Assessment of priority areas for conservation and restoration of mangroves in the Baixada Santista Metropolitan Region, São Paulo, Brazil

• Grant number: 24/05654-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 23, 2024
• End date: October 22, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Débora Martins de Freitas
• Grantee: Carlos Henrique de Andrade
• Supervisor: Hugh Possingham
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB-CLP). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus Experimental do Litoral Paulista. São Vicente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Queensland, Brisbane (UQ), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/01938-4 - Analysis of the potential for carbon sequestration and storage in different management scenarios by mangroves in the Metropolitan Region of Baixada Santista do Litoral Paulista, BP.IC

Abstract

Mangroves, coastal habitats widely recognized as among the most productive ecosystems on the planet, offer a multitude of ecosystem services. They act as crucial carbon sequesters, contribute significantly to enhancing local water quality, serve as natural barriers against coastal erosion, and provide essential habitats for the reproduction, shelter, and sustenance of a diverse array of species. Despite their immense ecological importance, mangroves face severe degradation, primarily due to human activities. In Brazil, a substantial portion of the remaining mangrove forests is situated within the Baixada Santista Metropolitan Region in the state of São Paulo. However, various anthropogenic factors threaten this habitat's integrity. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the implementation of public policies aimed at the conservation and restoration of these invaluable ecosystems. To achieve this goal effectively, it is imperative to identify priority areas for conservation and restoration efforts, considering their associated costs and benefits. This research project seeks to evaluate and prioritize sites for mangrove conservation and restoration in the Baixada Santista region. Fauna diversity and mangrove forest density will be key considerations in this assessment, in addition to economic and social factors. Utilizing advanced tools such as QGIS and MARXAN software, various scenarios will be analysed to determine optimal conservation and restoration sites. These efforts not only benefit informed policy decisions related to carbon sequestration and storage, but also have broader implications for advancing sustainability objectives, including those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. By identifying and safeguarding priority areas for mangrove conservation and restoration, this research aims to contribute significantly to the preservation of coastal ecosystems and the fulfillment of global sustainability commitments.