Impactos socioeconômicos e ambientais em populações diretamente atingidas pelo empreendimento hidrelétrico Cachoeira Caldeirão

Abstract

The research aimed to analyze socioeconomic and environmental impacts caused by the construction of Cachoeira Caldeirão hydroelectric power plant (UHECC) on the urban population of the municipality of Porto Grande, considering the period before and during UHECC construction. Socioeconomic aspects and biodiversity resources use were highlighted with emphasis on fish and wild animals, in order to test the hypothesis that UHECC construction has not changed socioeconomic aspects and biodiversity resources use. The research was conducted in the municipality of Porto Grande, state of Amapá, Brazil. In order to collect data, field research with residents affected by the project was conducted. A structured form containing open and closed questions regarding social and economic aspects, as well as questions related to fish and wild animal consumption in the periods before and during hydroelectric plant construction was applied. Surveys were conducted by snowball sampling in 53 homes, from April to June 2015. Data were recorded and systematized to test statistical differences on socioeconomics and animal protein consumption for the two analysis periods. Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests were used. Through tests, significant negative change was stated in the socioeconomy of affected families during hydroelectric plant installation, especially regarding income-generating activities directed towards productive areas, such as agriculture and fishing. Biodiversity resources use had similar results for fish, while statistically significant change was not found for wild animals in the periods analyzed