LANDSCAPE CONFIGURATION AND COMPOSITION: MATA DO LIMOEIRO STATE PARK

Abstract

The spatial organization of the landscape is essential for spatial planning, securing ecosystem services, and addressing climate challenges. Human activities should be planned according to their impacts, promoting ecological improvements in line with global environmental guidelines. The management of critical conservation areas requires strategies adapted to the scale of the protected area. This research analyzed the landscape of the Mata do Limoeiro State Park (PEML) and its surrounding region in the context of protected area management. Landscape metrics, geospatial tools, and field validation were used to assess fragmentation, connectivity, and landscape diversity. Landscape Functional Units (LFUs) were mapped (1:10,000 scale) and spatial modeling techniques were used to identify priority areas for conservation. The results showed that 78% of the biodiversity conservation areas were within the park, while 80% of the areas relevant for sustainable management were outside the park boundaries, highlighting the need for integrated planning. The contrast between the preserved vegetation inside the park and the surrounding agricultural landscape underscores challenges such as habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict. The findings reinforce the urgency of sustainable management strategies, conservation awareness, and collaborative efforts to enhance ecological resilience both inside and outside protected areas.