Humid areas at high altitude are found in semi-arid region of Pernambuco and Paraíba in Northeastern Brazil. Although the vegetation in the surrounding area is the semi-arid 'caatinga', in these high altitude areas, natural vegetation is similar to that of the Atlantic Forest. Municipal Ecological Park "Vasconcelos Sobrinho", is situated in "Brejo dos Cavalos" in Caruaru in the State of Pernambuco - Brazil and is a remnant example of this kind of environment. The park, with 359 ha, has a rich forest and several streamlets and dams. But there is a degradation process due to irrigated agriculture inside the park and due to clay exploitation in its borders. Water Resources in the ecological park have been studied from 1998 to 2000. Rainfall in "Brejo dos Cavalos" is significantly higher than in surrounding area because of the altitude and the forest itself. A slow but progressive process of deforestation jeopardizes local climatic conditions. Increasing irrigated crops, mainly chayote, reduces water volume in embankments. Erosion in both deforested area and clay exploitation area leads to soil impoverishment and silting up of dams. An urgent action from municipal government is needed to stop degradation and set up of an environmental management program.
forest-water relation; water uses; environmental management; atlantic forest; protected areas
