Socio-environmental aspects and health of women working as babaçu coconut shellers in bico do papagaio, Tocantins, Brazil [Aspectos socioambientais e de saúde das quebradeiras de coco babaçu na microrregião do bico do papagaio, Tocantins, Brasil]

Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-12T16:26:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016This study analyzed the environmental and health aspects related to babaçu coconut breakers belonging to the Regional Association of Rural Female Workers, Tocantins State (Portuguese acronym “ASMUBIP-TO”). The breaking of the babaçu coconut is a painful activity, often performed by women of low income, living in rural areas and using rudimentary techniques and equipment. The activity can cause injuries to the hands or other parts of body. In addition, it can cause organic changes due to awkward postures and repetitive movements. The study was both qualitative and quantitative. Data were collected in the field using a structured form with open and closed questions. The respondents mentioned nine symptoms related to breaking the babaçu: back pain, kidney pain, joint pain, body aches, eye problems, sore throat, uterine fibroids, anemia and skin diseases. This work is vital to the economic survival of the breakers. On the other hand, the ASMUBIP contributes to the preservation of babaçu through its political action. The lives of the workers and of the babaçu forests are therefore intricately intertwined. © 2016, Institute for Environmental Research in Hydrographic Basins (IPABHi). All rights reserved.Mourão, I.S.S., Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Taubaté, SP, Brazilde Almeida, J.C.R., Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Taubaté, SP, BrazilUeno, M., Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Taubaté, SP, BrazilKanamura, H.Y., Universidade de Taubaté (UNITAU), Taubaté, SP, Brazi

Increased hydraulic constraints in Eucalyptus plantations fertilized with potassium

International audienceFertilization is commonly used to increase growth in forest plantations, but it may also affect tree water relations and responses to drought. Here, we measured changes in biomass, transpiration, sapwood-to-leaf area ratio (As:Al) and sap flow driving force (ΔΨ) during the 6-year rotation of tropical plantations of Eucalyptus grandis under controlled conditions for throughfall and potassium (K) fertilization. K fertilization increased final tree height by 8 m. Throughfall exclusion scarcely affected tree functioning because of deep soil water uptake. Tree growth increased in K-supplied plots and remained stable in K-depleted plots as tree height increased, while growth per unit leaf area increased in all plots. Stand transpiration and hydraulic conductance standardized per leaf area increased with height in K-depleted plots, but remained stable or decreased in K-supplied plots. Greater Al in K-supplied plots increased the hydraulic constraints on water use. This involved a direct mechanism through halved As:Al in K-supplied plots relative to K-depleted plots, and an indirect mechanism through deteriorated water status in K-supplied plots, which prevented the increase in ΔΨ with tree height. K fertilization in tropical plantations reduces the hydraulic compensation to growth, which could increase the risk of drought-induced dieback under climate chang