Analysis of Socio-Environmental Vulnerability in the South of Rio Grande Do Sul State, Brazil

The term ‘’vulnerability’’ has been used more frequently in studies, surveys and official documents, seeking a better understanding of population groups, their needs and specificities. As it is a complex and multifaceted field of analysis, the most different areas of knowledge propose to analyze different perspectives of vulnerability. In this study, the construction was carried out from the social and environmental perspectives, aiming at an integrated analysis of social inequalities in the areas of study. The construction of the SEVI – Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Index, allows the ranking of the regions studied according to the existing vulnerability processes. The methodology was based on the choice and classification of indicators for the construction of a global index for the municipalities in the South Zone of Rio Grande do Sul from the integration into a GIS - Geographic Information System. The results demonstrate the complexity of situations of vulnerability for these regions, the contribution of the analyzed perspectives and the vulnerable populations. The use of methodologies to map these populations helps in decision-making processes and in the elaboration of policies committed to interrupting the processes of social inequality brought about by capitalism.