Estimativa do custo da erosão costeira por meio da valoração ambiental dos serviços ecossistêmicos no litoral de Icapuí–CE

Abstract

Coastal erosion has become an increasingly relevant problem worldwide, with several coastal areas experiencing accelerated shoreline retreat. In Brazil, due to its extensive coastline, this phenomenon affects multiple regions, particularly semi-arid coastal zones, where adverse climatic conditions and the intensification of extreme events exacerbate sediment deficits and accelerate erosive processes. This study estimated the economic cost of coastal erosion along the shoreline of the municipality of Icapuí, Ceará State, Brazil, through the environmental valuation of lost ecosystem services using the benefit transfer method, based on a multitemporal analysis of shoreline change. Shoreline variation was monitored between 2020 and 2025 using the Coastal Analyst System from Space Imagery Engine (CASSIE), with Sentinel-2 imagery and the automatic generation of 430 transects spaced every 100 m along the entire coastline. Rates of shoreline change were also calculated using the End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) indices, allowing the identification of the most critical erosion sectors. The results indicate that coastal erosion in Icapuí is progressive and cumulative in nature, reducing the natural capacity for coastal protection and generating recurrent economic losses associated with the decline of natural capital. These findings highlight the need for integrated coastal management strategies that are consistent with local sedimentary dynamics.