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The Watershed Committees (WCs) are collegiate bodies that allow the participation of various actors of society in the management of water resources in order to discuss, mediate and resolve conflicts over water use. In this sense, this study objectives to make a diagnosis on water resources management in Mato Grosso focusing on the performance of state watershed committees The methodological procedure consisted of the collection of official documents related to the subject. As a result, the Mato Grosso Water Resources Management System is presented, how many and which are the WCs instituted and in operation, which were the topics most debated, the main conflicts and preventive actions in the face of climate uncertainties. It can be concluded that the actions developed by this collegiate body contribute to participatory and decentralized management, but are still incipient in the state context, but not effectively exercising its advisory and deliberative role. Os Comitês de Bacias Hidrográficas (CBHs) são órgãos colegiados que possibilitam a participação de diversos atores da sociedade na gestão dos recursos hídricos de modo a discutir, mediar e resolver conflitos pelo uso da água. Neste sentido, este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar um diagnóstico sobre a gestão dos recursos hídricos em Mato Grosso com foco na atuação dos comitês de bacias hidrográficas estaduais. O procedimento metodológico consistiu no levantamento de documentos oficiais pertinentes ao assunto. Como resultados, são apresentados o Sistema de Gestão de Recursos Hídricos de Mato Grosso, quantos e quais são os CBHs instituídos e em funcionamento, quais foram os temas mais debatidos, os principais conflitos e ações preventivas frente as incertezas climáticas. Conclui-se que as ações desenvolvidas por este órgão colegiado contribuem para a gestão participativa e descentralizadas, porém ainda são incipientes no contexto estado, mas não exercendo efetivamente seu papel consultivo e deliberativo.

Small hydropower (SHP) facilities, which are defined by installed capacities 20% net retention of suspended sediments, two others retained between 10 and 20%, seven were within 10%, and six showed >10% net release. Bedload sediment transport was a small component of total sediment transport in rivers with high total sediment loads. Multiyear series of satellite images confirm sediment accumulation in several cases. Model predictions of the impacts of future hydropower facilities on suspended sediment concentrations and transport show retention of a large fraction (often much >20%) of sediment inputs. Summing riverine transport rates for inflows into the Pantanal indicates that currently envisioned future hydropower development would reduce the suspended sediment transport by ∼62% from the current rate. This study shows that if SHPs are built on sediment-rich rivers, this may prove problematic for the facilities as well as for downstream ecosystems. These results support recommendations that several river systems presently lacking dams in their lower reaches should be excluded from future hydropower development to maintain the sediment supply to the Pantanal.

The hydrological condition of floodplain systems alters the structure and dynamic of aquatic communities. We suggest that the structure of zooplankton community changes according to the flood phases and connectivity. This study was carried out in a floodplain lake located in the Northern Pantanal (Brazil). Zooplankton density varied considerably over time, although the sampling stations presented similar densities. The densities ranged from 2,000 ind. M-3 in the high water phase to more than 2,300,000 ind. M-3 during the low water phase when the lake remains isolated. The densities of the groups also presented a temporal variation. Rotifers described the community mainly in the low water phase and microcrustaceans during the high water phase. Variations in the total zooplankton and groups densities were significantly correlated to the PCA 1 axis (negatively composed by water depth and positively by turbidity) and to the food availability (phytoplankton). The hydrological condition of floodplain systems alters the structure and dynamic of aquatic communities. We suggest that the structure of zooplankton community changes according to the flood phases and connectivity. This study was carried out in a floodplain lake located in the Northern Pantanal (Brazil). Zooplankton density varied considerably over time, although the sampling stations presented similar densities. The densities ranged from 2,000 ind. M-3 in the high water phase to more than 2,300,000 ind. M-3 during the low water phase when the lake remains isolated. The densities of the groups also presented a temporal variation. Rotifers described the community mainly in the low water phase and microcrustaceans during the high water phase. Variations in the total zooplankton and groups densities were significantly correlated to the PCA 1 axis (negatively composed by water depth and positively by turbidity) and to the food availability (phytoplankton).