Managing scientific research in southeast Brazil: attributes and needs

Scientific research plays an important role in safeguarding protected areas. However, there are barriers to conducting science and uncertainties regarding how this knowledge might locally guide conservation actions. Therefore, our study aimed at analyzing how research is managed in 22 state parks managed by the Forestry Foundation in São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, and verifying whether park age, available infrastructure, number of trails, and staff were crucial for fostering scientific research. Using official information on websites, a survey and a database provided by the state environmental agency, we tested the relationship between these variables by performing multivariate regression analyzes. We also systematically reviewed management plans of each state park to identify research priorities. Parks with better physical and organizational resources and more efficient management, attracted more research projects. Our results showed that only a third of the research priorities were met, indicating a deficit in knowledge needed for management. The most important variables identified for scientific research in Brazilian parks could serve as targets for other protected areas worldwide (e.g., the number of trails to access study sites).