Potential and emerging environmental fragility of the Camurupim River hydrographic basin landscape, Piauí, Brazil

Abstract

This article aimed to analyze the potential and emerging environmental fragility of the landscape of the Camurupim River Basin in the north of the state of Piauí to determine the different levels of environmental fragility to degradation processes. The methodology was based on the method established by Ross, literature review, field activity, digital image processing and geospatial analysis. Relief thematic maps (IDR and Geomorphos), geology, soils, climate and land use and land cover, were produced, and classes and degrees of fragility were defined for each geoenvironmental criterion, later combined through map algebra. The results showed that for the FAP map that analyzed the integration of landscape constraints, the classes obtained were very low (2,07%), low (6,62%), medium (15,32%), high (28, 41%) and very high (47,58%), revealing the high potential environmental fragility of the basin. As for the mapping of emerging environmental fragility, which includes coverage and anthropic uses, the classes obtained were very low (6,05%), low (74,36%), medium (15,22%), high (4,34%) and very high (0,03%). It is concluded that although the BHRC presents fragile environmental systems in its lower course, as well as associated socioeconomic activities (pasture and subsistence agriculture), it has significant vegetation cover that mitigates erosion processes, as well as soils with sandy texture make the productive diversification in the area, predominating the raising of cattle, goats, pigs, sheep, among others. Given the fragile nature of environmental systems, the need to monitor the area for future developments is highlighted.