Systems ecology of watersheds of Itaqueri and Lobo rivers and Lobo/Broa reservoir (Itirapina, SP): "a new wine for an old bottle".

In this paper the authors present and discuss the systems ecology of the watersheds and the reservoir (Lobo/Broa), located in Itirapina, SP, Brazil. This is a new approach to an ecosystem studied since 1971. An hierarquical organizing model is shown as well as the response of the biological communities to climate and inputs such as nutrient pulses. The biogeochemical cycles are discussed and the relationships of the hydrodynamicas of the reservoiir with spatial and temporal distribution of phosphorus, carbono and nitrogen are presented. The reservoir resilience to inputs and the "tipping point" theory are presented. Ecosystems services of watersheds and reservoir are described and their values are discussed. A new proposal relating economy/ecology is discussed.

A characterization of ecosystem services, drivers and values of two watersheds in São Paulo State, Brazil / Caracterização dos serviços do ecossistema, valores e forçantes de duas bacias hidrográficas no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract The evaluation of ecosystem services is a tool to raise awareness about benefits of ecosystem functions for human well-being. In Brazil, few studies and reports assess ecosystem services in a watershed context. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by assessing ecosystem services of Jacaré-Guaçu and Jacaré-Pepira Watersheds (São Paulo State, Brazil) in a temporal scale of 10 years. Land cover and uses' capacity to provide ecosystem services and drivers were assessed as a result of mapping these areas. Economic values were estimated based on literature information. Results showed that cultivated and managed terrestrial areas stands out over other areas and then, regulation and maintenance services are reduced in these areas. Wetlands and natural vegetation, with smaller areas, are important for the supply of regulation and maintenance services of both watersheds and economic values indicate the magnitude of degradation or maintenance/restoration.

Resumo A avaliação dos serviços do ecossistema é uma ferramenta utilizada na conscientização sobre os benefícios das funções e serviços dos ecossistemas para o bem-estar humano, bem como a importância da sua conservação. No Brasil, existem poucos estudos que avaliam serviços ecossistêmicos no contexto das bacias hidrográficas. O objetivo deste trabalho é preencher esta lacuna por meio da avaliação dos serviços ecossistêmicos das bacias hidrográficas dos Rios Jacaré-Guaçu e Jacaré-Pepira (estado de São Paulo, Brasil) em uma escala temporal de 10 anos. A capacidade da cobertura e uso da terra em prover serviços ecossistêmicos e as forçantes foram avaliadas como resultado do mapeamento destas áreas. Valores econômicos foram estimados com base em dados de literatura científica. Os resultados mostraram que as áreas terrestres cultivadas e manejadas se destacam em relação aos outros usos e por isto, os serviços de regulação e manutenção são diminuídos nestas áreas. Áreas alagadas e de vegetação nativa, com áreas menores, têm papel fundamental no suprimento dos serviços de regulação e manutenção e, portanto, devem ser recuperadas e protegidas. Demografia e atividades econômicas na bacia foram identificadas como as principais forçantes que atuam sobre os serviços do ecossistema das áreas de vegetação nativa e áreas alagadas. Os valores econômicos estimados mostram, independente dos valores de base adotados, a magnitude dos impactos antrópicos que modificam estes ecossistemas, e dos ganhos referentes à recuperação e conservação dos mesmos.

A characterization of ecosystem services, drivers and values of two watersheds in São Paulo State, Brazil.

The evaluation of ecosystem services is a tool to raise awareness about benefits of ecosystem functions for human well-being. In Brazil, few studies and reports assess ecosystem services in a watershed context. The aim of this paper is to fill this gap by assessing ecosystem services of Jacaré-Guaçu and Jacaré-Pepira Watersheds (São Paulo State, Brazil) in a temporal scale of 10 years. Land cover and uses' capacity to provide ecosystem services and drivers were assessed as a result of mapping these areas. Economic values were estimated based on literature information. Results showed that cultivated and managed terrestrial areas stands out over other areas and then, regulation and maintenance services are reduced in these areas. Wetlands and natural vegetation, with smaller areas, are important for the supply of regulation and maintenance services of both watersheds and economic values indicate the magnitude of degradation or maintenance/restoration.

Benthic macroinvertebrate community in the Sinos river drainage basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / A comunidade de macroinvertebrados bentônicos da bacia hidrográfica do rio dos Sinos, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract Aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna is a relevant component of limnic continental aquatic ecosystems, playing an important role in several processes with relevant biocomplexity. The present study characterized the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna found in three hydric bodies in the Sinos river drainage basin regarding community structure. Sample was collected from January to December 2013 in three locations in the basin: the city of Caraá (29 °45’45.5”S/50°19’37.3”W), the city of Rolante (29°38’34.4”S/50°32’33.2”W) and the city of Igrejinha (29°36’10.84”S/50°48’49.3”W). Abiotic components (pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature) were registered and collected samples were identified up to family type. Average annual pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature were similar in all locations. A total of 26,170 samples were collected. Class Insecta (Arthropods) represented 85.5% of total sample. Platyhelmintes, Mollusca and Annelida samples were also registered. A total of 57 families were identified for the drainage basin and estimators (Chao-1, Chao-2 and jackknife 2) estimated richness varying from 60 to 72 families.

