Private reserves in Brazil: Distribution patterns, logistical challenges, and conservation contributions

Traditional strategies to stem declines in biodiversity include the establishment of public protected area networks. However, private lands are an increasingly important component of contemporary reserve networks. Despite the increasing recognition of the value of private lands for conservation little is known about these areas. Consequently, this study aimed to re-evaluate the changes in private reserves in Brazil since 2005. Brazil’s private reserve system is represented by 1182 reserves, recognized under federal law and created to protect nature in perpetuity. These reserves protect 7502km2 of land and are distributed across seven terrestrial biomes. This is an overall increase of 35% in the number of reserves (n=753) and 3265km2 of protected land (