Spatial Analysis of Forest Fragments: Case of the State Parks of Forno Grande and Pedra Azul, State of Espírito Santo

ABSTRACT

The objective of this work was to analyze the structure of forest landscape, between two conservation areas, through indices of landscape ecology. Mapping was obtained by scanning aerial photographs using photo-interpretation techniques at the scale of 1:2500. Patch Analyst (ArcGis 9.3) was used for the indices calculation. The fragments were divided in the following classes: very small (<5 ha); small (>5 and <10 ha); medium (>10 and <100 ha); and large (>100 ha). Indices of area, density, size, shape, proximity and central area were calculated; being obtained for different simulations of edge effect (40, 80, 100, 140 m). 2,652 fragments were found, representing 42.6% of forest cover. The very small fragments were predominant (2,201), followed by medium (216), small (177), and large fragments (58). There were differences in relation to classes, which demonstrated that the greatest present metrics showed good conservation. The middle and high classes indicated that public policies which encourage the creation of ecological corridors between the two protected areas should be generated.

Keywords:
nature conservancy; landscape ecology; geotechnology.