Eliana de Souza

Pedotransfer functions to estimate bulk density from soil properties and environmental covariates: Rio Doce basin

Soil bulk density (ρb) data are needed for a wide range of environmental studies. However, ρb is rarely reported in soil surveys. An alternative to obtain ρb for data-scarce regions, such as the Rio Doce basin in southeastern Brazil, is indirect estimation from less costly covariates using pedotransfer functions (PTF). This study primarily aims to develop region-specific PTFs for ρb using multiple linear regressions (MLR) and random forests (RF). Secondly, it assessed the accuracy of PTFs for data grouped into soil horizons and soil classes. For that purpose, we compared the performance of PTFs compiled from the literature with those developed here. Two groups of data were evaluated as covariates: 1) readily available soil properties and 2) maps derived from a digital elevation model and MODIS satellite imagery, jointly with lithological and pedological maps. The MLR model was applied step-wise to select significant predictors and its accuracy assessed by means of cross-validation. The PTFs developed using all data estimated ρb from soil properties by MLR and RF, with R2 of 0.41 and 0.51, respectively. Alternatively, using environmental covariates, RF predicted ρb with R2 of 0.41. Grouping criteria did not lead to a significant increase in the estimates of ρb. The accuracy of the ‘regional’ PTFs developed for this study was greater than that found with the ‘compiled’ PTFs. The best PTF will be firstly used to assess soil carbon stocks and changes in the Rio Doce basin.

Morfologia e aspectos hidrológicos da bacia hidrográfica do rio Preto, divisa dos estados do Rio de Janeiro e de Minas Gerais

Neste trabalho, determinaram-se as caracteristicas morfometricas do relevo e da rede de drenagem da Bacia Hidrografica do Rio Preto, com a finalidade de prever do comportamento hidrologico da area. A partir da delimitacao da area da bacia, da digitalizacao das curvas de nivel e do sistema de drenagem, foram obtidas caracteristicas geometricas do relevo e da hidrografia da BHRP e das suas seis sub-bacias. Concluiu-se que a area apresentava forma alongada e estreita, aliada a uma alta densidade de drenagem, evidenciando menor possibilidade de ocorrencia de cheias. Porem, foram observadas enchentes justificadas pelos solos rasos, pelos intensos processos de desmatamento e uso da terra e pelo relevo acidentado, sendo 73,1% da area caracterizada como de relevo forte-ondulado a montanhoso. Quanto as sub-bacias, verificou-se que em todas essas unidades menos de 28% da area era compreendida de relevo plano, facilitando a erosao hidrica.

Espacialização da precipitação pluvial por meio de krigagem e cokrigagem

The objective of this work was to evaluate the ordinary co-kriging algorithm, using data from elevation and distance from the sea, compared to ordinary kriging, in the rainfall spatialization associated to wet, dry and annual periods, for the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil. Data of altitude and distance from the sea were obtained in sampling sites on regular and irregular grids. Data from 108 rain gauge stations were used. The evaluation of methods and variables based on cross-validation was performed, considering the errors of the predicted values and the fit of linear regression models for observed and predicted values. The regular grid sampling of the covariates showed the best prediction accuracy compared to the irregular grid. Cokriging produced more accurate results than kriging, checked by small differences in mean absolute errors which were able to produce statistically different maps. Cokriging interpolation and use of regular grids for sampling are preferable, mainly if the covariates are easy to obtain and inexpensive.

Fosfatização de solos e evolução da paisagem no arquipélago de Abrolhos, BA

The activity of the avifauna on terrestrial ecosystems results in the intense chemical and mineralogical alteration of mineral substrates. The objective of the present work is to investigate the impact of the avifauna on landscape evolution at the Abrolhos Archipelago, based on soils chemical characteristics and spatial distribution. A total of 10 soil profiles are described and analyzed, representing the main landscape units present in the Archipelago. Based on careful field observation and interpretation made on the existing nautical map (n.1311), produced by the Brazilian Navy (scale 1:100.000), detailed soil maps were produced. The widespread occurrence of strongly ornithogenic soils in areas without current nesting activity indicates a much broader occupation by birds in the past. Some of the studied soils are of difficult classification, and reflect the marked influence of present-day and past avifauna activity.

Tendência do perfil dos consumidores de azeite de oliva

The present study evaluated the tendency of the profile of 167 olive oil consumers by means of a market survey, which was carried out at supermarkets of Muriae – MG, Brazil, in April 2013. A descriptive and quantitative survey was performed using a structured questionnaire. In this context, the following parameters were investigated: sex, age, education, household income, personal history of chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemias, among others); type, brand and quantity of olive oil consumed and motivation for consumption. Fom among 171 consumers, 167 (98 %) reported that they consume the product. In outlining the consumer profile, the majority was female (61 %), aged between 21 and 40 years, income between one and three minimum wages, secondary education, no history of chronic diseases, daily consumption of 7.89 mL of pure olive oil and 3.54 mL of olive oil/soybean oil blend, and “appreciates olive oil” was the motivation for consumption. Based on the obtained data, it is important to establish the strategies to stimulate the increase and the adequacy in consuming olive oil, considering the attributes of this product for preventing and/or reducing the chronic diseases.

GEOTECNOLOGIAS NO DIAGNÓSTICO DE CONFLITOS DE USO DO SOLO DE UMA MICROBACIA DO MUNICÍPIO DE ALTA FLORESTA – MT

The purpose of this study is to use geotechnology in mapping the soil cover and diagnose conflicts of land use in permanent preservation areas (PPA) for a microbasin with an area of ​​17,759 ha located in the municipality of Alta Floresta, in Mato Grosso State. The demarcation of PPA was based on the Complementary Law No. 412 of the state of Mato Grosso, December 13, 2010. To carried out the work, it were used hydrographic map and digital elevation model for the demarcation of the microbasin and that the conservation areas. The mapping of land cover was carried out by supervised classification algorithm MaxVer into ENVI 4.2 software, in a satellite image of high spatial resolution from SPOT 5 sensor, acquired in 2008. The data processing, adjustment of the projections, file creation and cross-vector maps of land cover and conservation areas were done in ArcGIS 9.2. The land cover classes mapped follow: forest, pasture, water, bare soil and urban settlement. The total area of ​​PPA ( 1,966.51 ha ) represents 11.1 % of the microbasin area, of which most of misuse occurs with pasture ( 47.7 % ), forest areas represent 39.5 % of total PPA. The class of exposed soil and urban occupation represent respectively 26.5 and 110.1 ha, equivalent 6.9 % of the preservation area. It could be concluded that, the image used, was found satisfactory for mapping the land cover classes on the study area. The mapping and crossing of information showed that a area of 1,074.92 ha is in conflict with the current environmental legislation, as there are any forms of human activity. The areas with improper use account with 54.6 % of the total PPA and are represented by pasture, bare soil and urban settlement.