Contamination of groundwater that is suitable for drinking is of growing concern as the water supply of South Africa is becomingincreasingly limited. This is especially the case in the North West province, with its semi – arid climate and variable rainfall patterns. The aim of the study was to evaluate the microbiological and physico – chemical qualities of groundwater obtained from selected DWA (Department of Water Affairs) monitoring boreholes in the Mooi River and Harts River catchment areas. Physico -chemical parameters included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), salinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), sulphate and nitrate concentrations. Physical parameters were measured using a calibrated submerge-able multimeter and chemical parameters using specialised kits and a spectrophotometer. Microbiological parameters included heterotrophic plate counts and total and faecal coliform enumeration. Membrane filtration and culture based methods were followed for enumeration of bacteria. During the identification procedures multiplex PCR for E. coli identification and 16S rRNA gene sequencing for identification of heterotrophic plate count bacteria and amoeba resistant bacteria were used. For antibiotic resistance, the Kirby- Bauer (1996) disk diffusion method was used. During the warm and wet season high electrical conductivity and salinity were observed in the Trimpark (65.3 mS/m; 325 ppm), School (125.1 mS/m; 644 ppm), Warrenton (166.9 mS/m; 867 ppm) and Ganspan (83.3 mS/m; 421 ppm) boreholes. Warrenton borehole had a high sulphate level (450 mg/l) as well. High chemical oxygen demand was observed in the Blaauwbank (62 mg/l) and Warrenton (98.5 mg/l) boreholes. In the dry and cold season similar observations were made for the various boreholes. Electrical conductivity and salinity levels remained high for the Trimpark (70.1 mS/m; 427.5 ppm), School (127 mS/m; 645 ppm), Warrenton (173.3 mS/m; 896.5 ppm) and Ganspan (88.1 mS/m; 444.5 ppm) boreholes. Nitrate levels for the Trimpark (14.1 mg/l) and School (137 mg/l), as well as sulphate levels for the Warrenton (325 mg/l) borehole were also high. Total coliforms, faecal streptococci and HPC bacteria were enumerated from water samples from all boreholes, except Blaauwbank where no faecal streptococci were enumerated. Faecal coliforms were enumerated from 5 of the possible 7 boreholes during a warm and wet season (Trimpark – 42 cfu/100ml; School – 2 cfu/100ml; Cemetery – 175 cfu/100ml; Warrenton – 3.84 x 10³ cfu/100ml; Ganspan – 1.9 x 10³ cfu/100ml). Indicator bacteria (FC, TC, HPC) exceeded target water quality ranges (TWQR) for drinking water in each case. During the cold and dry sampling season, faecal coliforms were enumerated mainly from the Trimpark (11 cfu/100ml) borehole. Total coliforms, faecal streptococci and HPC bacteria were enumerated from all the boreholes, except for Blaauwbank that contained no faecal streptococci or total coliforms. Enumerated indicator bacteria levels again exceeded TWQR for domestic use. Total coliform counts for the Pad dam borehole, however, complied with TWQR for domestic use. Identified E. coli were resistant to Erythromycin, Cephalothin and Amoxicillin and susceptible to Ciprofloxacin. Escherichia coli isolated from the Mooi River catchment shared the same antibiotic resistance phenotype. The most abundant HPC bacterial genus identified was Pseudomonas spp. (7 isolates). Opportunistic pathogens isolated included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium, Bacillus cereus and Mycobacterium spp. Varying degrees of antibiotic resistance were observed. Generally, the same pattern between the same genera were observed. All HPC isolates were resistant to Cephalothin and Amoxicillin and a lower degree Erythromycin and Streptomycin. The most abundant amoeba resistant bacteria was identified as Pseudomonas spp. Other isolates included Alcaligenes faecalis and Ochrobactrum sp. and Achromobacter sp. All of these are opportunistic pathogens, except for Achromobacter. Resistance to more antibiotics (Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol, Cephalothin, and Amoxicillin) was observed in ARBs compared to HPC (Cephalothin, Amoxicillin) from bulk water from the same borehole. The water of all the aquifers sampled is of very poor physico - chemical or microbiological quality or both. Water may be used for irrigation or livestock watering only in the case where these boreholes comply with TWQR for said purposes. Results obtained indicate that the groundwater is faecally contaminated. Amongst the bacteria, opportunistic pathogens displaying various degrees of antibiotic resistance were frequently isolated. These results indicate health risks if untreated groundwater is consumed. Therefore