FOREST FRAGMENTATION IN AN UNREGULATED PROTECTED AREA ON THE ATLANTIC COAST OF BRAZIL

Abstract

Brazilian protected areas are subjected to an intense process of fragmentation due to the lack of environmental regularization and anthropic activities inside them. This study evaluates the forest fragmentation of the Alto Cariri National Park inside the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil. The mapping of forest fragments was performed with the visual interpretation of a satellite image, analyzed based on landscape metrics and physical and topographic conditions. The results show a high forest fragmentation, which is responsible for the segmentation of the forest patch into 120 fragments, predominantly smaller than 5 ha, with an irregular shape and incident edge effect. The obstacles to the preservation of the Atlantic Forest are due to the irregular use of these areas for the production of cattle in pastures and the lack of agility of the public power to implement the expropriation of the population, the drafting of a management plan and decision make.