Conservação da zona costeira e áreas protegidas: a Reserva Biológica de Santa Isabel (Sergipe) como estudo de caso

Abstract

Considering the importance of protected areas of the Brazilian “full protection” legal category for biodiversity conservation, the aim of this study is to characterize the Biological Reserve (REBIO) of Santa Isabel, in the north coast of Sergipe (Brazil), and analyze the contribution of its management process to the conservation of the coastal zone of Sergipe, focusing mainly on two aspects: 1) environmental characteristics of the protected area and unit delimitation history, 2) objectives and management strategy. Currently, the main conflicts are the unplanned urban growth surrounding the unit limits, the use of some of its areas as pasture for livestock from neighbor properties and the shrimp trawling within areas near the shore, although prohibited. Among the various attempts to spatialize its boundaries, and to correct errors in the official document implementing the unit, it is suggested that the polygon presented in a public consultation held in 2010, which includes a larger area and thus encompass a greater number of landscape features, should be considered, in order to ensure continued protection of local biodiversity. In addition, the unit’s management plan must be officially published and the investments for biotic inventories and ecological studies increased. It is concluded that the REBIO Santa Isabel, despite the difficulties derived from the lack of human and material resources for its management, is effectively contributing to the conservation of the coastal zone of Sergipe, thus emphasizing the importance of the maintenance of this protected area as a Biological Reserve (“full protection” category) for a more effective conservation of these environments.