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Espacios. Vol. 37 (Nº 31) Año 2016. Pág. 10

Characterizing the spatio-temporal land use in the Paraguai/Jauquara basin, Mato Grosso - Brazil

Characterizing the temporary-space land use in the Paraguay/Jauquara basin, Mato Grosso-Brazil

Higor Vendrame RIBEIRO 1; Edinéia Aparecida dos Santos GALVANIN 2; Jéssica COCCO 3; Rivanildo DALLACORT 4

Recibido: 03/06/16 • Aprobado: 03/07/2016

Conteúdo

1. Introdução

2. Material and Methods

3. Results and Discussion

4. Conclusion

5. Acknowledgements

References

1. Introdução

Human activities, such as constructions, the establishment of pasture, agriculture activities, damming of water bodies among other actions taken by Man long ago, have changed the environment, to better serve their needs (Kleinpaul et al., 2005). These scenarios set and/or modified by human intervention, occupied most environmental systems (Florenzano, 2002).

Land occupation generally occurs quite disorderly, increasing the deforested areas without any concern for the environmental needs regarding the maintenance of its ecological balance, causing environmental  disorders (Silva and Francischett, 2012), such as forest destruction and its  genetic biodiversity, soil erosion and contamination of water resources (Oliveira-Filho and Lima, 2002; Balsan, 2006).

One of the problems caused by the land occupation process, is the currently growing concern on the preservation of natural ecosystems and restoration of disturbed ar, especially regarding the conservation of water sources, especially fresh water, which are extremely important for the survival of life on the Planet ( Cocco, 2015) .

Faced with this problem, one of the actions for the recovery of natural resources and quality of life, involve studies investigating the process of occupation and land use, covering the search to understand the use of space by man and its specific characteristics such as vegetation types from a specific region (Rose, 2003).

One way to check how the land use process is running over time, is through the study and analysis of satellite images. In this sense, GIS and remote sensing have grown in recent years, providing good results for the different areas of scientific knowledge (Nascimento and Lira, 2012).

The Upper Paraguay River Basin (BAP) is a characteristic high ecological pressure area, because this region has large areas of agricultural and livestock activities. Furthermore BAP is of great scientific interest, at national and global level, because it is located between transition areas of the Amazon biome, Pantanal and Cerrado, presenting a great ecological diversity. (Collischonn et al., 2003).

The Paraguay/Jauquara River Basin (BHPJ) is part of BAP. It is located in a region which is being threatened by the removal of natural vegetation, as this area is being used for economic activities such as Agriculture, Livestock and Tourism (Silva et al, 2006; Grizio and Souza-Filho, 2010).

In view of these considerations, the objective of this work is to characterize the land use in BHPJ during the past 20 years to quantify the predominant activities in this river basin.

2. Material and Methods

BHPJ (Figure 1) is located in the southwestern Mato Grosso State encompassing an area of ​​1.618.640 hectares. The geographical coordinates are 14°09'00" to S16°12'00" south latitude and 56°8'00" to 57°30'00 " west longitude.

Figure 1. Map with localization of BHPJ - Mato Grosso State, Brazil.
SOURCE: elaborated by the author (2015).

Cerrado (Savanna) is the regional native vegetation. It has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: a rainy one from October to March and a dry one, from April to September. The average rainfall is 1,500 mm / year (Dallacort et al., 2010). The air temperature is high, reaching an annual average of 25°C, but the daily maximum can exceed 40°C, especially during the spring and the minimum can drop to near 0° C in winter (Neves et al., 2006).

The characterization of land use, was initially carried out by visits to the days to the area under study in Oct.13-14th 2014, corresponding to the dry season and April 28-29th 2015, during the rainy season, to make photographic records of the land use and land cover types existing in the basin, to validate the classification of satellite imagery.

