Protected area impacts on the cover and growth of Brazilian mangrove forests

IF 4.8 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 OCEANOGRAPHY

Ocean & Coastal Management Pub Date : 2025-05-12 DOI:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107738

Rosy Valéria da Rocha Lopes , Carolina Neves Souza , Ana Cláudia Mendes Malhado , Guilherme Ramos Demetrio

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Protected areas (PAs) are fundamental to biodiversity conservation, yet their effectiveness largely depends on governance instruments such as management plans and participatory councils. In Brazil, mangroves are recognized as Permanent Preservation Areas, but they remain vulnerable to degradation due to weak enforcement, governance challenges, and policy setbacks. However, the extent to which protected areas and their governance structures contribute to mangrove conservation in Brazil remains unclear. We evaluated whether PAs positively influence mangrove conservation and whether governance tools enhance conservation outcomes. We analyzed 25 strictly protected PAs along the Brazilian coast, assessing mangrove coverage changes over time and investigating the role of management plans and councils. We found that fully protected PAs cover approximately 16.86 km² of mangroves, representing nearly 12 % of all Brazilian mangrove area. Our results indicate that while PAs provide stability by preventing fragmentation and loss, the presence of governance tools did not significantly improve mangrove conservation outcomes. These findings suggest that the mere existence of management instruments is insufficient for effective conservation, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement, active stakeholder engagement, and targeted conservation measures. Addressing these governance gaps is crucial for securing the future of mangroves, which play a key role in climate change mitigation.

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保护区对巴西红树林覆盖和生长的影响

保护区是生物多样性保护的基础，但其有效性在很大程度上取决于管理计划和参与性理事会等治理工具。在巴西，红树林被认定为永久保护区，但由于执法不力、治理挑战和政策挫折，红树林仍然容易退化。然而，保护区及其治理结构对巴西红树林保护的贡献程度仍不清楚。我们评估了保护区是否对红树林保护产生积极影响，以及治理工具是否能提高保护结果。我们分析了巴西沿海25个受到严格保护的保护区，评估了红树林覆盖率随时间的变化，并调查了管理计划和委员会的作用。我们发现，完全保护的保护区覆盖了大约16.86 km2的红树林，占巴西红树林总面积的近12%。我们的研究结果表明，虽然保护区通过防止碎片化和损失提供了稳定性，但治理工具的存在并没有显著改善红树林保护的结果。这些发现表明，仅仅存在管理工具是不足以有效保护的，强调需要加强执法，积极的利益相关者参与和有针对性的保护措施。解决这些治理差距对于确保红树林的未来至关重要，红树林在减缓气候变化方面发挥着关键作用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ocean & Coastal Management 环境科学-海洋学

CiteScore

8.50

自引率

15.20%

发文量

321

审稿时长

60 days

期刊介绍： Ocean & Coastal Management is the leading international journal dedicated to the study of all aspects of ocean and coastal management from the global to local levels. We publish rigorously peer-reviewed manuscripts from all disciplines, and inter-/trans-disciplinary and co-designed research, but all submissions must make clear the relevance to management and/or governance issues relevant to the sustainable development and conservation of oceans and coasts. Comparative studies (from sub-national to trans-national cases, and other management / policy arenas) are encouraged, as are studies that critically assess current management practices and governance approaches. Submissions involving robust analysis, development of theory, and improvement of management practice are especially welcome.