Impactos socioambientais e análise da vegetação em um parque eólico instalado em comunidade rural do Sertão da Paraíba.

Abstract

After the oil crisis, several countries started to search for alternative energy sources. Wind power stands out in Brazil, especially in the Northeast. Although the sustainability in its process is widespread, there are risks involved from its installation to generation. Therefore, this paper aims at analyzing the socio-environmental impacts upon the population as well as on the vegetation caused by the installation of the wind farm in the Redinha community in the town of São José do Sabugi, Paraíba, Brazil. The research stages included: 1) a documentary and bibliographic investigation; 2) a questionnaire survey applied to the families residing in the community; and 3) analysis of the vegetation present in the community. The questionnaire was applied to 44 residents and the analysis of the vegetation was attained through the allocation of 15 sampling units of 400 m² (6000 m2). Most of the community under study is comprised by adults, whose majority carries out activities on their agricultural and livestock lands, which were not affected by the implementation of the wind farm. Most residents did not even know that kind of production of electricity existed before it was implemented in the area. The impacts that were mostly perceived by the community, were noise and the increasing in the flow of both vehicles and people. Even with the negative impacts, residents are satisfied with the implementation of the park and declare to be in favor of new installations in the community. As for the vegetation analysis, 21 species and 10 families were found, where Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae were the most prominent and, among the species, Mimosa tenuiflora was the most common. Although the production of wind power brings lighter effects when compared to other sources, such activity is not free from environmental impacts. However, the studied area presented diversity and statistical values similar to other areas of Caatinga, indicating that the intensity of the project may have minimal impact. Nevertheless, considering the indicators as tools for environmental development, in addition to the site conditions, in order to prompt the wind farm’s full potential, alternatives that associate the use of resources that benefit both social and economic aspects are recommended.