A partir da década de 1970 inicia-se um processo de avanço das fronteiras agrícolas em direção às terras do Domínio Morfoclimático do Cerrado. Em virtude deste processo, a região sudoeste do estado de Goiás se desponta como uma das maiores produtoras de cereais do mundo. O Parque Nacional das Emas, criado em 1961, é uma das maiores Unidades de Conservação deste domínio de natureza e está localizado nesta mesma região, envolto por extensas propriedades rurais que se destinam às atividades agropecuárias intensivas. O processo de ocupação agrícola que se instalou na região, assim como em grande parte do Cerrado, é responsável pela conversão de vegetação nativa em campos agropecuários. No entanto, verificou-se que esta ocupação apresenta relações intrínsecas com os atributos físicos da paisagem. Por outro, através desses mesmos atributos físicos constatou-se o papel desta Unidade de Conservação para a conservação de importantes elementos da paisagem que alcança influência, observando que sua função extrapola os limites de sua fronteira. Considerando a região das propriedades localizadas em seu entorno, buscou-se avaliar o seu potencial de conectividade deste Parque com as vegetações remanescentes ao seu redor. / From the 1970s began a process of expansion of farming land towards the Domain morphoclimatic Cerrado. Under this process, the southwest region of the state of Goiás is emerging as a major producer of cereals in the world. The Emas National Park, created in 1961, is one of the largest protected areas and nature of this domain is located in the same region, surrounded by extensive rural properties that are intended for intensive agricultural activities. The process of agricultural occupation who settled in the region, as well as in much of the Cerrado, is responsible for the conversion of native vegetation in agricultural fields. However, it was found that this occupation has intrinsic relationship with the physical attributes of the landscape. On the other, through those same physical attributes noted the role of this conservation area for the conservation of important landscape elements reaching influence, noting that its function beyond the limits of its border. Considering the area of the properties around it, we sought to evaluate the potential connectivity of this park with the remaining vegetation around.

Este estudo propôs e testou um roteiro metodológico, baseado em princípios técnicos e científicos, visando à delimitação da zona de amortecimento de unidades de conservação (UCs) de proteção integral, bem como à estruturação de um programa de manejo específico, denominado "Fronteiras". O Programa de Manejo Fronteiras tem como principal objetivo estabelecer diretrizes e estratégias para tratar das questões que envolvem a implementação e a gestão da zona de amortecimento. Utilizando a metodologia de estudo de caso, associada a uma adaptação do método da estrutura hierárquica que é baseado na formulação de princípios, critérios e indicadores como ferramenta para promover o manejo adequado e a manutenção das funções da UC, o Parque Estadual Xixová-Japuí (PEXJ), com uma área de 901 ha, localizado nos municípios de São Vicente e Praia Grande-SP, foi escolhido como unidade de análise para execução das seis etapas previstas no referido roteiro metodológico. A partir da avaliação da execução do trabalho e dos resultados obtidos foi possível, além de criar uma referência concreta para a discussão e o aprimoramento dos procedimentos que podem ser utilizados na delimitação e na gestão da zona de amortecimento, verificar, que (i) a metodologia empregada gera padrões consistentes, porém, precisa ser testada em outras UCs para garantir a validade externa do método, (ii) o estabelecimento de zonas de amortecimento para UCs limítrofes a áreas urbanizadas ou em processo de expansão urbana é complexo e deve ser agilizado em virtude da dinâmica e da velocidade de ocupação do território, (iii) após a definição dos critérios para inclusão e exclusão de áreas, a sistematização, a consolidação e a sobreposição de informações já disponíveis, associadas àquelas obtidas em levantamentos de campo expeditos, são suficientes para subsidiar a delimitação da zona de amortecimento e a definição de diretrizes para o seu manejo, (iv) os critérios de inclusão e exclusão de áreas para compor as zonas de amortecimento propostos pelo IBAMA e incorporados ao roteiro testado neste trabalho, são adequados aos princípios, critérios e indicadores definidos para que PEXJ cumpra as suas funções ecológicas, sociais e paisagísticas. / This study proposed and tested a methodological path based on technical and scientific principles, seeking to define the limits of a buffer zone for protected areas as well as to structure a specific management program called "Fronteiras" (Boundaries), whose main objective is to set guidelines and strategies to handle issues that concern implementation and management of that zone. Xixová-Japuí State Park (PEXJ), with a total area of 901 hectares and located in São Vicente and Praia Grande, in the state of São Paulo, was chosen as a unit for analysis of the six stages proposed by the methodological path through a case-study methodology coupled with an adaptation of the hierarchical framework method which is based on setting principles, criteria and indicators as tools to promote proper management and maintenance of the park’s functions. Upon completion of the work and assessment of results, a concrete reference was created to aid the discussion and improvement of procedures which may be used in setting the limits of and in managing the buffer zone. It was also possible to verify, among other aspects, that (i) the methodology applied generates consistent standards but must be tested in other protected areas to assure its external validity; (ii) the creation of buffer zones for protected areas that border established or expanding urban areas is a complex issue and must be sped up to anticipate the dynamics and rate of territory occupation; (iii) once the criteria for including or excluding areas have been defined, systematization, consolidation and superposition of information already available combined with that obtained from expedite field surveys are enough to aid towards the definition of the limits of a buffer zone and of guidelines for its management; (iv) the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of areas in demarcating buffer zones as proposed by IBAMA and incorporated to the path tested in this work are adequate to the principles, criteria and indicators defined so that PEXJ can meet its ecological, social and landscape functions.

