ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN SEMIARID BRASILIAN: AN APLICATION OF SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS IN MUNICIPALITIES WITH CONSERVATION UNITS

Abstract

The Brazilian semiarid has a unique Domain, the Caatinga, which is subject to various anthropogenic pressures causing numerous problems, among them environmental degradation, which stands out from other phenomena due to a direct influence on the sustainability of the Caatinga. One of the most used tools to measure environmental sustainability is the system of sustainability indicators Pressure-State-Impact-Response, applied in this study to measure the sustainability of an environmental degradation and to obtain a diagnosis of the Caatinga degradation in three municipalities of the State of Rio Grande do Norte that adopt different environmental management practices. The municipalities are Serra Negra do Norte, Jucurutu and Tenente Laurentino Cruz. This analysis is a tool that could provide support for a planning aiming to improve quality of life and environmental sustainability, as these three municipalities have similar characteristics and distinct forms of environmental management. They can be compared and evaluated in terms of contribution to the conservation of Caatinga.