The municipal solid waste (MSW) management system is consisted of planning, development, execution of capital works, and so on. Too many factors in the system make the decision making process plagued with uncertainties, vagueness and complication. Interval-parameter Linear Programming (ILP) is widely used to deal with uncertainties existed in the MSW system and to assist optimal decision making. However, the existing ILP solution algorithms, i.e., best-worst case algorithm and 2-step algorithm, are found to be ineffective through a validity checking process. Moreover, the results from ILP can not reflect the linkage between decision risks and the system return. In this study, a fuzzy risk explicit interval-parameter linear programming (FREILP) model is developed and applied to the long-term planning of the MSW management system in Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). This method is specifically designed to deal with extensive uncertainties existed in the MSW management system and to provide decision supports to HRM planners. In the model, ILP is used to reflect uncertainties existed in both objective function and constraints. Based on the basic ILP, a risk function is defined to assist in finding solutions with minimum system cost while minimizing the system risk, under certain aspiration levels. The aspiration level could be conservative, medium or aggressive, and can thus be presented as a fuzzy set to reflect the preference of decision makers. Three sets of solutions are obtained accordingly. Besides, the model was also solved under the aspiration level from 0 to 1, with a step of 0.1, for providing a comprehensive decision support. This approach can effectively reflect dynamic, interactive, uncertain characteristics, as well as the interactions between overall cost and risk level of the MSW management system, thus provide valuable information to support the decision-making process, such as waste allocation pattern, timing and expansion capacities of the municipal solid waste management activities. The result can directly reflect the tradeoff between decision risks and the system return.

Practitioners of watershed management are increasingly turning to computer models to understand and make decisions about the diverse problems that occur in the watershed. Such models can provide insight into how human interactions with the landscape affect water quality and quantity. Additional modeling tools trace how those effects ripple through ecosystems, economies, and other systems. In the past, models were stand-alone and process-specific, aimed at solving problems related to a narrow discipline. For example, hydrologic models analyzed the quantity of flow through waterways. Separate ecological models probed the cycling of nutrients in those waterways. An emerging trend for watershed-based models is to link them to a geographic information system (GIS), which provides the basis for integrating data, algorithms, and methods from each discipline of interest. This integration capability makes GIS a very powerful tool for the watershed manager. The GIS in this study within the Upper Roanoke River Watershed integrates modeling efforts from the fields of hydrology, economics, and ecology. The main goal of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of GIS as an integrating and computational aid for making sound decisions about a watershed. A secondary goal is to include GIS functionality in a prototype software application for evaluating the effects of land management decisions. The application, named DesktopL2W, can be a significant tool for choosing how and where development should occur within the boundaries of a watershed. The three major results of the study are: (1) a library of spatial data that is valuable for watershed analysis; (2) a set of procedures for undertaking a GIS integration project; and (3) the DesktopL2W software product with its usefulness to planners and others who are interested in how development affects the watershed. In addition, discussion of technical issues, such as selection of data formats and spatial and temporal resolution, provides insight into the complexities associated with a GIS integration effort. / Master of Science

Over the last several decades, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin has been impacted by the presence of high levels of Fecal Coliform bacteria following periods of rainfall. This is a potential problem for recreational uses of the area. In 2003 a field sampling study was initiated in the north shore area of the Lake at the mouth of the Tchefuncte River. The objectives were to determine the water quality in the area and to simulate the plume patterns from the Tchefuncte River. Twenty eight stations at the mouth of the Tchefuncte River, and a station at the Madisonville Bridge were selected for study on the basis of proximity to the mouth of the River. Fecal coliform counts were found to be “wet” weather-dependent at the mouth of the River and unsuitable for primary contact recreation for at least two to three days following a rain event. A 3-D finite volume hydrodynamics model (A coupled Hydrodynamical-Ecological Model for Regional and Shelf Seas – COHERENS) and the TECPLOT™ equation feature were used for the prediction of contaminant plumes from the Tchefuncte River into the Lake Pontchartrain. The field data were used to validate the model. The upper limits predicted by the model and those measured in the field were in good agreement. The model used river flow and tidal forcing without wind shear. The model verified that that the wet weather effect lasted for two to three-day after a high storm water discharges at the mouth of the river.

