At Conservation units (UCs), divided into two groups, are protected by the Federal Government and managed by the National System of Nature Conservation Units - SNUC. This system establishes criteria and norms for the creation, implementation and management of conservation units and is governed by the Law No. 9,985 of July 2000.
CUs can be Full Protection Units or Sustainable Use Units. Our focus will now be on Full Protection Units. This type of UC has as its main objective preserve the nature, being admitted only the indirect use of your natural resources, with the exception of cases provided for by law, such as educational and research projects, with the prior authorization of the unit managers.
The Full Protection Units can be of five types, they are: Ecological Stations, Biological Reserves, National Parks, Natural Monuments and Wildlife Refuges. Understand the main characteristics of each of these units, according to the Law No. 9,985:
Ecological Stations – Their objective is to preserve nature and carry out scientific research. They are in public ownership and domain, and private appropriation of any area is not allowed. Public visitation is only allowed for educational purposes and follows specific regulations. Scientific research in the area depends on prior authorization from the body responsible for administering the Unit. Changes to the ecosystem are only allowed if they aim to restore modified environments, manage species with the in order to preserve biological diversity or to collect components of ecosystems for scientific.
Biological Reserves - They aim at the integral preservation of the biota and other natural attributes existing within its limits. Direct human interference or environmental modifications are not allowed, except in cases with environmental preservation purposes. They are in public ownership and domain. Public visitation is allowed for educational purposes, following specific regulations. Scientific research depends on prior authorization and is also regulated.
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National Parks – They aim to preserve natural ecosystems of great ecological relevance and scenic beauty. They are in public ownership and domain. Public visitation is allowed, as long as it follows restrictions provided for in the regulations. Scientific research depends on prior authorization and is also regulated. It receives the name of State Park when created by the State and Municipal Park when created by the Municipality.
Natural Monuments - These are areas made up of rare natural sites, unique or of great scenic beauty. Since it is possible to reconcile the preservation of these areas with the use of the land and natural resources of the place, the presence of private properties is allowed. Public visits and scientific research at the site are allowed as long as they follow specific regulations.
Wildlife Refuges - These areas seek to ensure conditions for the presence or reproduction of species or communities of local flora and resident or migratory fauna. Since it is possible to reconcile the preservation of these areas with the use of the land and natural resources of the place, the presence of private properties is allowed. Public visits and on-site scientific research are allowed as long as they follow specific regulations of the unit.
By Flávia Figueiredo
Graduated in Biology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
MACHADO, Flávia de Figueiredo. "Full Protection Units"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/biologia/unidades-protecao-integral.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
