Use of Geospatial Intelligence and Free and Low-Cost Geographic Information Technologies in Mapping the Severity of Hydrogeomorphological Disasters in the Expansion Areas of São João del-Rei/MG

• Grant number: 25/05243-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Physical Geography
• Principal Investigator: Andrea Aparecida Zacharias
• Grantee: Ana Luisa Teixeira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project proposal aims to investigate methodological approaches for identifying and characterizing the severity of hydrogeomorphological disasters and their hazard indicators using geospatial intelligence (geographic spatial intelligence). The research hypothesis is that mapping, based on methods and techniques that incorporate geospatial intelligence - made possible by free and low-cost Geographic Information Technologies (GI) - represents a practical methodological approach to address one of the contemporary challenges of risk management: identifying and mapping the severity of hydrogeomorphological natural disasters and their hazard indicators at the local scale. The research will have a theoretical and methodological basis in the areas of Scientific Sciences, Environmental Cartographic Modeling, and geospatial intelligence methods and techniques. The procedures will be divided into two stages: 1) Selection and organizing of cartographic databases and 2) Environmental Cartography. The first stage will involve the selection of areas that have expanded in recent decades through official documents, scientific literature and geocartographic data from free and low-cost technologies. These will allow the determination of study areas at risk of flooding and mass movements, as well as the organization of a geocartographic database on them. Based on the geocartographic database and the definition of severity and danger signs in the Brazilian context, thematic maps will be created that will allow Environmental Cartography. If necessary, new data will be collected using free and low-cost technologies. It is expected that the results of the research will make it possible to characterize the severity of hydrogeomorphological disasters and their danger signs in the Brazilian context, to foster discussions about risk terminology, and to evaluate the use of geospatial intelligence procedures and techniques that will be used.