Resumo As florestas têm um papel importante para o meio ambiente, em razão de oferecerem proteção aos recursos naturais, incluindo solo, água e serviços ambientais. O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender as definições que envolvem a problemática da cobertura florestal e sua vulnerabilidade e apresentar argumentos para redução do desmatamento florestal. Como atenuantes, são apresentadas soluções para a vulnerabilidade arbórea: a conservação genética e a criação local de bancos de dados genéticos de florestas naturais, busca por máxima diversidade genética para manter índice de reprodução evitando os efeitos da clonagem; estudar cientificamente como auxiliar a adaptabilidade das árvores frente a alterações ambientais; utilizar o melhoramento genético e programas como Pagamento por Serviços Ambientais, Programa Bolsa Floresta, Integração Lavoura-Pecuária-Floresta e Programa ABC que contribuíram para redução do desmatamento nas florestas tropicais.

Abstract Forests play an essential role in protecting natural resources such as soil, water and environmental services. The aims of the current study are to analyze definitions involving issues such as forest cover and its vulnerability, as well as to present arguments to help reducing deforestation. Solutions focused on mitigating tree vulnerability are herein presented, namely: genetic conservation and local creation of genetic databases on natural forests; pursuit of maximum genetic diversity to maintain reproduction index and avoid cloning effects; scientifically investigating how to help trees to adapt to environmental changes; use of genetic improvement and programs such as Payment for Environmental Services, Bolsa Floresta Program, Crop-Livestock-Forest Integration and ABC Program to reduce deforestation in tropical forests.

Resumen Los bosques desempeñan un papel importante en la protección del medio ambiente, incluidos los servicios del suelo, el agua y el medio ambiente. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las definiciones que rodean el problema de la cubierta forestal y su vulnerabilidad y presentar argumentos para la reducción de la deforestación forestal. Como factores atenuantes, se presentan soluciones para la vulnerabilidad de los árboles: conservación genética y creación local de bases de datos genéticos de bosques naturales, búsqueda de la máxima diversidad genética para mantener el índice de reproducción evitando los efectos de la clonación; estudiar científicamente cómo ayudar a la adaptabilidad de los árboles a los cambios ambientales; uso de mejoras genéticas y programas como el Pago por Servicios Ambientales, el Programa Bolsa Floresta, la Integración de Cultivos, Ganadería y Bosques y el Programa ABC que contribuyó a reducir la deforestación en los bosques tropicales.

Abstract The Baixada Cuiabana region contains the confluence of the Brazilian Savannah, Amazon and wetlands biomes. This region brings together small producers of cassava who prepare dry flour by hand, maintaining a bank of active ethno-varieties of this crop and that are of cultural, social, economic and genetic importance. This study aimed to establish a standard for the flour currently being processed and marketed. Thus, 26 samples were collected from seven municipalities of the region. At the time of this sampling, the predominant standard of the handmade cassava flour produced in Baixada Cuiabana was Dry group, Medium class, yellow-colour, of Types 1, 2 and 3. Using the Hunter Lab colour system, the predominant colour was found to be yellow with red or green tonality, with one sample artificial colorant. Consumers recognize granule size and colour as the main parameters that determine purchase of the product. Seven samples from four municipalities were classified as Out of Type, because they presented values in disagreement with legislation that could result in difficulties in valorisation and sale in the legal market.