Susceptibilidade à desertificação na Região Imediata de Açu, Rio Grande do Norte - Brasil

Abstract

Desertification is one of the main environmental challenges faced by semi-arid regions, impacting ecosystems and communities that depend of natural resources for their subsistence. In Brazil, the problem is especially evident in the Northeastern Semi-Arid Region, where large areas show advanced processes of environmental degradation. Among these areas, the Serido Desertification Center stands out, covering 32 municipalities in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraiba. Despite the recognition of this center, other equally degraded regions need more in-depth studies, such as the Immediate Region of Açu. In this context, the general objective of this research is to analyze the susceptibility to environmental degradation/desertification in municipalities located in the Immediate Region of Açu, using desertification indicators and socioeconomic indicators. The choice of this region is justified by the fact that it is located in an Area Susceptible to Desertification and is classified by the most recent environmental mappings as heavily degraded, presenting characteristics similar to those of the Serido Core, but still insufficiently studied in the scientific literature. The methodology adopted was based on landscape studies using a geosystemic approach, ecodynamics, and geophysical and socio-environmental indicators. This approach allowed for an integrated analysis of the region's environmental dynamics, associating socio-environmental factors for a better comprehension of the area. The study is structured to correlate different environmental systems and their respective levels of susceptibility to degradation, classified as low, moderate, and high. The primary data obtained allowed for the delineation of five environmental systems: Tabuleiros, Planalto, Inselberg, Serra de Santana, Depressão Sertaneja, and Planicie Fluvial. Within these systems, seven subsystems were identified: Baixo Planalto de Angicos; Baixo Planalto da Borborema; Serras, Cristas e Inselbergs; Depressão Sertaneja Aplainada; Depressão Sertaneja Suave Ondulada and Planicie Fluvial (do Vale do Açu e do Itaporanga). The analysis of susceptibility to desertification revealed three distinct groups. The first, with greater environmental stability, had indexes between 3.5 and 3.3, classified as low susceptibility. The second group, with values between 3.3 and 3.0, indicated moderate vulnerability. The third, composed of areas with values between 2.6 and 2.0, revealed high susceptibility to desertification, revealing a worrying picture of environmental degradation. Based on these results, the importance of conducting integrated environmental studies to understand degradation processes in semi-arid regions is emphasized. These studies are essential for identifying environmental impacts, recognizing potentialities and limitations, and supporting the formulation of effective conservation and sustainable development strategies. Thus, the knowledge generated from the northeastern hinterlands, combined with interdisciplinary research, contributes substantially to scientific advancement and the development of public policies focused on the sustainability of natural resources and the improvement of the quality of life of local communities.