Espécies exóticas em unidades de conservação de Alagoas: evidências, lacunas e perspectivas

Abstract

Biological invasions constitute one of the main threats to global biodiversity, promoting the replacement of native species, the homogenization of the landscape and the loss of ecological functions. The present work aimed to analyze the occurrence of exotic species in Conservation Units in the state of Alagoas, with the purpose of contributing to the planning and execution of management actions, aiming at the effective conservation of biodiversity in protected areas. The specific objectives are: i) to quantify the PAs that have a management plan, identify their spheres of administration and verify whether they have a Management Council formed; ii) to analyze the management plans and other technical documents of the selected PAs; iii) list and quantify the exotic species found; iv) classify the exotic species found in the PAs according to their invasive potential. The research was developed through the analysis of the Management Plans of state and federal UCs, complemented with data from the SpeciesLink platform. The information obtained was systematized in a database, and the floristic similarity between the units was evaluated by the Jaccard index, using the PAST 5.2.1 software. The mapping of the distribution of exotic species was carried out using the QGIS 3.30 software. Alagoas has 103 Conservation Units, 88 belonging to the Atlantic Forest biome and 15 to the Caatinga, however, only 11 have an approved management plan, which reveals fragility in the effectiveness of management. Among the species identified are Lantana camara, Melinis minutiflora, Syzygium cumini, Hedychium coronarium and Prosopis juliflora, widely recognized for their high invasive potential and the ability to modify ecological processes and compromise the regeneration of native vegetation. It was also observed that the most degraded areas and close to areas of anthropic use are the most susceptible to the introduction and propagation of these species. It is concluded that the absence of management plans, the fragmentation of the landscape and the lack of integrated control actions favor the expansion of biological invasions. Thus, it is essential to strengthen public policies, expand monitoring programs and implement continuous management strategies, aiming to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the ecological integrity of the Conservation Units of Alagoas.