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The Geography of the Bragança Coastal Region

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Mangrove Dynamics and Management in North Brazil

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 211))

Abstract

This chapter provides a geographic overview of the social−ecological mangrove ecosystem of the Bragança coastal region in the State of Pará, North Brazil, which was the key research area of the joint Brazilian–German Mangrove Dynamics and Management (MADAM) Project. The chapter looks at the natural environmental conditions, the status of the coastal resources, the socio-economic situation of the rural populations, and the sustainability of existing human activities. It was found that the ecology of the Bragança coastal region as a whole can still be considered as rather undisturbed by human activities, but there is evidence of considerable and increasing remote and local interference by humans. This includes increased sedimentation by land clearance in the catchment area of the estuary, intensification of fisheries due to population growth and lack of alternative livelihoods, changes in the hydrological regime of the mangrove ecosystem by improvements to the network of roads, and development of tourism along the beaches. Presently, the control of the allocation of resources within this region rests predominantly in the hands of local individuals and outside entrepreneurs. An overall plan for a sustainable management of this coastal system is still lacking.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Fahrenheitstr. 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany

    G. Krause

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  1. G. Krause
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Correspondence to G. Krause .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecolo, Fahrenheitstr. 6, Bremen, 28359, Germany

    Ulrich Saint-Paul

  2. , Instituto de Estudos Costeiros, Universidade Federal do Pará, Alameda Leandro Ribeiro s/n, Bragança/PA, 68.600-000, Brazil

    Horacio Schneider

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Krause, G. (2010). The Geography of the Bragança Coastal Region. In: Saint-Paul, U., Schneider, H. (eds) Mangrove Dynamics and Management in North Brazil. Ecological Studies, vol 211. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-13457-9_3

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