EVALUATION AND PROPOSAL OF CONNECTIVITY OF REMNANT FRAGMENTS IN THE CAMPUS OF UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DE LAVRAS, MINAS GERAIS

Abstract

This paper mapped and characterized the forest remnants in the domain of UFLA and identified potentials corridors to improve the connectivity among them. The thematic map for the analyses was built using the SPRING 3.4 program considering aerial images (2001) and satellite images (Landsat 7, March of 2001). The fragments impacts were analyzed by the application of investigative questionnaires in order to record the past anthropogenic disturbances. The shrub-tree vegetation of the six main fragments was inventoried by the quadrants method, with the inclusion level considering trees with DBH higher or equal to 5.0 cm. The fragments I and IV were respectively the most disturbed fragments. According to the thematic map, the fragment I showed the smallest area, form index and core area, consequently, the largest edge effect. The fragment III showed the largest area, form index and core area and the smallest edge effect. Among the main impacts registered, the most important were garbage, external highways, trails and build constructions. In the six main fragments 544 individuals were registered, belonging to 48 families, 110 genera and 161 species. The largest diversity value was registered in the fragment III (3.917) and the smallest (2.135) in the fragment I. A low similarity was detected among the fragments. After the analysis of the results, the connectivity among the fragments was verified with the recovering of the areas of permanent preservation along the water streams and dams.