Serviços ecossistêmicos e segurança hídrica na Serra de Martins, oeste do RN

Abstract

Environmental injustice occurs not only in poor countries, but also in developed nations, mainly focused on inequalities of race, gender, appropriation of minority groups, and conflicts over water use. However, it is a fact that socio-environmental conflicts are much more visible and harmful in the poorest countries, which do not adopt environmental governance in an integrated manner. In this way, a country that searches for household water security should previously ensure the ecosystem functions of nature, with environmental justice. This study aimed to understand the household water security in the municipality of Serra de Martins (Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) in the context of governance and ecosystem services (SE).The method used consisted of field visits, bibliographic surveys, consultations with public management bodies, application of a questionnaire on household water insecurity (IHD), and statistical data treatment. This research is relevant because it addresses water insecurity in a “humid enclave in the Sertão”, which comprises an exception area and, despite being a natural environment with groundwater availability, it is characterized by the scarcity and poor distribution of water resources. Finally, through cluster analysis, it was found that the most representative group (70.36%) had low and medium IHD, despite distributive conflicts over access to water. Considering rural and urban communities, urban residences showed a higher level of water insecurity. Comparing them, it was observed a high IHD to very high IHD, in the urban area (33.91%), whereas the rural area accounted for 19.8%. It was understood that the rural population with lower IHD, contradictorily, is the most concerned with resources, willing to value the environment. Regarding the willingness to pay (DAP) for water conservation, 51.20% stated they are not willing to pay. Comparing the DAP in both areas, the rural population showed greater interest in contributing (56.44%), in comparison to the urban population (45.49%). Despite the injustices and conflicts over access to water, the population has little perception of water security in Serra de Martins. Given the above, it was concluded that the studied municipality has no water security, as there is no efficient governance adapted to the reality of this “humid enclave”. Concerning the conservation of environmental services, they could contribute to a better water supply, which does not ensure household water security. It was observed that the answer is not in the water availability in the mountain located in the study area, but it is in the decision-making by the different authorities responsible for its governance who do not act to share and distribute water resources safely to everybody, regardless of social and geographical conditions.