Soils degraded by desertification in the Brazilian Northeast of Brazil: a strategy for recovery, management and social insertion

Abstract

The process of environmental degradation in arid and semi-arid regions has intensified due to anthropic and natural factors. In this context, the semi-arid northeast is inserted, which is configured as a region of high degree of vulnerability and susceptibility to the effects of environmental changes and the desertification process. Thus, this project aims to analyze and evaluate the environmental degradation process in the Desertification Center of Cabrobó, state of Pernambuco, and to propose actions of sustainable bases for use, management, and recovery of soil. The classification of the environmental susceptibility of this nucleus will be obtained from mapping, with Landsat 8 satellite images and agrometeorological data, energy balance, real evapotranspiration, and landscape metrics. Meteorological trends will be evaluated for a better understanding of mapping from the Mann-Kendall test. To evaluate the dynamics of land use, soil samples will be collected, characterized, and determined the ETRs and isotopes of 13C as markers of environmental changes. Besides, experiments will be carried out to evaluate the capacity of the biomaterial, hydrogel produced from hydroxyapatite, associated or not with organic matter as a nutrient source, in recovering the fertility of soils degraded by the salinization process. After the execution of the procedural and experimental stages will be held workshops with students of Elementary School I of the Truká indigenous community, residents of the island of Asunción, municipality of Cabrobó, and municipal civil society. The impacts of incorrect soil management and the importance of conservation of the Caatinga biome as a form of social insertion will be addressed, and questionnaires will be applied as a way of evaluating the activities performed. It is expected at the end of this research that the actions performed and information obtained to allow an environmental assessment of the Cabrobó Desertification Center, as well as to present an alternative for bioremediation, regeneration, of impacted areas. (AU)