FPI embargoes 1,025 hectares of land in Alagoas due to deforestation of native vegetation

Seeking to preserve the native vegetation areas of the Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, the Integrated Preventive Inspection of the São Francisco River Basin (FPI of the São Francisco River) embargoed 1,025 hectares of land due to illegal deforestation. The inspection actions took place in the municipalities of Jaramataia, Craíbas, Girau do Ponciano and Traipu.

Those responsible for the deforested areas received 35 infraction notices and 35 embargo terms. According to the coordination of the FPI Flora Team of Rio São Francisco, vegetation suppression in rural areas usually occurs with the aim of adapting the land for agricultural activities.

All areas were embargoed, which prevents exploration and use for any activity at the site. The function of the embargo is to provide the regeneration of a territory that has suffered some damage, aiming to recover the site of degradation.

In the municipality of Girau do Ponciano, for example, the Rio São Francisco FPI team came across, on Monday (6), an area of ​​almost 100 hectares of land completely devoid of vegetation. Using drones, it was possible to have a visual range of deforestation.

Biome found only in Brazil

The São Francisco River FPI recalls that the Caatinga is an exclusively Brazilian biome and its deforestation represents a serious environmental problem with significant implications for the region’s biodiversity and sustainability.

Among the implications are soil impoverishment, reduction of biodiversity, extinction of species, degradation in the population’s quality of life, increasing desertification in the biome and flooding in its surroundings.

Desertification

According to the Flora Team at FPI São Francisco, as it is a biome in a semi-arid climatic region, the Caatinga already presents greater fragility, and its deforestation intensifies aridification and desertification processes.

This is because it leaves the soil exposed and susceptible to erosion processes, reduction of nutrients and, depending on the use given to the soil after deforestation, the salinization process may occur, making these areas unproductive and difficult to recover.

“Another negative impact related to deforestation and the desertification process is the reduction of water accumulation in the soil, which is a natural process due to the type of soil found in the Caatinga, which are young soils and, therefore, shallow, these characteristics added to the reduction of vegetation further reduce the infiltration process, impacting the Hydrological Cycle”, explained the team.

Flooding

The Flora team from the FPI of Rio São Francisco highlights that the vegetation covers located on the banks of rivers, springs, lakes and dams retain part of the water, reduce the flow of water runoff and protect the banks from erosion processes. Without this vegetation, this volume of water is directed with greater speed and intensity towards the rivers, causing flooding.

“In view of this, the preservation, conservation and restoration of the Caatinga biome is extremely important for the maintenance and protection of these ecosystems. To achieve this, it is necessary to take actions aimed at recovering degraded areas, creating protected areas, creating programs for Coexistence with the Semi-Arid and organizing land use, due to its natural fragility and importance as it is a unique biome. ”, he highlighted.

How inspection is carried out

The methodology for identifying deforestation polygons is through geoprocessing and remote sensing techniques through alerts made available by the MapBiomas platforms and the Federal Police’s Brasil Mais Program. From temporal analysis, using satellite images, it is possible to verify the change in vegetation cover.

The coordination of the Flora Team of the FPI of Rio São Francisco explains that the trip to the field serves to verify on-site, with photographic records, identification and prosecution of those responsible.

“Deforestation polygons are generated remotely, through analysis and interpretation of satellite images. Our visit to the field is precisely to validate this information. We come to the field, record photos, collect points using a GPS receiver device, and, if necessary, carry out georeferenced photogrammetric aerial surveys with a drone,” he said.

Reporting channel

In addition to deforestation polygons, the Environmental Institute (IMA) also carries out inspections through complaints. At IMA Report, anyone can anonymously report occurrences of pollution or environmental degradation and violations against flora or fauna.

To report an infraction, you only need to provide the address, reference point, description and classification of the incident. The case is analyzed by the IMA and forwarded to the agency’s inspectors or to the competent city hall.

IMA also accepts complaints via WhatsApp (82) 98833-9397 or Canal Verde 0800 082 1523.

The Flora Team includes: Environmental Institute, Environmental Police Battalion of the Military Police, State Public Ministry and Federal Public Ministry.