Coastal occupation affects tropical reefs in Brazil

The article recently published in Marine Environmental Research reports that human activities may reduce the number of species in the tropical coast of northeastern Brazil. Researchers Sergio Rossi and Marcelo de Oliveira Soares together with other Brazilian scientists compared the tropical reefs (intertidal rocky reefs) in relation to the presence of marine species (algae, corals, etc.) and the impacts of human activities.

Beach kiosks and beachfront restaurants, percentage of urban areas, storm sewers, fish markets and jetties showed a negative relationship with species richness. "In areas with the highest number of human activities, we had lower number of species in these tropical reefs" explains Dr. Marcelo de Oliveira Soares, professor at the UFC, researcher at ICTA-UAB and author of the study. The author added that there is very little knowledge on how human impacts may affect the marine biodiversity of tropical reefs.

The results highlight the need for better infrastructure planning and rigorous monitoring of coastal urban areas, since the large influence of multiple human pressures in these reefs leads to biodiversity losses. "The coast of Brazil is possibly one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world; however, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about its marine biodiversity. The results indicate the problems of disorderly coastal occupation. Also, they indicate the need for environmental planning to conserve marine biodiversity and the economic activities that depend on it, such as fishing."

"Many of the findings of the study are easily extrapolated to our shores" indicates Sergio Rossi, who adds that "the vulnerability of the coast is a classic that reverts to a worsening of biodiversity and of the health of marine populations." Sergio Rossi insisted that this process has already taken place in the Western Mediterranean coast, causing major changes in fauna and flora.