Geodiversity and Biodiversity of the Tropical Shelf of Northeastern Brazil

Continental shelvesContinental shelf are areas of high heterogeneity that are poorly understood and increasingly influenced by anthropic activities. The tropical passive continental shelfContinental shelf of northeastern Brazil is the narrowest in the country and in some stretches is among the world’s narrowest. Narrow continental shelvesContinental shelf are unusual features on passive continental margins. This is clearly reflected in the small number of studies in the international literature. In this chapter, we present a synthesis of the current knowledge about seafloor morphology, its associated benthic ecosystems, and the role of eustatic variations in the evolution of this tropical shelf. Major human uses are also discussed.