O Parque Estadual da Cantareira é uma Unidade de Conservação de Proteção Integral localizada na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, abrigando inúmeras nascentes, entre as quais as de importantes rios afluentes do Tietê e outras que contribuem para o reservatório Paiva Castro. Contudo existem poucos estudos sobre a qualidade da água e os ambientes aquáticos desta importante área protegida. Neste contexto, este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade da água de ambientes lóticos do parque, a fim de buscar as condições mais próximas às naturais desta área, partindo do proposto na Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 para a Classe Especial. Para tanto a qualidade da água foi avaliada de forma integrada pela análise do meio físico (topografia e vegetação, utilizando-se imagens de satélite), da avaliação de características fisicoecológicas e do habitat de riachos (pelo emprego de um protocolo de avaliação rápida) e da qualidade da água (avaliação de variáveis físicas, químicas, biológica e hidrobiológica). Os resultados foram analisados de forma integrada e, a partir dos melhores resultados indicados pelas diferentes abordagens, foram selecionados dez riachos que representaram as condições de melhor preservação no âmbito desta pesquisa. Para o período amostrado estas condições são indicadas pelos mínimos valores ou ausência de Clorofila a, Ortofosfato, Ortosilicato, Fósforo Total, Nitrito e Amônio; baixos valores de Nitrato (< 0,81 mg/L), Nitrogênio Total (< 2,1 mg/L), Material em Suspensão Total (< 4,53 mg/L), Turbidez (< 7,1 NTU); valores relativamente baixos de Sólidos Totais (< 92,3 mg/L) e Condutividade Elétrica (< 58 s/cm); Oxigênio Dissolvido acima de 7,6 mg/L e pH entre 6,5 e 7,3. Além disso, deve haver condições fisicoecológicas livres de alterações e hábitats com características de ambientes com ausência ou mínima perturbação. Espera-se que esta pesquisa seja um primeiro passo para o diálogo sobre a viabilidade da busca de condições naturais em unidades de conservação de proteção integral, conhecimento necessário para o reenquadramento destas áreas protegidas na Classe Especial. / The Cantareira State Park is a conservation unit of integral protection located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. It has several springs including those originating relevant tributaries of the Tietê river and others that contribute to Paiva Castro reservoir. However, there are few studies on the water quality and aquatic environments of this relevant protected area. In this context, this research aimed to evaluate the water quality of lotic environments in the park in order to establish the natural conditions of the area, based on the proposed for Special Class by CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. The water quality was evaluated in an integrated manner by performing analyzes of the physical medium (topography and vegetation via satellite images, evaluation of physic-ecological features and habitat of streams (by a rapid bioassessment protocol) and evaluation of the water quality (physical, chemical, biological and hydrobiological analyses). Results were analyzed in an integrated manner and, from the better results indicated by the different approaches, ten sites were selected which represented the best preservation conditions in the Park. For the sampling period, these conditions are minimum values or absence of Chlorophyll a, Orthophosphate, Orthosilicate, Total Phosphorus, Nitrite and Ammonium; low values of Nitrate (< 0.81 mg/L), Total Nitrogen (< 2.1 mg/L), Total Suspended Solids (< 4.53 mg/L), Turbidity (< 7.1 NTU); relatively low values of Total Solids (< 92.3mg/L) and Electric Conductivity (< 58 s/cm); Dissolved Oxygen higher than 7.6 mg/L and pH between 6.5 and 7.3. Besides it should be physic-ecological conditions free of human impact and habitats with minimum or absence of disturbance. It is expected this research is the first step in the dialogue on the feasibility of seeking natural conditions in conservation units of integral protection, knowledge necessary for the framework of these protected areas in the Special Class.

A intensa degradação do bioma cerrado tem tido grandes conseqüências na disponibilidade de habitats de boa qualidade para muitos animais e a busca por métodos rápidos e confiáveis que localizem áreas de valor ecológico para diferentes grupos de animais tem despertado grande interesse. A análise geográfica computadorizada foi utilizada como ferramenta para caracterização da heterogeneidade (diversos graus de qualidade e tipo de cobertura fitofisionômica) dos habitats existentes no remanescente estudado, buscando fornecer informações que pudessem levar ao entendimento de como as espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte utilizam estes habitats alterados, além de fornecer informações que pudessem ser utilizadas para o delineamento da amostragem. Desta forma, a primeira etapa foi a elaboração de uma base cartográfica que produziu dois mapas de caracterização ambiental, um mapa geral e outro da mata ripária. O primeiro foi utilizado para a realização de uma análise preliminar da qualidade dos habitats e distribuição das armadilhas fotográficas, transecções e canteiros de pegadas, buscando capturar toda a heterogeneidade existente no remanescente. Desta forma, houve a sistematização das amostragens. A utilização destes métodos permitiu a detecção de 22 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte em 28 dias de amostragem, quando a curva acumulativa de espécies (Sobs Mao Tau) atingiu sua assíntota. O teste do qui quadrado permitiu afirmar que houve influência das fitofisionomias na distribuição das espécies observadas. Desta forma, partindo-se do pressuposto de que a heterogeneidade de habitats certamente irá influir na diversidade de recursos alimentares, admitiu-se que a grande riqueza obtida no remanescente estudado esteja principalmente relacionada à disponibilidade de recursos alimentares. A segunda etapa da análise espacial foi a elaboração de um modelo de tomada de decisão que espacializou as informações relacionadas à biologia e ecologia de algumas espécies de mamíferos. O modelo desenvolvido permitiu produzir novas informações importantes em relação à qualidade dos habitats e o uso dos mesmos pelas espécies-alvo, por meio da sobreposição dos dados de detecção nos Mapas de Oportunidades gerados (validação do modelo de tomada de decisão desenvolvido). O uso destes habitats também foi testado por meio do qui quadrado e o resultado obtido permitiu afirmar que houve a influência da qualidade do habitat na distribuição das espécies neste estudo. Esta informação enfatiza que o modelo de tomada de decisão aplicado pode ser uma ferramenta muito importante em estudos relacionados ao uso de habitats, alterados ou intactos, por espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, em função de suas necessidades ambientais, ou seja, cada espécie possui requerimentos ambientais específicos e que devem ser levados em consideração para o desenvolvimento de qualquer plano de manejo e conservação em um determinado local. / The intense degradation of the Cerrado biome has had great consequences over the habitat quality available for many animals. The search for rapid and reliable methods to allocate areas with ecological values for different groups of animals has arising great interest now-a-days. The developed methodology at the present work aim to determine the variation of the habitat quality within a São Paulo State cerrado remnant (2,098ha), using remote sensing and geoprocessing techniques. According to the environmental needs of each species, were selected abiotic and biotic criteria that could be inserted on a decision making model in order to influence habitat quality and infer seven mammals species occurrence: Myrmecophaga tridactyla - great anteater, Tapirus terrestris - tapir, Tayassu tajacu - collared peccary, Mazama americana - red brocket deer, Eira barbara tayra, Puma concolor puma and Leopardus pardalis ocelot. Those criteria were evaluated by experts, who assign specific weights according to species environmental needs. Thus, seven Opportunity Maps were developed through a Multi Criteria Evaluation, which were validated in the field (trace sensing and cam trapping). The model used showed very robust in predicting coherently the habitat quality using the occurrence of the target species. The most detections were obtained in favorable areas (40%), followed by very favorable areas (20%), regular areas (18%), unfavorable areas (15%) and very unfavorable areas (6%). The most species were detected more often in favorable areas and less often in very unfavorable areas, excepted T. terrestris and T. tajacu, which were detected in very favorable areas.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T14:38:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Renata.pdf: 1386030 bytes, checksum: 535c46b1abd87bc9822da8e752d70575 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-10 / The identification of minimally impacted sites and the selection of metrics for assessing the effects of human activities on aquatic environments has been a key issue in the management of these ecosystems. This paper presents a practical and easy method to identify reference sites and selection of the most significant metrics that reflect the general attributes of the assemblies, altered by human impacts. For this we evaluated the biotic integrity in some neotropical streams, located in Paraná state, Brazil, through the benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. The identification of reference sites was based on the physical and chemical quality of the habitat, and the physical and chemical variables summarized by principal component analysis, and submitted to cluster analysis to identify the reference sites. Sixteen metrics were calculated, which were submitted to a discriminant analysis to select the most significant metrics. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that the reference sites were selected according to composition ande physical quality of the sediment. These sites were positively correlated with larger particles such as pebbles and negatively associated with smaller particles. The discriminant analysis showed that few metrics are sufficient to identify changes in the assemblies by human activities and that assemblies respond differently to environmental changes. In the pooled analysis of the assemblies the metrics selected for macroinvertebrate were different than metrics selected in the analysis performed solely for that assembly, in the pooled analysis were selected metrics abundance, percentage of tolerant and percentage of shredders, whereas in exclusive analysis were selected metrics richness and percentage of tolerant. Greater richness of macroinvertebrates were observed at pristine sites, while the percentage of tolerance increased with the gradient of impact. On the other hand, for the fish assemblage were selected metrics of richness, diversity and percentage of omnivores. Greatest richness were observed in moderately impacted sites, while higher values of diversity and percentage of omnivores were observed in reference sites. The analysis of the metrics of the two assemblages provided a more robust evaluation the sites categorized according to a gradient of impact, than the separate evaluation of the assemblages. However, the benthic macroinvertebrates assemblage was equally effective to confirm the reference sites. The procedure presented in this paper can easily assist managers in selecting effective methods for protecting and restoring stream ecosystems / A identificação de locais minimamente impactados e a seleção de métricas para a avaliação dos efeitos das atividades humanas sobre os ambientes aquáticos tem sido uma questão chave na gestão desses ecossistemas. Este trabalho apresenta um método protocolo para a identificação de locais de referência e seleção de métricas mais significativas, que refletem os atributos gerais das assembleias, alteradas pelos impactos humanos. Para isso foi avaliada a integridade biótica em alguns riachos neotropicais, localizados no estado do Paraná, Brasil, através da fauna de macroinvertebrados bentônicos e peixes. A identificação dos locais de referência foi realizada com base na qualidade física e química do habitat, sendo as variáveis físicas e químicas sumarizadas pela análise de componentes principais e submetidas à análise de agrupamento para a identificação dos locais de referência. Foram calculadas dezesseis métricas, as quais foram submetidas a uma análise discriminante para a seleção das métricas mais significativas. A análise de componentes principais e a análise de agrupamento revelaram que os locais de referência foram selecionados de acordo com a composição e qualidade física do sedimento. Esses locais foram correlacionados positivamente com partículas maiores, como seixos e, negativamente, com partículas menores. A análise discriminante demonstrou que poucas métricas são suficientes para identificar alterações nas assembleias decorrentes de atividades humanas e que as assembleias respondem de maneira distinta às alterações ambientais. Na análise conjunta das assembleias as métricas selecionadas para macroinvertebrados foram diferentes das métricas selecionadas na análise realizada para essa assembleia exclusivamente, na análise conjunta foram selecionadas as métricas de abundância, percentagem de tolerantes e percentagem de fragmentadores, enquanto que na análise exclusiva foram selecionadas as métricas de riqueza e percentagem de tolerantes. Maiores valores de riqueza de macroinvertebrados foram observados em locais prístinos, enquanto que a percentagem de tolerantes aumentou de acordo com o gradiente de impacto. Por outro lado, para a ictiofauna foram selecionadas as métricas de riqueza, diversidade e percentagem de onívoros. Maiores valores de riqueza foram observados nos locais moderadamente impactados, enquanto que maiores valores de diversidade e percentagem de onívoros foram observados nos locais de referência. A análise das métricas das duas assembleias proporcionou uma avaliação mais robusta dos locais categorizados, segundo um gradiente de impacto, do que a avaliação isolada das assembleias. Entretanto, a assembleia de macroinvertebrados bentônicos foi igualmente eficiente para confirmar os locais de referência. O procedimento apresentado neste trabalho poderá facilmente auxiliar os gestores na seleção de métodos eficazes para a proteção e restauração de ecossistemas lóticos

In this thesis, I examine the variation in plant species richness along gradients of productivity and disturbance in grasslands and forest habitats in southern Sweden, and I compare the documented patterns with theoretical predictions. Moreover, I evaluate the relative importance of habitat quality and habitat configuration for the occurrence of field layer species in deciduous forests. Finally, I present a new method for the determination of the regional species pool. To examine regional and local variation in plant species richness, I gathered data on species composition in plots of different size (0.001 - 1000 m2) in three vegetation types (deciduous forests, dry grasslands and coastal meadows) in four regions of southern Sweden (Öland, Gotland, Småland and Uppland). As predicted by the species pool hypothesis, differences in small-scale species richness of deciduous forests and dry grasslands were correlated with differences in the size of the regional species pool. Moreover, among plots large-scale diversity was predictive of small-scale diversity. Species diversity showed a hump-shaped relationship with productivity in forests, and was related to environmental heterogeneity and the size of the 'habitat-specific' species pool. In the two types of grassland examined, grazed sites were richer in species than abandoned sites. Moreover, both species composition and the representation of plants with different life-history characteristics differed between grazed and abandoned sites. As predicted by the intermediate disturbance hypothesis, species richness was highest at intermediate levels of grazing in coastal meadows. However, all the above patterns were scale-dependent, and not observed at all plot sizes. The occurrence of field layer species in deciduous forests was more strongly related to habitat quality (mainly soil factors) than to habitat configuration (forest area and isolation). Across species, low seed production, clonal reproduction and habitat specificity were negatively associated with isolation.

