The main goal of this work was to analyze the dynamics of landscape structure in a Forest Production Project from 1980 to 2004,focusing on the changes in landscape after the implementation of eucalyptus stands. The study area corresponded to the limits of the Macedônia forest project, located in Bugre and Ipaba, in eastern Minas Gerais. The 1980 land use mapping was achieved through visual interpretation of a mosaic of air photographs. For the 2004 land use mapping, a multispectral image from the Quickbirb satellite was used. The quantitative characterization of landscape structure was described by using the landscape ecology indices. The eucalyptus plantations were confirmed to be implemented in tree-pasture areas (45.2%) and in open pasture (46.9%). These two classes presented the greatest alteration in use, giving place especially to native forests (15.6%). It was also confirmed that out of the 938.6 ha of the native forests existing in 1980, 846.42 ha did not suffer any alteration. The connection between the forest reserves also decreased from 165.04m of minimum average distance between them in 1980 to 15.86m in 2004. The integrated management of the property changed the structure of landscape positively,also altering the predominant use aimed to wood production, and biodiversity preservation and conservation..
Landscape ecology; geoprocessing; land use alteration dynamics
