Extra-Property Legal Reserve in the Cerrado Biome: A preliminary Analysis within the Watershed Context

Abstract

This paper presents a normalized remaining vegetation index (NRVI) based on land use data, which is evaluated according to three distinct minimum watershed sizes (10,000, 50,000 and 200,000 ha ), whose limits were derived via SRTM data (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission). The NRVI varies from -1 (i. e. entirely converted watersheds) to 1 (no conversion at all), and allows the association of land use data to numerical variables, such as social development indices. High NRVI values were found in the Northeastern watersheds of Goias State , while negative NRVI values predominated in the Southeastern and Southern portions of the study area. In compliance to the Brazilian Forest Code (i. e. permanent preservation areas and legal reserve), we estimated an NRVI value of -0.382, which is found in only 50,13% of the 10,000 ha watersheds. Although preliminary, our results suggest that NRVI can effectively serve the purposes of a transferable development rights approach (TDR) regarding legal reserves in the State of Goias and Federal District.

Keywords

• normalized remaining vegetation index
• Goias
• Distrito Federal
• watershed
• legal reserve
• transferable development rights.