Soft-bottom benthic fauna of Araçá Bay, northern coast of São Paulo

Orientador: Antonia Cecília Zacagnini AmaralTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Ecossistemas costeiros fornecem bens e serviços essenciais e sustentam uma grande variabilidade genética e taxonômica. Entretanto, apesar de sua importância, esses ecossistemas encontram-se entre os mais impactados e ameaçados ao redor do globo. Para que esses ecossistemas sejam preservados é fundamental o conhecimento sobre os processos que determinam suas caraterísticas ecológicas. Nesse contexto, essa tese teve como objetivo investigar as comunidades bentônicas macro- e meiofaunais que habitam os sedimentos da baía do Araçá, São Sebastião, SP, e as suas relações com o ambiente. Diferentes métodos de coletas foram utilizados e a fauna foi coletada desde a região entremarés até mais de 20 m de profundidade. Foi constatado que eventos de larga escala relacionados às mudanças climáticas podem provocar significativas mudanças nas características ecológicas da baía (capítulo 1). Também foi observado que a influência de processos espaciais pode ser preponderante nessas comunidades e que essa influência é dependente da capacidade de dispersão das espécies (capítulo 2). A análise conjunta da macro- e meiofauna mostrou que os dois grupos possuem padrões similares em suas comunidades e que são estruturados por variáveis ambientais semelhantes (capítulo 3). Entretanto, o padrão de riqueza de espécies e abundância de indivíduos nessas comunidades foi contrastante, o que destaca que estratégias de conservação e manejo não devem ser baseadas apenas em um desses grupos. De maneira geral, os resultados apresentados nessa tese complementam diversos trabalhos que destacaram a influência de variáveis físico-químicas na fauna bentônica marinha de substratos não-consolidados e demonstram que processos espaciais e eventos extremos podem exercer grande influência na estruturação e manutenção dessas comunidadesAbstract: Coastal ecosystems provide essential goods and services and help maintain a large biodiversity. However, despite their importance, these ecosystems are among the most threatened around the globe. To preserve these ecosystems it is essential to understand the processes that determine their ecological characteristics. In this regard, this thesis aimed to investigate the macro- and meiofaunal benthic communities inhabiting the soft-bottom of Araçá Bay, São Sebastão, SP, as well as their relationship with the environment. Different sampling methods were used and fauna was collected from the intertidal zone to more than 20 m deep. It was observed that large-scale events related to climate change can cause significant changes in the ecological features of the bay (Chapter 1). It was also observed that the influence of spatial processes can be predominant in these communities, and that this influence is dependent on the dispersal abilities of species (Chapter 2). The analysis of macro- and meiofauna showed that the two groups have similar patterns and are structured by similar environmental variables (Chapter 3). Their patterns of species richness and abundance, however, were contrasting, which highlights that conservation and management strategies should not be based on only one of these groups. Overall, the findings of this thesis complement several works that highlighted the influence of physical and chemical variables in the marine benthic fauna inhabiting soft-bottom coastal ecosystems, and demonstrate that spatial processes and extreme events can exert great influence on the assemblage and maintenance of these communitiesDoutoradoEcologiaDoutor em Ecologia2011/10130-3BEX14796/13-9FAPESPCAPE

Growth, mortality, and reproduction of Tagelus plebeius (Bivalvia: Solecurtidae) in Southeast Brazil

Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786) is a stout razor clam that is economically exploited in several countries, including several local fisheries along the Brazilian coast. Despite its wide distribution and economic importance, there are few studies that have examined the population biology of this species. This study aimed to improve the current knowledge about the biology of T. plebeius by investigating its growth and mortality on a subtropical sandy beach in Southeast Brazil over a 1-year period. In addition, the reproduction of T. plebeius was analyzed through qualitative and quantitative histological analyses during the last 7 months of the study. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth function were estimated to be L∞ = 74.14 mm, K = 0.52 year−1, C = 0.47, and WP = 0.94. The instantaneous mortality rate (Z) was 2.16 year−1, and the life span was 2.58 years. We confirmed variations (H = 651.35; P < 0.05) in the shell length over the months of the study, and the recruitment was higher—but still low—in summer. Four cohorts were observed in the distribution of shell length frequencies. The sex ratio of the population was 1:1 during the study period, and a synchronism in gonadal development and spawning was found between males and females. The high mortality (Z) and low recruitment rates can be interpreted as reflecting that the population of T. plebeius is under a low restoration process and could be an indication that this species has an endangered status in the study area.Tagelus plebeius (Lightfoot, 1786) is a stout razor clam that is economically exploited in several countries, including several local fisheries along the Brazilian coast. Despite its wide distribution and economic importance, there are few studies that ha69112FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCNQP - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO06/53561-6SEM INFORMAÇÃOSEM INFORMAÇÃOWe would like to thank R.F. Daolio, C.C. Taffarello, and F.S. MacCord, who contributed to the fieldwork. This work was supported by the Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo-FAPESP (06/53561-6), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de

Brazilian sandy beaches: characteristics, ecosystem services, impacts, knowledge and priorities

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Sandy beaches constitute a key ecosystem and provide socioeconomic goods and services, thereby playing an important role in the maintenance of human populations and in biodiversity conservation. Despite the ecological and social importance of these ecosytems, Brazilian sandy beaches are significantly impacted by human interference, chemical and organic pollution and tourism, as well as global climate change. These factors drive the need to better understand the environmental change and its consequences for biota. To promote the implementation of integrated studies to detect the effects of regional and global environmental change on beaches and on other benthic habitats of the Brazilian coast, Brazilian marine researchers have established The Coastal Benthic Habitats Monitoring Network (ReBentos). In order to provide input for sample planning by ReBentos, we have conducted an intensive review of the studies conducted on Brazilian beaches and summarized the current knowledge about this environment. In this paper, we present the results of this review and describe the physical, biological and socioeconomics features of Brazilian beaches. We have used these results, our personal experience and worldwide literature to identify research projects that should be prioritized in the assessment of regional and global change on Brazilian sandy beaches. We trust that this paper will provide insights for future studies and represent a significant step towards the conservation of Brazilian beaches and their biodiversity.Sandy beaches constitute a key ecosystem and provide socioeconomic goods and services, thereby playing an important role in the maintenance of human populations and in biodiversity conservation. Despite the ecological and social importance of these ecosyt642516CNQP - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)563367/2010-5SEM INFORMAÇÃO2010/52323-0As praias brasileiras fornecem bens e serviços ecossistêmicos fundamentais, desempenhando papel importante para a manutenção de populações humanas e para a conservação da biodiversidade. Entretanto, apesar da sua importância ecológica e social, essas praiWe would like to thank Thalita Forroni, who contributed to the bibliographic study, and Ana Tereza Lyra Lopes and Emanuelle Fontenele Rabelo, who provided valuable information. Special thanks are due to Dr. Alexander Turra for his support and valuable su

Brazilian sandy beaches: characteristics, ecosystem services, impacts, knowledge and priorities

As praias brasileiras fornecem bens e serviços ecossistêmicos fundamentais, desempenhando papel importante para a manutenção de populações humanas e para a conservação da biodiversidade. Entretanto, apesar da sua importância ecológica e social, essas praias são amplamente impactadas por alterações humanas, turismo, poluição química e orgânica e mudanças climáticas globais. Esses fatores tornam urgente a melhor percepção e compreensão das mudanças ambientais nas praias brasileiras, assim como de suas consequências na biota. Com o objetivo de promover estudos integrados que possam detectar variações nas características das praias e de outros habitats bentônicos do litoral do Brasil, foi estabelecida a Rede de Monitoramento de Habitats Bentônicos Costeiros (ReBentos). Para fornecer subsídios para o planejamento amostral da ReBentos, realizamos um intenso levantamento sobre os estudos conduzidos nas praias brasileiras e sintetizamos o atual conhecimento relativo a esse ambiente. Os resultados do levantamento são apresentados no presente trabalho e demonstram as principais características físicas, biológicas e socioeconômicas dessas praias. A partir das informações, assim como de nossa experiência e de pesquisas realizadas em diversos países, apontamos estudos e medidas que devem ser considerados prioritários para a avaliação dos efeitos das mudanças regionais e globais sobre as praias brasileiras. Esperamos que esse trabalho possa fornecer subsídios para futuros estudos e que constitua um importante passo em direção à conservação das praias do Brasil e de sua biodiversidade.Sandy beaches constitute a key ecosystem and provide socioeconomic goods and services, thereby playing an important role in the maintenance of human populations and in biodiversity conservation. Despite the ecological and social importance of these ecosytems, Brazilian sandy beaches are significantly impacted by human interference, chemical and organic pollution and tourism, as well as global climate change. These factors drive the need to better understand the environmental change and its consequences for biota. To promote the implementation of integrated studies to detect the effects of regional and global environmental change on beaches and on other benthic habitats of the Brazilian coast, Brazilian marine researchers have established The Coastal Benthic Habitats Monitoring Network (ReBentos). In order to provide input for sample planning by ReBentos, we have conducted an intensive review of the studies conducted on Brazilian beaches and summarized the current knowledge about this environment. In this paper, we present the results of this review and describe the physical, biological and socioeconomics features of Brazilian beaches. We have used these results, our personal experience and worldwide literature to identify research projects that should be prioritized in the assessment of regional and global change on Brazilian sandy beaches. We trust that this paper will provide insights for future studies and represent a significant step towards the conservation of Brazilian beaches and their biodiversity

Population biology and reproduction of Anomalocardia brasiliana (Gmelin, 1791) (Bivalvia: Veneridae)

Orientador: Antonia Cecilia Zacagnini AmaralDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: Não informadoAbstract: Not informedMestradoEcologiaMestre em Ecologi

Decision-makers’ Use and Abuse of Human Rights - A study into the role of human rights in the political decision-making process leading up to Denmark’s military engagement in Iraq

The thesis critically assesses the decision-making process leading up to the acceptance of bill B 118 which approved Danish military action in the American-led multilateral coalition ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’. The analysis will use coding through a qualitative content analysis to investigate the potential use and abuse of human rights framework by decision-makers, during this process. Theories of just war, activist military politics and the decision-making theory of perception and misperception are used to provide the foundation for the content analysis, as well as positioning the results in the context of the wider political sphere. Though the nature of the investigation does not allow for absolute conclusions, the findings demonstrated how human rights were indeed used as a tool of both persuasion in the hunt for support and as a means to legitimise actions

Population dynamics of the harvested clam Anomalocardia brasiliana (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in cidade beach, south-east Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Knowledge of the population dynamics and productivity of exploited species is essential to achieve the sustainable development of fisheries, and to ensure sustainable, long-term use of these resources. The venerid clam Anomalocardia brasiliana is harvested as a fishery resource from the French West Indies to Brazil. Yet, the exploitation of this species is not backed by management or regulations based on scientific knowledge. This can result in reduced (or even depleted) A. brasiliana density and biomass. Here, we examined the population dynamics of A. brasiliana over the course of 1 year at Cidade Beach, a sheltered sandy beach located in south-eastern Brazil. Sampling was done monthly from March 2007 to February 2008. The sampled population was predominantly juvenile. Growth and recruitment were continuous, indicating no major fluctuation in limiting factors, such as temperature, salinity and food. Nevertheless, the abundance and the turnover rate (P/B ratio) of A. brasiliana at Cidade were much smaller than the values observed in other areas of occurrence. The mortality was more intense in young individuals, and the peak of individual production occurred in individuals with a 25 mm shell length, suggesting that individuals smaller than this size should not be exploited.Knowledge of the population dynamics and productivity of exploited species is essential to achieve the sustainable development of fisheries, and to ensure sustainable, long-term use of these resources. The venerid clam Anomalocardia brasiliana is harveste95611831191CNQP - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)CNPq [Process 131594/2008-7]FAPESP [Process 2008/52392-1]131594/2008-72008/52392-1We thank two anonymous referees for useful comments and the Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar/USP) for providing logistical support and environmental data. We also thank our colleagues, especially Gisele Pelegrini, who helped with the fieldwork and Reb