Doutorado
Doutorado
Pedro Fialho Cordeiro. Tipificação dos ambientes aquáticos brasileiros: bases para a avaliação da integridade ecológica. Início: 2019. Tese (Doutorado em Análise e Modelagem de Sistemas Ambientais) - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Pedro Fialho Cordeiro. Tipificação dos ambientes aquáticos brasileiros: bases para a avaliação da integridade ecológica. Início: 2019. Tese (Doutorado em Análise e Modelagem de Sistemas Ambientais) - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Associate Professor
Department of Geography - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
Research Project Participation
2024 - AQUASMART - Innovative Strategies for the Management and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems for Oil and Gas Industry Water Supply: Diagnosis, Monitoring, Mitigation, and Prevention of Anthropogenic Pressures and Hydrological Risks
Description: AQUASMART is a research project that proposes multidisciplinary strategies aimed at the diagnosis, management, governance, and restoration of the Ibirité Lagoon (Lagoa de Ibirité – MG), which supplies water to REGAP and IBIRITERMO (oil refinery and thermoelectric plant, respectively). Given the historical challenges and anthropogenic pressures affecting the lagoon—such as sedimentation, eutrophication, unplanned land occupation, effluent discharge, and excessive growth of macrophytes—this study will encompass the entire watershed contributing to the system, with a focus on water quality assessment, ecosystem metabolism, self-purification capacity, nutrient inputs, macrophyte monitoring and control, and sediment dynamics.
The proposal is structured into five primary stages, which may be developed simultaneously: Stage 1 will focus on diagnosing the current state of eutrophication and sedimentation in the lagoon, along with mapping land use and land cover in the watershed and its temporal dynamics. Stage 2 will evaluate self-purification scenarios, sediment dynamics within the watershed, and strategies for dredging and potential reuse/disposal of the dredged material. Stage 3 will conduct a hydrodynamic assessment of the lagoon’s influence on the downstream valley and explore strategies for reducing physical, chemical, and biological risks associated with the reservoir’s multiple uses. Stage 4 will apply innovative monitoring technologies and remote sensing tools in a decision-support model for the management and control of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth). Stage 5 will involve a systemic analysis using geographic modeling to develop predictive scenarios of watershed occupation, considering governance frameworks and stakeholder engagement. By thoroughly identifying key pressure factors in the study area, adopting appropriate management approaches, implementing effective risk governance, and applying advanced urban lake restoration techniques, this project aims to offer long-lasting, multidisciplinary, and comprehensive solutions to stakeholders. Ultimately, it aims to make a meaningful contribution to the formulation of public policies and foster a strong connection between society and the challenges of environmental sustainability and governance in the oil and gas industry.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis, spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
Funding:
2023 - IBI-FURNAS: Net Positive Impact: Biotic Integrity and Participatory Monitoring for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services at the Furnas Hydropower Plant (UHE Furnas)
Description: The innovation of this research project lies in the development of a methodology for calculating and quantifying areas/regions of Net Positive Impact within the drainage basin of the Furnas Hydropower Plant (UHE Furnas). The approach will be based on scientific foundations in ecological modeling, ecological integrity indices, and water quality bioindicators, with the aim of supporting biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem services. The expected results will help address current knowledge gaps regarding how to diagnose, quantify, and identify potential areas for ecological restoration, thereby supporting corporate sustainability commitments and creating a replicable methodology that can be applied to other hydropower projects, with the potential to become a benchmark for the energy sector. In parallel, the project will seek to identify reference-condition areas for conservation, to avoid future degradation or emerging anthropogenic pressures.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis, spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
Funding:
2020 - Atual - GloBioTrends - Global taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of stream macroinvertebrate communities: unravelling spatial trends, ecological determinants and anthropogenic threats
Description: Anthropogenic activities threaten biodiversity at global, regional and local scales. Addressing this situation requires knowledge of the main mechanisms underlying biodiversity patterns. While the threats facing large, charismatic organisms are relatively well-known, those facing small-sized organisms inhabiting freshwater ecosystems are poorly studied, especially at large scales and in terms of joint examination of different facets, i.e. taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional facets of biodiversity. This scarcity of knowledge is largely due to the absence of an organized dataset on functional and phylogenetic information. The project GloBioTrends (1) aims to increase understanding of functional and phylogenetic differences among stream macroinvertebrate faunas across the world, (2) examines variation in the responses of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic biodiversity to natural and anthropogenic factors within distinct regions, and (3) predicts how environmental changes at global, regional and local scales affect stream macroinvertebrate biodiversity.
