INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT: USE OF GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM AS A TOOL FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF SEA SHRIMP FARM AREAS

IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
Rodrigo Randow de FREITAS 1/, Carlos HARTMANN 2/, Lus Henrique da Silva POERSCH 3/ and Paulo Roberto Armanini TAGLIANI
1/3/ Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Estao Marinha de Aquacultura, RS, Brazil. 1/(rodrigorandow@ig.com.br) 3/(lpoersch@mikrus.com.br) 2/ Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, LOG/DGEO/FURG, RS, Brazil. (dgecaco@furg.br) 4/ Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Laboratrio de Gerenciamento Costeiro, RS, Brazil. (paulotagliani@furg.br)

The present study performed the identification of licensed and operating farms, based on the available images (ADAR 1000, Landsat TM and ETM+ and Google earth). Afterwards, images were overlapped in layers in order to characterize the stage, form of occupation and soil use of the aquaculture enterprises. With the analysis and interpretation of the images, it was possible to map and survey the areas occupied by the carciniculture activity at the Patos Lagoon estuary. Study area: The study area corresponded to the municipal districts of Rio Grande and So Jos do Norte, located at the Southern portion of the Patos Lagoon estuary (3100'N and 5116'W) and comprising an area of approximately 10144 km (Figure1).

Google Earth

ADAR1000 Ricoh

Google Earth 31 5440.27S 52 0100.01W RS Patos Lagoon Estuary

7

6480123s Universal Transversal Mercator (UTM) Projection

1 2 3

31 5509.00S 52 0839.00W ADAR1000

SJN

31 5537.14S 52 0020.05W Google Earth

RG

Ricoh
4 5

Atlantic Ocean

(1-7) Shrimp Farm Areas (RG) Rio Grande city (SJN) So Jos do Norte City (RS) Rio Grande do Sul State

374260L Google Earth

6438455s 421655L

31 5620.61S 51 5957.71W

32 0311.00S 52 1427.00W

32 0622.20S 52 0354.19W ADAR1000

32 0540.00S 52 0320.00W ADAR1000

Figure 1. Study area

Results & discussion: Amongst all the obtained results, we can detach that the farms were built on coastal fields or obliterated dunes areas, which are favorable for farming. The proximity of possible consuming markets and local labor, relatively good access roads, available electric network and local technical support (FURG-EMA) are also favorable to the projects. However, there is concern as to changes in the original projects, causing environmental impacts and noncompliance of environmental norms. An example is the occupation of a salt marsh area near to shrimp farm 5 (Figure 2); this habitat is legally protected by law and plays important ecological and economical functions, such as structural protection of the coast against erosion, hydrological regulation and habitats for biota. The soil use capacity map (Figure 3) aimed towards proving if the opportunity cost was the lowest possible (soils preferably above class V). Because the best option for farm construction must contemplate adequate areas, while preserving noble soils for agriculture. Therefore, conflicts of use and continuity of food production, a problem of worldwide order, are avoided. In terms of farm locations, it was evidenced that all farms were above class V, confirming that the locations had been chosen in a sufficiently satisfactory manner. Concerning the obligation of a 15 meters-distance reserve away from public domain roads, in farm 6 it was not adopted. Fact which provoked sanctions by the local environmental agency. The evidence of irregularity was detected only in loco, due to the fact that the available images (ADAR1000, Landsat and Google Earth) are previous to the installation of the enterprise. Again, this fact demonstrates that the conjunction of the analysts experience allied to technological advances (software and hardware) does not exempt it of errors in interpretation. Therefore, there is nothing more necessary than the in loco verification of the areas.

6448286s
Legend Restinga Salt marsh Swamp vegetation Coastal fields Dune vegetation Agriculture Onion

6446954s 398429L Figure 2 - Shrimp farm 5 area.

399870L

Conclusions: The organization of the diverse methods of information acquisition, management tools, information searches and analysis in only one data base generated important understanding of the study area and the inherent characteristics of the local activity. This fact will help especially in a future study, for classification of areas in better conditions for the implantation of new farms which will generate minor economical and environmental impacts, productivity increase and conservation of the areas sensible to environmental alterations.
Figure 3 Land cover maps of the study.
* Shrimp farms soil type: HAQd1 = Coastal Dunes; HGPe = Champaign; SK = Flood areas; HGPe2 = Low land with watercourses. (d) draining; (e) erosion; (c) climate; (u) water excess; e (s) ground limitations.

Financial Support: CNPQ (CT-HIDRO) 552947/2007-5.

Shrimp Farm 6

Shrimp Farm 6

Shrimp Farm 5

Shrimp Farm 6

Shrimp Farm 5

Shrimp Farm 6

Shrimp Farm 5

Shrimp Farm 6

EMA-FURG Green House

Shrimp Farm 2

Shrimp Farm 2