Public use and conservation of trails at the Parque Natural Municipal das Andorinhas, Ouro Preto, Brazil.

Abstract

Several categories of Protected Areas (PAs) established in Brazil allow for public use. However, the impacts resulting from tourist visitation activity in them are poorly researched and technically managed. The central question of the study is how the unplanned opening of trails for tourism purposes can impact the Parque Natural Municipal das Andorinhas (PNMA), a natural park, in Ouro Preto (MG, Brazil). The hypothesis is the understanding that the use of unplanned trails can impact the PA. In this sense, the objective of this work was to analyze nine trails used for tourist visitation at the PNMA. The research methodology included bibliographic and documentary research of the trails, their management, and environmental impacts; elaboration of a structured quali-quantitative form to analyze them; and fieldwork. As a result, it was observed that the main environmental characteristics of tourist interest are the observation of flora and fauna and watercourses; and the main impacts are fires, the irregular opening of trails, and deforestation. It is concluded that knowledge regarding the situation of the trails can help the PA management in their planning and conservation.