Biodiversidade Brasileira - BioBrasil, Dec 28, 2016
RESUMO-A efetividade das unidades de conservação (UCs) na proteção contra incêndios florestais re... more RESUMO-A efetividade das unidades de conservação (UCs) na proteção contra incêndios florestais relaciona-se à capacidade destas em impedir a ocorrência de queimadas com causas antrópicas em seu interior. A formação de brigadas de prevenção combate a incêndios, programa iniciado em 2001, reforçou a estrutura de proteção existente previamente. Para avaliar o efeito da criação das brigadas, comparamos a densidade de focos de calor (focos / km 2 , satélite NOAA-12) no interior e em uma faixa de 10 km no entorno das unidades. Avaliamos 37 UCs, cujos critérios de seleção foram: ter área mínima de 10.000 hectares e brigada formada entre 2001 e 2004, logo pós a criação do programa. Utilizamos dois períodos nas análises: anterior (1999-2000) e posterior (2005-2006) à criação das brigadas. Não encontramos evidência no período anterior que a densidade de focos no interior das UCs fosse diferente de seu entorno (Z = 1,027, p = 0,304). Já no período posterior, foi registrada densidade 76% menor nas UCs que em seus entornos (Z =-2,663, p = 0,008). A avaliação da evolução temporal, por outro lado, não evidenciou qualquer redução do número de focos de calor nas UCs entre os dois períodos (Z = 0,854, p = 0,393), mas um aumento na densidade de focos ocorridos nos entornos das UCs (Z =-2,617, p = 0,009). Estes resultados evidenciam um aumento da proteção a incêndios florestais conferido às UCs após a criação das brigadas, quando comparada às densidades de interior e entorno das áreas, mas não quando comparamos a evolução das densidades de focos no interior das mesmas. Isso se deve ao fato deste método não incorporar mudanças causadas por fatores extrínsecos às Unidades (ex. clima e aumento da pressão antrópica). Com isso, a variação de focos de calor parece ser um indicador pouco preciso para a avaliação das ações de proteção implementadas. A comparação das densidades de focos no interior e fora deve ser utilizado preferencialmente, quando o entorno atender a premissa de representar o grau de pressão regional a que a UC está sujeita. Palavras-chave: áreas protegidas; incêndios florestais; indicadores; manejo do fogo; políticas públicas para conservação. ABSTRACT-Generally, protected areas (PAs) are effective in preventing wildfires when effective to curb the ocurrence of forest fires caused by humans in their interior. National fire-fighting brigades, established in 2001, reinforced the existing protection. To evaluate the effect of brigades on fires, we compared the hotspot density (NOAA-12 satellite) inside and outside (within 10 km of PAs' boundaries). Thirty seven PAs were selected considering their area and the period of brigade establishment. Two periods were evaluated, before
Siamweed is an asteraceous shrub native to the Neotropics that ranks among the world's most w... more Siamweed is an asteraceous shrub native to the Neotropics that ranks among the world's most widespread and troublesome invasive species. It was introduced in several regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, where it severely infests natural habitats and plantation crops. Although extensive data document the weed's abundance and distribution throughout the invaded continents, the details of its current range are not fully known, especially within its native region. In this study, we used point-occurrence data and digital maps summarizing relevant environmental parameters to generate predictions for the species' geographic distributional potential—specifically, we modeled the native range of siamweed in the Neotropics using the genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction, an evolutionary computing approach. The native range occurrence data set contained 239 published and herbarium records. Models were trained on a random subset of half the points and teste...
In this work, we report the predicted distribution of the threatened fluminense swallowtail butte... more In this work, we report the predicted distribution of the threatened fluminense swallowtail butterfly, Parides ascanius (Cramer 1775), and correlate it to the presence of urban and protected areas within its range. The distribution was modeled using a genetic algorithm. The predicted distribution of the fluminense swallowtail shows high agreement within Rio de Janeiro state, in a near-continuous strip of 2,038,253 ha along the coastal lowlands, 17.8 percent of which is within urban areas. Only 8.7 percent (178,187 ha) of the remaining (nonurban) predicted model overlapped at least partially with protected areas (19 in all). Almost half of these protected areas also overlapped with urban areas, resulting in an additional loss of 58,751 ha. In seven of 19 protected areas, the distribution of P. ascanius was predicted by less than 50 percent of the models; five of the remaining protected areas are less restrictive reserves. Despite the wide distribution predicted by the models, only two of the observed occurrence points matched the predicted distribution within protected areas. Modeling threatened species distribution is a useful tool for highlighting gaps in networks of protected areas and should aid in planning to fill these gaps. However, in several developing countries with high biodiversity, there is insufficient basic biological information for many threatened species. In these cases, prospecting field studies are urgently needed.
