Infraestrutura de dados espaciais para unidades de conservação: o contexto da floresta estadual do Amapá

Abstract

In this research, we aimed to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) to support the management of a State Forest in Amapá (FLOTA/AP), improving land management and access to geographic information. Due to the increasing importance of data and communication technologies to environmental conservation, this research aimed to merge spatial data and promote systematization by means of an interactive, accessible, and technically robust system. Methods comprised three main phases: (i) acquisition, organization, and standardization of vector data from the FLOTA management plan; (ii) systematization, topological validation, and arrangement of spatial layers within a GIS environment using QGIS software; (iii) creation of an interface with QGIS2Web plugin plus custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code changes through addition of a Leaflet library. Standard naming rules, related symbols, and metadata were used to ensure that data was compatible. The results showed a technically viability to build a SDI focused on Conservation Units, by compilation of 18 different layers, in categories like zoning, planimetry, special areas, etc. A website was created for external users, offering easy navigation, related information by thematic group and direct links to details about each layer, promoting transparency and decision-making. The use of free and open-source software ensures free access and its use by other conservation units. In addition, this research pointed out weaknesses in data banks, such as lack of standardized metadata or topological inconsistencies, highlighting the importance of data verification before publishing. In conclusion, the proposed SDI for FLOTA can boost territorial management of Conservation Units, since it allows for public access, integration, and standardization of geospatial information. Such approach favors transparency as well as participatory monitoring, strengthening conservation and sustainable natural resource use. It is also recommended that managers of protected areas adopt similar solutions, reinforcing public conservation policies through accessible and efficient technologies. How much this proposal can be replicated in other areas will depend mainly on how organized the data are, and how technically capable the teams are—both factors that must take priority in institutional agendas.