INVENTORY OF NATIVE FOREST FRAGMENTS AND PROPOSALS FOR THEIR LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

This study  accomplished an expedite rising of the native forest fragments scattered among  Eucalyptus spp plantations in a forest property in order to  characterize and to identify the critical points to which  they  are subject, to propose management actions  envisaging their reclamation and  conservation and to propose landscape management actions. The study was developed in  São Jorge farm located in  Paraopeba- MG- county. All fragments were analyzed  to collect the following information: vegetation type, area, soil type,  water collection occurrence, forms, neighborhood type, topography, fire-break conservation, height of the canopy,  succession stage, presence of domestic and wild animals, more common tree species, altitude, disturbances and isolation degree. Covering maps, tables, indexes that allowed to analyze the characteristics of the fragments and to prescribe the landscape management were constructed. It concluded that: in the studied landscape the area with native forest covering is superior to the minimum required by law. However, if fragments are subject to border effect   of 50 m, two of them can be extinguished along time. The action of turning the area with native vegetation of the property into a Preservation Area doesn't guarantee its maintenance along time. It is necessary to establish appropriate management techniques to soften the border effect, mainly for the smaller fragments. To protect the smaller fragments of the entropic action and of the border effect it is necessary to promote environmental education, to totally restrict the presence of domestic animals in the area, to implement corridors with vegetation, and to increase the size of the fragments. Managing the landscape correctly the property area with native vegetation will increase from 23,13% to 41,46% and the area with vegetation under border effect will fall from 49,6% to 26,2%.