In order to start the activities of the Environment Week, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) releases the maps of Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry of the states of Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte (in a 1;5000,000 scale, in which 1cm on the paper corresponds to 5km on the territory); the Map of Endangered Fauna – Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians; and the updated version of the Map of Relief Units / Terrain Units of Brazil (both in a 1:5,000,000 scale, in which 1 cm on the map corresponds to 50 km, commonly used in school maps).  All these maps can be bought at IBGE book shops all over the country and are also available on the website of the Institute, in the Geosciences are, at "Natural Resources".  

69 species of mammals, 20 of reptiles and 16 of amphibians may disappear

In Brazil, 105 species and subspecies of animals, out of which 69 are mammals, 20 area reptiles and 16 area amphibians may become extinct, that is, are in great risk of disappearing from the face of the earth, according to a recent survey by Ibama (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources). IBGE’s Map of Endangered Fauna shows the geographic distribution of these animals by state, their scientific and popular names and the level of endangerment they face: high, medium or low.  

Among the listed species there are several famous ones, which does not prevent their serious state of preservation, that is, the fact that, according to Ibama, they are in critical risk of extinction.  As examples we can mention the blue-whale, the howler monkey, do black-faced lion tamarin, the black lion tamarin, the yellow breasted capuchin monkey, the Candango mouse, the marine manatee, the Cropan’s boa, the Alcatrazes lancehead, the leatherback turtle, and of the tree frog, among others.  

The most serious case is that of Phrynomedusa fimbriata, popularly known as tree frog, an animal previously found in Paranapiacaba, a subdistrict of the Santo André city located in the area known as ABC Paulista, close to Serra do Mar (Sea Mountain Range), and now completely extinct.  

The latest list of endangered species released by Ibama in 2003 presents a total of 394 species and subspecies (not including fish and water invertebrates). In 1989 there were 220 endangered species, which means an increment of about 80%.  

Brazilian species are a valuable resource and a natural, cultural and economic possession of the country. Both the devastation of vegetable coverage and the several forms of extraction have been of considerable relevance to wipe out these species, leading to loss of biodiversity. The disappearing of natural habitats is one of the main factors which accelerate the process of extinction of these animals, as much as predatory hunting and pollution.  

By providing information on the current status of fauna preservation, IBGE contributes to the establishment of recovery programs for endangered species and helps promote environmental awareness. The studies on animal species in risk of extinction have been conducted by the Institute since the end of the 1980’s, mainly according to the official lists from Ibama, and also considering complementary information obtained. The studies produce information to be stored in the fauna database, and there will eventually generate maps.

In 2006, IBGE had already released the map of endangered birds. Another map overing a total 130 species and subspecies of insects and other land invertebrates under risk of extinction is expected for this year.  In 2008, the Institute is expected to release a fourth map, this time on fishes and aquatic invertebrates.  

Maps help northeastern states identify underground sources of potable water

For the first time, IBGE has released Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry maps for Federation Units of Northeast Brazil. These charts are very important for public management and the economic future of those Units, for they present the potential for exploration of underground water resources, indicating areas which are more and less favorable to the collection of water, both in terms of volume and of chemical quality. These data are of fundamental importance for the rational use of water resources in a region that repeatedly faces problems caused by drought.  

The first states to have the maps of Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry were Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba.  Rio Grande do Norte occupies and area of approximately 52,76 km2, where the semi-arid climate prevails.  Most rivers which form the hydrographic basin of the state are temporary, due to the climate and the weak replacement of underground water.  A similar situation is faced by Paraíba, which has an area of 56,341 km2, with semi-arid climate as well.  

The Hydrogeology maps allow one to find underground aquifiers – a group of rocks capable of storing and producing water in the underground - their potentialities, vulnerability and exposition conditions.  The Hydrochemistry map classifies underground water in relation to potability (if they are proper for use of not) and to chemical constituents, besides providing recommendations for their use in agriculture, by means of irrigation.  

Hydrogeological information (flow rate, depth of the aquifier, level of water, among others) are collected basically from wells.  Hydrochemical data refer to physical-chemical analyses of waters.  

The Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry map of Underground Sources of Water result in a dynamic process, and must be used whenever updated information are included in the water resources database.  

Technological development allows the identification of 104 new units of terrain

In the second edition of the Map of Terrain Units of Brazil, now revised and updated, the number of relief units identified in the country (depression, hills, mountains, valleys, among others) was expanded to 167. The first edition, of 1993, had only 65 units. This increase results from the detailed works conducted in the Legal Amazon, in the Northeast, Central West and South Regions, resulting from technological development (satellite observation and new remote sensing and global positioning technologies (new roads and equipment).  

Terrain is one of the elements of the physical environment which, due to its nature, mostly interacts with other environmental components – climate, vegetation, water and soils, in multiple cause and effect relationships.  For this reason it exerts a strong influence over the distribution of the population and, to a certain extent, guides the economic activity and the structuring of the road network, affecting the circulation of riches and goods. Its knowledge and representation, therefore, are of major interest for the understanding of territorial organization.