Emerging Threats and Opportunities for Large-Scale Ecological Restoration in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Emerging Threats and Opportunities for Large-Scale Ecological Restoration in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

background

This article presents a policy model known as the Atlantic Forest Restoration Pact (AFRP) and discusses the vital role the Brazilian Forest Act and other legislation has played in preventing deforestation and encouraging reforestation.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The Forest Act of 1934 has been vital in curbing deforestation, particularly in agricultural frontiers. The authors estimate that changes in the act could reduce potential areas for restoration by 6 million hectares. The authors stress that, should proposed reforms of the Brazilian Forest Act be approved, the primary impact on the Atlantic Forest would be a decline in the effectiveness of reforestation schemes. Part of the strategy of the AFRP is based on landowner compliance with the Forest Act.  Through promotion of biodiversity, job generation, providing ecosystem services, and incentives to landowners, the AFRP seeks to achieve these goals by restoring natural capital at various scales.

 

Reference: 

Calmon M, Brancalion PHS, Paese A, et al. Emerging Threats and Opportunities for Large-Scale Ecological Restoration in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Restoration Ecology. 2011;19:154–158. doi:10.1111/j.1526-100x.2011.00772.x.

Affiliation: 

  • Instituto BioAtlântica (IBIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Departamento de Ciências Florestais, Esalq, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  • Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Amapá, Brazil
  • Center of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology (C.N.R.S. -UMR 5175), Montpellier, France
  • Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO, U.S.A.
  • Reserva da Biosfera da Mata Atlântica, Rua do Horto, São Paulo,Brazil
  • Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, ESALQ, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil