PAISAGEM PROTEGIDA EM ÁREAS URBANAS: DUAS REALIDADES – BRASIL E ITÁLIA

In light of the countless pressures and significant interferences to which protected landscapes in cities are subjected, the main objective of the present research is to compare environmental measures aimed at the planning and management of conservation units in Brazil and Italy, particularly those related to the protection of natural resources, considering, as case studies, the Iguaçu Environmental Protection Area, in the Brazilian context (Curitiba, Paraná) and the Po Fluvial Park, in the Italian context (Turin region). Using a multi-method system, the investigation starts by defining the theoretical basis of the subject, which is divided into conceptual, institutional and legislative modules. Following a detailed description of the methodological structure, the study areas are characterized and the changes in their physical, biological and anthropic components, in the period between 2000 and 2012, are interpreted. Next, the environmental vulnerability of the study areas is assessed based on an analysis of physical susceptibility, biological fragility and anthropic pressure as well as an interpretation of the connectivity networks among forest fragments. With a view to improving the basis for planning and management of conservation units within the urban management process, the compatibility between the results obtained and the proposed zoning for the protected areas studied is analyzed. The main findings are that, at the regional level, environmental vulnerability in both conservation units is homogeneously distributed among the classes. In the surrounding areas, low levels of physical susceptibility and biological fragility are identified, associated to high levels of anthropic pressure, resulting in reduced vulnerability. The specific areas, in each protected area, have high physical susceptibility. However, reduced biological fragility and higher anthropic pressure are observed in Iguaçu Environmental Protection Area, resulting in lower vulnerability than in Po Fluvial Park. It could be inferred, from the comparative analysis of the proposed zoning, the data on environmental vulnerability and the shape of the connectivity networks, that the conditions of Po Fluvial Park are more coherent. In the Brazilian case, inconsistencies in the Service Sector are observed, as a result of the high percentage of areas with high vulnerability and connectivity. Of note is the absence of any areas with these characteristics in the Transition and Sports Sectors. Interpretation of the changes in the landscape that took place between the years 2000 and 2012 indicates greater stability in the case of the Italian park. More significant changes are observed in the Transition and Services Sectors of Iguaçu Environmental Protection Area, reflecting deficiencies in the management of these spaces. Therefore, the hypothesis that abiotic, biotic and human conditions are essential for the protection of the conservation units is confirmed. Furthermore, it is concluded that assessment of environmental vulnerability and connectivity networks are effective tools to support decision making, both inside protected areas as well as in the surrounding areas with a view to conserving biological diversity and protecting natural landscapes in the urban environment.