Implantação de corredores ecológicos nos trechos à montante da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Doce

Abstract

Forest fragmentation, caused by the conversion of natural areas to anthropic use, represents a challenge for biodiversity conservation in Brazil. In this context, ecological corridors emerge as an important instrument of territorial planning for environmental conservation, as they can favor biota flow, forest restoration, and contribute to the maintenance of species and their genetic diversity. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the conjunction of three methodological tools that can support the implementation of ecological corridors, seeking to mitigate the adverse effects of forest fragmentation. The territory selected for the methodological application was the upstream sections of the Rio Doce Watershed, a region characterized by a plurality of natural and anthropic uses, which also contains relevant areas for water supply, natural, historical, and cultural heritage, as well as for the economic development of the state of Minas Gerais. To this end, multicriteria analysis (AM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques were applied to map potential areas, resulting from the integration of geospatial databases of vegetation areas, water resources, and anthropic occupations. After obtaining this product, the proposed corridors were delineated by interconnecting some protected areas already established in the territory, using the least-cost path (LCP) method. The results achieved indicate that, although there are numerous anthropic pressures that hinder conservation actions in the study region, the diversity of fragments favors greater permeability in the landscape. Similarly, most of the proposed routes derived from the application of the selected methodologies demonstrated a high degree of potential for forest connectivity between core areas, indicating the assertiveness of the methodological application. Three potential corridors were identified: Corredor Tropeiro-Mata do Bispo, Corredor Rios Doce-Corrente, and Corredor Fazenda Guarani-Candonga. Based on the results, it is suggested that complementary studies involving the presence and use of these territories by conservation target species may support the future implementation of public policies for the creation of corridors.