Ecosystem Restoration of Riparian Forests in Sao Paulo

The national objective of this project is to foster development of adequate tools, mechanisms and methodologies for each region in the State, aiming to facilitate and encourage future large scale restoration of riparian forests, in order to: (a) provide support for biodiversity conservation in São Paulo biomes (Atlantic Forest and Cerrado) through implementation of riparian forest corridors as a means to address the threat to biodiversity posed by forest fragmentation; (b) decrease, through restoration of degraded lands, sedimentation processes in reservoirs, rivers, water springs, headwater and recharge areas, for better quality and quantity of water resources; and (c) reduce local rural poverty through creation of ways to obtain financial resources derived from environmental services rendered by riparian forests. The global objectives of this project are: (a) stop and revert land degradation processes in riparian forests, both in public and private areas; (b) increase carbon sequestration in riparian forests; and (c) communicate the global relevance of local biodiversity threats and develop and implement mechanisms that support long term conservation of biodiversity.