Cerrado Knowledge Platform: A Social And Environmental Management Tool To Conserve Brazilian Savannas

Abstract

In the last decade, the access to geographic information through Web platforms has grown substantially in Brazil, and is now a strategic condition for the social and environmental governance of large biomes such as Cerrado (savanna) and Amazonia. This paper aims to present the first version of the Cerrado Knowledge Platform, designed within the scope of the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Brazilian savanna. The Platform aims to provide geospatial and census data, organize and systematize the accumulated knowledge about the Cerrado, and also highlight the actions of researches and social networks in this region. It was developed based on three components: (1) protocols and data formats; (2) adaptation of computational tools for social and environmental analysis and monitoring, in order to notify possible threats to the ecosystem (e.g. burning and deforestation); (3) training and maintenance database component. Although still in a beta version, our platform already has some active features, including access to dynamic land use maps, deforestation, and aerial imagery provided by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). With its enhancement and constant data input from partners, we expect the Cerrado Knowledge Platform can better assist the management of land use and land cover of Cerrado, with a perspective of maintaining key areas for biodiversity conservation.