Table_2_Oil Spill and Socioeconomic Vulnerability in Marine Protected Areas.xlsx

The extensive oil spill (> 2,900 km) that occurred in the southwestern Atlantic (2019/2020) increased the vulnerability of the Brazilian coast, affecting marine and coastal protected areas (MPAs). In addition to supporting conservation, MPAs are sustainably used by local populations to help maintain ocean-dependent livelihoods. In this sense, we aim to assess the socioeconomic vulnerability of human communities in MPAs affected by this major oil spill. Using digital mapping, we assessed the socioeconomic vulnerability of 68 human communities living in or near 60 MPAs of different categories that were impacted by this spill. This is the first assessment of the vulnerability status of human populations under significant levels of poverty and social inequality, which are particularly dependent on healthy and effective Brazilian MPAs. More than 6,500 enterprises and institutions were mapped, including trade activities, services, tourism, and leisure venues. Most enterprises (34.4%) were involved in the food sector, related to the ocean economy, and, therefore, highly vulnerable to oil spills. Furthermore, the majority (79.3%) of the vulnerable activities are concentrated in multiple-use MPAs, with extractive reserves coming second and accounting for 18%. This result shows the high vulnerability of this tropical coast to oil accidents and the risks to food security for traditional communities. We also found a heterogeneous vulnerability indicator along the coast, with the most vulnerable regions having an undiversified economic matrix heavily dependent on activities such as fishing, family farming, tourism, accommodation, and the food sector. Thus, this study provides a tool to help prevent and mitigate economic losses and increases the understanding of the weaknesses of MPAs in the face of large-scale disasters, thus helping to build socioeconomic and ecological resilience.

2019/2020年发生在西南大西洋、波及范围超2900公里的大规模溢油事件加剧了巴西海岸的脆弱性，并对海洋与海岸保护区（Marine and Coastal Protected Areas，MPAs）造成了影响。除承担生态保护功能外，这些海洋与海岸保护区还被当地居民可持续利用，以维持依赖海洋的生计。基于此，本研究旨在评估受此次重大溢油影响的海洋与海岸保护区内人类社区的社会经济脆弱性。本研究通过数字制图技术，对受此次溢油影响的60个不同类别海洋与海岸保护区内及周边的68个人类社区的社会经济脆弱性进行了评估。这是首次针对处于重度贫困与社会不平等状态下、且高度依赖健康高效的巴西海洋与海岸保护区的人类群体脆弱性状况开展的评估。研究共绘制了超过6500家企业与机构的分布图，涵盖贸易活动、服务业、旅游业及休闲场所。其中34.4%的企业隶属于与海洋经济相关的食品行业，因此极易受到溢油事件的冲击。此外，79.3%的脆弱经济活动集中于多用途海洋与海岸保护区，其次为采掘保护区，占比18%。该结果表明，这片热带海岸对石油泄漏事故具有高度脆弱性，同时也凸显了传统社区面临的粮食安全风险。研究还发现，沿岸地区的脆弱性指标呈现异质性特征，最脆弱的区域经济结构单一，高度依赖渔业、家庭农业、旅游业、住宿业及食品行业等活动。综上，本研究提供了一套可用于预防和减轻经济损失的工具，加深了人们对大规模灾害下海洋与海岸保护区脆弱性的认知，有助于构建社会经济与生态韧性。