A importância das RPPNs na conservação da natureza no Brasil: trajetória, esfera de gestão e distribuição espacial

Abstract

The creation of new conservation models that take into account the environmental and cultural context of society has been essential to address contemporary challenges related to environmental issues. In this sense, allocation of particular areas for environmental protection has been recognized as an alternative for biodiversity conservation. In Brazil, those who fulfill this role are the Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs), private areas protected by their owners, recognized by the government as conservation units (CU’s), and with a perpetual character by force of law. Consolidated in the national scenario of protected areas, initiatives for creation of RPPNs are increasing rapidly. Aiming to contribute to the expansion of knowledge in this field and to provide subsidies for conservation strategies in private areas, we analyzed the creation dynamics of RPPNs over the last three decades in the country. We verified the spatial distribution of RPPNs among Brazilian states and biomes, the temporal dynamics of creation by region and biomes and finally the temporal dynamics of the management sphere in the Brazilian regions. The results showed that the number of RPPNs created in Brazil started to be increased from the possibility of their recognition by state environmental agencies. The elevation of RPPNs to CU’s status under SNUC law has made it very difficult their recognition at the federal level, leading owners to prefer state and municipal levels for this. Regarding spatial distribution of RPPNs, the regions showed marked differences in the number of created PNHRs, total area of RPPNs and creation rhythm. The Southeast Region had the highest number of RPPNs (N = 655) and the North region had the lowest number of RPPNs (N = 54). From the point of view of biomes, the Atlantic Forest had strong prominence, containing 74% of Brazil's RPPNs. The role of non-governmental organizations and state investment in public policies also strongly influenced creation of RPPNs. Combination of legislation and incentives, both technical and economic legislation, seems to have been fundamental in leveraging the growth in the number of RPPNs in most states with the largest number of private reserves. We conclude, therefore, that the strengthening of public policies in the states with the expansion of laws and incentives, and strengthening of organizations that represent civil society are tools of utmost relevance for the growth of private protected areas in Brazil.