Vulnerabilidade Costeira no Trecho entre as Praias de Peroba e Redonda no Município de Icapuí-Ceará, Brasil

Coastal Vulnerability in the Stretch Between Beaches of Peroba and Redonda in the Municipality of Icapuí-Ceará, Brazil

Abstract

Coastal zones are dynamic regions whose morphology is directly influenced by natural or anthropic physical factors. Depending on the level of occupation and stage of development, these areas may be subject to risks associated with floods or erosive processes that make them vulnerable. Considering this context, this work quantified the relative vulnerability of the coast to physical changes between the Peroba and Redonda beaches in the municipality of Icapuí, east coast of Ceará, highlighting the stretches of beach where the effects on the coastline can be extreme. In the implementation of the Coastal Vulnerability Index, the natural variables geomorphology, slope, shoreline variation rate, mean tidal range, significant wave height, and mean sea level variation were used. The results indicated the occurrence of three vulnerability classes, ranging from moderate to very high. About 2,940 m (58%) were recorded as moderate vulnerability, 2,100 m (41%) as high vulnerability and about 30 m (1%) as very high vulnerability. The most vulnerable stretches are associated with sandy beaches. The less vulnerable ones are with active cliffs that are part of the coastal tablelands and conservation areas.