Geodesign for Landscape Connectivity Planning

Abstract

We observe, ever more astonished, a reduction or total destruction of natural habitats. In different parts of the globe, anthropic pressure on habitat and the species therein has been on an excessive scale. This causes the loss of linkage between habitats in the landscape and thus creates fragmented areas with less environmental regulation. Isolated management of protected areas is often not enough to guarantee biodiversity integrity, with the creation of management formats capable of integrating habitats being necessary. Methodological systematization provided by Geodesign for research, planning, and propositioning of solutions for a geographic area has great application potential in biodiversity protection and preservation strategies. This chapter’s objective is to identify locations capable of making connectivity between protected areas possible and thus subsidizing an integrated management format for these areas. To meet the goal, we elaborated a script for an area’s geographic representation, an analysis of the processes at play in space and time, and an evaluation of impacts the intended changes would cause in the study area so that we can indicate decision proposals aimed at integrated planning and management between protected areas. Geotechnologies supported the entire procedure using remote sensing and support of geographic information systems. Five suitable locations for establishing connectivity between habitats such as biodiversity corridors, stepping stones, and habitat mosaics were identified.