Resumo A fauna de macroinvertebrados aquáticos é um relevante componente dos ecossistemas aquáticos límnicos continentais, atuando em vários processos de importante biocomplexidade. O presente estudo caracterizou a fauna de macroinvertebrados bentônicos em três corpos hídricos da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio dos Sinos, em relação a estrutura da comunidade. Amostragens foram realizadas de janeiro a dezembro de 2013 em três locais na bacia: Município de Caraá (29°45’45,5”S/50°19’37,3”W), Município de Rolante(29°38’34,4”S/50°32’33,2”W) e Município de Igrejinha(29°36’10,84”S/50°48’49,3”W). Variáveis abióticas (pH, oxigênio dissolvido e temperatura) foram registradas e os exemplares coletados identificados até família. As médias anuais de pH, oxigênio dissolvido e temperatura foram similares em todos os pontos. Um total de 26.170 exemplares foi amostrado. A Classe Insecta (Arthropoda) representou 85,5% do total. Platyhelmintes, Mollusca e Annelida também foram registrados. Foram determinadas 57 famílias para a bacia hidrográfica e os estimadores (Chao-1, Chao-2 e jackknife 2) projetaram uma riqueza variando de 60 a 72.

Benthic macroinvertebrate community in the Sinos river drainage basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Aquatic macroinvertebrate fauna is a relevant component of limnic continental aquatic ecosystems, playing an important role in several processes with relevant biocomplexity. The present study characterized the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna found in three hydric bodies in the Sinos river drainage basin regarding community structure. Sample was collected from January to December 2013 in three locations in the basin: the city of Caraá (29 °45'45.5"S/50°19'37.3"W), the city of Rolante (29°38'34.4"S/50°32'33.2"W) and the city of Igrejinha (29°36'10.84"S/50°48'49.3"W). Abiotic components (pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature) were registered and collected samples were identified up to family type. Average annual pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature were similar in all locations. A total of 26,170 samples were collected. Class Insecta (Arthropods) represented 85.5% of total sample. Platyhelmintes, Mollusca and Annelida samples were also registered. A total of 57 families were identified for the drainage basin and estimators (Chao-1, Chao-2 and jackknife 2) estimated richness varying from 60 to 72 families.

Environmental Impact Assessment of reservoir construction: new perspectives for restoration economy, and development: the Belo Monte Power Plant case study.

The Environmental Impact Assessment of reservoir construction can be viewed as a new strategic perspective for the economic development of a region. Based on the principles of a watershed approach a interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary systemic view including biogeophysiographical, economic and socio environmental studies the new vision of a EIA provides a basic substratum for the restoration economy and an advanced model for the true development much well ahead of the modernization aspects of the project of a reservoir construction.

Limnological and ecological methods: approaches, and sampling strategies for middle Xingu River in the area of influence of future Belo Monte Power Plant.

In this paper the authors describe the limnological approaches, the sampling methodology, and strategy adopted in the study of the Xingu River in the area of influence of future Belo Monte Power Plant. The river ecosystems are characterized by unidirectional current, highly variable in time depending on the climatic situation the drainage pattern an hydrological cycle. Continuous vertical mixing with currents and turbulence, are characteristic of these ecosystems. All these basic mechanisms were taken into consideration in the sampling strategy and field work carried out in the Xingu River Basin, upstream and downstream the future Belo Monte Power Plant Units.

Spatial patterns of water quality in Xingu River Basin (Amazonia) prior to the Belo Monte dam impoundment.

The Xingu River, one of the most important of the Amazon Basin, is characterized by clear and transparent waters that drain a 509.685 km2 watershed with distinct hydrological and ecological conditions and anthropogenic pressures along its course. As in other basins of the Amazon system, studies in the Xingu are scarce. Furthermore, the eminent construction of the Belo Monte for hydropower production, which will alter the environmental conditions in the basin in its lower middle portion, denotes high importance of studies that generate relevant information that may subsidize a more balanced and equitable development in the Amazon region. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the water quality in the Xingu River and its tributaries focusing on spatial patterns by the use of multivariate statistical techniques, identifying which water quality parameters were more important for the environmental changes in the watershed. Data sampling were carried out during two complete hydrological cycles in twenty-five sampling stations. The data of twenty seven variables were analyzed by Spearman's correlation coefficients, cluster analysis (CA), and principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed a high auto-correlation between variables (> 0.7). These variables were removed from multivariate analyzes because they provided redundant information about the environment. The CA resulted in the formation of six clusters, which were clearly observed in the PCA and were characterized by different water quality. The statistical results allowed to identify a high spatial variation in the water quality, which were related to specific features of the environment, different uses, influences of anthropogenic activities and geochemical characteristics of the drained basins. It was also demonstrated that most of the sampling stations in the Xingu River basin showed good water quality, due to the absence of local impacts and high power of depuration of the river itself.

Zooplankton community structure of the lower Xingu River (PA) related to the hydrological cycle.

The zooplankton community of the lower Xingu River shows strong fluctuations in species richness and number of organisms during periods of water level fluctuation. Pulses of density and species richness are adapted to the pulses in water flows and water level. This is conected with reproductive strategies of some zooplankton groups. The spatial heterogeneity of the lower Xingu River consisting of braided channels, bedrocks, macrophyte stands, is probably a relevant factor for the species richness of the zooplankton communities, and may be a fundamental factor for the overall aquatic biodiversity of the lower Xingu River.