Brazil has many reef-dwelling species that live nowhere else in the world, making it a priority area for marine conservation. In Brazil, Science-to-Action activities focus on the Abrolhos Region, a large, relatively shallow area with unique, mushroom-shaped reef pinnacles. Fisheries and tourism are the most important economic activities, while overfishing, oil extraction, shrimp farming, and dredging are the key threats. We are conducting scientific research and Science-to-Action activities to enhance management and protection of these vital coral reefs. As part of the global Science-to-Action network, we use research in Brazil to identify successful marine conservation practices.
SCIENCE-TO-ACTION TOOLS
Field Chronicles: Abrolhos This episode of Field Chronicles covers the expansion of marine protected areas in Abrolhos, Brazil, home of the
greatest concentration of marine life in the South Atlantic.
MOKUSSUY: Importance of Marine Managed Areas in Abrolhos, Brazil (Video) Part 1 and Part 2 With support from Conservation International, the Cine Clube of Caravelas and a local artists' association, Arte Manha, have produced a video called MOKUSSUY, which tells the story of conservation in the Abrolhos marine area, focusing specifically on the extractive reserves that Conservation International has helped put into place. These extractive reserves are multiple-use areas where people can fish and collect other marine life but are subject to management rules that aim to sustainably conserve the resources. The video is being used to foster public support in local communities and among wider national and international communities.
RESEARCH Scientists are investigating ecological connections among populations and habitats; socioeconomic and cultural importance of marine resources; and ecological, socioeconomic, and cultural outcomes of marine management areas (MMAs).
Key findings:
Ecological monitoring demonstrated the positive effects of no-take reserves on fish biomass within the reserves as well as the spill-over effects to surrounding areas. Monitoring also documented extensive distribution of disease in Abrolhos reef communities, which could lead to the extinction of important reef builders, such as brain coral, if infection rates do not change.
Researchers discovered one of the largest and most concentrated pulses of arriving young ever recorded in the Western Atlantic for a commercially important snapper species (the dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu) in Abrolhos National Marine Park, Brazil.
Results from socioeconomic and governance monitoring show that the MMAs have resulted in greater fisheries benefits to local communities compared to migratory fishermen, higher incomes for fishers adjacent to the marine extractive reserve compared to five years ago, and the formal empowerment of local communities with management responsibilities as a result of the exclusive-use rights concession for the maritime territory.
The economic valuation and cultural roles studies demonstrated that even remote MMAs like Abrolhos National Park can generate substantial economic value, with annual net revenues from fishing estimated at $1.65 million and annual visitation fees totaling $50,000. The coastal communities of Bahia also share many cultural characteristics—religion, traditional festivities, and strong community structure supported by family and “compadrio” ties—that play a significant role in community organization and influencing resource management decisions.
Core Ecological Monitoring Principal Investigators: Rodrigo Moura (Conservation International), Ronaldo Francini-Filho (State University of Paraíba), and Carolina Minte-Vera (State University of Maringá) We used standardized protocols to track ecological changes inside and outside marine managed areas in Abrolhos. We used the data to monitor ecosystem health and biodiversity, and we contributed the information to adaptive management processes. Science Report (PDF, 221 KB)
Core Socioeconomic Monitoring Principal Investigators: Isabela Curado (Fundação Getulio Vargas) and Rodrigo Moura (Conservation International) In conjunction with Core Ecological Monitoring, we used standardized methods to track socioeconomic changes associated with MMAs. Science Report (PDF, 1.9 MB)
Nursery Habitats for Reef Fish Principal Investigators: Ken Lindeman (Florida Institute of Technology), Rodrigo de Moura (Conservation International), and Les Kaufman (Boston University) Many reef fish are believed to spend their early lives in shallow, coastal habitats such as marshes and seagrass meadows that are heavily affected by human impacts. We conducted research to understand where the young fish are most abundant and how they move among habitats. The findings will enable resource managers, policy makers, and local people to protect the habitats most critical for survival of young fish.
