O Parque Ecológico Engenheiro Ávidos, Paraiba: uma proposta de descrição e delimitação.

Abstract

The effectiveness of Protected Areas (PAs) in Brazil’s semi-arid region has been constrained by the lack of precise boundaries and technical instruments capable of integrating ecological, geoenvironmental, and socioeconomic dimensions. Within this context, this doctoral thesis investigates the delimitation process and characterizes the territory of the Engenheiro Ávidos Ecological Park (PECEA), located in Cajazeiras, Paraíba, with the aim of providing technical and scientific support for the development of its Management Plan and strengthening local environmental governance. Grounded in an interdisciplinary approach, the research integrates geotechnology methods, environmental diagnosis, and social analysis, combining physical and human data to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the territory. The methodological procedures included field surveys, identification and georeferencing of geodetic landmarks, preparation of thematic maps, and processing of satellite imagery in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. The thesis is structured into three complementary articles: the first proposes the delimitation of the PECEA and analyzes its creation from a historical and institutional perspective; the second presents the geoenvironmental diagnosis and descriptive report, which provide the technical foundation for the Management Plan; and the third discusses the social and economic dimensions, highlighting the importance of community participation in environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. The results indicate that the delimitation of the PECEA and the integration of physical and social aspects are essential to mitigate land-use conflicts and to support public policies aimed at biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the semi-arid region of Paraíba.