Quantification and qualification of the alterations in Permanent Preservation Areas in a stretch of Rio das Mortes, Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of the present work was to determine the qualitative and quantitative alterations in the Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA) of a 20-km stretch of Rio das Mortes in the Municipality of Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso. The areas were determined utilizing low-cost resources: Google Earth (GE), small format aerial photographs (SFAP) and GE Path software. Additionally, a field visit was made to distinguish the use of the land. A total of 457.02 ha of the PPA were analyzed, showing that 15.6% were altered and subdivided into 45 fragments. The introduction of pastures for cattle was the principal cause of the alterations, where among the 19 points visited, seven were new pastures, six in initial regeneration, four in intermediate regeneration and two occupied by housing. Degradation was significantly related to the proximity of the city. Google Earth images, superimposed by SFAPs, provided satisfactory results for the identification of environmental alterations, but confirmation in the field was crucial for the determination of the physiognomies.

Keywords

• Environmental changes
• Remote sensing
• Riparian forest