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Inadequate pasture management causes land degradation through reduction of grass, increased presence of invasive plants or pests, compaction, erosion and nutrient deficiency. The recognition of pasture degradation is therefore essential. Remote sensing satellite systems allow to do so at regional to global scales. A struggle nowadays is to improve detection accuracy and implement high-resolution surveys at farm scales using low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The pasture imagery can be translated into maps of degraded pasture using the popular NDVI as diagnostic parameter, but their generation using a UAV requires a high-cost NIR sensor, while the struggle is to use low-cost UAVs equipped with RGB cameras. The first step to recognize degraded pastures using RGB cameras is to define a suitable vegetation index. Thus, the purpose of this study was to present the "Total Brightness Quotient" of red (TBQR), green (TBQG) and blue (TBQB) bands. The test to the index resorted to Landsat 8 satellite images captured over the Environmental Protection Area of Uberaba River Basin (Minas Gerais, Brazil) in the 2017–2019 period. The images were not captured by a UAV because the equipment was not available. The results were promising given the large detection accuracy (88.63%) of the TBQG and the high (0.965) correlation between TBQG and NDVI. Besides, the TBQ-based areas of degraded pasture (17,486.3–25,180.1 hectares) were larger than the NDVI counterparts (12,066.9 hectares). This is additional reason to oversight degraded pastures based on the TBQs, as they seek for improved environmental compliance and economic development.
Thiago Luiz da Silva Quinaia; Renato Farias Do Valle Junior; Victor Peçanha De Miranda Coelho; Rafael Carvalho da Cunha; Carlos Alberto Valera; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. Application of an improved vegetation index from the visible spectrum in the diagnosis of degraded pastures: Implications for development. Land Degradation & Development 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleThiago Luiz da Silva Quinaia, Renato Farias Do Valle Junior, Victor Peçanha De Miranda Coelho, Rafael Carvalho da Cunha, Carlos Alberto Valera, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco. Application of an improved vegetation index from the visible spectrum in the diagnosis of degraded pastures: Implications for development. Land Degradation & Development. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThiago Luiz da Silva Quinaia; Renato Farias Do Valle Junior; Victor Peçanha De Miranda Coelho; Rafael Carvalho da Cunha; Carlos Alberto Valera; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. 2021. "Application of an improved vegetation index from the visible spectrum in the diagnosis of degraded pastures: Implications for development." Land Degradation & Development , no. : 1.
A geochemical investigation was carried out on the bottom sediments of a riverine reservoir, located in a mountainous rural region (NE Portugal), with the aim of evaluating the contents of As, metals and P and their potential availability. The elements contents were detected in the following ranges (µg g−1): As (18–64); Cr (32–128); Cu (39–93); Ni (18–80); Pb (49–160); Zn (207–334); P (1705–2681). The reducible fraction is the most significant in the retention of the elements. Based on their potential relative mobility, the detected metals could be classed as follows: Zn > As, Pb > Cu > Cr, Ni. The results on geochemical partitioning were revealed to be important when the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) were considered. Arsenic, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn showed total contents exceeding the values of Probable Effect Level (PEL), but only As occurred in the most potentially available form; Cr and Ni can be considered relatively unavailable, since these are mainly associated with the residual phase. Locally, oxygen depletion could release P into the water column due to the higher concentrations in Fe-P and CDB-P fractions. The potential availability of As, metals and P in sediments indicates that the quality of sediments accumulated in small reservoirs should be considered in management policies.
Anabela Reis; Marta Roboredo; João Pinto; Bernardete Vieira; Simone Varandas; Luis Fernandes; Fernando Pacheco. Distribution and Potential Availability of As, Metals and P in Sediments from a Riverine Reservoir in a Rural Mountainous Catchment (NE Portugal). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 5616 .
AMA StyleAnabela Reis, Marta Roboredo, João Pinto, Bernardete Vieira, Simone Varandas, Luis Fernandes, Fernando Pacheco. Distribution and Potential Availability of As, Metals and P in Sediments from a Riverine Reservoir in a Rural Mountainous Catchment (NE Portugal). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (11):5616.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnabela Reis; Marta Roboredo; João Pinto; Bernardete Vieira; Simone Varandas; Luis Fernandes; Fernando Pacheco. 2021. "Distribution and Potential Availability of As, Metals and P in Sediments from a Riverine Reservoir in a Rural Mountainous Catchment (NE Portugal)." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 11: 5616.
This study aimed to present a payment for ecosystem services model that promotes a symbiotic coexistence between agriculture and clean water production. The model favors application to headwater catchments where clean water production is expected. However, the frequent invasion of these areas with intensive agriculture and livestock production systems affects water quality threatening the use of this resource, namely as drinking water. The proposed Agriculture for Clean Water Yield (ACWY) model reconciles agriculture with clean water production through the incentive approach, giving the farmers a financial compensation if they are willing to replace intensive by sustainable agriculture and livestock production systems, namely agro-forestry systems. The reconciliation through the incentive approach is justified because clean water and food are both vital goods for human survival. The compensation rises as function of increasing catchment water yield capacity and conversion costs. For example, landowners receive more if land conversion occurs in slopping than undulated landscapes. The model applied to Fazenda Glória watershed, composed of 19 headwater catchments (96.7 ha on average), proposed financial incentives in the range 218.73–576.5 US$/ha/year depending on the catchment's water yield capacity, which rise to 284.35–749.45 US$/ha/year if conversions occur in extreme vulnerable areas. The watershed, located in São Paulo state, Brazil, covers 18.4 km2 and is the source of drinking water to 70,000 people living in Jaboticabal city. Monitoring is essential to assess the performance of ACWY and adjust the compensation dynamically. For instance, noteworthy improvements in water yields and water quality or land conversions performed in short periods can expect the most generous compensation. Two concerns about implementing the model in Fazenda Glória rely on the lack of political will in spite of existing federal and state legal support, as well as on the financial sources to make the model a real project.
Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. Production of clean water in agriculture headwater catchments: A model based on the payment for environmental services. Science of The Total Environment 2021, 785, 147331 .
AMA StyleTeresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco. Production of clean water in agriculture headwater catchments: A model based on the payment for environmental services. Science of The Total Environment. 2021; 785 ():147331.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTeresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. 2021. "Production of clean water in agriculture headwater catchments: A model based on the payment for environmental services." Science of The Total Environment 785, no. : 147331.
This study reviewed current research on the nexus “wildfires-watershed hydrology-stream water quality”. Various studies used remote sensed Earth observation data to improve the understanding of soil erosion and water balance in burned watersheds and their relationships with fire variables (e.g., severity). It was noteworthy the application of computer models to assess fire-related hydrologic processes (e.g., soil-water repellence) and their control over runoff generation. The discussion about short- and long-term impacts of wildfires were prominent, including stream flow reductions following vegetation re-sprouts or mobilization of metals. The controls of wildfire impacts drove studies about the role of spatial scale in the rainfall thresholds for post-fire runoff and sediment delivery or the role of snowpack decline in the anticipation of peak flows in Boreal latitudes. Finally, it is worth to mention the research on fire management, as measure to restore stream water yields in forested watersheds and prevent subsequent fires.
Fernando A.L. Pacheco; Luís F. Sanches Fernandes. Hydrology and stream water quality of fire-prone watersheds. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health 2021, 21, 100243 .
AMA StyleFernando A.L. Pacheco, Luís F. Sanches Fernandes. Hydrology and stream water quality of fire-prone watersheds. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. 2021; 21 ():100243.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando A.L. Pacheco; Luís F. Sanches Fernandes. 2021. "Hydrology and stream water quality of fire-prone watersheds." Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health 21, no. : 100243.
The inadequate management of soils and the absence of conservation practices favor the degradation of pastures and can trigger adverse environmental alterations and damage under the terms of Brazilian Federal Law no. 6.938/1981. Based on this premise, this study aimed to estimate soil losses caused by water erosion in pasture areas using the brightness index (BI) from the annual series of Landsat 8 images in different geological formations. A specifically prepared Google Earth Engine (GEE) script automatically extracted the BI from the images. The study occurred in the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Uberaba River basin (Minas Gerais, Brazil). To accomplish the goal, 180 digital 500-wide random buffers were selected from 3 geologic types (60 points per type), and then analyzed for zonal statistics of USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) soil loss and BI in a Geographic Information System. The regression models BI versus USLE soil loss allowed estimating BI soil losses over the pastures of EPA. The model fittings were remarkable. The validation of soil loss maps in the EPA occurred in pasture phytophysiognomies through the probing of penetration resistance in 37 randomly selected locations. The results were satisfactory, mostly those based on the BI. The BI losses increased for greater resistances. Amplified losses also occurred in regions exposed to environmental land use conflicts (actual uses that deviate from land capability or natural use). Overall, the BI approach proved efficient to accurately track soil losses and pasture degradation over large areas, with the advantage of standing on a single parameter easily accessed through remote sensed data. From an environmental standpoint, this is an important result, because the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of degraded pastures is paramount to implement mitigation measures following the “polluter pays principle”, even more in Brazil where the areas occupied by degraded pastures are enormous.
Alessandra Soares Vieira; Renato Farias Do Valle Junior; Vinicius Silva Rodrigues; Thiago Luiz da Silva Quinaia; Rafaella Gouveia Mendes; Carlos Alberto Valera; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. Estimating water erosion from the brightness index of orbital images: A framework for the prognosis of degraded pastures. Science of The Total Environment 2021, 776, 146019 .
AMA StyleAlessandra Soares Vieira, Renato Farias Do Valle Junior, Vinicius Silva Rodrigues, Thiago Luiz da Silva Quinaia, Rafaella Gouveia Mendes, Carlos Alberto Valera, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco. Estimating water erosion from the brightness index of orbital images: A framework for the prognosis of degraded pastures. Science of The Total Environment. 2021; 776 ():146019.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlessandra Soares Vieira; Renato Farias Do Valle Junior; Vinicius Silva Rodrigues; Thiago Luiz da Silva Quinaia; Rafaella Gouveia Mendes; Carlos Alberto Valera; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. 2021. "Estimating water erosion from the brightness index of orbital images: A framework for the prognosis of degraded pastures." Science of The Total Environment 776, no. : 146019.
Background and Aim: Wild mammals are among the most threatened species of the world in large part due to human activity. In this work, we used the method of partial least squares-path modeling associated with a geographic information system to analyze the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the mortality of wild mammals. Materials and Methods: We collected the data related to the cause of death of native wild mammals admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia in Northern Portugal, during 10 years (2008-2017). Results: A total of 359 animals from 42 municipalities (rural and urban areas) were included in the study. The main cause of death was of traumatic origin. From the anthropogenic pressures included in the study, water reservoirs, small companies, and residential buildings were the ones that contributed the most to increase the mortality of traumatic and nontraumatic origin. This relation of cause-effect (mortality-anthropogenic pressures) was supported by the high coefficients of determination obtained (R2>0.8). Conclusion: The present results allow a general view on the reality of mammal's mortality in Northern Portugal. Furthermore, it could also constitute a valuable tool for the conservation of wild mammals in those areas.
Andreia Garcês; Isabel Pires; Fernando Pacheco; Luís Sanches Fernandes; Vanessa Soeiro; Sara Lóio; Justina Prada; Rui Cortes; Felisbina Queiroga. Impact of anthropogenic pressures on wild mammals of Northern Portugal. Veterinary World 2020, 13, 2691 -2702.
AMA StyleAndreia Garcês, Isabel Pires, Fernando Pacheco, Luís Sanches Fernandes, Vanessa Soeiro, Sara Lóio, Justina Prada, Rui Cortes, Felisbina Queiroga. Impact of anthropogenic pressures on wild mammals of Northern Portugal. Veterinary World. 2020; 13 (12):2691-2702.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndreia Garcês; Isabel Pires; Fernando Pacheco; Luís Sanches Fernandes; Vanessa Soeiro; Sara Lóio; Justina Prada; Rui Cortes; Felisbina Queiroga. 2020. "Impact of anthropogenic pressures on wild mammals of Northern Portugal." Veterinary World 13, no. 12: 2691-2702.
The integration of internal (e.g., stratification) and external (e.g., pollution) factors on a comprehensive assessment of reservoir water quality determines the success of ecosystem restoration initiatives and aids watershed management. However, integrated analyses are scarcer than studies addressing factors separately. Integration is likely more efficient in studies of small well-characterized (experimental) reservoir watersheds, because the isolation of factor contributions is presumably clearer. But those studies are uncommon. This work describes the water quality of two small 5.5 m-deep reservoirs (MD-Main and VD-Voçoroca dams) located in Pindorama Experimental Center, state of São Paulo, Brazil, considering the interplay between reservoir dimension, seasonal thermal stratification, chemical gradients, erosive rainfall events, presence of natural biofilters, and land uses and landscape patterns around the reservoirs and within the contributing watersheds. The monitoring of agricultural activities and water quality parameters occurred in October 2018–July 2019. A 4 °C thermal stratification occurred in October (difference between surface and bottom water temperature), which decreased until disappearance in January (VD) or April (MD). The longer stratification period of MD was justified by its larger area relative to VD (≈10×). Thermal stratification triggered hypoxia at the bottom of both reservoirs (DO ≈ 1 mg/L), more prolonged and severe in MD. Hypoxia activated Ec and TDS peaks in January likely explained by bottom-sediment nutrient releases, presumably phosphorus. The Ec peak reached 560 μS/cm in MD and 290 μS/cm in VD. The smaller VD peak was probably explained by the action of macrophytes. In March, a 240 NTU turbidity peak occurred in MD, caused by precedent erosive rainfall and the lack of vegetation protection alongside the south border. As expected, the study accomplished clear isolation of factor contributions, verified by Factor and Cluster analyses. Our results can subsidize studies on larger reservoir watersheds requiring restoration, where the isolation of factors is more challenging.
Maria Conceição Lopes; Antonio Lucio Mello Martins; Mariana Bárbara Lopes Simedo; Marcílio Vieira Martins Filho; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Renato Farias Do Valle Júnior; Nilton Eduardo Torres Rojas; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra. A case study of factors controlling water quality in two warm monomictic tropical reservoirs located in contrasting agricultural watersheds. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 762, 144511 .
AMA StyleMaria Conceição Lopes, Antonio Lucio Mello Martins, Mariana Bárbara Lopes Simedo, Marcílio Vieira Martins Filho, Renata Cristina Araújo Costa, Renato Farias Do Valle Júnior, Nilton Eduardo Torres Rojas, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra. A case study of factors controlling water quality in two warm monomictic tropical reservoirs located in contrasting agricultural watersheds. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 762 ():144511.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaria Conceição Lopes; Antonio Lucio Mello Martins; Mariana Bárbara Lopes Simedo; Marcílio Vieira Martins Filho; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Renato Farias Do Valle Júnior; Nilton Eduardo Torres Rojas; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra. 2020. "A case study of factors controlling water quality in two warm monomictic tropical reservoirs located in contrasting agricultural watersheds." Science of The Total Environment 762, no. : 144511.
Runoff has shaped the Earth into watersheds, and humans have appropriated many of them
Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. Watersheds, Anthropogenic Activities and the Role of Adaptation to Environmental Impacts. Water 2020, 12, 3451 .
AMA StyleFernando António Leal Pacheco, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. Watersheds, Anthropogenic Activities and the Role of Adaptation to Environmental Impacts. Water. 2020; 12 (12):3451.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando António Leal Pacheco; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. 2020. "Watersheds, Anthropogenic Activities and the Role of Adaptation to Environmental Impacts." Water 12, no. 12: 3451.
