The development of a simple methodology for evaluation of the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation in legally protected areas in the Cerrado is the objective of this project. The conceptual basis will be defined as a first step, defining the problem and theoretical hypotheses. The environmental potential of the area under study will then be characterized. The threats to the environmental integrity of the area will be assessed, as well as the ecological risk. Management strategies will be proposed, in the end. The actual effectiveness of Conservation Units is invaluable information for the SGP and other environmentally driven initiatives.