Agroforestry Benefit Zones: A Tool for the Conservation and Management of Atlantic Forest Fragments, São Paulo, Brazil

• Published in: Natural areas journal 2001-10, Vol.21 (4), p.346-356
• Main Authors: Cullen, Laury, Schmink, Marianne, Pádua, Claudio Valladares, Morato, Maria Inês Rodrigues
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Agroforestry; Biodiversity conservation; CONSERVATION ISSUES; Forest conservation; Forest cover; Forest ecology; Forest ecosystems; Forest management; Tropical rain forests; Wildlife conservation
• ISSN: 0885-8608; 2162-4399

Atlantic forests of Brazil exist largely as remnants in an agricultural landscape, but they are still key reservoirs of biological diversity. Forest fragments are often the only remaining repositories of the biological information needed to guide successful restoration of this endangered ecosystem. These fragments also support the last wild populations of the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus [Mikan]), one of the most endangered primates in the world, as well as other vulnerable and valuable plant species. Activities of local landless people who reside adjacent to the forest are currently depleting the biodiversity of forest fragments. Fires, cattle grazing, and spread of invasive grasses have caused a gradual but continuous erosion of forest biodiversity. Human encroachment affects forest structure and causes loss of many plant and animal species, mainly through edge effects. We present an approach to establish agroforestry benefit zones around forest fragments as a tool for the conservation of Atlantic forest remnants. Both the remaining forests and local fanners benefit from the establishment of agroforestry green belts. A vital aspect of these benefit zones is the use of multipurpose trees and shrubs to provide an insulative/protective zone around fragments, mitigating edge effects. Implicit in this conservation approach are the assumptions that stimulating planting and use of multipurpose trees and shrubs in edge areas places a value on these resources, and that this value will help pave the way to the conservation of forests and wildlife in the Atlantic forest region. Las Florestas Atlánticas de Brasil son grandes remanescentes en un paisaje agrocultural pero, sin embargo, siguen funcionando como reservas clave de diversidad biologica. Fragmentos florestales son frecuentemente los únicos repositorios de información biologica necesaria para conducir una restauración exitosa en este ecosistema amenazado. Estos fragmentos mantienen también las últimas poblaciones salvajes del mico-leäo-preto (Leontopithecus chrysopygus [Mikan]), uno de los primatas más amenazados en el mundo, así como otras especies de plantas valiosas y vulnerables. Personas sin-tierra que residen en los alrrededores de la floresta están frecuentemente depredando la biodiversidad de los fragmentos florestales. El fuego, el pastoreo del ganado y la dispersión de gramíneas invasoras han causado una gradual y continua erosión de la biodiversidad de la floresta. La invasión hu