Protected Area Effectiveness in Reducing Conversion in a Rapidly Vanishing Ecosystem: The Brazilian Cerrado

Protected areas (PAs) and indigenous lands (ILs) in the Brazilian Cerrado significantly reduce habitat conversion compared to unprotected sites, with strictly protected PAs being more effective than multiple-use PAs. A study analyzing data from 2002 to 2009 found that both PA types and ILs experienced lower conversion rates when matched with similarly exposed unprotected areas. Strictly protected PAs, despite having similar baseline conversion rates as multiple-use PAs, demonstrated greater effectiveness in reducing habitat loss, likely due to stricter land-use regulations. Indigenous lands also showed strong effectiveness, though their baseline conversion rates were high. This research underscores the importance of differentiating PA categories and highlights the potential for increased conservation investments in this rapidly vanishing ecosystem.

Carranza, T., Balmford, A., Kapos, V., & Manica, A. (2013). Protected Area Effectiveness in Reducing Conversion in a Rapidly Vanishing Ecosystem: The Brazilian Cerrado. Conservation Letters, 7(3), 216–223. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12049