Eco-Index: Best Lessons Learned

Best Lessons Learned



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September 2010

Organization(s): Fundação de Desenvolvimento de Pesquisa (FUNDEP), Brasil; Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), Brasil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Brasil

Project Name and Location: Towards a Strong Relationship between Science, Environmental Interpretation and Management in Serra do Cipó National Park, Brazil -- Brazil.

Lessons Learned

The dialogue between research and management is made difficult by differences in expectations and vocabulary; however, this is a necessary and rewarding challenge for both sides, when well-conducted.

Several students in the postgraduate courses aim to make additional contributions to emerging themes in biodiversity conservation. Coordinating efforts is usually welcome in research projects related to Conservation Unit matters. For example, the suggestion of different areas for sampling, useful management practices, presenting results in different formats, among others.

For protected areas managers, establishing improved relationships and analyzing and using generated data requires time. A typical gap is that of easy, systematic access to data – which would improve knowledge and avoid duplication of efforts and incomplete interpretations caused by a lack of data of the historic use and management of a region, its cartography, etc.

On the other hand, it is difficult to maintain updated information with such a high turnover rate in protected areas staff in Brazil – this is one of the biggest challenges in maintaining programs. A solution from our experience in Serra do Cipó is improved coordination with the local schools, which implemented courses, offered internships, gathered available information, and maintained several programs.

Goals

Increase integration between research and management in Serra do Cipó National Park.

Acquire basic equipment for common use in the park’s laboratory.

Acquire a meteorological station to provide local meteorological data to all.

Coordinate efforts among park managers and researchers in terms of the selection of research subjects and/or field locations, and share existing data in order to avoid duplication of efforts.

Publish basic information about the CU online, such as climatic data, management plans, and detailed maps including "shape files" that will facilitate the creation of new maps.

Project Conclusions

A small investment in information management and access and a clear definition of management challenges may motivate researchers to become more involved in daily Conservation Unit activities and identify gaps in knowledge not only in management, but also in their own activities. The lack of information about poorly studied areas can be reduced by simple actions such as: presentation of maps, creation and / or propagation of support structures, which can be extremely basic, and logistical support.

The participation of staff from the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, who evaluated Master's theses and PhD thesis dissertations, was important as each expert contributed within their particular area of expertise, in order to help contextualize studies within the region’s social-economic realities, current legislation, historic records of use and occupation, and limitations in protected areas management with regards to budget, logistics, or legal issues.

On the other hand, the presence of researchers enhances the flexibility of management by introducing new questions and method. In Serra do Cipó, this was related to fire management, invasive species, and public use.

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