Capacidade de carga e percepção ambiental da Praia do Icaraí - Caucaia - CE

Abstract

The present work aimed to evaluate the leisure sustain capacity of Icaraí beach, located at the city of Caucaia – CE, using the Phisic Charge Capacity (number of people which a beach can physically accommodate) and Social Charge Capacity (individual perception of the beach crowding), for the purpose of estimate an adequate visitors number that wouldn‟t increase the already existing anthropic pressure. The methodological procedure used was collecting, elaborating and analyzing data using field measurement techniques (to estimate the occupied area), number of people and infra structure counting and photo-shooting (to monitorate accurately the influx of beach users), as well as 500 interviews with the Icaraí beach users to obtain the usual perception and behavior towards the actual reality of the beach. The results show a charge capacity still compatible with the tolerable saturation level. Although, in some spots, during “rush” hours, such capacity reaches saturation levels, with critical signs of unbearable people concentration and thus spoiling the users‟ experience quality, whom declared prefer beaches with reduced congestion. This work contribution lays in produce a study about a beach charge capacity unpublished in Ceará. Such studies help decision taking in local management plans which take into consideration the costal organization in order to balance the environmental preservation and commercial development in the local beautiful beaches, Ceará‟s priceless natural heritage.