Revista Caminhos de Geografia is an online periodical organized and maintained by the Graduate Program in Geography (PPGEO) at the Federal University of Uberlândia. Caminhos de Geografia aims to disseminate scientific knowledge on topics relevant to Geography and related areas with interfaces in Human, Technological, and Environmental Sciences. To this end, original articles are published resulting from scientific research of an empirical, experimental, or conceptual nature in the area of Geography and related areas (provided that they are, in essence, related to Geographic Science), thus contributing to the expansion of scientific debate and access to geographic knowledge on a national and international level.
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GLACIAL LAKE ICE COVERAGE VARIABILITY IN ANTARCTICA BASED ON SENTINEL-1 IMAGES: A CASE OF THE KELLER PENINSULA
This study aimed to investigate backscatter values in Sentinel-1A images to identify the surface cover classes of lakes on the Keller Peninsula (ice and snow vs. ice-free). We analyzed five Sentinel-1A images (IW mode). Image processing involved calibration, thermal noise removal, co-registration, terrain correction, and filtering. Field data were collected, and backscatter coefficient thresholds were applied to identify the lake areas and classify each coverage class. The analysis of values at the central pixel of the lakes showed that the ice-free surface cover class values ranged from -19.34 to -16.87 dB. This variation is attributed to the increase in average air temperature, which causes greater melting and, consequently, increased soil moisture. Wind also influences the backscatter values. The application of a fixed backscatter threshold of -15 dB was not satisfactory. We recommend monitoring backscatter values from data collected at the central point of the lakes and performing tests using adaptive threshold values for automatic target classification.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jorge Antônio Viel, Kátia Kellem da Rosa, Carina Petsch, Danielle Dall Amaria Soffiatti, Luiz Felipe Velho, Sandra Bromberg, Jefferson Cardia Simões, Rosemary Vieira http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
AUTONOMOUS DIVING AS A TOOL FOR MARINE POLLUTION ANALYSIS: A STUDY IN THE ILHA GRANDE BAY (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL)
A poluição marinha é uma questão cotidiana, frequentemente abordada em diversos meios de comunicação e debatida por muitos países. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo identificar, contabilizar e classificar os resíduos sólidos na Baía da Ilha Grande, além de discutir sua relação com os diferentes usos do ambiente marinho, com foco especial nas atividades de turismo e pesca. Os distintos usos da lâmina d’água se refletem na paisagem submersa, e essas modificações foram observadas, catalogadas e analisadas. A coleta de dados foi realizada por mergulhadores autônomos, utilizando a metodologia do Reef Check. Os resultados mostraram maior quantidade de resíduos nos mergulhos realizados na parte abrigada, indicando tendência de maior uso dessas áreas para turismo e algumas modalidades de pesca. Em contraste, os ambientes expostos apresentaram menor quantidade de resíduos, em sua maioria oriunda de atividades pesqueiras. Além dos dados numéricos, a participação dos mergulhadores autônomos foi extremamente positiva, enriquecendo a inserção social em projetos de conservação, especialmente em unidades de conservação de proteção integral.
