Physis Terrae - Ibero-Afro-American Journal of Physical Geography and Environment

Geoecology of Landscapes: A related science and its methodological pathway to integrated analysis

2024-09-15T00:27:01+00:00

Landscape Geoecology is a multidisciplinary environmental science with a systemic approach, interested in environmental patterns and functions, correlating geographical, ecological as well as socio-productive systems, which conveys a certain complexity, often leading to theoretical and methodological inconsistency. Given it is a relatively recent study field in Brazil, there is still much work to be done until Geoecology is able to curb the existing contradictions in its application. The objective of the present study is to provide a methodological approach to Geoecology, focusing on its analytical and synthetic attributes for the cartographic identification of geoecological units at topological level. The methodological procedures for geoecological studies comprise two steps: analysis and diagnosis. The subsequent findings herein describe the delimitation of five geoecological units along with their differentiation at topological level.

Bibliometry of the environmental valuation of ecosystem services in shaded coffee cultivation

2025-06-17T23:11:09+00:00

This study presents the first bibliometric analysis of the international scientific literature on the environmental valuation of ecosystem services in shaded coffee cultivation systems, covering the period from 1995 to 2023. Based on data retrieved from the Web of Science and analyzed using VOSviewer software, a total of 132 documents were examined. The results indicate that this is a recent and fragmented research field, with a significant increase in publications after 2019. The performance analysis revealed a concentration of studies in the fields of Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies, and Agronomy, with the United States, Brazil, and several European countries as leading contributors. The network analyses (keyword co-occurrence, bibliographic coupling, and co-citation) identified three main research fronts: ecosystem service provision, agroforestry management, and sustainability certification mechanisms, while also highlighting research gaps in economic valuation, governance frameworks, and farmer decision-making processes. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for greater interdisciplinary integration to advance the field and guide future research.

Geoecology of the urban landscape: theoretical and methodological aids for planning urban geoecological complexity

2025-05-16T11:21:30+00:00

Landscape Geoecology bases the integrated understanding of the complexity between society and nature and is capable of positioning planning acts. That said, the urban-industrial city is the object of verification of the viability of Geoecology in urbanized landscapes. A bibliographic review was carried out from the Geoecological perspective for urban planning, and issues of Brazilian urban dynamics were also presented. International publications demonstrate the capacity of Geoecology for urban planning, even in the face of the difficulty in measuring the totality, each research finds its axis. As a result, Geoecology evolves given the capacity to interact with the available technical-operational procedures, according to the demands of research, the researcher and the historical time. For the Brazilian territory, the application of Geoecology in urban areas has space and to support analysis procedures, a discussion is held on urban planning and issues that must be addressed, given social inequalities, the decrease in the rate of population growth and the loss of inhabitants in large cities. The stage is reached where populations are involved, even though they occupy the same physical-natural feature, they are subject to social vulnerability due to different levels of exposure to problems. Given these issues, Urban Landscape Geoecology makes it possible to plan occupation with quality, improving access to the city and adapting it to natural conditions.

Exploring the archaeological complexity of Shellmounds on São Luís Island: a multidisciplinary analysis

2025-02-21T16:23:57+00:00

The research investigates the coastal archaeology of Maranhão, with a focus on the shellmounds of São Luís Island. Its main objective is to understand the significance of these sites as reflections of the prehistoric societies that built them, as well as to explore the relationship between the shellmounds and the coastal environment. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the methodology involved archaeological excavations at specific sites, such as Bacanga, Panaquatira, and Chácara Rosane, and the analysis of the recovered materials. The results revealed a continuous and long-term human occupation on São Luís Island, with creative adaptations to local environmental conditions. The shellmounds not only served as stable settlement sites but also represent places of profound cultural significance, offering important insights into the pre-colonial history of Brazil. The preservation of these sites is crucial not only for the advancement of scientific knowledge but also for the valorization of the cultural and historical identity of the region, as well as for the conservation of coastal and estuarine ecosystems.

Diagnosis of heat spots in the triangle of Minas Gerais with emphasis on areas of forestry production

2025-05-15T19:40:32+00:00

Forest fires have become more frequent and impactful due to the intensification of the climate emergency, causing significant losses to natural ecosystems. This study analyzed hotspots in the Triângulo Mineiro/Alto Paranaíba and forestry areas between 2019 and 2024. Data from the GOES-16, NOAA-21, NPP-375, Terra_M-M, and Aqua_M-T satellites were obtained from BDQueimadas from the National Institute of Spatial Research (INPE). They were analyzed in a GIS environment using the Kernel density estimator to create maps with five density classes. The results showed fluctuations in the concentration of hotspots throughout the period, with a higher incidence in 2021 (45,638 hotspots). Rainfall analysis revealed a correlation with the dry season. A high incidence was noted in forest crop areas, highlighting the need for integrated management, continuous monitoring, and population awareness to prevent fires and reduce socio-environmental damage, especially in productive and vulnerable regions.

Fire in the Earth System: humans and nature

2025-09-10T00:24:27+00:00

Editorial

2025-09-10T11:00:55+00:00