The runoff of suspended solids and nutrients from land into the nation's lakes and rivers can have severe impacts on the health of these systems and their uses. High-frequency environmental data from sensors can provide insight into fundamental biogeochemical processes that dictate water quality and provide regulators with valuable knowledge on how to manage critical resources. The goal of this research was to utilize sensor technology, telemetry hardware, cyberinfrastructure, and water quality models to create a sensing system that will allow the investigation of the fate and transport of dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, nutrients, and other water quality parameters throughout a watershed dominated by agricultural activity. Deploying these sensors at multiple locations along the stream enabled the investigation of these processes from the fine scale to the larger watershed scale. Results from this research addressed both fundamental science and resource management issues regarding water quality. Using high-frequency data, a dramatic diel cycle in dissolved oxygen was observed with nonlinear dynamics which was successfully modeled mathematically, and excursions in water quality criteria were observed. In addition, a diel pattern in turbidity was discovered with higher levels at night likely caused by bioturbation (i.e. nocturnal activity of bottom feeding fishes) which resulted in higher suspended solids loadings during nighttime. Furthermore, the QUAL2K model was successfully calibrated for water quality using sensor measurements and grab samples from volunteer, IOWATER data. Nutrient loading rates (nitrate-N, orthophosphate, and total dissolved solids) were estimated along the entire creek and were similar to other Iowa streams. Volunteer environmental data were found to be helpful in model calibration for some parameters (e.g. TSS and nitrate). The construction and operation of a sensing system in Clear Creek contributed to water quality science and engineering. Findings from the configuration and field testing of sensing station components such as water quality sensors, power systems and communication hardware will aid the design of future sensing systems and environmental observatories. Integrating the methodology of this research with future observing systems will further our understanding of water quality processes and help maintain the health and value of our nation's water environment.

Our understanding about the presence, behavior, and toxicities of atmospheric persistent organic pollutants is limited by our ability to accurately measure them. This dissertation details the development and characterization of a model for the determination of an accurate sampling rate (Rs), and effective sampling volume (Veff), for polyurethane equipped passive air samplers (PUF-PAS), and the subsequent application of PUF-PAS sampling methods towards novel applications studying polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The user friendly mathematical model resulting from this work, published as a Matlab script, predicts Rs and Veff as a function of local hourly meteorology and the physical-chemical properties of the target analytes. The model was first developed using active sampling methods in urban Chicago, where good agreement was found between the PUF-PAS and high volume active samplers: Active/Passive = 1.1 ± 1.2. The model was then expanded and calibrated globally using the dataset from the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) network. After this global calibration we found acceptable agreement between modelled and depuration-determined sampling rates for an independent dataset, with several compounds having near zero mean percent bias (±6%). The globally applicable model is the best alternative for locations experiencing low average wind speeds or cold temperatures, and is particularly useful for the interpretation of samples with long deployments, deployments conducted under warming conditions, and compounds with high volatility. An interactive web-based graphical user interface for the sampling rate model was developed. Users input sampler locations, deployment dates, and target chemicals, in the web-interface and are provided with a sample and compound specific Rs and Veff. The sampling rate model was examined for use in the indoor environment and it was found that both the experimentally calibrated (1.10 ± 0.23 m3 d-1) and modeled (1.08 ± 0.04 m3 d-1) Rs agreed with literature reports. Correlating sample specific wind speeds with uptake rates, it was determined that variability of wind speeds throughout the room significantly (p-value < 0.001) affected uptake rates. Despite this, the PUF-PAS concentration measurements using modelled Rs values were within 27% of the active sampling determined concentration measurements. Using PUF-PAS samplers, PCBs 47, 51, and 68 were found to account for up to 50% of measured indoor sum PCB concentration (2700 pg m-3). Direct surface measurements were conducted to identify finished cabinetry to be a major source, as a result of the decomposition of 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide used as an initiator in free-radical polymerization of polyester resins. While this phenomenon has been detected at trace levels in other polymer products, it has never been shown to be a significant environment source of PCBs. PUF-PAS samplers were similarly used to study the presence of airborne hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) and PCBs in the metropolitan Chicago area. While OH-PCBs have been hypothesized to be an important removal mechanism for atmospheric PCBs, they were not directly measured in the air until recently. The two most frequently detect OH-PCB congeners in this study, 2OH-PCB2 and 6OH-PCB2, were detected at levels comparable to a previous report of atmospheric OH-PCBs utilizing active sampling methods, suggesting the viability of PUF-PAS methods to study atmospheric OH-PCBs. One sampling site detected as many as 50 OH-PCBs but uncertainties with sampling and laboratory methods prevent any strong conclusions from being drawn.

