Risks Analysis to ecosystem services provided by the biodiversity of sandy beaches: a case study with the management of the Tivela mactroides bivalve at Caraguatatuba Cove (São Paulo-Brazil)

Author(s)

Juliana Nascimento Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto Oceanográfico (IO/DIDC)
• Defense date: 2019-08-28

Examining board members

Alexander Turra; Paulo Antonio de Almeida Sinisgalli; Leonardo Querobim Yokoyama

• Advisor: Alexander Turra

Abstract

Sandy beaches have great biodiversity and ecological and economic importance, but the overuse and mismanagement of ecosystem services (SE) provided by their biodiversity threatens their future. In this scenario, a beach biodiversity management based on an ecosystem approach can highlight the different goods and services provided by it, facilitate their sustainable use and allow the maintenance of SEs for the future. Considering the above, the present study aimed to contribute to the improvement of beach biodiversity management by analyzing the risks to the ES provided by cockle T. mactroides in Caraguatatuba Cove. This research integrated social, cultural, biological and physical information around the ES provided by T. mactroides, providing important support for the implementation of Ecosystem Based Management in the study area. In addition, it provides input to decision makers on the incidental risks affecting T. mactroides and their SE, providing risk levels and ways of acting. We found that T. mactroides SEs are subjected to risks such as seawater contamination by pathogens and oil derivatives, tourism activities and climate change, which may cause impacts such as changes in species population parameters, devaluation of their uses and loss of benefits such as income generation, maintenance of traditions, water purification and maintenance of biodiversity. We point out that, instead of the current restrictive practice, an alternative approach to integrated management of T. mactroides is needed in order to value the ES provided by the species and to address the risks to those ES. We also point out a path that can be followed by similar studies in proposing an ecosystem-based model where risk information is integrated with impacts and actions to ensure not only biodiversity conservation but also the maintenance of benefits they generate for society. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/19156-1 - The population of Tivela mactroides (born, 1778) in the Caraguatatuba Cove, North Coast of the State of São Paulo: monitoring and analysis of threats
• Grantee: Juliana Nascimento Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master