Estimation of vegetation carbon stock in Portugal using land use/ land cover data

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial TechnologiesThis research aimed to quantify the carbon stored over the years in vegetation throughout Continental Portugal. Carbon stock was measured for the years of 1985, 2000 and 2006. For this, the CORINE (Co-Ordination of Information on the Environment) Land Cover (CLC) database was used to estimate the spatial distribution and quantity of carbon stored by each land cover class. Carbon stock was the result of each CORINE land cover class area multiplied by its respective carbon density. Densities were derived from literature, namely Portuguese Environmental Agency tables. Results show a decrease of carbon stock for the time lapse of both 1985-2000 and 2000-2006. The year 1985 had a total carbon stock of 173.08 Mt, 2000 resulted in a total of 170.22 Mt and finally the year 2006 with 159.97 Mt. Spatial distribution of the carbon stock was also verified as well as the statistics per class. Results show that the gathering of carbon stock records is a key step in monitoring changes in carbon sequestration. By using CORINE land cover as a default database, this methodology may be used by other countries members of the CORINE program and therefore may be easily comparable in between them. In another approach, the COS LULC (Carta de Ocupação do Solo or land Use Cartography) was used to compare the impact and effect of scale on carbon stock estimation, represented here by different minimum mapping units (MMU). The COS land cover from the year 1990, with a 1 ha MMU was generalized into 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 ha as a way to gather information on the effects of scale differences. Results showed a small difference but with certain remarks regarding each study area

Modelagem da dinâmica de vegetação nativa na bacia do Rio Piracicaba e seus efeitos na oferta de serviços ecossistêmicos

Studies from the Forestry Institute of São Paulo State have shown that in the end of the 20th century, the native forest cover of the state of SP reached the maximum level of forest loss. From that point on, a period of forest increase and expansion started. Industrialization, law enforcement, economic benefits, and social pressure experienced in recent years are believed to be contributing to the preservation and regrowth of the native vegetation cover in certain locations. This study proposed to model the dynamics of native vegetation cover in the Piracicaba River basin (12,500 km²) in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to evaluate possible effects of these changes in ecosystem services related to river flow & regulation and landscape structure, linking to biodiversity & habitat supported by forest patches. To achieve the proposal set out in this research, dynamic models of native vegetation were established. Thematic land cover maps of the years 1990, 2000 and 2010, originated from Landsat 5 TM images, formed the spatiotemporal basis of this study. With the aid of Dinamica EGO (a dynamic modeling software), three future scenarios were created, called status quo (SQ), no deforestation (ND) and riparian restoration enforcement (RRE). An analysis using weights of evidence was done to identify forest transition drivers. The drivers are divided into two groups, (1) environmental & physical, consisting of soil types, hydrographic network, rainfall and presence of native forest fragments and (2) anthropic, consisting of population density, gross national product, road network, urban patches and predominant rural activities. Resulting scenarios were analyzed by means of landscape metrics to compare and qualify vegetation patches in relation to structure as proxy for supporting ecosystem services. Finally, Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), a hydrological model, was used to determine the influence of different forest scenarios in mean annual water yield and regulation processes throughout the basin, and, therefore, compare scenarios as to effects on regulating ecosystem services. Results show that forest transition is indeed occurring, with native vegetation cover parting from 24.4% in 1990, to 20.1% in 2000 and 21.8% in 2010. Scenario results were of 22.4% (SQ), 43.2% (ND) and 28.4% (RRE) for 2050. Forest loss was identified as a product of anthropogenic drivers while regrowth was of physical & environmental drivers. When the area was segmented, regions with greater environmental condition resulted in improved values of landscape structure. SQ scenario was the most affected, losing small patches of forest that could function as structural connectors, and therefore potentially affect biodiversity and habitat. Mean annual water yield was reduced with forest regrowth by as much as 10.3% in ND. We concluded that the dynamics occurring in the landscape and the proposed scenarios affect mean annual water yield, regulation and landscape structure, allowing us to discuss differences between the scenarios and the relation between forest dynamics, landscape structure, hydrology and overtime potential effects over regulating and supporting ecosystem services.Levantamentos do Instituto Florestal de São Paulo têm mostrado que no final do século XX a cobertura florestal nativa total do estado atingiu um patamar de perda e que se iniciou então um período de expansão. Rigidez de leis, fiscalização, benefícios econômicos, além de pressão social demonstrados nos últimos anos têm contribuído para essa expansão da vegetação nativa em certos locais. Este estudo propôs modelar a dinâmica da cobertura florestal nativa na bacia do Rio Piracicaba (12.500 km2), localizada no Estado de São Paulo, para averiguar os possíveis efeitos dessas mudanças nos serviços ecossistêmicos ligados à vazão e regulação de rios, além da própria estrutura da paisagem simulada, interligando-se com biodiversidade e habitat, promovidos pelos remanescentes florestais. Para atingir a proposta estabelecida nesta pesquisa, modelos de dinâmica da vegetação nativa foram desenvolvidos. Foram utilizados mapas temáticos de cobertura e uso do solo dos anos 1990, 2000 e 2010 originados a partir de imagens Landsat 5 TM. Com auxílio do software Dinamica EGO, especializado em modelagem da paisagem, criaram-se três modelos espaciais e temporais da dinâmica florestal, levando em consideração os cenários status quo (SQ), no deforestation (ND) e riparian restoration enforcement (RRE). Uma análise usando pesos de evidência foi utilizada para identificar as variáveis de transição florestal. As variáveis foram divididas em dois grupos, (1) físicas e ambientais, consistindo de tipos de solo, rede de drenagem, pluviosidade e presença de fragmentos florestais e (2) antrópicos, consistindo de densidade populacional, produto interno bruto, rede viária, zonas urbanas e predominância de atividade rural. Os cenários resultantes foram analisados por métricas de paisagem para fim de comparação e qualificação dos fragmentos em relação a sua estrutura, interligando-se aos serviços ecossistêmicos de suporte. Por último, foi realizada uma modelagem hidrológica usando o modelo Soil & Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) para averiguar a influência da mudança florestal na regulação de vazão de rios e portanto comparar os cenários em relação aos seus efeitos sobre serviços ecossistêmicos de regulação interligados à água. Resultados mostraram que transição florestal ocorreu, passando a cobertura florestal de 24,4% em 1990 para 20,1% em 2000 e então 21,8% em 2010. Cenários resultaram em uma cobertura florestal de 22,4% (SQ), 43,2% (LE) e 28,4% (RRE) para o ano de 2050. A perda de floresta foi identificada como produto de variáveis de natureza antrópica enquanto o ganho florestal foi de variáveis físicas e ambientais. Regiões com melhores condições ambientais resultaram em melhores valores de estrutura da paisagem. SQ foi afetado principalmente pela perda de pequenos fragmentos florestais que funcionam como conectores estruturais da paisagem, potencialmente afetando a biodiversidade e habitat. O deflúvio médio anual foi reduzido em até 10,3% com o incremento florestal observado em ND. Conclui-se que a cobertura florestal na paisagem e os cenários propostos afetam o deflúvio, regulação e a estrutura da paisagem, nos permitindo discutir nas diferenças entre cada cenário e a relação entre dinâmica florestal, estrutura da paisagem, hidrologia e potenciais efeitos nos serviços ecossistêmicos de suporte e regulação

Participative site-specific agriculture analysis for smallholders

Site-specific agriculture has been adopted in a high-tech context using, for instance, in situ sensors, satellite images for remote sensing analysis, and some other technological devices. However, farmers and smallholders without the economic resources and required knowledge to use and to access the latest technology seem to find an impediment to precision agricultural practices. This article discusses the possibility of adopting precision agriculture (PA) principles for site-specific management but in a low technology context for such farmers. The proposed methodology to support PA combines low technology dependency and a participatory approach by involving smallholders, farmers and experts. The case studies demonstrate how the interplay of low technology and a participative approach may be suitable for smallholders for site-specific agriculture analysis

Índice de vegetação no algodoeiro sob diferentes doses de nitrogênio e regulador de crescimento

