ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ON COASTAL DUNES IN THE SOUTH COAST-LINE OF SERGIPE FROM BIOPHYSICAL VULNERABILITY GEOINDICATORS

Abstract

This article shows biophysical vulnerability geoindicators for coastal dunes developed from environmental monitoring of dune systems in the south coast of Sergipe, Brazil. The elaboration of control field lists (field checklists) in order to evaluate the conditions which produce an acceleration of the pace of coastal dunes deterioration in Sergipe is defined as main methodological tool. Geoindicators present rapid biophysical changes in the coastal dunes and contribute for an effective evaluation of impacts of the natural conditions and of the sensitivity resulting of the anthropogenic derivations in the dune environments. It is concluded that the biophysical vulnerability geoindicators can improve the environmental monitoring through a continuous evaluation methodology with reduced costs for adoption of conservation strategies of coastal zone territorial protected spaces, mainly in development countries such as Brazil. Key Words: geoindicators, biophysical vulnerability, dunes, geoecology.