Integration of Soundscapes and Ecomusicology in the Evaluation of Environmental Conservation and Biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest.

• Grant number: 24/21398-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Agreement: Global Environment Facility (GEF)
• Principal Investigator: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Grantee: Fernando Martins Parré
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10195-0 - Contribution of payment for ecosystem services on multi-dimensions within Atlantic Forest, AP.TEM

Abstract

The proposed project aims to evaluate the efficiency of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) actions in environmental conservation and biodiversity enhancement in the regions of Vale do Ribeira and Vale do Paraíba, through studies in Soundscape Ecology. It also seeks to research the process of musical creation and production within ecomusicology, while promoting outreach, communication, education, and culture for society. The data collected includes soundscape recordings from different areas, as well as the research and capture of soundmarks from both conservation zones and agricultural regions, and also local communities. Biodiversity data on flora and fauna, collected through conventional and technological methods such as drones and camera traps, will also be used, coming from other projects associated with the thematic project at the Spatial Ecology and Conservation Laboratory at UNESP - Rio Claro. Soundscape is an essential dimension of ecosystems, playing a crucial role for both living organisms and human experience in the environment. The growth of studies in this area has shown that acoustic diversity can serve as a robust indicator of ecological health, reflecting the complexity and integrity of habitats. The use of methods such as Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) allows for the simultaneous collection of sound data from different locations, facilitating biodiversity assessment on various spatial and temporal scales.The conversion of native vegetation to agricultural use is one of the main drivers of global biodiversity loss. In the Atlantic Forest, this pressure is particularly intense due to high population density and a history of intensive exploitation. However, sustainable agronomic practices, such as organic farming and agroforestry, have the potential to mitigate these impacts by promoting greater landscape heterogeneity and restoring essential ecological functions. Landscape heterogeneity is critical for maintaining biodiversity, providing different habitats and resources for a variety of species.The integration of soundscapes into ecomusicology offers an innovative approach to environmental awareness. Musical projects that incorporate soundscapes can function as auditory archives of biodiversity, raising community awareness about the importance of conservation. Ecomusicology explores the interactions between music, culture, and the environment, promoting research in musical creation and production while using music as a tool for education and engagement in conservation initiatives.