Copyright (c) 2025 Luiza Amaro Pessoa, Thiago Gonçalves Pereira, Eduardo Godoy Aires de Souza http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
MAPPING FLOOD-SUSCEPTIBLE AREAS IN THE STATE OF ESPÍRITO SANTO: APPLYING MULTICRITERIA ANALYSIS AND GEOPROCESSING
Extreme weather events, particularly floods, have caused significant environmental impacts in Brazilian cities, including human losses, homelessness, and economic damage. They are particularly harmful in urban areas near rivers due to improper land use and inadequate infrastructure and drainage. This study aims to map areas susceptible to flooding in the state of Espírito Santo, using geoprocessing and multicriteria analysis. Additionally, precipitation data, land use, and geomorphological characteristics were considered, with the AHP technique used to weigh the flooding criteria. The combination of these criteria allowed classification of the areas, revealing that most of the region shows a susceptibility level ranging from moderate to very high. Quantitatively, the susceptibility areas were distributed as follows: very low (2.7 km²), low (9,743.8 km²), moderate (24,563.5 km²), high (8,717.7 km²), and very high (2,549.4 km²). The HAND model was effective in identifying susceptible areas near watercourses. The generated mapping is essential for planning public policies and natural disaster mitigation strategies, and it recommends the continued use of these technologies to improve water resource management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Gabriel Adão Zechini da Silva, Sidney Sara Zanetti http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
PROPOSAL OF A SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY INDEX TO FLOODS: A CASE STUDY OF A SUB-BASIN IN ITAJUBÁ, BRAZIL
In a context of significant information scarcity regarding the vulnerability of populations exposed to the risk of natural disasters, this study aims to propose an index for mapping areas of socio-environmental vulnerability to floods, using a sub-basin in Itajubá-MG, as a case study. Geoprocessing techniques were employed to develop thematic maps of social and environmental variables, assessing flood susceptibility and the influence of social, economic, and demographic indicators through the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The socio-environmental vulnerability map for floods indicated that 10.09% of the area had medium vulnerability, while 2.48% exhibited high or very high vulnerability. Results revealed a concentration of high-vulnerability areas within the urban perimeter, characterized by a high rate of soil imperviousness and the highest population density indices. Conversely, the analysis of social indicators in the sub-basin demonstrated a tendency for rural areas to exhibit high social vulnerability, while highlighting existing social disparities within the urban perimeter of the sub-basin. The proposed index is thus considered capable of providing relevant insights for identifying populations at greater risk, both due to socioeconomic vulnerability and flood exposure, supporting public sector interventions at local and regional levels.
Copyright (c) 2025 Débora Luisa Silva Teixeira, Nívea Adriana Dias Pons, Samara Calçado de Azevedo, Daniela Rocha Teixeira Riondet-Costa, Irving Rodrigues de Souza, Benedito Cláudio da Silva, Luiz Tadeu da Silva http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
HYDROCLIMATIC INFLUENCES ON LAND USE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE SEMI-ARID REGION OF RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Studies on land use and land cover address the natural characteristics of the landscape and how human activities utilize the land, respectively. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of hydroclimatic variability on changes in land use and land cover in the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from 2000 to 2020. This analysis was conducted using pluviometric data and remote sensing via Google Earth Engine (GEE). A supervised classification algorithm was applied on the GEE platform using Collection 8 data from the MapBiomas project and considering the years 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. Pluviometric data and precipitation reports were obtained from the Agricultural Research Company of Rio Grande do Norte's (EMPARN) hydrometeorological system and processed using Microsoft Excel. Land cover oscillations were observed, showing reductions in the percentages of the Other Perennial Crops (-92.68%) and Grassland Formation (-73.35%) classes and an increase in Water Bodies (287.11%) and Other Temporary Crops (250.41%). The remaining land use classes showed minor fluctuations. This study revealed significant land use changes influenced by pluviometric variability and human interventions, particularly the expansion of water bodies and the reconfiguration of the agricultural matrix
Copyright (c) 2025 Douglas Pereira Ferreira, Francisco Éder Rodrigues de Oliveira, Jéssica Paloma Pinheiro da Silva, Vanessa Tainara da Cunha, Luzia Keli da Silva Coura, Marianne Costa de Azevedo, Daniel da Silva Dantas, Iron Dhones de Jesus Silva do Carmo, Romário Lopes Silva, Rayanna Campos Ferreira http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ENVIRONMENTS FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND LOCAL SOCIOECONOMIC PROFILE: A METHODOLOGICAL STUDY
Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits, particularly with regard to disease prevention. One factor identified as having a significant impact on PA, both positive and negative, is the built and natural environment. The local socioeconomic profile is known to influence the environment. Therefore, we investigated a secondary database to identify which environmental and socioeconomic characteristics are more relevant for promoting PA. This research consisted of applying a principal component analysis (PCA) to a database containing variables describing the local socioeconomic profile and the characteristics of the natural and built environments. The results showed that environmental variables were more significant than the socioeconomic profile in this case because they exhibited higher eigenvector contributions to the main PCA axis. Finally, we observed that not all environmental variables exhibit a proportional increase with income. We believe that these findings are of great methodological importance for environmental and physical activity studies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Bruno Lofrano Porto, Vinicius Vasconcelos, Luiz Guilherme Grossi Porto, Renato Fontes Guimarães, Helen da Costa Gurgel http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ANALYSIS OF LITHOLOGIES ASSOCIATED WITH WATER INFLOW IN TUBULAR WELLS IN THE SERRA GERAL AQUIFER SYSTEM (RS)
The groundwater belonging to the Serra Geral Aquifer System (SGAS) is the primary source of water supply for many municipalities in the northeast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Despite its good quality and reasonable water availability, its specificities —such as a fractured, heterogeneous, and anisotropic aquifer —cause significant variations in water productivity. These variations are conditioned by the structures and lithologies that occur associated with the water inflows (WI). Thus, this article aimed to evaluate the relationship between lithologies and productivity in SGAS. The statistical analyses of the lithological groups showed that 49% and 27% of all WI were characterized by the presence of volcanic rocks with vesicular to amygdaloid structures (Group 2) and fractured basalts (Group 4), respectively. The water flow rates (WFR) did not describe a single behavior. Increases and decreases in flow were observed in relation to the characteristics of the WI. In short, the occurrence of different discharges and, consequently, the productivity of the wells (greater transmissivity/specific capacity) depend on the type, quantity, connection, and openings of the existing structures in the SGAS.
