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The Configuration of Forest Cover in Ribeirão Preto: A Diagnosis of Brazil’s Forest Code Implementation

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  • Rafael Parras

    (Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Jaboticabal SP 14884-900, Brazil
    POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil)

  • Gislaine Costa de Mendonça

    (Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Jaboticabal SP 14884-900, Brazil
    POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil)

  • Renata Cristina Araújo Costa

    (Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Jaboticabal SP 14884-900, Brazil
    POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil)

  • Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra

    (Faculty of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP/FCAV), Jaboticabal SP 14884-900, Brazil
    POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil)

  • Carlos Alberto Valera

    (POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil
    Regional Coordination of the Prosecutor’s office for Environmental Justice in River Basins Paranaíba and Baixo Rio Grande, Colonel Antônio Rios Street, 951, Uberaba MG 38061-150, Brazil)

  • Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes

    (POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil
    CITAB—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Science, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Fernando António Leal Pacheco

    (POLUS—Land Use Policy Group, Paulista State University (UNESP), Access Way Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Jaboticabal SP 14884–900, Brazil
    CQVR—Chemistry Center of Vila Real, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

Abstract

The fragmentation of forests is a consequence of human activities that intensively change the natural landscapes. In Brazil, there is a long-standing legal framework for native vegetation protection, called Forest Code. The last update is from 2012. The revisions incorporated in this restructured code (Law No. 12,651/12) encompassed new rules, rights and obligations for adequate land use management of productive systems and for environmental conservation and protection. An example of a protective measure was the creation of a Legal Reserve inside the rural properties and Areas of Permanent Protection around the watercourses. This study explored the effects of implementing the new code on the spatial and temporal evolution of forest cover fragmentation since the legal changes were set up. In that context, the area, perimeter and shape (circularity index) of forest fragments, as well as the buffer strips along watercourses, were assessed from 2010 to 2016 within the municipality of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil. The assessment resorted to remote sensing techniques and visual inspection of orbital images. It was clear from the results that forest patches became more abundant but smaller, more dispersed and elongated, and that this route to fragmentation was hinged on a chaotic expansion of urban and agricultural areas. Important edge effects were anticipated from these results. The area numbers revealed that Ribeirão Preto was 7.95% covered with forest fragments in 2010, while this percentage rose to 8.03% in 2013 and reached 8.35% in 2016. Most of this increase occurred within a 30-meter wide buffer along the watercourses. This was a positive outcome. However, the numbers also revealed that forested areas smaller than 51 hectares increased from 71% in 2010 to 73% in 2016. The conclusions were that implementation of Law No. 12,651/12 is leading to an increase of forestland, but not yet promoting sustainability, namely through improved connectivity among fragments for reduction of edge effects and provision ecosystem services.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Parras & Gislaine Costa de Mendonça & Renata Cristina Araújo Costa & Teresa Cristina Tarlé Pissarra & Carlos Alberto Valera & Luís Filipe Sanches Fernandes & Fernando António Leal Pacheco, 2020. "The Configuration of Forest Cover in Ribeirão Preto: A Diagnosis of Brazil’s Forest Code Implementation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:14:p:5686-:d:384797
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Luis Miguel Costa & Gustavo André Santos & Gislaine Costa Mendonça & Luiz Fernando Favacho Morais Filho & Kamila Cunha Meneses & Glauco Rolim & Newton La Scala Jr., 2022. "Spatiotemporal variability of atmospheric CO2 concentration and controlling factors over sugarcane cultivation areas in southern Brazil," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 5694-5717, April.

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