The provision of raw water to urban supply systems is a global endeavor, and a great challenge to water resource managers of large metropolitan regions. A sustainable supply requires the integrated management of water quantity and quality, as well as the system’s adaption to land use and climate changes (e.g., deforestation, droughts). The available water security models inform about the current security status of a system based on the assessment of quantity, quality and adaption indicators. But they barely include risk variables in the analysis, which could help to improve the security assessment considering the historical records of indicators or their future projections. In the present study, a new method is developed that couples a security assessment based on the rating of pressure indicators acting on a watershed, such as water demand, ordinary and accidental contaminants, droughts, and environmental settings (e.g., share of forest cover), with a risk assessment based on pressure properties such as severity, occurrence and detectability. The method is framed in the “Failure Mode and Effects Analysis”, and was applied to the Rio das Velhas system that supplies a portion of Belo Horizonte metropolitan region (Minas Gerais, Brazil) with >4 million inhabitants. The results exposed unacceptable risks for water demand, ordinary contaminants and droughts, because of their high severity and frequency. The water demand risks were explained by data on current (2019) water scarcity and population growth projections (until 2036) that are likely to raise water consumption. The ordinary contaminant risks were deduced from information on current deviations of water quality parameters (e.g., dissolved oxygen, turbidity) from legal thresholds, and records (since 2007) of stream water contamination by untreated domestic effluents. Finally, the drought risks were explained by information on the persistence of stream flows below a legal reference flow, coupled with the identification of many (23) dry years in the available stream flow record (48 years). Overall, the proposed model was efficient in the evaluation of water security risk in the basin. The results obtained for the study area help to act on the required mitigation through prioritization of risk attenuation. Given the simplicity and modest data requirements, the method is helpful to decision makers and suited for replication in other similar regions around the globe.
Marília Carvalho de Melo; Rosa Maria Formiga-Johnsson; José Paulo Soares de Azevedo; Nilo De Oliveira Nascimento; Fabrício Lisboa Vieira Machado; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Luis Filipe Sanches Fernandes. A raw water security risk model for urban supply based on failure mode analysis. Journal of Hydrology 2020, 593, 125843 .
AMA StyleMarília Carvalho de Melo, Rosa Maria Formiga-Johnsson, José Paulo Soares de Azevedo, Nilo De Oliveira Nascimento, Fabrício Lisboa Vieira Machado, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Luis Filipe Sanches Fernandes. A raw water security risk model for urban supply based on failure mode analysis. Journal of Hydrology. 2020; 593 ():125843.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarília Carvalho de Melo; Rosa Maria Formiga-Johnsson; José Paulo Soares de Azevedo; Nilo De Oliveira Nascimento; Fabrício Lisboa Vieira Machado; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Luis Filipe Sanches Fernandes. 2020. "A raw water security risk model for urban supply based on failure mode analysis." Journal of Hydrology 593, no. : 125843.
Water management is a crucial tool for addressing the increasing uncertainties caused by climate change, biodiversity loss and the conditions of socioeconomic limits. The multiple factors affecting water resources need to be successfully managed to achieve optimal governance and thus move towards water security. This study seeks to obtain a holistic vision of the various threats that affect the ecological integrity of the basins that form the hydrological district of Galicia-Costa, through the method of partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM). The data is analysed overall for the hydrological years from 2009 to 2015. The independent latent variables are “Anthropogenic” (comprising the percentage of water bodies with edges alongside artificial surfaces, the percentage connected to artificial land use patches, the edge density of artificial surfaces and population density) and “Nature” (edge density of forestry land uses, edge length of land water bodies alongside forested areas and the percentage of land occupied by the largest patch of forest). The dependent latent variables are “SWP”, which represents surface water parameters (biological oxygen demand, chlorides, conductivity and dissolved iron) and “Ecological Integrity” (METI Bioindicator). The connections between latent variables are uantified through path coefficients (β). From an overall perspective, the PLS-PM results reveal that 69.0% of “SWP” is predicted by the independent variables (R2 = 0.690), “Anthropogenic” contributes by increasing SWP (β = 0.471), while “Nature” decreases the concentration of SWP (β = -0.523), which indicates the polluting parameters in the water. The variables "Anthropogenic" (β = -0.351) and “SWP” (β = -0.265) lower the quality of “Ecological Integrity”. This variable must be managed through soil conservation measures for the benefit of water security. This study has been able to identify and quantify the variables that increase contaminant concentration and decrease ecological integrity, providing a promising methodology that facilitates protection and correction measures to guarantee water safety.
Carolina Acuña-Alonso; António Carlos Pinheiro Fernandes; Xana Álvarez; Enrique Valero; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Simone Da Graça Pinto Varandas; Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. Water security and watershed management assessed through the modelling of hydrology and ecological integrity: A study in the Galicia-Costa (NW Spain). Science of The Total Environment 2020, 759, 143905 .
AMA StyleCarolina Acuña-Alonso, António Carlos Pinheiro Fernandes, Xana Álvarez, Enrique Valero, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Simone Da Graça Pinto Varandas, Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. Water security and watershed management assessed through the modelling of hydrology and ecological integrity: A study in the Galicia-Costa (NW Spain). Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 759 ():143905.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCarolina Acuña-Alonso; António Carlos Pinheiro Fernandes; Xana Álvarez; Enrique Valero; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Simone Da Graça Pinto Varandas; Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. 2020. "Water security and watershed management assessed through the modelling of hydrology and ecological integrity: A study in the Galicia-Costa (NW Spain)." Science of The Total Environment 759, no. : 143905.
