Socio-Environmental Vulnerability to Drought Conditions and Land Degradation: An Assessment in Two Northeastern Brazilian River Basins

Over the past few decades, a significant amount of agricultural land has been lost due to soil degradation/desertification. In addition, increasing frequency extreme events, such as intense droughts and forest fires, negatively impacted various ecosystem services. Two main Brazilian biomes—the Cerrado Caatinga—have affected by increased rainfall variability, leading desertification, fire frequency, and, consequently, rising concerns regarding water food security local population. this study, we develop methodology assess these impacts using Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Index (SEVI) that combines physical, environmental, socio-economic indicators related exposure, sensitivity, adaptation, well including socio-environmental feedback. The developed SEVI is then applied São Francisco Parnaíba river basins. proposed index based on MEDALUS adapted include multiple biological, indicators, allowing for discrimination areas characterized different levels vulnerability. We also analyze effectiveness governmental policies, creation conservation rural registration properties, in reducing analysis highlights adaptive capacity constraint vulnerability basin, while exposure sensitivity are greater challenges basin. results study crucial prioritization recovery actions degraded areas.