Ecosystem-Based Information as a Support Tool to the Integrated Coastal Management of the Santa Catarina Island, Brazil

Abstract

Ecosystems contribute, through direct or indirect Ecosystem Services (ES), for the human well-being. Thus, to maintain ecosystems healthy condition, ecosystem-based management addresses interactions between human activities and environment, focusing on the sustainable use of these services. The aim of this research is to provide support for an integrated coastal management, based on an ecosystemic perspective, for Ilha de Santa Catarina (ISC) and surrounding bays and sea areas, Florianópolis municipality. To reach this goal it is necessary to map the island ecosystems, to analyze the ecosystem services, and to define those services that are basic for the human well-being, that is, services that have the greatest capacity to contribute to a safe and adequate livelihood. The mapping allowed the classification of 14 ecosystems. Marine ecosystems correspond to 51.9% of the study area and the terrestrial ones to 37.3%. The anthropogenic urban and rural areas correspond to 10.8% of the study area. Six basic ESs were identified in the ISC: fish stocks, shoreline protection, aquifer recharge, fresh water supply, pollution mitigation and natural nursery; those associated to 11 mapped ecosystems. The Information System created allowed quantitative and qualitative exploration on ecosystems and their services and improved already existing data. In addition, it established spatial relationships between systems and services, allowing conditions to future research in the region.

Keywords

• serviços ecossistêmicos
• gestão com base ecossistêmica
• ecossistemas