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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.)

Assessing the fragility of forest remnants by using landscape metrics. Comparison between river basins in Brazil and Portugal

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Author(s):
da Silva, Alessandra Leite [1] ; Nobre de Nunes, Adelia Jesus [2] ; Marques, Mara Lucia [3] ; Ribeiro, Admilson Irio [1] ; Longo, Regina Marcia [3]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Paulista State Univ UNESP, Postgrad Program Environm Sci, Rua Quirino Andrade 215, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Coimbra UC, CEGOT Ctr Studies Geog & Spatial Planning, Dept Geog & Tourism, Coimbra - Portugal
[3] Pontifical Catholic Univ Campinas PUC Campinas, Ctr Exact Environm & Technol Sci, Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT; v. 193, n. 4 MAR 9 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

The environmental vulnerability of a landscape is directly associated with any physical, geomorphological, and spatial factors which directly interfere with the ecological functionality of natural areas. Therefore, the composition, diversity, and structure of fragmented forest areas are essential to identify the patterns in the landscape and propose the most appropriate management measures for its conservation. The present study set out to analyse the applicability of landscape metrics for assessing the environmental fragility of forest remnants of different geographical conditions and phyto-physiognomies. This would contribute to landscape assessment and the diagnosis of remnants, and support decision making for strategic and effective environmental planning. The study areas selected were two river basins, the Atibaia river basin in Brazil, and the Certima river basin in Portugal. The maps used as a basis for the selection of the forest remnants analysed were made available by public managers and date from 2015 for both basins. The analyses were performed with GIS software, and two groups of landscape metrics were considered: the first applied to the general landscape of the basin and the second applied to each remaining forest patch as a landscape unit. At the remaining forest level, the metrics analysed were the area, central area index, circularity index, shape index, distance from the nearest neighbour, proximity of the remnant to the road network, and proximity to the watercourse. The results showed that there are many remnants in both basins with predominantly small size and located close to each other. However, their fragilities vary in each basin, indicating that the applied metrics are effective tool for the preliminary diagnosis of natural vegetation remnants in areas with different geospatial and phyto-physiognomic conditions. Therefore, the results obtained are of great importance as a basis for formulating landscape development policies, by integrating appropriate land management strategies. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 19/02698-1 - Evaluation of vulnerability and environmental quality of natural vegetation remanescenters of different vegetation types: a compartive study between the city of Campinas/SP-Brazil and Coimbra/Portugal
Grantee:Alessandra Leite da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
FAPESP's process: 17/26603-4 - Evaluation of the environmental quality of forest remanescents in the hydrographic bacias of the municipality of Campinas/SP
Grantee:Alessandra Leite da Silva
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
FAPESP's process: 18/17250-3 - Evaluation of the environmental quality of forest remnants in the hydrographic basins of the municipality of Campinas/SP
Grantee:Regina Márcia Longo
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants