Exposure of tropical ecosystems to artificial light at night: Brazil as a case study

摘要: Artificial nighttime lighting from streetlights and other sources has a broad range of biological effects. Understanding the spatial temporal levels patterns this is key step in determining severity adverse effects on different ecosystems, vegetation, habitat types. Few such analyses have been conducted, particularly for regions with high biodiversity, including tropics. We used an intercalibrated version Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS) images stable lights to determine what proportion original current Brazilian vegetation types are experiencing measurable artificial light how changed recent years. The percentage area affected by both detectable increases brightness ranged between 0 35% native types, 25% (i.e. agriculture). most heavily areas encompassed terrestrial coastal (restingas mangroves), Semideciduous Seasonal Forest, Mixed Ombrophilous Forest. existing small remnants Lowland Deciduous Forests Campinarana had lowest exposure light. Light pollution not often investigated developing countries but our data show that it environmental concern.