Rossi Allan Silva

Characterization of the bauxite mining of the Poços de Caldas alkaline massif and its socio-environmental impacts

The intensive use of mineral resources brings along significant changes to the environment. The mining sector is essential for world economics, as long as it is operated on a basis that is technically coherent, socially fair and environmentally correct. This study aimed to characterize the bauxite mining of the Pocos de Caldas plateau, MG, investigating its respective socio-environmental impacts. Through the overview presented, one can conclude that in most situations, the bauxite miningat the Pocos de Caldas plateau mitigates its negative social and environmental impacts in a satisfactory manner in addition to generating positive social impacts; and the restoration methods of the mining-disturbed ecosystems have been continually improved and should be replicated by small-and-medium-sized companies.

Fire risk map for the Serra de São Domingos Municipal Park, Poços de Caldas, MG

This study constructed a fire risk map for the Serra de Sao Domingos Municipal Park (SSDMP), southern Minas GeraisSate, Brazil, which harbors Atlantic Forest remnants and endangered species. Geo-processing techniques were used for producing a preliminary risk map for altimetry (a), land slope (e), slope orientation (d), land-use/cover (u) and influence of roads and buildings (i). After, the risk maps were overlaid to produce a structural fire index (SFI)-based risk map for the Park. The SFI was calculated by using the formula SFI = 0,35i + 0,30u + 0,15d + 0,10a + 0,10e. The risks classes were classified as low (0.0-0.9), moderate (1.0 1.9), high (2.0-2.9), very high (3.0-3.9) and extreme (4.0-5.0). All data were processed with 2.5 m base spatial resolution by using the ArcView GIS. According to the SFI calculated, the SSMP area can be divided into the following fire risk zones: Low (0.93%), Moderate (61.77%), High (31.32%), Very High (4.79%) and Extreme (1.19%). The main risk factor is due to the influence of roads and buildings and most fires start due to anthropogenic causes. The low and moderate risk classes comprehend most of the rainforest area. Clearings and grasslands fit mainly the High risk class. The most vulnerable area of SSDMP was the Northern area bordering pasture, crops and eucalypt fields. The SFI map can be a valuable tool for elaborating a fire prevention plan in a small conservation unit when few climate and fire occurrence data are available.

AVALIAÇÃO DA COBERTURA FLORESTAL NA PAISAGEM DE MATA ATLÂNTICA NO ANO DE 2010, NA REGIÃO DE OURO PRETO - MG

This study aimed to evaluate the current state of conservation and the landscape connectivity in the area covering part of the counties of Ouro Preto, Mariana and Ouro Branco, MG. This area is located at the upper course of the Velhas river, Carmo river, Gualaxo do Sul river and Colonia creek. The region belongs to the Mata Atlantica phytogeographic ecosystem and encompasses different Conservation Units (CUs). RapidEye AG (Jun/2010) with 5 m of spatial resolution images were used. The study area was divided into three classes: Seasonal semideciduous montane forest; Natural vegetation 2; Anthropic use. The results showed that the study area is well preserved, particularly inside the CUs where the fragments are bigger and are considered priority sites for conservation. The natural formations of the region corresponded to 87.08% of the study area. The metrics showed that the average distance between the 262 fragments is 72.18 m. The shape of the fragments do not favor the preservation of biodiversity, because they are complex and irregular (fractal). The application of edge effects initially increases the fragmentation and, subsequently reduces the size of individual vegetation spots, smoothing their complex shapes. Strong anthropic pressures are present outside the buffer zone of the State Park of Itacolomi. The weak points are those surrounding pastoral and mining areas, mainly field areas of CUs in Ouro Branco and pasture areas inside the Cachoeira das Andorinhas State APA.

Diversity of medium-sized and large mammals from Atlantic Forest remnants in southern Minas Gerais state, Brazil

Studies on mammal diversity provide the essential groundwork for the development of conservation methods and practices. The region of the Pocos de Caldas Plateau is lacks such studies, which may be a problem for future conservation actions. Here, we analyze the richness of medium-sized and large mammals from Atlantic Forest remnants on the Pocos de Caldas Plateau, Minas Gerais state. Diurnal censuses of direct observations and mammal signs were conducted, and we documented 20 species of mammals belonging to eight orders. Three species of primates, one carnivore, one cingulate, one lagomorpha, three rodents, one artiodactyla, and two marsupials were found. The largest forest remnant that presented the greatest richness is currently a conservation unit. Forest remnants are important for the consolidation of management strategies and have fundamental role for the conservation of mammal diversity in the south of Minas Gerais state.