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Mar. 11, 2010). Thesis advisor: William Rudd. Vita. Bailey appendix II.pdf (18364 KB) link located at bottom of [Article summary page]. Includes bibliographical references.

In karst areas relationships between activities occurring on the surface and the overall health of the subsurface environment are often highly interconnected. However, the complex nature of karst flow systems can often make identification of these connections difficult. Carroll Cave, a large stream cave system located in the central Missouri Ozarks, is known for its biological and speleological significance. A dye tracing project to delineate a Carroll Cave recharge area through dye tracing has identified an area of 18.5 km2 which contributes water to the cave. The water from Thunder River within Carroll Cave was positively traced to eight springs of the thirteen springs at a distributary spring system known as Toronto Springs. Through examination of the geochemistry of the individual springs, differences in water chemistry between the various outlets has become evident. Additional work with YSI Sonde dataloggers and consideration of carbonate chemistry relationships has sought to further define the variations in hydrochemical behavior, thus aiding in the discrimination potential spring sources. Primary sources thought to contribute water to the spring system include Carroll Cave and Wet Glaize Creek, with some minor influence from other losing streams in the vicinity. Seepage runs along Wet Glaize Creek have also identified major losing reaches, in close proximity to structural features, which may contribute water to Toronto Springs. Examination of the measured parameters and derived have identified that Carroll Cave and Wet Glaize Creek are the primary end members for Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, specific conductance, and temperature. Using these parameters a two end member mixing model has been developed which describes the mixing zone setting at Toronto Springs and calculates the average proportions of flow contributions by the end members. By using a multi-proxy approach of dye tracing, seepage runs, and geochemistry for the individual springs, the source waters and pathways for the springs at Toronto Springs have been identified.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Western Cape Province in South Africa is home to one of the most diverse plant communities in the world, and has one of the highest concentrations of plants species in any temperate ecosystem in the world. The dominant vegetation is both fire-prone and fire-dependant (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). The Western Cape in particular is emerging as a province that is increasingly prone to disaster events, particularly the threat of veld fires. The consequences of large wildfire disaster events are often devastating and far reaching (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). This study was conducted in an attempt to investigate the drivers of wildfire behaviour, severity and magnitude in the Limietberg Conservation Area in order to gain a greater insight and understanding of the complexity of wildfire risk. Recognising the disaster prone character of the Western Cape and the increasing probabilities of future wildfire events in the province, this study aimed to strengthen the understanding of the drivers of wildland fire behaviour (i.e. wildland fire risk) in the Limietberg Conservation Area by analysing a number of fires to identify a range of drivers and patterns; examining the factors driving both fire danger and fire behaviour, including climate, topography, slope and fuel; examining the factors driving fire frequency and regime; and finally, determining possible ecological damage caused by the last 10 – 20 years of wildfire events in the Limietberg Conservation Area as measured by post-fire seedling ratios. This was achieved through the use of statistical techniques including multiple regression (McDonald 2009), ordination in the form of principal component analysis and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (Clarke & Warwick 1994), and fieldwork in the form of post-fire regeneration (Proteaceae parent:seedling ratio) monitoring techniques (Bond et al. 1984; Vlok & Yeaton 2000; De Klerk et al. 2007). The results indicated that the interactions between factors driving fire danger and fire behaviour were indeed complex, being influenced mainly by meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed) but also quite strongly influenced by physical environmental factors (slope, topography). The use of ordination techniques in this sort of complex analysis was seen as extremely effective and its use in further fire research was strongly recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Wes-Kaap provinsie in Suid-Afrika is die tuiste van een van die mees diverse plant gemeenskappe in die wêreld, en het een van die hoogste konsentrasies van plantspesies in enige gematigde ekosisteem in die wêreld. Die dominante plantegroei is beide vuur geneig en vuurafhanklik (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). Die