Spatial analysis of vegetal cover and sediment yield in Tapacura river catchment based on remote sensing and GIS

Mapping and assessment of erosion risk is an important tool for planning of natural resources management, allowing researchers to propose modifi cation in land-use properly and implement more sustainable management strategies in the long-term. The Tapacurá river catchment, located in Pernambuco State, Northeastern Brazil, is one of the planning units for management of water resources of Recife Metropilitan Region (RMR), and it is divided into 12 sub-basins. The objective of this study is to evaluate the spatial variability of vegetal cover and sediment yield in this basin through remote sensing and GIS techniques. Maps of the erosivity (R), erodibility (K), topographic (LS), cover-management (C) and support practice (P) factors were derived from the digital elevation model (DEM), climate database, and soil and NDVI maps, taking into account information available in the literature. In order to validate the simulation process, Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) was estimated. The obtained NDVI map showed vegetation loss during the analyzed period, indicating a distinct contrast between loss and gains of vegetation index. The vegetation and sediment yield mapping showed to be a useful tool for environmental monitoring and management, which can provide satisfactory results when jointly used. The results suggest a mean SDR around 0.9 and estimate the sediment yield as 23.98 ton/ha/month.

Analiza przestrzenna ilości sedymentu oraz pokrywy roślinnej w zlewni rzeki Tapacura określona na podstawie zdalnych obserwacji oraz analizy GIS. Artykuł przedstawia sposób wykorzystania zebranych w terenie danych dotyczących pokrywy roślinnej oraz ilości sedymentu określonego za pomocą zdalnych obserwacji oraz analizy GIS w celu monitorowania środowiska i zarządzania zlewniami. W pracy wykorzystano metodę USLE-SDR, a także cyfrowy model terenu. Badania prowadzono w zlewni rzeki Tapacura w północno-wschodniej Brazylii. Wyniki sugerują przyjęcie wartości parametru SDR = 0,9, a oszacowana wielkość transportu rumowiska wynosi 23,98 t/ha/miesiąc.