Los objetivos de la tesis fueron estudiar los factores que pueden explicar la variabilidad existente en la distribución e intensidad de la pesca artesanal en torno a una reserva marina (RM), valorar el efecto de la protección sobre la pesca y analizar y valorar los efectos bio-económicos de configuraciones alternativas de diseño y gestión. Los resultados revelaron que las embarcaciones artesanales calan más artes, de menor longitud, en zonas de elevada diversidad de hábitats. El rendimiento pesquero depende del nivel de protección, la distancia a la RM y la diversidad de artes por unidad de área. La protección está teniendo resultados positivos sobre las poblaciones de peces explotadas y beneficiando a la economía local. El aumento de superficie protegida, distribuido en varias reservas integrales en emplazamientos adecuados, distanciadas unas decenas kilómetros, más que la reducción del esfuerzo, tendría efectos positivos sobre el poblamiento de peces y la economía local. / The aim of the present work is to study the factors that may explain the variability in distribution and intensity of artisanal fishing around a marine reserve, evaluate the reserve effect and analyze and assess the biological and economic effects of alternative configurations of a marine protected area. The results revealed that artisanal vessels used more fishing gears, but shorter, in high habitat diversity areas. The fishing yield depends of protection level, distance to marine reserve and diversity of fishing gears per unit area. The protection measures have had positive results on exploited fish populations and in the local economy. The increase of protected area surface, distributed on several no take zones at appropriate locations, a few kilometers apart, more than the reduction of the fishing effort, would have positive effects on the population of commercial fishes and the local economy.

Corals, the foundation species of tropical reefs, are in rapid global decline as a result of anthropogenic disturbance. On many reefs, losses of coral have coincided with the over-harvesting of reef herbivores, resulting in ecosystem phase-shifts from coral to macroalgal dominance. It is hypothesized that abundant macroalgae inhibit coral recovery and recruitment, thereby generating ecological feedback processes that reinforce phase-shifts to macroalgae and further diminish reef function. Notwithstanding, the extent to which macroalgae directly outcompete coral, the mechanisms involved, and the species-specificity of algal-coral competition remains debated. Moreover the capacity for herbivores to prevent vs. reverse ecosystem phase-shifts to macroalgae and the roles of herbivore diversity in such phenomena remain poorly understood. Here I demonstrate with a series of field experiments in the tropical Pacific and Caribbean Sea that multiple macroalgae common to degraded reefs directly outcompete coral using chemical warfare, that these interactions are mediated by hydrophobic secondary metabolites transferred from algal to coral surfaces by direct contact, and that the outcomes of these allelopathic interactions are highly species-specific. Using field observations and experiments in the tropical Pacific, I also demonstrate that the process of herbivory attenuates the competitive effects of allelopathic algae on corals by controlling succession of algal communities, and that the herbivore species responsible for macroalgal removal possess complementary tolerances to the diversity of chemical defenses deployed among algae, creating an essential role for herbivore diversity in reversing ecosystem phase-shifts to macroalgae. Lastly, I demonstrate with field experiments in the tropical Pacific that algal-coral competition simultaneously induces allelochemicals and suppresses anti-herbivore deterrents in some algae, likely due to trade-offs in the productions of defense metabolites with differing ecological functions. Together, these studies provide strong evidence that chemically mediated competitive and consumer-prey interactions play principal roles in coral reef degradation and recovery, and should provide resource managers with vital information needed for effective management of these ecologically and economically important but threatened ecosystems.

Avoiding the negative effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity is especially challenging when also the management institutions are spatially and administratively distributed. This doctoral thesis introduces five case studies that investigate ecological, social and social-ecological relations in fragmented landscapes. I present new approaches in which research and governance can detect and manage mismatches between landscape ecology and planning. The case studies include urban and forested landscapes where an intense land-use is limiting the connectivity, i.e., the potential for many species to disperse between the remaining patches of habitat. Graph-theoretic (network) models are applied to map connectivity patterns and to estimate the outcome for dispersing species at the patch level and for the whole study system. In particular, the network models are applied to evaluate the spatial complexity and the potential mismatches between ecological connectivity and geographically distributed management institutions like protected areas and municipalities. Interviews with municipal ecologists complement the spatial analysis; revealing some problems and ways forward regarding the communication and integration of ecological knowledge within local spatial-planning agencies. The results also show that network models are useful to identify and communicate critical ecological and social-ecological patterns that call for management attention. I suggest some developments of network models as to include interactions between species and across governance levels. Finally, I conclude that more effort is needed for network models to materialize into ecological learning and transformation in management processes. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Manuscript. Paper 2: Manuscript.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D. (Ichthyology and Fisheries Science))--Rhodes University, 2006.

