Landuse planning and mammals conservation in São Paulo State, Brazil

Abstract

The PhD project aims to establish strategies to integrate the land use planning and the conservation of the species Chrysocyon brachyurus, Puma concolor and Leopardus Pardalis in human modify landscapes. The integration of land use planning and conservation biodiversity is still very early in Brazil. In this way, the Australian's vast practical experience in land use planning and biological conservation has been combined with intense discussion and scientific productivity. We apply to develop this second period as an occupational trainee from July 2012, to July 2013 in the School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management (GPEM), in the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. It will count towards the completion of the student PhD degree. The supervisor abroad is Professor Clive McAlpine. His scientific vision and political involvement will improve great benefices to Brazilian researches. The objectives are: to study and to apply appropriate methodologies for analysis of the ecological landscape; to discuss and to improve methods to incorporating conservation of species in the land use planning; to analyze results and to write articles on the subject. These activities will be development in UQ: to characterize and quantify landscape patterns at the municipal and state level; to analyze the influence of the human occupation in the puma distribution, and to study an approach in which landscape ecology provides a scientific basis for planning and design of more sustainable landscapes. The results of the activities will generate at least a paper that will be published in an international review. It is expected that the partnership between the universities and the countries involved will provide opportunity to establish a partnership and that it will continue after this period involving future studies and researchers. (AU)