With a view of reducing the greenhouse effect and the pressure of the effects on the forest caused by the production of ceramics in Tocantins State, the Ecological Institute conceived and is implanting this project, being responsible for its execution, management and supervision of the environmental management and training of the ceramic workers. The effect of the nonselective wood extraction for the production of this material has given rise to an increasing concern with the ecological balance and with the penalties foreseen in the environmental legislation.

The activity of the wood extraction for different applications can be made in a sustainable and continuous manner, through a control system based on natural regeneration and the planting of native species shrubs integrated with exotic types. In this way, the elaboration of a management plan covers the planning of extraction, the application of silviculture treatment and the monitoring of the vegetation, has become necessary in order that the negative effects of extraction are minimized and the timber industry guarantees the sustainability of the sector.


OBJECTIVE

Research the actual environmental scenarios of the areas occupied by the ceramic producers by conducting an environmental diagnosis and training of ceramic workers. This is done with a view to find alternatives for the rational use of forest resources, recovering knowledge of the local species and contemplates actions based on production systems that uphold the principle of the socio-economic-environmental interaction and the social responsibility of the ceramic industry. This survey intends to measure the carbon flows in the areas destined for this activity, through a geo-process study, identifying the base line for projects of this type, as well as the potential to generate carbon credits related to the forest activities.


PROJECT RESULTS

▪ Input field collected data into a system for processing and analysis;

▪ Prepare a study of the use and occupation of the target areas of the project;

▪ Identify the characteristics of the vegetation cover of each affected region (scrubland, forest);

▪ Identify the level of landscape changes in the region;

▪ Knowledge of the actual situation of the impact to the soil, vegetation and bodies of water;

▪ Research the accumulated social, environmental and economic debts;

▪ Training of the ceramic workers to take more benefit of the natural resources;

▪ Presentation of alternatives by substituting firewood from the scrubland with rice chaff, reducing polluting gas emissions;

▪ Elaboration of projects for the reduction of carbon emissions in order to obtain carbon credits.