THE USAGE OF A BASIC SYSTEM OF INDICATORS AS A TOOL FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF DESERTIFICATION IN SERIDÓ/RN

Abstract

The desertification, resulting from natural conditions and anthropic actions, cause negative socioeconomic and environmental consequences for the Brazilian semi-arid region. The RN’s Seridó region is susceptible to the occurrence of desertification and for this reason, this study aimed to show and discuss the occurrence of desertification in the nucleus of desertification in Seridó/RN, through the appliance of a basic system of indicators for identifying and monitoring the desertification processes in Latin America and the Caribbean, as a basic tool for understanding the process. Therefore, we conducted a gathering of information on weather, social, economic, agricultural, physical and conservation conditions, from databases of state and federal institutions and by consulting specialized literature. The results show that, depending on weather conditions, the counties studied show a high susceptibility to erosion. There was a reduction of areas predetermined to agriculture and livestock from 1995 to 2006. The high stocking of herds contributes to the degradation of the ecosystems. In anthropic areas occur different levels of degradation, becoming more severe as the open scrub vegetation and pastures increase. The interpretation of the indicators showed an important tool for the indication of desertification processes in Seridó/RN.