Landscape Geotechnology and Ecology in Monitoring Forest Fragmentation

ABSTRACT This work aimed to diagnose and analyze the structural connectivity of fragmented landscape surrounding the Conservation Unit Private Reservation of Natural Patrimony Cafundó, proposing the restoration through Ecological Corridors. The mapping of land use and land cover, and landscape ecology indexes allowed detecting, analyzing and understanding the landscape structure. These indexes were calculated using the GeoDMA plugin for the 10 mapped classes. During the study period (1970 and 2007) there have been few changes in the land use and occupation, predominantly to pasture matrix on both dates. The delimitation of Ecological Corridor for the Analytical Hierarchy Process method used each mapped class to set the relative weight for installation. The results showed an increase in the landscape fragmentation allowing the definition of an Ecological Corridor of lower cost as an alternative to increase the connectivity among conservation units.