Fight for the Forest Preserving the Biodiversity
Drone-Based Monitoring for Environmental Protection in the Atlantic Forest
The Atlantic Forest in São Paulo: A Treasure Under Threat
Once stretching across vast areas of Brazil, the Atlantic Forest now survives in only a fraction of its original extent. In São Paulo, this invaluable ecosystem covers approximately 3,457,301 hectares, representing about 13.94% of the state’s land area.
A significant portion of this remaining forest, roughly 3 million hectares, is protected within the Great Atlantic Forest Reserve. This reserve spans 50 municipalities across three states, serving as a critical refuge for countless species.
Envision a vibrant habitat brimming with diverse plant and animal life—a sanctuary that provides us with essential resources like water, food, and clean air. This is the Atlantic Forest, a vital source of natural wealth.
Yet, the Atlantic Forest is under severe threat. From 2019 to 2020, deforestation in São Paulo surged by a staggering 406%, largely due to unchecked real estate development and tourism. This rapid destruction places immense pressure on one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems.
Why should we preserve the Atlantic Forest?
To ensure our own survival: The forest regulates our climate, protects our water sources, and prevents natural disasters like landslides.
To protect biodiversity: The Atlantic Forest is home to thousands of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth.
To secure a brighter future: By preserving the forest, we guarantee a healthier and more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.
Águas da Billings State Park: A Breath of Fresh Air
Nestled in São Bernardo do Campo, the Billings Water State Park stands as a vital guardian of this environment. Created to protect the Billings Reservoir, a crucial water source for the bustling metropolis of São Paulo, the park plays a key role in preserving asmall portion of the Atlantic Forest, ensuring water quality, and protecting local biodiversity.
Encompassing 187.6 hectares, this natural haven offers opportunities for environmental education, scientific exploration, and leisurely escapes. While still under development, the park envisions a harmonious coexistence between nature and humanity.
Despite ongoing conservation efforts, the "Águas da Billings" State Park faces persistent environmental challenges. The park is an integral part of a broader restoration plan to protect the Atlantic Forest that includes investments in protecting native forest species.
What can we do to preserve these precious ecosystems?
- Raise awareness: Educate others about the importance of the Atlantic Forest and the threats it faces.
- Consume responsibly: Choose products that are environmentally friendly and reduce your paper consumption.
- Demand action from our leaders: Encourage our elected officials to create and enforce laws that protect the Atlantic Forest.
- Support conservation efforts: Donate to organizations working to protect the forest or volunteer your time.
Fundação Florestal: Guardians of the park
The Fundação Florestal , a fundamental institution for the management and conservation of forest resources in the State of São Paulo, plays a crucial role in preserving the Atlantic Forest. This organization, with its expertise and structure,operates on various fronts to protect and recover one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Fundação Florestal is a partner of Brazil Flying Labs in this project.
Fight for the Forest Project - Fundação Florestal & Brazil FlyingLabs - Lafaiete Alarcon da Silva.
Main Actions of the Fundação Florestal:
- Management of Conservation Units: The Foundation manages a vast set of state parks, ecological stations and other protected areas, which encompass important fragments of the Atlantic Forest. These units are true refuges for native flora and fauna, in addition to offering opportunities for research, environmental education and ecotourism.
- Planning and Monitoring: The Foundation develops management plans for conservation units, defining objectives, goals and actions to ensure the protection of natural resources. Additionally, it conducts constant monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystems, identifying threats and adjusting conservation strategies.
- Ecological Restoration: The Foundation implements forest restoration projects in degraded areas, using techniques such as planting native seedlings and recovering riparian forest areas. These actions contribute to the recovery of vegetation cover and the improvement of environmental quality.
- Partnerships and Cooperation Networks: The Foundation establishes partnerships with other research institutions, universities, NGOs and local communities to strengthen conservation actions in the Atlantic Forest.These partnerships allow for expanding the scope of activities and sharing knowledge.
- Environmental Education: The Foundation develops environmental education programs for schools, communities and visitors to conservation units, with the aim of raising awareness among the population about the importance of preserving the Atlantic Forest and promoting behavioral change.
Brazil Flying Labs Parque Estadual Águas da Billings - Jorge Mello - gestor do parque.
Challenges and Perspectives:
Despite the efforts of the Fundação Florestal, the Atlantic Forest still faces several challenges, such as urban expansion, agriculture, illegal logging and climate change. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to strengthen conservation actions, invest in research and technology and count on the support of society. Brazil Flying Labs works alongside the Fundação Florestal on several fronts to protect and preserve the Atlantic Forest.
Drones: Guardians of the Park
Brazil Flying Labs Parque Estadual Águas da Billings - drone pilot comments.
Fight for the Forest is a Turning-Data-into-Action (TDIA) project carried out by Brazil Flying Labs in partnership with Fundação Florestal and the Federal University of ABC in the State of São Paulo - Brazil.
The project provides drone pilots and high-quality cameras to capture thousands of images of Águas da Billings State Park, aiming to assess the conservation status of the area.
The project also features environmental education initiatives designed to engage community members, highlight the importance of forest conservation, and encourage support from local residents.
Brazil Flying Labs, in collaboration with the Fundação Florestal and the Federal University of ABC, conducted an engagement activity with high school students and community members. The goal was to promote environmental education and raise awareness about the protection of the Atlantic Forest.
Drones and orthomosaic images are invaluable tools in the preservation of the Atlantic forest, particularly in the Águas da Billings State Park. These technological advancements offer a unique perspective on the park, allowing for enhanced monitoring, assessment, and management.
By capturing high-resolution aerial imagery, drones provide a bird's-eye view of the park, enabling park rangers to identify potential threats such as deforestation, poaching, or illegal construction. Orthomosaics, created from these images, offer a detailed and accurate representation of the park's terrain, aiding in long-term monitoring and change detection.
Beyond surveillance, drones can assist in environmental assessment, fire detection, infrastructure inspection, and public safety. Their versatility makes them indispensable assets in safeguarding this precious natural area and ensuring its vitality for future generations.
Impact and Solutions: Drone Data as a Conservation Catalyst
The integration of drone technology and advanced data analysis has emerged as a powerful tool for safeguarding the Atlantic Forest's conservation units . By generating precise and up-to-date information about the parks' ecosystem, these technologies offer invaluable insights to inform conservation strategies.
Through the creation of detailed maps and models, park managers can effectively identify areas in need of immediate attention, such as those susceptible to erosion or experiencing vegetation loss. This knowledge empowers decision-makers to allocate resources strategically, prioritizing conservation efforts where they are most impactful. Moreover, by establishing a baseline for environmental conditions, the park can monitor changes over time, detect emerging threats, and implement timely interventions.
Fight for the Forest is a pilot project initiated by Brazil Flying Labs with the aim of deploying innovative technological solutions across environmental conservation units in São Paulo. Simultaneously, we seek to engage the public in environmental preservation efforts, fostering collective action to advance Sustainable Development Goals through the strategic use of drone technology.
Conclusion
The integration of drone technology and advanced data analytics has proven to be a pivotal advancement in the management and conservation of the Águas da Billings State Park. By generating precise and actionable insights, this project has laid the foundation for more effective decision-making, resource allocation, and environmental stewardship.
The successful application of these technologies demonstrates their potential to improve park management practices and contribute to the long-term preservation of this invaluable ecosystem. This Brazil Flying Labs' project serves as a model for other protected areas seeking to harness the power of innovation for conservation purposes.
The Atlantic Forest is more than just a collection of trees. It is our home, our history, and our future.