groundwater needs to be treated before distribution especially if the water is for human consumption. / Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Many rural communities in South Africa do not have running water or electricity. The fetching and heating of water is therefore a time consuming and expensive daily ritual. The use of energy sources such as wood or coal are not readily available and cause environmental pollution. Although solar water heaters are commonly available in South Africa, they are very seldom used in rural areas. Whilst this can mostly be attributed to a high system cost, current designs also do not cater for specific rural problems such as the transporting or purification of water. A prototype model, designed with such an approach in mind, has already been constructed by TEMM International (Pty.) Ltd. The Solar Heat Barrow (SHB) was developed in the 1992 to 2003 period with the intention of combining a number of functions at low cost. Specific requirements were: low cost, a suitable design and materials for manufacture in large volume, sufficiently durable taking into account the harsh conditions of use. suitability for cases where no in-house piped water supply was available, the use of appropriate technology and the improvement of quality of life. The unit combines the absorption of solar radiation, the heating of a relatively small volume of water, the transport of the water from the point of supply and the storage of the hot water until it is used. Untreated water sources such as surface waters (streams, rivers, lakes, etc.) or unprotected open wells are the vehicles for waterborne bacterial diseases such as cholera and typhoid fevers. In the case where water is collected from these sources, the SHB has a build-in Purification Dispenser that purifies the water in the collector against waterborne bacterial diseases. Certain research questions need to be answered. They will be answered by demonstrating the SHB in two communities where no in-house piped water supply is available and by establishing the socio-economic response of the users. The research questions are as follow: What are the responses of the users concerning the SHB, in comparison to those of a control group, regarding its operation, durability, utility and satisfaction of needs? What is the daily use of hot water and the reduction in energy use and cost? To what extent will the target community purchase the SHB at the full or subsidised commercial price? Is there a business case that can be developed for the large scale production, marketing. financing and Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) development of the SHB? It was decided to choose a community in the Valley of Thousand Hills in KwaZulu Natal as the demonstration site. The name of the community is Mabedlane. It is a remote rural area 20 km's north of Botha's Hill and is situated along the Umgeni River. The community is dependent on the river for domestic water. Most families are headed by women. The area has low levels of infrastructure, poor roads, a high unemployment rate and poor health facilities. The first survey, which was conducted before the test period started, showed a very positive response from potential users. From 112 questionnaires that were given to the people of Mabedlane, all indicated that they were interested in a product that can transport and heat water for domestic use. The socio-economic study has shown that the price per unit needs to be adapted as 85% of the people who participated in the survey indicated that they would only pay less than R100 for the product. 15% indicated that they would pay between RlOO and R200. From the second and third questionnaires it was clear that the users were satisfied with the heating performances of the SHB. The community was very interested in purchasing a SHB. They have realised that a SHB will improve their standard of living and regard it as a necessity in their day to day activities. It is apparent that people, who will benefit from a SHB most, are those who will not be able to pay the full retail price. Therefore, new business strategies have to be researched when implementing the SHB to the target market in South Africa. The idea of considering ways to sponsorlfund the SHB must also be investigated. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Submitted by Socorro Pontes (socorrop@ufersa.edu.br) on 2017-01-31T13:25:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MaressaLRS_DISSERT.pdf: 3021577 bytes, checksum: 40cf7f2dc4b6c4875e71426f5e937747 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-31T13:25:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MaressaLRS_DISSERT.pdf: 3021577 bytes, checksum: 40cf7f2dc4b6c4875e71426f5e937747 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Due to its prevalence and the severity of its manifestations Chagas disease is still today a major public health problem in affected countries. Knowing the importance of an active, participatory and permanent surveillance involving community participation for the success of prevention and harm reduction the present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of the vector of Chagas disease living in rural communities with a history of triatomine capture the city of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte - Brazil, and to verify the presence and association of environmental indicators of risk for infestation of insects in these communities. For this, we used a semi-structured questionnaire administered to the resident responsible for the residence containing questions about their socioeconomic profile and also issues related to the vector of Chagas disease. For assessment of environmental risk indicators, we used a structured interview. It was observed lack of knowledge of the residents on issues related to the life cycle of the insects and on the time of day and the time of year when more appear and how are born. In addition, lack of guidance was detected in the population as to what action to take when a vector is found at his residence. It was an observed association between socioeconomic profile and knowledge of residents about the triatomine. In 10.75% of the homes visited were captured triatomine and association was observed between the catch and the presence of risk factors for the presence of these insects. Among the indicators are present the structure of households, peridomicile characteristics and the presence of wild animals (p<0.05). In this study, it is evident the need for greater disclosure of information related to the vector of the disease, in order to prevent its spread in the studied areas. The observed association between the capture of insects and the presence of environmental risk indicators in the communities emphasize the importance of early identification of these factors in order to improve prevention and control / Devido a sua prevalência e a gravidade de suas manifestações a doença de Chagas consiste, ainda hoje, um grave problema de saúde pública nos países afetados. Sabendo-se da importância de uma vigilância epidemiológica atuante, participativa e permanente envolvendo a participação da comunidade para o sucesso da prevenção e redução do agravo a presente pesquisa objetivou avaliar o conhecimento sobre o vetor da doença de Chagas de moradores de comunidades rurais com histórico de captura de triatomíneos no município de Mossoró, Rio Grande do Norte, além de verificar a presença e associação de indicadores ambientais de risco para infestação de triatomíneos, nessas comunidades. Para isso utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado aplicado ao morador responsável pela residência contendo perguntas sobre seu perfil socioeconômico e também questões relacionadas ao vetor da doença de Chagas. Para avaliação dos indicadores ambientais de risco foi utilizado um roteiro estruturado.. Foi observada falta de conhecimento dos moradores sobre questões relacionadas ao ciclo biológico dos triatomíneos, assim como sobre o horário do dia e o período do ano em que mais aparecem e como nascem. Além disso, foi detectada falta de orientação para a população a respeito de que atitude tomar quando um vetor é encontrado em sua residência. Foi observada associação entre o perfil socioeconômico e os conhecimentos dos moradores sobre os triatomíneos. Em 10,75 % das casas visitadas foram capturados triatomíneos e foi observada associação entre a captura e a presença de indicadores de risco para a presença desses insetos. Dentre os indicadores presentes estão à estrutura das residências, características do peridomicílio e presença de animais silvestres (p < 0,05). Com esse estudo, torna-se evidente a necessidade de maior divulgação sobre informações relacionadas ao vetor da doença, a fim de se evitar a sua disseminação nas áreas estudadas. A associação observada entre a captura de triatomíneos e a presença de indicadores ambientais de risco nas comunidades ressalta-se a importância da identificação prévia desses fatores com o objetivo de melhorar as ações de prevenção e controle / 2017-01-30

