RESUMO
We review the negative impacts of vinasse, a byproduct of alcohol distillation, on Brazil's freshwater ecosystems. We found a total of 37 pollution events between the years 1935 and 2023, with this number almost certainly an underestimate due to underreporting and/or unassessed events. Pollution by vinasse occurred both through accidents (e.g., tank failure) and deliberately (i.e., opening of floodgates), although in many cases the causes remain undetermined. All pollution events caused fish kills, with some records reporting negative effects on other organisms as well (i.e., crustaceans and reptiles). Pollution by vinasse, and associated negative effects, was reported for 11 states, with a notable number of cases in São Paulo. Most cases of vinasse pollution and negative impacts on biodiversity were recorded in rivers, followed by streams and reservoirs. Some of the affected river systems harbour threatened freshwater fishes. Hydrological connectivity means that pollution could have propagated along watercourses. Given these consequences of vinasse pollution on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services, we recommend a number of remedial actions.
RESUMO
Brazil is among the main contributors to global biodiversity, which, in turn, provides extensive ecosystem services. Agriculture is an activity that benefits greatly from these ecosystem services, but at the same time is degrading aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and eroding Brazilian biodiversity. This conflict is growing, as emerging unsustainable legislative proposals that will benefit the agricultural sector are likely to accelerate the decline of biodiversity. One such initiative (Bill 1282/2019) would change Brazil's "Forest Code" (Law 12,651/2012) to facilitate construction of irrigation dams in Permanent Preservation Areas, a category that includes strips (with or without vegetation) along the edges of watercourses. Two other similar bills are advancing through committees in the Chamber of Deputies. Here we provide details of these three bills and discuss their consequences for Brazil's biodiversity if they are approved. Expected negative impacts with changes in the legislation include: increased deforestation; siltation; habitat fragmentation; introduction of non-native species; reduction in the availability of aquatic habitats; and changes in biogeochemical process. These proposals jeopardize biodiversity and may compromise the negotiations for an agreement between Mercosur and the European Union.
Assuntos
Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Ecossistema , Brasil , Biodiversidade , Florestas , AgriculturaRESUMO
Professor Manuel Pereira de Godoy idealized the Natural History Museum of Pirassununga (MHNP, in Portuguese), State of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1938. In 1962, the MHNP was constructed in the backyard of his house. In 1977, the museum also received the type specimens of fishes from the defunct Estação Experimental de Biologia e Piscicultura de Pirassununga (EEBP). Here we provide notes (including photographs) of 11 type specimens (holotypes, paratypes, and syntypes) of the following 10 species belonging to four families and two orders: Leporinus amae, Astyanax (Astyanax) trierythropterus, Hyphessobrycon flammeus guabirubae, Plecostomus fluviatilis, Plecostomus luteus, Plecostomus topavae, Cetopsorhamdia iheringi, Chasmocranus brachynema, Nannorhamdia schubarti, Pimelodella insignis. Our study provides unprecedented photographic records of several type specimens deposited in MHNP. We expect this study will help in species identification and also assist future taxonomic studies of Neotropical freshwater fishes.
RESUMO
Ichthyocladius is a genus of chironomid (Diptera, Insecta) whose immature forms live attached to the bodies of some species of freshwater fishes. Here we investigate the association between Ichthyocladius spp. and armored catfish in streams of the Guareí River basin, Paraná River system, Brazil. We provide the first record of I. lilianae associated with fish in the São Paulo State and the Paraná River basin. In addition, this is the first report of Ichthyocladius associated with the armored catfishes Hypostomus iheringii and H. tietensis. Lastly, we record two undescribed species of Chironomidae (i.e., Ichthyocladius sp. 1 and Ichthyocladius sp. 2) associated with fishes.
Assuntos
Peixes-Gato , Chironomidae , Animais , Brasil , Rios , Água DoceRESUMO
Ghost nets constitute a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity, because they entangle animals as long as they persist in the environment. However, scientific literature in Brazil is virtually silent about this issue in inland ecosystems. Concerned with this gap, we conducted searches on YouTube BR to gather information about ghost nets in Brazilian freshwaters. Through our search, we compiled 33 independent videos showing ghost nets in different aquatic environments. In several cases, we identified entangled animals (i.e., fishes, reptiles, and birds). In this work we also provide recommendations to better understand and mitigate this problem in Brazilian freshwater ecosystems.
Assuntos
Biodiversidade , Ecossistema , Animais , Brasil , Peixes , Água DoceRESUMO
The Tocantins-Araguaia Basin is one of the largest river systems in South America, located entirely within Brazilian territory. In the last decades, capital-concentrating activities such as agribusiness, mining, and hydropower promoted extensive changes in land cover, hydrology, and environmental conditions. These changes are jeopardizing the basin's biodiversity and ecosystem services. Threats are escalating as poor environmental policies continue to be formulated, such as environmentally unsustainable hydropower plants, large-scale agriculture for commodity production, and aquaculture with non-native fish. If the current model persists, it will deepen the environmental crisis in the basin, compromising broad conservation goals and social development in the long term. Better policies will require thought and planning to minimize growing threats and ensure the basin's sustainability for future generations.