Economia e meio ambiente: o caso da degradação florestal do distrito de Vilankulo (1992-1998)

Abstract

The present work relates the socio-economic activities associated with population growth and distribution, integration of traditional economies in the market and fires. From the forest, the population extracts construction materials, firewood, raw material for handicrafts, food, manufacture of work tools and various goods and services. Its degradation not only brings negative social impacts, but also environmental ones, with particular emphasis on erosion. The present work does not intend to provide solutions, but to analyze the impact of economic activities and burning on forest degradation. The methodology used is distinguished from the analysis and interpretation of satellite images of the district (1992-1998) and subsequent elaboration of forest maps and observation, with particular emphasis on the determination of the vegetation parameters (felling rate, survival and regeneration) and the conducting interviews. From the analysis it was concluded that the main activity of forest degradation in the district is agriculture, associated with the increase in population and fallow. The exploitation of forest resources increases with the increase in population and with the integration of the traditional economy into the market. Thus, the sale of construction materials and firewood became a source of income for families, in view of an agriculture whose production does not offer surpluses for commercialization.