Homem e “natureza” em um parque nacional do sul do Brasil: meios de vida e conflitos nos arredores da Lagoa do Peixe

This paper assesses the legitimacy of National Park as the most appropriate category of protected area for the Lagoa do Peixe region, in Southern Brazil. The livelihoods, ecological knowledge and culture of the traditional fishers have been threatened by the creation and implementation of this protected area, leading to conflicts which jeopardize environmental conservation. We suggest that the traditional population be included as partners for the protection of this area of high ecological relevance.