Landuse for farming purposes is an indispensable part of management in specially protected areas although the process of farming has been importantly limited by restrictive arrangements, as agrotechnological terms which are caused by the needs of environmental protection. This diploma thesis deals with the impact of some limiting rules on running of the farms which are farming in convenction way, situated in the area CHKO Šumava. Field research was performed in the form of dialogs and was focused on detection of owner´s opinions concerning their relationship with CHKO authority, impact of agrotechnological terms on running of the farm and revealing of their future plans. Based on the analysis it is possible to say that all the farmers declare the cooperation with CHKO authority as definitely negative whereas the present payments for natural disadvantage compensation appears to be clearly positive and they cannot imagine future farming without them. Agrotechnological terms followed from specific regime of specially protected areas have been declared as minimally restrictive because the owners have adopted them the farm working.

A Floresta Nacional de Canela é uma unidade de conservação que sofre o impacto ambiental antropogênico nas cabeceiras das bacias hidrográficas do arroio Caçador e arroio Tiririca, comprometendo a qualidade da água e da sua biota. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as bacias hidrográficas com ênfase qualidade da água e no uso e ocupação do solo das áreas de preservação permanente ripárias e as respectivas sub-bacias. Classificamos o uso e ocupação do solo das áreas ripárias e bacias hidrográficas com a interpretação de imagem orbital e avaliamos os resultados com um índice de antropização. Quanto à qualidade da água coletamos amostras mensais, no período de julho de 2006 a junho de 2007, em nove cursos d’água e duas lagoas e avaliamos com o uso de um índice de qualidade composto pelos parâmetros oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez, sólidos dissolvidos totais, sólidos suspensos totais. As formações florestais são a categoria predominante na área das sub-bacias (71,3%) e nas áreas ripárias (62,2%), determinando índices de antropização médios de 2,3 para as sub-bacias e de 2,5 para as áreas ripárias, em uma escala de 0,5 a 5,0. Os índices de qualidade da água, em uma escala de 0 a 100, variaram de 41, para as águas mais poluídas e próximas a áreas urbanizadas, até um máximo de 87, para o arroio Caçador e um córrego no interior da unidade de conservação. Verificamos que o padrão estabelecido na Resolução do CONAMA 357/2005 para o parâmetro turbidez não está adequado para diferenciar as classes de uso da água dos córregos. Com a análise de coordenadas principais verificamos que os sólidos dissolvidos totais e a turbidez são as variáveis que mais distinguem os corpos d’água entre si e que quando são considerados os índices de qualidade relativa, a turbidez e os sólidos em suspensão totais são os parâmetros que melhor permitem identificar a qualidade da água. Com a correlação do índice da qualidade da água com o índice de uso e ocupação do solo da área ripária (R2=0,73) e com o índice de uso e ocupação do solo das sub-bacias (R2=0,24) concluímos que as características físicas e químicas da água são mais influenciadas pelo uso e ocupação do solo da área ripária do que pelo uso e ocupação que ocorre na sub-bacia de drenagem. O índice de uso e ocupação do solo composto por 75% do índice da área ripária e por 25% do índice da bacia hidrográfica é o que apresentou a maior correlação com o índice de qualidade da água (R2=0,76). / The Canela National Forest is a protected area that suffers an anthropogenic environmental impact on the watersheads’ hydrographic basins of the Caçador stream and Tiririca stream, compromising the water quality and its biota. The objective of this work was to evaluate the hydrographic basins with emphasys on the water quality and the usage of the land riparian´s buffer zone. On a monthly basis we analysed the water quality in nine water courses and two lagoons by utilyzing a quality index composed by the parameters dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids between the period of July 2006 and June 2007. We classified the usage of the hydrographic basins and riparian areas with the interpretation of the orbital image analysed by an anthropisation index. The water quality indexes, on a scale from 0 to 100, varied from 41 for the most polluted waters closer to urban areas to a maximum of 87 for the Caçador stream and for a creek running inside the national forest. The principal coordinates analysis showed that the total dissolved solids and turbidity parameters were the variables that best distinguished the water bodies among themselves, meanwhile along with the indexes of the relative water quality for the parameters of total suspension solids and turbidity The forest formations are the predominant category in the field of drainage basins (71.3%) and in the riparian areas (62.2%), determining an average anthropisation indexes of 2.3 for the micro basins and 2.5 for the riparian areas, in a scale of 0.5 to 5.0. The correlation between the water quality index and the land usage index in the riparian area (R2=0.73) was bigger than the correlation with the land usage index on micro basins (R2=0.24). The land usage index, composed by 75% of the riparian area index and by 25% of the hydrographic basin index, was that who presented the greater correlation with the water quality index (R2=0.76).