Copyright (c) 2025 Aline Saupe Abreu, Pedro Antônio Roehe Reginato, Tiago de Vargas, Franciéle Schwanck Carlos, Taison Anderson Bortolin, Paulo Salvadoretti http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
RAINFALL VARIABILITY AND TRENDS IN THE SEMARID REGION OF PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL
Rainfall is essential for sustaining ecosystem balance and the hydrological cycle. This study analyzed 43 years of rainfall data (January 1975–December 2017) from the Bebedouro Agrometeorological Station – Petrolina (PE), Brazil. The objective was to perform a descriptive and exploratory assessment of precipitation patterns and evaluate trends using the Mann-Kendall and Pettitt tests at monthly and annual scales. Results show that the mean annual accumulated rainfall was 484.51 mm, with the wettest months occurring from January to April and in December, and the driest months from July to September. The mean coefficients of variation for annual rainfall were 44.19% during the rainy season and 55.84% during the dry season, ranging from 48.84% to 51.16% in years with mean annual coefficients of variation of ±84.56% and ±108.57%. The Mann-Kendall test (MK) detected a decreasing trend exclusively in March, while the Pettitt test (P) identified significant breakpoints. Analysis of monthly trends during the dry season revealed rainfall consistently below the monthly average. Overall, the Mann-Kendall and Pettitt tests for the dry season and annual data indicate significant abrupt changes in rainfall patterns.
Copyright (c) 2025 Givanildo de Gois, Paulo Miguel de Bodas Terassi, Josimar da Silva Freitas, Sandra Bezerra da Silva, Roberta Fernanda da Paz de Souza Paiva, Djailson Silva da Costa Júnior, Kelly Alonso Costa, Welington Kiffer de Freitas, Bruno Serafini Sobral, Marcelo Alves Muniz, Jessica Guerra Inácio de Oliveira, Juaneza Barroso Falcao, Núbia Valéria Ferreira http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
HISTORICAL PAINTING, LANDSCAPES AND MEMORIES IN THE CITY OF CAMETÁ, PARÁ
This work emphasizes the importance of historical and documentary landscape painting for the city of Cametá (PA), based on the need to work on alternative practices for education, promotion, and valuing heritage through canvases, listing the history contained in the pictorial heritage represented by the painters and the subjects who were part of it. From this perspective, our general objective is to analyze the spatial production of the city of Cametá through historical and documentary landscape painting. The methodology used included bibliographical and documentary analysis, fieldwork, and the appreciation of canvases, focusing on historical and landscape painting and the territorial formations of the Amazon and Cametá, to reveal the development of Cametá's memory and history. As a result, we found that the paintings are linked to the contexts of local socio-spatial formation, representing material and immaterial heritages of the city, which provides an opportunity for society in general to get to know its historiography, as well as to understand the contemporary transformations in space, making it possible to work with Heritage Education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Valbeci Alves Cabral, Maria Goretti da Costa Tavares http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
SYNOPTIC DRIVERS AND IMPACTS OF EXTREME RAINFALL EVENTS IN JUNE 2019 AND MAY 2022 IN RECIFE (PE), BRAZIL
Extreme rainfall events pose a growing threat to urban areas, as they are associated with flooding and landslides. In the municipality of Recife, in the state of Pernambuco, factors such as urban transformations and socio-environmental vulnerabilities exacerbate these impacts. This study analyzed the patterns, genesis, and driving factors of two critical extreme precipitation episodes: the most intense event in the historical CEMADEN records and the severe episode that occurred in 2022. Precipitation data from stations distributed across the study area were used to classify daily precipitation thresholds and spatial patterns of extreme rainfall episodes. Based on the analysis of synoptic charts, the atmospheric systems active on days with extreme rainfall events were identified. The results highlight the significant influence of Easterly Wave Disturbances on higher-magnitude episodes, as well as the role of topography in the spatial distribution of rainfall, with higher concentrations over hillside areas. Understanding precipitation patterns is essential for improving risk management and implementing climate change adaptation measures.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lillian Souza dos Anjos, Rafael Silva dos Anjos, Lucas Suassuna de Albuquerque Wanderley, Rodrigo Cesar Bezerra Bispo, Ranyére Silva Nóbrega http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ECO-ENVIRONMENTAL VULNERABILITY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE TARUMÃ-AÇU HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN (CENTRAL AMAZON)
