Fuzzy concept applied in determining potential forest fragments for deployment of a network of ecological corridors in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is one of the richest biomes on the planet and also one of the most devastated; currently its distribution is summarized to isolated forest fragments and conservation units. The implementation and maintenance of ecological corridors is an alternative to mitigate negative effects caused by fragmentation. Analysis of the least cost path is a suitable technique for the correct implementation of corridors and can be improved with Fuzzy method. The objective of this work was to determine the potential forest fragments to interconnect in order to create a network of ecological corridors in Atlantic Forest, Espirito Santo State, using Fuzzy concept and least cost path analysis. First, by applying Fuzzy logic, we identified the potential forest fragments for ecological corridors implantation. Next, corridors were suggested based on the least cost path analysis, considering land use, declivity, permanent preservation areas (PPAs), and the 400 forest fragments with greatest ecological potential obtained by Fuzzy logic. A total of 33,105 forest fragments were recorded. Among these, considering combined classes very good and good, only 31.5% were considered suitable for ecological corridors implantation, highlighting the largest fragments within state. Lowest cost path methodology presented 76 routes of runners, with a 335.71 km total length and 63,515.86 ha total area. Land use conflicts showed that forest fragments class predominated in the corridors area. PPAs inside corridors are in misuse, not complying with environmental legislation. Fuzzy Logic concept associated with least cost pathway methodology is an important tool for ecological network planning and implementation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The methodology proposed can be applied to other Brazilian Biomes as well other countries.