DETERMINATION OF ECOLOGICAL FLOW IN SPRINGS IN CARIRI CEARENSE
Springs; Ecological Flow; Holistic Method; Building Blocks Methodology; Analysis of
Grouping.
The predatory exploitation of water produced in springs in Chapada do Araripe, in Cariri Ceará, is already a fact that currently concerns professionals in the field. Experts and residents of the region are already reporting a significant reduction in flow in springs, indicating a possible future water crisis in the region. This rampant exploitation not only threatens water resources for the population and the local economy, but also seriously affects biodiversity. One species that has been suffering from the impacts of the reduction in the flow of springs is the Soldadinho-do-Araripe, an endemic bird exclusive to the region that is already on the list of species threatened with extinction, whose life cycle is directly linked to the existence of springs in Chapada do Araripe. Given the importance of springs for the performance of human activities, such as irrigation and supplying communities in their surroundings, and for the preservation of local biodiversity, the main objective of this work is to determine a methodology that ensures the maintenance of adequate flows from springs, ensuring environmental sustainability and species protection. To achieve this objective, initially an adaptation and simplification of the Building Blocks Methodology (BBM) method will be carried out, applied to four specific springs: Farias (Barbalha-CE), Guaribas (Barbalha-CE), Batateiras (Crato-CE) and Saco ( Porteiras-CE). Furthermore, the study will focus on developing a classification based on the ecological flow determined for these four springs. This classification will be formulated through cluster analysis, applying it to the 80 springs monitored by COGERH to verify their classification in relation to the springs analyzed throughout the study.