Landscape dynamics of floodplain rangelands under different management units on a ranch in the Pantanal, Brazil.

Abstract: This paper provides a spatio-temporal analysis of landscapes types changes over a 24-years period (1988- 2011) and examines how landscape metrics differ among management units on a livestock ranch of the Pantanal. For this study, three functionally independent management units (MU) with different management histories were selected: Unit A – Reserve area without grazing + occasional wildfires; Unit B- Grazing + fluvial flooding influence; Unit C- Continuous grazing. Landsat images, preferably from the late dry season were categorized into five landscapes classes over the period 1988–2011: (1) forested savanna (Sf); (2) arboreal savanna (Sa); (3) grassland savanna (Sg); (4) wetland (We) and (5) water bodies (Wb). Landscape metrics were analyzed using the software Fragstats. The change point detection for habitat proportions over time was fitted, and the log values for water bodies (Wb) showed a better fit, indicating a change in the proportion of water bodies around 2002, from 1988 to 2011. The years were classified as wetter (W) and drier (D), and variance analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of year (D and W), management unit (A, B, and C), and their interaction. The 15°year (2002) showed a notable change in the proportion of water bodies from 1988 to 2010. The years were classified in wet (W) and dry (D) and variance analysis was conducted to assess the effect of year (D and W), management unit (A, B and C) and interaction. There were differences between wetter and drier years, management units and their interaction for Wb, We, Sa and CS. All other metrics were influenced by the year and, to a large extent by the management unit. Therefore, decision-making for landscape management can be done adaptively based on climatic conditions.

Geopantanal 2024.