Object Based Image Analysis classification applied to mapping of Purus river floodplain environments, Southwestern Amazon

• Grant number: 20/10146-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2020
• End date: October 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Fabiano do Nascimento Pupim
• Grantee: Renan Cassimiro Brito
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The floodplains of large rivers in the Amazon Basin are characterized by a great diversity of environments, called Várzea sub-environments. The Várzeas are ecosystems that have unique ecological properties, high biodiversity and are susceptible by anthropogenic impacts, because they are intimately related with the fluvial dynamics. Thus, study these environments is essential to draw planning and conservation strategies for Amazonian wetlands. Floodplains inaccessibility and dimension (like those in the Purus River) difficult scientific exploration of the Amazonian floodplains. Research using remote sensing and classification by Object-Based Image Analysis OBIA were already developed in others fluvial systems, showing that this approach is a quality alternative for mapping and characterize Várzeas. In that context, this work intends to identify and delineate Várzea of the Purus River, using OBIA techniques in optical images and Digital Elevation Model. We expect to answer whether the different flood-plain conditions create different Várzea sub-environments, depending on the Purus River flu-vial dynamic. Our hypothesis is that different Várzea sub-environments develop according to the geomorphologic feature in which they are located along the Purus Rives floodplain. The products generated by this research can support decision makers in conservation plans for the Várzea of the Purus River. (AU)