Comparative analysis between natural biotopes of the Atlantic Forest using a rapid habitat diversity assessment (PAR) protocol Marcelo Américo de Santana, Walter Barrella Barrella

Abstract

This study aimed to use a rapid habitat diversity assessment protocol as a tool to compare Atlantic Forest vegetation in natural areas and those with urban occupation in order to interpret the impacts generated by human actions. Three points in Atlantic Forest vegetation with different levels of preservation were selected. The proposal used was based on the quantification of 17 parameters that evaluate the characteristics of the stretches of natural Atlantic Forest and those with urban or rural occupation. Three levels of preservation were defined: 0 to 27 points indicate impacted stretches, 27 to 40 points indicate altered stretches and more than 40 points indicate natural stretches. The compared stretches of Atlantic Forest in the municipality of Praia Grande are located in the neighborhoods of Cidade da Criança, Solemar II and Sítio Taquaruçu. The results obtained indicated better scores in the neighborhoods of Cidade da Criança and Sítio Taquaruçu, where the stretches without urban occupation can still be considered natural and the occupied ones altered by human actions. In the Solemar II neighborhood, the scores indicated that the stretch without urban occupation was altered and the occupied stretch was impacted due to the anthropization caused by the irregular urban settlement. The use of rapid assessments such as this protocol is an important tool in the development of ecological monitoring programs and in the assessment of environmental impacts.