The birdwatching as a potential for coexistence in Intervales State Park, Ribeirão Grande, SP

• Grant number: 24/22339-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Nature Conservation
• Principal Investigator: Katia Maria Paschoaletto Micchi de Barros Ferraz
• Grantee: Anita Seneme Gobbi
• Host Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/11823-0 - Transdisciplinarity for human-wildlife coexistence in shared and spared landscapes, AP.BTA.R

Abstract

Birdwatching is a growing activity that promotes environmental conservation, community engagement, and provides economic, scientific, and recreational benefits. Thus, this study aims to identify and analyze factors that encourage citizens to engage in this practice and evaluate its potential to promote coexistence between humans and wildlife in the surroundings of Intervales State Park (PEI). Specifically, it seeks to understand residents' perceptions of the protected area and local wildlife, identify potential conflicts between the park and wildlife, promote birdwatching, disseminate citizen science, and encourage avitourism as a source of income. Data collection will be divided into: 1) Application of questionnaires through interviews as a diagnostic of residents' perceptions and attitudes; 2) Birdwatching activities at the park, aiming to connect the community, promote education on biodiversity, and foster human-wildlife coexistence. The interviews will be conducted in person using a semi-structured questionnaire with residents of Boa Vista and Tanquinho (Ribeirão Grande), starting with indiscriminate sampling followed by the "snowball" method. Birdwatching activities will be advertised through posters and the park's social media. Information from registrations and evaluations will be analyzed to compare pre- and post-activity data and understand public engagement. Thus, the study aims to identify key conflicts and opportunities to promote human-wildlife coexistence and citizen science. By encouraging birdwatching, the goal is to foster a harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife around (PEI), contribute to conservation, and provide new economic opportunities for local communities.