THE RECOS PROJECT — USE AND APPROPRIATION OF COASTAL ZONE RESOURCES — COASTAL MONITORING NETWORK

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe meteorological monitoring program for the coastal zone of Brazil was established in cooperation withpublic and private institutions: Navy Hydrographic Center, Brazilian Institute of Natural Resources, NationalSpace Agency, South Santa Catarina University, Paraná Federal State University, Rio Grande do Sul FederalUniversity, Rio Grande Federal University, Port of Itajai, Petrobras Transportation Company (Transpetro) andSanta Catarina Water and Sanitation Company (Casan). This program is carried out on 13 selected points from33°44’S to 20°45’S. Each point is instrumented with air temperature, air humidity, solar radiation, atmosphericpressure, precipitation wind probes sensors. Two observing sites also measure the sea level. Telemetric systemsare based on phone, cellular phone, satellite, Internet, and UHF radio. The acquisition, archival, quality controland distribution systems were developed and automated on Oracle database, and these systems update thedata on an every hour basis. The web visualization was developed using a Java Platform with direct access tothe database. The monitoring system is basically a public investment (92% of the stations). The private sectorcontributes with provisions for innovations in technology, improvement of the infrastructures and maintenanceof the network. Public and private institutions have quick access to real-time information provided by a friendlysoftware for input in their decisions in the operational activities. Time-series data support programs and researchand development projects inside the universities.