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Hurricanes Jova and Patricia were the first hurricanes in recent history to make landfall on the tropical dry forest ecosystem of the Pacific coast of Mexico. We examined the resilience of soil N and P availability and organic matter decomposition to the effects of both hurricanes in pastures, successional fields and old-growth forests of this region. We evaluated resistance by comparing measurements made before and after each hurricane. We also examined temporal trends to test if variables non-resistant to Jova recovered during the four-year period between both hurricanes. We considered resilient those variables that either showed resistance or were not resistant but showed recovery. We hypothesized that decomposition and soil nutrient availability would increase shortly due to the massive incorporation of high-quality decomposing materials after both hurricanes, especially under land covers with more woody vegetation, and return to pre-hurricane values within a couple of years. Our tests showed that most variables measured were not resistant to either hurricane and that the direction or magnitude of change sometimes differed between hurricanes. There was a fourfold increase in soil available N after hurricane Jova and a twofold increase after hurricane Patricia. Soil available P changed little over the entire period. Total litter stocks resisted hurricane passage and differed only among land covers whereas litter C, N and P stocks changed with the hurricane and became more similar in all land covers over the following three years. The soil N peak caused a decrease in the C:N and N:P ratios in the litter produced from the leaf flush some months after Hurricane Jova. This decrease was measured, however, only two years after hurricane Jova in total accumulated litter. Decomposition rates of local recent litter decreased after hurricane Jova and increased after hurricane Patricia but recovered within two years after hurricane Jova. Decomposition of a standard material in all sites, used as a control, showed a decreasing trend suggesting a continuous reduction in decomposer activity after hurricane Jova. Overall there were smaller differences among land covers than we had expected and their inter-annual fluctuations in most variables were surprisingly similar. We conclude that nutrient availability and decomposition were in general not resistant but returned to pre-hurricane levels within the four years between hurricane Jova and hurricane Patricia. Therefore, these ecosystem functions seemed resilient, at least to hurricane Jova. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although oil palm production has been suggested as a driver of development in some countries, this relationship has yet to be established in Brazilian territory. In Brazil, 90% of oil palm production is concentrated in the eastern Amazon, where socioenvironmental costs associated with medium and large agro industries have already been demonstrated. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the contribution of this production to the economic growth of surrounding towns and of how this activity influences nonagricultural sectors. This study investigated the spillover effects of the value of oil palm fruit bunch production in the largest Brazilian producing region, located in the northeast of the state of Pará, and analysed the impact on economic growth, demographics and the labour market from 2002 to 2017. The results of an econometric analysis of fixed effects panel including dummy variables with individual, temporal and two-way effects show a relation between the oil palm fruit bunch production value and nonagricultural sectors (e.g., service sectors). This may have contributed to the formal nonagricultural labour market, population growth and tax generation of the surrounding towns and industrial dynamization, mainly since 2010, coinciding with the period of incentive policies. However, the growth of the economy and urban demography was concentrated in one microregion (Tomé-Açu). We argue that oil palm agribusiness may play an important role in urban growth by providing economic improvement, increasing the value added to services, contributing to urbanization, and promoting intersectoral links. On the other hand, towns dependent on the production of a commodity may be susceptible to market fluctuations with an impact on their economic growth. For greater benefits, socioenvironmental externalities also need to be monitored and controlled. • We analyzed the effects of oil palm fruit production value related to local impact on urban growth. • The activity is related to positive effects on nonagricultural sectors of neighboring cities through intersectoral linkages. • The growth of the economy and urban demography was concentrated in a microregion (Tomé-Açu). • The coefficients related to urban growth were accentuated from 2010, coinciding with the period of incentive policies. • Cities dependent on the production of a commodity may be susceptible to market fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental sustainability of Brazilian public forests under a concession regime has been the subject of controversy, highlighting the need for effective and continuous monitoring. This study evaluated the performance of stakeholders and efficiency of environmental monitoring of state forest concessions in the Eastern Amazon. Monitoring was evaluated based on compliance with the rules by public and private stakeholders and on their satisfaction perception. Forest monitoring efficiency and governance was analysed using international guidelines for concessions adapted to the local reality. Monitoring and forest governance were evaluated as partially satisfactory, with asymmetric performance among stakeholders. The robust legal and procedural framework in Brazil confers security to the forest concession regime. However, key elements such as field inspections, communication, transparency, and accountability need to be improved for effective environmental monitoring in state concessions. Safeguarding public forests under concessions, typically in remote areas and with weak institutions, would at least require the use of remote monitoring technologies and standardized administrative and accountability procedures. • We assessed the environmental monitoring (EM) of state forest concessions in Brazil. • The performance of stakeholders in EM was asymmetrical. • EM