Search

In the state of Mato Grosso Sul, Brazil, there is a relevant landscape characterized as the largest floodplain in the world, the Pantanal Sul-Matogrossense. The Serra do Amolar stands out in this relief in contrast to the Pantanal plain, representing a complex landscape structure materializedby a variety of fauna, flora, slopes and water diversity. In this context, the present study investigated how the complexity of the physical elements of Serra do Amolar conditions its levels of visual quality,associated with the development of Nature Tourism activities. Field data were used in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to define analysis parameters and data crossing, generating a summary map of the investigation. Three different levels of visual quality were identified. The first predominates along the extension of the Serra do Amolar and is related to outstanding reliefs, native vegetation, and presence of water bodies. The second level is characterized by small transition areas. The third level presents plain areas with high rates of anthropic interventions. Each level highlights a variety of activities in the Nature Tourism segment that may be performed in line with the landscapes, according to the conservation and preservation proposals for the iconic area

The Pantanal is the world's largest freshwater wetland, located in the geographical centre of South America. It is relatively well conserved, and features unique landscapes, ecosystems, and traditional cultural practices, shaped by the dynamic interaction of climatological, hydrological, geological, ecological, and anthropogenic factors. Its ecological integrity is increasingly threatened by human activities, particularly, in the wider catchment area, for example, deforestation, agricultural intensification, and construction of hydropower plants,with implications for local people's livelihoods.We present a synthesis of current literature on physical, ecological, and human dimensions of environmental change in the wetland, outline key research gaps, and discuss environmental management implications. The literature review suggests that better integration of insights from multiple disciplines is needed and that environmentalmanagement could be improved through a better grounding in traditional practices and local perspectives. We conclude with four recommendations: First, future environmental change research should build more strongly on the positive example of a small number of case studieswhere traditional and local knowledge of the environment was put into a dialogue with scientific knowledge and techniques. Second, we recommend a more explicit consideration of longer temporal scales (N10 years) in environmental change research, making use of oral and written histories, as well as palaeoecological techniques, to understand system responses to different magnitudes of human and climatic pressures, and ultimately, to inform future adaptation activities. Third, we suggest that enhanced stakeholder participation in conceiving and implementing research projects in the Pantanal would strengthen the practical relevance of research in addressing environmental management challenges, livelihood needs, and advocacy processes. Fourth, we call for a more systemic and integrative