Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission has amplified the knowledge of both static and time-variable part of the Earth’s gravity field. Currently, GRACE maps the Earth’s gravity field with a near-global coverage and over a five year period, which makes it possible to apply statistical analysis techniques to the data. The objective of this study is to analyse the most dominant spatial and temporal variability of the Earth’s gravity field observed by GRACE using a combination of analytical and statistical methods such as Harmonic Analysis (HA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The HA is used to gain general information of the variability whereas the PCA is used to find the most dominant spatial and temporal variability components without having to introduce any presetting. The latter is an important property that allows for the detection of anomalous or a-periodic behaviour that will be useful for the study of various geophysical processes such as the effect from earthquakes. The analyses are performed for the whole globe as well as for the regional areas of: Sumatra- Andaman, Australia, Africa, Antarctica, South America, Arctic, Greenland, South Asia, North America and Central Europe. On a global scale the most dominant temporal variation is an annual signal followed by a linear trend. Similar results mostly associated to changing land hydrology and/or snow cover are obtained for most regional areas except over the Arctic and Antarctic where the secular trend is the prevailing temporal variability. / Apart from these well-known signals, this contribution also demonstrates that the PCA is able to reveal longer periodic and a-periodic signal. A prominent example for the latter is the gravity signal of the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake in late 2004. In an attempt to isolate these signals, linear trend and annual signal are removed from the original data and the PCA is once again applied to the reduced data. For a complete overview of these results the most dominant PCA modes for the global and regional gravity field solutions are presented and discussed.

Abstract The long-term monitoring programme for the River Teno Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks has covered the juvenile densities (25 yr) and the abundance and characteristics of the returning adults (31 yr). The feasibility of the programme was examined by studying the interrelationships between the yearly catches and juvenile salmon densities, performance and reliability of the electrofishing method, and the effects of fishing regulations on the salmon stocks. Finally, juvenile salmon abundances were related to the available fluvial habitat and reference levels were defined by using habitat models. Extensive seasonal variation in juvenile salmon density was apparent. The densities of fry and parr showed an increase from early summer towards late August and a subsequent decline towards the autumn. Long-term electrofishing monitoring is recommended to be carried out in as standardized a form as possible in order to reduce variations in catchability. Over the 25-year monitoring period, the abundance of parr (1+) increased in one sampling site cluster out of nine clusters and declined in one cluster. Fry densities increased in seven clusters. Juvenile densities exhibited considerable temporal and spatial variation. Similarly, the salmon catches varied extensively, and the numbers of 1-2SW salmon and previous spawners increased. The numbers of 1–2SW female salmon in the catches and the subsequent juvenile densities were significantly related, as regression models explained 19–44% of the variation in juvenile abundance. The juvenile monitoring allows evaluation of the relative spawner abundance in preceding years, confirming the information provided by catch statistics. Juvenile salmon densities explained 23–41% of the variation in subsequent 1–2SW salmon catches. Significant correlations were detected with a lag of one year between the subsequent sea-age groups of salmon in the catches. Thus, these relationships can be used for forecasting future salmon abundances. Large areas of high habitat quality in the River Teno system fail to meet their expected juvenile densities, and factors others than physical habitat characteristics, such as a lack of spawners, restrict the juvenile abundance. More than 50% of the permanent sampling sites where habitat would predict high densities (≥ 50 parr per 100 m2) had observed densities in the mid (10–49) or low density category (< 10). It was expected that the densities should increase after regulatory measures implemented in 1989–1990, but results indicate that the reference levels of parr densities have not been attained and the densities have not increased, whereas a general increase in salmon fry densities was detected. Nonetheless, the management measures have succeeded in maintaining the River Teno salmon stocks, which still today enable and support diversified fisheries.

