Local Benefits of the Atlantic Forest: Evidences From Rural Communities in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Environmental services provided by forests are essential to the social reproduction of populations in rural areas. Perceptions about the services provided by forests play an important role in the planning of landscapes; however, few studies have investigated this issue. This study aimed at understanding how farmers perceive the role of forests in maintaining environmental services. One hundred farmers from the Chapecó Ecological Corridor - SC were interviewed. Provisioning and regulating services were mentioned most often. Water availability ranked first (65%), followed by the maintenance of habitat for biodiversity (34%) and firewood (23%). Income and local use of forest resources were the variables that best explained farmers' perceptions of forest benefits. Nevertheless, the use of forest resources has been limited by restrictions imposed by environmental legislation, which is affecting the perception of farmers about the wide range of environmental services provided by forests.

Beyond Carbon: The Contributions of South American Tropical Humid and Subhumid Forests to Ecosystem Services

“…The multiple benefits furnished by keeping natural forests standing are not perceived clearly by many people (TEEB, 2010), which may encourage unsustainable management practices by different groups and threaten the long‐term maintenance of forest‐provided ESs (Alarcon et al., 2016). There is a need for communication from scientists about how tropical forests provide benefits other than carbon sequestration.…”

Caracterização de sistemas agrícolas itinerantes em comunidades tradicionais do município de Cananéia SP: implicações no tempo sobre diversidade florística, estoques de carbono e fertilidade do solo

“…The municipality is located about 360 km south from São Paulo. The native population includes many social groups, of which Caiçara is one of the biggest (Hanazaki et al, 2007, Alarcon et al, 2016). Caiçaras are a mixed blood of descendants from Amerindians, African Brazilian and European colonizers (Hanazaki et al, 2007).…”

Fauna de vertebrados ameaçada de extinção como indicadora de biodiversidade para consolidação de um corredor ecológico na Costa do Descobrimento, Bahia

“…Para garantir uma maior eficiência de preservação da biodiversidade e a manutenção de processos ecológicos a longo prazo, é importante que essas reservas de conservação recebam incentivos de pesquisa para avaliação do ecossistema e capacidade de resiliência (FLEISHMAN et al, 2006). Todavia, a implantação de corredores ecológicos ainda está em desenvolvimento e concretizá-los em larga escala pode se tornar ainda mais complicado do que a criação de UC, fazendo-se necessária a comunicação e envolvimento de comunidades regionais para assegurar o êxito desse processo (PEREIRA & CESTARO, 2016;ALARCON et al, 2016).…”