Abstract
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of the Brazilian scientific community to knowledge generation concerning Brazilian protected areas and to identify research groups focused on the public use of such areas. A systematic search was performed in the database of the Research Groups Directory of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico), an organization under the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação). The search yielded 177 research groups on protected areas, formed by 3872 members, including researchers, undergraduate students, graduate students, and technicians from different areas of scientific knowledge distributed across the country. However, the research groups were concentrated in the southeast and south of Brazil. They were mainly linked to federal educational institutions, and they had a strong academic background and considerable scientific production. However, few groups study the public use of protected areas; thus, there is space for new research in this area. Based on the results, government incentives for the formation of research groups in the less represented regions to study the public use of protected areas and for the adoption of strategies to disseminate knowledge produced beyond academia are recommended.
Highlights
Biodiversity conservation or, more broadly, social biodiversity conservation depends on the protection of natural spaces commonly called protected areas
The survey of groups researching protected areas active in Brazil was conducted in May 2015, using the open access database of the Research Groups Directory of the CNPq belonging to the Brazilian government
Given that other areas such as the humanities are represented, it is important to emphasize that the studies are not concentrated only in the biological and agricultural sciences, as traditionally expected. This multidisciplinary approach has advanced in overall science (MARANHÃO, 2010), and it has become increasingly clear that biodiversity conservation strategies require social and environmental considerations that do not simplify the role of humans as antagonistic to and separate from nature (MARANGON & AGUDELO, 2004)
Summary
Biodiversity conservation or, more broadly, social biodiversity conservation depends on the protection of natural spaces commonly called protected areas. In Brazil, there are more than 150 million hectares (1.5 million km2) of protected areas, representing over 17% of the continental territory, a value slightly higher than the global value of 13% but falling short of the needs and responsibilities as a mega-diverse and economically emerging country (WADT et al, 2008; GURGEL et al, 2009; MEDEIROS & YOUNG, 2011; FUNDO VALE, 2012) These areas, in addition to the protection goal, have public use as a strategy to raise the awareness of visitors with regards to the importance of the conservation of natural areas.
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