Índice de Aridez como indicador de áreas suscetíveis à desertificação no estado do Maranhão, Brasil.

Abstract

Desertification constitutes a worldwide environmental challenge and poses a risk to over 100 countries. Its impact is greater in developing countries, as it can increase hunger, malnutrition and rural exodus. This paper investigates the susceptibility to desertification in the State of Maranhão, in the transition zone between Amazonia, the inland Cerrado savannas and the semi-arid Northeast Provinces of Brazil. For this purpose, we spatially interpolate data from 73 rainfall stations in operation throughout the state. About 20.1% (66,854 km2) of Maranhão is susceptible to desertification, affecting an estimated 361 thousand inhabitants. Coincidentally, the municipalities with desertification risk are among the least developed and poorest of Maranhão State and of Brazil. Exposure is especially high in the indigenous population (55.2% of the State´s total indigenous population). Our results demand an increased public awareness and call for the development and implementation of policy and management strategies designed to combat and adapt to desertification risks, in order to avoid increased rural poverty, food insecurity and further rural exodus.