Submitted by Isabel Cristina Moraes null (isabelmoraes@ourinhos.unesp.br) on 2016-04-26T14:47:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese_IsabelMoraes.pdf: 9864744 bytes, checksum: ad3aa3d7eacb919b09495a66c165c3c9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-04-29T15:18:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 moraes_ic_dr_rcla.pdf: 9864744 bytes, checksum: ad3aa3d7eacb919b09495a66c165c3c9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T15:18:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 moraes_ic_dr_rcla.pdf: 9864744 bytes, checksum: ad3aa3d7eacb919b09495a66c165c3c9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-07 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A intensificação do uso das terras torna-se cada vez mais evidente em função da crescente produção de alimentos à população humana. A aplicação de práticas inadequadas às múltiplas funcionalidades do solo tem provocado a erosão hídrica acelerada como um dos principais processos de degradação deste recurso. No esforço de colaborar em estudos de conservação dos solos, avaliaram-se os modelos preditivos de erosão hídrica MEUPS – Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Modificada (Williams, 1975) e WEPP – Water Erosion Prediction Project (Laflen, 1991) por meio da comparação das estimativas de perda de solo com dados empíricos de parcelas experimentais de pinos de erosão. A variabilidade de parâmetros envolvidos nas simulações motivou a definição de duas bacias hidrográficas de características hidrossedimentológicas distintas, as bacias do ribeirão Jacutinga (Rio Claro – SP) e do córrego do Monjolo Grande (Ipeúna - SP), para avaliar o comportamento erosivo em solos oriundos de argilitos e arenitos, respectivamente. No período experimental de junho/2013 a agosto/2014, parcelas experimentais de 1 m2 foram monitoradas em diferentes condições de declividade, posição topográfica, forma da vertente e cobertura vegetal – pastagem, cana-de-açúcar, e vegetação ripária, e em solo descoberto. Nos Argissolos e Cambissolos de textura argilosa foram registradas perdas de 0,018 a 0,066 ton/ha.ano-1, e deposição entre 0 e 0,026 ton/ha.ano-1, e nos Neossolos Quartzarênicos e Argissolos de textura arenosa, houve predomínio deposicional, entre 0,004 e 0,085 ton/ha.ano-1, e perdas de 0,002 a 0,11 ton/ha.ano-1. As maiores perdas estão associadas a maiores porções das frações de areia fina e silte, e fraca agregação pelos baixos teores de argila e matéria orgânica. O maior percentual de cobertura vegetal foi determinante para as menores perdas, evidenciando maior fator de proteção do solo por plantio direto que por plantio convencional. As simulações foram realizadas para o ano experimental e para eventos específicos de chuva: Evento 1 - intensidade superior a 50 mm/h, e Evento 2 – intensidade inferior a 14 mm/h. A avaliação dos modelos foi dada pelos coeficientes de determinação (R2), de Pearson (PR2) e de Nash-Sutcliffe (COE), sendo o último o mais eficiente. A MEUPS foi simulada com obtenção do comprimento de rampa (L) pelo método automático (Desmet e Govers, 1996) e manual (distância linear). As estimativas foram satisfatórias a muito boas (COE médio > 0,7) principalmente nos solos argilosos com predomínio das perdas, e com fator L manual. No WEPP, foram realizadas simulações pelo módulo vertente (software WEPP) e bacia (GeoWEPP – versão do WEPP em SIG). Em todas as simulações do WEPP vertente foram obtidos resultados insatisfatórios (COE < 0). No GeoWEPP, as estimativas dadas em classes de perda e deposição apresentaram classes coincidentes aos registros das parcelas, entre 20% e 90% em solos argilosos e entre 40% e 50% nos solos arenosos. As melhores estimativas ocorreram para chuvas de baixa intensidade, evidenciando a inadequação do modelo em eventos extremos e em condições tropicais. Ressalta-se que o período experimental representa um ano atípico de chuva, com baixos índices pluviométricos em comparação às médias anuais históricas. Considerando os valores superestimados do WEPP e GeoWEPP, apenas a MEUPS mostrou-se adequada como ferramenta para estudos de erosão hídrica, evidenciando a contribuição deste modelo na gestão do uso da terra e no planejamento de sistemas agrícolas e práticas conservacionistas. / The land use intensification becomes more and more evident due the growing of food production and supply to the human population. The application of inadequate practices to the multiple functions has shown the accelerated water erosion as a major degradation processes for this resource. In an effort to colaborate for soil conservation studies, this research aimed to evaluate the predictive models of erosion MUSLE – Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation (Williams, 1975) and WEPP – Water Erosion Prediction Project (Laflen, 1991) by comparing the estimated soil loss and empirical data from pins experimental plots. The variability of simulated parameters led the definition of two watersheds with different hydrossedimentological characteristics, watershed of stream Jacutinga (Rio Claro – SP/Brazil) and stream Monjolo Grande (Ipeúna – SP/Brazil) to assess the erosive behavior in soils derived from mudstones and sandstones, respectively. In the experimental period of June/2013 to