Vulnerabilidade socioambiental em áreas costeiras: um estudo de caso no município de Macau-RN, Brasil

Socio-environmental vulnerability in coastal areas: a case study in the municipality of Macau-RN, Brazil

Abstract

The analysis of socio-environmental vulnerability in Macau-RN, Brazil, highlights the challenges arising from the interaction between social factors and physical-natural conditions in coastal areas. This study aimed to assess the socio-environmental vulnerability in the municipality, focusing on its urban center and the districts of Barreiras and Diogo Lopes. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and factor analysis, a Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was developed, incorporating socioeconomic and urban infrastructure variables. Additionally, a Physical-Natural Vulnerability Index (PNVI) was created, based on elevation, slope, and proximity to drainage channels. The results indicate that the most vulnerable neighborhoods, such as Navegantes, Valadão, and Porto São Pedro, face greater exposure to floods and landslides, revealing an unequal risk distribution. The municipal center, located in the Piranhas-Açu River delta, is directly exposed to extreme climatic events, exacerbated by its geography and precarious infrastructure. The proposed methodology integrates social and environmental dimensions into a Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Index (SAVI), providing a basis for public policies and risk management at the local scale. It is concluded that targeted interventions are essential to mitigate vulnerabilities and promote resilience in Macau's coastal context.