ABSTRACT
The combination of a seasonal climate, grassy combustible vegetation and flat topography that prevails in the cerrado region favours fire spread and the maintenance of frequent fires. It is believed that cerrado biota evolved under the presence of fire in the Brazilian Central Plateau. When the Portuguese colonisers arrived in Brazil, hundreds of indigenous ethnic groups inhabited the cerrado region. Living in the forest-cerrado boundary, the Kayapo distinguish 14 ecological zones within the cerrado-grassland gradient. Human density in the cerrado region remained low until the middle of the 20th century. The detailed management of the cerrado by the Kayapo people shows their significant influence on present cerrado structure and species composition, as well as on cerrado flora distribution. Despite regulations for the use of management fires in protected areas existing since 1989, decision makers have been reluctant to admit fire for biological conservation purposes in Brazilian parks and reserves.
