Estratégias para conservação e manejo do Parque Municipal Ecológico Dormitório das Garças, Cabo Frio, RJ

Abstract

This work intends to study the environmental impacts and to suggest proposals for preservation and recovery of the degraded areas of a mangrove located in the so called Parque Ecologico Municipal Dormitório das Garças, located near the Porto do Carro, in the city of Cabo Frio, RJ. Because the area is inside the largest hypersaline lagoon in the world, mangrove is of special importance; a population of about 1.400 white herons and seasonal visitors, in an amount of 41 avian species, use it as shelter area. Predominantly it is a black mangrove (siriubal) with an area of 215.000 sq.m. No systematic contribution of fresh water flows throughout the mangrove, the relief is plane, climate is dry, heat is high, rainfall is low and winds are constants. The progressive and accelerated leaves breakdown that occurs in the mangrove vegetation leads to a great concern of the citizens. Methodology applied relates causes to effects among the components of the system: water, sediment, flora, fauna, topography and climate, by comparing vegetation and nonbiotic factors in their respective compartments. High soil carriage resulting from the dredging of the Lagoon of Araruama Channel, which started during 2001, associated to unsuitable disposal of dredged material, reduces water circulation and disturbs water tides entrance and exit The elevation of the highway for accessing the Ilha dos Ratos resulted in water stagnation mainly in the northern portion of the mangrove. This procedure changed drastically the dynamics of the system. Environmental risks assumed with the dredging of the Lagoon of Araruama Channel, as well as the indiscriminate release of sewage, and the duplication of the Estrada dos Passageiros, exceed the natural balance capacity of the system. The Parque Ecologico Municipal Dormitório das Garças under administration of the Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente e Pesca de Cabo Frio, and based on a Management Plan would be the basis of the mangrove sustainability.