The increasing cost of nitrogen fertilizer, combined with high losses, demand management practices that result in high efficiency of nitrogen use by crops, considering the reduction of risks to the environment. Our objectives were to evaluate the index of normalized difference vegetation – NDVI – the variation of nitrogen and growth regulator and its relationship to foliar N and chlorophyll in cotton crops. The experiment was conducted on Distroferric Latosol (Oxisol), in Dourados, MS. We adopted a randomized block design in split plot with four replications. The main treatments consisted of doses of growth regulator (0, 0.30 and 0.60 L ha-1), the secondary treatments consisted of five N rates (0, 30, 70, 110 and 150 kg ha-1). The NDVI obtained by an active optical sensor was influenced significantly by the N and the growth regulator application, but on most of the readings the interactions between these two factors were not significant. NDVI values can be used on the diagnostic of N nutritional deficiencies for cotton.O custo crescente dos fertilizantes nitrogenados, aliado às elevadas perdas, aumenta a necessidade de práticas de manejo que resultem em alta eficiência de utilização do nitrogênio pelas culturas, considerando a redução de riscos ao ambiente. Nessa premissa, objetivou-se avaliar a resposta do índice de vegetação da diferença normalizada (NDVI) à variação de doses de nitrogênio e regulador de crescimento e sua relação com os teores foliares de N e de clorofila na cultura do algodoeiro. O experimento foi conduzido em um Latossolo Vermelho distroférrico, em Dourados, MS. Adotou-se um delineamento em blocos aleatorizados, no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com 4 repetições. Os tratamentos principais consistiram de doses de regulador de crescimento (0, 0,30 e 0,60 L ha-1); os tratamentos secundários consistiram de 5 doses de N (0, 30, 70, 110 e 150 kg ha-1). O NDVI obtido através de sensor óptico ativo foi influenciado significativamente, tanto pelas doses de N quanto pela aplicação do regulador de crescimento, porém, na maior parte das leituras não houve interação significativa entre estes dois fatores. Os valores do NDVI podem ser usados para diagnosticar deficiências nutricionais relativas ao N na cultura.

Manuscript Dataset - A landscape approach for optimizing the cost-effectiveness of large-scale forest restoration

<p>This is a complete dataset for achieving results of the manuscript "<strong>A landscape approach for optimizing the cost-effectiveness of large-scale forest restoration</strong>". </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Abstract: </strong></p> <ol> <li>Achieving global targets for forest restoration will require cost-effective strategies to replace agricultural land with forest, while minimizing implementation costs and negative outcomes for agricultural production.</li> <li>Here, we present a landscape approach for optimizing the cost-effectiveness of large-scale forest restoration. Across different landscapes within Brazil's Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, we modelled landscape scenarios based on spatially-explicit data on the probability of natural regeneration, restoration costs, land opportunity costs, and forest restoration outcomes for increasing carbon stocking and landscape connectivity<em>.</em> We compare benefits of our cost-reduction approach to the often-targeted riparian restoration and randomly distributed approaches.</li> <li>Compared with riparian prioritization and considering both implementation and opportunity costs, our cost-reduction scenario produced the greatest savings (20.9%) in mechanized agricultural landscapes.</li> <li>When only considering implementation costs, our cost-reduction scenario led to the highest savings (38.4%) in the landscape with highest forest cover where natural regeneration potential is highest and enables cost-effective carbon stocking and connectivity.</li> <li><em>Synthesis and applications.</em> Our approach can be parameterized for other regions, to guide forest restoration planning and maximize specific outcomes with minimal costs and reduction of agricultural production.</li> </ol

Variabilidade espacial de atributos químicos do solo e produtividade do algodoeiro