O estudo aborda as mudanças vividas no campesinato brasileiro a partir das obras e pesquisas realizadas por Carlos Rodrigues Brandão. Utilizando como informação e referência os estudos deste autor em comunidades, bairros, vilas e distritos rurais – particularmente nos Estados de Goiás, São Paulo e Minas Gerais –, a ênfase desta pesquisa está voltada ao cotidiano de populações rurais. Da reunião de diferentes observações, trabalhos de campo, depoimentos e relatos deste antropólogo, o foco do trabalho voltou-se aos temas terra, trabalho e família, que correspondem aos primeiros capítulos da dissertação. E falar de terra, de trabalho e de família é, também, falar de campesinidade. Assim, a partir da descrição de características qualitativas e comportamentais da cultura e da reprodução social de camponeses, observadas em seus cotidianos, busca-se seu entendimento enquanto ordem moral. Utilizaram-se, ainda, os livros e publicações de Carlos Rodrigues Brandão para abordar o alimento e, como não há nada mais cotidiano do que comer, é esse o tema tratado no último capítulo. Afirma-se aqui que as pesquisas e a trajetória de mais de trinta anos de trabalhos de campo realizados por Carlos Rodrigues Brandão são importantes fontes para o entendimento e compreensão de segmentos do campesinato em regiões brasileiras, principalmente da segunda metade do século XX. Referente às práticas, saberes, cotidianidade e cultura, de modo geral, de algumas populações rurais em nosso país, é fundamental conhecer as obras deste autor, ainda que a partir da perspectiva de alguns temas específicos, uma vez que a densidade de suas descrições e abordagem enriquece e auxilia àqueles que desejam compreender o rural brasileiro, principalmente, as mudanças vividas por indivíduos e grupos sociais. / This thesis discusses the changes experienced in Brazilian peasantry from the works and researches conducted by Carlos Rodrigues Brandão. Using as reference information the studies by this author in communities, neighborhoods, towns and rural districts – particularly in the states of Goiás, São Paulo and Minas Gerais –, the emphasis of this research is directed to rural populations’ everyday life. From the meeting of this anthropologist’s different observations, field work, interviews and reports, the focus of the work turned to the themes land, work and family, which correspond to the first three chapters of the thesis. To speak about land, work and family is also to speak about peasantry, i.e. from the description of qualitative and behavioral characteristics of culture and social reproduction of peasants, and, through their daily lives, we seek to their understanding as moral order. We used the books and publications by Carlos Rodrigues Brandão to address food and, as there is nothing else more associated to everyday life than eating, such is the subject addressed in the fourth and final chapter. It is argued here that the research and the history of more than thirty years of field work conducted by Carlos Rodrigues Brandão are important sources for understanding and comprehension of groups and segments of the peasantry in Brazilian regions, especially in the second half of the twentieth century. Related to the practices, knowledge, daily life and culture, in general, of some rural communities in our country, it is essential to know the works of this author, albeit from the perspective of some specific issues, since the depth and descriptions of their approach enrich and assist those who want to understand the Brazilian countryside, mostly, the changes experienced by individuals and social groups.

xix, 198 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Due to the lack of a screening and early identification system, preschool children who live in rural areas in Northeast Thailand have no opportunity to receive specialized educational services. Most children are identified as having disabilities at school age or older. In this study, the 24-, 30-, and 36-month intervals of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ), a parent-completed screening system, were translated and evaluated for reliability and use in Northeast Thai early childcare settings. The study purpose was to investigate the reliability and utility of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Thai (ASQ: Thai). Reliability studies included an investigation of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, interobserver reliability, and comparison of differences between U.S. and Thai scores. Utility studies included surveys of satisfaction of parents/caregivers and early childcare staff as well as brief interviews with parents/caregivers and early childcare staff. Subjects included 267 children who were 2-3 years old; 267 parents/caregivers; 49 early childcare staff; and 5 early childcare professor experts. The subjects were recruited through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the Faculty of Education, Mahasarakham University. Results addressing the reliability and use of ASQ: Thai were promising. Internal consistency (ρ = .58 -.89) results were adequate as well as test-retest agreement (ρ > .90). A comparison between the ASQ: Thai sample data and the U.S. normative sample found