Zona de amortecimento em unidades de conservação: normas, estudos de caso e recomendações

Abstract

With the emergence of Protected Areas (PA) and Conservation Units (UC) in the world, also there are problems related to the management of its surrounding areas, which can, according to their use, have different impacts on the objectives for which these areas They were created. In Brazil, these areas are highly regarded by the law as Buffer Zone (ZA). The criteria for its definition are large and can impact substantially different forms of land use and consequently the conservation of nature and its resources within the limits of UC. The objective of this work is to contribute to the improvement of ZA-making processes in Brazil. For this, technical and legal criteria used in Brazil and other Latin American countries, especially Argentina, Peru, Bolivia and Uruguay were organized in order to identify the differences and similarities in its definition in order to contribute to discussions on the criteria that could be incorporated in Brazil. In addition to the current regulations, case studies were selected in order to contribute to this discussion through concrete cases. Finally, online questionnaires were applied to Brazilian managers and planners, in order to obtain contributions about experiences on the subject of these professionals ZA. Although respondents recognize the key role of ZA, it is clear that their effectiveness has been compromised by the lack of implementation and better defining its boundaries, which has hampered its function of protecting the UC. This study identified a number of criteria for the definition of ZA that can be added to the methodological routes, such as the existence of indigenous reserves, Ramsar Sites and Biosphere Reserves. In addition, it is proposed an amendment to Decree 4,340 / 2002 which regulates Law 9985/2000, including specific chapter for Buffer Zones and establishing specific procedures for setting it to public consultation in pressure sources of identification and threats on the UC and creation of specific financial fund to promote economic activities with low environmental impact in ZA.