Local trends in rain and temperatures and their perceptions by women from the surroundings of the Sete Cidades national park in Piauí, northeast of Brazil

BATISTA, WALDILÉIA FERREIRA DE MELO; SPARACINO, JAVIER; DE ESPINDOLA, GIOVANA MIRA; DE LUCENA, REINALDO FARIAS PAIVA; DE BARROS, ROSELI FARIAS MELO

Revista Brasileira de Geografia Fisica

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Año: 2020 vol. 13 p. 1035 - 1049

Changes in patterns of climatic factors, such as precipitation and temperature, have directly affected vegetation, whether agricultural or wild, favoring the risk of species disappearance. Analyzing the perception of these factors can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity worldwide. Thus, the main goal was to compare time trends in historical series for precipitation and temperature with the perceptions of women who live around of the Sete Cidades National Park (PNSC), as well as register how they perceive the effects of climate change on the local tree/bush vegetation. 47 interviews were conducted, 40 with residents of three surrounding communities and seven with PNSC guides, using semi-structured forms and participatory methodology as a timeline and quantity board. Official data for daily precipitation and average monthly temperature were used and linear trends were analyzed. Results obtained show that women?s perceptions point to an alignment with official information, with significant results in local climate trends. Record of dead individuals of Caryocar coriaceum was pointed out as a consequence of rainfall decrease in the last eight years. Public policies related to climate change must be developed for the management and conservation of vulnerable species, valuing the female perception.