Hydrological Heritage and Geoconservation in Plateau Areas of the Brazilian Northeastern Semiarid Region

Abstract The Martins-Portalegre Plateau, located in the semiarid region of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, harbors a hydrological heritage of significant regional importance. However, the lack of (re)cognition by both local populations and public administrators has contributed to the degradation of its Sites of Hydrological Interest (SHI). This study aims to classify twelve (12) Hydrologically Significant Sites based on ecological, aesthetic, sociocultural, and complementary criteria.