Resiliência socioecológica em recursos hídricos: identificação e aplicação de indicadores na bacia hidrográficа Piancó-Piranhas-Açú, UPH Seridó do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

The concept of socio-ecological resilience in water resources (SERWR) addresses the ability of ecosystems and nearby populations to adapt and recover in the face of environmental pressures and changes. In the context of the Piancó - Piranhas - Açu River Basin (BHPPA), Seridó Hydrological Planning Unit (UPH), in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), in the semi-arid Northeast, the practical application of SERWR as an integrated approach aims for more efficient and sustainable management of water resources, justified by the need to understand how local socio-ecological systems respond to disturbances, ensuring the sustainability of these resources. The main goal of this research is to evaluate the SERWR capacity of municipalities within the BHPPA, UPH Seridó RN, based on a set of indicators, which can assist in the formulation of more effective policies and management strategies that ensure SERWR in the face of adversities, such as extreme droughts and conflicts over water use. Based on these indicators, the research assumes that a better socio-ecological resilience capacity of water resources contributes to the management of water resources in municipalities within river basins, given the challenges and conflicts arising from the forms of access and use of water resources. Through a systematic literature review, 23 SERWR indicators were identified, divided into two categories (social and ecological), focusing on integrated and participatory management of water resources. To obtain these indicators, a systematized literature review was conducted with articles published in the last 12 years. This study represents a set of easily understandable information about the municipalities that make up the BHPPA, UPH Seridó, capable of providing society with adequate data for decision-making and supporting public interests related to the socio-ecological management of water resources. Thus, it was possible to apply and validate the identified indicators, analyzing them qualitatively through the perception of members of the BHPPA committee. The validity of the indicators was confirmed, reinforcing their suitability to the territorial scope's particularities. The Iramuteq® software was used to support the analysis, enabling the systematization of discourses in an objective and structured manner. The results indicate that socio-ecological resilience in water resources presents limitations, although it has shown progress over the past decades. However, access to these resources remains a significant challenge, especially due to the recurrence of drought periods, which worsen the conditions of water availability and management.