August/2014, experimental plots of 1 m2 were monitored in different conditions of slope, topographic position, slope shape and vegetation cover - grazing, sugarcane, riparian vegetation and bare soil. In Lixisols and Cambisols clayey the losses registered were 0.018 to 0.066 ton/ha.year-1 and deposition between 0 and 0.026 ton/ha.year-1 , and in Quartzarenic Neosols and Lixisols of sandy texture, where dominated depositional process, between 0.004 and 0.085 ton/ha.year-1 , and the losses were 0.002 to 0.11 ton/ha.year-1 . The greatest losses are associated with the largest portion of fine sand and silt fractions, and weak aggregation by low levels of clay and organic matter. The highest percentage of vegetation cover was crucial for smaller losses, showing greater soil protection factor for direct plantation which in conventional tillage. The simulations were performed for the experimental year and specific rainfall events: Event 1 - intensity greater than 50 mm/h, and Event 2 - intensity less than 14 mm/h. The evaluation of the models was given by the coefficients of determination (R2 ), Pearson (PR2 ) and NashSutcliffe (COE), the latest being the most eficiente one. The MUSLE was simulated obtaining the ramp length (L) by the automatic method (Desmet and Govers, 1996) and manual (linear distance). Estimates were satisfactory to very good (average COE> 0.7) especially in clay soils with predominance of soil losses, and manual factor L. For WEPP, the simulations were performed by hill module (WEPP software) and watershed (GeoWEPP – GIS version for WEPP). In all aspects, WEPP simulations have obtained unsatisfactory results (COE < 0). In GeoWEPP, the estimatives given in loss and deposition classes showed coincidence of classes and records of the plots between 20% and 90% in clayey soils, and between 40% and 50% in sandy soils. The best estimates occurred for low intensity rains, pointing out the inadequacy of this model in extreme events and in tropical conditions. It is emphasized that the rain in the experimental period atypical, with low rainfall compared to historical annual averages. Considering the overestimated values of WEPP and GeoWEPP, only MUSLE was adequate as a tool to water erosion studies, especially for the contribution of this model in land use management, in the planning of agricultural systems and conservation practices. / FAPESP: 2012/08710-4

Submitted by CARLA RODRIGUES SANTOS null (carlars2013@gmail.com) on 2017-05-02T16:54:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CARLA RODRIGUES SANTOS.pdf: 6359871 bytes, checksum: 7e7df5bd470eb31cee3ed687d2773fd1 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-05-03T20:36:41Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_cr_dr_prud.pdf: 6359871 bytes, checksum: 7e7df5bd470eb31cee3ed687d2773fd1 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-03T20:36:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_cr_dr_prud.pdf: 6359871 bytes, checksum: 7e7df5bd470eb31cee3ed687d2773fd1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-17 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A Mata Atlântica, bioma que cobria grande parte do território paulista, hoje é composta por um mosaico de fragmentos florestais ameaçados pela ocupação antrópica. Dessa forma, o objetivo da presente pesquisa foi elaborar um modelo ambiental destinado a encontrar alternativas espaciais para implantação de corredores ecológicos, baseado em princípios da Ecologia da Paisagem e na avaliação do estado ecológico do meio ambiente, com o suporte de geotecnologias. Escolheu-se como área de estudo a região Oeste de São Paulo, no entorno das Bacias Hidrográficas dos Rios Paranapanema, Santo Anastácio, Aguapeí e do Peixe. Os dados da pesquisa foram extraídos do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE), do Instituto Geográfico e Geológico (IGG), do Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura de Transporte (DNIT), do Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas (IPT), dos Comitês de Bacias Hidrográficas do Rio Paranapanema (CBH-PP) e dos Rios Aguapeí e do Peixe (CBH-AP). Também foram utilizadas imagens de satélite Landsat1/MSS e Alos, sensor Avnir, e dados SRTM/NASA. Na análise do meio físico e da cobertura da terra, verificou-se que a área pesquisada apresenta relevo suave e ondulado, com solos de baixa fertilidade, praticamente ocupados por agricultura e pastagem. A quantificação dos fragmentos da paisagem evidencia a relevância deles para formação de corredores ecológicos e para possíveis conexões entre diversas Unidades de Conservação. Constatou-se, através da métrica, que a fragmentação da paisagem é expressiva; o tamanho médio das manchas (MPS) é maior na classe de pastagem, com 755,78ha, e o alto índice de MSI nas áreas úmidas é fundamental para a paisagem local, pois favorece a formação de corredores ecológicos. A avaliação integrada dos dados espaciais, utilizando multicritérios e lógica fuzzy, permitiu verificar que: 1) as planícies fluviais são de extrema importância para a conservação da biodiversidade; 2) os índices de dissecação Dc 13, Dc 23 e Dt 13 correspondem às áreas com fortes perturbações antrópicas; 3) as distâncias propostas e analisadas contribuíram para a ligação transversal entre as Unidades de