Dendrochronology: principles and applications of tree-ring analysis with emphasis on capacity and evaluation of anthropogenic alterations in the urban environments

Abstract

This research project, submitted to the Visiting Professor Program-Call of São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), contains 2 inters- related activities, training and research, detailed in the subject of the project. These activities will be developed by prof. FIDEL ALEJANDRO ROIG, researcher of the Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales (IANIGLA) and professor in the Department of Biology of the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo), Mendoza, Argentina, at the Department of Forest Sciences, ESALQ/ USP, as follows:1st activity: the participation of prof. Fidel A. Roig, teaching an graduate discipline: Dendrochronology: principles and applications of the tree-ring analysis, together with prof. Mario Tomazello Filho (ESALQ/USP). 2nd activity: development of a research project with the theme "Application of dendrochronology in the assessment of anthropogenic environmental changes in the cities of São Paulo and Paulínia, São Paulo State". Other activities planned refers to the undergraduate (Scientific Initiation) and graduate students supervision (Masters and PhD), seminars, technical and scientific visits and the preparation of scientific publications in their areas of his expertise. The main results expected by developing the activities mentioned above are: (i) Qualification of students and professors through the graduate discipline, allowing the expansion of research in dendrochronology and their specialties in different biomes and research institutes/universities in Brazil. The tropical and sub-tropical dendrochronology enables the analysis and application of temporal/spatial series of tree-rings, assessment and sustainable management of the urban environment, forest biodiversity, global warming, climate maintenance, carbon sequestration, environmental monitoring, etc.; (ii) The research project will also provide the application of tree-ring from urban tree species as environmental biomonitors, enabling the detection and quantification of air pollutants in temporal-spatial scale and its relation to public health. The research project will also enable the development of innovative analytical methodologies for the pollutants determination (heavy metals, etc.) in tree-ring (and other biological materials) through non-destructive sampling, allowing the recovery of relevant historical information from urban and forestry environment. The permanence of prof. Fidel A. Roig at the Department of Forest Sciences, ESALQ/USP will also support the strengthening of the institutional relationships between USP and UNCuyo and IANIGLA, with the implementation of technical- scientific cooperation agreements involving the participation of teachers and students from Brazil and Argentina. (AU)