Introduction

Abstract

Includes index. This book presents the Brazilian natural space and environment. It describes the main environmental aspects of Brazil in relation to geology, climate, geomorphology, vegetation, fauna, water resources and environmental issues. The book presents a beautifully illustrated overview of the physical geography of the Amazon Forest, the central Brazilian savannah (Cerrado), the Cocais Forest, the semi-arid area (Caatinga), the Atlantic Forest area, the Pantanal (Brazilian wetlands), the Auraucárias Plateau, the Pampas area (South grasslands) and the Brazilian Coastal Environment (beaches and mangroves). Intro; Contents; Editors and Contributors; 1 Introduction; Abstract; References; 2 Pampa: The South Brazil; Abstract; 2.1 Introduction; 2.2 Elements and Dynamics of the Pampa Landscape; 2.2.1 Sul-Rio-Grandense Plateau; 2.2.2 Central Depression; 2.2.3 Meridional Plateau; 2.2.4 Cuesta do Haedo; 2.3 Conservational Aspects in the Pampa Landscape Unit; 2.4 Final Considerations; References; 3 Subtropical Araucaria Plateaus; Abstract; 3.1 Introduction; 3.2 Geology; 3.3 Geomorphology; 3.4 Climate; 3.5 Vegetation; 3.6 Surface Formations; 3.7 Final Considerations; References; 4 Atlantic Tropical Brazil Abstract4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Geology; 4.3 Geomorphology; 4.4 Climate; 4.5 Soil; 4.6 Water Resources; 4.6.1 Water as a Resource; 4.6.2 Surface Water Resources; 4.6.3 Groundwater Resources; 4.6.4 Degradation of Water Resources; 4.7 Biodiversity; 4.8 Conclusions; Acknowledgements; References; 5 Pantanal: The Brazilian Wetlands; Abstract; 5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Geology; 5.3 Climate and the Reason for the Floods; 5.4 Relief; 5.5 Soils, Vegetation, and Fauna; 5.6 Water Resources and Environmental Issues; 5.7 Final Considerations; References; 6 Semi-humid: The Landscape of Central Brazil; Abstract 6.1 Introduction6.2 Geology and Relief Setting; 6.3 Climate; 6.4 Soils; 6.5 Flora and Fauna; 6.6 Hydric Resources; 6.7 Conclusions; References; 7 The Semi-arid Domain of the Northeast of Brazil; Abstract; 7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Geomorphology and Geological Framework; 7.3 Geomorphology: Landscape Compartments; 7.3.1 Highlands and Depressions in Proterozoic Cratons, Orogens, and Basins; 7.3.2 Highlands and Depression on Neoproterozoic Fold-Belts and Intrusions; 7.3.3 Intermontane Depressions on Fold-belts and Intrusive Suites; 7.3.4 Plateaus and Depressions on Phanerozoic Basins 7.3.5 Depression in Sedimentary Basins7.3.6 Piedmonts in Proterozoic Orogens, Magmatic Suites, Fold-Belts, and Marginal Rift Basins; 7.4 Forms of Fluvial and Wind Accumulation; 7.5 The Climate of Northeast Brazil; 7.5.1 The Issue of Seasonality; 7.5.2 The Characteristics of the Brazilian Semi-arid Climate; 7.5.3 Areas of Climatic Exceptionality Within the Semi-arid; 7.5.4 Water Resources; 7.5.4.1 Drainage Systems; 7.5.4.2 Structural Controls and Drainage Patterns; 7.5.5 Soils; 7.5.6 Vegetation; 7.5.7 Main Environmental Issues; 7.5.8 Final Considerations; References 8 The Cocais Forest LandscapeAbstract; 8.1 Introduction; 8.2 Climate; 8.3 Geology; 8.4 Geomorphology; 8.5 Hydrography; 8.6 Soils; 8.7 Vegetation; 8.8 Final Considerations; References; 9 Amazonia; Abstract; 9.1 Introduction; 9.2 Geology; 9.2.1 The Amazonian Craton; 9.2.2 Phanerozoic Sedimentary Covers; 9.3 Climate; 9.4 Relief; 9.4.1 Plateaus, Stepped Levels and Depressions of the Northern Amazon; 9.4.2 Mountains, Plateaus, Stepped Levels and Depressions of Southern Amazon; 9.4.3 Phanerozoic Sedimentary Basins and Covers of the Amazon/Solimões Rivers and Associated Cenozoic Deposits