RESUMO

We report the development of a new quantitative method of assessing the effects of anthropogenic impacts on living beings; this method allows us to assess actual impacts and to travel backwards in time to assess impacts. In this method, we have crossed data on fluctuating asymmetry (FA, a measure of environmental or genetic stress), using Didelphis albiventris as a model, with geographical information systems data relating to environmental composition. Our results show that more impacted environments resulted in statistically higher levels of FA. Our method appears to be a useful and flexible conservation tool for assessing anthropogenic impacts.

Assuntos

Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Didelphis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Ecossistema , Animais , Didelphis/anatomia & histologia , Didelphis/genética , Meio Ambiente , Geografia , Comunicações Via Satélite