Diagnóstico ambiental e prática de recuperação de feição erosiva na Bacia Hidrográfica do Córrego da Areia - Ituiutaba/MG

Abstract

One way to analyze the environmental impacts caused and/or promoted by human activities in Brazilian rural areas is to use the river basin as a unit of territorial analysis, seeking to develop planning and execute measures with the aim of extinguishing or mitigating such impacts. River basins are considered within the scope of territorial planning as the basic unit of analysis for the development of structural and non-structural actions and measures with the perspective of integration between water resources management and environmental management. Based on these concepts, the study area of this research was defined as the Córrego da Areia Hydrographic Basin, which is located approximately 9 km south of the urban area of the Municipality of Ituiutaba/MG, having as its main access route the Municipal Road of 7 Plates. It is made up of the Córrego da Areia, the main watercourse (second order channel) and 2 tributaries, the Água Boa and dos Paula streams (first order channels). The total area of the basin is 635 ha. The research sought to characterize the natural and social components of the study area to compose the environmental diagnosis; spatialize the features and identify areas suitable for manifestation; evaluate erosion mitigation techniques and investigate the effectiveness of some sediment stabilization techniques to reduce the advancement of erosion features on small rural properties. It is justified by the lack of academic work that can contribute with theoretical-methodological information in order to explain the reasons that have worsened the situation of environmental degradation due to linear erosion in the Córrego da Areia Hydrographic Basin. The theoretical basis of this work was based on discussions about river basins; environmental diagnosis as an important tool for river basin studies; erosive dynamics on small properties and techniques for controlling erosive features. To prepare this research, the Investigation Method was carried out, based on Field Work - a fundamental methodology for preparing the environmental diagnosis and the execution of dams to control erosion features - and thematic mapping of the study area. As a result, it was found that the most relevant problems found in the basin directly impact the conservation of soil and water resources in the area and their existence is clear when analyzing the insufficient riparian forest, cattle grazing close to water courses and erosive processes in pasture areas. The Environmental Diagnosis proved to be efficient for the environmental analysis of the Córrego da Areia Hydrographic Basin, making it possible, based on data analysis, to indicate some recommendations for the recovery of degraded areas. It was possible to verify that it is possible to mitigate, control and avoid the main environmental impacts caused in the area analyzed through planning, investment, dialogue on the part of the public authorities with small producers. The busbar methodology proved to be a low-cost technique, as the materials can be purchased at local stands. This makes it accessible to small rural producers, allowing the application of the same technique on a large and a small rural property and, consequently, the comparison of the results obtained. There was a spread of vegetation around the barriers, as well as the containment of a considerable part of the transported sediments. This form of intervention proved to be efficient in controlling erosion processes, preventing their intensification, as well as favoring the recovery of degraded areas that can once again be incorporated into agricultural activities. This factor is extremely relevant, especially when it comes to small rural producers.