Análise dos processos de licenciamento ambiental na Secretaria do Meio Ambiente da Prefeitura Municipal de João Pessoa (SEMAM-PMJP) no ano de 2024: impactos potenciais sobre a fauna e flora

Abstract

The present study conducted a critical analysis of a series of environmental technical reports issued by the Municipal Environment Secretariat (SEMAM) of João Pessoa, aiming to assess the environmental impacts and ecosystem service trade-offs generated by various urban developments located in environmentally sensitive areas of the city. The research methodology involved a technical and systematic review of the documents, combined with the application of economic valuation methods for ecosystem services, with adjustments based on national studies focused on the Atlantic Forest. The analysis was performed using a randomized selection of reports produced by the team of the Environmental Studies and Research Division (DIEP/SEMAM-PMJP). The developments studied were located in the neighborhoods of Jardim Oceania, José Américo, Portal do Sol, Cruz das Armas, Aeroclube, and Costa do Sol. Significant environmental impacts were identified, particularly the loss of native vegetation, habitat fragmentation, changes in hydrological regimes, improper solid waste disposal, and threats to local wildlife. The economic valuation of lost ecosystem services was calculated using formulas that considered the impacted area and the type of affected service. The total estimated value of ecosystem service losses in the analyzed developments exceeded R$ 8 million, highlighting the magnitude of the impacts caused by the conversion of natural areas into urban land uses. Furthermore, the study critically assessed the environmental licensing instruments used at the municipal level, such as the Environmental Feasibility Study (EVA) and the Simplified Environmental Report (RAS), concluding that these often show limitations in identifying and adequately mitigating cumulative and indirect impacts. It was observed that the mitigation and compensation measures proposed in the analyzed processes generally fail to fully offset the ecological trade-offs generated, emphasizing the need to improve the technical rigor of requirements and the enforcement of their implementation. It becomes evident that the growing demand for new urban developments in João Pessoa is placing pressure on ecosystems of high environmental importance. The analyses demonstrated the necessity of strengthening the city’s environmental management tools.