A primary focus of wildlife research is to understand how habitat conditions and human activities impact the health of wild animals. External factors, both natural and anthropogenic that impact the ability of an animal to acquire food and build energy reserves have important implications for reproductive success, avoidance of predators, and the ability to withstand disease, and periods of food scarcity. In the analyses presented here, I quantify the impacts of habitat quality and anthropogenic disturbance on indicators of health for individuals in a threatened grizzly bear population in Alberta, Canada. The first analysis relates spatial patterns of hair cortisol concentrations, a promising indicator of long-term stress in mammals, measured from 304 grizzly bears to a variety of continuous environmental variables representative of habitat quality (e.g., crown closure, landcover, and vegetation productivity), topographic conditions (e.g., elevation and terrain ruggedness), and anthropogenic disturbances (e.g., roads, forest harvest blocks, and oil and gas well-sites). Hair cortisol concentration point data were integrated with continuous variables by creating a stress surface for male and female bears using kernel density estimation validated through bootstrapping. The relationships between hair cortisol concentrations for males and females and environmental variables were quantified using random forests, and landscape scale stress levels for both genders was predicted based on observed relationships. Low female stress levels were found to correspond with regions with high levels of anthropogenic disturbance and activity. High female stress levels were associated primarily with high-elevation parks and protected areas. Conversely, low male stress levels were found to correspond with parks and protected areas and spatially limited moderate to high stress levels were found in regions with greater anthropogenic disturbance. Of particular concern for conservation is the observed relationship between low female stress and sink habitats which have high mortality rates and high energetic costs. Extending the first analysis, the second portion of this research examined the impacts of scale-specific habitat selection and relationships between biology, habitat quality, and anthropogenic disturbance on body condition in 85 grizzly bears represented using a body condition index. Habitat quality and anthropogenic variables were represented at multiple scales using isopleths of a utilization distribution calculated using kernel density estimation for each bear. Several hypotheses regarding the influence of biology, habitat quality, and anthropogenic disturbance on body condition quantified using linear mixed-effects models were evaluated at each habitat selection scale using the small sample Aikake Information Criterion. Biological factors were influential at all scales as males had higher body condition than females, and body condition increased with age for both genders. At the scale of most concentrated habitat selection, the biology and habitat quality hypothesis had the greatest support and had a positive effect on body condition. A component of biology, the influence of long-term stress, which had a negative impact on body condition, was most pronounced within the biology and habitat quality hypothesis at this scale. As the scale of habitat selection was represented more broadly, support for the biology and anthropogenic disturbance hypothesis increased. Anthropogenic variables of particular importance were distance decay to roads, density of secondary linear features, and density of forest harvest areas which had a negative relationship with body condition. Management efforts aimed to promote landscape conditions beneficial to grizzly bear health should focus on promoting habitat quality in core habitat and limiting anthropogenic disturbance within larger grizzly bear home ranges. / Graduate / 0768 / 0463 / 0478 / mathieub@uvic.ca

O Parque Estadual da Cantareira é uma Unidade de Conservação de Proteção Integral localizada na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, abrigando inúmeras nascentes, entre as quais as de importantes rios afluentes do Tietê e outras que contribuem para o reservatório Paiva Castro. Contudo existem poucos estudos sobre a qualidade da água e os ambientes aquáticos desta importante área protegida. Neste contexto, este trabalho objetivou avaliar a qualidade da água de ambientes lóticos do parque, a fim de buscar as condições mais próximas às naturais desta área, partindo do proposto na Resolução CONAMA 357/2005 para a Classe Especial. Para tanto a qualidade da água foi avaliada de forma integrada pela análise do meio físico (topografia e vegetação, utilizando-se imagens de satélite), da avaliação de características fisicoecológicas e do habitat de riachos (pelo emprego de um protocolo de avaliação rápida) e da qualidade da água (avaliação de variáveis físicas, químicas, biológica