Haydée Torres de Oliveira

Limnological study of Piraquara river (Upper Iguaçu basin): spatiotemporal variation of physical and chemical variables and watershed zoning

The Piraquara river basin (Upper Iguacu River basin - Brazil) was studied as an ecological system throughout a complete seasonal cycle, comprising the rainy and dry season. Analyzes of 16 physical and chemical water variables (dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, pH, conductivity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, ortophosphates, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, reagent silicate, total suspended solids, chlorophyll - a, flow velocity and depth) showed correlations between water composition and watershed physiographic features, and the Principal Component Analysis allowed to evidence spatial gradients and seasonal differences. The sampling points were clustered in patches with homogeneous behavior, according to ecologycal concepts: patch 1, with strong influence of Serra do Mar mountains; patch 2, medium course, under Piraquara Dam influence and patch 3, under wetlands influence. Two main factors of serial discontinuity were identified: the Piraquara dam effect and the influence of wetlands. The watershed zoning based on limnological characteristics seeks to subsidize research and biomonitoring for this public springs area.

Analysis of private natural heritage reserves as a conservation strategy for the biodiversity of the cocoa region of the southern State of Bahia, Brazil

Brazil was the first country in Latin America to establish and regulate this type of reserve, and there are currently more than 700 Private Nature Heritage Reserves (RPPN in Portuguese) officially recognized by either federal or state environmental agencies. Together, these RPPN protect more than a half million hectares of land in the country. The coastal forests in the southern part of Bahia State extend 100 to 200 km inland, gradually changing in physiognomy as they occupy the dryer inland areas. The coastal forest has been subjected to intense deforestation, and currently occupies less than 10% of its original area. For this work the creation processes of the RPPN were consulted to obtain the data creation time, size of property, the condition of the remaining forest, succession chain and the last paid tax. After that, interviews with the owners were made to confirm this data. Sixteen RPPN have been established in this region until 2005. Their sizes vary from 4.7 to 800 ha. Ten of these RPPN are located within state or federal conservation areas or their buffer zones. In spite of the numerous national and international conservation strategies and environmental policies focused on the region, the present situation of the cocoa zone is threatening the conservation of the regions natural resources. The establishment of private reserves in the cocoa region could conceivably improve these conservation efforts. This type of reserve can be established under a uniform system supported by federal legislation, and could count on private organizations.

The aesthetic experience of nature and hermeneutic phenomenology

ABSTRACT One aim of environmental education is to encourage different ways of generating meanings of, valuing, conceiving, and contextualizing “nature.” The field of aesthetics provides an affective basis for interpreting our perceptions of environments and relations with other more-than-human beings. This critical essay examines some of the key concepts about hermeneutics and phenomenology introduced by philosophers such as Kant, Dufrenne, Bachelard, Merleau-Ponty, Gadamer, and Quintás and then indicates some methodological implications. Our Freirean purpose is to advance how understandings of the nature of the aesthetic experience of nature might inform different research framings, critical curriculum inquiry, and eco-pedagogical explorations of being in, becoming and relating with nature.

Aesthetic experiences in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna): contributions to environmental education practice and research

Abstract In this paper, we reflect on a study in Brazil’s Cerrado that attempts to address a lack of attention to an aesthetic dimension in environmental education practice and research. We start by tracing this lack to the overvaluing of the cognitive sphere in the educational process, noting its echo in the low aesthetic value attributed to the Cerrado biome. Then, through reflecting on an empirical, interview based study of sensations, perceptions and feelings evoked by aesthetic experiences in the Cerrado, we draw on insights from a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to identify key themes for environmental education research and practice in this regard. These include: recognising the singularity of experience; attending to the qualities of experience; acknowledging the value/s of ‘lighter’ and ‘darker’ experiences; and deepening emotions and verbal communication. In our final considerations, we discuss the limitations of the study, alongside new directions in studies of perception, experience, aesthetics and pedagogy that may also advance attention to an aesthetic dimension in environmental education practice and research.

Exclusory and transformative dimensions of adult environmental education in two Brazilian protected areas

This study addresses the limitations and potential for the development of an adult environmental education program in two protected areas in Brazil. The investigation was based on critical communicative methodology and involved 25 people variously related to puma conservation and environmental education. We found that the staff of protected areas had difficulties interacting with the local community. The main cited obstacle was the lack of infrastructure and staff, but partnerships with scientists and other institutions might help to overcome this limitation. As we identified a great diversity of potential audience, a dialogical process would be necessary to collectively identify community demands and seek solutions. Moreover, an adult environmental education program must consider the characteristics of adulthood and should promote diverse types of activities. In conclusion, we suggest that dialogical learning and critical communicative methodology can contribute to the development of the adult environmental education.

