Spatial strategies for Cerrado biome conservation: a multiscale approach

Abstract

The thesis was divided into three chapters which the general objective was to develop and evaluate strategies for the conservation of the Cerrado biome at multiple scales. In the first chapter, at the regional scale level, we estimated fragmentation patterns of the Cerrado biome analyzing the spatial arrangement and structural configuration of the landscape. Based on this we suggested that for the northern region, the land-sparing conservation strategy should be the best option. On the other hand land-sharing strategy seems the most viable strategy for midwest part and southern regions. The potential risk and impact of invasion of naturalized graminoid species (NGS) were evaluated in the second chapter. The results showed that NGS presented a potential risk and impact of invasion varying from medium to high. The closer protected areas (strictly PAs) from NGS are, the more vulnerable landscapes to an invasion, even though PAs acting as filters against these invasive species and to the anthropic agents (population density and roads), which in turn may be promoting the increase of the richness and focus of these plants in these areas. Finally, the third chapter, the creation of the APA Pandeiros did not directly contribute to the gain of ecosystem services, because of the trajectory of the conversion of agricultural areas to cerrado was related to the abandonment historic of previously cultivated areas (ex.: charcoal production in the 1970s and 1980s and agriculture). Thus believing that the Sustainable Use Conservation Unit role was to mitigate potential damage after its creation, given as the fact that more impacting activities (production of charcoal) could have been resumed in that period. These works allowed us to understand how the spatial arrangement and the structural configuration of the landscape can be used as proactive measures and support in territorial planning. As well as the current scenario of potential risk and impact of invasion by NGS showed the need for management prioritization and control strategies in Integral Protection Conservation Units and in their surroundings, in order to avoid dispersion and establishment of aggressive species (African grasses) for their interiors, risks of homogenization and consequent native biodiversity loss. Furthermore, based on the Pandeiros APA case study, it was possible to observe that for better management of ecosystem services in a Sustainable Use Conservation Unit it is crucial to understand the land historical use and how the local communities can benefit the ecosystems conservation in these protected areas. For instance, they can foster activities of vegetable extractivism and ecotourism. Showing that values added to these activities are able to strengthen and conserve ecosystem services in natural areas (wetlands and native vegetation) in the long term, promoting the "gain-gain" situation with ecological, economic and social benefits.