Forest fires are an increasing problem over recent decades. The fires, among other consequences, lead to an increase in the soil vulnerability to water erosion and a consequent increase in sedimentation rates. When barriers are present, such as dams or weirs, there is an amplified risk of sediment and ash deposition in their reservoirs, causing siltation. Thus, there is an interest in studying in more detail the risk of siltation of barriers and reservoirs in the Douro River watershed following wildfires. A detailed barrier inventory was lacking for the Douro River, hampering the identification of siltation-prone areas. In order to fill in this gap, an extensive inventory of barriers in the Douro river basin was carried out for the present study. The result was an abundant and reliable dataset on the Douro River barriers, which allowed a prognosis on the watershed siltation risk. The method for calculating the siltation risk relied on the relationship between the frequency of forest fires, the erosion risk and the frequency of reservoirs. The sub-basins with the greater siltation risk are the Tâmega, Corgo, Sousa and Paiva river basins. Most reservoirs with the highest siltation risk were from small dams. The modelling results were compared with stream connectivity and concentrations of stream water phosphorus (associated with the sediments that flow into the rivers due to the fires). With regard to connectivity, only two reservoirs were at high risk of sedimentation due to fires, so the categories of connectivity risk and fire-based sedimentation risk are probably not related. With regard to risk of high phosphorus loadings, in 8 basins the upper classes for fire-based erosion risk coincided with the upper class for phosphorus loadings suggesting that high phosphorus loading could be associated with fire-based erosion. This study works as a simple but reliable example on the assessment and mapping of siltation risk in stream networks intersected by abundant barriers. It allowed for identifying barriers that can accumulate a large quantity of fine sediments and ashes, interfering with water quality and soil erosion as well as with the storage capacity of the respective barriers.
Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; João Paulo Moura; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. A Method for Estimating the Risk of Dam Reservoir Silting in Fire-Prone Watersheds: A Study in Douro River, Portugal. Water 2020, 12, 2959 .
AMA StyleDaniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio, Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, João Paulo Moura, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. A Method for Estimating the Risk of Dam Reservoir Silting in Fire-Prone Watersheds: A Study in Douro River, Portugal. Water. 2020; 12 (11):2959.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; João Paulo Moura; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. 2020. "A Method for Estimating the Risk of Dam Reservoir Silting in Fire-Prone Watersheds: A Study in Douro River, Portugal." Water 12, no. 11: 2959.
The assessment of water availability in river basins is at the top of the water security agenda. Historically, the assessment of stream flow discharge in Brazilian watersheds was relevant for dam dimensioning, flood control projects and irrigation systems. Nowadays, it plays an important role in the creation of sustainable management plans at the catchment scale aimed to help in establishing legal policies on water resources management and water security laws, namely, those related to the payment for environmental services related to clean water production. Headwater catchments are preferential targets of these policies and laws for their water quality. The general objective of this study was to evaluate water availability in first-order sub-basins of a Brazilian headwater catchment. The specific objectives were: (1) to assess the stream flow discharge of first-order headwater sub-basins and rank them accordingly; (2) to analyze the feasibility of payment for environmental services related to water production in these sub-basins. The discharge flow measurements were conducted during five years (2012 to 2016), in headwaters in a watershed on the São Domingos River at the Turvo/Grande Watershed, represented as the 4th-largest hydrographic unit for water resources management—UGRHI-15 in São Paulo State, Brazil. A doppler velocity technology was used to remotely measure open-channel flow and to collect the data. The discharge values were obtained on periodic measurements, at the beginning of each month. The results were subject to descriptive statistics that analyzed the temporal and spatial data related to sub-basins morphometric characteristics. The discharge flows showed space–time variations in magnitude between studied headwater sub-basins on water availability, assessed based on average net discharges. The set of ecological processes supported by forests are fundamental in controlling and recharging aquifers and preserving the volume of water in headwater in each sub-basin. The upstream inflows influence downstream sub-basins. To avoid scarcity, the headwater rivers located in the upstream sub-basins must not consider basin area as a single and homogeneous unit, because that may be the source of water conflicts. Understanding this relationship in response to conservationist practices installed uphill influenced by anthropic actions is crucial for water security assessment. The headwaters should be considered a great potential for ecosystem services, with respect to the “provider-receiver” principle, in the context of payments for environmental services (PES).
Mariana Bárbara Lopes Simedo; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra; Antonio Lucio Mello Martins; Maria Conceição Lopes; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Marcelo Zanata; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. The Assessment of Hydrological Availability and the Payment for Ecosystem Services: A Pilot Study in a Brazilian Headwater Catchment. Water 2020, 12, 2726 .
AMA StyleMariana Bárbara Lopes Simedo, Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra, Antonio Lucio Mello Martins, Maria Conceição Lopes, Renata Cristina Araújo Costa, Marcelo Zanata, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. The Assessment of Hydrological Availability and the Payment for Ecosystem Services: A Pilot Study in a Brazilian Headwater Catchment. Water. 2020; 12 (10):2726.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMariana Bárbara Lopes Simedo; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra; Antonio Lucio Mello Martins; Maria Conceição Lopes; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Marcelo Zanata; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes. 2020. "The Assessment of Hydrological Availability and the Payment for Ecosystem Services: A Pilot Study in a Brazilian Headwater Catchment." Water 12, no. 10: 2726.
