Changes in the hydrological regime of the Lower São Francisco River, located in Northeastern Brazil have brought negative environmental impacts, jeopardizing the flora and fauna of a global biodiversity hotspot, due to implementation of hydroelectric power dams and surface water withdrawal for irrigation in public and private perimeters. Remnants of the riparian stratum associated to the riverbank destabilization in six fragments were studied by surveying trees, shrubs, herbs, and aquatic species. The calculation of the Factor of Safety (FS) was performed in order to understand the riverbank's stability related to soil texture and vegetation cover. An overall number of 51 botanic families distributed in 71 genera and 79 species were recorded, predominantly from the families Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, and Fabaceae. The fragmented riparian vegetation is mostly covered by secondary species under a strong anthropogenic impact such as deforestation, mining and irrigation, with an advanced erosion process in the river margins. Strong species that withstand the waves present in the river flow are needed to reduce the constant landslides that are mainly responsible for the river sedimentation and loss of productive lands. A lack of preservation attitude among the local landholders was identified, and constitutes a continuing threat to the riparian ecosystem biodiversity.

A erosão das margens do baixo curso do rio São Francisco é uma das causas mais visíveis das alterações na dinâmica do sistema fluvial e se destaca pela sua amplitude, ampla distribuição e conseqüências sócio-econômicas. O objetivo desse trabalho foi apresentar uma análise multitemporal dos processos erosivos no baixo curso do rio São Francisco, à jusante da UHE Xingo. Foram realizados estudos do comportamento dos taludes marginais a partir da instrumentação em seções localizadas no Perímetro Irrigado Cotinguiba Pindoba, localizado no município de Própria, Estado de Sergipe, assim como caracterização da erosão na margem do rio até a sua foz. Os métodos de investigação utilizados foram levantamentos e observações diretas no