INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microSIm master. UMI film s the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter free, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The qualify of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard m ar^ s, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, banning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each o ri^ a l is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9” black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI A Bell & Howell Infonnation Conq>aiy 300 North Zed) Road, Ann Aibor MI 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 BIOMASS BURNING IN TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS: AN ANALYSIS OF VEGETATION, LAND SETTLEMENT, AND LAND COVER CHANGE TO UNDERSTAND FIRE USE IN THE BRAZILIAN LOWER AMAZON DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Cynthia Leigh Sorrensen, B.A., M.A. ***** The Ohio State University 1998 Dissertation Committee: Professor Lawrence A. Brown, Adviser A ^roved by Professor Emilio F. Moran Professor Ellen Mosley-Thompson yrence A. Brown Professor Jennifer M. Olson Department of Geography UMI Number: 9911273 Copyright 1998 by Sorrensen, Cynthia Leigh All rights reserved. UMI Microform 9911273 Copyright 1999, by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. UMI 300 North Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Copyright © Cynthia Leigh Sorrensen, 1998 ABSTRACT Research in global environmental change emphasizes that biomass burning significantly contributes to increased atmospheric trace gases and possible clim ate change. Analyses of what drives anthropogenic fire is less thoroughly examined because such study involves examining the human and physical dimensions of biomass burning at local and regional scales. This dissertation uses a multi-scale approach to address fire use within local and regional contexts. It investigates dynamics and effects of fire use within four rural communities with different settlement histories, then expands these findings to understand burning patterns in a larger agricultural firontier south of Santarém, Brazil's third largest Amazon city. The aim of the dissertation is to understand how landscape environmental factors and land settlement shape land use practices and the burning patterns associated to those practices. The dissertation integrates analyses of biomass burning at three spatial scales: regional, ecological field, and local. At the regional scale, a model of biomass change is developed firom remotely sensed data (Landsat TM images path/row: 227/62; dates: Oct. 1986, Oct 1995) and used in combination with household land use information to infer extent of biomass burning m the study region over a 9 year period. At the field scale, physical evidence of slash and bum agriculture is examined through vegetation ii inventories and measure of post-fire fuel loads in 14 agricultural fields. At the local scale, in-depth household interviews on household history, land use strategies, and present/historical burning practices compliment physical evidence, to provide a fuller understanding of the local causes and impacts of fire use. Throughout the dissertation a geographic information system (GIS) is used to assess temporal and spatial characteristics of human settlement; and a global positioning system (GPS) is used to link vegetation information and settlement findings to land cover classifications derived firom remotely sensed data. This dissertation advocates the need for local and regional studies on environmental issues to inform global environmental change research and estimation. It provides a framework that links human dimensions of biomass burning to larger global change issues. Findings in the dissertation contribute to the discipline of geography in the area of human/environment interactions. in DEDICATION To Gerald F. Sorrensen, who always told me “don’t give up” and Jo Ann Sorrensen, who always said “hang in there babe’’ IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank my family for all their support and constant love. I am grateful to my whole mid-western Columbus experience for forcing me let go of control and have faith. I want to thank my adviser, Larry Brown, for believing in me and having the incredible patience to let me do things in my own complicated ways even when they included leaving Columbus for three years. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Moran and the wonderful Brazilian/American world at ACT — Maria Clara, Fabio, Vonnie, Glen, Eduardo, Andrea. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and laughter gave me the energy and desire to continue in environmental research. I want to thank my dear fiiend Sonja, who reminded me that buttered toast is a major comfort in life, and told me once that spending one quarter in Columbus is not a lot of time. And little Bo who was a comfort in herself. I wish to thank the Degrand family, Jim, Cynthia, Henry-Penry, and JoJo for sharing their home and lives with me during this process. And for making awesome pies. I want to thank Perry Carter for taking long walks with me, appreciating my more intense side, and being a complete surprise. I wish to thank Dr. Mosely-Thompson for being an inspiring researcher and Dr. Olson for jumping onto my committee near the end and providing me thoughtful feedback. I want to thank Michelle Tufiford for being my role model in life. I am grateful to my safe haven, Bloomington, Indiana. What a place. I wish to thank Joaima Tucker who began my fieldwork with me and helped me act like I knew what I was doing. I want to thank NASA for providing me funding and making the Human Dimensions of Global Change a priority in their fellowship program. I also wish to thank CIPEC at Indiana University, which supported my fieldwork. As well, I am gratefiil to the Belterra and Belem personnel of Embrapa for their logistical support during fieldwork in Brazil. And finally, I am deeply grateful to “Antonio Marcelo” Alves de Carvalo, “Chico Casusa” Leite Rolim, “Chico Paraiba” Freitas de Sousa, “Chicola” Dantas Lima, “Walter” Antonio Duarte (a geographer at heart), Adelio Pedroso Rodrigues, Alfonso Barra de Lima, Aluiz Nascimento Ferreira, Ana Claris, Antonia Edna Almada de Matos, Antonio Silva de Castro, Antonio Texeira Martins, Benedito Ferreira Gomes, Dom Bosco, Dorinaldo Pimentai Mota, Edinaldo Maciel Süva, Elias Noguehra Ferreira, Enedina Benedita Cardoso de Sousa, Enrique da Silva, Fileto Carvalho, Francisco Eufrasio Pires, Francisco Marques de Lima, Helena Maria Correa Carvalho, Isaias Manoel do Carmo, Joao Castro Silva, Joao Farias, Joao Pantoja, Joao Oclides Ferreira VI Mota, Joâo Ribeiro, Joâo Ribeiro da Silva, Joao Ribemar Eufirasio Pires, Josuei Fernandez de Arauge, Juliana Pereira dos Santos, Laiada dos Santos, Lauro José Bezerra, Dora dos Dores Pereira, Maria Colasa Rodrigues, Maria Lindauva Oliveira de Lima, Maria Lucia da Almada Pires, Maria Marlene Nascimento de Lima, Miguel Frasco Pires, Moises Cristino Machado, Nelson Marques de Matos, Nenas Sousa Suares, Nestor Ferreira Mota, Pedro Apolinario, Pedro Tome de Sousa, Raimunda Nonato Duartes, Raimunda Vaneira, Rahnundo Duartes, Raimundo Elves Silva do Carmo, Raimundo Jorge de Sousa, Raimundo Matia Sousa, Raimundo Nonato Ferreira, Sebastao Jacinto Pereira, Valdece Jorge de Sousa, Vital de Sousa. These Brazilian farmers had the warmth and patience to share cafeziohos, beans and rice, and stories with a crazy gringa. vu VITA 1963......................Bom - Los Angeles, California 1985 ......................B.A. Dance at the University of Redlands 1989......................CMA in Laban Movement Analysis at the University of Washington 1994......................M.A. Geography at The Ohio State University FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Geography vm TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ii Dedication ......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................v Vita..................................................................................................................................viii List of Tables .................................................................................................................. xiv List of Figures ................................................................................................................. xvi Chapters: