On Wednesday ( 11 ) , is celebrated the National Day of the Cerrado . Second largest Brazilian biome in extension , with over two million square kilometers , most of it is located in the Central Plateau of Brazil . The geographic space occupied by this biome plays a key role in the distribution of water resources across the country. " By being in high area and central Cerrado is the origin of the great river basins of the Brazilian and South American continent , a phenomenon dubbed Effect Umbrella ," said one of the researchers in the field of hydrology EMBRAPA Cerrado , Jorge Werneck ( see picture below) .
Because of this characteristic, the Cerrado is considered the birthplace of the waters of Brazil . Springs eight of 12 Brazilian hydrographic regions are located in this biome . " Water resources of the Cerrado have an importance that goes far beyond the dimensions of the biome ," said Werneck . According to him , from the perspective of maintaining these processes of production and distribution of water by the rivers of Brazil , and not just the biome , it becomes even more important to the proper management of soil and water resources of the Cerrado and the preservation of its sources . Because it is a finite resource , the water needs to be used as accurately as possible.
In this sense , one of the research lines of Embrapa Savannah , Unit of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation ( Embrapa ) , being an ecoregional research center focused on sustainability of agriculture in the Cerrado biome , is the development of technologies and studies that support the management and the conservation of soil and water. Are studied techniques that enable the rational use of natural resources in order to optimize its use , minimizing conflicts and environmental impacts of human activities , especially agriculture .
Among those studies that seek to encourage the rational use of water resources in agriculture , we highlight those related to the issue of irrigation management . Irrigation is an important practice to ensure the productivity and stability of agricultural production in the region , since the rains in the Cerrado not occur throughout the year. Estimates realize that the Cerrado has about 10 million hectares suitable for irrigation . " Currently , however, only around one million hectares are effectively used for this purpose . This indicates that the practice of irrigation still has great potential for expansion in this biome , "said lead researcher Jorge Werneck .
But even still far from reaching its full potential , there are frequent conflicts over water use because of its use related to irrigation . " This is mainly due to lack of proper planning of land use and water resources during the accelerated occupation of the Cerrado Biome , which eventually resulted in the large concentration of irrigation in certain regions," the researcher said . The scholar argues it is essential that the establishment of new irrigated areas consider the carrying capacity of the watershed , which has also been studied by Embrapa for the guidance of public policies related to the theme .
In addition to issues relating to the planning of land use , conflicts over water use in irrigated agriculture areas are magnified by the use of non- technical management of existing irrigation , although long known by professionals . " From the monitoring of climate, soil moisture and water potential in the leaves , you can determine the right time to irrigate and how much water to apply in cultivated areas , meeting the demands of the plants . If this monitoring is not done or is done incorrectly , the producer may end up using more or less water than is really necessary , which may affect the cultivation and ultimately your profit , "explains Werneck .
integrated management
Embrapa actively participates in various Watershed Committees and other collegiate formed in order to discuss and resolve issues relating to the proper management of water resources . In addition to government representatives , these groups are also formed by representatives of water users and civil society . "The committee represents a major decentralization of power in the institutions related to the theme resources, to the extent that the company brings to the discussion ," the researcher at Embrapa Cerrado . According to him , it is expected that soon , with the advancement of the implementation of the National Water Resources Policy ( Law 9.433/97 ) , which has been taking place in almost all the national territory , the integrated management of land use and water as well as the adoption of best practices in rural and urban areas , to continue generating goods and wealth to the country .
Writing:
Juliana Caldas ( 4861/DF )
Journalist EMBRAPA Cerrado
juliana.caldas @ embrapa.br
(61) 3388 9945
Source : www.embrapa.br
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