Wes-Kaap in die besonder is opkomende as 'n provinsie wat toenemend geneig is tot ramp gebeure, veral die bedreiging van veldbrande. Die gevolge van groot veldbrand rampgebeure is dikwels verwoestend en verreikend (Van Wilgen & Scott 2001, Forsyth et al. 2010). Hierdie studie is uitgevoer in 'n poging om die oorsake van veldbrande, die gedrag, erns en omvang daarvan in die Limietberg Bewaringsgebied vir groter insig en begrip van die kompleksiteit van veldbrand risiko te ondersoek. Hierdie studie erken die rampgeneigdheid van die Wes-Kaap en die toenemende waarskynlikheid van toekomstige veldbrande in die provinsie. Dit het ten doel gehad om die oorsake van veldvuur gedrag (bv. brand risiko) in die Limietberg Bewaringsgebied deur die ontleding van 'n aantal brande se oorsake en patrone te identifiseer; die ondersoek van faktore wat beide brandgevaar en vuurgedrag, bepaal insluitend klimaat, topografie, helling en brandstof; die ondersoek van faktore wat vuur frekwensie en regime; en uiteindelik die bepaling van moontlike ekologiese skade veroorsaak deur die laaste 10 - 20 jaar van veldbrand gebeure in die Limietberg Bewaringsgebied, soos gemeet deur navuur saailing verhoudings. Die doel is bereik deur die gebruik van statistiese tegnieke waaronder meervoudige regressie (McDonald 2009), ordening in die vorm van hoofkomponent analise en multi-dimensionele skaling (Clarke & Warwick 1994), en veldwerk in die vorm van navuur herlewing (Proteaceae ouer:saailing verhouding) moniteringstegnieke (Bond et al. 1984; Vlok & Yeaton 2000; De Klerk et al. 2007). Die resultate dui daarop dat die interaksies tussen faktore wat brandgevaar en vuurgedrag inderdaad kompleks aandryf is en hoofsaaklik beïnvloed word deur meteorologiese veranderlikes (temperatuur, relatiewe humiditeit, windspoed), maar ook baie sterk beïnvloed word deur fisiese omgewingsfaktore (helling, topografie). Die gebruik van ordeningstegnieke vir hierdie komplekse tipe analise is bevind as uiters effektief en die gebruik daarvan in verdere vuur navorsing word sterk aanbeveel.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The ultimate goal of conservation planning is to ensure persistence of biodiversity. Biodiversity patterns and ecological processes are important aspects in conserving biodiversity. Although most researchers in conservation planning have focused on targeting biodiversity patterns, ecological and evolutionary processes can ensure persistence of biodiversity if incorporated into conservation planning. Ecological processes are the main drivers or sustainers of biodiversity. The aim of this research was to identify and map the spatial components of ecological processes in a portion of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area to aid in the implementation of biota movement corridors. Different methods have been used to identify suitable corridors but not much has been done on defining and mapping ecological processes that will ensure that the corridors maintain and generate biodiversity. A thorough literature survey was done to make a list of ecological processes that are important in maintaining the biodiversity in the area. Spatial components of ecological processes were mapped as surface elements aligned along linear environmental interfaces or gradients. The last part of the research was to suggest suitable movement corridors based on ecological processes. The results include five spatial components: riverine corridors, areas of high carbon sequestration, edaphic interfaces, upland-lowland interfaces and ecotones. Riverine corridors were mapped using a 1000 m buffer on either side of low lying rivers and 500 m buffer around rivers in the uplands. A map showing the carbon sequestration potential of vegetation in the study area was made using Moderate-Resolution Image Spectroradiometer (MODIS) derived NDVI data and the National Level Carbon Stock dataset done by the Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC) Pantropical. Edaphic interfaces were idenfied using by a 250 m buffer around contrasting soil types. Upland-lowland interfaces identified by a 250 m buffer along upland and lowland habitats. Classification of Landsat 8 was used to identify ecotones in the study area. The results of the spatial components were then compared with the habitat transformation map which shows populated areas. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die uiteindelike doel van bewaringsbeplanning is om voortbestaan van biodiversiteit te verseker. Biodiversiteitspatrone en ekologiese prosesse is belangrike aspekte in die bewaring van biodiversiteit. Alhoewel die meeste navorsers in bewaringsbeplanning fokus op teiken biodiversiteitspatrone, kan die voortbestaan van ekologiese en evolusionêre prosesse van biodiversiteit verseker word deur insluiting in bewaringsbeplanning. Ekologiese prosesse is die belangrikste drywers, of onderhouers, van biodiversiteit. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was dus om die ruimtelike komponente van ekologiese prosesse in 'n gedeelte van die Kavango Zambezi oorgrensbewaringsgebied te identifiseer en te karteer om te help met implementering van biota bewegingsdeurlope. Verskillende metodes is al gebruik om gepaste deurlope te identifiseer, maar min navorsing is gedoen oor definisie en kartering van ekologiese prosesse om te verseker dat die deurlope biodiversiteit sal onderhou en genereer. 'n Deeglike literatuurstudie is gedoen om 'n lys op te stel van ekologiese prosesse wat belangrik is in die handhawing van biodiversiteit in die gebied. Ruimtelike komponente van ekologiese prosesse is gekarteer as oppervlak elemente gebonde aan lineêre omgewingskoppelvlakke of gradiënte. Die laaste deel van die navorsing was om geskikte bewegingsdeurlope, gebaseer op ekologiese prosesse, voor te stel. Die resultate sluit vyf ruimtelike komponente in: rivierdeurlope, gebiede van hoë koolstofsekwestrasie, edafiese koppelvlakke, hoogland-Laeveld koppelvlakke en grensekotone. Rivierdeurlope is gekarteer met behulp van 'n 1000 meter buffer aan weerskante van laagliggende riviere en 500 meter buffer rondom riviere in die hooglande. ‘n Kaart wat die koolstofsekwestrasiepotensiaal van plantegroei in die studie area toon is gemaak met behulp van Moderate-Resolution Image Spectroradiometer (MODIS) afgeleide NDVI data en ʼn koolstofvoorraaddatastel (National Level Carbon Stock dataset) voorsien deur die Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC). Pantropiese edafiese koppelvlakke is geïdentifiseer met behulp van 'n 250 meter buffer rondom kontrasterende grondtipes. Hoogland-Laeveld koppelvlakke is geïdentifiseer deur 'n 250 meter buffer langs die berg en laagland habitatte. Klassifikasie van Landsat 8 data is gebruik om ekotone in die studie area te identifiseer. Die resultate van die ruimtelike komponente is vergelyk met die habitattransformasiekaart wat bevolkte gebiede toon.

Conservation areas, which limits are fixed within the national boundaries, are established by the federal government, as well as by all states through state and municipal government, to protect relevant ecosystems. Their general purposes include Environmental Education activities, which are undertaken by their respective Environmental Education Centers. The theme concerning these centers is still little debated in Brazil. However, it is a field in Environmental Education that holds a promising future. Depending on its aim, it might have a very distinctive potential. Environmental Education Centers can be established in companies, zoos and aquariums, universities, non-government organizations (NGOs) and conservation areas. The purpose of this work, which has been carried out as diagnostic qualitative research, was to find out the actual situation and future perspectives of an environmental education center established in a city park in Uberlândia, the, Núcleo de Educação Ambiental at Parque Municipal Victório Siquierolli, as well as its potential to develop and undertake environmental education activities. This center has been chosen because it has increasingly become a reference in the city for Environmental Education. Data collection was carried out through documentary analysis, questionnaires, interviews and direct observations. Data analysis was based on the theoretical reference gathered and shows that the center at Siquierolli, though facing some problems, mainly financial ones, is very well structured, establishing itself as an environmental education reference to the city. By analyzing its location, equipment, surroundings and facilities, teaching staff, teaching and policy program as well as sustainable strategies, it possible conclud to that the center s strength lies in the teaching staff, well-qualified and committed to their role. Good management ability is also worth mentioning. The center success has supported the Conservation Area in which it is located and has ensured that the center itself is respected both by the population in general and by those who live in the vicinity. / As Unidades de Conservação (UCs) são áreas delimitadas do território nacional, instituídas pelo Governo Federal, bem como pelas unidades da federação, por meio dos respectivos governos estaduais e municipais, para a proteção de ecossistemas significativos, tendo entre os seus objetivos gerais a condução de atividades de Educação Ambiental (EA), que se concretiza através de seus respectivos Centros de Educação Ambiental (CEAS). O tema referente aos CEAs no Brasil ainda é pouco discutido, no entanto, trata-se de um espaço dentro da EA que apresenta um futuro promissor. Sua potencialidade de atuação pode ser bastante distinta, dependendo da sua finalidade. Os CEAs podem estar organizados em Empresas, Zoológicos e Aquários, Universidades, Ongs e Unidades de Conservação e apresentarem diversas denominações dentre as quais, Núcleos de Educação Ambiental (NEA). O objetivo desta pesquisa, que foi conduzida dentro dos domínios da pesquisa qualitativa, na modalidade Pesquisa Diagnóstico-Avaliativa foi conhecer a realidade e as perspectivas do NEA do Parque Municipal Victório Siquierolli da cidade de Uberlândia e analisar suas potencialidades para o desenvolvimento de atividades de EA. A escolha desse espaço se deu em função do mesmo estar se tornado uma referência na