Análise socioambiental do Município de Sapeaçu com ênfase na extração ilegal de areia

Abstract

The environmental degradation as a result of processes of irrational exploitation of natural resources is quite visible in our country, especially when we consider, on a smaller scale, the City of Sapeaçu situated in the territory with Identity of Bahia's Reconcavo. In this sense, this study aimed to the general survey of the environmental situation of the Municipality of Sapeaçu, emphasizing the illegal extraction of sand, using the Geoprocessing and the Geographic Information System (GIS) as the main analysis tools. The methodology of work consisted in field work to obtain important points (GPS, photographs) for maps construction, in addition to the application of semi-structured questionnaires, to assess the environmental awareness of the residents in the localities where occur illegal extraction of sand. Interpretation of the data allowed to identify some problems that deserve attention. For example the original Municipality's biome suffered severe degradation in the past and now its components ecosystems are almost non existent, possibly causing changes in the vegetation of the region, particularly near Castro Alves county; the water bodies situation is delicated, since the waterflow is harmed, with little or no riparian vegetation, including that of hill tops, which when uncovered favor the erosion and the consequent siltation. The extraction of sand, the main focus of this study, was considered intensive, generating soil and water degradation, allowing in some locations, see the upwelling of groundwater. In the sand extraction's affected region, it was also identified the existence of debris deposition's area, which is related to the problem of water contamination in the region. Regarding the views on the sand extraction activity, the majority of respondents was positioned against, but recognize that activity is essential to ensure the income of many families. Among the consequences of this activity was quoted: soil degradation, water shortages and deforestation as the main. In view of the results obtained, emphasize was made to recognize the need to recover degraded areas and to develop environmental education programs aimed to raise awareness regarding the sand extraction activity and its consequences. It also highlights the role of municipal government in the surveillance and implementation of strategies, aimed to strengthening family farming as alternative income for the owner that sells sand.