The document discusses scientific research groups in Brazil that study natural disasters. It notes that such disasters have increased in recent decades and in 2008 alone affected over 2 million people. It examines the research groups by year founded, location, type of institution, researchers' backgrounds, and research topics. Most groups are in southeastern and southern Brazil, which experience most disasters like floods and landslides. While issues like flooding and climate change impacts are increasingly important, few groups currently research those areas due to lack of expertise, outdated groups, and poor databases.

1. BRAZILIAN SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS IN NATURAL DISASTRES Dr. Celia Regina de Gouveia Souza Geological Institute - Environmental Secretariat of the State of São Paulo – Brazil Department of Physical Geography – Unversity of São Paulo – Brazil (celia@igeologico.sp.gov.br)

2. Natural Disasters in Brazil In the last few decades, natural disasters have been increasing in magnitude, frequency, complexity, and socio-economic impacts in Brazil. In 2008 it was the 10th country most stricken, when at least 2 millions of people in 831 counties were affected. Objective : assessment on Brazilian scientific research groups officially registered in the National Council of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq), focusing on: year of foundation , federal state of origin , kind of institution , professional formation , and principal themes of research and actuation .

3. Natural Hazards in Brazil (1) coastal erosion; (2) severe storms and winds; (3) storm surges; (4) drought; (5) dune movements; (6) salinization/saline soil; (7) floods (ordinary, flash, fords, coastal inundation); (8) continental erosion; (9) siltation (lakes, rivers, ponds and reservoirs); (10) karst subsidence; (11) mass movements (landslides, rock falls and flows); (12) expansive soils and rocks; (13) soil liquefaction; (14) collapsible soils and yielding; (15) freeze/frost; (16) wildfire (forests and peats); (17) desertification; (18) natural toxic compounds in soil and water; (19) natural radioactivity; (20) seismic activities (earthquakes, ground shaking); (21) extreme temperatures (heat and cold waves); (22) epidemics; (23) insect infestation.

4. Natural Disasters in Brazil ( recorded between 1948 and February/2010)

5. Scientific Research Groups in Natural Disasters (Year and State)

6. Scientific Research Groups in Disasters (Year and State)

7. Scientific Research Groups in Disasters (Professional Formation)

8. Scientific Research Groups in Disasters (Research and Actuation)