The vulnerability of karst aquifers to contamination by agrochemical compounds was studied. Such contamination occurs due to its geomorphological structure. Despite the fact, aquifers are important to provide potable water, there is a lack of research about karst aquifers in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of nitrates, fecal coliform bacteria and atrazine in shallow and deep wells in the karst aquifer in the State of Paraná, which is affected by agricultural activities. This study was conducted in an intensive agricultural area located inside the basin of the Upper Iguassu/Ribeira in the Municipality of Colombo, Paraná in Brazil. The sampling campaigns were carried out between 2014 and 2015 in fifteen shallow wells and seven deep wells. Nitrates, total and fecal coliforms and atrazine were analyzed. Nitrates were found in higher concentration in all shallow wells, ranging from 0.14 mg L-1 and 40.22 mg L-1. In deep wells, the lower concentrations were between 1.24 mg L-1 e 17.86 mg L-1. The analysis of total and fecal coliforms showed the bias for nitrates. Atrazine was detected in five shallow wells and in four deep wells. Physico-chemical characteristics of atrazine as well as fractures of the karstic aquifer and high hydraulic conductivity can be considered as determining factors in the fate of pesticides.

Artigo recebido em 09/10/2015 e aceito em 10/12/2015. R E S U M OPressões antrópicas sobre os ecossistemas causam degradação dos recursos naturais e redução da biodiversidade, com reflexos ao bem estar humano, demandando de forma crescente água, ar, fibras, alimentos, energia e matéria-prima. Em um cenário de alterações climáticas, portanto, a preocupação com este tema aponta para a compatibilização dos componentes econômicos, sociais e ambientais. Muitos foram os dados obtidos por instituições de pesquisa, ensino, governamentais e não governamentais acerca dos recursos naturais nas últimas décadas nos biomas brasileiros, mas sem um foco conceitual e metodológico voltado aos serviços ecossistêmicos. A partir da Avaliação Ecossistêmica do Milênio estão em ascensão pesquisas voltadas ao entendimento dos serviços ecossistêmicos e ambientais mundialmente, assim como no Brasil. A Embrapa também tem acompanhado esta tendência e desde 2014 conta com uma rede de pesquisa intitulada Arranjo em Serviços Ambientais na Paisagem Rural, com mais de 60 projetos vinculados. O propósito do presente artigo é apresentar o estado da arte da pesquisa sobre serviços ecossistêmicos e ambientais relacionados à agropecuária no Brasil, com destaque para o trabalho dessa rede; identificar as suas principais oportunidades e desafios e os resultados potenciais a serem obtidos para a ampliação dos serviços ambientais no meio rural. Palavras-chave: estudos ecossistêmicos, instrumentos de apoio à decisão, rede de pesquisa, arranjo de projetos SA. Ecosystem and environmental services researches in rural landscape in Brazil A B S T R A C THuman pressures have caused degradation of natural resources and reduction of biodiversity on the planet, with serious consequences to humanity, which demands so increasing water, air, fibers, food, energy and raw material. It is needed to reconcile economic, social and environmental components in a scenario of climate change. Therefore, concern about this issue increases in all sectors of society. Many data were obtained about natural resources in recent decades in the Brazilian biomes, by research institutions, education, government and non-government, but without a conceptual and methodological focus turned to ecosystem services. From the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment researches aiming at understanding ecosystem and environmental services have been increased worldwide, as well as in Brazil. Embrapa has also followed this trend and in 2014 approved a Projects Arrangement entitled Environmental Services in Rural landscape with over 60 related projects. The purpose of this article is to present the state of the art of researches on ecosystem and environmental services related to agriculture in Brazil, especially at Embrapa SE network; to identify key opportunities and challenges of a research network on this subject and the potential results to be obtained for the expansion of environmental services in rural areas. Keywords: ecosystem studies, decision support tools, research network, ES projects arrangement....