Analyse of the Relief Energy and Land Use, and Coverage of Acôgo Watershed Stream, MS, Brazil

Abstract

The Acôgo stream watershed is located in the Miranda Depression, in the
transition between the Pantanal Plain and the Maracajú-Campo Grande Plateau. Its
social, cultural, and environmental dynamics is typical of the region, marked by the
existence of large rural properties with extensive livestock. The native vegetation
suppression of Brazilian Cerrado for implantation of exotic pastures is facilitated by
the flattened relief. This paper aims to analyze the dynamics of land use and coverage
correlating it with the geomorphometric dynamics (Relief Energy) of this watershed.
The Relief Energy map expresses a mathematical measurement of the relief and
originates from the synthesis between the Letters of Interfluvial Amplitude, Altimetric
Amplitude, and Declivity. Although the basin presents the geomorphometric potential
for morphodynamic stability, it is unbalanced when climatic, pedological, geological,
and anthropic factors are analyzed, and geomorphometric stability proved to be a
facilitator of anthropic occupation for the use of pastures. Its implementation led to
sharp deforestation, with only 24.82% of forest remnants left in the basin to 73.76%
of pastures. The analysis and environmental planning of the basin should be based
on the observance of the various elements involved, seeking to address anthropic
and natural issues, aiming to contribute to its dynamic balance. Thus, it is indicated
the need to adopt conservation practices of vegetation and improvement of existing
pastures, which can meet the needs of economic activity without the continuity of the
removal of forest remnants.