This study investigated commensal feeding interactions between the European harvestman (P. opilio L.) and the predatory mites Balaustium spp. and Anystis baccarum L. It also investigated the feeding behaviour of P. opilio. Experiments were conducted in the laboratory using standardised temperature, humidity, photoperiod and experimental arenas, with eggs of the brown blowfly (Calliphora stygia F.) as prey facsimiles. Due to initial difficulties in obtaining enough predatory mites, mite feeding was manually simulated piercing blowfly eggs with a minuten pin. P. opilio consumed significantly more freeze-killed than live blowfly eggs, indicating that freezing induced chemical and/or physical changes to blowfly eggs that are detected by P. opilio. Significantly more manually pierced eggs were consumed by P. opilio compared with unpierced ones, demonstrating that piercing caused a chemical and/or physical to the egg and increased the feeding rates of P. opilio. Different densities of eggs had no effect on the numbers eaten by P. opilio and placing single pierced eggs next to groups of unpierced eggs also had no effect on the numbers of unpierced eggs eaten. These results suggest that P. opilio does not exhibit klinokinesis or orthokinesis to intensify its search for prey around the area where previous prey were located. P. opilio ate significantly more brown blowfly eggs that had previously been fed on by mites, demonstrating that a short term commensal interaction existed. However, further work is required to demonstrate if the relationship is commensal in the longer term. A comparison between hand-pierced and mite-pierced eggs showed that P. opilio ate significantly more of the former indicating that mite and hand piercing were quantitatively different. The potential for, and importance of, other commensal or mutual relationships between predators in agroecosystems is discussed. The lack of klinokinesis and orthokinesis in P. opilio is compared with other predators and parasitoids that do exhibit these behaviours. The means by which prey are detected by P. opilio are discussed in relation to interpreting behaviours such as prey inspection. Concerns about the effect of pre-treatment and handling of sentinel prey and the problems of using prey facsimiles are raised.

The eddy-covariance method was used to measure net ecosystem productivity over three adjacent fields from 2009 to 2011: two annual cropping systems (oat-canola-oat and hay-oat-fallow) recently converted from perennial cropping, and a perennial hay/pasture. We compared the management practises, determined the net carbon budget, and examined the effects of inter-annual variability. Carbon accumulation began earlier in the spring and continued later in the fall at the perennial site, compared with the annual crop sites, due to a longer growing season and continual plant cover. Cumulative cropping season net ecosystem productivity at the perennial site ranged from 40 to 240 g C m^(-2) because of variable weather. Including harvest removals and manure additions, the perennial site gained 120 g carbon m^(-2) and the annual sites lost 240 and 415 g carbon m^(-2), respectively, over the 30-month period. This indicates that the annual cropping systems would decrease soil carbon at this location.

