Perception about ecosystem services provided by a natural area with high touristic value: Roncadeira Waterfall (TO, Brazil)

• Autor(a) principal: Lira, Nibelle Aires
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Pelicice, Fernando Mayer
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Brasileira de Ecoturismo
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unifesp.br/index.php/ecoturismo/article/view/6837
• topic: áreas ripárias; bem-estar; economia; sustentabilidade; serviços ecossistêmicos; Riparian Areas; Well-Being; Economy; Sustainability; Ecosystem Services

Ecosystems provide fundamental benefits to human societies, known as ecosystem services. Ignorance about these services supports the notion that human activities are autonomous, driving the loss of ecosystems, biodiversity and environmental degradation. In this context, the present study investigated how people perceive the importance and benefits of ecosystem services provided by a natural area of ​​high touristic value, in the case, the Roncadeira Waterfall, located in Taquaruçu, Palmas (Tocantins, Brazil). We interviewed people in the area of ​​the waterfall (Waterfall group) and in urban centers in Palmas (Urban group), between January and February 2013. Using a structured questionnaire, we assessed the (i) interviewee's profile, (ii) the frequency use of the waterfall, and (iii) the relationship between people and the ecosystem. Regarding the last issue, we investigated how interviewees perceive the importance of 11 ecosystem services generated by the waterfall and its region, the benefits generated by these services, and how people react to the loss or transformation of the natural area. The research interviewed 45 people in the Urban group and 109 in the Waterfall group. In general, responses were similar between groups. Most interviewees stated that they visit natural areas between 1 and 3 times a year. In general, they showed a heterogeneous perception about the importance of ecosystem services. Some services were well recognized (i.e. biodiversity, water resources, cultural value, education and climate regulation), but others were poorly valued (i.e. food production, raw material, fuel and disease control). Almost all respondents felt benefited by some service, especially those linked to tourism (i.e. biodiversity, recreation and culture); however, the percentage of benefited people (declared) was low for most services. Approximately half of the interviewees stood against any kind of modification in the area; the remaining showed interest in the implementation of some economic activity. Concluding, our results indicated that people have limited understanding about the importance of the riparian environment as a source of ecosystem services, pointing out the need for clarification of the public and authorities about the functioning of natural systems, their services and their relation with human well-being. Ecotourism can play a positive role in this process.