EVALUATION OF DESERTIFICATION VULNERABILITY IN THE STATE OF ESPÍRITO SANTO, BRAZIL

Abstract

The desertification process is characterized by the climate influence, that in dry regions (arid and semi-arid) is the preponderant factor of environmental fragility, which causes social and economic deficits, that turn back to feed the process through population pressure over the environment. The Socio- Environmental Vulnerability Index to Desertification (IVSD) was developed in a Geographic Information System using environmental and socioeconomic data as illiteracy rate, population growth, gross domestic product, average income of population, precipitation, evapotranspiration, surface temperature, aridity Index and water quality monitoring. A statistical analysis of the prepared and evaluated data was used in the development of IVSD. The analysis consisted of eliminating the peak values and dividing the values in three classes by percentiles (high, medium, and low vulnerability classes),  with the percentiles of 0–33.33%; 33.33–66.66%; and, 66.66–100%, respectively. The main objective of the study was to develop and analyze an index to determine the socio-environmental vulnerability to desertification in order to identify the most vulnerable regions to the desertification process in the state of Espírito Santo. The IVSD evidenced an area in the North-Northwest that was officially considered as a susceptible area to desertification, and an area on the South, that although having the same characteristics, isn’t officially considered as a susceptible area to desertification. The IVSD permitted to highlight the need of implementing and improving public policies to promote progress in the development of the most fragile regions of Espírito Santo, to make them less vulnerable to desertification processes.