The eddy-covariance method was used to measure net ecosystem productivity over three adjacent fields from 2009 to 2011: two annual cropping systems (oat-canola-oat and hay-oat-fallow) recently converted from perennial cropping, and a perennial hay/pasture. We compared the management practises, determined the net carbon budget, and examined the effects of inter-annual variability. Carbon accumulation began earlier in the spring and continued later in the fall at the perennial site, compared with the annual crop sites, due to a longer growing season and continual plant cover. Cumulative cropping season net ecosystem productivity at the perennial site ranged from 40 to 240 g C m^(-2) because of variable weather. Including harvest removals and manure additions, the perennial site gained 120 g carbon m^(-2) and the annual sites lost 240 and 415 g carbon m^(-2), respectively, over the 30-month period. This indicates that the annual cropping systems would decrease soil carbon at this location.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Considering the problem of the depletion of nonrenewable resources and today s environmental impacts, especially the reduction of biodiversity, the debates about the need for environmental sustainability have increased, making it essential to consider all areas, promoting dialogue and alternatives to traditional models of production. In this context, understanding the knowledge of farmers on ways to take advantage of native fruits presents itself as a viable alternative and raises the analysis of various uses of the Pindo Palm in order to verify how they can influence in the continuation of this native tree of Rio Grande do Sul. The objective of this research was to understand how the different uses of the Pindo Palm (Butia odorata), in the social context of production units of Santa Vitória do Palmar (RS), can influence its management and preservation of this species, as well as to assist in the sustainability of palms ecosystem. For this study, it was chosen as method of approach the literature review on the topic, the collection of local data with questionnaires and semi-structures interviews with farmers, technicians and craftsmen, as well as photographic records relating forms of conservation and use of the Pindo Palm. Based on the analysis of the reports of farmers from Santa Vitória do Palmar it is possible to state that the ways of using the Pindo Palm have influence on its preservation, as farm families are aware of their importance, be it for their own food or for the conservation of the plant itself. In addition, the different uses of the Pindo Palm are linked to economic, socio-cultural and ecological dimensions, with a strong emphasis on the socio-cultural one. And finally, what is most important in the speeches of farmers is the affective bond between people and the Pindo Palm, showing a strong relationship of belonging and protection of this native species. / Diante da problemática do esgotamento dos recursos naturais não renováveis e dos impactos ambientais da atualidade, especialmente a redução da biodiversidade, têm aumentado os debates sobre a necessidade da sustentabilidade ambiental, tornando-se imprescindível que se trabalhe em todas as esferas, promovendo o diálogo e alternativas aos modelos tradicionais de produção. Neste contexto, a compreensão do conhecimento dos agricultores sobre as formas de aproveitamento das frutíferas nativas apresenta-se como uma alternativa viável e suscita a análise dos diversos usos do butiazeiro, a fim de constatar como estes podem influenciar na conservação dessa árvore nativa do Rio Grande do Sul. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi compreender como as formas de uso do butiazeiro (Butia odorata), no contexto social das unidades de produção de Santa Vitória do Palmar (RS), podem influenciar o seu manejo e conservação desta espécie, bem como auxiliar na sustentabilidade do ecossistema dos palmares. Para a realização deste estudo, optou-se por utilizar, como método de abordagem, a revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema, a coleta de dados locais com aplicação de questionários e a realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas com agricultores, técnicos e artesãos, bem como registros fotográficos referentes às formas de uso e conservação do butiazeiro. Com base na análise dos relatos dos agricultores de Santa Vitória do Palmar é possível afirmar que as formas de uso do butiazeiro influenciam na conservação do butiazeiro, pois as famílias de agricultores estão conscientes de sua importância, seja ela para sua própria alimentação, para a conservação da própria planta. Além disso, as formas de uso da planta do butiazeiro estão ligadas às dimensões econômica, sociocultural e ecológica, com forte destaque para a dimensão sociocultural. E por fim, o que mais marca nas falas dos agricultores é o vinculo afetivo das pessoas com o butiazeiro, mostrando um forte vínculo de pertencimento e de proteção desta espécie nativa.