SummaryDiurnal raptors may be highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. We evaluated the diversity and abundance of diurnal raptors at an Atlantic Forest-cerrado transition zone in relation to two habitat types (forest fragments and open habitats) and to urbanization, comparing natural open and forested habitats with corresponding habitats within a large urban area. We sampled 80 points, 20 in each of four habitats (semi-natural and urban forests, seminatural and urban open areas), during 12 months. Diurnal raptors recorded (21 species) included only three out of 10 species with some level of threat in the region. Forested habitats had more species (17) than open habitats (12). Urban areas had only 14 (67%) species, whereas seminatural areas had all 21 species. Diurnal raptors were as abundant in urban areas as in seminatural areas in spite of a loss in species richness in urban areas. A re-analysis without Caracara plancus showed that urban areas had a lower mean number of individuals per point than seminatural areas. Overall species richness usually fluctuated from 14 to 16 species, being slightly higher between January and May than in other months. Overall abundance of diurnal raptors was much higher during summer than during winter. Local extinction may have already occurred for some species of diurnal raptors in the region and will probably shortly include several others. At least C. plancus, a habitat generalist, requires further studies and eventually management actions, since it is able to reach high population numbers in urbanized areas. Furthermore, highly sensitive species that were not recorded require further investigation regarding their conservation status. ResumoRaptores diurnos podem ser altamente sensíveis a perturbaçõ es antropogênicas. Avaliamos a diversidade e a abundância de raptores diurnos em uma região de transição entre Floresta Atlântica e Cerrado em relação a dois tipos de hábitats (fragmentos florestais e hábitats abertos) e à urbanização, comparando hábitats abertos e florestais aos hábitats correspondentes dentro de uma área urbana. Amostramos 80 pontos, 20 em cada um dos quatro hábitats (florestas seminaturais e urbanas, áreas abertas semi-naturais e urbanas) durante 12 meses. Entre os raptores diurnos registrados (21 espécies) estão apenas três das 10 espécies com algum nível de ameaça na região. Mais espécies foram registradas nos hábitats florestados (17) do que nos hábitats abertos (12). Apenas 14 (67 %) espécies foram registradas nas áreas urbanas, enquanto as 21 espécies foram registradas nas áreas semi-naturais. Os raptores diurnos foram igualmente abundantes nas áreas urbanas e nas áreas semi-naturais independentemente da perda de espécies nas áreas urbanas. Uma nova análise sem Caracara plancus mostrou que as áreas urbanas tiveram um menor nú mero médio de indivíduos por ponto do que as áreas semi-naturais. A riqueza total de espécies foi de 14 e 16 espécies, em geral, sendo um pouco mais alta entre janeiro e maio do que Bird Conservation International (2007) 17:367...

We aim to review how the process of occupation and consolidation of the agricultural frontier in the Brazilian Cerrado occurred, as well as to verify the environmental impact of the productive systems in this region and to indicate the contribution of the public policies to the agrarian advance of this Biome. The expansion of the agricultural frontier in the Cerrado Biome began in the 1960s as an alternative to the growth of the Brazilian economy. The search for economic improvement, provided economic growth, however, generated social exclusion and environmental degradation. The changes in landscapes and the threat status of many Cerrado species led to the emergence of conservation initiatives by the government. What is expected of this biome is that strategies and initiatives that contribute to rural progress must broaden development objectives to encompass not only econom ic growth but also environmental aspects.