**9. References**


analyzed period. Additionally, all the areas were measured facilitating a more detailed

The burning frequency was also accurately measured, indicating the recurrence of fire among pairs of years and in the most affected years. The study of the frequency of fires made it possible to identify the most critical areas, elaborate a strategy to support fire fighting, e. g., the creation of rural roads or accesses to these areas to facilitate the movement

The variation of the type of vegetation (biodiversity loss) was analyzed based on the occurrence of fire. It was noticed that in areas of high fire frequency the physiognomy of *cerrado sensu stricto* vegetation was changed into *campo cerrado* because of the damage caused

The products (burned map and descriptive information) generated in this research are important tools for governmental authorities in Brazilian Conservation Units (e. g. in ICMBio), particularly to promote innovation of public politics in the prevention and control management of fires within the ES (Ecological Stations). Besides, they provide insights for future research on environmental preservation and continuous monitoring of protected areas.

We thank INPE (National Institute for Space Research) for providing free access to Landsat

At ICMBio (Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation) for providing transport

Araujo, A. A. (2005). Modernization of the Agricultural Frontier in Piauí Cerrado: the Case

Carvalho, L. M. T. (2001). Mapping and Monitoring Forest Remnants, a Multiscale Analysis

Castro, A. J. F. (1999). Cerrados do Brasil e do Nordeste: Caracterização, Área de Ocupação e

Coutinho, L. M. (1978). O Conceito de Cerrado. *Revista Brasileira de Botânica*. Vol.1, No.1,

CPC - Climate Prediction Center. (December 2010). Available from http://www.cpc.noaa.

Eiten, G. (1972). The Cerrado Vegetation of Brazil. *The Botanical Review*. Vol.38, No.2, (June

Eiten, G. (1979). Formas Fisionômicas do Cerrado. *Revista Brasileira de Botânica*. Vol.2, No.2,

Furley, P.A & Ratter, J. A. (1988). Soil Resources and Plant Communities of the Central

Brazilian Cerrado and their Development. *Journal of Biogeography*. Vol.15, No.1,

of Bom Jesus. 164p. *Dissertation* (Master in Development and Environment), Federal

of Space-Temporal data. 138p. *Thesis* (PhD in Remote Sensing), Wageningen

Considerações sobre a sua Fitodiversidade. *Pesquisa Foco*, Vol.7, No.9, (December

and access to UUES facilities, which has made this research possible.

University of Piauí, Brazil.

University, Wageningen.

(January 1978), pp. 17-23.

(June 1979), pp. 139-148.

(January 1988), pp. 97-108.

1972), pp. 201-341.

1999), pp. 147-178, ISSN: 2176-0136.

gov/products/analysis\_monitoring/ensostuff.

analysis concerning the intensity of the fire.

of the fire brigades.

to some species by the fires.

**8. Acknowledgments** 

5 TM images.

**9. References** 


**9** 

*1Landcare Research 2University of Waikato* 

*New Zealand* 

**Provision of Natural Habitat for Biodiversity:** 

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) found that over the past 50 years, natural ecosystems have changed more rapidly and extensively than in any other period of human history (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). In the 30 years after 1950, more land was converted to cropland than in the 150 years between 1700 and 1850, and now one quarter of the earth's surface is under cultivation. In the last decades of the twentieth century, approximately 20% of the world's coral reefs have disappeared and an additional 20% show serious degradation. Of the fourteen major biomes in the world, two have lost two thirds of their area to agriculture and four have lost one half of their area to agriculture. The distribution of species has become more homogeneous, primarily as a result of species introduction associated with increased travel and shipping. Over the past few hundred years, the species extinction rate has increased by a thousand times, with some 10–30% of mammal, bird, and amphibian species threatened with extinction. Genetic diversity has

A framework of ecosystem services was developed to examine how these changes influence human well-being, including supporting, regulating, provisioning, and cultural services (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2003). While overall there has been a net gain in human well-being and economic development, it has come at the cost of degradation to many ecosystem services and consequent diminished ecosystem benefits for future generations. Many ecosystem services are degrading because they are simply not considered in natural resource management decisions. Biodiversity plays a major role in human wellbeing and the provision of ecosystem services (Diaz et al., 2006). For example, natural ecosystems provide humans with clean air and water, play a major role in the decomposition of wastes and recycling of nutrients, maintain soil quality, aid pollination,

New Zealand has been identified as a biodiversity hotspot (Conservation International, 2010). Located in the Pacific Ocean, south east of Australia, New Zealand covers 270 thousand square kilometres on three main islands (North, South and Stewart Island). It has a wide variety of landscapes, with rugged mountains, rolling hills, and wide alluvial plains. Over 75 percent of New Zealand is above 200 meters in altitude, reaching a maximum of

**1. Introduction** 

**1.1 Biodiversity and habitat provision in New Zealand** 

declined globally, particularly among cultivated species.

regulate local climate and reduce flooding.

**Quantifying Recent Trends in New Zealand** 

Anne-Gaelle E. Ausseil1, John R. Dymond1 and Emily S. Weeks2

