Educação ambiental e sustentabilidade na região de Humaitá-AM: o potencial da bacia do rio Ipixuna

Abstract

The Ipixuna River hydrographic basin, located in the region of Humaitá - AM, constitutes a strategic natural resource for ecological balance, socioeconomic development, and local ecotourism, although it faces growing pressures from anthropogenic impacts. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of the Ipixuna River hydrographic basin as an environmental education tool, promoting awareness about water resource preservation and sustainable development in the region. The methodology consisted of a quantitative and qualitative approach, utilizing structured questionnaires based on the Likert Scale to measure the environmental perception and knowledge of two distinct groups: local residents and tourists. On-site data collection resulted in an effective sample of 21 residents from the Ipixuna River Community and 8 tourists, facing seasonal limitations due to the flooding period of the Madeira River and the high real estate turnover aimed at summer vacationing. The collected data were tabulated and subjected to socioeconomic, educational, and age profile analyses, in addition to the application of Pearson's Correlation Test (r) to evaluate the level of association between behavioral variables and the conservation practices of the studied groups. The results revealed that, despite recognizing the vital importance of the water body, there are significant discrepancies in the self-assessment regarding the correct disposal of solid waste and the perception of direct polluting impacts between residents and visitors. It is concluded that the basin possesses high potential for the implementation of cross-cutting Environmental Education (EE) programs. However, for sustainable management to be effective, it is indispensable to mitigate sanitation infrastructure gaps and articulate integrated educational actions that consider the socioeconomic specificities and the seasonal nature of the region's floating population.