Webpage: https://www.largescaleecologylab.net/
Research Lines: Spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
Funding:
Foto: Diego Castro
Foto: Diego Castro
2018 - 2022- PROECOS - Ecological Processes – Development of New Ecotechnologies for Environmental Diagnostics and Processes
Description: This project will assess key ecological processes, including: primary production, respiration rates, instantaneous secondary production, fragmentation and decomposition of organic detritus, presence, distribution, and abundance of exotic mollusk species, functional diversity and redundancy of fish and benthic invertebrates, functional diversity in Odonata, predictive models of relationships between environmental degradation and biodiversity, functional stability, and biotic homogenization. The main objectives are: (a) To develop new ecotechnologies for assessing environmental quality based on knowledge of key ecosystem processes linked to the functional integrity of watersheds in hydropower projects, supporting and equipping environmental managers to make sound and sustainable decisions; (b) By combining innovative observational and experimental approaches, we will investigate taxonomic and functional responses of aquatic communities to multiple anthropogenic stressors, to validate the development and application of Functional Integrity Indices; (c) From the perspective of predictive ecological modeling under global change scenarios (climate and land use), to investigate intra- and inter-annual dynamics of biological communities and their relationship to the conservation status of hydropower reservoir catchments. The research team comprises 15 faculty researchers from UFMG, UNB, UFBA, UVV, UFPA, and UFLA, as well as collaborators from Europe, North America, Australia, and Canada.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis, spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
Funding:
2018 - 2021 - Records of the Impacts of the Fundão Dam Collapse on the Hydrogeomorphological Systems of the Upper-Middle Doce River Basin – MG
Description: The collapse of the Fundão tailings dam (Samarco) in Mariana, Minas Gerais, on November 5, 2015, is considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history. Approximately 60 billion liters of liquefied mining waste were released into watercourses, causing severe disruption to the hydro-sedimentological dynamics of the Doce River Basin and significantly altering the geomorphological and biological conditions of valley-bottom environments. A significant portion of the sediments mobilized by the collapse remains deposited in the valley floors of affected fluvial systems. In contrast, another portion continues to be gradually remobilized by rainfall and fluvial processes, persisting in the system for an undetermined period. However, there is still limited knowledge about the actual transformations in terms of processes, materials, and landforms throughout the basin's environmental systems. In this context, the present project aims to investigate the records of the impacts of the Fundão dam collapse on the hydrogeomorphological systems of the Doce River Basin, resulting from the massive volume of material released. The research will include: Analysis of satellite imagery, field surveys for geomorphometric studies, assessment of morphological changes in valley-bottom environments, characterization and comparative analysis of sediments deposited before and after the disaster, turbidity assessments (suspended sediments), and studies of the impacts on various tributaries of the main drainage axes directly affected. The project aims to contribute to understanding the capacity of regional watercourses to readjust and recover environmentally healthy conditions, thereby supporting the development of effective restoration measures for impacted rivers, wetlands, and springs. The documented changes may serve as indicators of the impacts of the dam collapse on the regional hydrogeomorphological system.
Research Lines: Pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
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2018 - 2021 - Race, Ethnicity, and Stratification: The Integration of Migrants into the Brazilian Labor Market in the 21st Century
Description: The objective of this project is to investigate how the characteristics of internal and international migrants—particularly regarding race/skin color, ethnicity, and place of origin—influence their integration into the Brazilian labor market in recent years. To this end, the project will combine data from multiple secondary sources available in Brazil, including population censuses, immigration records from the Federal Police, and formal labor market data (RAIS). The strategy deemed most appropriate for achieving this objective is a quantitative analysis of these datasets, employing demographic, statistical, and spatial/geographic methods to characterize migration patterns in the study areas. Due to its integrative nature, the proposed methodology represents a pioneering approach for deepening the understanding of contemporary migratory dynamics in Brazil.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis.
