Environmental vulnerability index: An evaluation of the water and the vegetation quality in a Brazilian Savanna and Seasonal Forest biome

Author(s)

Trevisan, Diego Peruchi ^[1] ; Bispo, Polyanna da Conceicao ^[2] ; Almeida, Dayana ^[1] ; Imani, Maryam ^[3] ; Balzter, Heiko ^[4] ; Moschini, Luiz Eduardo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Environm Sci, Ctr Biol & Hlth Sci, Highway Washington Luis, Km 235, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Manchester, Dept Geog, Sch Environm Educ & Dev, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, Lancs - England

^[3] Anglia Ruskin Univ, Sch Engn & Built Environm, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford CM1 1SQ, Essex - England

^[4] Univ Leicester, Ctr Landscape & Climate Res, Natl Ctr Earth Observat, Sch Geog Geol & Environm, Bennett Bldg, Univ Rd, Leicester LE1 7RH, Leics - England

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS; v. 112, MAY 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Landscapes constitute the manifestation of natural and anthropic elements and its structure is the result of physical, biological, political, economic and social interactions, fragmented or connected for different land uses. Drawing on this, our study aims to analyze the environmental landscape quality using ecological indices in the Tiete-Jacare Hydrographic Basin - SP, Brazil between 2007 and 2017. A set of Environmental Quality Indices was used to analyze the susceptibility of the ecological components to the effects of human activities. The Environmental Quality Index of Vegetation, the Environmental Quality Index of Water Resources and the Environmental Vulnerability Index were used to assess the condition of ecological sustainability of the landscape. It was identified a reduction in the areas with native vegetation with a loss of 2.72%, representing over 32,149 ha, an expansion of agricultural areas of 2.05% (24,507.53 ha) and consequently a reduction of the environmental quality in the landscape. These impacts compromise the ecosystem structure and ecosystem services, per example, through the impacts on soils that support vegetation cover as the major sources of energy for terrestrial life. The observed intensification of anthropogenic activities and the corresponding reduction of natural areas often lead to the loss of biodiversity and the benefits that its ecosystem services provided to people. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/23987-3 - Analysis of environmental fragility of Mogi Guaçu, State of São Paulo, Brazil
• Grantee: Danilo Ferreira do Amaral
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 15/19918-3 - Urban performance indicators of Tietê-Jacaré River Basin: methodology and integration perspective
• Grantee: Diego Peruchi Trevisan
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate