Caracterização dos sistemas de barreiras arenosas do litoral do Ceará

Abstract

Sandy barriers are morphological structures usually found in the coastal zone of Ceará. As barriers are dynamic and fragile, they are highly susceptible to anthropogenic impacts. This way, by studying them and the processes involved in their formation, the interaction between man and barrier can be better understood for the creation of sustainable methods for using them. Google Earth Pro was the software used to identify the barriers of Ceará coast and acquire high resolution imagery. The sandy barriers morphological classification as to their creation related processes was based on classic scientific papers descriptions. The barriers were arranged in three distinct groups: spits, double spits and mixed-energy barriers. The spits represent 62% of the sandy barriers, 33% are double spits and only 5% are mixed-energy barrier spits. There are mangrove ecosystems at the backbarrier zone of the majority of barriers found in the coastal environment.