The monitoring of drivers of LD, along with integrated national, state and municipal surveillance that is effectively implemented, is essential to combat the processes of land degradation and desertification. For this purpose, the project will support the timely implementation of the desertification Early Warning System (SAP) in Sergipe so as to link this regional database to the needs of local planning. This system, developed by MMA and INPE, is designed to predict drought in Brazil's semiarid regions, characterizing current scenarios of vulnerability resulting from land use as well identifying possible future scenarios as a result of climate change. With the release of SAP tools, in addition to having a consolidated database to support the system, search engine can be used and cross-reference information on drought and desertification at the municipal level. This will enable more accurate analysis of vulnerability to desertification in Brazil's semiarid region. The warning system will also integrate remote sensing and weather data to enable a continuous assessment of the most susceptible areas by improving the understanding of the combined effects of drought and desertification, aiming to provide tools to support sustainable planning by decision-makers.
In this context, a plan to control fires will also be defined and implemented in the ASDs. Uncontrolled fires are common in the backlands of Sergipe, resulting in the impoverishment of the soil leading to further processes of LD and desertification. This plan, to be prepared jointly with IBAMA, will define guidelines to foresee risks and avoid large scale burning by establishing guidance for farmers and ranchers and providing management methods for soil and forest protection.
The Early Warning System and the burning control plan will be key inputs for developing an integrated system of monitoring and evaluation of drivers and processes of LD in ASDs in Sergipe prepared together with SEMARH, ADEMA and IBAMA. Data on actual levels and types of soil loss, water deficiency and salinization should be included at scales that can be used at the local level. Once this system is designed, a training program will be developed and implemented for employees of SEMARH, ADEMA, IBAMA, ATER, EMDAGRO, COHIDRO, municipalities and farmers on monitoring processes of land use. This monitoring system should also be contemplated in municipal plans to combat desertification.
To complete this system, plans for improving and integrating research will encourage monitoring of LD and foster interaction and integration of best practices and lessons learned, as well as in loco application and validation in the semiarid region. This action will create the basis for an integrated system of research, involving different public and private research institutions in studies about development of actions for combating desertification in the semiarid region.
In addition to monitoring the LD processes, the actions of federal, state and local enforcement of norms and standards with regard to forest management will be strengthened and integrated. For this purpose, technical training will be carried out on consumption and transportation of firewood, oriented to promoting integrated surveillance between ADEMA and IBAMA firewood consumption and transport of forest products, thus creating a context of greater efficiency and effectiveness of the actions of the government regarding illegal use of forest resources of the Caatinga and hence greater control of illegal deforestation.
