Restoration of native vegetation in the Atlantic Forest through the strategic combination of mandatory measures and voluntary commitments - CCD-EMA

• Grant number: 21/11940-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Science Centers for Development
• Duration: February 01, 2023 - January 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Nature Conservation
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Guilherme Molin
• Grantee: Paulo Guilherme Molin
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências da Natureza (CCN). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Lagoa do Sino. Buri , SP, Brazil
• Pesquisadores principais: Gerd Sparovek ; Jean Pierre Henry Balbaud Ometto
• Associated researchers: Alexandre Toshiro Igari ; Aline Salim ; Cézar Augusto Reis da Fonseca Borges ; Edson Luis Santiami ; Gustavo Casoni da Rocha ; Helena de Queiroz Carrascosa Von Glehn ; Juliana Santiago Ortega ; Julio Ricardo Caetano Tymus ; Kaline de Mello ; Laury Cullen Junior ; Leandro Reverberi Tambosi ; Luis Fernando Guedes Pinto ; Marcos Reis Rosa ; Maria Tereza Leite Montalvão ; Martine Maron ; Milena Fermina Rosenfield ; Natalia Macedo Ivanauskas ; Pedro Henrique Santin Brancalion ; Rafael Barreiro Chaves ; Rafael Bitante Fernandes ; Ricardo Gomes César ; Robin Lee Chazdon ; Thiago Belote Silva ; Timothy Randhir

Abstract

This proposal aims to create a Science Center for Development (CCD) aimed at the elaboration of strategies for the restoration of native vegetation in the Atlantic Forest Biome (Atlantic Forest Strategy - CCD-EMA). The project aims to generate information, presented in the form of strategic actions, aiming at the implementation of commitments to restore native vegetation in this biome, defined in state, national and international initiatives, in parallel with the United Nations Decade of Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030. Among the goals for which strategic plans will be presented, stand out the Bonn Challenge, Pact for the Restoration of the Atlantic Forest, National Plan for the Recovery of Native Vegetation (Planaveg), Environmental Regularization Program, and the São Paulo State Climate Action Plan - "Net Zero 2050", which attends the United Nations campaigns, "Race to Zero" and "Race to Resilience." The São Paulo Net Zero 2050 is a demand of direct interest from the Infrastructure and Environment Secretariat (SIMA) of São Paulo. The research approach is based on the division into three intersecting challenges (restoration via command-and-control mechanisms, encouraged voluntary commitments, and for the benefit of Conservation Units and remnants of native vegetation), contained within a bigger challenge (setting implementation costs and possible funding lines). We will evaluate spatially explicit restoration scenarios by combining (a) command-and-control mechanisms, mainly the environmental regularization of the Native Vegetation Protection Law (LPVN - "new Forest Code", Law No. 12,651 of 2012), (b) with encouraged voluntary commitments (e.g. payment programs for environmental services and carbon market incentives). Another aspect to be considered is the (c) expansion of protected areas, defining priority areas for the creation of Conservation Units, as well as priority restoration aimed at the benefit of existing Units, with their connection through corridors and other forms of restoration or protection of remnants towards integration and synergy in a context of better functioning of the natural landscape. Scenarios aim to explore complementarities and synergies, identifying and developing strategies to facilitate and optimize necessary restoration. Therefore, we will consider complementary areas of high restoration value, land tenure situation, profile of involved rural landowners and incentive mechanisms necessary to promote the necessary restoration. The methodology involves the development of analytical and predictive geospatial and temporal models, with the use of biophysical and socio-economical drivers, in a context of climate change, and the generation of primary data aligned with the information needs of the actors involved (public managers, civil society, investors, rural producers, regulatory and monitoring bodies, among others). The results will be disseminated in a broad, accessible and clear way to each interest group, throughout the process of result generation, in addition to its publication in scientific media. The performance work of the group of researchers will take the form of exchange of ideas and solutions, together with partner institutions, members of the third sector and public managers, valuing scientific knowledge, technical experience and legislation, with the purpose of preparing solutions with a high probability of becoming effective actions and public policies within the scope of the Atlantic Forest in the state of São Paulo. (AU)