that there were some differences in range, mean, median, interquartile range, and cutoff scores. The back translation of the ASQ: Thai appeared to be adequate in comparison to the original version, as well as culturally appropriate. Early childcare staff and parents/caregivers felt that the ASQ: Thai was easy to use and understand and was culturally appropriate, and they gained knowledge about child development. Early childcare staff and parents/caregivers suggested that the ASQ: Thai should be used in early childcare settings with children when they enter the program. Future research on the ASQ: Thai is needed. Increased study of cultural, language, and disability issues are areas for further study. / Committee in charge: Jane Squires, Chairperson, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Deanne Umuh, Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Erin Barton, Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences; Kathie Carpenter, Outside Member, International Studies

Orientador: Maria Christina de Mello Amorozo / Banca: Lin Chau Ming / Banca: Natalia Hanazaki / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar um inventário das plantas alimentares cultivadas e coletadas da vegetação nativa e ruderal, em área de Mata Atlântica, conhecidas por dois grupos de populações rurais: um residente no Núcleo Santa Virgínia (Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar) e outro no seu limite. Os 23 entrevistados amostrados atenderam aos seguintes critérios: origem na região do Núcleo; idade superior a 45 anos; intimidade no trato com a terra. Ao todo foram levantadas 146 espécies botânicas, distribuídas em 43 famílias botânicas, sendo as famílias Solanaceae e Cucurbitaceae as mais representativas e basicamente hortícolas. Os índices de diversidade Shannon-Wiener e equidade de Pielou foram 1,98 (Base 10) e 0,91, respectivamente. Os dois grupos de bairros apresentaram uma similaridade de citação de plantas alimentares de 75,0%. A freqüência do consumo alimentar foi analisada por meio de dados obtidos pelo método retrospectivo das últimas 24 horas, revelando que os alimentos cultivados e coletados da vegetação nativa são consumidos esporadicamente De acordo com a amplitude total do nicho alimentar dada pelo índice de Levins (21,3) e de Levins padronizado (21,0%), verificou-se que mesmo com um elevado número de itens consumidos, 2 são poucos os alimentos que compõem a dieta básica da comunidade, demonstrando que a população amostrada é mais especialista, o que indica dependência de alguns alimentos. Notase que a comunidade possui um conhecimento significativo das plantas alimentares e que há uma significante riqueza de espécies e de variedades cultivadas nos quintais e nas roças, apesar da dieta principal ser adquirida basicamente no comércio local. A comunidade rural estudada se revelou como um importante sistema de conservação de germoplasma de plantas cultivadas. Palavras-chave: Etnobotânica, plantas alimentares, comunidades rurais, Mata Atlântica. / Abstract: The goal of this study was to carry out an inventory of the food plants cultivated and collected of the native and spontaneous vegetation, in an area of Atlantic Forest, known by two groups of rural populations: a resident in the “Núcleo Santa Virgínia” (Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar) and another one in its limits. The 23 informants took care of the following criteria: origin in the region; superior age of 45 years old; familiarity in the treatment with the land. At all, 146 botanical species were raised, distributed in 43 botanical families, being the most representative families and basically horticultural families, the Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae. The Shannon-Wiener diversity’s index and Pielou’s equity had been 1.98 (Base 10) and 0.91, respectively. The two groups of districts had presented a citation similarity of nutritional plants cited of 75.0%. The frequency of the alimentary consumption was analyzed through data obtained with a 24 hours recall method, showing that the cultivated and collected foods from the native vegetation are consumed sporadically. In accordance with the total amplitude of the food niche given by the Levins’s index (21.3) and standardized Levins (21.0%), was verified that, in spite of a greater number of food items consumed, the basic diet of the 4 community is composed by few items, showing that the population is more specialist, what indicates a dependence of some foods. It is noticed that the community has a significant knowledge on the nutritional plants and there are a great number of species and varieties cultivated in the yards and countrysides, despite the main diet being acquired basically in the local commerce. The agricultural community studied is an important system of cultivated plants conservation. Key-words: Ethnobotany, food plants, rural communities, Atlantic forest. / Mestre

Resumo: A agricultura brasileira apresenta desigualdades e especificidades regionais, justificando a diversidade de suas condições de desenvolvimento, no que diz respeito à produção rural familiar. Esse segmento de produtores dispõe de condições desvantajosas para viver, produzir e comercializar seus produtos, principalmente quando comparada à agricultura empresarial moderna. Suas condições de sobrevivência foram agravadas, sobremaneira, com a expansão do modelo de acumulação flexível. A condição de instabilidade desses produtores tem refletido, também sobre a população urbana, uma vez que não possibilita o rebaixamento dos preços dos gêneros alimentícios básicos. Em face do reconhecimento da importância da produção rural estruturada no trabalho familiar para a agricultura e para a sociedade, contribuindo para amenizar os problemas sociais e econômicos e da intensidade das diferenças apresentadas pela ruralidade brasileira, as proposições a respeito sugerem que as análises devem ser pensadas como uma tendência geral, porém, tornam-se necessários estudos localizados. Nesse sentido, o estudo propõe compreender e analisar o contexto em que surgiram e desenvolveram os pequenos produtores na sociedade brasileira e suas possibilidades de reprodução na atual conjuntura, particularmente, no município de Catalão, Estado de Goiás. Assim, como conhecer a diversidade de estratégias adotadas por esse segmento de produtores, contribuindo com os trabalhos que vêm sendo realizados para aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre a produção rural estruturada sobre o trabalho familiar e suas possibilidades de desenvolvimento social e econômico. Como terreno empírico para o estudo da produção rural familiar escolheu-se quatro comunidades rurais no município de Catalão (GO). Para a execução do trabalho foram efetuados, além da revisão da literatura... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Brazilian agriculture shows unequality and regional different features, this justify its developing conditions in many ways, as for the rural familiar production. This segment of growers face disadvantage conditions in their lives - to plant and trade their product - when compared to the modern agribusiness. Their living conditions became worse on account of the flexible accumulation expansion. Grower's instability has an effect on the urban population because of their need of basic food supplies in lower cost but, the prices have not gone down. It is recognized that structured rural production at families work is important to the agriculture and society as a whole, due to its decisive contribution to helping solving social and economical problems. Although researches points out some general trends in agriculture, it is necessary to promote case studies provided that Brazilian countryside is far different and unequal in its national configuration. So, this study proposes to comprehend and analyze the context in which the small productors were developed at Brazilian Society and their possibilities of reproduction at present conjunction, specially, at Catalão (GO). Thus, how to know the strategies diversity applied by this segment of growers, hoping to contribute to the researches which has been made so far, in order that more knowledge may be created about rural production structured upon familiar work and its possibilities to the social-economical development. Four rural communities were chosen to the empirical study in Catalão (GO). To building this research, many sources were used, besides the literature review, there were systematization, analyses and data representation and information based on first and second sources. This empirical studies were developed during the years of 2003, 2004 and 2005 in the following rural communities: Coqueiro Community... (Complete abstract, click electronic address below). / Orientador: Rosângela Aparecida de Medeiros Hespanhol / Coorientador: João Cleps Júnior / Banca: Darlene Aparecida de Oliveira Ferreira / Banca: Bernardo Mançano Fernandes / Banca: Vera Mariza Henriques de Miranda Costa / Banca: Elpídio Serra / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-12T11:55:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MycarlaMAL_TESE.pdf: 6359285 bytes, checksum: 0426939909a162dbb7d69d3e81ef75c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-20 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / Environmental changes and their consequences on the global level have challenged the different fields of study to integrate towards effective solutions to minimize and /or equate the negative impacts of these changes in