Land-use and land-cover data were divided into five classes: 1) eucalyptus
plantations, 2) pine plantations, 3) riparian forests, 4) pastures
and grassland (which in general covered all the terrestrial land area
which did not belong to the first three classes, and whose distribution
was indicated by small cattle-shelter forests), and 5) water (the Río
Negro). The area of riparian forests was calculated using a 50m buffer
zone along tributaries. Changes in pastures and grasslands, and the ensuing
consequences of plantations for cattle husbandry,were estimated
using small cattle-shelter stands as an indicator. Their number was
counted fromthe 1987 satellite image, and summarized areaswere calculated
using dots with a 75 m radius. Other land use types, such as agriculture—
mainly cereals, fodder, and soy—and urban areas were so
marginal in the study area that theywere omitted fromthe final GIS analyses.
The interpretation of the images was checked with field surveys
and with the Stora Enso GIS database. Finally, the results of the GIS analyses
were assessed together with the results of the interview data to
examine people's perceptions of ecosystem services in changing
landscape.