Potencial das atividades de uso público do Núcleo Picinguaba do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar (SP) para uma educação ambiental crítica

This study focus on the Environmental Education Sub-program of Picinguaba Nucleus of the Serra do Mar State Park. We performed participative observations of the public using activities with university students, using a preview guide and field notes. Data collection was conducted considering the parameters related to the dimensions of knowledge, ethical and aesthetic values and political participation. We analyzed data according to the different tendencies of environmental education. As results, we found a predominance of the critical tendency of environmental education in the most of analyzed parameters. In relation to political participation, we noticed that many topics that could have been addressed were silent. Nevertheless, we identified a high potential of the protected areas to develop critical, reflexive and dialogical environmental education actions.

ATIVIDADES DE EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL PARA A CONSERVAÇÃO DA FAUNA SILVESTRE: UMA EXPERIÊNCIA NO ENSINO INFANTIL DE ESCOLA MUNICIPAL DE SÃO CARLOS - SP

O presente relato de experiencia teve como objetivo a realizacao de uma sequencia de atividades ludicas de Educacao Ambiental como forma de abordar a conservacao e valorizacao da fauna silvestre da regiao de Sao Carlos. As atividades foram desenvolvidas com 270 alunas/os de uma escola municipal de Ensino Infantil de Sao Carlos e apresentou uma sequencia de tres atividades praticas, contemplando a reflexao dos seguintes conteudos: caracterizacao de animais domesticos e silvestres; identificacao de sons, habitos e vestigios de animais silvestres regionais; e dialogos sobre as questoes das acoes antropicas na conservacao da biodiversidade da fauna regional. As dinâmicas realizadas atingiram os objetivos propostos e contribuiram para o desenvolvimento de novas propostas ludicas com alunas/os de outras escolas de Educacao Infantil e Fundamental da Rede Municipal de Educacao de Sao Carlos.

Educação ambiental em unidades de conservação: políticas públicas e a prática educativa

This paper presents the results of an exploratory study on actions in environmental education, developed in protected areas (PAs) of Brazil in relation to: the public; to partnership organizations; current pedagogical practice; intended objectives; activities realized; subject areas covered; assessments made and reference documents utilized. We also analyzed the influence on environmental education, of the National Environmental Education Program (ProNEA). We made use of data relating to 56 Brazilian PAs, collected from a questionnaire distributed in 2007. We analyzed all PAs together and also the PAs divided into two groups: PAs that cited and those that did not cite ProNEA as a reference document. The educational actions represent some of the principles emerging, as new trends in environmental education arise, and are reflected in public policy developed in Brazil over recent years. We conclude that although a large scale public policy, like ProNEA, is important in providing guidance for the desired changes, it is not sufficient to ensure that these changes be incorporated into educational practice.

Concepções de educação ambiental e perspectivas pedagógicas de professoras do ensino fundamental

Partindo da constatacao de que existe uma pluralidade de concepcoes e praticas em educacao ambiental, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a relacao entre as diferentes tendencias da concepcao de educacao ambiental (EA) e a perspectiva pedagogica de professoras do ensino fundamental do municipio de Sao Carlos/SP. Para a analise, consideramos tres tendencias de perspectivas pedagogicas e tres tendencias de concepcao de educacao ambiental. Percebemos a coexistencia de varias tendencias no mesmo discurso e os resultados mostram que a escola e reflexo e reflete a transicao de paradigmas pela qual passa a sociedade e, consequentemente, a producao de conhecimento no campo de EA. A partir dessa constatacao, nossa aposta e de que a institucionalizacao da educacao ambiental entre diferentes publicos e setores sociais pode tornar o desafio da ambientalizacao uma tarefa menos ardua para a escola.

Impactos socioambientais no Rio Paraguai, Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brasil percepção dos pescadores da Colônia Z - 2

This article deals with the analysis of the fishermens perceptions registered in the Z-2 Colony, and the environmental impacts associated with the degradation of the Paraguai River, in the urban zone of Caceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Semi structured interviews were used to survey fishermens perceptions and the interpretation of these answers has been carried out. From the interpretation of the environmental perception of the interviewees, it is observed that the cited impacts cause changes in the edges of the river, the biodiversity and in the supply for fishing boats. The destruction of the riverbed caused by the deforestation of the edges by farming activity, and the erosion of the edges caused by the movement of great boats of tourists and the transport of soy together with the indifference of the authorities was noted. One concludes that the professional fishermen of Caceres are sensitive to the predatory actions in the Paraguai River and have potential to fight for a better quality of life when they suggest a collective work that joins interests and co-participation.