Characterization and evaluation of the environmental fragility and of the potentialities of the Colônia Crater: alternatives for sustainable development

• Grant number: 11/22957-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: January 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Victor Velázquez Fernandez
• Grantee: Julianna Colonna Valevski Cardial
• Host Institution: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades (EACH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Colônia Crater is located 40 km southwest of the São Paulo city center and is inserted in the conservation area of Billings Hydrographic Basin and in the Capivari-Monos Environmental Protection Area, two significant reserves for the maintenance of geological water cycle and biodiversity in the region. With 3.6 kilometers in diameter, the crater is one of the sites that bring together a set of attributes of particular importance, starting by the landscaping circular aspect, the sedimentary record of Quaternary age and the wide variety of native vegetation of the Atlantic Forest. In order to safeguard this extraordinary natural scenery, it was deemed desirable to develop a research project whose main objective to elaborate a document that can serve as an instrument for ensuring their conservation and rational utilization of natural resources within it. To achieve this purpose, there will be an integrated assessment of biophysical vulnerability, diversity of use and occupation and socio-economic reality of the local community. The integration and representation of this collection of information will be processed in a georeferencial database that will provide a better view of the problems and point proposals for effective action to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, we believe that the proposed study, with the level of detail that is being provided, it should be a strategic tool to foment, promote and assist the capacity for action and management of both the government and the local community, to decision making in conservation and sustainable development. (AU)