Tourism and Degradation in the Coastline of Rio Grande do Sul: Conflicts and Management

Abstract

Economic, ecological and socio-cultural interests always come into conflict within the SustainableCoastal Development. In order to ensure the sustainability and vitality of these three functions simultaneously,planning and management actions are necessary to reduce these conflicts. Coastal environmentis of great importance for the tourism industry, so it is necessary to assure socio-cultural and ecologicalconservation as the only way to maintain economic development. The municipality of Xangri-lá, whichhas its economy focused on tourism, is starting dunes management activities and reorganizing the useand occupation of the beach. This paper aims to detail the current situation of the coast of Xangri-lá andthe conflicts as a result of tourism in this area. The problems and conflicts were evaluated through fieldobservations and morphodynamic controls (profile of the beach and vegetation). During this period itwas found that there is an aggravation of erosion on the dune system, caused by storms and a vegetationdecrease. As a result, dunes decreased in size and width. Associated to this, the pressure of occupationand the lack of infrastructure related to tourism were the main problems found along the coast. Anotherproblem is the dune system distortion caused by the trampling of native vegetation, exotic vegetationinvasion, buildings, condominiums, gardens and kiosks. Furthermore, the users’ neglect about the importanceof this environment has been leading to the accumulation of garbage. The immediate measures thatshould be taken to avoid harm to economic activities due to coast erosion and degradation are foredunesrecovery, improving beach access and suitable locations for garbage.