different types of environments. In this context, the Environmental Perception has been a widely used and relevant in studies that consider the relationship between the environment and human actions, by allowing analysis of perceptions, attitudes and values, key influencers of topophilia that resonates in conservation tool. Allied to Environmental Perception, Integrated Analysis of the Landscape is relevant because it allows to analyze in a systematic way the geographical space where all its elements are interrelated in a way that supports needed to understand the complex physical and human environment of a given environment. In this perspective, we have studied the Jo?o do Vale Serrano Complex, located in semiarid of Rio Grande do Norte state, which features a set of landscapes with different faces, which are being replaced by various economic activities and disordered population growth, with consequent exploitation the potential of natural resources. This thesis main goal was to combine the Environmental Perception of rural communities to the of Serrano Complex Landscape Analysis as additional criteria for the definition of Priority Areas for Conservation. The perception data were collected through direct observation, questioning, interviews and application forms to 240 people (100 % of occupied households in the mountain community) during the months of february and august 2011, with theoretical and methodological basis Environmental Perception. Integrated Landscape Analysis was performed by GTP (Geosystem - Territory - Landscape) method, using the Geographic Information System (GIS), using the technique of GIS for mapping the landscape. The results showed that respondents have a sense of topophilia by where they live, hold a vast knowledge of the natural resources in this Serrano Complex, and responded positively regarding the choice of an exclusive area for conservation. The Integrated Analysis of Landscape possible to identify the different forms of existing uses and occupations in Serrano Complex, have caused significant changes in space, especially on the plateau where vegetation was virtually replaced by human dwellings and cashew plantations. Through the maps of slope and environmental vulnerability was identified that areas with high slopes (gullies) are limiting factor for occupation by communities and therefore relevant and amenable to conservation, including by being Permanent Preservation Areas. These results, together, made possible to define a map of Priority Areas for Conservation in Serrano Complex, with three priority categories: low, medium and high. Therefore, the use of these additional criteria are relevant for the definition /designation of Priority Areas for Conservation / As transforma??es ambientais e suas consequ?ncias em n?vel global t?m desafiado os diferentes campos de estudo a se integrarem em prol de solu??es efetivas para minimizar e/ou equacionar os impactos negativos causados por essas transforma??es nos diversos tipos de ambientes. Nesse contexto, a Percep??o Ambiental tem sido um instrumento bastante utilizado e relevante em estudos que contemplam as rela??es entre meio ambiente e a??es humanas, por possibilitar an?lises das percep??es, atitudes e valores, principais formadores da topofilia, que repercute em a??es de conserva??o. Aliada ? Percep??o Ambiental, a An?lise Integrada da Paisagem ? relevante por possibilitar analisar de forma sist?mica o espa?o geogr?fico, onde todos os seus elementos est?o interrelacionados de forma que d?o suporte necess?rio para compreens?o da complexidade do meio f?sico e antr?pico de um determinado ambiente. Nessa perspectiva, foi estudado o Complexo Serrano Jo?o do Vale, situado no Semi?rido do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, que apresenta um conjunto de paisagens com diferentes fisionomias, as quais v?m sendo substitu?das por diversas atividades econ?micas e crescimento populacional desordenados, com consequente explora??o das potencialidades dos recursos naturais. Esta tese teve como objetivo geral aliar a Percep??o Ambiental de comunidades rurais ? An?lise da Paisagem do Complexo Serrano como crit?rios adicionais para defini??o de ?reas Priorit?rias para Conserva??o. Os dados de percep??o foram obtidos por meio de observa??o direta, questionamentos, entrevistas e aplica??o de formul?rios a 240 pessoas (100% dos domic?lios ocupados na comunidade serrana), durante os meses de fevereiro a agosto de 2011, com base te?rico-metodol?gica da Percep??o Ambiental. A An?lise Integrada da Paisagem foi efetuada atrav?s do m?todo GTP (Geossistema- Territ?rio- Paisagem), por meio do Sistema de Informa??o Geogr?fica (SIG), utilizando a t?cnica de geoprocessamento para o mapeamento da paisagem. