Análise da vulnerabilidade socioambiental na Bacia Hidrográfica Urbana da Boa Vista, Manaus, AM

Abstract

In the current context of large metropolises, the growing impacts of urbanization, intensive exploitation of natural resources, and socio-spatial inequality highlight the complexity of environmental and socioeconomic changes, especially in the city of Manaus (AM), due to the political, historical-geographical, economic, social, and cultural characteristics that shaped it. The urban watersheds that comprise the city are constantly affected by processes of land occupation, soil impermeabilization, improper waste disposal, and water pollution, which compromise ecological functionality and increase the vulnerabilities of marginalized populations. In this context, the main objective of this research is to analyze the Socioenvironmental Vulnerability to Soil Loss in the Boa Vista Urban Watershed, located in the East Zone of Manaus. The study is guided by the analysis of socio-spatial formation, the identification of social and environmental variables, and the composition of a socioenvironmental vulnerability framework for soil loss within the watershed. The methodology is structured around the four organizational levels of geographical research. The first, the compilatory level, involves bibliographic and documentary surveys. The second level establishes a correlation between the collected data and the field reality through techniques such as supervised fieldwork, tracing techniques, and informal interviews, along with the selection of relevant social and environmental vulnerability indicators. In the semantic level, the analysis of reality is conducted by filtering data relevant to the research. Finally, the normative level encompasses the distribution of results and the formulation of guidelines, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), including its phases—matrix development, indicator weighting, value normalization, and combination of elements—to compose the final framework of Socioenvironmental Vulnerability to Soil Loss in the Boa Vista Watershed, Manaus, AM. The results of the socioenvironmental analysis revealed profound socio-spatial inequalities associated with deficiencies in essential public services such as water supply, sanitation, and waste collection. A significant portion of the population depends on alternative water sources, uses rudimentary septic systems, or discharges sewage directly into local streams, in addition to irregularly disposing of solid waste—factors that exacerbate pollution and public health risks. The population is predominantly composed of individuals of working age, with a reasonable level of education among household heads, especially women. The observed social vulnerability indicates that despite poor public services and limited urban infrastructure, the population demonstrates a minimum level of resilience, classified as having low to very low social vulnerability. On the other hand, environmental vulnerability—particularly related to land use and occupation—indicates unplanned urban expansion into slopes and valley bottoms, contributing to erosion and river siltation. The opening and abandonment of roads, such as the ring road of Estrada do Brasileirinho, intensifies erosive processes in the middle sector of the watershed. Combined with the presence of latosols and the high erosive potential of rainfall, the basin is classified as having high to very high environmental vulnerability to soil loss-related disasters, including landslides, gullies, and stream siltation. In summary, although the environmental vulnerability suggests a tendency toward disaster occurrence, the population's resilience capacity prevails. Nonetheless, the watershed as a whole urgently requires effective public policies aimed at prevention, mitigation, and territorial planning.