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Social contrasts and land use conflicts in the context of sustainable development and management needs: a case study from an estuarine area at northeastern Brazil

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Abstract

This paper discusses the misuses of estuaries in Northeast of Brazil and the social contrasts there found. The several kinds of impacts promoted by capitalist enterprises in one side and by traditional population, who uses estuary areas at another side, are in complete disagreement with the ethic of sustainable development. Our intention is to demonstrate how these aspects occur in the River Paraíba do Norte estuary, in the State of Paraíba. Observing the conditions of infrastructure besides the multiple ways to handle along with the extension of the estuary, we could recognize 59 focus of conflict between the incorrect use and sustainable mode. Most of the uses concern to traditional artisan fishing, slums and recreational marinas, reflecting the great social contrast between rich and poor people settled in area studied. Ecological and social implications of these conflicting uses are discussed and measures to improve the situation are suggested.

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Acknowledgements

We thanks the “Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisas de Recursos do Mar (NEPREMAR/UFPB)” and the “Programa de Pós-Graduação em Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente (PRODEMA/UFPB)” for laboratorial assistance and funds. We are also grateful to Dr. Breno Machado Grisi and Dr. Krystyna Gerlach-Lyra, from the “Universidade Federal da Paraíba” for reviewing the final English text.

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Correspondence to Roberto Sassi.

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Sassi, R., Marcelino, R.L. & Costa, C.F. Social contrasts and land use conflicts in the context of sustainable development and management needs: a case study from an estuarine area at northeastern Brazil. Environ Dev Sustain 10, 167–178 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-006-9057-0

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