USE OF LIDAR IN CHARACTERIZATION OF VEGETAL STRATES IN ATLANTIC MATA FRAMMENT: SUPPORT TO CONSERVATION UNITY MANAGEMENT

Use of LiDAR to characterize vegetation strata in an Atlantic Forest fragment: a sudsidy for the management of protected areas

Abstract

The need to preserve and restore fragments of dense Atlantic rainforest in large urban centers, especially protected areas, is of great importance because of the ecosystem services they provide. In this context, the Niterói Municipal Natural Park (PARNIT), especially its Montanha da Viração sector, has forest fragments with great biodiversity, but also degraded areas. The aim of this work is to investigate the estimation of vegetation height using LiDAR from the Digital Vegetation Height Model (MDAV), applying the altimetric parameters of CONAMA Resolution 006/1994 and Law 2602/2008 of the municipality, in order to contribute to a better understanding of its occurrences and restoration potential and, consequently, to better management of the conservation unit. The results showed a predominance of arboreal individuals, which occupy 83.51% of the studied sector of PARNIT. In addition, the medium-stage forest trend class stands out, representing 51.18% of the vegetation found in this sector of the conservation unit. Fieldwork to assess the fragments with an advanced successional stage trend revealed fragments of exotic and invasive species in three areas, demonstrating the tool's potential for environmental management.