Trilhas interpretativas em áreas de Mata Atlântica: um diagnóstico a partir de fotografias hemisféricas

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the influence of forest canopy openness on the state of conservation of interpretive trails to evaluate the impact on their use in two Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPN, acronym in Portuguese) in the southern region of the state of Bahia. It suggests using hemispherical photographs taken with a digital camera on a tripod coupled to a fisheye lens taking 360-degree pictures as a tool to format and evaluate the impacts of interpretive trails on ecotourism. On two trails, the values of forest canopy openness were below 10% inside the forest, which corroborates the literature. The average value of the forest canopy openness at the interpretive spots was approximately 62% higher at the RPPN Ecoparque de Una than at the RPPN Janela de Gindiba. Analysis of the total routes of both trails showed that the general average of the forest canopy openness was 51% higher at the RPPN Janela da Gindiba than at the RPPN Ecoparque de Una. Results suggest that obtaining forest canopy openness data by taking hemispherical photographs may be used as an additional tool to format, evaluate impacts and support environmental interpretation and education in Brazilian rainforest areas.