Characterization of the mangrove area at Praia do Camaroeiro in Caraguatatuba (SP). Daiane dos Santos Freire, Judith Font Batalla

Abstract

The mangroves present on the Brazilian coast cover an area of ​​approximately 25,000 km², distributed in estuaries, lagoons and bays. In the city of Caraguatatuba, on the north coast of São Paulo, today approximately 45% of the mangroves that once existed remain. This ecosystem has been suffering severe anthropogenic effects, such as deforestation, waste disposal, domestic effluents and landfilling. In the case of the shrimp mangrove, which has been filled in over the years with urban growth and real estate expansion, the disorderly growth of the city, and the construction of buildings in risky locations or protected by law, among others. In this work, the anthropic action that occurs at the local level was addressed, in order to classify this area according to its current conditions. A quantitative analysis of the most frequently found residues was also carried out, as well as a survey of the specific flora of the location and the organisms most found in these conditions. The results show that the environment has been affected by the constant entry of waste from different sources, with plastic being the most frequently found material and with the highest percentages. Currently, the Praia do Camaroeiro mangrove is in a state of disturbance, that is, the environment has been suffering a certain degree of environmental impact, but still maintains its resilience capacity. Two species of mangrove have been identified in this mangrove: Avicenia shaueriana (black mangrove, seríba) which develops in waterlogged soils and Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove) which is characteristic of mangroves, is directly and indirectly influenced by the sea and is easily spread by water.