Evaluating conservation threats to reservoirs in the semiarid region of Brazil using the perception of residents

Authors

  • Evaldo de Lira Azevêdo Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brasil.
  • Maria Auxiliadora Drumond Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - UFMG, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Conservação e Manejo da Vida Silvestre, ICB, Av. Pres. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, MG,31270-901, Brasil.
  • Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves Universidade Estadual da Paraíba - UEPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, CCBS, Rua das Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58429-500, Brasil.
  • Thelma Lúcia Pereira Dias Universidade Estadual da Paraíba - UEPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, CCBS, Rua das Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58429-500, Brasil.
  • Joseline Molozzi Universidade Estadual da Paraíba - UEPB, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, CCBS, Rua das Baraúnas, 351, Bairro Universitário, Bodocongó, Campina Grande, PB, 58429-500, Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15451/ec2020-02-9.04-1-15

Keywords:

Water Resources, Environmental Degradation, Lotic Ecosystems, Biocultural Conservation.

Abstract

Conservation and management strategies must be holistic, and therefore must guarantee the participation of local communities in the processes of identifying threats. Our study sought to identify the principal threats to reservoir conservation in the semiarid region of Brazil based on the perception of residents, and develop a conceptual model with the main threats to be used as a basis for orienting conservation measures. The study was undertaken with four communities around four reservoirs in two watersheds. A total of 126 people were interviewed to identify threats to reservoir conservation. The Criticality Index (CI) of threats was calculated based on the methodology developed by Open Patterns for Conservation Practices. Among the principal threats to reservoirs identified by local populations were discharging residues (both solid and liquids) and overfishing. In support of local perception, larger Criticality Index values were recorded for: 1- discharging residues (CI = 0.50), 2- deforestation in the riparian zone (CI= 0.20), and 3 - overfishing (CI = 0.17). The recorded threats put at risk the sustainability of local ecosystems and human populations. It will be necessary to develop effective conservation policies that promote environmental awareness and foster the participation of local communities in the sustainable administration of local ecosystems.

Author Biography

Evaldo de Lira Azevêdo, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco - UFRPE, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Etnobiologia e Conservação da Natureza, Rua Dom Manoel de Medeiros, s/n, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE, 52171-900, Brasil.

Unidade de Formação Geral

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Published

02/13/2020

How to Cite

Azevêdo, E. de L., Drumond, M. A., Alves, R. R. N., Dias, T. L. P., & Molozzi, J. (2020). Evaluating conservation threats to reservoirs in the semiarid region of Brazil using the perception of residents. Ethnobiology and Conservation, 9. https://doi.org/10.15451/ec2020-02-9.04-1-15

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