Protected Areas in the Amazonian Várzea and their Role in its Conservation: The Case of Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (MSDR)

Abstract

“The importance of protected areas, among the many existing strategies of Amazonian varzea conservation, is discussed in this chapter through the case of the Sustainable Development Reserve (SDR), a recent category of protected area created and tested in Brazil during the last 15 years. The case of Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve (MSDR), the first of its kind, is presented in detail to serve as a valid description the model. This new form of management of a protected area developed at Mamiraua was successful because it not only provided improved levels of protection to local biodiversity, but also builds an important alliance with the traditional inhabitants of the area. This case suggests that protected areas of sustainable use can be viable tools for the protection and conservation of varzea environments in Brazil. As a highly populated ecosystem, these flooded forests are under intense human pressure. Although effective protection in strategic portions of flooded areas would be vital for recovery of most stocks of natural resources, it is nonetheless very difficult to create and implement protected areas with the absence of humans in varzea. Protected areas involving locals seem to be a more viable solution to the challenge. The conservation of this ecosystem also demands important action beyond the protected areas strategy. However, any large scale strategy for Amazonian conservation necessarily call for involvement and participation of local traditional populations. This is particularly relevant in respect of varzea conservation. In consequence, social factors must be always considered in the process of conservation planning of varzeas in Brazil. “