cidade para a EA. A coleta de dados foi viabilizada a partir de análise documental, questionários, entrevistas e observações diretas. Os dados analisados conforme o referencial teórico construído mostrou que o NEA do Siquierolli, embora enfrente alguns problemas principalmente de ordem financeira e de insuficiência de recursos humanos, está muito bem estruturado, consolidando-se como referencial para a EA na cidade. Analisado conforme as dimensões: Espaço Físico, Equipamentos, Entorno e Sede; Equipe Pedagógica; Plano Político Pedagógico e Estratégias de Sustentabilidade, concluiu-se que seu ponto forte é a Equipe Pedagógica, bastante qualificada e identificada com o que faz. A salientar também a competência administrativa. O sucesso do núcleo tem garantido a Unidade de Conservação, onde o mesmo se instala, grande respeitabilidade da população em geral, e em especial da população do entorno. / Mestre em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Currently with the increase of demand for water, we find that groundwater has, in most aquifers, the desired quality for domestic, industrial and agricultural supply. Thus, the most effective way to protect this water sources of possible pollution and guarantee quality recharge is by following the laws that deal with the protection of aquifer recharge areas, these must have restriction in soil use and occupation. We highlight the Special Area of Conservation of Natural Sandstone Aquifer Basal Santa Maria or Natural Conservation Area AC8, in Santa Maria, RS, as an area to be protected. Since according to the Law of Soil Use and Occupation of Santa Maria, the recharge area has to be protected from its possible pollution. Among the research aims are the estate and federal law verification regarding the protection of groundwater resources and, at the municipal level, what are the restrictions of soil use for the Natural Conservation Area AC8. The definition, identification and spatialization of potentially polluting soil uses and occupation in this area are also aims of this research, as well as generating a map of legal conflict of Natural Conservation Area AC8. For this, we obtained data from the network of sewage collection CORSAN and information about land ordering of the study area in Santa Maria's City Hall. As results we have the analysis of how the protection of groundwater resources occur in the law, the definition of potentially water polluting sources and the diagnose of areas with use of potentially water polluting in the recharge area of the Sandstone Aquifer Basal Santa Maria, for instance food and drink industries, concrete industries, metallurgical, gas stations, repair shops and lake of a network sewage collection. Through this law identification and analysis and implementation dates of activities of potentially polluting the recharge aquifer area, we determined the areas of legal conflict existent in the Natural Conservation Area AC8 / Atualmente com o crescimento da demanda por água verifica-se que a água subterrânea possui, na maioria dos aquíferos, a qualidade desejada para o abastecimento doméstico, industrial e agrícola. Assim, a forma mais eficaz de proteger esses mananciais hídricos da possível poluição e garantir a recarga com qualidade é através do cumprimento das legislações que dispõem sobre a proteção das áreas de recargas dos aquíferos, áreas estas que devem possuir restrições de uso e ocupação do solo. Destaca-se assim a Área Especial de Conservação Natural do Aquífero Arenito Basal Santa Maria ou Área de Conservação Natural AC8, localizada em Santa Maria/RS, como uma área a ser protegida. Visto que, conforme o disposto na Lei de Uso e Ocupação do Solo de Santa Maria, a área de recarga deve ser protegida quanto a sua possível poluição. Dentre os objetivos da pesquisa estão a verificação nas legislações estadual e federal a proteção dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos e, em âmbito municipal, quais as restrições de uso do solo para a Área de Conservação Natural AC8. A definição, identificação e espacialização dos usos e ocupações do solo potencialmente poluidores existentes na área também são objetivos da pesquisa, bem como a geração de um mapa de incompatibilidade legal da Área de Conservação Natural AC8. Para isto, foram obtidos dados referentes à rede de coleta de esgoto na CORSAN e informações sobre ordenamento territorial da área de estudo na Prefeitura Municipal de Santa Maria. Como resultados têm-se a análise de como ocorre a proteção dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos nas legislações, a definição das fontes potenciais de poluição da água e o diagnóstico das áreas com usos potenciais de poluição da água na área de recarga do aquífero Arenito Basal Santa Maria, como indústrias alimentícias e de bebidas, indústria de concreto, metalúrgicas, posto de combustível, oficinas mecânicas e falta de rede coletora de esgoto na área. Através desta identificação e da análise das legislações e datas de implantação das atividades potenciais de poluição na área de recarga do aquífero, definiu-se as áreas de incompatibilidade legal existentes na Área de Conservação Natural AC8.