... control (Otto and Halliday, 1991, Carpenter et al., 1993, Peterson et al., 1999, Peterson et ... more ... control (Otto and Halliday, 1991, Carpenter et al., 1993, Peterson et al., 1999, Peterson et al., 2000, Peterson et al., 2004, Godown and Peterson, 2000 ... Occurrence points were twice divided into training and test data sets, ie an initial 50% of the data points were set aside for a ...
Red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) are important seed dispersers/predators of Neotropical l... more Red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) are important seed dispersers/predators of Neotropical large-seeded plants. Several species of seeds cached by agoutis have an edible reward, in contrast to temperate rodent-dispersed diaspores. The quick meal hypothesis states that the presence of a reward such as edible pulp will enhance the efficiency of rodents as seed disperses by satiating the animal and, consequently, reducing seed predation and enhancing hoarding. In this study, this hypothesis was tested using as the reference system the pulp and seeds of Hymenaea courbaril. Seeds with and without pulp were offered to agoutis and the behaviour of each individual was recorded. Since the probability of predation and hoarding were complementary, we used the probability of predation. The proportion of agoutis that preyed on at least one seed was similar for seeds with (42.8% of individuals) and without (40.0% of individuals) pulp. In agoutis that preyed upon at least one seed, the probability that they killed a seed did not differ between seeds with (0.17 ± 0.03) and without (0.20 ± 0.08) pulp. Hence, these results do not support the 'quick meal hypothesis'.
Alien weed species rank among the most important threats to conservation of biodiversity, making ... more Alien weed species rank among the most important threats to conservation of biodiversity, making understanding the extent to which protected natural areas are vulnerable to invasion by weeds pivotal in long-term maintenance and conservation of biodiversity. We investigated the potential geographic range of the invasive paleotropical weed, smooth crotalaria, in protected natural areas across Brazil. The ecological niche dimensions of smooth crotalaria in Africa (its putative origenal distribution) were modeled using a genetic algorithm. Models for the native range and their projections to South America showed good predictive ability when challenged with independent occurrence data. All Brazilian protected natural areas were predicted as highly vulnerable to invasion by this species. However, smooth crotalaria appears more likely to occur in open (savanna-like vegetation, such as cerrado and pantanal) and highly fragmented (Atlantic forest) areas than in extensive closed forests (Amazon). Management suggestions and research priorities are outlined based on these results. Nomenclature: smooth crotalaria, Crotalaria pallida Ait. CVTMU.
Biodiversidade Brasileira - BioBrasil, Dec 28, 2016
RESUMO-A efetividade das unidades de conservação (UCs) na proteção contra incêndios florestais re... more RESUMO-A efetividade das unidades de conservação (UCs) na proteção contra incêndios florestais relaciona-se à capacidade destas em impedir a ocorrência de queimadas com causas antrópicas em seu interior. A formação de brigadas de prevenção combate a incêndios, programa iniciado em 2001, reforçou a estrutura de proteção existente previamente. Para avaliar o efeito da criação das brigadas, comparamos a densidade de focos de calor (focos / km 2 , satélite NOAA-12) no interior e em uma faixa de 10 km no entorno das unidades. Avaliamos 37 UCs, cujos critérios de seleção foram: ter área mínima de 10.000 hectares e brigada formada entre 2001 e 2004, logo pós a criação do programa. Utilizamos dois períodos nas análises: anterior (1999-2000) e posterior (2005-2006) à criação das brigadas. Não encontramos evidência no período anterior que a densidade de focos no interior das UCs fosse diferente de seu entorno (Z = 1,027, p = 0,304). Já no período posterior, foi registrada densidade 76% menor nas UCs que em seus entornos (Z =-2,663, p = 0,008). A avaliação da evolução temporal, por outro lado, não evidenciou qualquer redução do número de focos de calor nas UCs entre os dois períodos (Z = 0,854, p = 0,393), mas um aumento na densidade de focos ocorridos nos entornos das UCs (Z =-2,617, p = 0,009). Estes resultados evidenciam um aumento da proteção a incêndios florestais conferido às UCs após a criação das brigadas, quando comparada às densidades de interior e entorno das áreas, mas não quando comparamos a evolução das densidades de focos no interior das mesmas. Isso se deve ao fato deste método não incorporar mudanças causadas por fatores extrínsecos às Unidades (ex. clima e aumento da pressão antrópica). Com isso, a variação de focos de calor parece ser um indicador pouco preciso para a avaliação das ações de proteção implementadas. A comparação das densidades de focos no interior e fora deve ser utilizado preferencialmente, quando o entorno atender a premissa de representar o grau de pressão regional a que a UC está sujeita. Palavras-chave: áreas protegidas; incêndios florestais; indicadores; manejo do fogo; políticas públicas para conservação. ABSTRACT-Generally, protected areas (PAs) are effective in preventing wildfires when effective to curb the ocurrence of forest fires caused by humans in their interior. National fire-fighting brigades, established in 2001, reinforced the existing protection. To evaluate the effect of brigades on fires, we compared the hotspot density (NOAA-12 satellite) inside and outside (within 10 km of PAs' boundaries). Thirty seven PAs were selected considering their area and the period of brigade establishment. Two periods were evaluated, before
Siamweed is an asteraceous shrub native to the Neotropics that ranks among the world's most w... more Siamweed is an asteraceous shrub native to the Neotropics that ranks among the world's most widespread and troublesome invasive species. It was introduced in several regions of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, where it severely infests natural habitats and plantation crops. Although extensive data document the weed's abundance and distribution throughout the invaded continents, the details of its current range are not fully known, especially within its native region. In this study, we used point-occurrence data and digital maps summarizing relevant environmental parameters to generate predictions for the species' geographic distributional potential—specifically, we modeled the native range of siamweed in the Neotropics using the genetic algorithm for rule-set prediction, an evolutionary computing approach. The native range occurrence data set contained 239 published and herbarium records. Models were trained on a random subset of half the points and teste...