Conservação, as quais oferecem alto fator de proteção para os recursos ambientais. Além disso, diagnosticou-se que os melhores locais para a implementação de corredores ecológicos estão nas classes de potencialidade extremamente alta (3,3%), muito alta (4,5%), alta (6,9%) e média alta (11%). Somadas, essas classes representam 25,8% da área de estudo e estão próximas às drenagens, nascentes e áreas úmidas. Os cenários alternativos de corredores mostraram que o Oeste paulista tem potencialidade para a delimitação de três corredores ecológicos: o primeiro, ligando o Parque Estadual Aguapeí ao Parque Estadual do Rio do Peixe (CEAP); o segundo, entre o Parque Estadual do Rio do Peixe e o Rio Santo Anastácio (CEPSA), e o terceiro, entre o Rio Santo Anastácio e o Córrego Anhumas (CESAA). Concluiu-se que os três corredores permitiriam significativas conexões transversais entre os fragmentos florestais, e sua implementação resultaria na recuperação de aproximadamente 14% da paisagem degradada. / The Atlantic Forest biome which covered great part of São Paulo state territory today is composed by a mosaic of forest fragments threaten by anthropic occupation. Thus the objective of this research was to elaborate an environmental model aiming to find spatial alternatives to install ecological corridors based on the principle of Landscape Ecology and the evaluation of the ecological state of the environment through the support of geotechnologies. For the development and application of the methodology the research area was chosen in the West region of São Paulo in the surroundings of the river basins of the rivers Paranapanema, Santo Anastácio, Aguapeí and Peixe. The data used for the research were extracted from IBGE, IGG, DNIT, IPT, IF/SP, ICMBIO and the following committees: Paranapanema Rirver Basin (CBH-PP), Aguapeí river and Peixe River (CBH-AP), besides the Landsat1/MSS satellite images, Alos satellite images, AVNIR sensor and data from SRTM/NASA. In the analysis of the physical environment and land coverage it was verified that the research area has denudational reliefs, with wide and low hills, besides river terraces plains. It presents altimetric dimensions which vary from 220 meters to 480 meter and little dissected. The most expressive declivity can be found in the classes from 3 – 12%, where smooth slopes are seen and of easy mechanization. The soils are of low fertility and are practically occupied by agriculture and pasture. Across the area we verified the presence of several species of the wildlife and several erosive processes caused by the fragility of the environment, due to the occupation process. The quantification of the landscape fragments evidence the importance they possess in the ecological corridors formation and in the connection possibilities among several Conservation Unities. It was found the fragmented of the landscape through the metric allowed us to verify that the landscape fragmentation is significant, we verified that the average size of the stains (MPS) is bigger in the class of pasture with 755.78ha and that the high index of MSI for the humid areas is of extreme importance to the local landscape, because it becomes a favorable environment to the formation of ecological corridors. The integrated evaluation of spatial data using fuzzy multicriteria and logic made it possible to verify that the river plain (Apf) are considered of extreme importance to the biodiversity conservation, in which the dissection indexes Dc13, Dc23 and Dt13 are the areas which receive strong anthropic disturbances; that the proposed and analyzed distances contributed so the connection among the Conservation Unities could happen in a transversal way, given its high protection factor to environmental resources. We verified that the best locations to the ecological corridors implementation are in classes of extremely high potentialities (3.3%), very high (4.5%), high (6.9%), high average (11%) and that, summed up, they can reach 25.8% of the studied area. The alternative sceneries of corridors showed that the research area has potentiality to the delimitation of three ecological corridors, among them the Aguapeí State Park corridor until Rio do Peixe State Park (CEAP); Rio do Peixe State Park corridor until Santo Anastácio River (CEPSA), and Santo Anastácio River corridor until Anhumas Stream (CESAA), these corridors interconnect the existing fragments across its path. However the connection of the fragments only by themselves isn’t totally possible, it’s necessary to resort to other uses, such as humid, pastures and agricultures areas. It was possible to verify that the priority potentialities are next to the drainages, river springs and wet areas. Therefore, we concluded that the results presented in the three delimitated corridors allowed significant transversal connections between the forest fragments. And the possibility of its implementation would result in the recovery of about 14% of the degraded landscape. The results showed that the proposed methodology was satisfactory, because it allowed the transversal connection of the Conservation Unities with some forest fragments. / CNPq: 167704/2014-1

