Insular streams integrity in Ilhabela, Brazil

Riparian zones are fragile, dynamic, and complex habitats, especially insular ones. We developed an approach relating 71 environmental variables from the rivers of Ilhabela (Brazil) through a rapid assessment protocol adapted to their adjacent environments. The prominent disturbances were related changes in physical structure riparian ecotone. Height type vegetation, stability riverbanks, sediment deposition, silting bed factors that most determined state environment. evaluated 20 eight hydrographic basins Ilhabela, which 7 presented excellent conditions, 10 good condition, 3 regular condition. environments populous portion island indicated more critical situations, given anthropogenic impacts. Riverine management must consider need for stricter observance laws occupation zoning plans, aiming at conservation biodiversity.