ADAPTATION POLICIES FACING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR BEACHES IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MATA DE SÃO JOÃO, NORTH COAST OF BAHIA, BRAZIL
Climate changes. Coastal Erosion. Adaptation. Beaches. Mata de São João. Bahia.
The possibility of loss of sandy beaches as a result of ongoing climate change has currently aroused great concerns. Knowing the best response to these changes is critical to maintaining the functionality of these environments. Thus, aiming to contribute to a better management of the beaches of the municipality of Mata de São João, in the prevention of future economic losses, this study aims to analyze the vulnerability to coastal erosion along the studied beaches and establish alternatives for protection, accommodation and retreat, based on the proposal of policies to adapt to climate change more suitable for this coast. For this purpose, walks were carried out along the studied beaches, accounting for 26 km of description and observation, where it was possible to identify and map, with the aid of a portable GPS navigation device, the main erosion indicators found along the coast of Bahia: Post-beach narrow, absence of recreational beach at high tide, erosive scarp on the front face of the sandy cord, exposed roots, proximity to river mouths, coconut trees that have fallen or destabilized by wave action, containment structure, destruction of buildings or containment structures. All indicators described in the methodology were observed in the field. The policies discussed were classified into three adaptation options: protection, accommodation and retreat. The low occupation in most of its coastline allows the establishment of retreat strips following the Ministry of Environment recommendations in approximately 92.8% of the studied area.