Impactos ambientais nos aspectos geomorfológicos da área de proteção ambiental de Presidente Figueiredo, Caverna do Maroaga

Abstract

The Presidente Figueiredo Maroaga Cave Protected Area is located in the township of Presidente Figueiredo. It is a State regulated protected area and allows limited use. It is known for its geomorpholocial aspects such as caves and waterfalls. Due to these characteristics, tourism is present, as well as agriculture, mainly the cultivation of the cupuaçu fruit (Theobroma grandiflora). The protected area was created over fifteen years ago and does not yet have a management plan. This study addresses tourism, agricultural activities and the geomorphological changes due to these activities, looking at the current situation comparing it with the law. Tourism was analyzed in three geographically close areas: The Maroaga Cave, The Santuário Waterfalls and the Porteira Rapids. Infrastructure and the intensity of public use were selected as indicators. Agricultural analysis was studied using natural, social and economic indicators in four communities: Marcos Feire, São Francisco de Assis, Boa Esperança and Jardim Floresta. Tourism was characterized as a predatory activity due to large changes in waste dispersal, grafitti on outcrops and removal of vegetation which provoke erosion. Agriculture in the communities is of low productivity, mainly from families that are already self-sufficient, environmental changes are linked to removal of the vegetation which is on the average 9,5% per area and to the use of fertilizers on leafy vegetable cultivation .