Global flood forecasting can benefit developing countries and ungauged regions that lack observational data, computational infrastructure, and human capacity for streamflow modeling. Many technical challenges exist to provide flood predictions on a global scale. First, existing land surface forecasts use coarse resolution grid cells, which provide limited information when used for flood forecasting at local scales. There is, so far, no modeling system that can provide rapid and accurate global flood predictions with low cost. Second, accurate flood predictions often require integrating interdisciplinary models, data sources, and analysis routines into a workflow. Limited accessibility, reusability, and interoperability of models restrict integrated modeling from producing more reliable results. Web services have been demonstrated as an effective way for data and model sharing because of the capability of enabling communication among heterogeneous applications over the internet. However, publishing models or analysis routines as web services is still challenging and, hence, is not commonly done. To address the above challenges, I present a computational system for global streamflow prediction, using existing, well-established open source software tools, that quickly downscales the runoff generated from such coarse grid-based land surface models (LSMs) onto high-resolution vector-based stream networks then routes the results using a vector-based river routing model. A set of experiments are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility and credibility of this approach. I also present a tool to publish complex environmental models as web services by adopting the OpenGMS Wrapper System (OGMS-WS) and Docker. The streamflow prediction system is deployed as a web service using this tool, and the service is used to analyze the historical streamflow tendency in Bangladesh. Next, I present a ready-to-use tool called Tethys WPS Server, which provides a simplified and formalized way to expose web app functionality as standardized Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) Web Processing Services (WPS) alongside a web app's graphical user interface. Three Tethys web apps are developed to demonstrate how web app functionality(s) can be exposed as WPS using Tethys WPS Server, and to show how these WPS can be coupled to build a complex modeling web app. In sum, this dissertation explores new computational approaches and software tools to advance global streamflow prediction and integrated environmental modeling.

A pressão por aumento da produção agrícola, seja por abertura de novas áreas, seja por aumento de produtividade, tem um impacto direto no uso e conservação do solo. A cana-de-açúcar, por ser uma cultura híbrida- alimentar e energética, tem grande relevância estratégica e seu sistema de produção muito ligado à agroindústria. Seu sistema de produção, portanto, tem pressão direta para uma maior eficiência (indústria), mas também para mecanismos ambientalmente mais sustentáveis (sociedade). O primeiro artigo apresentado foi uma sistematização da regulamentação legal e da produção científica na área de conservação de solo no Brasil e uma análise comparativa de ambos elementos: regulamentação e ciência. O arcabouço legal brasileiro sobre a conservação de solo reconhece sua importância, mas apresenta poucas ferramentas práticas efetivas. Existem políticas de incentivos econômicos à produção em nível federal e são observadas regulamentações para a penalização de danos causados ao solo, apenas em nível estadual (4 estados). Outros 4 estados preveem sistemas de PSA. No geral, a decisão de se conservar o solo é privada, não sendo direcionada ou induzida por um regulamento (salvo exceções). A produção científica tem uma abordagem predominantemente privada, contribuindo com soluções e compreensão dos impactos internos ao sistema agrícola. Os estudos que abordam as externalidades do processo erosivo, ou que possuem o entendimento da conservação de solo como um serviço ambiental, estão em menor número quando comparados aos estudos de abordagem privada. O estabelecimento de normatização que contemple os princípios básicos do direito ambiental (precaução, responsabilidade e poluidor-pagador) e os diferentes instrumentos (comando e controle e incentivos econômicos) é um caminho promissor para a regular o uso do solo de forma sustentável. Uma produção científica oriunda de linhas de pesquisa que contemplem as externalidades do processo erosivo pode contribuir para o estabelecimento destas normas de forma mais clara, viável e efetiva. A importância de modelos para estudo da erosão vem da dificuldade de montar experimentos de mensuração de perda de solo em campo. O Fator C (RUSLE) congrega a cobertura e o manejo das culturas. Dada a variabilidade de manejo da cana-de-açúcar, buscou-se no segundo capítulo compilar e analisar trabalhos que geraram ou citaram o valor de C. Levantou-se 39 trabalhos científicos, com valores que variam de 0.0012 a 0.5800. Este intervalo resulta em uma variação de mais de 480 vezes nos valores finais de perda de solo. Uma grande lacuna de valores de Fator C para variadas condições de manejo é observada, bem como a falta de clareza e critérios no uso de valores por modeladores e pesquisadores. Neste sentido, o terceiro artigo é uma contribuição para sintetizar o conhecimento local da cultura, na forma de uma