The fragmentation of forests is a consequence of human activities that intensively change the natural landscapes. In Brazil, there is a long-standing legal framework for native vegetation protection, called Forest Code. The last update is from 2012. The revisions incorporated in this restructured code (Law No. 12,651/12) encompassed new rules, rights and obligations for adequate land use management of productive systems and for environmental conservation and protection. An example of a protective measure was the creation of a Legal Reserve inside the rural properties and Areas of Permanent Protection around the watercourses. This study explored the effects of implementing the new code on the spatial and temporal evolution of forest cover fragmentation since the legal changes were set up. In that context, the area, perimeter and shape (circularity index) of forest fragments, as well as the buffer strips along watercourses, were assessed from 2010 to 2016 within the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil. The assessment resorted to remote sensing techniques and visual inspection of orbital images. It was clear from the results that forest patches became more abundant but smaller, more dispersed and elongated, and that this route to fragmentation was hinged on a chaotic expansion of urban and agricultural areas. Important edge effects were anticipated from these results. The area numbers revealed that Ribeirão Preto was 7.95% covered with forest fragments in 2010, while this percentage rose to 8.03% in 2013 and reached 8.35% in 2016. Most of this increase occurred within a 30-meter wide buffer along the watercourses. This was a positive outcome. However, the numbers also revealed that forested areas smaller than 51 hectares increased from 71% in 2010 to 73% in 2016. The conclusions were that implementation of Law No. 12,651/12 is leading to an increase of forestland, but not yet promoting sustainability, namely through improved connectivity among fragments for reduction of edge effects and provision ecosystem services.
Rafael Parras; Gislaine Costa De Mendonça; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra; Carlos Alberto Valera; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. The Configuration of Forest Cover in Ribeirão Preto: A Diagnosis of Brazil’s Forest Code Implementation. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5686 .
AMA StyleRafael Parras, Gislaine Costa De Mendonça, Renata Cristina Araújo Costa, Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra, Carlos Alberto Valera, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco. The Configuration of Forest Cover in Ribeirão Preto: A Diagnosis of Brazil’s Forest Code Implementation. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (14):5686.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRafael Parras; Gislaine Costa De Mendonça; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra; Carlos Alberto Valera; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. 2020. "The Configuration of Forest Cover in Ribeirão Preto: A Diagnosis of Brazil’s Forest Code Implementation." Sustainability 12, no. 14: 5686.
Water resources have been increasingly impacted due to the growth of water demand associated with environmental degradation. In this context, the mapping of groundwater recharge potential has become attractive to water managers as it can be used to direct public policies and conserve this natural asset. The present study modifies (improves) a spatially explicit model to determine groundwater recharge potential at the catchment scale, testing it in the Pandeiros River basin located in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The model is generally based on the water balance approach and the input variables were compiled from institutional sources and processed in a Geographic Information System. The novelty brought by the aforementioned modification relates to the coupling of physical variables (conventional way) and land management practices (introduced here) in the estimation of a percolation factor. The role of land management practices for percolation was assessed by the so-called Conservative Use Potential (PUC) method, which classifies the areas of a river basin in terms of their potential for sustainable use. The results were validated by an independent method, namely the recession curve method based on the interpretation of hydrographs. In general, the groundwater recharge potential is favored in flat to gently undulating areas and forested regions, as well as where the landscape is characterized by well-structured soils, good drainage conditions and large hydraulic conductivity. The map of groundwater recharge potential produced in this study can be used by planners and decision makers in the Pandeiros River basin as a tool to achieve sustainable use of groundwater resources and the protection of recharge areas.
Marcelo Alvares Tenenwurcel; Maíse Soares De Moura; Adriana Monteiro Da Costa; Paula Karen Mota; João Hebert Moreira Viana; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. An Improved Model for the Evaluation of Groundwater Recharge Based on the Concept of Conservative Use Potential: A Study in the River Pandeiros Watershed, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Water 2020, 12, 1001 .
AMA StyleMarcelo Alvares Tenenwurcel, Maíse Soares De Moura, Adriana Monteiro Da Costa, Paula Karen Mota, João Hebert Moreira Viana, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Fernando António Leal Pacheco. An Improved Model for the Evaluation of Groundwater Recharge Based on the Concept of Conservative Use Potential: A Study in the River Pandeiros Watershed, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Water. 2020; 12 (4):1001.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarcelo Alvares Tenenwurcel; Maíse Soares De Moura; Adriana Monteiro Da Costa; Paula Karen Mota; João Hebert Moreira Viana; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Fernando António Leal Pacheco. 2020. "An Improved Model for the Evaluation of Groundwater Recharge Based on the Concept of Conservative Use Potential: A Study in the River Pandeiros Watershed, Minas Gerais, Brazil." Water 12, no. 4: 1001.
