and organic reserves of Ipyporã and standard hybrid ?Mulato II? (B. ruziziensis ´ B. brizantha ´ B. decumbens Stapf) under continuous stocking during 2 yr in the Amazon biome. Treatments were the two cultivars replicated four times in a randomized complete block design, and each experimental unit was 1.5 ha. Pastures of Mulato II presented 15% greater HA than Ipyporã (17,360 vs. 14,930 kg dry matter ha−1 yr−1) across the 2 yr, and Mulato II leaf mass was greater than Ipyporã (1440 vs. 1900 kg dry matter ha−1) in the dry season. Both cultivars had greater herbage mass, HA, and herbage bulk density during the rainy season of 2016?2017 compared with 2017?2018 due to a shorter period of water deficit (30 d) and greater rainfall (2147 vs. 1762 mm) in the first than second year. Mulato II herbage crude protein was 10 g kg−1 greater than Ipyporã. In this severe risk region for spittlebug, Mulato II required spittlebug monitoring and control due to occurrence of foliar damage. Although Ipyporã had lesser HA, no spittlebug damage was evident. Thus, Ipyporã is an attractive alternative for diversification of forage-based livestock systems in the Amazon biome

On the extent of fire-induced forest degradation in Mato Grosso, Brazilian Amazon, in 2000, 2005 and 2010

In this paper we analyse the extent of fire-induced forest degradation in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. We utilise a sample based approach used in a previous pan-tropical deforestation survey to derive information on land cover and burned areas in the two major biomes of Mato Grosso: Amazon and Cerrado. Land cover and burned area are mapped for three years (2000–2005–2010) over 77 sample sites (10 000 ha each) distributed systematically throughout the state which 5 covers 90.337 Mha. Our results indicate continuing forest degradation by fires in the state and potentially increasing fire susceptibility of the Amazon forests, regardless of the decrease in deforestation. 2010 witnessed the most extensive fire induced forest degradation (,300 000 ha) in the forests of the Amazon biome among the study years, regardless of the fact that the fire season was less severe than in 2005. Deforestation in the Amazon biome in Mato Grosso dropped from 590 000 ha year in the 2000–2005 period to 190 000 ha year in the second half of the decade. The findings of this study advocate the inclusion of forest fire effects into carbon accounting initiatives.JRC.H.3-Forest Resources and Climat

Elevation drives taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic β-diversity of phyllostomid bats in the Amazon biome

Aim: We evaluated the relative importance of geographical and environment variables for taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional β-diversity of phyllostomid bats along the entire Amazon biome and specifically in the lowlands. Location: Amazon biome. Taxon: Chiroptera. Methods: We carried out a bibliographic review and compiled a wide and unprecedented database of 106 phyllostomid bat species at 102 sites throughout the Amazon biome. For all possible pairs of sites in both datasets, we estimated the Jaccard pairwise dissimilarity, that is, β-diversity, considering its three dimensions—taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional—for its two components—turnover (substitution of species) and differences in species richness. The association between dissimilarity measurements and geographical and environment variables was assessed using multiple regressions on distance matrices (MRM). Results: We found that turnover and differences in species richness had similar contributions to the taxonomic β-diversity. However, for phylogenetic and functional β-diversity, lineages and functions richness differences contribute slightly more than turnover for total β-diversity. In the lowlands, species, lineages and functions richness differences were slightly higher than turnover for all diversity dimensions. When accounting for all the sites, elevation was the main predictor of phyllostomid bats' taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional turnover. For lowland sites, ecoregions was the main (but relatively weak) predictor associated with all β-diversity dimensions. Main conclusions: Analysis of filtering sites according to elevation revealed that species in the Amazonian lowlands are taxonomically and phylogenetically different from species in the Andes, and present taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional redundancy between assemblages. When accounting for the whole range of distribution of bats, results showed the predominant effect of elevation over other geographical and environmental predictors. This indicates that the diversity of good dispersers such as bats is more affected by specialisation along environment and climatic gradients than by geographical barriers throughout the Amazon biomeBat Conservation International; Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; National Geographic Society; Neotropical Grassland Conservancy; Rufford Foundatio

Towards sustainable soy : an assessment of opportunities and risks for soybean production based on a case study Brazil

This study investigates opportunities for and implications of expanding soybean production in developing countries. Increasing soybean production is expected to take place mainly in Latin America. However the international community is increasingly concerned about managing the natural resources in this region. Within the Round Table of Responsible Soy (RTRS) an international dialogue has started to secure that current soybean production and its future expansion is carried out within a sustainable framework. Within the context of this RTRS the study evaluates the compliance of current soybean production in Latin American countries to the sustainability aspects based on the Brazilian case. The research shows that soybean cultivation is embedded in a complex land use system that hampers quick fixes to evolve towards more sustainable production, but also inherit interesting opportunities for the development of integrated soybased production system