The Tarumã-Açu River Basin is a strategic area for public policies related to water resource management in Amazonas. The study aimed to survey the eco-environmental vulnerability (natural and environmental) and propose environmental zones for the basin. The physical (soils, geology, relief vulnerability, rainfall-erosion) and anthropic aspects (land use and cover) were characterized and systematically analyzed using the methodology for land vulnerability to soil loss. The mapping data were submitted to the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and integrated using Map Algebra. Environmental vulnerability was associated with the limits of legally protected areas and planning purposes in the basin, such as Environmental Protection Areas (APA), Forest Reserves, and Settlement Projects, resulting in the following environmental zones: Priority Preservation; Development; Sustainable Use; Preservation/Recovery; and Recovery. The mapping of natural and environmental vulnerability indicates the predominance of medium-vulnerability environments, concentrated in the lower and upper sectors of the basin. Environmental zones can provide conservation and recovery strategies based on the impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances, aiming to protect water resources, which are essential for planning actions and sustainable use in the basin.
Copyright (c) 2025 Liange de Sousa Rodrigues, Jamerson Souza da Costa, Aline Gabriela Castro da Silva, Ieda Hortêncio Batista, Maria Astrid Rocha Liberato, Maria da Glória Gonçalves de Melo http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF DEFORESTATION IN A SMALL MUNICIPALITY IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL: THE CASE OF TIMBIRAS (MA), 1985–2023
Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Municipalities in the MATOPIBA region of the state of Maranhão have experienced intense environmental changes resulting from the expansion of agricultural activities. This underscores the importance of local-scale studies to identify these geographic transformations. This article analyzes changes in land use and land cover in the municipality of Timbiras between 1985 and 2023, focusing on shifts in forest vegetation, agricultural areas, urban expansion, and water bodies. Data from the MapBiomas platform (Collection 9) were processed using QGIS software and organized into graphic and tabular formats for spatio-temporal analysis. The results indicated an expansion of agricultural areas, particularly pastures, which increased by 2,559.31% during the study period. There was also a reduction of over twenty thousand hectares of forest formations. Urban sprawl and a decrease in water bodies were also observed. Deforestation was strongly driven by the expansion of agricultural land in the municipality. The loss of native vegetation, urban growth, and shrinking water bodies reveal a continuous process of natural landscape transformation. Thus, municipal-scale studies are essential for understanding territorial dynamics and supporting public policies aimed at sustainable land use and environmental conservation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jayara de Sousa Lima, Stênio Lima Rodrigues, Caio Veloso http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
LARGE PROJECTS AND SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS OF MINING IN THE AMAZON: THE UNEQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF RISKS FROM ILLEGAL MINING, IN CACHOEIRA DO PIRIÁ, PA
Large-scale development projects in Amazon act as agents of territorial transformation. In the northeastern part of the Pará state, the municipality of Cachoeira do Piriá is an area where large mining projects and the construction of BR-316 have driven the establishment of illegal gold mining as the main economic activity, which encroaches on vulnerable social groups. Therefore, the research problem is to understand how the illegal exploitation of gold produces socio-environmental risks in the Cachoeira de Piriá territory. The theoretical framework is based on political ecology. A case study was conducted using bibliographic research, document analysis, geotechnologies, and field research in rural communities and the urban center of Cachoeira. The results revealed that the territory faces systematic socio-environmental risks concentrated primarily on vulnerable social groups, including peripheral communities, quilombolas (descendants of escaped slaves), fishermen, and family farmers. The main risks identified are related to security, water, soil degradation, health, and way of life. The unequal distribution of these risks is exacerbated by the neglect of public authorities and the weakness of legislation related to gold mining..