Mapping the Habitat Mosaic Principal Investigators: Guilherme Dutra (Conservation International), Rodrigo Moura (Conservation International), Alex Bastos (Federal University of Espírito Santo), Paulo Sumida (University of São Paulo), Gilberto M. Amado Filho (Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro), Milton Kampel (Brazil National Space Agency), and John Musinsky (Conservation International) The Abrolhos Bank ecosystem is a mosaic of coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and soft-bottom habitats. Reef-dwelling animals often use the other habitats, but little is known about the ecological roles of non-reef habitats or even where they are located. We mapped the habitats of the Abrolhos Bank using side-scan sonar, remotely operated vehicles, aerial surveys, and satellite imagery to facilitate an ecosystem approach to management. Science Report (PDF, 221 KB)
Economic Values of Goods and Services Associated with MMAs Principal Investigators: John Reid and Marcos Amend (Conservation Strategy Fund) We assessed the monetary value of natural resources associated with marine managed areas of the Abrolhos Bank and the economic implications of future management scenarios. The findings enable resource managers, educators, and conservationists to build support for marine conservation and to prioritize among management options. Science Report (885 KB)
Cultural Roles of Goods and Services Associated with MMAs Principal Investigators: Michael Orbach (Duke University) and Isabela Curado (Fundação Getulio Vargas) We conducted interviews and focus groups to understand how cultural practices and values influence the outcomes of marine resource management.
PARTNERS IN BRAZIL Partnerships are integral to Science-to-Action efforts in Brazil, which are led by the CI-Brazil Marine Program. We collaborate with community groups, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations to carry out research and Science-to-Action initiatives.
Brazil Government
Ministry of Environment
ICMBio (Brazilian Agency of Protected Areas)
Brazil National Space Agency
CNPq (Brazilian Science Agency)
PROAlbrolhos (consortium of 14 research institutions)
State University of Paraíba
State University of Maringá
University of São Paulo
Federal University of Espírito Santo
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Federal University of Bahia
Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro
SCIENCE-TO-ACTION IN BRAZIL
The 350-square-mile Cassurubá Extractive Reserve, which was created by the Brazil government in 2009, harbors 95% of Abrolhos' mangroves and is a key nursery site for many ecologically and economically important fish species in the region. Results from Science-to-Action socioeconomic monitoring, which documented that 1,000 families depend on the natural resources to make a living, and habitat connectivity studies, which demonstrated the importance of the mangroves for commercial fish species’ life cycles, strongly influenced the decision to establish the reserve.
Results from Science-to-Action studies were emphasized in the successful RAMSAR application for the Abrolhos region. The results demonstrated that the Abrolhos region is high in biodiversity and has cultural significance to neighboring communities. Officials from the Chico Mendes Institute said that Conservation International-Brazil’s data and assistance in this application were extremely helpful. The application was submitted to the RAMSAR convention and, subsequently, Abrolhos National Park was declared a RAMSAR site on February 2, 2010.
Results from Science-to-Action research, showing that Abrolhos has a more extensive reef system than previously thought, spurred discussions with the Chico Mendes Institute (ICMBio) to expand the area of marine managed areas in the Abrolhos region. Conservation International-Brazil has developed and negotiated a workplan with ICMBio to work toward this goal. Data from the Science-to-Action studies are supporting the resulting Systematic Conservation Planning Effort for the region. In April 2010, the two organizations jointly held a workshop where, using Science-to-Action data and in concert with local and national stakeholders, the participants discussed priority geographic areas for conservation in the Abrolhos Bank. ICMBio expects the protected areas to be implemented by the end of 2011.
Information from Science-to-Action fisheries monitoring helped to show that parrotfish in the Abrolhos region are decreasing in size and abundance. Using these data and working with the Chico Mendes Institute and the IUCN specialty group has resulted in IUCN placing the Abrolhos parrotfish on its redlist, thus elevating concern about its status to a higher national and international level. Conservation International is also reviewing the Brazilian redlist and, with funding from the Ministry of Environment, will do database work to alter the list to be in line with IUCN criteria.
While Science-to-Action funding for Conservation International-Brazil has enabled studies and scientific results, it has also served to give CI-Brazil flexibility to engage in extensive political and community outreach. One of the results of this flexibility has been CI-Brazil’s continuing involvement in the Canavieiras region. Using assistance from Science-to-Action, CI-Brazil had been engaged in creating the Canavieiras extractive reserve council, by collaborating with the Chico Mendes Institute and local community leaders. These councils help local groups be heard and give the community a significant say in how the extractive reserve is managed.
The Brazilian government invited Conservation International-Brazil to help plan a marine protected area covering 4,600 square miles in São Paulo state. Science-to-Action methods were presented as a model for planning and managing the protected area.
The largest television channel in Brazil showed a 40-minute program on research in Abrolhos, highlighting Science-to-Action activities.
BUILDING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
In partnership with SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation, Conservation International organized field courses on marine conservation and monitoring for managers and university students in São Paulo State and in Abrolhos.
For local communities, Conservation International and the Humpback Whale Institute are organizing a series of field exchanges on marine protected areas with different management experiences. This program is creating a strong partnership with these communities, which are becoming important conservation partners.
CONTACT For information about Science-to-Action initiatives in Brazil, contact Guilherme Dutra,
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