Survey of the physiognomic structure of the vegetation of the Caatinga, oriented towards the control of techniques of detection in changes, using remote orbital sensing

• Grant number: 02/03522-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2002
• End date: September 30, 2003
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Vitor Celso de Carvalho
• Grantee: Vitor Celso de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The dimension reached by the practice of biomass burnings in the tropical region has been the object of concern and polemic at national and international level. This generalized henomenon in Brazilian agriculture and its environmental impact will only be elucidated when objective facts and data are obtained as to their occurrence, locality, causes, spatial and temporal dynamic, vegetation involved, nature and size of the fire, qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the gaseous emissions on several scales, etc. The dissemination of this information through organized sectors of society is also fundamental in order for agricultural practices to evolve and the control to become more efficient. Aiming to obtain scientific data on the theme of the burnings and to generate systematized and adequate information for national and international public opinion, Ecoforça - a non-governmental not-for-profit organization geared to questions of research and environmental development - has been carrying out research with a view to filling this lack of information for the scientific, environmentalist communities and society in general, by means of multi-institutional actions. The principal objective of this research Project is to structure and bring into operation a system of orbital monitoring and mapping of the biomass burnings which occur in the national territory, as well as guaranteeing the access and free dissemination of these results via electronic media to the scientific community and society in general. (AU)