Geomorfologia dos maciços costeiros de Caucaia-Ceará

Abstract

The geomorphological characterization of the 600m high crystalline coastal massifs of Caucaia City, that integrates the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, Ceará, and the appropriation of the nature by various social sectors, are the main objective of this research. Divided into four parts, this research first discusses the methodological basis which contemplates the geomorphologic evolution of the sector of research, based on the ‘Uniformitarianism Principle” and the discussions about the appropriation of nature, through the environmental analysis, in an attempt to understand the complex society-nature relationship and varied forms of use and occupation. Throughout the dissertation, the physical environment and their interconnections is discussed integrating geological, geomorphologic, climatic, hydrological, pedological and biogeographical data, featuring an environmental framework, mainly marked by rain precipitation, which is concentrated in the first semester of the year, with a water deficit in the period extending from August to December. The crystalline mountains type geomorphology has great importance in the organization of the drainage system, as it is the water divisor for all the hydrological basins in the area. The soils and associated vegetation show physiological changes with altitude and slope declivity. As a result of the action on ten ten of millions of years of natural processes such as tectonic (uplift of basement in the Cretaceous time and marginal flexure especially along the Tertiary), climate action (external action and changes in weather patterns) and eustatic (with changes in the erosion base level). The evolution of the relief is contextualized in the division of the super-continent Gondwana, driven by processes that culminated in the generation of the Atlantic Ocean and formation of passive transform continental margin of Brazilian Northeast. The data obtained allowed to identify the geomorphological units that have been developed in a folded geological structure, presenting features such hog-backs and comb. This is the first time that folded controlled morphology is indicated, described and analyzed in Ceará territory. Other features as sugar-loafs, multi-convex relief type and inselbergs also occur in the vicinities of the hog-backs. The relationship between these high slopes with the adjacent planation surface (Sertaneja) and the coastal plain are also discussed. Finally, we discuss the ‘nature x society’ relationship in the area. The appropriation of the geomorphologic features began before the colonization of Ceará State by Portuguese, with the presence of indigenous communities. The gradual transformation of the landscape was made through a complex urbanization process, exhibiting various forms of use and occupation as agricultural areas, residential areas, for vacations and living, as well as ecological and religious tourism activities, besides mining economical activity. The mercantilization of nature is mainly linked to real estate market, highly increasing in the area. The development and appropriation of nature today results in environmental degradation and lack of nature to less favored population.