A cana-de-açúcar é uma realidade no papel de rentabilidade global e recurso energético capaz de auxiliar a economia de combustíveis fósseis, e nas novas diretrizes do desenvolvimento sócio-econômico com maior sustentabilidade. O Estado de São Paulo se apresenta como região de grande potencial para atender a demanda de canade- açúcar no que tange a produção de açúcar, etanol e energia, dada sua tradição no setor sucroalcooleiro, sua estrutura econômica, as tecnologias disponíveis e a infraestrutura adequada. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi mapear a eficiência produtiva ao longo de 16 safras agrícolas, analisando a importância relativa do clima e do solo e inferindo sobre os aspectos socioeconômicos e conjunturais que interferem na composição da eficiência de produção de cana-de-açúcar e na sua variabilidade espaço-temporal. O conceito de eficiência de produção agrícola foi derivado a partir da termodinâmica para gerar um indicador para a avaliação do desempenho de sistemas de produção agrícola em escala local ou regional e quantificar como fatores determinantes interferem no sistema de produção. Em termodinâmica, eficiência de um processo é dada pela razão entre a energia obtida e o total utilizado para consecução do processo. Para estabelecer a relação com sistemas agrícolas, admitiu-se que a energia disponível pode ser dada pela produtividade atingível estimada por modelos de simulação, enquanto que a produtividade observada representaria a energia efetivamente utilizada no processo. Utilizou-se o Método das Zonas Agroecológicas da FAO para se determinar a produtividade potencial, ajustando-a em função do estresse hídrico pelo método de Jensen e do tipo de solo em função do conceito de ambiente de produção proposto por Prado. Antes da sua aplicação, o modelo foi parametrizado e validado em comparação com dados de campo. Os dados do IBGE foram tomados como produtividade observada, para avaliar a eficiência da produção de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo, analisando a sua correlação como alguns fatores do meio físico podem influenciar sobre ela. Foi possível observar que os elementos climáticos explicaram 43% da variabilidade da eficiência da produção agrícola de cana-de-açúcar. Analisando os valores médios das 16 safras, obteve-se que os seguintes elementos climáticos afetam a eficiência de produção agrícola, em ordem de importância: radiação solar, deficiência hídrica, temperatura máxima, precipitação e temperatura mínima. Com relação ao solo observou-se que explica 15% da variabilidade da eficiência de produção de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo, na média de todas as safras. Analisando a variação temporal dessa correlação, notou-se uma alteração no padrão de correlação a partir da safra 2001/2002, provavelmente por causa da expansão da cultura para a região oeste do Estado no período subseqüente. O consumo de fertilizantes foi utilizado para subsidiar algumas inferências feitas nesse contexto. Em média, 42% da variabilidade da eficiência da produção de cana-de-açúcar foram explicadas por outros fatores, além do clima e do solo, inferindo-se a partir disso que aspectos socioeconômicos e conjunturais têm grande influência sobre a composição da eficiência 10 de produção de cana-de-açúcar, notadamente os preços pagos pelos derivados da cana-de-açúcar e a demanda pelo etanol no mercado interno. / The sugarcane is an important resource for food and energy production with scale to help the economy of fossil fuels and the development of new guidelines for socio-economic development in sustainable basis. The State of São Paulo is a region of great potential to meet the sugarcane demand in terms of sugar, ethanol and energy, since it has a long tradition related to this sector, its economic structure, the available technology and enough infrastructures. The objective of this study was mapping crop efficiency over 16 growing seasons, examining the relative importance of climate and soil and inferring on the socio-economic aspects interfering in the composition of the sugarcane crop efficiency and its spatial and temporal variability. The concept of crop efficiency was derived from the thermodynamics to generate an indicator for evaluating the performance of agricultural production systems in local or regional scale, and measure how factors affect the production system. In thermodynamics, efficiency of a process is given by the ratio between the total energy available and the amount of energy effectively used to achieve the process. To establish the relationship with agricultural systems, acknowledged that the available energy could be estimated by the attainable yield given by simulation models based on environmental variables, while the observed yield could represent the energy effectively used in the process. The method of Agroecological Zones of the FAO was applied to determine the potential yield, adjusting it according to water stress by the Jensen method and the soil constraints according to the concept of the production environment proposed by Prado. Before its implementation, the model was parameterized and validated by comparison with field data. Here, the IBGE\'s data were taken as observed yield, so then to assess the crop efficiency of sugarcane in the State of São Paulo, analyzing the factors influencing on it. It was observed that the climatic factors explained 43% of the variability of crop efficiency of sugarcane, based on the analysis of the average values from 16 growing seasons. Regarding this point, it was obtained that the following weather elements affect the efficiency of agricultural production, in order of importance: solar radiation, water deficit, maximum temperature, precipitation, and minimum temperature. Regarding the soil, it explained 15% of the variability of the sugarcane crop efficiency, also considering the average of all seasons. Analyzing the temporal variation of this correlation, it was noticed a change in the pattern of correlation from the 2001/2002 season, probably because of the crop expansion to the west of the state during the subsequent period. The consumption of fertilizer was used to support some inferences made in this context. On average, 42% of the variability of efficiency of production of sugarcane in the State of São Paulo was explained by other factors, besides the climate and soil. It was inferred that social and economic aspects have great influence on the composition of the crop efficiency of sugarcane, markedly the prices paid for sugarcane product and the ethanol demand in the internal market.

