Community participation in the management and protection actions of plant biodiversity in protected areas

Abstract

Caatinga vegetation is fundamental for the survival of the  population in the semi-arid region, as it captures rainwater by storing them in underground reserves, used during drought periods. However, it has been devastated by inadequate anthropic activities. Protected areas have been created to protect fragments of this vegetation, stimulate educational activities and incorporate society into environmental management. This study aimed to characterize the  participation of the community in the management and activities related to the preservation and sustainable use of plant biodiversity of a conservation unit, through a qualitative and technical approach as observation participant , focus group, semi-structured interviews and content analysis. The results showed that this citizen participation exists, but is generally merely symbolic or restricted to advice by the members of the management board, rather than effective or collaborative. In addition to  the legislation in force, social participation is fundamental to the achievement of the purposes of creating legally protected spaces, with public policies of environmental education that promote community empowerment and raise the citizen participation. It was suggested a model of cooperation network  to assist in governance and the promotion of environmental education actions with increased social participation in these spaces.