According to the Floods Directive (Directive 60/2007/EC), the management of floods represents an obligation of each EU member state to defend human lives as well as the economic well-being of societies, especially in areas defined as critical. The purpose of this study was to develop a flood attenuation model based on detention basins in the 23 critical flood risk zones of continental Portugal, capable to eliminate the high and very high flood risk areas instead of attempting to ensure full control of the flood in all potentially threatened areas. The model workflow comprised the sequential use of engineering formulae based on historical peak flows and a zoning algorithm embedded in a Geographic Information System. The formulas allowed to set up the volume of river water to retain in a detention basin during a flood, as well as the smallest catchment area (A) producing this volume. The results were divided into sustainable (h ≤ 8 m) or non-sustainable (h > 8 m) detention basins. Thus, these results indicated the possibility to install 27 sustainable and 75 non-sustainable detention basins in specific catchments within the critical zones contributing watersheds. The number of sustainable detention basins is reduced by about 30% when the full flood control model is used. Because the construction of non-sustainable (engineered) dams is extremely costly, the only possible way to mitigate flood risk in these critical zones would be to couple flood attenuation with hydroelectric use, or through the implementation of an extensive reforestation program in the catchment with the purpose to increase evapotranspiration and reduce runoff.
Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; L.F. Sanches Fernandes; R.M.V. Cortes; J.P. Moura; F.A.L. Pacheco. Flood risk attenuation in critical zones of continental Portugal using sustainable detention basins. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 721, 137727 .
AMA StyleDaniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio, L.F. Sanches Fernandes, R.M.V. Cortes, J.P. Moura, F.A.L. Pacheco. Flood risk attenuation in critical zones of continental Portugal using sustainable detention basins. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 721 ():137727.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDaniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; L.F. Sanches Fernandes; R.M.V. Cortes; J.P. Moura; F.A.L. Pacheco. 2020. "Flood risk attenuation in critical zones of continental Portugal using sustainable detention basins." Science of The Total Environment 721, no. : 137727.
António Fernandes; Lisa Martins; Luís Fernandes; Rui Cortes; Fernando Pacheco. Exploring the Effects of Landscape Metrics in Water Quality, Ave River Basin Case Study. International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics 2020, 15, 65 -72.
AMA StyleAntónio Fernandes, Lisa Martins, Luís Fernandes, Rui Cortes, Fernando Pacheco. Exploring the Effects of Landscape Metrics in Water Quality, Ave River Basin Case Study. International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics. 2020; 15 (1):65-72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntónio Fernandes; Lisa Martins; Luís Fernandes; Rui Cortes; Fernando Pacheco. 2020. "Exploring the Effects of Landscape Metrics in Water Quality, Ave River Basin Case Study." International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics 15, no. 1: 65-72.
The exploitation of natural resources has grown mainly due to the high rate of population growth that changed over time around the planet. Water is one of the most needed resources essential for survival. Despite all the efforts made to improve water security, an environmental impact related to anthropogenic influence remains of great concern, which is the alteration of surface and groundwater quality. In many regions around the world, there is limited or no access to rural and urban water supply while there is a need to improve sanitation facilities. This work evaluated the spatial distribution of groundwater and surface water quality as well as their changes in wet and dry seasons of the tropical climate in the Atlantic Forest Biome. The study area is under anthropogenic influence, which is in the municipality of Igarassú, Pernambuco State, Brazil. The analysis of the raw water was based on Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, as referenced in the Brazilian Ministry of Health Consolidation Ordinance that sets standards for drinking water. The temporal analyses indicated a variation on water quality from the wet to the dry seasons, whereas the spatial results revealed deviations from the Brazilian’s Water Supply Standards for some physicochemical parameters. There was an increase in the values of some parameters during the wet season in some hydrological compartments. The anthropized rural area from the Atlantic Forest Biome is affecting the water quality. It is, therefore, necessary to develop environmental policies and put them into practice by implementing engineering projects that guarantee proper treatment for raw water in order to bring the water quality back to a good status in this region.
Igor Fellipe Batista Vieira; Fernando Cartaxo Rolim Neto; Marilda Nascimento Carvalho; Anildo Monteiro Caldas; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Karolyne Santos Da Silva; Roberto Da Boa Viagem Parahyba; Fernando Antonio Leal Pacheco; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra. Water Security Assessment of Groundwater Quality in an Anthropized Rural Area from the Atlantic Forest Biome in Brazil. Water 2020, 12, 623 .
AMA StyleIgor Fellipe Batista Vieira, Fernando Cartaxo Rolim Neto, Marilda Nascimento Carvalho, Anildo Monteiro Caldas, Renata Cristina Araújo Costa, Karolyne Santos Da Silva, Roberto Da Boa Viagem Parahyba, Fernando Antonio Leal Pacheco, Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra. Water Security Assessment of Groundwater Quality in an Anthropized Rural Area from the Atlantic Forest Biome in Brazil. Water. 2020; 12 (3):623.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIgor Fellipe Batista Vieira; Fernando Cartaxo Rolim Neto; Marilda Nascimento Carvalho; Anildo Monteiro Caldas; Renata Cristina Araújo Costa; Karolyne Santos Da Silva; Roberto Da Boa Viagem Parahyba; Fernando Antonio Leal Pacheco; Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra. 2020. "Water Security Assessment of Groundwater Quality in an Anthropized Rural Area from the Atlantic Forest Biome in Brazil." Water 12, no. 3: 623.
