Análise da conectividade ecológica e caracterização da paisagem em áreas propostas para conservação municipal no Litoral Norte da Paraíba

Abstract

The fragmentation of native Atlantic Forest vegetation compromises ecological connectivity by reducing habitat availability. The objective of this study was to assess ecological and functional connectivity in the Pindobal and Sertãozinho fragments on the northern coast of Paraíba, with the aim of supporting the creation of Conservation Units. Data on land use and land cover, landscape metrics, Euclidean distance analysis to the nearest fragment (ENN), and modeling of potential functional connectivity using Circuit Theory in a GIS environment were utilized. The results revealed a heavily anthropized landscape with a sugarcane matrix, high fragmentation, low availability of core areas, and a significant edge effect, particularly in the Savanna Formation. However, the largest remnant areas were closer to the nearest fragment (ENN), indicating potential for maintaining structural connectivity. Nevertheless, functional connectivity was found to be limited by the high resistance of the anthropogenic matrix, concentrating potential routes in strategic areas and highlighting the importance of intermediate fragments and ecological corridors. It is concluded that the creation of Conservation Units combined with ecological restoration guided by connectivity criteria can strengthen biodiversity conservation, increase landscape permeability, and support municipal environmental planning.