Environmental charactelization of the upper Aquidauana River basin in Brazil and the impact of land use on the quality of its hydrological resources

Author(s)

Eva Teixeira dos Santos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2000-06-26

Examining board members

Luiz Antonio Daniel; Marcos César Ferreira; Maria Isabel Castreghini de Freitas

• Advisor: Luiz Antonio Daniel

Abstract

In recent years, anthropical occupation has led to significant modifications in the ecosystem of the Brazilian Cerrado, caused mainly by the expansion of agriculture. Knowledge of the physical aspects and anthropical changes in the Upper Aquidauana River Basin, in the portion comprised between São Gabriel do Oeste and Rochedo county, is essential for the proposal of well-planned altematives for land use. To this end, images from 1985 and 1998 from the LANDSAT-TM/5 satellite were used, indicating the alterations that have occurred in the vegetation cover. Maps characterizing the area in terms of pedology, geomorphology, topography, hydrography and land suitability were digitalized and superimposed, using the geographic information system, to provide a diagnosis of the region\'s environmental conditions. Analyses were also made of water quality data at two sites monitored by SEMADESIMS, which allowed us to verify the influence of land use in the tableland as a contributing factor to the silting up of the Pantanal wetlands in southem Mato Grosso. This study revealed the need for adequate planning of land use and occupation to mitigate the impact on the region\'s hydrological resources and allow for their sustainable use. (AU)