The information of the images used in the space-time analysis of land use/land cover, are showed in Table 1. The Thematic Mapper (TM) images, aboard Landsat 5 satellite were acquired from the image catalog available at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Images from the Operational Land Imager Sensor (OLI) aboard Landsat 8, were obtained from the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Table 1. Image data used

These images were processed and analyzed using the SPRING software, version 5.2.7. (Camara et al., 1996). For this purpose a database was created using the UTM coordinate system, Datum WGS 84. The Landsat 5 satellite images,  RGB color composites of bands 5, 4 and 3, were georeferenced using Geocover images in GeoTIFF format, obtained at the NASA site (GLCF, 2004), using bands 5, 4 and 3 , 2001, on the display screen mode. From Landsat 8, georeferenced images band 6, 5 and 4 (RGB composite) were used.

Subsequently, mosaics were made from two scenes for each year. The area under study was clipped, importing the BHPJ mask in shapefile. Afterwards a mosaic segmentation from the images was made, using the region growth algorithm, to group spectrally similar pixels. Therefore, tests were performed with similarity and area values, to find out the best segmentation for images of both sensors (TM and OLI).

The similarity values ​​8 and Area 16 showed the best result for the TM sensor images in the grouping of two spectrally similar regions into a single region and the best result in the individualization between regions by the number of pixels, as in the study from Maurano et al . (2013). As for the OLI sensor images, the best similarities and area values were 200 and 300 respectively. These segmentation values ​​were different because TM sensor images have 8 bits and the OLI sensor 16 bits.

The land use classes were defined by image observation and classification used by IBGE (2006) and Silva et al. (2011), modified. In this study the following five classes were considered: Natural vegetation (including all types of natural vegetation), Agriculture (all types of agriculture), Water (considering lakes, rivers and lagoons), Grassland (all types of Livestock) and other anthropogenic uses (including urban spots, rural headquarters and engineering works). 

It was followed by a supervised classification, carried out with training, identifying and acquiring samples of classes in the images of the dry period, using the region classifier Bhattacharrya, with 95% acceptance.

The generated maps were transformed to thematic maps, in accordance with the transformation matrix process for vector, and exported as a shapefile. Finally, for each year studied, the maps were processed with ArcMap software, version 10.1, for the edition of the thematic map and quantification of the thematic classes. The program was also used for crossing Information Plans (IP) and by the INTERSECT tool, allowing to calculate those areas of intersection between soil types and land use, aiming to quantify the soils occurrence related to land use in 1993 , 2005 and 2014 .

In order to understand some features that help the development of human activities, factors of soil and relief BHPJ features using ArcMap software, version 10.1 were investigated. To this end, a soil map was made, based on the Mato Grosso Soils Map on 1:250,000 scale, elaborated by SEPLAN (2001), which was inserted into the Geographical Database, cut by the mask of the area under study, and classified according to EMBRAPA (2009 ).

Slope data of the basin, were acquired from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) images, obtained at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) website. A mosaic was made with these images and cut to the BHPJ mask in shapefile format. Subsequently a classification was made according to the “Pedologia Manual” (2007) from IBGE, with the following classes: 0-3 % (plan) 3-8 % (gently undulated), 8-20 % (undulated), 20-45 % (strongly undulated), 45-75 % (hilly) and 75-100 % (scarped). The ArcMap software, version 10.1 was used to elaborate both maps drawn.

3. Results and Discussion

The LANDSAT images and field surveys allowed the identification, mapping, classification and quantification of the five main classes of land use in the BHPJ (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Land use map of of BHPJ for the years 1993, 2005 and 2014. 4.
Source: Elaborated by the author (2015).

It was found out that for all the years analyzed, the class Natural vegetation, followed by Pasture, had the highest occurrences in BHPJ, noting that there was a reduction of 25.97% of the Natural vegetation area mapped at the end of the 20 years analyzed (Table 2). In the same period, there was an increase in area occupied by Pasture class by more than 33% and by Agriculture which had an increase of 166.67 % of the occupied area.

Table 2. Land Use areas in BHPJ along years 1993, 2005 and 2014.