A cana-de-açúcar é uma realidade no papel de rentabilidade global e recurso energético capaz de auxiliar a economia de combustíveis fósseis, e nas novas diretrizes do desenvolvimento sócio-econômico com maior sustentabilidade. O Estado de São Paulo se apresenta como região de grande potencial para atender a demanda de canade- açúcar no que tange a produção de açúcar, etanol e energia, dada sua tradição no setor sucroalcooleiro, sua estrutura econômica, as tecnologias disponíveis e a infraestrutura adequada. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi mapear a eficiência produtiva ao longo de 16 safras agrícolas, analisando a importância relativa do clima e do solo e inferindo sobre os aspectos socioeconômicos e conjunturais que interferem na composição da eficiência de produção de cana-de-açúcar e na sua variabilidade espaço-temporal. O conceito de eficiência de produção agrícola foi derivado a partir da termodinâmica para gerar um indicador para a avaliação do desempenho de sistemas de produção agrícola em escala local ou regional e quantificar como fatores determinantes interferem no sistema de produção. Em termodinâmica, eficiência de um processo é dada pela razão entre a energia obtida e o total utilizado para consecução do processo. Para estabelecer a relação com sistemas agrícolas, admitiu-se que a energia disponível pode ser dada pela produtividade atingível estimada por modelos de simulação, enquanto que a produtividade observada representaria a energia efetivamente utilizada no processo. Utilizou-se o Método das Zonas Agroecológicas da FAO para se determinar a produtividade potencial, ajustando-a em função do estresse hídrico pelo método de Jensen e do tipo de solo em função do conceito de ambiente de produção proposto por Prado. Antes da sua aplicação, o modelo foi parametrizado e validado em comparação com dados de campo. Os dados do IBGE foram tomados como produtividade observada, para avaliar a eficiência da produção de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo, analisando a sua correlação como alguns fatores do meio físico podem influenciar sobre ela. Foi possível observar que os elementos climáticos explicaram 43% da variabilidade da eficiência da produção agrícola de cana-de-açúcar. Analisando os valores médios das 16 safras, obteve-se que os seguintes elementos climáticos afetam a eficiência de produção agrícola, em ordem de importância: radiação solar, deficiência hídrica, temperatura máxima, precipitação e temperatura mínima. Com relação ao solo observou-se que explica 15% da variabilidade da eficiência de produção de cana-de-açúcar no Estado de São Paulo, na média de todas as safras. Analisando a variação temporal dessa correlação, notou-se uma alteração no padrão de correlação a partir da safra 2001/2002, provavelmente por causa da expansão da cultura para a região oeste do Estado no período subseqüente. O consumo de fertilizantes foi utilizado para subsidiar algumas inferências feitas nesse contexto. Em média, 42% da variabilidade da eficiência da produção de cana-de-açúcar foram explicadas por outros fatores, além do clima e do solo, inferindo-se a partir disso que aspectos socioeconômicos e conjunturais têm grande influência sobre a composição da eficiência 10 de produção de cana-de-açúcar, notadamente os preços pagos pelos derivados da cana-de-açúcar e a demanda pelo etanol no mercado interno. / The sugarcane is an important resource for food and energy production with scale to help the economy of fossil fuels and the development of new guidelines for socio-economic development in sustainable basis. The State of São Paulo is a region of great potential to meet the sugarcane demand in terms of sugar, ethanol and energy, since it has a long tradition related to this sector, its economic structure, the available technology and enough infrastructures. The objective of this study was mapping crop efficiency over 16 growing seasons, examining the relative importance of climate and soil and inferring on the socio-economic aspects interfering in the composition of the sugarcane crop efficiency and its spatial and temporal variability. The concept of crop efficiency was derived from the thermodynamics to generate an indicator for evaluating the performance of agricultural production systems in local or regional scale, and measure how factors affect the production system. In thermodynamics, efficiency of a process is given by the ratio between the total energy available and the amount of energy effectively used to achieve the process. To establish the relationship with agricultural systems, acknowledged that the available energy could be estimated by the attainable yield given by simulation models based on environmental variables, while the observed yield could represent the energy effectively used in the process. The method of Agroecological Zones of the FAO was applied to determine the potential yield, adjusting it according to water stress by the Jensen method and the soil constraints according to the concept of the production environment proposed by Prado. Before its implementation, the model was