ferramenta de cálculo do Fator C para a cultura. A ferramenta permite mais de 100 milhões de combinações e está em ambiente acessível e com interface simplificada (Excel). Os valores obtidos pela ferramenta são comparáveis aos desenvolvidos em campo. A amplitude máxima e mínima (0.5922 a 0.0351) observada reafirma a importância do conhecimento completo das condições de manejo da área de estudo para sua modelagem. A ferramenta é gratuita e está disponível para pesquisadores. / The pressure for increased agricultural production, either by opening new areas or by increasing productivity, has a direct impact in the soil use and conservation. Sugarcane, because it is a hybrid food and energy crop, has great strategic relevance and its production system closely linked to agroindustry. Its production system, therefore, has direct pressure for greater efficiency (industry), but also for more environmentally sustainable mechanisms (society). The first article presented was a systematization of legal regulation and scientific production in the area of soil conservation in Brazil and a comparative analysis of both elements: regulation and science. The Brazilian legal framework on soil conservation recognizes its importance, but presents few effective practical tools. There are policies of economic incentives for production at the federal level and regulations are observed to penalize damages to the soil, only at the state level (4 states). Another 4 states provide PSA systems. In general, the decision to conserve the soil is private, not being directed or induced by a regulation (with exceptions). Scientific production has a predominantly private approach, contributing with solutions and understanding of the internal impacts to the agricultural system. Studies that address the erosion process externalities, or that have the understanding of soil conservation as an environmental service, are less numerous when compared to the private approach studies. The establishment of standardization that contemplates the basic principles of environmental law (precaution, responsibility and polluter-payer) and the different instruments (command and control and economic incentives) is a promising way to regulate the use of the soil in a sustainable way. A scientific production derived from lines of research that contemplate the externalities of the erosive process can contribute to the establishment of these norms in a clearer, viable and effective way. The importance of models for the study of erosion comes from the difficulty of assembling soil loss measurement experiments in the field. C-Factor (RUSLE) brings together the coverage and management of crops. Considering the variability of sugarcane management, the second chapter compiled and analyzed works that generated or quoted the value of C. 39 scientific works, with values ranging from 0.0012 to 0.5800 were survey. This interval results in a variation of more than 480 times in the final values of soil loss. A large gap of C-Factor values for various management conditions is observed, as well as the lack of clarity and criteria in the use of values by modelers and researchers. In this sense, the third article is a contribution to synthesize local knowledge of culture, in the form of a tool for calculating C-Factor for culture. The tool allows more than 100 million combinations and is in an accessible environment with a simplified interface (Excel). The values obtained by the tool are comparable to those developed in the field. The maximum and minimum amplitude (0.5922 to 0.0351) observed reaffirms the importance of the complete knowledge of the management conditions of the study area for its modeling. The tool is free and available to researchers.

Submitted by Ricardo Cedraz Duque Moliterno (ricardo.moliterno@uefs.br) on 2018-01-22T22:23:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert_VersaoFinal_Impress?o.pdf: 8874794 bytes, checksum: 1e240cbeff2012ce03e5ab446f9bdde8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-22T22:23:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissert_VersaoFinal_Impress?o.pdf: 8874794 bytes, checksum: 1e240cbeff2012ce03e5ab446f9bdde8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-30 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior - CAPES / The Geoparks are areas geologically recognized as important, particularly in the formation of many professionals, especially those related to geosciences. In them, geoconservation strategies are linked to the sustainable economic development of local populations, strengthening the relationship of identity between the community and geodiversity.To contribute to the development of geoparks, this research aimed to develop a methodology for building geotouristic intineraries, prioritizing the basic criteria of a geopark: the geological significance of the sites and the relations of identity that the local population has with geodiversity. The test area chosen for application of the methodology was the Geopark Morro do Chap?u (Proposal). The first step was to evaluate the proposed geopark and suggest a new delimitation, to describe new sites and to give an overview of the current situation. The second step was to create a methodology of identification of identity sites through aspects that