Klink and Moreira (2002) estimated that in Cerrado regions, from 1970 to 1995/96, those areas occupied by crops increased by 250%, those occupied with cultivated pastures in 520% , and in 150% for so-called “Cleaned areas”, which were not used for crops or have been abandoned. Thus vast tracts of Native vegetation were and are simply suppressed over the centuries to open space for Agriculture, Livestock and Mining (Ribeiro et al., 2005). The results show that these sharp occupation processes are still occurring to this day.

Fernandes and Pessoa (2011) point out that historically, the process of colonization and consolidation of Brazilian territory has occurred by the predatory exploitation of natural resources. This is causing concern at the estimation of areas that make up the Cerrado, given that in general this biome suffered a sharp areal reduction in the last years. According to Alves (2001), the deforestation process tends to occur in areas already open with greater intensity, increasing the area felling which can lead to its total suppression.

The Livestock activity, responsible for the land use and occupation of anthropogenic territories and widely prevalent in Mato Grosso countryside, has a strong historical component in the economic-social formation of this State (Mato Grosso, 2011). Currently this State boasts the first position in the ranking of the largest beef producers in Brazil highlighting that the herd increased by 63.31 % in the 1998-2009 period (Mato Grosso, 2011). This increase reflects significantly in the growth of grazing areas identified in this work.

Corroborating with data of growth from agriculture areas, either grains oilseeds or fibers, MATO GROSSO (2011) reports that from 1996 to 2009 there was an increase of 159.87%. This is also similar to what is shown in Table 2 and Figure 2.

As for class Water it is observed that there was a reduction of it over the twenty years studied. The reduction may be connected to the Removal of natural vegetation which with time increases the level of soil erosion, causing the disappearance of springs and consequently reducing the amount of water flow. According to the National Water Agency (ANA) from the river gauge station located in Porto Estrela, the water volume from Rio Paraguay River reduced from the annual average of 2217 m³/s for the year 1993, reaching the level of 1629.9 m³/s in 2005. There was no access to data from year 2014. On the other hand rainfall data found at the site from the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) at Caceres station, shows that in 2005 there was a higher precipitation volume than in 2014.

The main soil types in the BHPJ are Xanthic Ferrasols and Ferralic Arenosols. The Plinthosols present the smallest extension, as shown in Table 3.

Table 3. Soil types in BHPJ, according to classification from EMBRAPA (2009).

The basin presents a relative heterogeneity regarding soil types. The Xanthic Ferrasols are localized in the central region of the basin and the Ferralic Arenosols are localized mainly in the SW of the basin (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Soils Map of BHPJ. where: Typic Paleudalf (PV), Cambisol (C),
Rhodic Hapludox (LV), Xanthic Ferrasol (LVA), Umbric Fluvisol (RU),
Lithic Hapludoll (RL), Ferralic Arenosol (RQ) and Plinthosol (FF).
SOURCE: elaborated by the author (2015).

Santos (2010) reports that the Ferrasols predominate in the Brazilian Cerrado (Savanna), in 46% of the area from this biome. This soil type is characterized mainly by its low fertility and high acidity. On the other hand, these are old soils, deep, with excellent drainage, located over flat or light rolling terrain (Souza & Lobato, 2007).

The technological advancement during the mid-1970’s was the main cause for the agricultural expansion in soils considered as “inadequate” such as in the Cerrado (Santos, 2010). Another important characteristic of these soils: they are well drained and resist to compaction allowing an intensive mechanization (Cunha, 1994). It is noteworthy that most agricultural area at BHPJ is localized on this type of soil, and the two sugar and alcohol plants, Itamarati and Barralcool, are located in this region.

The results of the intersection between soil types and land use are presented at Table 4, where one observes that at in all soil types the class Natural Vegetation encompasses the largest areas in the year 1993 with a reduction in 2014, although it is still the largest class, in comparison with others. A strong increase of Pasture occurred on Ferralic Arenosols (Table 4).  This effect was also observed for soils of type Xanthic Ferrasols and Rhodic Hapludox. These soil types also presented an increase of class Agriculture for the year 2014 (Table 4).

