Landscape spatial and functional analysis applied to nature conservation planning in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil

The increasing urbanization observed in Atlantic Forest biome demands to know the processes at the landscape level to plan the rational use of natural resources, attending socioeconomic and biodiversity conservation issues. This study aimed to analyze the spatial and functional structure of the landscape of the region bounded by the border and hills of the beaches in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, and then subsidize the creation of an Environmental Protection Area (EPA). The construction of a land use and cover map, the determination of the model-species of the flora and their interactions with the local fauna are the methodological core that allowed to elucidate the spatial distribution of the matrix, patches and landscape corridors, it also allowed to understand the functional processes of landscape that should be considered in the conservation planning

Impact of institutions on land cover change and landscape fragmentation in an Indian dry tropical forest landscapes

Protected Areas (PAs) have been a cornerstone of conservation efforts. However, PAs have become increasingly isolated with protection. Human pressure has shifted towards the forests located outside PAs, which serve as important corridors for wildlife movement. In densely populated countries like India, connectivity across vast landscapes is not possible solely by the expansion of the PA network and requires support from local communities. The importance of local institutions has been considerably ignored due to the focus on PAs, which have limited capacity to meet local demands as well as conservation objectives for vast landscapes. This Ph.D. research integrates remote sensing, landscape ecology and institutional approaches to study social and ecological impacts of forest management institutions in a dry-deciduous forest landscape in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. The study area forms an important connection between Pench and Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserves. The study begins with a largescale landscape view to study the impact of different forest management regimes on forest change and fragmentation. It then zooms in to compare state and community institutions that differ in traditional norms as well as levels of local participation, assessing their effect on forests and local communities

The impacts of urbanisation on the ecology and evolution of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata)

Urbanisation is one of the main drivers of ecosystem change. The impacts of urban land use on biodiversity have been investigated, but other aspects of ecology have been overlooked, as well as the effects of urban stressors. Understanding the effects of specific urban stressors is crucial in order to appropriately manage urban areas and conserve their biodiversity. Dragonflies and damselflies (the Odonata) are a suitable taxon for evaluating the impacts of urbanisation on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Here, using a combination of field and laboratory data, I study the ecological impacts of urban stressors on odonates. I found that the urban heat island has negligible impacts on the phenology of odonates compared to climate change. Moreover, noise disturbance reduces significantly the feeding rate of the damselfly Ischnura elegans, although anthropogenic noise has no significant impact. Regarding the impacts of polarised light pollution (PLP), the strength of polarotaxis increased significantly with age in laboratory-reared specimens, but there was no significant differentiation between urban and rural populations. However, field-caught urban specimens showed less preference to polarised light compared to rural populations, suggesting strong selective pressures are acting upon urban populations, but no adaptation has occurred. Flight-related traits showed no significant differentiation among urban and rural populations of I. elegans. Lastly, biodiversity patterns did not differ among urban and rural areas, although aquatic vegetation and presence of fish were the main drivers of community composition. These results show odonates can tolerate a wide range of urban stressors, notably I. elegans. However, PLP, fish, and absence of aquatic vegetation in urban ponds can have a negative impact on odonate biodiversity, which has important implications on conservation and management of urban areas. Urban ecosystems are complex, thus an integrative approach is necessary in order to understand in depth the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity