A urbanização e o desenvolvimento da economia brasileira não tem sido suficientes para absorver e manter no mercado formal de trabalho uma parcela significativa da população. A crise social tem levado muitas pessoas a buscarem como forma de sobrevivência a catação de resíduos. Este trabalho busca traçar um perfil das cooperativas de reciclagem e dos catadores de resíduos à luz da sustentabilidade e do desenvolvimento sustentável. Subsidia uma reflexão sobre a importância destas organizações e de seus profissionais. A pesquisa mostra que a região Metropolitana é a que concentra maior número de cooperativas e de catadores no estado. No entanto, é a região Sul Fluminense em que os catadores conseguem maiores ganhos mensais. A maioria dos catadores são homens com idade de 25 a 45 anos e com o ensino fundamental incompleto. Reconhecem que contribuem para a problemática ambiental da sociedade e encontram na atividade de catar resíduos, uma forma de se reintegrarem na sociedade. Os resultados deste trabalho devem ser utilizados para desencadear reflexões, ampliar as discussões e mover ações de gestores públicos, visando melhorar as condições de trabalho destes profissionais, que são recursos humanos fundamentais para a gestão da sustentabilidade, minimizando os riscos à saúde e reduzir os prejuízos que os referidos materiais provocam para o meio ambiente.

Introduction: This paper presents the results of an extensive survey of freshwater mollusks in the Simplício Queda Única Hydroelectric Development area, Southeast Brazil. Methods: Mollusks were collected between 2008 and 2013. All specimens were examined for the presence of larval trematodes. Results: In total, 12,507 specimens classified into 16 genera were obtained. Known snail vectors of schistosomiasis and fascioliasis and exotic species were identified, and new records are reported. Conclusions: No specimens parasitized by larval trematodes of medical interest were detected. However, the results reinforce the importance of surveillance in study areas vulnerable to the occurrence of schistosomiasis transmission.

The invertebrate group is not considered in environmental studies. When they are remembered, the studies are vague, superficial and do not give the due importance that the group has in the ecosystem dynamics. This paper aimed at placing the terrestrial mollusks in the discussion agenda of complex socio-ecological systems and analyzed the interactions of these mollusks with the other components of the socio-ecological subsystems. The analysis was based on the theoretical-methodological framework proposed by Ostrom and discussed how terrestrial mollusks have the potential to support actions for decision-making in biodiversity conservation, public health and local economy. The framework presented four subsystems categorized as ecological, political, social and economic, with the Sooretama Biological Reserve in the Northern state of Espirito Santo as a geographical boundary. The results allow us to perceive that terrestrial mollusks have essential characteristics that reflect into ecosystem health, acting in an integrated way with the dynamics of environmental services and the equilibrium of habitats.

Invertebrates constitute a megadiverse animal group and abundant in virtually every terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem, performing functions and providing services indispensable to the environment. In this paper, we evaluated how terrestrial invertebrates were treated in the Environmental Impact Assessments submitted to the environmental agency in Rio de Janeiro, state fully inserted at Atlantic Rainforest biome. We analyzed environmental studies developed by companies with new industrial projects presenting potential environmental impact in the period of 2008 to 2018. Only ten (14%) studies considered terrestrial invertebrates in the biotic diagnostic assessments of fauna. Arthropoda was the only one Phylum considered as terrestrial invertebrates in the studies analyzed, with Class Insecta present in all of them, and Arachnida present in two studies. The insects of the Orders Diptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Lepidopetra, Hemipetra, Orthopetra and Odonata were the most frequent in the studies. The lack of interest in the conservation of terrestrial invertebrates demonstrates the fragility of the public authorities in issues related to biodiversity conservation strategies of these animals and exposes the urgent need for investment in the formation of human resources specialized in biodiversity conservation.