Vulnerabilidades e funcionalidades de praias arenosas: estudo aplicado à praia de Imbassaí, Litoral Norte da Bahia

Abstract

Changes to the coastal landscape, mainly motivated by an increasing tourist demand, generally do not take into account coastal processes and the limitations imposed by variations in the configuration of the coastline. The lack of knowledge of the geomorphological and hydrodynamic characteristics of the beaches, combined with the intense use of this environment, can cause, for example, an intensification of their vulnerability to erosion. The urbanized coastline with the presence of fixed constructions along its coastline and coastal engineering interventions can result in the loss of environmental quality and the compromise of its functions – coast protection, flora and fauna habitat and human recreational use. The occupation and disorderly use of the coast can leave this environment also vulnerable to coastal pollution. Pollution represents a serious threat, especially to the functions of habitat and recreation, and is normally associated with the lack of basic sanitation and the presence of solid waste. The main objective of this research is to propose methods and indicators that help to understand how coastal dynamics and anthropogenic use condition the functionalities and vulnerabilities of sandy beaches, having the Imbassaí beach as a case study. Imbassaí beach, located in the municipality of Mata de São João, on the north coast of Bahia, is an important tourist destination in the state. The coastal erosion vulnerability matrix indicates very high vulnerability in two stretches of the beach, while vulnerability to pollution was considered negligible in most of the study area. The habitat function was considered effective in the whole beach, while the protection function was only considered effective in a stretch. Regarding the recreation function, it was considered a threat in the entire studied area. The use of vulnerability and beach functionality indicators makes it possible to compare the characteristics of different beaches and helps to guide management plans, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and favoring the responsible use of the coast.