A Floresta Nacional de Canela é uma unidade de conservação que sofre o impacto ambiental antropogênico nas cabeceiras das bacias hidrográficas do arroio Caçador e arroio Tiririca, comprometendo a qualidade da água e da sua biota. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as bacias hidrográficas com ênfase qualidade da água e no uso e ocupação do solo das áreas de preservação permanente ripárias e as respectivas sub-bacias. Classificamos o uso e ocupação do solo das áreas ripárias e bacias hidrográficas com a interpretação de imagem orbital e avaliamos os resultados com um índice de antropização. Quanto à qualidade da água coletamos amostras mensais, no período de julho de 2006 a junho de 2007, em nove cursos d’água e duas lagoas e avaliamos com o uso de um índice de qualidade composto pelos parâmetros oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez, sólidos dissolvidos totais, sólidos suspensos totais. As formações florestais são a categoria predominante na área das sub-bacias (71,3%) e nas áreas ripárias (62,2%), determinando índices de antropização médios de 2,3 para as sub-bacias e de 2,5 para as áreas ripárias, em uma escala de 0,5 a 5,0. Os índices de qualidade da água, em uma escala de 0 a 100, variaram de 41, para as águas mais poluídas e próximas a áreas urbanizadas, até um máximo de 87, para o arroio Caçador e um córrego no interior da unidade de conservação. Verificamos que o padrão estabelecido na Resolução do CONAMA 357/2005 para o parâmetro turbidez não está adequado para diferenciar as classes de uso da água dos córregos. Com a análise de coordenadas principais verificamos que os sólidos dissolvidos totais e a turbidez são as variáveis que mais distinguem os corpos d’água entre si e que quando são considerados os índices de qualidade relativa, a turbidez e os sólidos em suspensão totais são os parâmetros que melhor permitem identificar a qualidade da água. Com a correlação do índice da qualidade da água com o índice de uso e ocupação do solo da área ripária (R2=0,73) e com o índice de uso e ocupação do solo das sub-bacias (R2=0,24) concluímos que as características físicas e químicas da água são mais influenciadas pelo uso e ocupação do solo da área ripária do que pelo uso e ocupação que ocorre na sub-bacia de drenagem. O índice de uso e ocupação do solo composto por 75% do índice da área ripária e por 25% do índice da bacia hidrográfica é o que apresentou a maior correlação com o índice de qualidade da água (R2=0,76). / The Canela National Forest is a protected area that suffers an anthropogenic environmental impact on the watersheads’ hydrographic basins of the Caçador stream and Tiririca stream, compromising the water quality and its biota. The objective of this work was to evaluate the hydrographic basins with emphasys on the water quality and the usage of the land riparian´s buffer zone. On a monthly basis we analysed the water quality in nine water courses and two lagoons by utilyzing a quality index composed by the parameters dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids between the period of July 2006 and June 2007. We classified the usage of the hydrographic basins and riparian areas with the interpretation of the orbital image analysed by an anthropisation index. The water quality indexes, on a scale from 0 to 100, varied from 41 for the most polluted waters closer to urban areas to a maximum of 87 for the Caçador stream and for a creek running inside the national forest. The principal coordinates analysis showed that the total dissolved solids and turbidity parameters were the variables that best distinguished the water bodies among themselves, meanwhile along with the indexes of the relative water quality for the parameters of total suspension solids and turbidity The forest formations are the predominant category in the field of drainage basins (71.3%) and in the riparian areas (62.2%), determining an average anthropisation indexes of 2.3 for the micro basins and 2.5 for the riparian areas, in a scale of 0.5 to 5.0. The correlation between the water quality index and the land usage index in the riparian area (R2=0.73) was bigger than the correlation with the land usage index on micro basins (R2=0.24). The land usage index, composed by 75% of the riparian area index and by 25% of the hydrographic basin index, was that who presented the greater correlation with the water quality index (R2=0.76).

La situation des mangroves dans le monde reste préoccupante malgré la prise de conscience de leur rôle dans le maintien de la biodiversité côtière. Les pratiques non durables de l’aquaculture extensive sont toujours majoritairement mises en cause. Le besoin d’une meilleure gestion côtière se fait sentir depuis une vingtaine d’années. Il faut reconnaitre que les avancées restent insuffisantes, particulièrement en Indonésie. Ce travail de thèse a été réalisé dans le cadre du projet INDESO. Ses objectifs étaient de décrire les changements dans les mangroves en termes de superficie, de structuration ou de composition spécifique afin d’étudier, à fine échelle spatiale, la diversité des peuplements de palétuviers, leur capacité de régénération et les tendances d’évolution de l’écosystème. Pour cela, j’ai utilisé 28 images satellitaires de télédétection optique à très haute résolution spatiale (THRS) acquises dans la période de 2001 à 2015 sur deux sites d’étude, Bali, Indonésie. J’ai participé aux inventaires forestiers et à l’identification des espèces de palétuviers du stade plantule au stade adulte. J’ai procédé par analyse visuelle des images pour différencier les plantations de palétuviers des forêts naturelles. J’ai examiné les différences entre les signatures spectrales des différentes formations de palétuviers en fonction des configurations angulaires. J’ai réalisé sur chaque image une classification supervisée qui m’a permis de comptabiliser avec une précision de quelques mètres carrés la superficie occupée par les mangroves et d’évaluer la robustesse d’une cartographie à fine échelle de zonations de mangroves.Les résultats obtenus sur l’estuaire du Perancak dégradé par l’aquaculture montrent que la surface de mangrove augmente après 2001 mais que les pratiques de plantations dans cette région n’ont rien à voir avec la réhabilitation de mangroves. Des différences majeures entre plantations et forêts naturelles existent. Ces plantations sont des cultures à très forte densité de Rhizophora, alors que les faciès naturels sont dominés par Avicennia et Sonneratia. Nos résultats montrent que la capacité de régénération dans ces plantations reste très inférieure à celle observée dans les forêts naturelles et que, si régénération il y a, c’est avec des plantules des espèces natives. A partir de l’analyse des imges, nous avons identifié les 136 bassins qui ont fait l’objet de plantations et donné l’année du semis. Le suivi de l’évolution du nombre de pixels classés ‘mangrove’ à l’intérieur de chaque bassin planté montre une grande variabilité des taux d’expansion sur 14 ans, ceci suggérant des conditions environnementales spécifiques à chaque bassin et donc l’inconséquence des pratiques généralisées de plantations à Rhizophora. Enfin, les capacités de colonisation des espèces natives y compris à l’intérieur de certains bassins semblent avérées dans cet estuaire pourtant très fragmenté. Les résultats obtenus sur les mangroves protégées de la région de Nusa Lembongan montrent le potentiel des images multi-spectrales satellitaires THRS pour cartographier différentes zonations de mangroves. Ce potentiel de discrimination est observé assez stable au cours du temps entre 4 espèces. Toutefois, des configurations angulaires avec un soleil de face ou un angle de visée proche de la verticale pourraient générer de la confusion notamment sur les peuplements à canopée ouverte. Nous avons obtenu probablement les premières cartes de mangrove de Nusa Lembongan qui montrent la complexité des zonations forestières et soutiennent l’enjeu de leur protection.L’ensemble de mon travail plaide pour une meilleure interprétation physique de la variabilité des signatures spectrales et texturales de mangrove. Il fournit des recommandations comme la nécessité d’un moratoire sur les monocultures à Rhizophora et des méthodes simples, embryons de futurs observatoires locaux pour l’évaluation et le suivi des plans de gestion côtière mis en place. / The situation of world’s mangroves remains a matter of concern, despite the public awareness about their role in the sustainability of coastal biodiversity. Extensive and intensive aquaculture practies are mainly called into question. The need for a better integrated coastal zone management arises since a couple of decades. It must be recognized that progress is insufficient especially in Indonesia.The present PhD work has been carried out in the frame of the INDESO project. The objective was to describe mangrove changes in terms of area expansion, forest structure and species composition before studying, at fine scales, the diversity of mangrove stands, their regeneration capacity and the evolution trends of the whole ecosystem in a given region.In order to achieve this aim, i used 28 very high spatial resolution (VHSR) optical satellite images aquired between 2001 and 2015. I also participated in forest inventories and species identification from the seedling to the adult stages. I visually analysed the set of images for allowing the discrimination of planted mangroves from natural ones. I examined the influence of acquisition geometry parameters on the variability of mangrove spectral signatures. Thanks to supervised maximum likelihood classifications, I succeeded in evaluating