Estrutura de Áreas protegidas dos assentamentos de reforma agrária no município de Uberlândia-MG, Brasil: um estudo de ecologia de paisagem / Structure of protected areas of the agrarian reform settlements in the municipality of Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: a landscape ecology study

Este estudo avaliou a estrutura das áreas protegidas de assentamento de reforma agrária, no município de Uberlândia (MG). A pesquisa foi conduzida entre 2010 e 2011. Foram investigados 12 dos 15 assentamentos localizados em Uberlândia. Áreas de Proteção Permanente (APP) e Reservas Legais (RL) foram analisadas por meio de técnicas de mapeamento. Índices morfométricos foram calculados para oito das RL. A área total dos assentamentos foi de 12.756,87 ha, dos quais 3.301,57 ha corresponderam a áreas de proteção (25,88%). As RL, com 2.580,78 ha, representaram 20,23% da área total e 78% das áreas protegidas. As APP somaram 720,79 ha (5,65% da área total). Três assentamentos tiveram RL demarcadas em apenas um fragmento; nos outros, as RL dividiram-se de quatro a seis fragmentos. Com exceção de três assentamentos, todos apresentaram conectividade entre os fragmentos, inclusive com as APP. Zumbi dos Palmares apresentou maior efeito de borda nas áreas protegidas, enquanto os menores valores foram verificados em Nova Tangará. As áreas protegidas nos assentamentos rurais pesquisados equivalem a 167% das áreas ocupadas pelos Parques e Reservas de Uberlândi

Haemoparasites in captive birds at Uberlândia zoo, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Haemoparasites are one of the most important groups of bird parasites, with emphasis on the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma. Zoos sustain different wild animals and are valuable tools for the education and conservation of species. The conditions of captive animals differ from wild animals, as zoos have sufficient availability of food throughout the year, protection against predators and veterinary care for animals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in captive birds of the Sabiá Municipal Park Zoo, municipality of Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from the alveolar vein puncture to make blood swabs. This material was fixed with methanol, stained by the GIEMSA technique and examined under optical microscope. A total of 46 birds (19 species) were analyzed and only three individuals (6.52%) were positive for Plasmodium sp. The hosts were Pavo cristatus and Tyto furcata. This low positivity was expected, since haemoparasites do not generally present high infection rates among birds. Even if a parasite is not pathogenic for a given species, these individuals are important reservoirs for the infection of more vulnerable species. Differences in the prevalence and intensity of infection of these hosts depend on the virulence of the parasite, ability of the host to respond to such infections and vector availability. This low prevalence rate suggests a good health status of the captive birds in the study area

Epidemiologia e controle da esquistossomose mansônica em área onde o hospedeiro intermediário é Biomphalaria tenagophila

The epidemiology and control of schistosomiasis mansoni in the Municipality of Pedro de Toledo (State of S. Paulo, Brazil) since 1980, has been studied. In 1980 the prevalence evaluated by stool exams (Kato-Katz method) was 22.8% and no statistical difference at 5.0% level was observed between rural and urban zones. The intensity of infection was low (58.5 eggs/g of faeces); the highest prevalence and intensity of infection rates were observed within the group of from 5 to 29 years of age, respectively. The transmission of schistosomiasis usually occurred during leisure time. The majority of the carriers of the parasite were asymptomatic. Of the B. tenagophila examined only 0.4% were found to be infected. The control programme has been intensified from 1981 on resulting in a sharp decrease in the prevalence from 22.8% in 1980 to 6% at the present time. This result shows that, in spite of the control programme there is a residual human prevalence. A beginning has been made on the investigation into the possible causes of this residual prevalence (6.0% was maintained through out 1987).Desde 1980, está-se estudando a epidemiologia e o controle da esquistossomose mansônica no Município de Pedro de Toledo (Estado de São Paulo, Brasil). Em 1980 a prevalência avaliada por exame de fezes (método de Kato-Katz) foi de 22,8%. Estatisticamente, ao nível de 5%, não houve diferença nas prêvalencias observadas nas zonas rural e urbana. A intensidade de infecção foi baixa (média geométrica de 58,5 ovos por grama de fezes). As maiores prevalências e intensidades de infecção foram registradas na faixa etária de 5 a 29 anos. Geralmente a transmissão da endemia verificou-se durante o lazer. Apenas 0,4% de B. tenagophila mostraram-se positivos para cercárias de S. mansoni. A maioria dos portadores era assintomático. O programa de controle foi intensificado após avaliação dos dados de 1980, resultando em diminuição acentuada da prevalência de 22,8% em 1980 para 6%. Esta prevalência residual vem se mantendo até 1987. Agora iniciamos estudos para investigar as possíveis causas dessa prevalência residual

The richness of the avifauna in the Parque Municipal do Sabiá, urban area of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais

