Analysis of Environmental Vulnerability of the Rio Claro Hydrographic Basin (GO) Using Geotechnologies

Abstract

The Hydrographic Basin of the Rio Claro (BHRC) provides great importance for the mesoregion Sul Goiano (GO) considering that through distribution and spatial correlation of the elements that form the system of the previously mentioned basin, are depending the economy, the survival and the wellbeing of the current population and of future generations. The usage of land for farming purposes (78,2%), as well as its characterization as to its geology, geomorphology, soil and climate demonstrates the big potential of the region for such activities, however, such usage has been generating degradation of the area because of inadequate management practices. The soils in the BHRC area have high stability, and the tropical climate, which presents elevated temperature all year long and low thermal amplitude, ensures high average rates of precipitation. Precipitation ensures the supply of the river channels, however, it also favors erosions in areas not covered by vegetation. From geotechnologies, and considering the systemic analysis of the region, it has been performed the study of the environmental vulnerability in the area of the BHRC, according methodology of Crepani (2001), in which it has been possible to characterize it as being of average stability, with tendency to vulnerable (44,1%). In the field, it has been detected bigger vulnerabilities than the one that has been presented in the results from the maps; this is due to the low vulnerability obtained in some themes, like climate and geomorphology. The most vulnerable areas are located near the main water springs of the basin, and indicate the necessity of intensification of conservation actions in these areas and the effectiveness of specific politics for control and environmental monitoring.