The urbanization impacts on the protection of natural areas

Diagnosis of environmental conservation in Espírito Santo, Brazil

Abstract

The main goal of this paper is to analyze protected natural areas spatial distribution and proportion on Espírito Santo municipalities, Brazil. Identifying protection gaps in order to support public policies for the expansion and effective management of these areas. Therefore, a survey was carried out about the conservation units and their management instruments, and the territories of indigenous peoples and traditional communities established. By the comparison with identified natural remnants areas of vegetation cover and land use maps. The results indicate a low rate of natural protected areas, making them vulnerable to conflicts generated by urbanization processes, industrialization, agricultural activities and the expansion of irregular occupations.