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T18:57:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4796.pdf: 6256079 bytes, checksum: 21c1be3bfed9f34c276ad426f83f9e9c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-16 / The present work was aimed at making the diagnosis of 25 Agroecosystems located in the Pirapora river micro basin, in the Piedade municipality, State of São Paulo, focusing particularly on the adopted management practices. The socioeconomic, productive and environmental implications of these practices were analyzed and contextualized in the scenario of São Paulo State agriculture. The focus in the watershed, besides their legal aspects, reflects its importance as a geographical until priority actions for integrated management, conservation and natural resource management. In this study we sought to define the indicators that reflect the complexity of management were studied based on the method proposed by MESMIS, as well as by systematic methodological experience Agronomic Institute of Paraná IAPAR, systemic approach. The main results arising from systematized this work were: a significant presence of family farmers in the region, the incompatibility of management techniques adopted in Agroecosystems in relation to environmental and soil characteristics of the region, the weakness in the organization among the farmers, the narrow market for the sale restricted to the middleman, the heavy dependence on external inputs to the system resulting from a conventional farming, the use of pesticides banned, the impairment of water resources and public health of residents for limited use in the preservation of water sources and lack of sanitation. These factors indicate that the diagnosed type of agriculture currently practiced in the region is undermining the sustainability of Agroecosystems due to the degradation of natural resources and, consequently, of their own agricultural activities in the watershed. / O presente trabalho teve como objetivo realizar o diagnostico de 25 agroecossistemas localizados na microbacia do rio Pirapora, no município de Piedade, estado de São Paulo, focalizando particularmente as práticas de manejo adotadas. As implicações socioeconômicas, produtivas e ambientais dessas práticas foram analisadas e contextualizadas no cenário da agricultura do estado de São Paulo. O foco na microbacia1, afora os seus aspectos legais, traduz a sua importância como unidade geográfica prioritária para ações integradas de planejamento, gestão, conservação e manejo dos recursos naturais. Na realização deste estudo buscou-se definir os indicadores que reflitam a complexidade do manejo dos agroecossistemas, estes influenciados pelo método MESMIS; e para a condução do trabalho como um todo a experiência metodológica do Instituto Agronômico do Paraná IAPAR, em enfoque sistêmico de sistema de produção. Os principais resultados sistematizados decorrentes deste trabalho foram: a) a significativa presença de agricultores familiares na região; b) a incompatibilidade das técnicas de manejo dos agroecossistemas, em vista das características ambientais e pedológicas da região; c) a fragilidade na organização entre os agricultores; d) o estreito mercado de venda da produção, este restrito ao atravessador; e) a grande dependência de insumos externos ao sistema decorrente do padrão tecnológico da agricultura convencional; f) o emprego de agrotóxicos proibidos; g) o comprometimento da qualidade dos recursos hídricos; h) a inexistência de saneamento básico e i) o comprometimento da saúde pública j) baixa adoção de medidas de conservação e manejo de solo. Tais fatores diagnosticados sinalizam que o modelo de agricultura atualmente praticado pelos agricultores na região está comprometendo a sustentabilidade dos agroecossistemas em decorrência da degradação dos recursos naturais e, conseqüentemente, colocando em risco a própria atividade agrícola na microbacia.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2005-11-11Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:52:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 romero_mgc_me_botfca.pdf: 501966 bytes, checksum: 8a2162abca05fd26e5b11cd59e8f4957 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar índices de eficiência energética e econômica por unidade de área do agroecossistema algodão, em determinado sistema de produção familiar e estabelecer a relação entre a eficiência energética e a eficiência econômica. A hipótese que orienta este estudo é de que a relação energética pode ser coincidente com as relações econômicas. Como ponto de enfoque desta pesquisa é analisada a exploração familiar, utilizando-se a categorização realizada pelo Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar (PRONAF). A cultura de algodão tem-se destacado na agricultura brasileira por sua importância econômica e social. Sendo assim, considerou-se a importância desta cultura e observou-se a sua participação na produção agrícola familiar. Foram utilizados dados primários de três