showed 50% of compliance with international guidelines and impacted forest governance. • Brazil's strong legal framework must be accompanied by standardized procedures and accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we argue that a faster and more cost-effective way to reduce deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon would be the immediate allocation of ca. 70 million hectares of still undesignated public forestlands to conservation and social use. Currently, this massive block of forests is not under effective supervision by a designated public agency, increasing the risk of continued land grabbing and predatory use. These undesignated public lands accounted for 25% of recent deforestation, emitting 200 million tons of CO 2 . Under the current scenario of deforestation growth in the region, the immediate allocation of undesignated forestlands to conservation or social use by the government will reduce the availability of unsupervised public land, increase forest protection and, therefore, decrease deforestation and carbon emissions. Additionally, the action would send an unmistakable sign to the international community of Brazil's will to increase governance of its large share of the Amazon forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In Amazonia, the effect of logging on fauna and the ability of reduced-impact logging (RIL) techniques to conserve the ecological integrity of forests is not well understood. In this study, we evaluated the short-term effect of RIL on species richness, abundance and composition of native Amazonian fauna (ants, arachnids, birds and mammals) 6 months after logging. We evaluated the response of fauna in pre- and post-logging treatments in 2–4 plots of 100ha for each annual production area of three different sites in Para state, Brazil. Arthropods were sampled with pitfall traps in 2002, and diurnal birds and mammals were recorded using line transect methodology in 2002 and 2003. All groups were sampled between April and July, when there was no logging activity. We predicted that animal assemblages in RIL sites would be similar to the pre-logging sites as techniques were designed to minimize damages. In our study sites, logging intensity averaged 19m3 ha−1. Overall, the effect of RIL on fauna was minor. The major changes were an increase in species richness of invertebrates and birds, confirming the expected pattern after recent disturbance. Mammals showed no changes in richness, abundance and composition. Arachnids were the only group showing responses in all three ecological variables. The low intensity of logging, and the connectivity with a matrix of logged and unlogged forests, may have promoted rapid recolonization at our study sites. The lower species loss in RIL forests compared to other types of land use in Amazonia highlights the value of this technique for conservation purposes among prominent economical activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Undesignated public forests (50 Mha) in the Brazilian Amazon have no tenure status. • They are the target of land grabbing, speculation and exploitation of natural resources. • 2.6 million hectares (5%) had been deforested by 2018. • 11.6 million hectares (23 %) have been illegally registered as "private property". • Recent policy changes urge for immediate actions toward rainforest protection. The Brazilian Amazon has 49.8 million hectares (Mha) of public forestlands not allocated by the federal or state governments to a specific tenure status: the so called undesignated public forests (UPF). Historically, these public forests have been vulnerable to land grabbers and land speculation. Here, we highlighted the imminent threat in UPF by quantifying their accumulated deforestation, all of which is illegal, for the period 1997–2018 and the potential illegal occupation. Based on the available government database, we found that 2.6 Mha of UPF had already been deforested by 2018 resulting in an emission of 1.2 billion tons of CO 2 (Gt CO 2). The accumulated deforestation was 5.4 times higher in federal UPF than in state UPF. Moreover, a total of 11.6 Mha of UPF have already been illegally registered as "private property" in the Brazilian Environmental Rural Registry (CAR), 70 % of these areas located in state UPF. If legalized as private proprieties, the carbon emissions resulting from additional deforestation will be roughly between 1.2 and 3.0 Gt CO 2. The seriousness and precariousness of protection of Brazilian Amazon UPF, the rapid conversion of forests outside these areas and increased flexibility in land policies - calls for the immediate designation of these areas to some form of conservation, as to avoid irreparable damage to the world's largest rainforest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The first time all official Brazilian land tenure data have been integrated into a single map. • For the whole country, 36% of lands are public, 44% are private, and 17% are unregistered or with unknown tenure. From the public, 6% are undesignated. • Large properties is the single category which occupies the largest area of Brazil. • Overlaps among land tenure categories sum 50% of the registered territory. • Our findings expose both uncertainties and fragilities in Brazilian land tenure. Land tenure in many parts of Brazil remains uncertain and controversial. These problems have recently been exacerbated by changes in the legal framework regulating protected areas and the land market. A particular challenge facing attempts to improve land tenure security and governance in Brazil is the lack of a single, integrated assessment of all types of lands. Here we address this problem and present a first, integrated map of Brazilian land tenure encompassing all official data sources pertaining to both public and private lands. Of the total (8.5 million km2) 36.1% of all lands are public (with 6.4% officially undesignated), 44.2% are private, and 16.6% are unregistered or with unknown tenure. Strikingly, overlaps among land tenure categories sum to 50% of the registered territory of Brazil. A clearer understanding of uncertainties in land tenure, and the spatial distribution of those uncertainties can help guide research and public policies focused on minimizing land conflicts and strengthening governance and territorial planning to improve economic, environmental and social outcomes from land use in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]