GEOSPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FOREST SPECIES IN THE BOTANICAL GARDEN OF RECIFE, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

The adoption of appropriate strategies for the conservation and management of forest ecosystems associated with the Atlantic Forest depends on understanding the pattern of spatial distribution of forest species, mainly in protected areas. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the geospatial distribution of forest species in a fragment of Atlantic Forest (Lowland Dense Ombrophilous Forest) in the Botanical Garden of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The phytosociological study was carried out by the plot method, with 40 plots of 10 m x 25 m, systematically distributed, where all living individuals that showed circumference at 1.3 m above the ground ≥ 15 cm were identified and georeferenced. To identify the existence of floristic similarity between the plots, the obtained data were subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis. The spatial variability of forest species was characterized using geostatistical analysis. The data were interpolated by kriging, followed by the construction of thematic maps of spatial distribution. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the formation of two groups of plots. The forest species Artocarpus heterophyllus, Dialium guianense, Helicostylis tomentosa, Hevea brasiliensis, Pouteria durlandii and Thyrsordium spruceanum showed spatial dependence. The use of geostatistics allowed visualizing the spatial distribution arrangements and identifying the concentration sites of these species. Information on the geospatial distribution of forest species can be used for the preservation, conservation and management of forest remnants

O PERFIL DE SENSIBILIZAÇÃO ACERCA DO DESCARTE E REUTILIZAÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS NA CIDADE UNIVERSITÁRIA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO MARANHÃO.

An important aspect the still absent in many universities is planning of disposal, storage and reuse of solid waste. The identification ofsituations faced by academic community regarding generation of waste is essential to the elaboration of programs, projects, systems andpolicies for sustainable management of generated waste. This study aimed to understand how aware of this issue is academic communityof the University City, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), through a profile of the production of solid waste and its impacts on theenvironment. The methodology was based on the application of 509 questionnaires during the year 2011 in four different campuses centers,including 33 undergraduate and graduate departments from various fields, and six administrative centers. The questionnaires consisted ofquestions about recycling policies and waste sorting. According to our results, 67.97 % of respondents know the 3Rs (reduce, reuse andrecycle) and 92.32 % said they would participate in a program for waste management if the university were to do so. However, over 60 % ofrespondents do not separate their household waste. Thus, it is important to note that, although encouraged by the university administration,an effective campaign should include the individual awareness of the academic body.Identificar situações com as quais a comunidade acadêmica se defronta quanto à geração de resíduos é imprescindível para que haja uma elaboração de programas e políticas de gestão sustentável em universidades. Este trabalho visou compreender como se dá a sensibilização da comunidade acadêmica da Cidade Universitária/ UFMA, acerca da produção de resíduos sólidos e seus devidos impactos ambientais. A metodologia baseou-se na aplicação de 509 questionários, com perguntas acerca de políticas de reciclagem e coleta seletiva, abrangendo 33 cursos de graduação e pós-graduação de diversas áreas e seis instâncias administrativas. De acordo com os resultados, 67,97% dos entrevistados conhecem as políticas de reaproveitamento, reutilização e reciclagem de resíduos e 92,32% afirmou que participaria de um programa interno caso houvesse incentivo para tal. Assim, é importante ressaltar que ainda que incentivado pelas instâncias administrativas, uma campanha efetiva deve incluir a sensibilização dos integrantes da comunidade acadêmica em questão

Gas Detection Using LMR-Based Optical Fiber Sensors

This work presents a first approach to the utilization of Lossy Mode Resonance (LMR) based optical fiber sensors for gas detection. The optical sensor is based on a SnO2 thin-film fabricated onto the core of cladding removed multimode fibers (MMF). The time response of the device to four different gases (NH3, NO, CO2 and O2) was monitored obtaining the best sensitivity for NO whereas the response to NH3 revealed the best repeatability

A technique to package Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors for Strain and Temperature Measurements

This paper reports an effective method of packaging a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) for the simultaneous measurement of temperature and strain. The technique consists of embedding two fiber Bragg grating sensors inside a polymeric material with different geometrical characteristics. The mechanical and thermal characterizations of the optical transducer were performed. Then a matrix equation used measurements of the wavelength shifts from the two sensors and yielded information about the temperature and strain coefficients. The preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility of the encapsulation technique allowing measurements of temperature and strain in smart structures and harsh environments. The experimental procedure provides robustness to the sensor and the matrix equation approach has the potential to determine simultaneously the strain and temperature coefficients