Caatinga Conservation Units (UCs): importance and tourism potential

Abstract

The Caatinga biome is the only exclusively Brazilian biome, harboring a wide variety of endemic animal and plant species that, despite its importance, it's one of the most threatened and least protected in the country. Tourism plays a significant role in the economy and can generate income and employment for local communities. This work aims to discuss the importance and impact of tourism in conservation units (UCs), mainly for the Caatinga biome, contributing to local and regional development while preserving the cultural and environmental heritage of the region. The work consists of an exploratory study that carried out a bibliographical survey on conservation units located in the Caatinga biome, using portals and databases on the internet, focusing on units created until December 2021. In addition, a search was made for units that use the tourist strategy in the Caatinga region, based on keywords related to tourism and the environment. In the survey carried out, 232 PAs were identified, of which 163 were for sustainable use and 69 were for full protection. The practice of tourism in the PAs is a valid strategy for improving the economic and social conditions of the region, however, it must be linked to environmental education activities and the correct management of the site so that there is effectiveness in the conservation of these PAs. However, it was noticed that few units have a management council and a management plan, which are fundamental for discussing practices and formulating documents that guarantee the proper management of the site, guaranteeing its conservation, highlighting, therefore, the need to prioritize the construction of these, so that conservation strategies can be devised and, then, insert tourism activities in the region, to reduce the negative impacts in the place.