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June 08
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Universities and Fazenda Tamanduá form
a partnership in a research project on the caatinga
ecology |
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Researchers from the Federal University of Pernambuco (“UFPE”) and the
Federal University of Campina Grande (“UFCG”) will conduct research at
Fazenda Tamanduá in order to study the ecology and the regeneration of the
Brazilian bush area known as the Caatinga. The research is part of
a far-reaching project of the Collaborative Research Network – CRN called
“TROPI-DRY” (Tropical Dry Forests). The TROPI-DRY network includes
researchers from Canada, the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica,
Venezuela and Brazil, who will work in deciduous tropical forest
ecosystems located in the latter 5 countries, over the next 5 years. In
Brazil, two areas will be studied, one in the north of Minas Gerais and
the other at Fazenda Tamanduá, in
the municipality of Santa Terezinha – PB. |
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Thus,
a continuous and systematic effort will be made to understand,
integrate and compare information about tropical dry forests in the
Americas at 3 basic levels: |
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in
the context of conservation ecology and biology |
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in
the context of land use and changes in the vegetation cover that occur
in these ecosystems which have been intensely occupied |
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in
the context of the development of local and national policies that can
contribute towards the preservation of these ecosystems. |
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It is
through information about the location, extent and state of the forest
areas that the threats to biodiversity along the frontiers of
deforestation can be identified, for later evaluation and
implementation of solutions to this problem. Thus, the challenge is to
create a scientific framework capable of facilitating the maintenance
of the ecosystems’ “health” and, at the same time, recognizing and
improving the quality of human life in the regions where dry forests
occur in the Americas.
At
Fazenda Tamanduá, four areas with vegetation in different stages of
regeneration were selected, where
12
parcels were marked out, each with an area of 1800 sq.m.
These parcels include areas ranging from pasture, through caatinga
areas with about eight to ten years of regeneration, then other
caatinga areas about twenty years of age, and lastly, a preserved
caatinga area over 50 years of age. |
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Participants
and collaborators of the Tropi-Dry Project in full activity
at Fazenda Tamanduá - PB. From left to right: Prof. Jacob Souto,
Patrícia Moura, Prof. Everardo Sampaio, Joab Araújo, Awesley,
Karina and Prof. Patrícia Souto. |
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In these
areas, several activities are being carried out to obtain a better
understanding of the ecological processes in the regeneration of the
caatinga. In the first place, a phyto-sociological survey of the areas is
being carried out in order to characterize the evolution of the diversity
of vegetable species and the structure of the caatinga during the
successive stages. In these same areas, studies are also being carried out
to evaluate both the biology of the soil and the cycling of nutrients,
carbon and water. It is important to stress that studies of this kind
generally face great difficulties in finding preserved caatinga areas that
enable the research to be conducted. |
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Other collaborators of the Tropi-Dry Project in the caatinga
areas of Fazenda Tamanduá - PB.
From left to right: Francisco, Awesley, Karina,
Rhimon, Patrícia, Joab and Leonardo. |
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However, thanks to the support of Fazenda Tamanduá, in the person of
its owner, Dr. Pierre Landolt, and at the same time, the effort that
the Farm makes to preserve its reserves, it was possible to find
appropriate areas that will enable the work to be done.
This
research, when carried out, will give rise to knowledge that will help
in directing conservationist actions seeking to promote the
sustainable development of the natural ecosystems and also of the
agro-ecosystems in the semi-arid region.
In addition, the carrying out of this research will also contribute
towards building the capacity of human resources for further research
in the caatinga, as it will make it possible for the post-graduate
students of the Federal Universities of Pernambuco and Campina Grande
to write dissertations for master’s degrees and doctoral theses within
the project’s scope. |
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Table 1
lists the project participants involved in the activities at Fazenda
Tamanduá up to the present time. |
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Participants |
Institution |
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Rômulo S.C.
Menezes |
Coordinator |
Professor Dr.-
UFPE |
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Jacob Silva Souto |
Co-Coordinator |
Professor Dr.-
UFCG |
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Everardo
V.S.B.Sampaio |
Researcher |
Professor Dr.- UFPE |
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Patrícia
Carneiro
Souto |
Researcher |
Professor Dr.- UFCG |
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Karina Guedes |
Student |
Doctoral student -
UFCG |
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Patrícia Maia de
Moura |
Student |
Doctoral student - UFPE |
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Leonardo Queiroz |
Student |
Master’s degree student - UFPE |
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Joab Medeiros
Araújo |
Student |
Undergraduate -
UFCG |
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Once again the IBAMA releases birds at
Fazenda Tamanduá |
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The IBAMA
inspectors, accompanied by the Forest Military Police of the State of
Paraíba, continue the constant repression of traffickers of wild animals
in the State, and those who keep them.
Knowing
that Fazenda Tamanduá maintains its role as a sanctuary for fauna in the
region, they frequently come to release animals.
This was
the case recently. They released caciques, galos de campina
(“meadow cocks”), tapacús (a kind of parakeet) and canaries, which
happily regained their liberty and were welcomed by their little friends,
with great excitement.
The cages
apprehended were also destroyed on the spot.
The hunt
for those who keep caged birds and other animals continues! Beware! |
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Fazenda
Tamanduá
Caixa Postal 65 - Patos / Paraíba - CEP 58700-970 - Brasil
Tel.(83)3422-7070
Fax(83)3422-7071 |
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