Morphofunctional dynamics of the landscape in environmental preservation area: landscape transformations, ecosystem services and contributions to the conservation of water resources

Abstract Conservation Units (CU) protect the environment and water resources, ensuring the integrity of the landscape. Thus, to understand the effects of the creation of the Piraquara Environmental Protection Areas (EPA), this study sought to understand changes in land use and land cover and the provision of ecosystem services that contribute to the water supply of the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba. Data from MapBiomas, the MOLUSCE program for projections and the benefit transfer method were used to estimate ecosystem services. The results indicate anthropization between 1991 and 2021, with a reduction in water bodies between 2011 and 2021. Projections for 2031–2051 indicate a reduction in forest and agricultural areas, an increase in water bodies and urban fragmentation. A decrease in support and regulation services was observed. It is concluded that the Piraquara EPA has a predominantly forested landscape and that the creation of the CU contributed to protecting the water sources and consolidating the landscape matrix.