People, primates and predators in the Pontal: from endangered species conservation to forest and landscape restoration in Brazil's Atlantic Forest

Abstract

This study describes the 35-year progression of activities in the Pontal do Paranapanema region of São Paulo State, Brazil. These activities began as a research project on the conservation ecology of the highly endangered Black Lion Tamarin and broadened into a landscape-scale restoration and conservation project involving the active participation of hundreds of landless families that colonized the region. Rather than viewing these colonists as a threat, a non-governmental organization arose to address their needs, providing training and support livelihoods. Local communities were engaged in conservation and restoration activities focused on studying the movement patterns of endangered species, environmental education programmes, planting native trees along riparian corridors, establishing coffee agroforestry plantings and initiating community-managed nurseries for the production of local native seedlings and non-native fruit trees. Farmers gained knowledge, income and food security, and developed a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for protecting wildlife, conserving forest fragments and restoring forests. Land sharing and restoring forest functions within an agricultural landscape matrix created new opportunities for people and endangered wildlife. We explore how key factors and partnerships critically influenced the landscape trajectory and conclude with lessons learned that may be relevant to sustainable landscape initiatives in other contexts.

Sustainability issues in a tropical mega trail

“…Connectivity conservation is already recognized as an important, central issue in Conservation Science and Landscape Ecology [59], and for sustainable landscapes through the maintenance of ecosystem services [60]. Connectivity among forest remnants is equally important to maintain biodiversity, at large geographical scales [61], and within the Atlantic Forest biome [62,63]. Connectivity initiatives in landscapes are traditionally viewed as establishing corridors that connect habitat remnants, a structural connectivity in the sense that a landscape structure (corridors) is physically connecting forest remnants [64].…”

Upscaling tropical restoration to deliver environmental benefits and socially equitable outcomes

“…Community-based nurseries grow locally adapted seedlings, providing economic benefits for families and jobs for local women 136 . In the Pontal do Paranapanema, Brazil, a landscape-scale restoration and conservation project involved the active participation of hundreds of landless colonizing families, including in locally owned nurseries 137 . Biological corridors were reforested, linking riparian zones, core conservation areas, ll R1336 Current Biology 31, R1326-R1341, Review and wildlife reserves to protect endangered primates and predators 137 (Figure 1D).…”

“…In the Pontal do Paranapanema, Brazil, a landscape-scale restoration and conservation project involved the active participation of hundreds of landless colonizing families, including in locally owned nurseries 137 . Biological corridors were reforested, linking riparian zones, core conservation areas, ll R1336 Current Biology 31, R1326-R1341, Review and wildlife reserves to protect endangered primates and predators 137 (Figure 1D). Key questions in delivering FLR are understanding at what landscape scale and configuration can ecological, socio-economic, and cultural priorities be best balanced?…”

A Multicriteria Evaluation of Sustainable Riparian Revegetation with Local Fruit Trees around a Reservoir of a Hydroelectric Power Plant in Central Brazil

“…Among many upstream impacts, the water impoundment destroys the vegetation in and around the reservoir area, causes habitat fragmentation, and blocks the natural flow of nutrients [9]. Moreover, the flooding Sustainability 2021, 13, 7849 2 of 16 and transformed regime during all stages of the project increase the concentration of pollutants and remove habitats for terrestrial wildlife [10]. Reforestation by planting trees in cleared sites bordering a reservoir, where the existing vegetation is in most cases restricted to pasture, is an important means to restore tree cover, although it is not a straightforward process [11].…”

“…Reforestation by planting trees in cleared sites bordering a reservoir, where the existing vegetation is in most cases restricted to pasture, is an important means to restore tree cover, although it is not a straightforward process [11]. The sustainability of reforestation projects [12][13][14], competition for land with farming and livestock grazing [15,16], and biodiversity [17] may affect the ability to attract wildlife and improve environmental quality.…”