VOÇOROCAS EM NAZARENO (MG): ANÁLISE PERCEPTIVA COMO SUBSÍDIO PARA POLÍTICAS AMBIENTAIS

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o nivel de percepcao da populacao do municipio de Nazareno (MG), no que tange os problemas de vocorocamento, enfatizando-se as diferencas do entendimento da populacao. Foram realizadas 20 entrevistas com moradores do municipio, por meio de amostragem nao probabilistica por cotas. O questionario aplicado foi do tipo semiestruturado com 53 questoes, e as perguntas seguiram um padrao especifico. A maioria dos entrevistados soube relacionar o nome ao problema em questao, parte deles utilizou outros termos para se referirem ao fenomeno; grande parte da populacao nao soube responder sobre a origem das vocorocas; de um modo geral, a populacao possui baixa percepcao sobre a influencia das vocorocas no seu cotidiano; para uma pequena parte dos entrevistados, o maior problema e a sua utilizacao como local de deposito de residuos solidos domesticos; as pessoas que residem ou tem experiencia com trabalhos na zona rural ofereceram sugestoes mais aplicaveis para a contencao e estabilizacao dos processos de vocorocamento, mesmo que as sugestoes nao apontem na direcao tecnicamente correta; as vocorocas tem o problema agravado nas regioes mais carentes, onde sao utilizadas como deposito de lixo e acabam causando novos problemas. Esta realidade e amenizada ao passo que se avanca para as areas com infraestrutura melhor. Induzidos a opinar sobre a criacao e utilizacao de cartilhas tecnicas como instrumento de informacao e educacao ambiental da populacao, todos os entrevistados aprovaram a sugestao. Palavras-chave: Vocorocas, Percepcao Ambiental, Educacao Ambiental.

ANÁLISE DO PROCESSO DE LICENCIAMENTO AMBIENTAL DO COMPLEXO HIDRELÉTRICO DO RIO MADEIRA

RESUMO: A necessidade energetica do Brasil, tendo em vista o crescimento economico e a ampliacao da industrializacao, constitui uma prioridade. A implantacao de novos empreendimentos de geracao de energia e uma possibilidade em funcao da grande quantidade de rios que apresentam alto potencial para a construcao de empreendimentos hidreletricos, entretanto, em alguns casos existem muitos em um mesmo rio, causando impactos ambientais significativos. Neste trabalho foi avaliado o processo de licenciamento ambiental realizado pelo IBAMA no Complexo Hidreletrico do Rio Madeira (UHEs de Santo Antonio e de Jirau), estado de Rondonia, bem como o cenario no qual se deu a decisao para a concessao de suas licencas. Concluiu-se que houve uma mudanca na forma do licenciamento nos ultimos tempos, porem a decisao continua sendo em funcao politica; mesmo que alguns relatorios ambientais inviabilizam a construcao do empreendimento, outros sao feitos pelos proponentes e acabam justificando a concessao das licencas. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Licenciamento Ambiental. Grandes empreendimentos. Impactos ambientais.

Cost analysis and ecological benefits of environmental recovery methodologies in bauxite mining

This work analyzed and compared three methods of environmental recovery in bauxite mining commonly used in Pocos de Caldas Plateau, MG, by means of recovery costs and ecological benefits. Earnings and costs data of environmental recovery activities were obtained for the areas that belonged to the Companhia Geral de Minas - CGM, on properties sited in the city of Pocos de Caldas, MG. The amount of costs of these activities was used to compare the recovery methods by updating them monetarily to a reference date, in other words, the present moment. It is concluded that the difference between the present value of costs for simple restoration and rehabilitation activities are less than 1% and that between the complete restoration and rehabilitation is about 15.12%, suggesting that the choice of the methods to be used must be based on the ecological earnings proportional to each of them. The methodology of environmental restoration of the mining areas emphasizes the ecological variables in the process of establishment of the community, to the detriment of complex ecological aspects, which show difficulties in measuring the actual moment of the development of the ecosystem considered.