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2017 - 2019 - Urban Indigenous Peoples in Minas Gerais: Using the Population Census to Study Minority Populations
Description: Discussions around equity and the reduction of socioeconomic disparities among Indigenous peoples have intensified, as these groups remain among the most politically and socioeconomically marginalized segments of the population in the state of Minas Gerais. Gaining a better understanding of the living conditions of Indigenous populations in Minas Gerais is essential for the development of policies targeted at this group. The results of the 2010 Population Census serve as an indispensable tool for assessing the current conditions of these populations. Despite many challenges, Brazil has made notable progress in incorporating Indigenous peoples into national statistics, thereby reducing their socio-demographic "invisibility." This project aims to investigate the living conditions of Indigenous peoples in urban areas of Minas Gerais, especially in cities with larger populations. Additionally, the significant diversity found within cities—an inherent feature of such spatial configurations—underscores the importance of intra-urban studies. Therefore, the analyses will be conducted at all possible spatial scales available in the census data, including individual, household, census tract, municipal, and mesoregional levels across the state.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis.
Funding:
2016 - 2017 - Population Dynamics and Its Implications for the Sustainable Planning Agenda
Description: This project aims to generate inputs for improving environmental policy by considering the impacts of population dynamics, as well as principles for a structured and well-defined approach to land use planning and the provision of basic services. With this in mind, the project was developed to pursue two primary outcomes: 1) Development of key arguments on the impact of population dynamics on the sustainability agenda in middle-income countries, based on studies and empirical evidence, to support and inform discussions on demographic trends and the environment; 2) Provision of decision-making tools to help influence the formulation of public policies in the economic, social, and environmental spheres. These two outcomes are expected to inform the construction of national and international environmental agendas by linking population dynamics to the broader challenges of sustainable development. The project’s goal is to establish partnerships with institutions to conduct research on the intersection of population dynamics and environmental issues, to present key arguments on how demographic change affects sustainability in Brazil, and to provide evidence-based support for decision-making and policy design. The project encompasses five studies: Study 01: Profile of Brazilian municipalities; Study 02: Sustainable consumption and population dynamics; Study 03: Urban settlements and sustainability; Study 04: Mobility and sustainability in the post-urban transition period; Study 05: Regional economic impacts of climate change in Brazil based on its effects on agricultural and labor productivity.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis.
Funding:
2015 - 2018 - Development of a Biotic Integrity Index (BII) for the Pandeiros River Basin
Description: This project aims to contribute to the ecological assessment of the Pandeiros River Basin in a manner that is compatible with the region’s socioeconomic development. The main objectives are: (i) To evaluate the influence of anthropogenic activities on streams in the Pandeiros River Basin by analyzing land use–stream habitat relationships and by developing and applying a Biotic Integrity Index (BII) using fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities from streams and the Pandeiros SHP (Small Hydropower Plant) reservoir as bioindicators of water quality; (ii) To assess the ecological importance of the Pandeiros swamp as a nursery for the fish fauna of the São Francisco River Basin; (iii) To evaluate the riparian vegetation around springs in terms of conservation status and propose restoration strategies for these areas. The research team comprises faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students from UFMG and UFLA, as well as international collaborators from the US EPA, Oregon State University, and Lancaster University. It also includes associated researchers and former postdoctoral fellows from UFMG, the Federal University of Pará, and IBGE/MG. This proposal is aligned with Thematic Line 1: Environment, Sustainability, and Biodiversity, and is expected to deliver the following outcomes: (a) Identification of degraded streambanks, spring surroundings, palm swamps (veredas), and deforested areas within the Pandeiros River Environmental Protection Area (APA Rio Pandeiros), along with restoration actions and the development of a specific restoration protocol; (b) A study on the ecological importance of the Pandeiros swamp as a breeding ground for the São Francisco River fish fauna; (c) Development of a Biotic Integrity Index (BII) for the Pandeiros River Basin, including translated protocols (Callisto et al., 2014), analysis of fish and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, land use and land cover assessment, and production of environmental vulnerability maps to inform watershed management strategies. The proposed activities will be carried out over a period of 24 months. They will result in an environmental diagnosis aimed at preserving, conserving, and restoring the Pandeiros River Basin, along with capacity building and the production of scientific publications.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis, spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