This work aimed to determine the richness of the avifauna of the Municipal Park of Sabiá, urban perimeter of the municipality of Uberlândia (Brazil), and also to evaluate possible differences in composition among the several landscapes in the study area. The work was accomplished from July 2000 to November 2002, including at least one month of observation in the period of the morning (7:00-11:00) and totalling 33 visits (334 hours). The registrations were made along a transect that crossed different landscapes. A total of 149 species distributed in 16 orders, 38 families and 131 genders were recorded. Five species of endemic birds of the Cerrado were present in the survey: Herpsilochmus longirostris, Hylocryptus rectirostris, Antilophia galeata, Cyanocorax cristatellus and Basileuterus leucophrys. Most of the birds (80%) were classified as residents or probable residents in the Park. The main alimentary guilds were insectivorous (n = 52; 35%), omnivorous (n = 46; 31%) and frugivorous (n = 13; 9%). All areas were considered similar and had a Sorensen index above 0.80, probably associated with the proximity and connectivity of the investigated areas. The results indicate that the Park of Sabiá can be considered an important location for the maintenance of the regional avifauna

COLETA SELETIVA E RECICLAGEM COMO INSTRUMENTOS PARA CONSERVAÇÃO AMBIENTAL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO EM UBERLÂNDIA, MG / Separate collection and recycling as instruments to environmental conservation: a case study in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil

One of the biggest problems of urban centers is the final disposal of waste, the capitalist systemmakes this situation worse. The separate collection and material recycling are among theprincipal solutions to this problem. This study aims to determine the quantity of collectedmaterials from a separate collection company from the city of Uberlândia (MG) and to evaluatethe environmental gains from this process. In the period 2001/2004, the activities carried outby the company were accompanied by the researcher, who also had access to the data registersregarding to the separation, classification and weight of recyclable materials. This data wereused to calculate the potential savings in terms of energy and natural resources. In total, therewere 4.727,74 t. of recyclable materials collected. The mean weight of aluminum deviated from the landfill was 8,22 t/year, this may provide a bauxite saving of 41,1 t. The mean weight ofpaper was 804,26 t/year, allowing a water saving of 19.571,63 thousand of liters. The meanweight of plastic was 369,51 t/year. We remind that plastics recycling provides saving of animportant non-renewable resource: oil. The results indicate that the separate collection andmaterials recycling may offer significant economics and environmental gains to the city ofUberlândia

Assessing the Relative Impacts of Roadkill and Nest Poaching on the Population Viability of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, <i>Ara ararauna</i> (Aves: Psittaciformes), in a Brazilian National Park

The blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) is suffering from higher roadkill rates (RK) at the Emas National Park (ENP), an important Brazilian National Park in the Cerrado biome. This species is also a victim of nest poaching for illegal trade. We modeled the blue-and-yellow macaw population’s viability in ENP and how this viability is affected by roadkill and nest poaching. We hereby report that the species is critically at risk and could be extinct in about a decade when considering both threats. Without considering any threat, 150 individuals are necessary to maintain a viable population. When individuals are harvested at a roadkill rate of 0.008 individuals/km/year and at twice this level, the viability figures increase to 4500 and 7500 birds, respectively. For nest poaching, we estimated that 2000 individuals are required to maintain a viable population. When both threats are present, 5000 individuals are necessary. The dynamics of the population are highly sensitive to the age at which females reproduce for the first time and the proportion of reproducing adult females, followed by the rate of adult survival. Our model demonstrates how even a non-threatened highly mobile species, such as the blue-and-yellow macaw, may be at risk due to human activities

Assessing the Relative Impacts of Roadkill and Nest Poaching on the Population Viability of the Blue-and-Yellow Macaw, Ara ararauna (Aves: Psittaciformes), in a Brazilian National Park

The blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) is suffering from higher roadkill rates (RK) at the Emas National Park (ENP), an important Brazilian National Park in the Cerrado biome. This species is also a victim of nest poaching for illegal trade. We modeled the blue-and-yellow macaw population&rsquo;s viability in ENP and how this viability is affected by roadkill and nest poaching. We hereby report that the species is critically at risk and could be extinct in about a decade when considering both threats. Without considering any threat, 150 individuals are necessary to maintain a viable population. When individuals are harvested at a roadkill rate of 0.008 individuals/km/year and at twice this level, the viability figures increase to 4500 and 7500 birds, respectively. For nest poaching, we estimated that 2000 individuals are required to maintain a viable population. When both threats are present, 5000 individuals are necessary. The dynamics of the population are highly sensitive to the age at which females reproduce for the first time and the proportion of reproducing adult females, followed by the rate of adult survival. Our model demonstrates how even a non-threatened highly mobile species, such as the blue-and-yellow macaw, may be at risk due to human activities