Este estudo propôs e testou um roteiro metodológico, baseado em princípios técnicos e científicos, visando à delimitação da zona de amortecimento de unidades de conservação (UCs) de proteção integral, bem como à estruturação de um programa de manejo específico, denominado “Fronteiras”. O Programa de Manejo Fronteiras tem como principal objetivo estabelecer diretrizes e estratégias para tratar das questões que envolvem a implementação e a gestão da zona de amortecimento. Utilizando a metodologia de estudo de caso, associada a uma adaptação do método da estrutura hierárquica que é baseado na formulação de princípios, critérios e indicadores como ferramenta para promover o manejo adequado e a manutenção das funções da UC, o Parque Estadual Xixová-Japuí (PEXJ), com uma área de 901 ha, localizado nos municípios de São Vicente e Praia Grande–SP, foi escolhido como unidade de análise para execução das seis etapas previstas no referido roteiro metodológico. A partir da avaliação da execução do trabalho e dos resultados obtidos foi possível, além de criar uma referência concreta para a discussão e o aprimoramento dos procedimentos que podem ser utilizados na delimitação e na gestão da zona de amortecimento, verificar, que (i) a metodologia empregada gera padrões consistentes, porém, precisa ser testada em outras UCs para garantir a validade externa do método, (ii) o estabelecimento de zonas de amortecimento para UCs limítrofes a áreas urbanizadas ou em processo de expansão urbana é complexo e deve ser agilizado em virtude da dinâmica e da velocidade de ocupação do território, (iii) após a definição dos critérios para inclusão e exclusão de áreas, a sistematização, a consolidação e a sobreposição de informações já disponíveis, associadas àquelas obtidas em levantamentos de campo expeditos, são suficientes para subsidiar a delimitação da zona de amortecimento e a definição de diretrizes para o seu manejo, (iv) os critérios de inclusão e exclusão de áreas para compor as zonas de amortecimento propostos pelo IBAMA e incorporados ao roteiro testado neste trabalho, são adequados aos princípios, critérios e indicadores definidos para que PEXJ cumpra as suas funções ecológicas, sociais e paisagísticas. / This study proposed and tested a methodological path based on technical and scientific principles, seeking to define the limits of a buffer zone for protected areas as well as to structure a specific management program called “Fronteiras” (Boundaries), whose main objective is to set guidelines and strategies to handle issues that concern implementation and management of that zone. Xixová-Japuí State Park (PEXJ), with a total area of 901 hectares and located in São Vicente and Praia Grande, in the state of São Paulo, was chosen as a unit for analysis of the six stages proposed by the methodological path through a case-study methodology coupled with an adaptation of the hierarchical framework method which is based on setting principles, criteria and indicators as tools to promote proper management and maintenance of the park’s functions. Upon completion of the work and assessment of results, a concrete reference was created to aid the discussion and improvement of procedures which may be used in setting the limits of and in managing the buffer zone. It was also possible to verify, among other aspects, that (i) the methodology applied generates consistent standards but must be tested in other protected areas to assure its external validity; (ii) the creation of buffer zones for protected areas that border established or expanding urban areas is a complex issue and must be sped up to anticipate the dynamics and rate of territory occupation; (iii) once the criteria for including or excluding areas have been defined, systematization, consolidation and superposition of information already available combined with that obtained from expedite field surveys are enough to aid towards the definition of the limits of a buffer zone and of guidelines for its management; (iv) the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of areas in demarcating buffer zones as proposed by IBAMA and incorporated to the path tested in this work are adequate to the principles, criteria and indicators defined so that PEXJ can meet its ecological, social and landscape functions.