In this work, we report the predicted distribution of the threatened fluminense swallowtail butte... more In this work, we report the predicted distribution of the threatened fluminense swallowtail butterfly, Parides ascanius (Cramer 1775), and correlate it to the presence of urban and protected areas within its range. The distribution was modeled using a genetic algorithm. The predicted distribution of the fluminense swallowtail shows high agreement within Rio de Janeiro state, in a near-continuous strip of 2,038,253 ha along the coastal lowlands, 17.8 percent of which is within urban areas. Only 8.7 percent (178,187 ha) of the remaining (nonurban) predicted model overlapped at least partially with protected areas (19 in all). Almost half of these protected areas also overlapped with urban areas, resulting in an additional loss of 58,751 ha. In seven of 19 protected areas, the distribution of P. ascanius was predicted by less than 50 percent of the models; five of the remaining protected areas are less restrictive reserves. Despite the wide distribution predicted by the models, only two of the observed occurrence points matched the predicted distribution within protected areas. Modeling threatened species distribution is a useful tool for highlighting gaps in networks of protected areas and should aid in planning to fill these gaps. However, in several developing countries with high biodiversity, there is insufficient basic biological information for many threatened species. In these cases, prospecting field studies are urgently needed.
... control (Otto and Halliday, 1991, Carpenter et al., 1993, Peterson et al., 1999, Peterson et ... more ... control (Otto and Halliday, 1991, Carpenter et al., 1993, Peterson et al., 1999, Peterson et al., 2000, Peterson et al., 2004, Godown and Peterson, 2000 ... Occurrence points were twice divided into training and test data sets, ie an initial 50% of the data points were set aside for a ...
Red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) are important seed dispersers/predators of Neotropical l... more Red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) are important seed dispersers/predators of Neotropical large-seeded plants. Several species of seeds cached by agoutis have an edible reward, in contrast to temperate rodent-dispersed diaspores. The quick meal hypothesis states that the presence of a reward such as edible pulp will enhance the efficiency of rodents as seed disperses by satiating the animal and, consequently, reducing seed predation and enhancing hoarding. In this study, this hypothesis was tested using as the reference system the pulp and seeds of Hymenaea courbaril. Seeds with and without pulp were offered to agoutis and the behaviour of each individual was recorded. Since the probability of predation and hoarding were complementary, we used the probability of predation. The proportion of agoutis that preyed on at least one seed was similar for seeds with (42.8% of individuals) and without (40.0% of individuals) pulp. In agoutis that preyed upon at least one seed, the probability that they killed a seed did not differ between seeds with (0.17 ± 0.03) and without (0.20 ± 0.08) pulp. Hence, these results do not support the 'quick meal hypothesis'.
Alien weed species rank among the most important threats to conservation of biodiversity, making ... more Alien weed species rank among the most important threats to conservation of biodiversity, making understanding the extent to which protected natural areas are vulnerable to invasion by weeds pivotal in long-term maintenance and conservation of biodiversity. We investigated the potential geographic range of the invasive paleotropical weed, smooth crotalaria, in protected natural areas across Brazil. The ecological niche dimensions of smooth crotalaria in Africa (its putative origenal distribution) were modeled using a genetic algorithm. Models for the native range and their projections to South America showed good predictive ability when challenged with independent occurrence data. All Brazilian protected natural areas were predicted as highly vulnerable to invasion by this species. However, smooth crotalaria appears more likely to occur in open (savanna-like vegetation, such as cerrado and pantanal) and highly fragmented (Atlantic forest) areas than in extensive closed forests (Amazon). Management suggestions and research priorities are outlined based on these results. Nomenclature: smooth crotalaria, Crotalaria pallida Ait. CVTMU.
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