Comprehending the impacts of the presence of cattle on different compartments of riparian forests is essential for the management of these environments, which play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and human well-being. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term effects of cattle on the structure (tree stratum and natural regeneration) and floristic composition of vegetation, as well as on the litter and soil carbon stock (0-5, 5-15, 15-30, and 30-100 cm) in riparian forests. We compared two forest areas in southern Brazil, one isolated from cattle for 28 years and another used by cattle with a high animal load. Our results indicate that cattle modify the floristic composition and structure of vegetation, mainly affecting litter carbon stock and the abundance, richness, and diversity of natural regeneration. However, we did not observe a significant change in soil carbon stock and its correlation with vegetation variables. Our findings emphasize the need to explore adaptation alternatives of livestock activities with the maintenance of riparian forest ecosystem services. Adequate cattle load management and fencing of riparian forests, with the installation of watering corridors for cattle, are essential actions to reconcile livestock production with forest conservation.

There is a growing demand for institutions and organizations to adopt actions aimed at combating climate change and its impacts. The objective of this study was to carry out inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon removal by afforestation of the Nova Venécia Campus of the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo (IFES-NV), Brazil. Emissions from scopes 1 (stationary combustion, mobile combustion, fugitive emissions, and wastewater), 2 (electricity), and 3 (commuting to campus, work travel, and solid waste) were accounted for in 2019 based on the methodology proposed by the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program. The GHG emissions were then compared to the annual rate of carbon removal by trees growing on the campus to determine net emissions. In total, 1,148.878 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO_2e) were quantified. Commuting to campus was responsible for more than 93% of total emissions, demonstrating that it is necessary to neutralize and/or drastically reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels in places with a high number of visitors. Although the campus afforestation only neutralized the equivalent of 1.7% of total emissions in 2019, it was able to neutralize approximately 50% of emissions from scopes 1 and 2, which are the emissions most directly managed by the institution. For future studies, it is recommended to also quantify carbon removal by tree roots and soil, as these may represent an important carbon sink.

This study aimed to determine and analyze landscape ecology metrics to characterize the spatial pattern of fragments of native forest in São Mateus River basin, Espírito Santo State, Southeastern Brazil. Fragments were divided into four size classes called C1 (50 ha). Metrics were grouped according to their nature in (i) area and density, (ii) edge, (iii) shape, (iv) central area and (v) proximity. In total, 4,286 native forest fragments were identified, which represented 7.80% of total area of the basin. There is a predominance of fragments with more regular shapes, small (<25.10 ha) and, consequently, with greater edge effect. Results showed that the drainage basin studied is highly fragmented, which reinforces the need for strategies aimed at forest conservation and restoration of degraded forests in this region.