Environmental Assessment in Neotropical Watersheds: A Multi-Factorial Approach

Elaine F. Celestino, Leandro F. Celestino, Jhony F. M. da Silva, Elaine A. L. Kashiwaqui, Maristela C. Makrakis and Sergio Makrakis
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Elaine F. Celestino: Programa de Pós-Graduação nível Doutorado em Recursos Pesqueiros e Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 85903-000 Paraná, Brazil
Leandro F. Celestino: Programa de Pós-Graduação nível Doutorado em Recursos Pesqueiros e Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 85903-000 Paraná, Brazil
Jhony F. M. da Silva: Programa de Pós-Graduação nível Doutorado em Recursos Pesqueiros e Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 85903-000 Paraná, Brazil
Elaine A. L. Kashiwaqui: Grupo de Estudos em Ciências Ambientais e Educação, Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, 79980-000 Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Maristela C. Makrakis: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Pesqueiros e Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 85903-000 Paraná, Brazil
Sergio Makrakis: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Pesqueiros e Engenharia de Pesca, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, 85903-000 Paraná, Brazil

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: This study evaluated the environmental conditions of two watersheds selected on the basis of similarities in land use. The environmental conditions of the watersheds were analyzed using two geoprocessing methods and in situ evaluations by applying the rapid assessment protocol (RAP). Geospatial image processing was used to analyze land use, slope, soil classification, and rainfall, while RAP was used to evaluate the connectivity and size of riparian corridors. The results revealed varied uses of land with the landscape matrix in both watersheds, composed of agriculture, pasture, and urban centers. Urban centers were defined as spots and riparian zones as corridors. The analysis of environmental fragility considering all the geospatial variables, classified both watersheds as having medium fragility. The most fragile sites were the urban centers, which had a high slope and degraded riparian zone. Onsite assessments have shown that corridors do not have the size required by legislation; they are fragmented and unstructured, and they contain exotic species. We also propose that a multi-factorial approach be used to evaluate watersheds, associating geospatial assessments and onsite analyses that consider the limitations pointed out in each protocol. This reduces sampling errors and shows the actual state of conservation in riparian zones.

Keywords: anthropic impacts; environmental degradation; riparian forest; rapid assessment protocol (RAP); analytic hierarchy process (AHP); environmental fragility (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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