NOTA TÉCNICA: Existe uma medida compensatória mais ecológica para o corte das espécies da flora ameaçadas de extinção ou legalmente protegidas para adoção pelo INEMA?

Abstract

This study explores alternatives for environmental compensation for the removal of threatened or legally protected species, with a focus on the practice implemented by Bahia's Institute for the Environment and Water Resources (INEMA), which mandates the planting of 15 seedlings for every tree removed. The objective is to guide INEMA’s technical team in assessing compensation plans for these species and propose the regulation of more effective and promising compensatory measures to conserve the biodiversity of flora in the state of Bahia. The investigation critically analyzes the regulated measure, identifying its ecological and practical limitations, and proposes more effective and sustainable approaches. The replacement of mature trees with seedlings is questioned, as the latter require decades to fully perform essential ecological functions such as providing habitat, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation, which are fundamental for biodiversity. The analysis examines the contradictions inherent in the current compensatory policy, revealing how the low species diversity and lack of alignment with local ecological characteristics undermine the effectiveness of planting efforts. Current practices fail to adequately restore essential ecological attributes, leaving species and ecosystems vulnerable. The study proposes that the fixed 1:15 ratio be adjusted based on the threat category and species-specific characteristics, promoting compensation that reflects the complexity of local ecology and the necessity of maintaining ecological interactions such as pollination and seed dispersal. The findings suggest that diversifying compensatory measures—such as the adoption of environmental easements and germplasm rescue—can achieve better conservation outcomes. Stricter monitoring programs and the use of advanced technologies are also recommended to ensure the success of compensated areas. Furthermore, it is suggested that INEMA adopt a management platform similar to Recooperar, at the federal level, to centralize and systematize information on compensatory planting areas, facilitating the monitoring of restoration actions. The expected outcomes of implementing these measures include ecological benefits, such as biodiversity preservation and the restoration of ecological functions, as well as economic benefits, by fostering environmental recovery activities. This study contributes to the development of more effective conservation policies for threatened flora, tailored to local conditions and grounded in scientific evidence, thereby promoting environmental sustainability and the well-being of future generations.