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que os entrevistados apresentam um sentimento de topofilia pelo local onde vivem, det?m um vasto conhecimento sobre os recursos naturais existentes nesse Complexo Serrano, e responderam positivamente quanto ? escolha de uma ?rea exclusiva para conserva??o. A An?lise Integrada da Paisagem possibilitou identificar as diversas formas de usos e ocupa??es existentes no Complexo Serrano, que t?m causado mudan?as significativas no espa?o, principalmente no plat? onde a vegeta??o foi praticamente substitu?da pelas habita??es humanas e planta??es de cajueiros. Atrav?s dos mapas de declividade e vulnerabilidade ambiental foi poss?vel identificar que as ?reas com elevadas declividades (grotas) constituem fator limitante para a ocupa??o pelas comunidades e, portanto, relevantes e pass?veis de conserva??o, inclusive por serem ?reas de Preserva??o Permanente. Esses resultados, em conjunto, possibilitaram definir um mapa de ?reas Priorit?rias para Conserva??o nesse Complexo Serrano, com tr?s categorias de prioridade: baixa, m?dia e alta. Portanto, o uso desses crit?rios adicionais s?o relevantes para defini??o/designa??o de ?reas Priorit?rias para Conserva??o

O estudo aborda as mudanças vividas no campesinato brasileiro a partir das obras e pesquisas realizadas por Carlos Rodrigues Brandão. Utilizando como informação e referência os estudos deste autor em comunidades, bairros, vilas e distritos rurais – particularmente nos Estados de Goiás, São Paulo e Minas Gerais –, a ênfase desta pesquisa está voltada ao cotidiano de populações rurais. Da reunião de diferentes observações, trabalhos de campo, depoimentos e relatos deste antropólogo, o foco do trabalho voltou-se aos temas terra, trabalho e família, que correspondem aos primeiros capítulos da dissertação. E falar de terra, de trabalho e de família é, também, falar de campesinidade. Assim, a partir da descrição de características qualitativas e comportamentais da cultura e da reprodução social de camponeses, observadas em seus cotidianos, busca-se seu entendimento enquanto ordem moral. Utilizaram-se, ainda, os livros e publicações de Carlos Rodrigues Brandão para abordar o alimento e, como não há nada mais cotidiano do que comer, é esse o tema tratado no último capítulo. Afirma-se aqui que as pesquisas e a trajetória de mais de trinta anos de trabalhos de campo realizados por Carlos Rodrigues Brandão são importantes fontes para o entendimento e compreensão de segmentos do campesinato em regiões brasileiras, principalmente da segunda metade do século XX. Referente às práticas, saberes, cotidianidade e cultura, de modo geral, de algumas populações rurais em nosso país, é fundamental conhecer as obras deste autor, ainda que a partir da perspectiva de alguns temas específicos, uma vez que a densidade de suas descrições e abordagem enriquece e auxilia àqueles que desejam compreender o rural brasileiro, principalmente, as mudanças vividas por indivíduos e grupos sociais. / This thesis discusses the changes experienced in Brazilian peasantry from the works and researches conducted by Carlos Rodrigues Brandão. Using as reference information the studies by this author in communities, neighborhoods, towns and rural districts – particularly in the states of Goiás, São Paulo and Minas Gerais –, the emphasis of this research is directed to rural populations’ everyday life. From the meeting of this anthropologist’s different observations, field work, interviews and reports, the focus of the work turned to the themes land, work and family, which correspond to the first three chapters of the thesis. To speak about land, work and family is also to speak about peasantry, i.e. from the description of qualitative and behavioral characteristics of culture and social reproduction of peasants, and, through their daily lives, we seek to their understanding as moral order. We used the books and publications by Carlos Rodrigues Brandão to address food and, as there is nothing else more associated to everyday life than eating, such is the subject addressed in the fourth and final chapter. It is argued here that the research and the history of more than thirty years of field work conducted by Carlos Rodrigues Brandão are important sources for understanding and comprehension of groups and segments of the peasantry in Brazilian regions, especially in the second half of the twentieth century. Related to the practices, knowledge, daily life and culture, in general, of some rural communities in our country, it is essential to know the works of this author, albeit from the perspective of some specific issues, since the depth and descriptions of their approach enrich and assist those who want to understand the Brazilian countryside, mostly, the changes experienced by individuals and social groups.