Abstract
Recent data suggest that both Portugal and Brazil have seen an increase in the number of forest fires in protected areas. In Portugal, between 1992 and 2003 the annual average area burned in protected areas was 10,418 ha and in the period 2001-2005 was 16,025 ha. Nevertheless, in Brazil, the state of Santa Catarina stands out as the state recording a decrease in the number of fires. Based on these facts, the main objectives of the present research are to analyse the incidence, severity and causes of forest fires in protected areas in both countries and to assess the impacts of prevention and combat policies as well as the strategies and models implemented in the recovery of burned areas.
Highlights
Protected areas are designed for the protection and maintenance of the ecological diversity and the natural and cultural resources featured in these areas through legal or other effective means
For instance, contributes with 3% of the total greenhouse gas emissions according to the parameters of the Kyoto Protocol (Pereira et al, 2004) and out of this, 65% come from deforestation and forest fires1
Despite all prevention and suppression measures implemented over the last few years, recent data suggest that both Portugal2 and Brazil have seen an increase in the number of forest fires in protected areas
Summary
Protected areas are designed for the protection and maintenance of the ecological diversity and the natural and cultural resources featured in these areas through legal or other effective means. The 72 forestfireswhichrecurrentlyaffecttheseareascould contribute to the degradation of the landscape, the destruction of their ecosystems and to a change in terms of their ecological and economic value In addition to these consequences, forest fires contribute to global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions. Despite all prevention and suppression measures implemented over the last few years, recent data suggest that both Portugal and Brazil have seen an increase in the number of forest fires in protected areas. Based on these facts the main objectives of the present paper are: analyse the incidence, severity and causes of forest fires in protected areas in Portugal and Brazil, characterised by different geographic and cultural realities; assess the impacts of prevention and suppression policies as well as the strategies and models implemented in the recovery of burned areas. Given the larger extension of the Brazilian territory when compared to Portugal, we opted for taking into consideration in this study only the state of Santa Catarina
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
