Analysis of the landscape fragmentation through the proposition of forest restoration scenarios in a microbasin in Amazonia, Mato Grosso

The objective of this work was to evaluate changes in the landscape spatial structure of a watershed in the municipality of Carlinda, Mato Grosso. We established seven scenarios associated with the presence of agroforestry systems and forest restoration of Permanent Preservation Areas and surrounding water reservoirs and employing landscape metrics for the quantitative assessment of the scenarios. The restoration of Permanent Preservation Areas and reservoirs resulted in the creation of corridors and increase of connectance between riparian fragments, while the agroforestry systems behaved as stepping stones in the landscape, contributing to the reduction of isolation and increase the proximity between fragments in the agricultural matrix. By jointly assessing the employed metrics, the scenario that reconciles agroforestry systems and restoration beyond that required by current environmental legislation showed the greatest potential for increasing structural connectivity in the landscape.