Análise de vulnerabilidade ecológica da Bacia Lagos São João, RJ: uma contribuição metodológica para estudos de adaptação às mudanças ambientais globais.

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to the development of a methodology for the analysis of watersheds ecological vulnerability, focusing on freshwater ecosystems. It Was developed from a methodological base proposed by WWF and its adapted application to Lagos São João Basin. With this methodology, it was possible to perform a multi-criteria analysis identifying, by one side, the major stressors affecting the ecological integrity of the basin, and its severity and frequency, by collaborative evaluation of a panel of experts; on the other side, was evaluated the basin sensitivity to stressors identified. The use of geographic information system tools allowed spatialize, locate and quantify the treats (stressors), generating maps of ecological risk, identifying in particular, the units more unbalanced of the territory in question. These are priority in actions of aquatic ecosystems conservation, and provided ecosystems services, which depends much of the population of the basin. Can be conclude, therefore, that this dissertation presents two main contributions: a global and preliminary study of Lagos São João Basin ecological integrity, and, above all, the adaptations and detailing of the methodology base developed by WWF, replicable to other watersheds. Should be noted that this analysis is the preliminary step for the definition of basins adaptation and resilience strategies to global environmental changes associated with climate variability and change.