Perceção ambiental sobre os Charcos Temporários da Costa Sudoeste de Portugal

Abstract

A ocupação e o uso do solo no Sítio de Interesse Comunitário (SIC) da Costa Sudoeste de Portugal estão a ameaçar a paisagem e os valores ecológicos existentes. A velocidade a que a degradação ambiental está a decorrer é alarmante, especialmente no Concelho de Odemira. A revitalização socioeconómica desta zona rural desfavorecida é uma das causas. Porém, a região do Sudoeste Alentejano alberga alguns dos melhores exemplares do habitat 3170*, definido pela diretiva Habitats como prioritário para a conservação da biodiversidade e designados como Charcos Temporários Mediterrânicos. Este habitat está em risco de desaparecer devido aos conflitos de interesse entre os diferentes setores da sociedade e a gestão de uma área da Rede Natura 2000. Apesar de haver muitos estudos sobre as causas das ameaças e os impactos que têm na biodiversidade associada ao habitat, nenhum estudo ilustra a perceção ambiental das partes interessadas (stakeholders). O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a perceção ambiental que a população local, os turistas, os agricultores e os administradores têm sobre os charcos temporários que se encontram no Concelho de Odemira e Vila do Bispo; Environmental Perception of Temporary Ponds in Southwest Coast of Portugal Abstract At the Site of Community Interest (SCI) in the Southwest Coast of Portugal, land use and occupation is jeopardising the existent landscape and ecological values. The rate at which environmental degradation is occurring is alarming, especially in Odemira county. The economic and social regeneration of this disadvantaged rural area is one of the main causes. The region of Southwest Alentejo has some of the best 3170* habitat examples, defined by European Commission as a priority habitat for conservation and called Mediterranean Temporary Ponds. This habitat is at risk of disappearing due to conflicts of interest between different society sectors and the management of such protected area in the Natura Network 2000. Despite the amount of studies on threats, its causes and its impacts on biodiversity associated with this habitat, none has shown the environmental perception that stakeholders have on it. The main goal was to assess environmental perception that local people, tourists, farmers and administrators have on temporary ponds that are located at Odemira e Vila do Bispo counties. The assessment included survey application and pre-structured interviews for such target audiences. It was found that almost all participants knew the habitat in question but significant differences exist between the targeted public. For the participants, the issue of valuation is inseparable from its utility. The local population of Odemira values the habitat for its utility in traditional agricultural activities. In contrast, the local population of Vila do Bispo values the habitat for tourism. Foreign tourists add more value to MTP for conservation than national tourists. Farmers appraise temporary ponds depending on its location and its size related to the productive owned area of land. If it doesn't interfere with production, it can even be considered capital gains. But if profitability is reduced due to its existence it will result in a conflict between management and conservation of this habitat. Nevertheless, they admitted that some conflicts of interest could be solved through compensation. Administrators have confirmed that it's a differentiating landscape element in the territory and recognized its potential for tourism through the conversion of its ecological values into marketable products. They are therefore receptive to actively participate in its management and conservation. In sum, this study illustrates the different perspectives of each stakeholder on the temporary ponds and proposes strategies to approach each of them with concrete measures to address conflicts of interest in the economic and social regeneration of the SCI's in the Southwest Coast of Portugal.