Geoenvironmental Characterization and Urbanization of the Beaches on the Islands of Tinharé and Boipeba, South Coast of the State of Bahia, Brazil

• Published in: Journal of coastal research 2009-01, Vol.SI (56), p.1297-1300
• Main Authors: Silva, I. R., Rossi, J. C., Nascimento, H. M., Siqueira, T. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Beaches; Brazil; Coastal Zone Management; Coastlines; Coasts; Compatibility; Construction; Coral reefs; Ecosystems; Ecotourism; Environmental impact; Geology; Global positioning systems; GPS; Human; Islands; Littoral ecosystems; Mangrove swamps; Marine ecosystems; Recreation; Tourism; Urbanization; Vegetation
• ISSN: 0749-0208; 1551-5036

It is evidenced in the whole world an increasing interest about environmental questions related to the use of the beaches, compatible with the expansion of tourism, recreation and leisure activities. Trying to contribute with knowledge about those questions, the current research aims to provide a geo-environmental characterization and urbanization of the beaches of the islands of Tinharé and Boipeba. In the majority of the studied beaches, it was observed a strong erosive trend, with absence of beach during the periods of high tide; witch can make its use impracticable for recreational activities. The morphological and morphodynamics characteristics differ among the beaches that compose the two islands. The human urbanization is very concentrated in a few beaches, while the most part of the area still have a little or non-urbanization. Along the beaches of Morro de São Paulo (Tinharé), for example, the urbanization process is intense, speeding up the erosive process. Another environmental problem observed on this beaches, is related to the urbanization of mangroves areas that sometimes are being used as dumps garbage, and the degradation of other coastal ecosystems, such as sandbanks and coral reefs. On the others beaches of the islands of Tinharé and Boipeba the urbanization is less intense. Normally, there are just a few fishing villages, and the natural environment still well preserved with a few side-sea constructions and long areas by the coast without any urbanization.