A System Dynamics Model for the Environmental Management of the Sepetiba Bay Watershed, Brazil

Abstract

In the recent past, the Sepetiba Bay watershed, located in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil has experienced rapid industrial development and population growth, as well as an increase in water pollution and environmental degradation. To analyze the complex interrelationships among the agents affecting the Sepetibza Bay environment, a system dynamics model was developed. The model builds on extensive studies conducted for the watershed, and simulates different hypotheses of economic growth and of demographic expansion. Thus, it can be used as a decision support tool for the identification of investment priorities and policy analyses under various scenarios. In order to provide a comprehensive approach to the environmental management of the Sepetiba Bay watershed, the model had to consider only the most relevant aspects of the behavior and the key interactions among agents operating in the watershed. In this article, the model's structure is presented together with some of its main results.

The Use of System Dynamics Simulation in Water Resources Management

“…The use of system dynamics as a tool for integrated regional analysis has been a continuing research focus to this day. While spatial scales have shifted from regional (Camara et al 1986;Cartwright and Connor 2003;Cohen and Neale 2006;Connor et al 2004;Den Exter 2004;Den Exter and Specht 2003;Guo et al 2001;Leal Neto et al 2006;Passell et al 2003;Sehlke and Jacobson 2005;Xu 2001;Xu et al 2002) to national (Simonovic and Fahmy 1999;Simonovic and Rajasekaram 2004) to global (Simonovic 2002a, b), so too have the number of socio-economic factors included, mirroring improved computer capabilities as well as changing problem foci (global water crisis and social impacts). Simonovic and Rajasekaram (2004) note a recent trend in the reduction of spatial scales to basin and watersheds with the aim of identifying regional and local solutions.…”

Desenvolvimento Econômico-Industrial E O Impacto Sobre a Zona Costeira: O Caso Baía De Sepetiba, Rio De Janeiro/Brasil

“…A região ao redor da baía de Sepetiba, situada no estado do rio de Janeiro -brasil, seguiu esta mesma característica de mudança da paisagem, tendo seu adensamento demográfico se intensificado com a industrialização iniciada na década de 60, em consequência do estabelecimento de indústrias pesadas com elevado perfil poluidor, fazendo com que qualidade ambiental da Baía declinasse ao longo dos anos (LEAL NETO et al, 2006).…”

GIS Analysis of Changes in Ecological Vulnerability Using a SPCA Model in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi, China

“…Satellite images are especially valuable because they provide frequently updated maps of inaccessible areas or areas with rapidly changing landforms [13,14,15]. The integration of RS with GIS provides an excellent framework for data capture, storage, synthesis, measurement, and analysis, all of which are essential to eco-environmental analysis [1].…”