According to Souza et al. (2005), the soil management and the type of agricultural system, can change its physical attributes, causing degradation and loss of quality from the soil, causing prejudice to its sustainability. The author verified that at different management systems (maize, soybeans, pasture, integration agriculture-livestock), changes on soil density, total porosity and macro-porosity were more intensive in the Ferralic Arenosols than at the Xanthic Ferrasols. This demonstrates the need to avoid changes of the natural landscape conditions in those sections with Ferralic Arenosols.

Table 4. Soil types related to land use classes mapped with LANDSAT-TM satellite,
for the years 1993, 2005 and 2014, in the basin Paraguai/Jauquara-MT, Brazil:
Land use classes: (A) Agriculture; (MDA) Water (VN); (OUA)
Other human uses; (P) Pasture; (VN) Natural Vegetation.

Slope is an important characteristic within the features of land uses presented for BHPJ. There is a greater prevalence of flat and gentle rolling relief as shown in Table 5. However, in the SW section of the basin, the largest area of land classified as strong hilly, mountainous and steep is located.

Table 5. Slope, Type of Relief and percentage of occupied area within BHPJ.

The fact that most of the area has a flat relief, favors deforestation of large vegetation areas. Casarin (2007) reports that deforestation in the region reached high degradation levels in gallery forests, wetlands and waterways transforming these areas into pastures.

Serigatto (2006), in a study conducted in the sub-basin of the river Queima Pé,  Burning Foot, reports on the illegal use of riparian forests for agriculture and livestock, emphasizing that it has influenced directly the environmental damage. This is a suggestion for future research and studies in the BHPJ, because this area  share  the same human activities.

According to the Brazilian Ministry for the Environment (2003), the transformation of continuous vegetation into isolated patches, fragmentation due to deforestation, change phenomena and environmental biological processes, causes a decrease in diversity which consequently implies in the loss of functional groups. This results in simplification of ecological systems causing suppression of several ecosystem services to human society.

The results of this work for the BHPJ can be used by governmental agencies to identify and locate those areas in conflict of land use, enabling the development of recovery plans.

4. Conclusion

In the region over the years, with land use in the BHPJ basin, Natural Vegetation remained (47.3%) followed by Livestock (41.8%) and Agriculture (10.4%).       Agriculture and Livestock had a significant expansion in the last 20 years, resulting in the suppression of natural vegetation.

The following soil types of BHPJ: Typic Paleudalf, Xanthic Ferrasol, Lithic Hapludoll and Ferralic Arenosols were those which presented the highest reductions of Natural Vegetation.

The relief and soil conditions of the region, are factors that lead to increased livestock and agriculture. These activities are suppressing the Natural Vegetation and accelerating the deforestation process.

5. Acknowledgements

The Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) granted a MSc scholarship. The Research Group from the Geomatics Lab of Mato Grosso State University (UNEMAT), campus Barra do Bugres, supported this work. 

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1. Master of Graduate Program in Environment and Agricultural. Production Systems, University of the State of Mato Grosso- UNEMAT/Campus Tangará da Serra, (e-mail: higor_vr90@hotmail.com)
2. Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics and in the Program in Environment and Agricultural Production Systems, University of the State of Mato Grosso-UNEMAT/Campus Barra do Bugres, Street A  S/N Cohab São Raimundo, CEP: 78390-000, Barra do Bugres, Brazil, (e-mail: galvaninbbg@unemat.br)
3. Master of Graduate Program in Environment and Agricultural Production Systems, University of the State of Mato Grosso-UNEMAT/Campus Tangará da Serra, Rodovia MT 358 Km 7 Cx. Postal 287, CEP: 78390-000, Tangará da Serra, Brazil (e-mail: jessicacocco.bio@gmail.com)

4. Associate Professor in the Department of Agronomy and in the Program in Environment and Agricultural Production Systems, University of the State of Mato Grosso-UNEMAT/Campus Tangará da Serra, , Brazil, (email: rivanildo@unemat.br )