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Abstract

Selecting areas for legal reserves in araucaria forest. The Atlantic Mixed Forest (araucaria forest), a typical forest of southern Brazil, possesses species of very high commercial value such as Araucaria angustifolia and Ocotea porosa. This forest originally covered about 200,000 – 250,000 km². Unfortunately, the native araucaria forests are disappearing, largely due to the conversion of forest lands to agriculture, logging and pasture. Remaining forest cover represents less than 1% of the pre-settlement forest area. Many species, which live on the araucaria forest, are threatened with extinction. In 2002, Brazilian administrative decrees MMA no 507 and 508 established the areas for conservation (legally protected areas) in araucaria forests. These decrees were modified by the additional publication of administrative decrees no 176 and 178, starting off the work in this areas. With the help of techniques from institutions such as MMA, IBAMA, FATMA/SC, IAP/PR, UFSC, and environmental groups, the “Araucaria Task-Force” was created. The methodology adopted included the effective participation of local bodies, municipalities and landowners. The work was aimed at the establishment of the biological conservation bases in the Atlantic Rain Forest. Four forest fragments were identified and analyzed, and the most significant areas for conservation were indicated.