Theoretical Considerations on Surface Dynamics in Arid and Semiarid Tropical Environments: Application to the Semiarid of Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Morphological dynamics in dry tropical environments reflect the action of conditioners that respond according to the modeling of relief, which have in wind and water actions the main factors responsible for morpho-dynamic evolution. Arid and semi-arid areas are considered fragile ecosystems, with scarce vegetation cover, where erosive processes occur rapidly and severely during and after short episodes of intense rainfall when soils are naturally susceptible to erosion. In addition, “triggers” caused by forms of anthropic uses can lead to intensification and expansion of the incidence of erosive processes. The objective of this theoretical article, based on bibliographic survey and field observations in the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba, is to identify surface dynamics that condition relief modeling in the northeastern semi-arid zone. Intensification of surface dynamics is related to intense rainfall events which contribute to the morpho-dynamics of fluvial and interfluvial domains in landscapes as well as to anthropic insertions.