Tropentag, September 10 - 12, 2025, Bonn "Reconciling land system changes with planetary health"

Social-ecological restoration in the brazilian mata atlantica: implications on landscape connectivity dynamics

¹Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management (ITT), Germany
²Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management (ITT)
³Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences
⁴Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Multidisciplinary Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Mexico

Abstract

The Mata Atlântica, a global biodiversity hotspot with an exceptionally high species endemism, faces severe threats due to widespread deforestation. Currently only 7-16% of the original forest cover remains, mostly in fragmented patches in an agricultural dominated landscape. Landscape connectivity plays a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services, all currently at risk due to forest cover loss and fragmentation. Human actions are a main driver of land cover changes and landscape patterns, and integrating human dimensions with ecological metrics is critical to reversing fragmentation and conserving ecosystem functions. Within the Guapi-Macacu basin, forest areas lie within an agricultural matrix.
A mixed-method approach was applied to assess the effects of human actions on landscape patterns. Surveys were conducted to assess landowners’ knowledge, attitudes and barriers on forest conservation and restoration and applicable legislation, including Cotas de Reserva Ambiental (CRA). Land cover was mapped with the supervised classification of high-resolution satellite imagery. Spatial statistics and landscape metrics were obtained.
Preliminary findings show high variability in both knowledge and attitudes of landowners, most of them small to medium agricultural producers, towards restoration and conservation policies and projects. Economic barriers, particularly dependence on agricultural livelihoods, often outweigh environmental awareness in land-use decisions. While the CRA policy has been effective in terms of forest conservation, it lags in restoration and connectivity outcomes .
Environmental education focusing on environmental services for agriculture shows potential in increasing the willingness of landowners towards restoration beyond the legal requirements of CRA. Suitability analysis can help identify priority restoration areas that balance agricultural productivity with forest conservation and restoration goals. Promoting biodiversity offsetting by expanding CRA trade mechanisms may incentivize restoration in key areas to boost connectivity, ensuring the restoration of ecosystem functions.

Keywords: Biodiversity conservation, Cotas de Reserva Ambiental (CRA), ecosystem-based planning, environmental policy, land-use change

Contact Address: Emma Tamez Montero, Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management (ITT), Grüngürtelstr. 118 04-17, 50996 Cologne, Germany, e-mail: emmatamontutanota.com