ABSTRACT
The resilience, ecological function and quality of both agricultural and natural systems were evaluated in the mountainous region of the Atlantic Rain Forest of Rio de Janeiro through Rapid Assessment Methods. For this goal new indicators were proposed, such as eco-volume, eco-height, bio-volume, volume efficiency, and resilience index. The following agricultural and natural systems have been compared according: (i) vegetables (leaf, fruit and mixed); (ii) citrus; (iii) ecological system; (iv) cattle, (v) silvo-pastoral system, (vi) forest fragment and (vii) forest in regeneration stage (1, 2 and 3 years old). An alternative measure (index) of resilience was proposed by considering the actual bio-volume as a function of the potential eco-volume. The objectives and hypotheses were fulfilled; it is shown that there does exist a high positive correlation between resilience index, biomass, energy efficiency and biodiversity. Cattle and vegetable systems have lowest resilience, whilst ecological and silvo-pastoral systems have greatest resilience. This new approach offers a rapid, though valuable assessment tool for ecological studies, agricultural development and landscape planning, particularly in tropical countries.
Subject(s)
Agriculture/methods , Biodiversity , Conservation of Natural Resources/methods , Environmental Monitoring/methods , Animals , CattleABSTRACT
The resilience, ecological function and quality of both agricultural and natural systems were evaluated in the mountainous region of the Atlantic Rain Forest of Rio de Janeiro through Rapid Assessment Methods. For this goal new indicators were proposed, such as eco-volume, eco-height, bio-volume, volume efficiency, and resilience index. The following agricultural and natural systems have been compared according: (i) vegetables (leaf, fruit and mixed); (ii) citrus; (iii) ecological system; (iv) cattle, (v) silvo-pastoral system, (vi) forest fragment and (vii) forest in regeneration stage (1, 2 and 3 years old). An alternative measure (index) of resilience was proposed by considering the actual bio-volume as a function of the potential eco-volume. The objectives and hypotheses were fulfilled; it is shown that there does exist a high positive correlation between resilience index, biomass, energy efficiency and biodiversity. Cattle and vegetable systems have lowest resilience, whilst ecological and silvo-pastoral systems have greatest resilience. This new approach offers a rapid, though valuable assessment tool for ecological studies, agricultural development and landscape planning, particularly in tropical countries.
Foram avaliadas, em região montanhosa da Mata Atlântica do Rio de Janeiro a resiliência, função ecológica e qualidade tanto do sistema agrícola como natural, através dos métodos de avaliação rápida ("rapid assessment methods"). Para este fim, foram propostos novos indicadores como eco-volume, eco-altura, bio-volume, eficiência volumétrica e índice de resiliência. Os seguintes sistemas agrícolas e naturais foram comparados: (i) hortaliças (folhas, frutos e mistos); (ii) citros; (iii) sistema ecológico; (iv) gado; (v) sistema silvo-pastoral; (vi) fragmento florestal; (vii) floresta em estágio de recuperação (1, 2 e 3 anos de idade). Uma forma alternativa de resiliência foi proposta considerando o bio-volume real como uma função do eco-volume potencial. Os objetivos e hipóteses foram alcançados; demonstrou-se que existe uma correlação altamente positiva entre índice de resiliência, energia da biomassa, eficiência energética e biodiversidade. Pecuária e sistemas de hortaliças apresentaram as mais baixas resiliências enquanto sistemas ecológico e silvo-pastoral tiveram maiores resiliências. Esta nova estratégia oferece uma rápida e valiosa ferramenta de avaliação para estudos ecológicos, desenvolvimento agrícola e planejamento paisagístico, especialmente em países tropicais.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Agriculture/methods , Biodiversity , Conservation of Natural Resources/methods , Environmental Monitoring/methodsABSTRACT
Sweet potato cultivars respond differently to elevated tropospheric ozone concentrations of ca. 130 mug m (-3), 8 h a day for 4 weeks, which affects their selection for cultivation. In the first cultivar presented here, an adequate leafy vegetable supplier, the ozone load resulted in a shift of biomass to maintain the canopy at the expense of tuber development. Starch content of leaves was reduced, indicating an impairment of quality, but carotenoid content remained stable. The second cultivar may be grown for tuber production. Although the ratio tuber/plant remained stable under ozone, tuber yield and its starch content were significantly reduced. The lower starch content indicated a worse quality for certain industrial processing, but it is desirable for chip production. Elevated tropospheric ozone concentrations also influenced free amino acids and macronutrient contents of tubers, but these modifications were of minor significance for tuber quality in the second cultivar.
