Firewood consumption in the ceramic activity in Sergipe State, Brazil

Abstract

The forest resources have been indiscriminately used in the State of Sergipe, mainly because the wood harvested from the caatinga ecosystem. This work aimed to know the general consumption and the origin of the wood used in ceramic factories in the State of Sergipe. The main objectives were to quantify the consumption of firewood, characterize the sources and forms of supply, and calculate the specific consumption of firewood for the activity. The study was conducted in nine ceramic companies located in the Counties of Propriá, Santana do São Francisco, Neópolis, Siriri and Capela, where a semi-structured questionnaire was applied. The results showed that half of fuel material used by the companies came from the caatinga ecosystem and exotic fruit tree species. Therefore, a conscientiousness work is required, along with the implementation of public policies, in order to establish sustainable ways of obtaining the fuel material.