Ecological-economic zoning of Palmares National Forest, Altos, Piauí (Brazil)

Abstract

The research had as objective to elaborate a proposal for the Ecological-Economic Zoning (EZZ) of the National Forest (NF) of Palmares, aiming to subsidize the construction of the Management Plan of the unit. The study was developed at the NF of Palmares, located in the municipality of Altos – PI. The methodology used to meet the objectives of the Flona de Palmares EEZ was comprised of a combination of organized procedures such as survey of primary and secondary data, for the purpose of building a web of grouped information, capable of recognizing the different nuclei of the unit of conservation (CU). In addition to the documentary analysis of CU and the reference in study to previous academics, primary data were collected from on-site recognition by means of transects, as well as remote sensing resources, with determination of the Vegetation Index (NDVI). The NF of Palmares ZEE proposal is the result of an integrated analysis of the physical-biotic factors through the crossing between these themes, where it was possible to propose four zones for the NF are: 1) Primitive zone; 2) Preservation Zone; 3) Special use zone; and 4) Conflicting use zone, distributed in the Flona area. The zoning of the NF of Palmares is configured as a determining step for the elaboration of a Management Plan, and its delimitation must be based on the understanding of the nature, its functions and limitations of CU.