Análise crítica dos estudos de impacto ambiental do Estado da Bahia, com aprofundamento no delineamento amostral utilizado para medição da biodiversidade

Abstract

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, emphasized the importance of biodiversity as the basis of our existence and sugges- ted its sustainable use and conservation for the current and future generations. The main threats to global biodiversity are associated with human activities, which cause habitat damage or loss. On a global scale, it seeks consistency and coherence between social and environmentally sus- tainable policies, institutional strengthening, and improvements in strategic planning to mitigate potential social and environmental impacts. However, Brazil currently shows itself dissident from these policies. Environmental licensing is the instrument of the National Environmental Policy that theoretically ensures compliance with the constitutional precept of an environment balan- ced and preserved for present and future generations. Licensing must reconcile conservation and development. The Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) have far-reaching economic and political consequences and play a critical role in approving and controlling how human acti- vities damage the environment. In 1986, the first resolution of the Environment National Council (CONAMA 001/86) was published. This resolution establishes requirements for the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments. The EIA consists of procedures capable of ensuring a systematic examination of the environmental impacts of a proposal (project, program, plan, or policy) and its alternatives. The planning of the EIA, the selection of the sample, and the data collection must be carried out considering that any decision made is based on scientific know- ledge. Appropriate studies will indicate the level of disturbance and its impact on conservation- -significant species, fauna, and ecosystems inside and around the project area. The sampling design and the methods used directly influence the ability to quantify community. Misconducted diagnoses, with insufficient sampling efforts and the use of inadequate methods, are common. Analyzing the effectiveness of the EIAs contribute to the process, fostering its continuous impro- vement. This Technical Report presents a diagnosis of the Environmental Impact Assessments in the State of Bahia, through a critical analysis of the EIAs, focusing on their sampling design, methods used to measure biodiversity, and the format of presentation of the results. Specifically, we analyzed twelve EIAs from the base of digitized documents, available in the State System for Environmental Information and Water Resources (SEIA – initials in Portuguese) and on the website of the Institute for the Environment and Water Resources (INEMA – initials in Portugue- se), covering the period from January 2012 to February 2020. We present a diagnosis of EIAs in Bahia using criteria based on the best ecological practices. Finally, we list a series of recommen- dations to improve future Environmental Impact Assessments. More than an EIAs effectiveness analysis, the document aims to compose the theoretical framework related to the theme, using applied ecological science to advance Environmental Impact Assessments.