The extent of artificial structures introduced on the coastline of Brazilian urban centers

• Grant number: 24/13618-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
• Grantee: Letícia Silvia de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/24416-8 - Ocean sustainability pathways for achieving conflict transformation (OCEANS PACT), AP.R

Abstract

Artificial structures introduced at the interface between land and sea, such as retaining walls, bridges, piers and breakwaters, are ubiquitous components of coastal cities. These structures alter the physical environment and provide new consolidated habitats that host different assemblages of natural areas, facilitate bioinvasion and modify ecosystem functions. The undesirable and substantial changes caused by artificial coastal structures have encouraged scientists and society in general to seek solutions to mitigate their impacts. This task is essential for the preservation of biodiversity and the maintenance of essential goods and services provided by marine ecosystems. In this sense, the first step is to understand where the artificial structures are located and their extent. The objective of this project is to map and quantify the extent of artificial coastal structures in 5 Brazilian urban centers located within bays and estuarine areas. Through the development of this project, the scholarship holder will acquire knowledge about the impacts of coastal urbanization and will develop skills in the use of georeferencing tools, data management and statistical analysis. The results that will be generated in this project are highly relevant and will contribute to current initiatives with the aim of achieving sustainable use of the ocean.