Sustainability is a utopia of societies, that could be achieved by a harmonious balance between socio-economic development and environmental protection, including the sustainable exploitation of natural resources. The present Special Issue addresses a multiplicity of realities that confirm a deviation from this utopia in the real world, as well as the concerns of researchers. These scholars point to measures that could help lead the damaged environment to a better status. The studies were focused on sustainable use of soils and water, as well as on land use or occupation changes that can negatively affect the quality of those resources. Some other studies attempt to assess (un)sustainability in specific regions through holistic approaches, like the land carrying capacity, the green gross domestic product or the eco-security models. Overall, the special issue provides a panoramic view of competing interests for land and the consequences for the environment derived therefrom.
Fernando A. L. Pacheco. Sustainable Use of Soils and Water: The Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts. Sustainability 2020, 12, 1163 .
AMA StyleFernando A. L. Pacheco. Sustainable Use of Soils and Water: The Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):1163.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFernando A. L. Pacheco. 2020. "Sustainable Use of Soils and Water: The Role of Environmental Land Use Conflicts." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 1163.
Gravel extraction and upstream damming caused profound effects on the estuary of the Lima river (NW Portugal) which was reflected by the collapse of banks, leading further to the destruction of riparian vegetation. This led to consequences such as a progressive negative impact on the preservation of salt marshes over several decades of this protected area, which continued even after the cessation of extraction activities. In this work, we present a restoration project combining civil engineering with soft soil engineering procedures and revegetation, along with two distinct segments, and follow the recovery process. The main intention of the study is to promote hydraulic roughness in order to dissipate energy from peak flows and tides, increasing accretion and indirectly the stimulation of plant succession and salt marsh recovery. We are able to observe that the built structures (an interconnected system of groynes, deflectors and rip-rap/gabion mattress) allowed the erosion process to be detained. However, they did not allow as much sediment as expected to be trapped. The colonization of species (plants) in brackish and tidal water was a difficulty posed by this project. A more extensive restoration of all estuarine areas and river mouths, namely to overcome the sediment deficit, will require proper land-use management at the catchment scale instead of local actions.
Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; António Augusto Sampaio Pinto; Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes. Combination of Ecological Engineering Procedures Applied to Morphological Stabilization of Estuarine Banks after Dredging. Water 2020, 12, 391 .
AMA StyleLuís Filipe Sanches Fernandes, António Augusto Sampaio Pinto, Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio, Fernando António Leal Pacheco, Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes. Combination of Ecological Engineering Procedures Applied to Morphological Stabilization of Estuarine Banks after Dredging. Water. 2020; 12 (2):391.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLuís Filipe Sanches Fernandes; António Augusto Sampaio Pinto; Daniela Patrícia Salgado Terêncio; Fernando António Leal Pacheco; Rui Manuel Vitor Cortes. 2020. "Combination of Ecological Engineering Procedures Applied to Morphological Stabilization of Estuarine Banks after Dredging." Water 12, no. 2: 391.
Inhaled radon from groundwater used for domestic purposes is one of the sources of natural radioactivity into indoor air. Due to uranium-bearing minerals occurrences, hydrogeochemical conditions, tectonic structures, and hydraulic circuits, the radon pathway from rocks to groundwater is quite unpredictable. High radon potential from bedrocks is not always associated with high radon levels in groundwater. Besides, inhaled radon from domestic use may also increase the exposure toindoor radon levels. This innovative methodology using hydrogeochemical conditions and groundwater flow transport was used for radon predictions in the underground to ensure safe drinking water ingestion and inhalation. This innovative radon prediction methodology is based on classic hydrogeochemical analyses (Eh-pH, Piper, Schöeller and Gibb's diagrams) and multivariate statistical analyses (Principal Component Analysis and Pearson's correlation). High dissolution of major ions does not imply high radon mobilization from rocks to groundwater. The travel time was estimated to developed a flow transport of contaminated groundwater. Radiological results show that of the 25 sampled springs, five of them contained radon concentrations above the Portuguese imposed limit (222Rn = 500 Bq·L−1), and 16 of them with values above the WHO recommended limit (222Rn = 100 Bq·L−1). Overall, this new approach of radon prediction showed that uranium enrichment in rocks at ideal hydrochemical conditions and emanation coefficient, and shallow circuits, are responsible for radon increasing in drinking water. The proposed approach allow to predict the areas with high radon potential groundwaters, being a tool to be used by water planners and policy makers for corrective and preventive measures in shallow groundwater flows. To safeguard clean water within the predefined deadline of Sustainable Development Goals (2030) and to ensure human health in compliance with WHO guidelines for safe drinking water, should be established priority water protection policies to reduced radon in this contaminated springs (n = 16).
L.M.O. Martins; A.J.S.C. Pereira; A. Sousa Oliveira; L.F. Sanches Fernandes; F.A.L. Pacheco. A new radon prediction approach for an assessment of radiological potential in drinking water. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 712, 136427 .
AMA StyleL.M.O. Martins, A.J.S.C. Pereira, A. Sousa Oliveira, L.F. Sanches Fernandes, F.A.L. Pacheco. A new radon prediction approach for an assessment of radiological potential in drinking water. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 712 ():136427.
Chicago/Turabian StyleL.M.O. Martins; A.J.S.C. Pereira; A. Sousa Oliveira; L.F. Sanches Fernandes; F.A.L. Pacheco. 2020. "A new radon prediction approach for an assessment of radiological potential in drinking water." Science of The Total Environment 712, no. : 136427.