Banca de DEFESA: MARIA LUIZA DE OLIVEIRA TERTO

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MARIA LUIZA DE OLIVEIRA TERTO
DATE: 20/03/2026
TIME: 15:00
LOCAL: videoconferência
TITLE:

HYDRODIVERSITY AND HYDROLOGICAL HERITAGE: PROPOSAL FOR AN ASSESSMENT APPLIED TO THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, BRAZIL

KEY WORDS:

Hydrological Heritage, Methodological Proposal, Geoconservation.

PAGES: 108
BIG AREA: Ciências Humanas
AREA: Geografia
SUMMARY:

This thesis investigates hydrological heritage in the context of geodiversity, as an abiotic heritage element with intrinsic value. Given the scarcity of studies focused on this topic, which is still under development, and the need for assessment tools that integrate the dimensions of water systems, the central objective is to propose and apply an assessment methodology in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The theoretical basis is anchored in the principles of geoconservation and the definition of hydrosites as places of exceptional interest, requiring objective and replicable inventory tools. The study was structured around a systematic review of the literature, an inventory of 32 sites of water interest, and the development of a quantitative assessment proposal. The method proposed here evaluates four pillars: scientific, sociocultural, aesthetic, and tourist, considering as high-value hydrosites those that achieve a score above 75% in the aesthetic and/or scientific criteria. For validation and critical analysis, a systematic comparison was made with the methodology of Foleto and Costa, focused on ecological integrity. The results of the application in Rio Grande do Norte revealed that the proposed methodology is more inclusive and comprehensive, classifying 24 of the 32 sites evaluated as hydro-sites, recognising the exceptional nature derived from scenic and scientific values, even in areas with consolidated anthropic use. In contrast, the comparative methodology proved to be more restrictive, categorising most areas only as “potential hydrosites” due to the strong weighting of the physical-chemical quality of the water. Of particular note is the identification of sites of unique relevance, such as the Nascente de Pureza, the source of the Catolé River, the Pinga waterfall, and the Guaraíras lagoon, which scored highly on multiple values. The research demonstrated that the choice of method influences heritage status, suggesting that the approach developed is superior for the purposes of identifying geotourism assets, while methods focused on ecological integrity work better for environmental monitoring and preservation. The scientific contributions lie in the availability of a multi-criteria assessment methodology. The literature review suggests that this growing field is ripe for further research and discussion. It is concluded that the inventory, valuation, and index presented offer technical support for public policies that enable geoconservation strategies and the sustainable development of tourism by society.

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 2506087 - MARCO TULIO MENDONCA DINIZ
Interno - 1803535 - ADRIANO LIMA TROLEIS
Externo ao Programa - 1513243 - MARCOS ANTONIO LEITE DO NASCIMENTO - UFRNExterno à Instituição - PAULO PEREIRA - UMinho
Externa à Instituição - LILIAN CARLA MOREIRA BENTO - UFU
Externa à Instituição - THAÍS DE OLIVEIRA GUIMARÃES - UPE