Evolução da área florestada na região de Botucatu/SP no período de 1996 a 2008 visando à implantação da Reserva Legal

Due to the considerations on the Legal Forest Reserve, the aim of this paper is to show the distribution of the farming areas in the region and their application – especially natural forests. Also, to compare the municipal values with those stated in the Brazilian Forest Code in order to analyze the process of implementing 20% of forest area in relation to the total farming area, at municipal and regional levels, not considering the areas of each of the farms nor the watershed to which they belong with the Brazilian Forestry Code. The work results show that all municipalities in the region of Botucatu do not have forest areas equal or greater than 20% of total area. Therefore, a non-exploratory reforestation procedure will have to be implemented to follow legal requirements. Finally, the results show that the city of Areiópolis will face the greatest difficulties in implementing the 20% of forests with regard to the Legal Forest Reserve, until 2021, when the deadline stated by the Legal Code expires. According to the same variables, the municipalities of Anhembi, Conchas, Laranjal Paulista, Pereiras, Pratânia and São Manuel will face medium-level difficulties, whereas Bofete, Botucatu, Itatinga and Pardinho will implement it the easiest way.