Environmental fragility and susceptibility mapping using geographic information systems: applications on Ribeirão do Pinhal watershed (Limeira, State of São Paulo) - doi: 10.4025/actascitechnol.v34i4.10005

• Published in: Acta scientiarum. Technology Vol. 34; no. 4; pp. 433 - 440
• Main Authors: Samuel Fernando Adami, Ricardo Marques Coelho, Márcio Koiti Chiba, Jener Fernando Leite de Moraes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Maringá 01-10-2012
• Subjects: anthropogenic environments; environmental fragility; geoprocessing; spatial analysis
• ISSN: 1806-2563; 1807-8664

This paper presents the results of integrated environmental analysis of the Ribeirão do Pinhal drainage basin, undertaken with geographic information systems and spatial analysis techniques. The empirical analysis of environmental fragility methodology was used to identify areas that require more attention for improving environmental conditions. Because more than 60% of the study area has weak or very weak potential fragility grades, the natural characteristics of the basin may be considered appropriate. Regarding the environmental fragility, i.e. taking into account human actions, the basin has more than 50% of its area with weak or very weak grades. However, more than 40% of the study area has environmental fragility above their potential fragility grades. This situation indicates the presence of intensive land uses beyond natural landscape restoration processes. These sectors require that stricter territory management policies be implemented.