Análise da conservação ambiental das veredas do alto curso da bacia hidrográfica do rio das balsas, Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins – TO

Abstract

The research consisted of an analysis of the environmental conservation of the paths of the high course of the Balsas River Basin, at the Serra Geral do Tocantins Ecological Station (EESGT), located in the southeastern portion of the state of Tocantins, covering the municipalities of Almas, Mateiros and Alta do Tocantins Bridge. The main objective was to analyze the environmental conservation of the paths, using Remote Sensing techniques. In order to achieve the proposed purpose, different NDVI and NDWI techniques were applied, which allowed observing the conservation status of these environments. Therefore, Landsat 8, Sensor - OLI 2018 satellite image, orbit point 221/68, was used, with August as the reference month. Various fieldwork was also carried out, supported by the use of receivers from the Global Positioning System (GPS). With the ArcGis software, NDVI and NDWI were applied, which allowed the identification of footpath areas, in addition to the use and vegetation cover, in order to complement the analysis and the current conditions of the areas. The study presents information and organization of thematic maps on field course, state of conservation of the paths, NDVI, NDWI and use and vegetation cover, in addition to a detailed description of the characterization of the paths of the upper course of the Rio das Balsas. Among the results obtained, regarding the environmental characterization of the footpaths, it was possible to note that many footpaths have uncharacterized clean field vegetation, and even in some areas in the surroundings, the presence of sandy sediments of whitish color advanced on these, causing the suffocation of the vegetation cover, besides causing the drainage silting and alterations of the soil characteristics and loss of organic matter. Regarding the stage of environmental conservation of the paths of the high course of the hydrographic basin of the Rio das Balsas, they presented the following classification: Path of the stream Garrote, Matança, Jaguar, Dead Horse and Bonita presented a high state of conservation, the river das Balsas in the high and low course they presented medium state, while the stream Eugênio and Cut Finger low state of conservation. Thus, the paths that showed a low state are reflected in the signs of the action of fire (superficial, underground and aerial) and canopy, in addition to the presence of soil collapse, advances in sandy sediments, which occurred in some areas of paths covered in the field. In general, the application of NDVI, showed a useful technique, but for the wet area it presented low vegetative value, as for NDWI, it proved to be an effective tool for the spatialization of the areas of paths and for the analysis of the state of conservation. Through the research carried out, the importance of conducting studies at EESGT was highlighted, so that the UC can fulfill its function of conserving the Cerrado and contributing to research. In this sense, studies like this may raise awareness among the local population about the fundamental role of footpaths as the main sources of water for the Station and as a primary condition in the maintenance of local flora and fauna.