explorações familiares do município de Leme/SP. Na construção da estrutura de dispêndios energéticos do agroecossistema algodão bem como na avaliação da eficiência econômica, considerou-se os valores médios obtidos, em função destes agricultores apresentarem o mesmo itinerário técnico e estarem dentro da tipificação utilizada neste trabalho. Os resultados da eficiência energética foram apresentados pela estrutura de dispêndios energéticos, por tipo, fonte e forma e energia bruta. Do ponto de vista econômico, os indicadores de eficiência foram apresentados na forma de distribuição de freqüência de probabilidade. Considerando-se o agroecossistema algodão a partir do itinerário técnico apresentado, observou-se uma energia bruta do produto igual a 37.138,59 MJ . ha-1, com uma participação de 34,21% e 65,79% das energias direta e indireta, respectivamente. O agroecossistema estudado dependeu fundamentalmente de fonte de energia industrial, particularmente inseticidas (39,71%) e fertilizantes químicos (19,88%) e de fontes... / The aim of this study was to assess the energy and economic efficiency indexes per unit of cotton agro-ecosystem area, in a certain system of family production and to establish a ratio between energy efficiency and economic efficiency. The hypothesis that guides this study is that the energy ratio cannot be coincident with the economic ratios. As the focal point of this research, family exploitation is analyzed, with the use of the categorization done by the National Program for Strengthening Family Agriculture - (Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar - PRONAF). Cotton planting has been outstanding in Brazilian agriculture because of its economic and social importance. Thus, the importance of this crop was considered, and its participation in family agricultural production observed. Use was made of primary data from three family exploitations in the municipality of Leme/SP, Brazil. To construct the energy expenditure structure of the cotton agro-ecosystem, as well as to assess the economic efficiency, the mean values obtained were considered, since these agriculturalists present the same technical itinerary and are within the typification proposed in this study. The energy efficiency results were presented by the energy expenditure structure by type, source, form and gross energy. From the economic point of view, the efficiency indexes were presented in the form of frequency and probability distribution. Considering the cotton agro ecosystem from the technical itinerary presented, a gross product energy equal to 37.138,59 MJ . ha-1 was observed, with a participation of 34,21% and 65,79% of the direct and indirect energy respectively. The studied agro ecosystem fundamentally depended on the industrial source of energy, particularly insecticides (39,71%) and chemical fertilizers (19,88%) and fossil sources (33,80%)...(Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Agro-IBIS model is validated for a soybean experimental site in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. This experiment is conducted in order to evaluate the impact of different soil management systems on different areas of science. In the site, we obtained micrometeorological measures of energy, mass and water exchanges between the soybean ecosystem and the environment during the 2009/2010 soybean growing season. We used two management systems: (1) no-tillage system (NT) and (2) conventional tillage system (CT). The model was forced with meteorological data from the Brazilian National Institute of Meteorology (INMET). The results of the model were compared with the observed data in order to evaluate the capacity of the model in simulating the interaction of the soybean ecosystem with environment and also to verify the effects of surface coverage by crop residues in NT. Since the model does not have the representation of crop residues, i.e., of NT, its effects are not expected in the simulation results. The results indicate that the model simulates the radiative balance and flows of energy in a satisfactory way. Besides this, soil moisture in the 0-20 cm and 20-50 cm layers and the 0-50 cm integration as well as soil temperature at 2 cm are simulated in a suitable way. For soil moisture, the simulated results represent better the observed data in CT, indicating that the effect of soil coverage by crop residues is not simulated. In the variables related to CO2, the model has problems concerning the simulation of the ecosystem respiration, which is strongly underestimated. This leads to an inconsistency in the simulation of the others variable related to CO2, mainly of those which consider the night-time data, since at night the net CO2 exchange of the ecosystem (NEE) is the respiration. For the daytime CO2 the model shows good performance, except in the period of leaf senescence, when the model indicates CO2 uptake by the ecosystem and the experimental data indicate emission. / O modelo Agro-IBIS é validado para um sítio experimental com