Environmental protection areas in freshwater: remote sensing data and species diversity in large South American reservoirs

The paper operates within the established limnological paradigm that links anthropogenic pressures, such as agriculture and urbanization, to freshwater eutrophication. It also employs the methodological paradigm of using satellite-based remote sensing, specifically the Normalized Difference Chlorophyll Index (NDCI) from Sentinel-2A data, as a tool for large-scale environmental monitoring. The work aims to solve the puzzle of identifying priority conservation areas by correlating eutrophication indicators (chlorophyll-a) with biodiversity data (species richness), thus articulating and extending the application of these existing frameworks to large South American reservoirs.

The research is classified as Normal Science because it engages in "puzzle-solving" within well-defined scientific paradigms. It does not challenge the fundamental theory that human activity causes eutrophication, which in turn affects species diversity. Instead, it applies and refines existing tools—remote sensing via Earth Engine and established biodiversity databases—to a specific, large-scale problem: prioritizing conservation efforts in South American reservoirs. The study's contribution is the application and articulation of the current paradigm to a new geographical context, rather than the introduction of anomalies or a revolutionary new framework.