Impactos da erosão costeira na praia do Batoque, Ceará, Brasil

Abstract

Coastal erosion is a dynamic process that compromises the environmental integrity of coastal areas and directly impacts the livelihoods of traditional communities. At Praia do Batoque, located within the Batoque Extractive Reserve (RESEX) in Aquiraz (CE), intense morphodynamic changes have been observed over the past decades, affecting artisanal fishing, the main local economic activity. This research aimed to analyze the spatio-temporal variation of the coastline between the years 2003 and 2025, using the DSAS (Digital Shoreline Analysis System) with the End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) methods. The results indicated significant rates of coastline retreat in the studied sector, with maximum erosion values exceeding -4 m/year in some sections. The multitemporal comparison revealed the replacement of natural features by degraded areas, as well as the advance of mobile dunes over buildings, with residential losses reported by the local population. The loss of post-beach areas used for boat resting and fish trade was observed, compromising the practice of artisanal fishing. The improvised use of materials to try to contain erosion, vehicle traffic in sensitive areas such as turtle nesting sites, and the increase of anthropization in zones classified as maximum protection were also noted. The research highlights the urgency of integrated management actions, emphasizing public policies aimed at protecting traditional communities and preserving coastal ecosystems. The Batoque RESEX, although legally established, lacks effective management instruments that ensure its ecological and sociocultural functionality, such as increased local supervision.