Old-growth forest loss and secondary forest recovery across Amazonian countries

There is growing recognition of the potential of large-scale forest restoration in the Amazon as a 'nature-based solution' to climate change. However, our knowledge of forest loss and recovery beyond Brazil is limited, and carbon emissions and accumulation have not been estimated for the whole biome. Combining a 33 year land cover dataset with estimates of above-ground biomass and carbon sequestration rates, we evaluate forest loss and recovery across nine Amazonian countries and at a local scale. We also estimate the role of secondary forests in offsetting old-growth deforestation emissions and explore the temporal trends in forest loss and recovery. We find secondary forests across the biome to have offset just 9.7% of carbon emissions from old-growth deforestation, despite occupying 28.8% of deforested land. However, these numbers varied between countries ranging from 9.0% in Brazil to 23.8% in Guyana for carbon offsetting, and 24.8% in Brazil to 56.9% in Ecuador for forest area recovery. We reveal a strong, negative spatial relationship between old-growth forest loss and recovery by secondary forests, showing that regions with the greatest potential for large-scale restoration are also those that currently have the lowest recovery (e.g. Brazil dominates deforestation and emissions but has the lowest recovery). In addition, a temporal analysis of the regions that were >80% deforested in 1997 shows a continued decline in overall forest cover. Our findings identify three important challenges: (a) incentivising large-scale restoration in highly deforested regions, (b) protecting secondary forests without disadvantaging landowners who depend on farm-fallow systems, and (c) preventing further deforestation. Combatting all these successfully is essential to ensuring that the Amazon biome achieves its potential in mitigating anthropogenic climate change

Acidentes causados pela arraia fluvial Potamotrygon motoro em comunidades lacustres em Território do bioma Oriental da Amazônia

The injuries caused by freshwater stingrays are common among fishermen. The raya Potamotrygon motoro en the features a stinger with a sharp edge and serrated tips spread bilaterally, the stingers have toxins that promote vasoconstriction, causing immediate pain and ischemia. These accidents extensive and could keep victims unable to work from weeks to months. Considering the impact the injuries in riparian fishing communities’ livelihoods, this study aimed to analyze reports of envenomation caused by the freshwater stingray Potamotrygon motoro in two municipalities localizate in the Eastern Amazon biome territory (Baixada Maranhense Ramsar site) in the municipality of Penalva and Viana. The methodology consisted in analyses descriptive and transversal, troght of the application of 40 semi-structured questionnaire in artisanal fishermen in order to obtain clinical and epidemiological data related to the accidents caused for P. motoro in fissherman artisanal. Forty fishers injured by freshwater stingrays were interviewed. Pain and edema were the symptoms common to all fishermen, followed by skin necrosis (70%). Victims often adopt unusual self-treatments, based on traditional and cultural knowledge, such as the use of urine, herbs, smoke of burlap bags and human feces. The number of injuries in each fisherman varied from 2 to 4 times (50%) to up to 10 times (12.5%). The results show that injuries caused by P. motoro are frequent in Penalva and Viana, reinforcing the need for public health agencies to establish preventive educational actions and provide better qualification for health professionals to perform the appropriate treatment for the injuries. Keywords: Animals poisonous. Fish. Occupational health. Environmental health.Os ferimentos causados por arraias de água doce são comuns entre os pescadores. A raia Potamotrygon motoro apresenta um ferrão com uma ponta afiada e pontas serrilhadas espalhadas bilateralmente, os ferrões possuem toxinas que promovem a vasoconstrição, causando dor imediata e isquemia. Esses acidentes são extensos e podem manter as vítimas impossibilitadas de trabalhar por semanas a meses. Considerando o impacto das injúrias na subsistência de comunidades ribeirinhas de pescadores, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar relatos de envenenamento pela arraia Potamotrygon motoro em dois municípios localizados no bioma Amazônia Oriental (sítio Ramsar da Baixada Maranhense) no município de Penalva e Viana. A metodologia consistiu em análises descritivas e transversais, a partir da aplicação de 40 questionários semiestruturados em pescadores artesanais a fim de obter dados clínicos e epidemiológicos relacionados aos acidentes causados por P. motoro em pescadores artesanais. Quarenta pescadores feridos por arraias de água doce foram entrevistados. Dor e edema foram os sintomas comuns a todos os pescadores, seguidos de necrose cutânea (70%). As vítimas costumam adotar auto tratamentos inusitados, baseados em conhecimentos tradicionais e culturais, como o uso de urina, ervas, fumaça de saco de estopa e fezes humanas. O número de lesões em cada pescador variou de 2 a 4 vezes (50%) a até 10 vezes (12,5%). Os resultados mostram que as lesões por P. motoro são frequentes em Penalva e Viana, reforçando a necessidade dos órgãos públicos de saúde estabelecerem ações educativas preventivas e proporcionarem melhor qualificação dos profissionais de saúde para realizar o tratamento adequado das lesões. Palavras-chave: Animais venenosos. Raias. Saúde ocupacional. Saúde ambiental

