SARAS: a tool for the assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services in semiarid dam reservoirs
Betsy Dantas de Medeiros
A * , Magnólia de Araújo Campos B , José Etham de Lucena Barbosa A , Gislayne Kerliny de Aquino Queiroz A , Maria João Feio C and Daniele Jovem-Azevêdo A B D
A
B
C
D
Abstract
Reservoirs offer diverse ecosystem services; however, in semiarid regions, maintaining these services and preserving freshwater biodiversity face challenges because of the conflicts related to the use of water, land use and climate changes.
This study aimed to develop a tool, the semiarid reservoirs assessment system (SARAS), to assess the ecosystem services provided by reservoirs, their biodiversity and ecosystem functions and habitat.
To build the tool, we selected relevant indicators for reservoirs, and constructed a scoring and classification system. After that, we applied the SARAS to a case study (the reservoir of Epitácio Pessoa) to test it.
SARAS has 5 sections, 8 divisions and 41 indicators. Scores are calculated by dividing the maximum section score by divisions and then by indicators. Scores are standardised into percentage intervals and converted into final scores per division and section, offering a comprehensive ecosystem assessment.
SARAS has high potential, providing relevant information on ecosystem conservation status and aiding decision-making. It also supports new research by highlighting information gaps, such as the lack of biodiversity data for some taxa.
SARAS can be continuously fed with new data, improving the tool potential. Although it is primarily focused on semiarid reservoirs, SARAS is widely adaptable to reservoirs of other regions of the world.
Keywords: assessment tool, cultural services, freshwater assessment, provisioning services, regulating services, score system, water quality, watersheds.
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