The Caatinga biome is the largest and wettest semi-arid environment globally, occupying 10% of the Brazilian territory. Half of the original vegetation from the Caatinga has already been deforested. This research aims to identify the factors associated with Caatinga deforestation (2010–2016). Therefore, the researchers used Geographically Weighted Regression to analyse the drivers of deforestation at the municipal level. Our results showed that five factors are crucial for understanding the spatial variability of deforestation in the Caatinga biome: agricultural credit, cattle, goats, distance from roads, and mining activities. The results were interpreted carefully since the semi-arid Biome is marked by regional asymmetries, mixing subsistence agriculture with agribusiness (MATOPIBA and Vale do Rio São Francisco). The outcome maps allow us to discuss the implication of spatial arrangements and intervention policies towards sustainability.

Homicide rates have been increasing worldwide, especially in Latin America, where it is considered one of the most lethal of the continents. Despite that, the occurrence of homicides are not homogeneous in time and space on the continent or in the Brazilian cities. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to present a spatial analysis of homicides in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, between the years of 2016 and 2019, by the use of an exploratory analysis of spatial homicide data with five variables that could explain its occurrence. In addition to that, it was applied the Global and Local Moran’s Index, Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), all implemented in the Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Thus, the distribution of clusters revealed a spatial autocorrelation for homicide rates, confirming a spatial dependence. This data also showed the polarization of the rate between the coast and the interior of the state of Pernambuco.

The irregular waste disposal is a reality that affects the Brazilian coast. The present study aimed to evaluate the environmental perception of beach users in relation to the production and disposal of solid waste at Tamandaré beach - Brazil. It was applied a questionnaire and carried out a quali-quantitative collection that has shown that the impacts mostly pointed out were the damage to the environment, and loss of tourist potential. The main source of dispersion of waste on the Tamandaré shore is associated with land-based activities, mainly those arising from tourism. The main causes were the failure in the municipal cleaning system, and beach users lack of awareness on disposing solid waste. It was suggest implementing environmental education programs, infrastructure improvement, and the elaboration of public policies pertinent to the management of solid waste, with the purposes of protection and conservation of natural resources. La disposición irregular de residuos es una realidad que afecta a la costa brasileña. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la percepción ambiental de los usuarios de la playa en relación con la producción y disposición de residuos sólidos en la playa Tamandaré - Brasil. Se aplicó un cuestionario cuali-cuantitativo que ha demostrado que los impactos más señalados fueron el daño al medio ambiente y la pérdida de potencial turístico. La principal fuente de dispersión de residuos en la costa de Tamandaré está asociada a las actividades realizadas en tierra, principalmente las derivadas del turismo. Las principales causas fueron la falla en el sistema de limpieza municipal y la falta de conciencia de los usuarios de las playas sobre la disposición de los desechos sólidos. Se sugirió implementar programas de educación ambiental, mejoramiento de infraestructura y la elaboración de políticas públicas pertinentes al manejo de residuos sólidos, con fines de protección y conservación de los recursos naturales. A disposição irregular de resíduos é uma realidade que atinge o litoral brasileiro. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção ambiental dos usuários da praia em relação à produção e destinação de resíduos sólidos na praia de Tamandaré - Brasil. Aplicamos um questionário e fizemos coleta quali-quantitativo que mostrou que os impactos mais apontados foram os danos ao meio ambiente e a perda de potencial turístico. A principal fonte de dispersão de resíduos na orla de Tamandaré está associada às atividades terrestres, principalmente as oriundas do turismo. As principais causas foram a falha no sistema de limpeza municipal e a falta de conscientização dos usuários da praia sobre o descarte de resíduos sólidos. Sugerimos a implementação de programas de educação ambiental, melhoria da infraestrutura e elaboração de políticas públicas pertinentes à gestão de resíduos sólidos, com vistas à proteção e conservação dos recursos naturais.

Objectives: To analyse the spatial distribution of rates of COVID‐19 cases and its association with socio‐economic conditions in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.Methods: Autocorrelation (Moran index) and spatial association (Geographically weighted regression) models were used to explain the interrelationships between municipalities and the possible effects of socio‐economic factors on rates.Results: Two isolated clusters were revealed in the inner part of the state in sparsely inhabited municipalities. The spatial model (Geographically Weighted Regression) was able to explain 50% of the variations in COVID‐19 cases. The variables proportion of people with low income, percentage of rented homes, percentage of families in social programs, Gini index and running water had the greatest explanatory power for the increase in infection by COVID‐19.Conclusions: Our results provide important information on socio‐economic factors related to the spread of COVID‐19 and can serve as a basis for decision‐making in similar circumstances.