Uso público e conservação da biodiversidade em parques nacionais do Brasil e Estados Unidos

Abstract

National parks in a developed economy (USA) and an emerging economy (Brazil) were studied. The objectives were to measure management strategies in national parks under different levels of management intensity and public use, and to measure the effect of public use on biodiversity of national parks. We sampled five national parks in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and seven in the state of Maryland (USA). Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) Methodology, developed by the World Wildlife Fund, was used in the study. An additional series of questions was developed and included in the survey questionnaire that focused on ecotourism (public use). Preliminary results from Brazil and the USA indicate that 92% of park managers believe biodiversity and natural features of their parks are being maintained with the current level of public use. Eighty-three percent reported that tourism contributes to environmental education of visitors. Tourism was reported as an economic benefit to park operation and maintenance in 75% of the parks. For 60% of Brazilian parks and 43% of parks in the USA, tourism was reported to aid in decreasing illegal activities such as poaching, deforestation, and setting of fires in the parks. Biological importance and socioeconomic importance factors ranked higher in Brazil than in the USA, but tourism importance was 12% lower in Brazil than in the USA. Three management gaps, dealing with vulnerability, legal security, and infrastructure, were noted between Brazil and the USA. Park managers in both Brazil and the USA believed that more tourism research was needed to assist park management efforts. Based on park manager responses, a higher level of economic development did not reduce biodiversity in the parks sampled. To maintain biodiversity with increased economic development and public use, we believe the following are needed: Adequate park personnel, including law enforcement staff; adequate financial resources; and capability to limit public use if necessary.