parameterized and validated by comparison with field data. Here, the IBGE\'s data were taken as observed yield, so then to assess the crop efficiency of sugarcane in the State of São Paulo, analyzing the factors influencing on it. It was observed that the climatic factors explained 43% of the variability of crop efficiency of sugarcane, based on the analysis of the average values from 16 growing seasons. Regarding this point, it was obtained that the following weather elements affect the efficiency of agricultural production, in order of importance: solar radiation, water deficit, maximum temperature, precipitation, and minimum temperature. Regarding the soil, it explained 15% of the variability of the sugarcane crop efficiency, also considering the average of all seasons. Analyzing the temporal variation of this correlation, it was noticed a change in the pattern of correlation from the 2001/2002 season, probably because of the crop expansion to the west of the state during the subsequent period. The consumption of fertilizer was used to support some inferences made in this context. On average, 42% of the variability of efficiency of production of sugarcane in the State of São Paulo was explained by other factors, besides the climate and soil. It was inferred that social and economic aspects have great influence on the composition of the crop efficiency of sugarcane, markedly the prices paid for sugarcane product and the ethanol demand in the internal market.

The goal of this thesis was to detail spatial and temporal organic particulate dynamics at an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) site on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. To accomplish this goal, in-situ optical measurements of particulate scattering (bp), particulate backscattering (bbp) and the particulate backscattering ratio (bbp:bp) were collected in conjunction with discrete sampling for particulate organic carbon (POC) and chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations. These measurements were performed over three seasons (autumn, winter and summer) at reference sites and at sites within and directly adjacent to the fish component of the IMTA system. Chapter 2 of this thesis focused on the examination of bio-optical relationships over various timescales (seasonally, daily and within-day) to describe temporal and vertical particulate variability and to assess the effectiveness of bio-optical methods for environmental monitoring. Autumn showed low bio-optical magnitudes with distinct lower cage increases possibly attributable to aquaculture derived wastes. In spring, sampling was performed over diatom bloom conditions, dominating the bio-optical measurements. During summer, an Emiliania Huxleyi bloom likely occurred, strongly enhancing bbp and bbp:bp magnitudes in the thermally stratified upper water column. Throughout these conditions, bp was predominantly influenced by chl a suggesting sensitivity to phytoplankton concentrations. While bbp was conditioned by chl a during the diatom bloom, it was also highly sensitive to the presence of inorganic and likely detrital materials. Finally, bbp:bp was sensitive to particulate compositions, showing low values (< 0.010) in diatom dominated waters and high values when refractive coccoliths were likely present. Notably, in autumn, bbp:bp was conditioned by detrital particles and along with bbp, showed post-feeding lower cage increases suggesting that these parameters could be useful candidates for particulate waste tracking during low ambient particle conditions. In chapter 3, the temporal, vertical and horizontal dispersion of the aquaculture derived particulate wastes are detailed. Autumn was the only period to show waste signals, likely due to their quick dilution into the particulate rich fields in spring/summer. During this period, post-feeding particulate waste increases were focused at the bottom of the cage with possible vertical sinking towards the seafloor. Minimal horizontal dispersion towards the scallop portion of the system was observed; however, more comprehensive sampling over differing hydrographic regimes is necessary to characterize waste dispersion. Based on our temporally limited autumn results, the most appropriate placement of uptake species for waste assimilation would be directly below the studied cage. Our results highlight the need for high spatial and temporal resolution methods for particulate monitoring within IMTA settings as discrete sampling may miss “patchy” waste dispersal streams. The bio-optical measurements performed during this study could fill this need as they can provide high resolution information on particulate concentrations and compositions not achievable solely through the use of discrete water sampling. With further research, optical instrumentation could be incorporated into IMTA systems allowing for the near real time and continuous collection of data on particulate dynamics. This knowledge could greatly aid in the design and implementation of systems optimized for waste removal by uptake species. / Graduate / 0792 / 0768 / 0752 / jdelbel@uvic.ca