o cultivo de soja no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. No sítio é conduzido um experimento que tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto dos diferentes sistemas de manejo do solo em diversas áreas do conhecimeto. No sítio foram coletadas medidas micrometeorológicas das transferências de energia, massa e água entre o ecossistema da soja e a atmosfera durante o ciclo 2009/2010 da soja. O monitoramento se deu sobre dois sistemas de manejo: (i) o sistema de plantio direto (SD); (ii) sistema de plantio convencional (SC). As simulações com modelo Agro-IBIS para a soja foram realizadas com o modelo sendo forçado com dados meteorológicos do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET). Os resultados do modelo foram comparados com os dados observados nos SD e SC a fim de avaliar a capacidade do modelo em simular a interação do ecossistema da soja com o ambiente e, também, com o intuito de verificar os efeitos da cobertura da superfície pelos resíduos culturais no SD. Como o modelo não possui a representação dos resíduos culturais, ou seja, do SD, é esperado que seus efeitos não sejam perceptíveis nos resultados simulados. Os resultados indicam que o modelo simula o balanço radiativo e os fluxos de energia de forma consistente. Além disso, a umidade do solo nas camadas 0-20cm, 20-50cm e a integração 0-50 cm, assim como a temperatura do solo a 2cm são simuladas de forma robusta. Na umidade do solo, os resultados simulados melhor representam os dos dados observados no SC, indicando que o efeito da cobertura do solo pelos resíduos culturais não é considerado. Nas variáveis relacionadas ao CO2, é possível verificar que o modelo tem problemas em relação à simulação da respiração do ecossistema, que é fortemente subestimada. Isso leva a uma inconsistência na simulação das demais variáveis relacionadas ao CO2, principalmente àquelas que consideram os dados noturnos, já que à noite a troca líquida de CO2 (NEE) do ecossistema é a respiração do mesmo. Quando a análise dos resultados relacionados ao CO2 é restrita aos dados diurnos o modelo tem bom desempenho, exceto no período de senescência foliar, quando o modelo segue indicando absorção de CO2 pelo ecossistema e os dados experimentais indicam emissão.

A bacia do Rio Corumbataí é composta por um mosaico de ambientes, fortemente antropizado, com predominância de pastagens e plantações de cana-deaçúcar, além de florestas plantadas de eucalipto e fragmentos de floresta estacional semidecidual. Esta bacia, principal fonte de abastecimento de água da região metropolitana de Campinas, pode ser considerada como um modelo conveniente para o estudo da conservação da diversidade biológica. Subdivide-se em cinco sub-bacias, sendo que a maior, e que apresenta os maiores fragmentos florestais remanescentes, é a do Rio Passa-Cinco. Para verificar a diversidade e a abundância de espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, bem como a utilização que fazem deste mosaico agroflorestal, foram realizados censos por meio de transectos, buscando-se todos os possíveis tipos de registro - diretos e indiretos - como observação direta, fezes, pegadas, arranhões e carcaças. Entre julho de 2003 e junho de 2004 foram percorridos 284,4 km ao todo, e registradas 25 espécies silvestres nativas e duas exóticas, além de seis espécies domésticas. Na floresta nativa foram registradas 23 espécies, no canavial 20, no eucaliptal 17 e nas áreas de pastagem 12. O estimador não-paramétrico Bootstrap calculou 25 espécies para a floresta nativa, 22 para o canavial, 18 para o eucalipto e 13 para o pasto, indicando que o esforço amostral não foi suficiente para a estabilização da curva de esforço. Os índices de Diversidade (H’ e 1/D), bem como Pielou (J’), mostraram ambientes similares, e o ajuste das curvas de distribuição de espécies ao modelo de séries logarítmicas mostra uma comunidade com uma estrutura composta por poucas espécies abundantes e muitas espécies raras. Quanto à freqüência de ocorrência e à abundância relativa nos quatro ambientes amostrados, as únicas espécies que apresentaram diferenças entre os ambientes foram o cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) e a lebre européia (Lepus europaeus), ambas com hábitos generalistas, as duas com maior freqüência no canavial, e a lebre-européia também com maior abundância no canavial. Já em relação à comunidade de mamíferos como um todo, o pasto apareceu como o ambiente com menor riqueza de espécies e com o menor freqüência de ocorrência, enquanto que o canavial obteve a maior freqüência de ocorrência. A análise de correspondência mostrou sete espécies mais relacionadas à floresta nativa, cinco ao eucalipto e nove às áreas abertas (pastagem e canavial). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a comunidade de mamíferos de médio e grande porte da Bacia do Rio Passa-Cinco é sujeita às modificações ambientais que a região vem sofrendo, e que as espécies de hábitos mais generalistas são as que estão conseguindo se manter com maior facilidade, devido, possivelmente, a seus menores requerimentos de habitat. / The Corumbataí river basin is a landscape with great human influence, with the most relevant agroecosystems of São Paulo. It has been used as one of the major water supplies for the metropolitan region of Campinas. This basin is formed by five subbasins, where the Passa-Cinco river basin is the largest, with the most native remaining fragments. This basin could be considered as a convenient model for the study of biodiversity conservation in agroecosystems. In order to evaluate the distribution and abundance of medium and large-sized mammals, 284,4 km of transects were censused from July 2003 to June 2004 in Semideciduous native forest, eucalyptus plantations, sugar-cane plantations and pastures. All possible records were recorded such as direct observation, faeces, tracks, scratches, and carcasses. I found 25 native species and two exotic species, besides six domestic species. On the native forest I recorded 23 species, on sugar cane 20, on eucalypt forest 17, and on the pasture areas 12. The diversity and the evenness index suggested that environments were similar, and the distribution species curve (Log-series model) showed few abundant and a majority of rare species. Crab-eating fox and European hare were the only species with differences among habitats in frequency of occurrence, and European hare was the only one with difference among habitats in relative abundance. The results suggested that this mammalian community has been influenced by the environmental alteration that this region has been suffering, and the current community is basically formed by generalist species what enhanced its adaptation to an anthropogenic landscape. In such conditions, current environmental laws should be enforced in order to improve forest conservation and mitigate the impacts of agriculture, paper industry, and livestock production.

Epigeic beetle communities were studied on three agroecosystems with different crops grown. All three agroecosystems were located in the vicinity of Ceske Budejovice (Lišov). The first eco-agroecosystem was alfalfa field. On the second one was meadow. The third eco-agroecosystem was permanent grassland. The agroekosystems differd not only in crops but also in agrotechnical operations during the capture. For all agroecosystems was for capture of the organisms used method of pitfall traps. Subsequently, those organisms have been studied. Then was studied the measure of human impact on the biodiversity of species of different ecological groups found in these locations.

SUMMARY The assemblages of epigeic beetles were studied in various types of agroecosystems in the submontaneous area of Novohradske hory (South Bohemia, Czech republic). The research took place in years 2009 and 2011. There were sown various types of crops, in the target places, on which were established either biobelts (research 2009) or permanent green belts with trees and shrubs (research 2011) in past. The aim of the study was to assess, whether or how these landscape structures influence epigeic beetles. The datas were gathered by sampling ground beetles with ground traps. The collected material was put then through identification and this was the base for assessing the parameters of landscape structures influence on epigeic beetles. These parameters were: the species diversity, the abundance and the ammount of relict species. It was collected 3099 beetles and it was managed to identify 54 species at all. The interest groups of invertebrates were ground beetles/carabids (Carabidae) and rove beetles (Staphylinidae). The results differed for both groups. The rove beetles were generally more abundant, than ground beetles and most of them were found in crops in the year 2009. The lowest numbers were caught in crops 2011. There was a quite remarkable contrast between these two results. The species diversity of rove beetles was too lower, than the ground beetles? one. The results of biodiversity seemed to be strange so as the abundance was. The diversity was the highest in the crops 2009 and the slowest in the crops 2011. Nearly the same diversity was found in biobelts, which are really different type of habitat. The carabids? abundance was not so oscillating like by the rove beetles. They were the most abundant in biobelts and the less in permanent belts. The abundance in crops in both years was nearly the same. The species diversity was highest in permanent belts and the lowest in crops in the year of 2009. The results about antropic influence on epigeic beetles assemblages, based on ecological characteristics of beetles, were eventually raised. It was established, that all the populations are strongly affected by human. The results say, that habitats like biobelt and permanent belt seem to have a positive impact on epigeic beetles assemblages, namely on relict or rare beetles survival. The results have very disparate and sometimes contradictory nature, thus cannot be sumarized.