ANALYSIS OF EFFECTIVENESS MANAGEMENT IN COCÓ ECOLOGICAL PARK, FORTALEZA-CE

Abstract

The creation of Protected Areas has been largely used in all parts of the world to conserve and protect nature and wilderness. In Brazil, among Conservation Units, which where recommended by Environmental National Policy, there is the category called Park, that is inserted at Full Protection Group and has the purpose to preserve natural ecosystems of great scenic beauty and ecological importance. The Ecological Park of Cocó was established through State Decrees n° 20.253 in 09/05/1989 and n° 22.587 in 06/08/1993, and it is located, entirely, in urban area of Fortaleza Municipality, suffering intense human actions and property speculation. This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of management of these Park. To achieve this, bibliographic surveys were done as well field visiting and questionnaires have been applied with Park employees. Seeking to achieve this goal, a methodology mechanism adaptation was established, based on Faria (1995); Cifuentes et al. (2000) e Lima Filho (2006), that make possible analysis of 20 variables, distributed among 06 areas. For each one of those areas, evaluation matrixes have been created and they allowed to achieve the management effectiveness. Through the 6 areas average rate, it was possible to find an overall average result to evaluate the unit management. The categories ranges vary from poor to very satisfactory. Analyzing the questionnaire data it was found that the Ecological Park of Cocó presents 57.8% of the optimal level and is classified as a medium satisfactory management. Therefore, the unit has some minimum elements for management, but still has some shortcomings, which does not allow for an effective form of management. Key words: Conservation Units. Ecological Park of Cocó. Management Effectiveness. Protected Areas Management. Environmental Management.