Accelerating rates of change in ecosystems globally heighten the need for improved predictions of future ecological conditions. Freshwater lakes and reservoirs, which provide numerous ecosystem services, are particularly threatened by global change stressors and have already exhibited substantial changes to their physical, chemical, and biological functioning. Thus, to provide useful predictive tools for managing freshwater resources in the face of global change, we must improve our ability to build, apply, and communicate understanding of lake and reservoir ecosystem dynamics. To address this, I first built ecosystem understanding by conducting multiple whole-ecosystem surveys to quantify the spatial and temporal variability of biogeochemistry in two reservoirs over a year. We found that temporal heterogeneity was higher than spatial heterogeneity for most biogeochemical variables, with the stream-reservoir interface as a consistent hotspot of biogeochemical processing. Second, I applied ecosystem understanding by producing ecological forecasts of physical (water temperature), chemical (dissolved oxygen), and biological (chlorophyll-a) variables across three waterbodies using diverse modeling methods. I developed daily, weekly, and fortnightly forecasts of chlorophyll-a at two drinking water reservoirs using a Bayesian linear model, and found process uncertainty dominated total forecast uncertainty. Additionally, I produced forecasts of water temperature and dissolved oxygen in an oligotrophic lake using a hydrodynamic-ecosystem model and found that water temperature was more predictable than oxygen despite variable performance over depth and between years. Across these two forecasting studies, forecast skill relative to a null model varied among water quality metrics: water temperature forecasts outperformed the null model up to 11 days ahead, oxygen forecasts outperformed the null model up to 2 days ahead, and chlorophyll-a forecasts outperformed the null model up to 14 days ahead. Third, to communicate forecasts for decision-making, I developed an educational module for undergraduate ecology students which taught important concepts on visualization and decision science. Following completion of the module, students' ability to identify methods for uncertainty communication increased significantly, as well as their understanding of the benefits of ecological forecasting. Overall, my dissertation provides insight into how reservoirs function in global biogeochemical cycles, the predictability of multiple water quality variables, and deepens our understanding of how to communicate ecosystem science for improved management and protection of ecosystems. / Doctor of Philosophy / Human activities such as changing land use and climate have altered ecosystems around the world. As a result, many ecosystems no longer exhibit the same patterns from year to year as they have in the past, motivating the need for new tools to predict their future conditions. Among all ecosystems, freshwater lakes and reservoirs have been especially vulnerable due to human activities, threatening the critical services they provide to society, including drinking water and food, opportunities for recreational and cultural activities, and flood protection. Thus, because freshwater ecosystems are rapidly changing, forecasts of important water quality variables are needed. However, in order to use these forecasts effectively, a better understanding of how lakes and reservoirs change over space and time is needed, in addition to thoughtful communication of scientific findings for users. In my dissertation, I first addressed these needs by monitoring two reservoirs to examine how water quality varies over time and space. I found that water quality was more different over time (i.e., seasons) than over space (i.e., from one location to another within the reservoir). Second, I made ecological forecasts of water quality variables over space and time at different lakes. I forecasted phytoplankton levels in two drinking water reservoirs using a relatively simple model and water temperature and dissolved oxygen in a large clear-water lake using a more complex model. Comparing across forecasts in the three waterbodies, I found that my temperature forecasts provided valuable information above a baseline model up to 11 days ahead, oxygen forecasts up to 2 days ahead, and phytoplankton forecasts up to 14 days ahead. Third, because forecasts must be communicated effectively to be used as decision-making tools, I designed an educational module to teach forecast visualization and decision-making concepts. I found that students who completed the module better understood the benefits of forecasting for decision-making, and identified more ways to communicate forecasts after they completed the module. Overall, my dissertation shows the importance of measuring water quality over time and space to develop lake and reservoir forecasts, and demonstrates how forecast communication can help build students' understanding of the importance of forecasts for protecting and managing ecosystems.

