The natural and environmental vulnerability of the municipality of Belém (PA)

Abstract

The expansion of unplanned urban centers and the poor ecological awareness of municipal governments have endangered the environmental quality of the inhabitants and areas of environmental preservation in this part of the territory. From this perspective, the paper seeks to analyze the environmental vulnerability and the natural vulnerability of the municipality of Belém (PA), with the objective of identifying the most vulnerable areas by anthropic interventions and the potentialities of environmental systems, based on the approach of environment ecodynamics. The methodology uses Geographic Information Systems in the elaboration and integration of thematic maps of geology, geomorphology, pedology, vegetation cover and land use, having as a final product maps of environmental and natural vulnerability of the municipality. Thus, it was found points of occurrence of areas with high level of vulnerability in the fluvial islands, due to the occurrence of landslides in their banks. However, although this erosion process is a natural factor, its incidence is intensified in places where the urban infrastructure is precarious and by the misuse of the forms of this relief. As conclusions, the focal points of greater vulnerability were shown. However, it is up to the government in partnership with the academic community and civil society to discuss and seek measures to prevent possible environmental disasters.