A Governança no combate à desertificação em comunidades rurais

Abstract

The aim of the article is to analyze how local governance structures affect the propensity to desertification resulting from anthropogenic action in rural areas susceptible to the problem in the state of Ceará. For this purpose, primary data was collected through the application of questionnaires to leaders of rural communities located in areas susceptible to desertification. Regarding methodology, initially, the PSR (Pressure-State-Response) model was adopted to describe the situation of desertification in the region supported by a set of indicators. Then, a matrix of governance indicators composed of six dimensions was developed. The two groups of indicators were aggregated into two indices: the Desertification Index (ID) and Governance Index in Desertified Areas (IGAD). To verify the relationship between governance and desertification, models were estimated using the method of ordinary least squares and quantile regression. The main results showed that there is a significant inverse correlation between the ID and the IGAD, showing that higher levels of implementation of the governance principles contribute to reducing desertification. It is concluded, then, that the fight against desertification requires the strengthening of the governance structure in Areas Susceptible to Desertification (ASD), in order to involve civil society, and public and private entities.