unite the people to the sites. For that, we listed 10 aspects of identity: Legends/customs/myths, memory, facts/historical events, religious beliefs, music/songs/regional songs, geographic reference, nomenclature, economic activity, symbols and mining heritage/'marks' of mining.The third step, through an adaptation of methodologies of Geossit (2012), Rocha and Pedreira (2012) and Brilha (2015), was to develop measurement criteria of sites and modeling geotouristic intineraries, which included 7 item analysis: intrinsic characteristics, identity aspects, accessibility, tourism infrastructure, state of conservation, protection level and conditions of access roads. Twelve new sites have been described, 11 is geological and 1 historical, for, along with the 21 inventoried by Rocha and Pedreira (2012), compose the base of sites used in this study. Of the 33 sites analyzed in the test area, 13 were characterized as identity, they are: The waterfalls of Ferro Doido , Agreste, Pedro Brabo e Boiadas, The Caves of Brej?es and Boa Espereran?a, Lagoa da Velha, Morr?o, Conglomerate BA-052, Thermal source of Tareco, Vila do Ventura, Hole of Possid?nio and Hole of Velha Duda. The identity aspects most found were facts/historical events and memory. The measurement methodology of the sites allow us to classify its scientific nature and identity nature, as well as the protection priority. The itineraries with their respective sites are classified according to their suitability for geoparks, considering the best geological and identity representation of the area, the best conditions of access roads and tourist infrastructure. In the case of Geopark Morro do Ch?peu, the application of the methodology revealed the existence of five itineraries: Pedreira - Mira Serra, Conglomerate BA-052 - Cave of Igrejinha, Waterfall Pedro Brabo - Farm Arrecife, Morr?o - Hole of Alecrim and waterfall of Boiadas ? Hole of Velha Duda. The intineraries considered most suitable as the scientific and identity were Pedreira - Mira Serra and Conglomerate BA-052 - Cave of Igrejinha. / Os geoparques s?o ?reas de import?ncia geol?gica reconhecida, especialmente ? forma??o de diversos profissionais, principalmente, aqueles ligados ?s geoci?ncias. Neles, as estrat?gias de geoconserva??o est?o atreladas ao desenvolvimento econ?mico sustent?vel das popula??es locais, refor?ando as rela??es de identidade entre a comunidade e a geodiversidade. Visando contribuir com o desenvolvimento de geoparques, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo elaborar uma metodologia para constru??o de roteiros geotur?sticos, priorizando os crit?rios b?sicos de um geoparque: a relev?ncia geol?gica dos s?tios e as rela??es de identidade que a popula??o local mant?m com a geodiversidade. A ?rea teste escolhida para aplica??o da metodologia foi o Geoparque Morro do Chap?u (Proposta). A primeira etapa foi avaliar a proposta do geoparque e sugerir uma nova delimita??o, descrever novos s?tios e tra?ar um panorama da situa??o atual. A segunda etapa consistiu em criar uma metodologia de identifica??o de s?tios identit?rios, atrav?s de aspectos que unem a popula??o aos s?tios. Para tanto, foram elencados 10 aspectos identit?rios: Lendas/costumes/mitos, mem?ria, fatos/acontecimentos hist?ricos, cren?as religiosas, m?sicas/cantigas/cordel, refer?ncia geogr?fica, nomenclatura, atividade econ?micas, s?mbolos e patrim?nio mineiro/?marcas? do garimpo. A terceira etapa, atrav?s de uma adapta??o das metodologias do Geossit (2012), Rocha & Pedreira (2012) e Brilha (2015), consistiu em desenvolver crit?rios de quantifica??o de s?tios e modelagem de roteiros geotur?sticos, que contou com 7 itens de an?lise: Caracter?sticas intr?nsecas, Aspectos identit?rios, Acessibilidade, Infraestrutura tur?stica, Estado de conserva??o, N?vel de prote??o e Condi??es de vias de acesso. Foram descritos novos 12 s?tios, sendo 11 geol?gicos e 1 hist?rico, para, juntamente com os 21 inventariados por Rocha & Pedreira (2012), compor a base de s?tios utilizadas nesta pesquisa. Dos 33 s?tios analisados na ?rea teste, 13 foram caracterizados como identit?rios, s?o eles: as cachoeiras do Ferro Doido, Agreste, Pedro Brabo e Boiadas, as Grutas dos Brej?es e da Boa Esperan?a, Lagoa da Velha, Morr?o, Conglomerado BA-052, Fonte Termal do Tareco, Vila do Ventura, Buraco do Possid?nio e Buraco da Velha Duda. Os aspectos identit?rios mais encontrados foram Fatos/acontecimentos hist?ricos e Mem?ria. A metodologia de quantifica??o de s?tios permite classific?-los quanto o car?ter cient?fico e identit?rio dos mesmos, bem como a prioridade de prote??o. Os roteiros, com seus respectivos s?tios, s?o classificados quanto ? sua adequabilidade para geoparques, considerando a melhor representatividade geol?gica e identit?ria da ?rea, as melhores condi??es de vias de acesso e a infraestrutura tur?stica. No caso do Geoparque Morro do Chap?u, a aplica??o da metodologia revelou a exist?ncia de 5 roteiros: Pedreira ? Mira Serra, Conglomerado BA-052 ? Gruta da Igrejinha, Cachoeira Pedro Brabo ? Fazenda Arrecife, Morr?o ? Buraco do Alecrim e Cachoeira das Boiadas ? Buraco da Velha Duda. Os roteiros considerados mais adequados quanto o car?ter cient?fico e identit?rio foram Pedreira ? Mira Serra e Conglomerado BA-052 ? Gruta da Igrejinha.