GEO Brasil - UNEP

However, there are important knowledge gaps, mainly
regarding recovery in other biomes, production, storage
and germination of seeds of native species; forest ecology,
identification of species more apt for different recovery
models, techniques of community extension for the
involved populations, and monitoring of recovery projects
(Kageyama et al. 1992, National Council for Biosphere
Reserve Conselho Nacional da Reserva da Biosfera, 1997;
Rodrigues e Leitão Filho, 2000; Secretariat of the
Environment of São Paulo Secretaria de Meio Ambiente de
São Paulo 2000, Rezende et al. 2001; Ima Vieira com. pess.).
In addition to a lack of knowledge, seed production and
native species seedlings are still restricted both in numbers
of units and variety of species (Kageyama et al. 1992,
National Council for Biosphere Reserve Conselho Nacional
da Reserva da Biosfera 1997, Secretariat of the Environment
of São Paulo Secretaria do Meio Ambiente de São Paulo
2000, Danilo Sette de Almeida, Henry Martos e Vanilde
Zanette, com. Pess.).
Despite technical advances, the area that has been recovered
in Brazil is in fact extremely small. There are no data available,
but in the Atlantic Forest, the total area of recovery
programmes, with native species, does not reach 20,000
hectares (Paulo Kagyama, com.pess.). This represents an
insignificant fraction of the 92.5 million hectares already
deforested in this biome. Recovery projects of big areas
(100 ha or more) are very rare or non-existent in the remaining
biomes, mainly the non-forestry ones (Paulo Kageyama &
Bruno Walter com. pess.). The biggest ongoing
programmeme in is the Atlantic Forest and totals today
10,000 hectares planted, after 30 years of activity. Its history
represents an evolution of technology and concepts in the
recovery of degraded areas in Brazil. Originally initiated with
empirical plantation of species of economic value - exotic
and native, today native vegetation recovery is undertaken
based on scientific knowledge of natural forest ecology.
(Santos et al., 2001). Even so, ecological benefits brought
by vegetation include economic gains that should be
deducted from recovery costs. One of the best examples of
“environmental services” that are already recognised by
society is the maintenance of water quality by riverbank
forests.
Significant actions of recovery are also scarce because
pertinent legislation is only very recent. Brazilian
environment laws have a restrictive and punitive tradition
and, only from the 1980s onwards there were laws and norms
that made reference to reparation for environmental damage.
The regulation of these instruments has not been concluded
and their application is extremely deficient (Secretariat of
the Environment of São Paulo, 2000).
Overall, the great programmes of management and recovery
of areas in Brazil still have a very limited scope. The main
reason for this is the lack of human and material resources,
both for generating necessary knowledge and executing
management actions. There is great need for more
investment and for the consolidation of legal instruments
and their application. There is also need for a more rational
use of existing resources, and greater co-operation among
specialists and managers is a priority as well.
4.6. Atmosphere
In Brazil the problem of emissions and the issue of
atmospheric pollution, mainly in big cities, are quite serious.
These problems are created by mobile sources (vehicles)
and fixed sources (industries and energy transformation).
The transportation sector contributes significantly to the
emission of atmospheric pollutants in the country.
Additionally, this problem has increased significantly, mainly
in metropolitan regions. Some of the main causes are:
policies feedback
The main cause for the small recovery area in Brazil is the
cost of this action, which can reach US$4,000.00 per hectare.
There are already recovery models for the Atlantic Forest
with an implementation cost of US$1,500.00 per hectare
(IPEF, 1997), but this is still a very high investment for most
Brazilian landowners. If we consider the cost of maize
production, for example, it is around US$450.00 per hectare.
A study in the Cerrado estimated that the total cost of
recovery of riverbank forests can reach 9% of the annual
income of properties, an impossible investment for most
landowners, specially in an activity with long term benefits
High participation of road transportation, both for cargo
transportation and the transportation of passengers;
Little incentive for the use of collective transportation;
The decrease of the use of vehicles powered by alcohol;
and
The increase in the number of vehicles.
Regarding fixed sources, the main problem comes from
the burning of fossil fuels in industries. This results in the
emission of particulate material and CO2, among others.
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