Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: MARLON DELGADO MELO

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : MARLON DELGADO MELO
DATE: 17/12/2024
TIME: 09:00
LOCAL: Videoconferência via Google Meet (https://meet.google.com/nid-wemg-xdn)
TITLE:

ASSOCIATED MACROFAUNA IN NATURAL BEDS AND SEAWEED CULTIVATION: ECOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTIONS

KEY WORDS:

Marine macroinvertebrates, seaweed cultivation, ecological indices, environmental perception, environmental education.

PAGES: 229
BIG AREA: Ciências Agrárias
AREA: Agronomia
SUMMARY:

The seaweed beds represent areas of high biodiversity and primary production. These tridimensional environments, including both natural beds and aquaculture systems, support complex communities of ecological and economic relevance. As such, the cultivation of Gracilaria birdiae along the RN coast serves as a significant source of income for local coastal communities. However, knowledge regarding the associated fauna remains largely unknown to the local population. This study aimed to investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of macroinvertebrates associated with G. birdiae in the natural bed at Mae Luiza beach (ML) and a cultivation site in Rio do Fogo (RF). Additionally, it evaluated the environmental awareness of public school students regarding marine biodiversity in a local Protection Area (PA). The research was conducted from March 2022 to November 2023, employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Algal biomass and ecological indices of the assemblages were analyzed using multivariate statistical methods to account for spatiotemporal variations. Qualitative data were collected through structured questionnaires and environmental education (EE) workshops and analyzed using methodological triangulation. A total of 94 macroinvertebrate species were identified, distributed across five phyla: Platyhelminthes, Mollusca, Annelida, Arthropoda, and Echinodermata. Algal biomass was significantly higher at RF (7.78 kg). Abundance (CPUE) was also higher during the dry season and at RF (27,535.75 ± 14,504.21 ind/kg). Alpha diversity indices (H’ = 2.30 ± 0.61; D = 0.79 ± 0.15; J’ = 0.70 ± 0.15) and beta diversity were greater during the rainy season and at RF. Assemblage composition exhibited spatiotemporal variation, driven by ecological succession, with Amphipoda being the dominant group. Furthermore, the cultivation site provided habitats for ecologically and economically important species, including the lobsters Panulirus laevicauda and P. meripurpuratus, the non-indigenous bivalve Electroma vexillum, and reef-associated fish species. Qualitative results revealed
that most students lacked awareness of local marine biodiversity and the PA. However, EE workshops effectively enhanced their environmental awareness. In conclusion, scientific knowledge of assemblages associated with G. birdiae cultivation underscores its role in supporting local biodiversity, presenting it as a sustainable economic alternative for coastal communities. Integrating interdisciplinary EE initiatives is essential for fostering broader understanding and promoting harmonious interactions between society and the environment.
SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE THESIS: This study encompasses an interdisciplinary approach that links environmental sustainability, education, and local economy. The sustainable exploitation of natural resources and environmental education play crucial roles in addressing global conservation challenges. Therefore, the seaweed cultivation of Gracilaria birdiae emerges as a viable alternative that harmonizes environmental preservation with sustainable economic development. Our research demonstrated that this cultivation not only replicates the ecological functions of natural algal beds but also enhances biodiversity and supports commercially valuable species, including mollusks, crustaceans, and forage fish, which can be sustainably utilized.
Moreover, this study highlights the pivotal role of environmental education in raising awareness within local communities. Thus, by implementing pedagogical workshops and interpretative trails in a public school, we successfully enhanced the environmental perception of students residing near a significant Protected Area in Rio Grande do Norte state. In this way, these results underscore the effectiveness of educational initiatives in fostering environmentally conscious citizens capable of adopting sustainable practices.
However, the risks associated with the introduction of exotic species emphasize the urgent need for integrated public policies that align conservation efforts with education and sustainable resource management. This study offers a practical and interdisciplinary approach to restoring degraded habitats, boosting local economies -particularly mariculture and fisheries - and promoting sustainability. It thus provides a valuable foundation for initiatives that integrate economic production with environmental preservation in tropical coastal regions and other globally threatened ecosystems.
THESIS ODS s: ODS 4: Quality education; ODS 2: Zero hunger and sustainable agriculture; ODS 8: Decent work and economic growth; ODS 11: Sustainable cities and
communities; ODS 12: Responsible consumption and production; ODS 13: Climate action; ODS 14: Life below water.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1279472 - ELIANE MARINHO SORIANO
Interno - 1149351 - JORGE EDUARDO LINS OLIVEIRA
Externa à Instituição - MARCELLA ARAÚJO DO AMARAL CARNEIRO
Externa à Instituição - THELMA LÚCIA PEREIRA DIAS - UEPB
Externo à Instituição - VINICIUS PERUZZI DE OLIVEIRA - UFRJ