Aspectos ecológicos para o diagnóstico de análise de risco de fauna nos aeródromos brasileiros

Abstract

Due to the high number of aerodromes distributed across diverse geographical and faunal contexts throughout the Brazilian territory, the conversion of habitats through human occupation brings about changes in land use and land cover. Consequently, this alteration can influence the distribution and species richness of local bird species. The presence of species can be explained by biophysical and socioeconomic factors that alter the composition of the community. Assuming that the bird community present in the Airport Safety Area (ASA) can be estimated through the interaction between factors in the vicinity of the aerodromes, the objective of this study is to predict the spatial distribution and occurrence of species officially reported in wildlife collisions to aid in the prediction and risk assessment of these events. Within this framework, the factors at play in the ASA of the 29 busiest civil airports in Brazil are being analyzed, given the higher incidence of collisions. This study investigated utilized species distribution model (MaxEnt) using species occurrence data from the eBird Observation Dataset to develop the niche occupancy model and, consequently, its risk to airport operations. The results indicate that the variables used are significant in identifying the niche suitability of species frequently reported in official wildlife collision records. The research aligns with the United Nations 2023 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals No. 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and No. 15 (Life on Land), as it aims to benefit society by promoting safer, more resilient cities in balance with avifauna in the vicinity of aerodromes. The research topic addresses the needs identified by the National Civil Aviation Agency and aims to enhance safety in aviation operations by indicating which habitats are more or less prone to the risk of bird occurrences and the associated level of risk.