This study evaluated the structure of the protected areas of agrarian reform settlements in the municipality of Uberlândia, state of Minas Gerais. The research was done between 2010 and 2011. We investigated 12 of the 15 settlements located in Uberlândia. Permanent protected areas (PPA) and Legal reserves (LR) were analysed by mapping techniques. Morphometric indexes were calculated for eight LR. The total area of the settlements was 12.756,87 ha, of which 3.301,57 ha were protected areas (25.88%). The LR, with 2,580.78 ha represented 20.23% of the total area and 78% of the protected areas. PPA added 720.79 ha (5.65% of the total area). Three settlements had LR demarcated in just a fragment; in the other ones, LR became separated from four to six fragments. Except for three settlements, all of them presented connection among fragments, including with PPA. Zumbi of Palmares presented larger border effect in the protected areas, while the smallest values were verified in New Tangará. The protected areas in the researched rural settlements are equivalent to 167% of the occupied areas for Parks and Reserves of the municipality of Uberlândia.
Conservation; Ecology; Agriculture; Rural settlement; Conservation Units