Copyright (c) 2025 André Luís Assunção de Farias, Áurea Maria da Costa Sousa, Christian Nunes da Silva, João Gabriel dos Santos Brito http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
COMMUTING AND CENTRALITY: AN ANALYSIS FROM THE FEDERAL INSTITUTE OF PARAÍBA - CAMPUS PICUÍ
Picuí is a municipality in Paraíba located on the border with the state of Rio Grande do Norte. Since 2009 it has had a campus of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba (IFPB), which attracts the local population but also from other nearby municipalities located in Paraíba and Rio Grande do Norte. Most students from other municipalities travel to campus daily to carry out their academic activities in Technical Courses Integrated into High School. This results in the expenditure of a few hours a day. In this context, this research aims to identify the reasons that lead students from other municipalities to choose to enter Campus Picuí, as well as the repercussions related to the commuting they perform on a daily basis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Enzo Dantas da Silva, Sarah Rachel Barros dos Santos Duarte, Leandro Reginaldo Maximino Lelis http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
MORE-THAN-REPRESENTATIONAL GEOPOLITICS: HOW ARE ASSEMBLAGES, AFFECTS AND PERFORMANCES RELATED TO THE EXERCISE OF POWER?
This article offers an epistemological reflection on the potential application of non-representational approaches to geopolitical interpretation. Using the concept of assemblage, it argues for interpreting international politics as a network of interactions involving not only states, but also more-than-human dimensions that invariably extend their interactions beyond international borders. Affect and performance are presented as elements in a cycle of cause and effect that illustrates power relations. The concept of geopolitical assemblages is introduced as a means of presenting actants-in-network relationships. Discursively, the concept is developed to give shape to more-than-representational geopolitics.
Copyright (c) 2025 Leonardo Luiz Silveira da Silva, Márcia Alves Soares da Silva, Alfredo Costa http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE OF DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS IN THE PARAÍBA VALLEY AND THE NORTH COAST OF SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
Digital elevation models (DEMs) are essential for urban planning. In regions undergoing urbanization on complex terrain, such as the Metropolitan Region of Vale do Paraíba and Litoral Norte (RMVPLN) in São Paulo, DEMs help reduce vulnerability to extreme events, such as landslides, floods, and erosion, by providing a technical basis for accurate diagnoses and interventions tailored to the territory. This study compares the altimetric accuracy of five free models (Copernicus, ALOS PALSAR, ASTER, SRTM-NASA, and SRTM-INPE) in relation to official Brazilian Geodetic System (SGB) data made available by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), coefficient of determination (R²), and the Durbin-Watson test (d). The results indicated the superiority of the Copernicus and ALOS PALSAR models (r = 0.999, R² = 0.999, and d = 1.7), with Copernicus performing better in mountainous areas and ALOS PALSAR performing better in coastal areas. ASTER and SRTM revealed limitations on steep terrain and at high altitudes. These outcomes provide technical support for the consistent management of territory and the environment in the RMVPLN. This support contributes to the prevention and adaptation of policies in risk areas and the protection of vulnerable populations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rodrigo Cesar da Silva, Willian José Ferreira, Celso de Souza Catelani, Angelo Ricardo Balduíno, Thiago Moura Figueredo, Marcelo dos Santos Targa http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
CORRELAÇÃO ENTRE OS CASOS DE DENGUE E AS VARIÁVEIS METEOROLÓGICAS NO MUNICÍPIO DE HUMAITÁ/AM
Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease influenced by climate variables. This study aimed to correlate dengue cases with meteorological variables. This study was conducted in Humaitá, Amazonas, using data from 2020 to 2023. Dengue case data were accessed directly from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Precipitation, temperature, and humidity data were obtained from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). We used the Shapiro-Wilk test, descriptive statistics, the incidence coefficient, and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Dengue outbreaks occurred in January and February of 2023 and in March of 2021. The correlation with precipitation showed r = 0.61, p = 0.00001, lagged by two months. The correlation with temperature showed r = -0.55, p < 0.00005, lagged by one month. The correlation with relative humidity showed r = 0.59, p = 0.00001, lagged by one month. These correlations indicate that dengue is directly associated with precipitation and relative humidity and inversely associated with air temperature. The correlation between dengue cases and meteorological variables was weak when applied in the same month but moderate with a time lag.