the expansion area of mangrove with an accurracy of few square meters and I proceeded in assessing the robustness of fine scale mapping of mangrove zonations.Results obtained in the analysis of the Perancak estuary highlighted that mangrove area is expanding since 2001. The plantation practices were however presented as disrespectful of any sustainable management plan. Indeed, our simple field data indicated strong differences between mangrove plantations and natural forests. Plantations were shown to be cultures of only Rhizophora species with high planting density whereas natural forest stands are composed of Sonneratia and Avicennia mangrove trees. In addition, we highlighted that the regeneration capacity in planted areas remains very lower than the ones clearly observed in natural areas. Moreover, the only regenetive process in plantations seems to be with native species and not with the planted ones. From the analysis of the VHSR images, we identified aquaculture ponds that were planted and their planting year. Consequently, we suceeded in monitoring the mangrove expansion inside every planted pond. Important variability of expansion rate was pointed out, this suggesting contrasting environments in each pond and the inadequacy of cultures of Rhizophora everywhere. The observation of natural colonization in many areas of the estuary, pond floors included, was an interesting point to mention.Besides, results obtained in the study of the protected mangrove region of Nusa Lembongan assessed the potential of multispectral VHSR satellite images for mapping mangrove zonations. Four mangrove zonations mainly dominated by different species exhibit signatures that can be differentiated over years. Different image acquisition parameters may, however, generate confusion in classification. This is particularyly true when forest stands with open canopies are observed with sun frontward or with a near vertical viewing angle because of sun light interaction with the clear waters. We probably obtained the first detailed maps of mangrove zonations in the region. They showed a complex spatial organization of mangrove zonations.The whole of my work advocated for further remote sensing works aiming at the physical interpretation of spectral and textural signatures of mangroves. It provided recommendations such as a moratorium onf Rhizophora plantation and simple methods that will be, we hope, starting points for closing the knowledge gap that hampers monitoring of future coastal zone management plans.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:30:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFHT.pdf: 10285270 bytes, checksum: 15492253f663ddd56db71511efad0a7d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-03-11 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This paper has the main objective of proposing methodological procedures for the analysis of the environmental impact degree and respective compensation calculation, in accordance with the Article 36 of Law 9.985. The research was consolidated through a case study specifically applied for the analysis of mining enterprises, in the region of Descalvado an Analandia, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Through the application of geoprocessing tools, environmental information were converted into environmental impact degree indicators, related mainlyto the intensification of erosive processes, biodiversity loss and impacts on the hydrological resources. The present methodological proposal represents an important instrument of environmental management for the assessment of conservation priorities and alternatives for location of enterprises. The results showed that the region of Descalvado and Analandia presents high environmental fragility, due to it's high potencial to cause erosion and also due to their fragments of natural vegetation. It was proposed the creation of an Protected Area. / O presente trabalho propõe uma metodologia para subsidiar a análise do grau de impacto ambiental e respectivo cálculo de valores de compensação ambiental, conforme determina o Artigo 36 da Lei 9.985/2000. A pesquisa foi consolidada atráves de um estudo de caso na região de Descalvado e Analândia, interior do Estado de São Paulo, enfatizando empreendimentos de mineração. Através da aplicação de ferramentas de geoprocessamento, informações ambientais georreferenciadas são convertidas em indicadores de grau de impacto ambiental. Foram estabelecidos indicadores de grau de impacto relacionados à intensificação de processos erosivos, perda de biodiversidade e impactos sobre recursos hídricos. A metodologia proposta representa um importante instrumento de planejamento ambiental na avaliação de áreas prioritárias para conservação e também na análise de alternativas locacionais de empreendimentos sujeitos a licenciamento, sendo que sua aplicação não se limita apenas ao cálculo de valores de compensação. Os resultados mostraram que a área de estudo apresenta grande fragilidade ambiental, devido ao seu alto potencial de desencadeamento de processos erosivos e também por abrigar os fragmentos remanescentes de vegetação natural mais significativos em termos de biodiversidade, recomendando-se a criação de uma Unidade de Conservação.

