Silent loss: Misapplication of an environmental law compromises conservation in a Brazilian biodiversity hotspot

Abstract

We examine scientific evidence underpinning the application of the Atlantic Forest Act (AFA) to licensing and compensation in campo rupestre, a megadiverse grassland strongly affected by mining but lacking specific legislation. We found no empirical support to the assumptions of the current legislation. First, lists of indicators species are not appropriate to indicate successional stages in campo rupestre. Second, the reliance on successional stages of regeneration in this ecosystem as recommended by legislation has no empirical support. Using the AFA instead of a specific policy to campo rupestre has led to significant area loss of this vegetation type. We conclude that inadequate legislation enforcement poses a threat to biodiversity and conservation of the campo rupestre. We recommend the environmental agencies to immediately stop using current legislation (CONAMA Resolution 423/2010) in environmental licensing processes and provide suggestions for the elaboration of specific legislation that addresses the peculiarities and importance of campo rupestre.