e hidrobiológica). Os resultados foram analisados de forma integrada e, a partir dos melhores resultados indicados pelas diferentes abordagens, foram selecionados dez riachos que representaram as condições de melhor preservação no âmbito desta pesquisa. Para o período amostrado estas condições são indicadas pelos mínimos valores ou ausência de Clorofila a, Ortofosfato, Ortosilicato, Fósforo Total, Nitrito e Amônio; baixos valores de Nitrato (< 0,81 mg/L), Nitrogênio Total (< 2,1 mg/L), Material em Suspensão Total (< 4,53 mg/L), Turbidez (< 7,1 NTU); valores relativamente baixos de Sólidos Totais (< 92,3 mg/L) e Condutividade Elétrica (< 58 s/cm); Oxigênio Dissolvido acima de 7,6 mg/L e pH entre 6,5 e 7,3. Além disso, deve haver condições fisicoecológicas livres de alterações e hábitats com características de ambientes com ausência ou mínima perturbação. Espera-se que esta pesquisa seja um primeiro passo para o diálogo sobre a viabilidade da busca de condições naturais em unidades de conservação de proteção integral, conhecimento necessário para o reenquadramento destas áreas protegidas na Classe Especial. / The Cantareira State Park is a conservation unit of integral protection located in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. It has several springs including those originating relevant tributaries of the Tietê river and others that contribute to Paiva Castro reservoir. However, there are few studies on the water quality and aquatic environments of this relevant protected area. In this context, this research aimed to evaluate the water quality of lotic environments in the park in order to establish the natural conditions of the area, based on the proposed for Special Class by CONAMA Resolution 357/2005. The water quality was evaluated in an integrated manner by performing analyzes of the physical medium (topography and vegetation via satellite images, evaluation of physic-ecological features and habitat of streams (by a rapid bioassessment protocol) and evaluation of the water quality (physical, chemical, biological and hydrobiological analyses). Results were analyzed in an integrated manner and, from the better results indicated by the different approaches, ten sites were selected which represented the best preservation conditions in the Park. For the sampling period, these conditions are minimum values or absence of Chlorophyll a, Orthophosphate, Orthosilicate, Total Phosphorus, Nitrite and Ammonium; low values of Nitrate (< 0.81 mg/L), Total Nitrogen (< 2.1 mg/L), Total Suspended Solids (< 4.53 mg/L), Turbidity (< 7.1 NTU); relatively low values of Total Solids (< 92.3mg/L) and Electric Conductivity (< 58 s/cm); Dissolved Oxygen higher than 7.6 mg/L and pH between 6.5 and 7.3. Besides it should be physic-ecological conditions free of human impact and habitats with minimum or absence of disturbance. It is expected this research is the first step in the dialogue on the feasibility of seeking natural conditions in conservation units of integral protection, knowledge necessary for the framework of these protected areas in the Special Class.

Amongst the diversity of taxa that occur in the Neotropics, 200 migratory bird species that breed in temperate North America can be found. Many of these populations have seen significant declines since the 1960s. The Wood Thrush, Hylocichla mustelina, is one such species. Shade coffee and other agroforestry practices show potential for benefiting migratory species, but the quality of coffee habitat and optimal habitat characteristics for Wood Thrushes remain unknown. I surveyed a spatially complex, agricultural landscape in Honduras outside the recognized winter range of the Wood Thrush and radio-tagged 46 individuals within rustic coffee farms during the winters of 2012 and 2013. I used telemetry data to calculate metrics of habitat quality based on survival and persistence while also collecting detailed vegetation measurements across the landscape and within each home-range. Mixed-effects models were used to explore the relationship of survival, transience, movement, and home-range size to habitat class and microhabitat variables. Estimates for all four habitat quality metrics fell within the range of previous studies and were significantly related to habitat attributes. Structure, edge habitat, and shade coffee played a key role determining habitat quality. The variables associated with higher habitat quality in this study suggest that rustic coffee farms have potential to support wintering wood thrush populations. However, estimates of survival may be overly optimistic in the presence of transients, transforming highly fragmented landscapes into winter sinks. This study highlights several gaps in current scientific knowledge about some of the most essential questions of Wood Thrush winter ecology.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

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Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal