Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: GUSTAVO RAFAEL BATISTA DE SOUSA

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : GUSTAVO RAFAEL BATISTA DE SOUSA
DATE: 17/12/2025
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Google meet
TITLE:

Comparative Analysis of Production Efficiency in the Cultivation of Gracilaria birdiae in Distinct Environments on the Coast of Rio Grande do Norte and Logistical Challenges of the Production Chain

KEY WORDS:

Gracilaria birdiae; floating raft, bioeconomy

PAGES: 50
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Agronomia
SUMMARY:

The macroalga Gracilaria birdiae has great ecological and economic importance on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte, being used in the production of agar, food, sustainable fibers, and other bioproducts. However, intense extraction and degradation of coastal environments have reduced its natural stocks, highlighting the need for sustainable cultivation methods. In this context, this work highlights the use of floating rafts, a simple and accessible technology that allows cultivation in a controlled, organized way and with less environmental impact. In addition to its environmental relevance, the cultivation of Gracilaria birdiae contributes to strengthening the coastal bioeconomy, generating income and expanding opportunities for local communities, such as those associated with AMBAP, which use the algae in the artisanal production of various products. The research seeks to understand the development of the species in different natural environments and demonstrate how cultivation can support the conservation and valorization of this macroalga on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. The methodology involves monitoring cultivation on floating rafts, where the algae are inserted into nets and monitored throughout their growth. Basic water parameters — such as salinity, temperature, and pH — are evaluated to identify conditions favorable to the development of the species. From a logistical standpoint, the study considers factors such as access to cultivation sites, ease of handling the structures, biomass transportation, and the feasibility of product distribution. Thus, the work integrates science, sustainability, and community reality, pointing the way to efficient, sustainable, and socially beneficial cultivation.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1221519 - DÁRLIO INÁCIO ALVES TEIXEIRA
Interna - 350500 - MARIA DE FATIMA FREIRE DE MELO XIMENES
Externo ao Programa - 1166812 - WALLACE SILVA DO NASCIMENTO - UFRN