Percepção ambiental em relação aos serviços ecossistêmicos do manguezal das comunidades tradicionais

Abstract

Mangroves are characterized as transitional ecosystems between the terrestrial and aquatic environment, of importance in the nutrient cycle, decomposition of organic matter, carbon storage and serve as nursery for several species. The fishing community of Maragojipe-BA uses the mangrove as a form of sustenance and presents direct contact with the functions and services of the ecosystem, therefore, the traditional community and mangrove relations provide to this community an understanding of the dynamic relations present in the ecosystem through the knowledges environmental perceptions. In this way the present work has as general objective to relate the environmental perception of the traditional fishing community of Maragojipe-BA to the ecosystem services provided by the mangrove. For theoretical support, authors such as Tomlison (1986), Andrade and Romeiro (2009), Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005), Diegues (1992, 2001), Berkes (1993) and Tuan (1980) were used. For the development of the research was chosen the qualitative-quantitative approach and the types of descriptive and exploratory research. As a data collection, a structured questionnaire was developed using the snowball sampling method where members of the traditional fishing community answered their perceptions about mangroves and their ecosystem services. With this research it was possible to conclude the presence of traditional ecological knowledge linked to environmental functions, as well as the notion of ecosystem services of provision, culture and regulation. The fishermen are unaware of the meaning of Extractive Reserve although the community is included in the Reserve area, they also do not know about the Permanent Preservation Area, however, they consider the mangrove as such. Most of the subjects present an anthropocentric view of the ecosystem, highlighting the food supply services due to the way in which the ecosystem is used and cultural relations. It was noticed the presence of cases of wood extraction in the region, after the report of the fishermen of non occurrence of this type of action in the region. There were also cases in which it was possible to relate the perception to topophilia and speeches related to the cultural belonging. The interviewees were indifferent regarding the planting of mangrove swamps and chose basic sanitation and trash removal as better actions considering mangrove preservation. From this research it is possible to conclude the existence of traditional ecological knowledge in community members, and the contribution of this knowledge to fishing practices, the presence of affective ties with the environment in which they live. The utilitarian character of the ecosystem leaves the way open for future extensionist studies thought from the point of view of the community.