A GIS Application For EnvironmentalManagement In The Semi-arid Ecosystem OfSerra Da Capivara National Park, Piaui,Northeast Brazil

Abstract

The semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil includes the caatinga (scrub forest) biome, of which less than 50% of the original area now survives, and of which less than 1% is legally protected in the form of Conservation Units. The Serra da Capivara National Park, an International Cultural Landmark, is located in the southeastern region of the State of Piaui. It harbors some 130,000 hectares of caatinga with some 400 archeological sites and endemic and endangered plant and animal species from the Brazilian semi-arid ecosystem. Multiand interdisciplinary studies have been conducted in the area since 1970. The current article presents the results of a study which reviewed, organized, systematized, and standardized existing planimetric, hydrological, ecological, geomorphologic, and infrastructural information with the objective of organizing a Geographic Information System (GIS) to manage the Park. The results of the analyses of the Park's legal and land tenure situation showed quite significant overlaps and discrepancies. Its prevailing zoning regime is unsuited to its current ecological needs, while analysis of the available water accumulated in both natural and manmade reservoirs (the only sources of water in the region) recommend new measures and dynamics for managing the Park's fauna. Introduction Brazil has conservation units whose use is subject to a variety of legal characteristics and supervisory agencies. Full conservation units cover 2.61% of Brazil's national territory. Another 5.52% of the national territory is partially protected, allowing for the direct use of its natural resources [1]. Despite efforts in recent years, conservation of legally established areas in Brazil has failed to Management Information Systems, C.A. Brebbia & P. Pascolo (Editors) © 2000 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISBN 1-85312-815-5 38 Management Information Systems completely achieve its objectives, for a number of reasons: lack of funds and political determination to compensate landowners and squatters still living in full conservation units; lack of funds to effectively enforce established areas; lack of personnel (in both sheer numbers and level of training) under the national agency in charge of this area (the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources, or IBAMA), with a current ratio of 1 employee for every 27,560 hectares; gaps in the relationship between local communities and the objectives of the conservation units; limited research (concluded or under way); confusing legislation and legal framework; lack of capability on the part of public and private organizations in charge of managing protected areas; and lack of monitoring of biological diversity and factors modifying conservation units and areas surrounding them. Despite the numerous problems and inertia, Brazil has made progress in its interest and intent to conserve its biodiversity. The current study presents data from a 30-year scientific experiment in the poorest area of Brazil (with an average monthly family income of some US58.00), the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil, where less than 50% of the original biome remains, the desertification process is expanding, and farming/cattle-raising frontiers, deforestation, and subsistence hunting have fueled the loss of biodiversity. The area studied encompasses the Serra da Capivara National Park, situated in the southeastern region of the State of Piaui, belonging to the morpho-climatic domain of the caatinga, or scrub forest [2] (Figure 1). The Park's 130,000 hectares harbor endemic and endangered animal species [3,4,5]. The flora consists of a mosaic of 5 physiognomic types of caatinga with 70% endemism [6]. 750000 7*0000 770000 780000 790000 800000 Figure 1: General localization Management Information Systems, C.A. Brebbia & P. Pascolo (Editors) © 2000 WIT Press, www.witpress.com, ISBN 1-85312-815-5 Management Information Systems 39 The multiand interdisciplinary research began in 1970 under the Museu do Homem Americano (Museum of American Man) Foundation, currently managing the Park in conjunction with the Brazilian government. Since 1992, the Park has been declared an International Cultural Landmark by (UNESCO) due to the wealth and antiquity of its archeological sites and rock paintings [7,8]. The need to enhance data analysis speed and precision in order to improve the Park's management and planning led to the creation of a specific GIS for this conservation unit, with the following objectives: • establish a common work base for all the research developed in the area; • gather together all the accumulated or existing data bases; • begin analysis of the natural or anthropogenic environmental changes; • begin analysis of the distribution and availability of water in the Park, as a resource limiting the ecosystem's dynamics; and • generate a regional model for monitoring and managing renewable natural