The consequences of land use choices on soil water and gas transport properties are significant for gas and water flux in agricultural environments. Spatial and temporal patterns and associations of soil water and soil gas characteristics and processes in different land uses are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize soil structure under crop and grass systems, 2) quantify spatial patterns and associations of soil physical characteristics in crop and grass systems, and 3) quantify spatial and temporal patterns and associations of CO2 and N2O fluxes. The research was conducted in a 60 by 80 m field divided into grass and crop systems. Sixty sampling points were distributed in four transects with 5- and 1-m spatial intervals between measurement points. Gas fluxes were measured, at two-week time intervals, 22 times during a year. Pore size distribution was more homogeneous and more continuous pores were found in the grass than in the crop system. The spatial variability of most selected soil physical characteristics was more structured in the crop than in the grass system, which reflected the impact of land use and soil structure on their spatial patterns. CO2 flux was dependent for a longer distance in the grass than in the crop system, however, the two land-use systems exhibited similar spatial ranges of N2O flux. Gas fluxes were temporally dependent for a longer period in the grass than in the crop system. The spatial associations between CO2 and N2O fluxes and selected biochemical and physical factors depended on the flux sampling season and land use. Soil temperature was the dominant controlling factor on the temporal variability of CO2 and N2O fluxes but not on the spatial behavior. Considering the spatial and temporal ranges and dependency strength of soil variables helps identify efficient sampling designs that can result in better time and resource management. Spatial and temporal relationships between the selected soil variables also improve understanding soil management and sampling soil variables. This study provides the baseline and recommendations for future investigations specifically for sampling designs, soil management, and predictions of different soil processes related to gas fluxes.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:23:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1452064 bytes, checksum: 3c07661ce61a2de096f75bbba839cfd4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-20 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Precision agriculture seeks the management of fields in order to maximize profit and reduce environmental impacts. For this, one must consider the spatial variability of the attributes that define the yield of agricultural crops. The management considering the variability of soil properties provides improvements in the management of inputs, however, a spatial database for this purpose requires a large number of soil samples. To map the soil attributes using direct samples generally is not the option most cost effective. Indirect samplings are preferable, and the apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) is a technique with high acceptance in precision agriculture. The objective of this work is to advance the knowledge about this technique by testing it in a Cerrado condition. Therefore, the sampling conditions, the spatial and temporal variability, and the usefulness these information for precision agriculture were evaluated. The results regarding the sampling condition show that when the soil moisture is higher, the ECa correlated most closely with soil attributes and correlated less with soil moisture and was considered to be the best condition for sampling. The spatial variability of ECa generated four classes when used the fuzzy c-means classifier. However, a method of analysis of soil samples within classes combined them in just two, which were distinct for the attributes most correlated with the ECa and the obtained semivariogram showed low discontinuity at the origin. These attributes were the potential of hydrogen (pH), base saturation (V), potential acidity (H + Al), iron (Fe) and full cation exchange capacity (T). The temporal variability of ECa was analyzed by using the principal component technique. The component that best described the temporal variability of ECw explained 18% of the total variability of the data and presented spatial dependence. This component was correlated with altitude, T and electrical conductivity of saturation extract (CEes). In this study the altitude was considered the attribute that most influenced the temporal variability of the ECa. In this study case, the ECa represented a good information for analysis of spatial variability of physical and chemical attributes of soil. / A agricultura de precisão busca o manejo dos campos de forma a maximizar o lucro e reduzir os impactos ambientais. Para tanto, deve-se considerar a variabilidade espacial dos atributos que definem a produtividade das culturas agrícolas. O manejo considerando a variabilidade de propriedades do solo proporciona melhorias no gerenciamento de insumos, entretanto, um banco de dados espacial para essa finalidade necessita de um grande número de amostras de solo. Por esse motivo o mapeamento de atributos do solo por meio de amostras diretas não é a opção com melhor relação custo/benefício. Amostragens indiretas são preferíveis e a condutividade elétrica aparente do solo (CEa) é uma técnica com elevada aceitação em agricultura de precisão. Esse trabalho tem o objetivo de avançar nos conhecimentos a respeito dessa técnica, testando-a em uma condição de Cerrado. Para tanto, foi avaliada as condições de amostragem, a variabilidade espacial, temporal e a utilidade dessas informações para a agricultura de precisão. Os resultados revelam que na condição de amostragem com teor de água no solo mais elevada, a CEa mais se correlaciona com atributos do solo e menos se correlaciona com o teor de água no solo, sendo considerada a melhor condição de amostragem. A variabilidade espacial da CEa gerou quatro classes, quando utilizando o classificador Fuzzy c-means. Entretanto, um método de análise de amostras de solo no interior das classes combinou-as em apenas duas, que foram distintas para os atributos mais correlacionados com a CEa e que apresentaram forte dependência espacial. Esses atributos foram, potencial hidrogeniônico (pH), saturação por bases (V), acidez potencial (H+Al), ferro (Fe) e capacidade total de troca catiônica (T). A variabilidade temporal da CEa foi avaliada por meio da análise de componentes principais. A componente que melhor descreveu a variabilidade temporal da CEa explicou 18 % da variabilidade total dos dados e apresentou dependência espacial. Essa componente correlacionou com a altitude, T e a condutividade elétrica do extrato de saturação (CEes). Nesse estudo, a altitude foi considerada o atributo que mais influenciou a variabilidade temporal da CEa. Para as condições desse trabalho a CEa representou uma boa informação para análise indireta de importantes atributos do solo.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:33:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Carina_ Estrela_.pdf: 16751997 bytes, checksum: 57dab41429721d293278464eaa3be9b4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-27 / The main economic activities developed at Turuçu-RS (Brazil) are the dairy cattle breeding, cultivation of temperate climate fruit, tobacco and red-hot chili pepper. Among the fruits, strawberry is a relevant crop which is providing worthy investment return for the farmers, generating income, employment, social inclusion and therefore rising quality of life of the farmers. Drip irrigation is one of the adopted technologies by the rural producers in the strawberry crop system. The irrigation water quality has an important role in this system due the potential to cause emitters clogging, reducing the equipment life time and irrigation uniformity. The effect of the water quality may very depending on factors as the kind of water source, local climate and the irrigation management employed by the farmer. This work intended to characterize the irrigation water sources in relation to their origin and to assess the spatial and temporal variability of the water quality utilized in the strawberry crop in 15 rural properties affiliated to the Association of Strawberry Producers of Turuçu-RS. Water samples were collected monthly at water supply for ten months. The water quality was evaluated in terms of its physical (suspended solids, dissolved solids and turbidity), chemical (pH, total iron, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and hardness) and microbiological parameters (total and fecal coliform bacteria). These parameters were evaluated in relation to the hazard to cause damages to the drip irrigation systems and to their spatial and temporal distribution by means of box plot graphs. To characterize the irrigation water sources relating to their origin was employed a typology for grouping the sources based on the CONAMA (National Council for the Environment) Resolution 303/2002. In this manner, six sources were classified as Group 1, five as Group 2, three as Group 3 and one as Group 4. It was verified that the rural producers had no technical advice about reservoir construction or water withdrawal location. The spatial and temporal variability of the water quality analyzed presented different magnitude for the parameters. The dissolved solid concentration presented the greatest among physical parameters, and dissolved oxygen, followed by electrical conductivity among the chemical. In relation to the clogging hazard, the suspended solid concentration was the physical parameter that presented the greatest percentage of samples classified as of moderate and severe risk, while turbidity was classified as adequate for most samples. For the chemical parameters, total iron levels presented the greatest percentage of samples classified as of moderate and severe risk. For dissolved oxygen, the percentage of samples classified as inadequate was over 50% in six properties, and it was classified as adequate over 50% in six properties. For the pH parameter the clogging hazard was found low in ten water sources while electrical conductivity and hardness presented low risk for all samples. It was not detected the presence of total and fecal coliform bacteria in four and five water samples, respectively, along the studied period. / No município de Turuçu-RS as principais atividades econômicas desenvolvidas são a pecuária leiteira, a produção de frutíferas de clima temperado, de fumo e de pimenta vermelha. Dentre as frutíferas, destaca-se o morangueiro que tem propiciado aos produtores rurais, boa rentabilidade constituindo-se em instrumento de geração de renda e emprego, inclusão social e assim incrementando o padrão de qualidade de vida destes produtores. A irrigação localizada por gotejamento foi um dos incrementos tecnológicos adotados na produção do morangueiro. Neste sistema, a qualidade da água utilizada assume papel importante podendo afetar seu funcionamento causando obstrução de emissores diminuindo sua vida útil e comprometendo a uniformidade da irrigação. Baseado nisto, este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar as fontes de captação de água usada para irrigação quanto a sua origem e avaliar a variabilidade espacial e temporal da qualidade da água usada na produção de morangos em 15 propriedades, pertencentes à Associação dos Produtores de Morango do Município de Turuçu-RS. Para tal, foram coletadas, mensalmente, amostras de água das fontes de captação em cada uma das propriedades, durante um período de 10 meses, determinando suas características físicas (sólidos suspensos, sólidos dissolvidos e turbidez), químicas (pH, ferro total, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica e dureza), e microbiológicas (coliformes totais e fecais). Estas características foram avaliadas quanto ao potencial de causar danos ao sistema de irrigação por gotejamento e quanto a sua distribuição espacial e temporal ao longo do período utilizando gráficos em caixa. Na caracterização das fontes de captação de água foram usadas as definições da Resolução CONAMA 303/2002 para identificar características semelhantes quanto a origem das fontes de captação resultando em seis fontes caracterizadas como Tipo 1, cinco como Tipo 2, três como Tipo 3 e uma como Tipo 4. A variabilidade espacial e temporal da qualidade da água apresentou magnitudes diferentes quanto aos parâmetros, sendo a concentração de sólidos dissolvidos a maior dentre os físicos e o oxigênio dissolvido, seguido pela condutividade elétrica dentre os químicos. Quanto ao potencial de risco a causar entupimento dos gotejadores, a concentração de sólidos em suspensão apresentou o maior percentual das amostras classificadas como moderado e severo, dentre os parâmetros físicos, sendo a turbidez da água classificada como adequada em onze fontes de captação. Dentre os parâmetros químicos, a concentração de ferro apresentou o maior percentual de amostras com potencial de risco moderado e severo, o oxigênio dissolvido apresentou seis propriedades com mais de 50% das amostras de água classificadas inadequadas e em outras seis mais de 50% das amostras classificadas adequadas. O pH da água de irrigação apresentou baixo potencial de risco, em dez fontes de captação, enquanto que, a condutividade elétrica e a dureza total apresentaram potencial de risco baixo em todas as amostras. Não foi detectada a presença de coliformes totais em quatro amostras de água analisadas e de coliformes fecais em cinco, ao longo do período estudado.

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