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de estudar a variabilidade espacial da fertilidade do solo e produtividade do algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum L. var latifolium Hutch) em uma lavoura comercial, em um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Distrófico localizado em Chapadão do Céu, Goiás, Brasil. Foi estabelecido um esquema de amostragem em intervalos regulares de 100 m. Os dados de produtividade foram coletados em células amostrais de 3,60 m2. A variabilidade espacial dos atributos do solo e produtividade do algodoeiro foi descrita utilizando os parâmetros do semivariograma obtidos pela análise geoestatística. Foi verificado, em média, que os valores de pH e V% encontravam-se relativamente baixos, enquanto os teores de P e K podem ser classificados como altos. As correlações espaciais diferiram entre as variáveis. A variável P apresentou fraca dependência espacial, Mg apresentou forte e as demais variáveis foram moderadamente dependentes espacialmente. Os dados da variável CTC foram ajustados ao modelo exponencial e os dados das demais variáveis foram ajustados ao modelo esférico, com exceção da variável K, que apresentou efeito pepita puro. Os valores de alcance de dependência espacial variaram de 222 m para Mg a 452 m para P e de 191 m para a produtividade

ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS: a data set of bird morphological traits from the Atlantic forests of South America

Scientists have long been trying to understand why the Neotropical region holds the highest diversity of birds on Earth. Recently, there has been increased interest in morphological variation between and within species, and in how climate, topography, and anthropogenic pressures may explain and affect phenotypic variation. Because morphological data are not always available for many species at the local or regional scale, we are limited in our understanding of intra- and interspecies spatial morphological variation. Here, we present the ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS, a data set that includes measurements of up to 44 morphological traits in 67,197 bird records from 2,790 populations distributed throughout the Atlantic forests of South America. This data set comprises information, compiled over two centuries (1820–2018), for 711 bird species, which represent 80% of all known bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest. Among the most commonly reported traits are sex (n = 65,717), age (n = 63,852), body mass (n = 58,768), flight molt presence (n = 44,941), molt presence (n = 44,847), body molt presence (n = 44,606), tail length (n = 43,005), reproductive stage (n = 42,588), bill length (n = 37,409), body length (n = 28,394), right wing length (n = 21,950), tarsus length (n = 20,342), and wing length (n = 18,071). The most frequently recorded species are Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 1,837), Turdus albicollis (n = 1,658), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 1,468), Turdus leucomelas (n = 1,436), and Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 1,384). The species recorded in the greatest number of sampling localities are Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 243), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 242), Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 210), Platyrinchus mystaceus (n = 208), and Turdus rufiventris (n = 191). ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS (ABT) is the most comprehensive data set on measurements of bird morphological traits found in a biodiversity hotspot; it provides data for basic and applied research at multiple scales, from individual to community, and from the local to the macroecological perspectives. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or teaching and educational activities. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS

Scientists have long been trying to understand why the Neotropical region holds the highest diversity of birds on Earth. Recently, there has been increased interest in morphological variation between and within species, and in how climate, topography, and anthropogenic pressures may explain and affect phenotypic variation. Because morphological data are not always available for many species at the local or regional scale, we are limited in our understanding of intra- and interspecies spatial morphological variation. Here, we present the ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS, a data set that includes measurements of up to 44 morphological traits in 67,197 bird records from 2,790 populations distributed throughout the Atlantic forests of South America. This data set comprises information, compiled over two centuries (1820–2018), for 711 bird species, which represent 80% of all known bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest. Among the most commonly reported traits are sex (n = 65,717), age (n = 63,852), body mass (n = 58,768), flight molt presence (n = 44,941), molt presence (n = 44,847), body molt presence (n = 44,606), tail length (n = 43,005), reproductive stage (n = 42,588), bill length (n = 37,409), body length (n = 28,394), right wing length (n = 21,950), tarsus length (n = 20,342), and wing length (n = 18,071). The most frequently recorded species are Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 1,837), Turdus albicollis (n = 1,658), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 1,468), Turdus leucomelas (n = 1,436), and Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 1,384). The species recorded in the greatest number of sampling localities are Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 243), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 242), Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 210), Platyrinchus mystaceus (n = 208), and Turdus rufiventris (n = 191). ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS (ABT) is the most comprehensive data set on measurements of bird morphological traits found in a biodiversity hotspot; it provides data for basic and applied research at multiple scales, from individual to community, and from the local to the macroecological perspectives. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or teaching and educational activities. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