Funding:
2013 - 2017 - Development of Biotic Integrity Indices: Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality in Watersheds of CEMIG Hydropower Projects in Minas Gerais
Description: The research team involved in this proposal has been working in the watersheds of four hydropower projects operated by CEMIG—Nova Ponte, Três Marias, Volta Grande, and São Simão—with funding from the Peixe Vivo Program. During field campaigns, the team has collected data on land use and land cover in surrounding areas, applied US EPA protocols for assessing physical habitat diversity, calculated metrics, evaluated water quality based on physical and chemical parameters, and surveyed benthic macroinvertebrate communities and fish fauna from a bioindicator perspective. This proposal aims to develop Biotic Integrity Indices (IBIs) using the dataset previously collected in these four watersheds, in collaboration with the Peixe Vivo Program/CEMIG. Additionally, following US EPA methodology, a second field sampling campaign will be conducted in the Nova Ponte reservoir watershed in the second year of this project. This campaign will serve both to validate the methodology and to assess potential changes in habitat diversity and biotic integrity in the watershed, which was first sampled in 2009. The project will be guided by two key research questions concerning the streams and reservoir of Nova Ponte: Does the taxonomic composition of macroinvertebrates remain stable over time, or do diversity patterns exhibit temporal variation? Assuming stable environmental conditions in streams and reservoirs, how does the composition of macroinvertebrate taxa—especially EPT groups (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) and functional feeding groups—vary over time? The study will also incorporate an assessment of exotic Decapoda species richness, in collaboration with researchers from the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU). The IBI methodology, widely applied at the continental scale in the United States and the European Union, has been the focus of our group’s efforts to adapt, validate, and promote its adoption as a monitoring and management tool for water resources in the state of Minas Gerais and, in the future, in other hydropower projects across Brazil.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis, spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
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2009 - 2013 - Development of Biotic Integrity Indices for Environmental Quality Assessment and Habitat Restoration in Fish Stocking Areas
This research project was initiated following an invitation from the technical staff of CEMIG’s Peixe-Vivo Program. Its main objectives are to assess environmental quality and aquatic habitat diversity, and to support the adaptation of practical methodologies for calculating Biotic Integrity Indices in tropical regions. The initiative also aims to contribute to the training of biologists, as well as master’s and doctoral students in Ecology and Zoology, and to build the capacity of researchers and professors in an applied context aligned with the needs of Brazil’s hydropower sector. The study will focus on the drainage basins of four hydropower facilities operated by CEMIG.
Research Lines: Geospatial data analysis, spatial patterns and biodiversity, pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
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2006 - 2011 - SWITCH - Sustainable Water Management Improves Tomorrow's Cities' Health
The SWITCH Project – Sustainable Water Management Improves Tomorrow's Cities' Health – is coordinated by UNESCO-IHE – Institute for Water Education, based in Delft, the Netherlands. The project comprises a network of 32 institutions from 15 countries, including the City of Belo Horizonte (PBH) and the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). The project spans five years. At UFMG, it is coordinated by the School of Engineering, with participation from faculty across multiple departments, including the Institute of Geosciences. Within the PBH, the project resources complement the Urban Drainage Master Plan, the DRENURBS Project (focused on environmental restoration of stream valleys), and the Technological Modernization Program of SUDECAP. The joint efforts between PBH and UFMG include the following focus areas: 1) Integrated and participatory planning and management of urban water resources; 2) Flood risk management and development of risk prevention plans: flood zone mapping, contingency planning, and local flood risk reduction strategies; 3) Development of quality and sustainability indicators for urban water management; 4) Development, implementation, and performance evaluation of unconventional (compensatory) stormwater drainage techniques; 5) Decision support for selecting urban drainage solutions; 6) Hydrological modeling for urban water management; 7) Creation of knowledge-sharing platforms (“learning alliances”) for dissemination, capacity building, and training. Our participation in the project is primarily concentrated in areas 1 and 7.
Research Lines: Pressures on water resources, land use and land cover dynamics.
Funding:
