Digital Mapping applied to Biological Diversity on Ilha Grande
A synthetic analysis of the processes and basis for long-term research.
The analysis of the factors that structure and sustain biodiversity, as well as ecological processes, is fundamental for the conservation and management of natural resources. Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis-RJ, continues to provide an excellent opportunity to study biodiversity, and the information obtained should contribute to local management and the overall conservation of the Atlantic Forest. This project had collaboration/cooperation in the area of Cartography and was coordinated by Prof. Dr. Helena Bergalo (UERJ).
The oldest record of human occupation on Ilha Grande is a shell mound dating back 960 years BC. The shell mound dwellers initiated a cycle of landscape alteration, and the shift to indigenous groups brought about the main geoecological change: the emergence of agriculture using fire, which would later be adopted by the caiçaras (traditional coastal communities).
Besides the settlement by the Caiçara people, many sugarcane, cocoa, and coffee farms existed in the area. This economic cycle was based on the massive exploitation of forest resources. The low floristic diversity and secondary character in some parts of the island originated from this type of exploitation and the Caiçara farms. The island is now protected by three Conservation Units, and UERJ (Rio de Janeiro State University) manages the Vila Dois Rios area.
Research shows a great deal of preserved biological richness. However, much of the knowledge is concentrated around the villages of Dois Rios and Abraão. Furthermore, few studies are being developed that have a multidisciplinary character. This project aims to establish and map permanent plots in three sampling sites on Ilha Grande, which will allow the development of integrated studies and provide information on the appropriate use of the territory to the managers of the Conservation Units. The RAPELD (Rapid Assessment Program, created by William E. Magnusson and collaborators in 2005) plot method was employed, which allowed sampling biological communities in large sampling areas while minimizing variation in abiotic factors affecting these communities. The hypotheses to be tested are that there is biotic complementarity between the sampling sites and that the biological groups respond to a structuring process.
Cartographic Engineers on the team: Dr. Gilberto P. Ribeiro and Dr. Jhonnes A. Vaz.
Student of Cartographic Engineering (UERJ): Johanssen L. Lobo.