A GIS application for environmental management in the semi-arid ecosystem of Serra da Capivara National Park Piaui, Northeast Brazil

摘要

The semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil includes the caatinga (scrub forest) biome, of which less than 50 percent of the original area now survives, and of which less than 1 percent is legally protected in the form of Conservation Units. The Serra da Capivara National Park, an International Cultural Ladmark, is located in the southeastern region of the State of Piaul. It harbors some 130,000 hectares of caatinga with some 400 archeological sites and endemic and endangered plant and animal species from the Brazilian semi-arid ecosystem. Multi- and interdisciplinary studies have been conducted in the area since 1970. The current article presents the results of a study which reviewed, organized, systematized, and strandardized existing planimetric, hydrological, ecological, geomorphologic, and infrastructural information with the objective of organizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to manage the Park. The results of the analyses of the Park's legal and land tenure situation showed quite significant overlaps and discrepancies. Its prevailing zoning regime is unsuited to its current ecological needs, while analysis of the available water accumulated in both natural and man-made reservoirs (the only sources of water in the region) recommend new measures and dynamics for managing the Park's fauna.