USE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS FOR ANALYSIS IN THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE PACOTI RIVER APA IN THE YEARS 1968-2023

Abstract

The Environmental Protection Area of Rio Pacoti encompasses diverse environments translated into a lush landscape. The scenic beauty, created by the combination of dune environments, estuaries, and other systems, has been facing anthropogenic pressures from real estate speculation and the tourism sector. Despite being a Conservation Unit, the area experiences high human occupation. Considering this, an analysis was conducted through environmental systems to examine how the landscape has changed from 1968 to 2023. The theory of environmental systems organizes the landscape by segmenting environments based on flows of matter and energy. Analyses conducted by the team of the project "Planning, Creation, and Implementation of Conservation Units in Ceará: Scientific Subsidies for Environmental Public Policies" from the Chief Scientist Environment Program showed that the percentage of mobile dune areas decreased, while fixed dunes increased, and the pre-littoral tableland remained stable over the years. Despite significant modifications, the analyses indicated an increase in river-marine plains with mangroves, suggesting that the creation of the Conservation Unit contributed to the recovery of this important environment. Thus, the importance of establishing protected areas is highlighted as a means of landscape conservation, aiding in sustainability efforts.