Estimating the Potential for Conservation and Farming in the Amazon and Cerrado under Four Policy Scenarios

Since 2013, clearing rates have rapidly increased in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes. This acceleration has raised questions about the efficacy of current regional public and private conservation policies that seek to promote agricultural production while conserving remnants of natural vegetation. In this study, we assessed conservation and agricultural outcomes of four potential policy scenarios that represent perfect adherence to private sector, zero-deforestation commitments (i.e., the Amazon soy moratorium—ASM and the Amazon cattle agreements—CA) and to varying levels of implementation of the Brazilian Forest Code (FC). Under a zero-clearing scenario, we find that the extent of croplands as of 2017 within the two biomes (31 MHa) could double without further clearing if agriculture were to expand on all previously cleared land that is suitable for crops. Moreover, at least 47 MHa of land that is already cleared but unsuitable for crops would remain available for pasture. Under scenarios in which only legal clearing under the FC could occur, 51 MHa of additional natural vegetation could be cleared. This includes as many as 1 MHa of nonforest vegetation that could be cleared in the Amazon biome without triggering the ASM and CA monitoring systems. Two-thirds of the total vegetation vulnerable to legal clearing is located within the Cerrado biome, and 19 MHa of this land is suitable for cropland expansion. Legal clearing of all of these areas could reduce biodiversity persistence by 4% within the two biomes, when compared with the zero-clearing scenario, and release up to 9 PgCO2e, with the majority (75%) coming from the Cerrado biome. However, when we considered the potential outcomes of full implementation of the FC, we found that 22% (11 MHa) of the 51 MHa of vegetation subject to legal clearing could be protected through the environmental quotas market, while an additional 1 MHa should be replanted across the two biomes, predominantly in the Amazon biome (73% of the area subject to replanting). Together, quotas and replanting could prevent the release of 2 PgCO2e that would otherwise be emitted if all legal clearing occurred. Based on our results, we conclude that ongoing legal clearing could create additional space for cropland and cattle production beyond the substantial existing stocks of cleared areas but would significantly impair local carbon and biodiversity stocks.</jats:p

Fire Responses to the 2010 and 2015/2016 Amazonian Droughts

Extreme droughts in Amazonia cause anomalous increase in fire occurrence, disrupting the stability of environmental, social, and economic systems. Thus, understanding how droughts affect fire patterns in this region is essential for anticipating and planning actions for remediation of possible impacts. Focused on the Brazilian Amazon biome, we investigated fire responses to the 2010 and 2015/2016 Amazonian droughts using remote sensing data. Our results revealed that the 2015/2016 drought surpassed the 2010 drought in intensity and extent. During the 2010 drought, we found a maximum area of 846,800 km2 (24% of the Brazilian Amazon biome) with significant (p ≤ 0.05) rainfall decrease in the first trimester, while during the 2015/2016 the maximum area reached 1,702,800 km2 (47% of the Brazilian Amazon biome) in the last trimester of 2015. On the other hand, the 2010 drought had a maximum area of 840,400 km2 (23% of the Brazilian Amazon biome) with significant (p ≤ 0.05) land surface temperature increase in the first trimester, while during the 2015/2016 drought the maximum area was 2,188,800 km2 (61% of the Brazilian Amazon biome) in the last trimester of 2015. Unlike the 2010 drought, during the 2015/2016 drought, significant positive anomalies of active fire and CO2 emissions occurred mainly during the wet season, between October 2015 and March 2016. During the 2010 drought, positive active fire anomalies resulted from the simultaneous increase of burned forest, non-forest vegetation and productive lands. During the 2015/2016 drought, however, this increase was dominated by burned forests. The two analyzed droughts emitted together 0.47 Pg CO2, with 0.23 Pg CO2 in 2010, 0.15 Pg CO2 in 2015 and 0.09 Pg CO2 in 2016, which represented, respectively, 209%, 136%, 82% of annual Brazil’s national target for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation by 2017 (approximately 0.11 Pg CO2 year-1 from 2006 to 2017). Finally, we anticipate that the increase of fires during the droughts showed here may intensify and can become more frequent in Amazonia due to changes in climatic variability if no regulations on fire use are implemented