TOURISM IMPACT ON REEF FLATS IN PORTO DE GALINHAS BEACH, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL

Authors

  • Juliana Imenis Barradas Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Fernanda Duarte Amaral Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
  • Malva Isabel Hernández Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
  • Manuel Jesus Flores-Montes Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
  • Andrea Quirino Steiner Associação Pernambucana de Defesa da Natureza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32360/acmar.v45i2.137

Keywords:

tourism, nutrients, anthropogenic impacts, Porto de Galinhas Beach.

Abstract

Approximately 60% of coral reefs are currently threatened by several natural and anthropogenic impacts. One of the fastest growing industries in the world and a great producer of organic waste, tourism can have negative impacts on biodiversity and on the functioning of reef ecosystems. This study aimed to find possible anthropogenic impacts related to tourism in reef environments of northeastern of Brazil (Porto de Galinhas Beach, Pernambuco). Water samples were collected for salinity, pH, dissolved inorganic nutrients (ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, and silicate), and chlorophyll a analyses during the high and low-season tourism calendar. A greater concentration of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate was verified during the high tourist season, whereas nitrite, silicate, and chlorophyll a were highest during low tourist season. Trampling and other recreational activities harmful to reefs were also observed in the area.

Author Biographies

Juliana Imenis Barradas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Bolsista CAPES - mestrado em Ciências Biológicas

Fernanda Duarte Amaral, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Ambientes Recifais

Malva Isabel Hernández, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia

Manuel Jesus Flores-Montes, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Departamento de Oceanografia

Published

2012-10-01

Issue

Section

Artigos originais