Este trabalho realizou o levantamento das áreas de APP (Área de Preservação Permanente) e das áreas de RL (Reserva Legal) do município de Engenheiro Coelho - SP e alguns aspectos sobre a situação sócio-econômica dos proprietários rurais, partindo da hipótese de que as informações geográficas e sócio-econômicas podem ser úteis para guiar um plano de intervenção prático e viável, que proporcione ao município a otimização ao cumprimento legal em relação a estas áreas. A metodologia empregada envolveu a elaboração e aplicação de questionários, com a finalidade de obter dados suficientes para traçar parâmetros sobre os aspectos sociais e econômicos, relacionando-os com a aceitabilidade no momento da implantação de um plano de intervenção ambiental local. O uso de geoprocessamento da área e a elaboração de mapas através de SIG (Sistema de Informação Geográfica) foram fundamentais para conhecer a realidade do município em relação às áreas de preservação em cada propriedade, identificando-as e localizando as áreas com passivos de cobertura florestal. Para a adequação dessas áreas foi levado em consideração de critérios legais, para a recomposição da APP e RL, sendo que a RL foi estabelecida para facilitar a criação de corredores ecológicos. A área total de APP do município corresponde a 9,96% da área total. Deste total 7,73% apresentaram uso inadequado com a legislação ambiental. Vários locais aparecem com uso agrícola ou até mesmo construção de imóvel. A RL para a região é de 20%, mas somente 4,41% está com cobertura vegetal, restando 15,59% para ser reflorestado adequadamente. Adequar estes locais ajuda no cumprimento da legislação, na diminuição da fragmentação e perda dos ecossistemas naturais. Espera-se que as informações diagnosticadas neste estudo sejam relevantes para o poder público municipal, estadual e federal, planejar e executar ações concretas para a adequação das áreas de preservação permanente de sua responsabilidade no município de Engenheiro Coelho-SP; bem como criar subsídios e incentivos aos proprietários rurais. Ao realizar ações de reflorestamento ou conservação das áreas, espera-se também que haja parcerias entre as instâncias pública, privadas e educacionais do município, e que outros trabalhos surjam em conseqüência deste. / The research was based on an inventory of the legally protected areas from Engenheiro Coelho municipality (State of São Paulo, Brazil) and the social-economic condition of the rural population to guide a practical and feasible intervention plan aiming the adjustment to legal requirements. The methods were based on field surveys with questionnaires to build an empirical database of social and economic information that were related to the acceptance of an environmental adjustment plan. The use of geotechnologies resulting in Geographic Information System based maps was fundamental for the identification of the environmental standard of each rural property allowing the identification of areas that should be protected by natural forests and were used for other proposes. Legal criteria were considered for the adjustment plan of riparian forests (APP) and legal reserves (RL). RL were recommended to maximize the establishment of ecological corridors between the forest fragments. The APP corresponded to 9.96 % of the municipalities area. From these, 7.73 % didnt conform to legislation, i.e. were not covered by forests. Agricultural land use and even construction sites were observed in APP. The legal area of RL for this region is 20 %, but only 4.41 % was covered with forests, remaining 15.59 % to be reclaimed by natural forest plantations. The more adequate use of these land according environmental legislation contributes to reduce landscape patchiness and fragmentation and the lost of natural ecosystems. We hope that this academic information is useful to allow the municipal, state and federal governments plan and put into practice concrete actions to adjust legally protected areas of their responsibility in the municipality of Engenheiro Coelho; and also reinforce financial subsidy to encourage the rural land holders. The resulting reclamation and conservation actions may encourage cooperation among private, educational and public stakeholders bringing to new initiatives in the environmental sector.