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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Drivers of land change: Human-environment interactions and the Atlantic forest transition in the Paraiba Valley, Brazil

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Author(s):
da Silva, Ramon F. B. ; Batistella, Mateus ; Moran, Emilio F.
Total Authors: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: LAND USE POLICY; v. 58, p. 133-144, DEC 15 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 21
Abstract

Human societies constantly interact with the environment through mutual feedbacks and adaptations. The aim of this research was to analyze human and environmental dimensions so as to understand how the dynamic processes of land use and land cover change are contributing to the increase of forest cover observed between 1985 and 2011 in the Paraiba Valley, Brazil. The forestry sector, based on eucalyptus plantations, is given particular attention due to its role in these change processes. Multi-layer perception neural network (MPNN) models were adopted to evaluate the influence of independent variables in the process of the forest transition. Based on the model's results, we conclude that the process is conditioned by a set of biophysical and socioeconomic variables that operate during different historical periods and in different landscape settings. The proximity of Atlantic forest remnants was influential in the forest transition for the three periods analyzed: 1985-1995,1995-2005, and 2005-2011. In the first period of change (1985-1995), topography was most influential. Between the periods of 1995-2005 and 2005-2011, the proximity to eucalyptus plantations was an important factor, indicating a high probability of native forest recovery occurring in the vicinity of these monocultural areas. The forest transition tends to occur in areas less suitable for agriculture at the outset, but as these areas are replaced by forest cover, socioeconomic drivers such as farm credit and economic development play important roles in forest recovery. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/09243-3 - Planted forests and Atlantic Forest: analysis of land use and land cover and their environmental, political, and socioeconomic connections
Grantee:Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 11/13568-0 - PLANTED FORESTS AND ATLANTIC FOREST: ANALYSIS OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL, POLITICAL, AND SOCIOECONOMIC CONNECTIONS
Grantee:Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate