Percepção ambiental da erosão costeira em uma praia no litoral do Nordeste do Brasil (Praia da Taíba, CE)

Abstract

The coastal zone, with its innumerable attractions, is considered a privileged destination for various purposes, including tourism, leisure, and residences. These activities are compromised when coastlines erode. Coastal erosion is a global problem, given the number of places around the world where the coastline is receding. For the coast of Northeast Brazil, which is highly significant for tourism due to its beautiful beaches, native communities, holiday resorts, and residences, coastal erosion is a serious environmental, economic, and social problem. Hence, this phenomenon must be addressed through an understanding of the physical processes involved in the erosion in accordance with the environmental awareness of the stakeholders of the coastal zones. This way, a better appreciation of the human and environmental needs that constitute the local reality and a better comprehension of the values and expectations of society regarding economic, ethical, and aesthetic issues for protection of the environment can be achieved. The aim of this study was to diagnose the perception of the stakeholders regarding coastal erosion on a tourist beach in the northeast of Brazil. Located 74 km from the capital of the state Ceará, the Praia da Taiba is an approximately 10 km stretch of sandy beach, dunes, and sandstone reefs, with many cliffs and gullies formed by the tidal hydrodynamics. In recent decades, the region has experienced economic boom due to tourism, the establishment of a port and industrial pole (the Industrial and Port Complex of Pecém (CIPP) in 2002), and the construction of wind turbines (the EolicTurbine Complex of Taiba in 1999). Data for the study was obtained using questionnaires specifically designed to reflect local reality. They were divided into the following parts: information about the interviewee, the ways people use the beach, and people’s perception of the landscape. The results showed that the majority of the interviewees agreed that coastal erosion in the study area was caused by human activities, mainly related to the port complex of Pecém, over the last five years. Measures to contain coastal erosion were considered important in improving the socioeconomic state of the area. As a result, environmental awareness is relevant in studies of coastal erosion as a tool for planning and/or policies of public works that endeavor to improve beaches by controlling coastal erosion with the ultimate aim of contributing to socioeconomic and environmental development and the recuperation of tropical beaches