Juliane Kayse Albuquerque da Silva Querino
Copyright (c) 2025 Beatriz de Souza Gomes, Carlos Alexandre do Santos Querino, Juliane Kayse Albuquerque da Silva Querino, Luciano Augusto Souza Rohleder, Marcos Antônio Lima Moura, Lauriane Souza Alves http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
DEEP LEARNING FOR DETECTING WATER BODIES IN UAV IMAGERY OF THE BRAZILIAN PANTANAL
The Pantanal, the largest continuous flooded plain in the world, faces preservation challenges due to the seasonal flooding cycle and human interventions. To better understand and preserve this biome, monitoring systems are essential, and the use of remote sensing techniques combined with advanced machine learning emerges as a promising strategy. This study investigated deep learning models for water body segmentation in UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) images of the Pantanal. The images were captured using the MAVIC 2 Air camera, with a spatial resolution of 3 cm. Deep learning models such as InterImage, DeepLabv3+, and SegFormer were compared to evaluate their segmentation capabilities. A protocol was established for evaluation, considering metrics such as Intersection over Union (IoU) and Dice. SegFormer showed the best results, with an IoU of 96.16%, Recall of 97.85%, Precision of 99.46%, and an F1 Score of 98.04%. Although DeepLabv3+ and InterImage presented lower metrics, they also demonstrated robust performance. All models produced satisfactory results, but some difficulties were observed in accurately identifying water bodies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lucas Yuri Dutra de Oliveira, João Lucas Aparecido Rocha Paes, Maximilian Jaderson de Melo, Maxwell da Rosa Oliveira, Eveline Terra Bezerra, Ana Paula Marques Ramos, Jonathan Li, Geraldo Alves Damasceno Júnior, Wesley Nunes Gonçalves, José Marcato Junior http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
HEAT WAVE AND SURFACE TEMPERATURE IN THE URBAN AREA OF TRÊS LAGOAS (MS) IN SEPTEMBER 2023
In the context of increasingly intense climate change, this study aims to discuss and analyze the surface temperature in the urban area of Três Lagoas (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) during a heatwave that occurred from September 19 to 27, 2023. For this purpose, a spatiotemporal panel was developed based on air temperature data obtained from the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET) website. Digital image processing was also conducted to create a thermal map using Landsat 8 satellite imagery from September 25, 2023, at 9:28 AM (local time). The analysis identified a heatwave event lasting nine consecutive days in Três Lagoas, with a minimum temperature of 23.00 °C at 5:00 AM on September 19 and a maximum of 43.00 °C at 2:00 PM on September 24. Regarding surface temperature, the study found a minimum of 28,40 °C and a maximum of 59,60 °C, with lower temperatures recorded in areas with tall and dense vegetation, while higher temperatures were associated with exposed soil areas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Diogo Cerdan Brito, Gislene Figueiredo Ortiz Porangaba http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY IN RURAL CADASTRAL MAPPING: A CASE STUDY
This study proposes and validates an innovative solution for cadastral mapping, focusing on the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR). It begins with an analysis of current legislation, exploring geotechnologies and innovations applied to mapping. The methodology uses a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) equipped with GNSS and satellite internet, eliminating the need for ground support points and standing out for its precision and accuracy in generating orthophotomosaics. The study area was the Professor Hélio Barbosa Experimental Farm of the UFMG School of Veterinary Medicine, located in the municipality of Igarapé, Minas Gerais. The generated products include high-resolution orthophotomosaics, thematic maps of land use and land cover, area delimitation (APP, legal reserve, consolidated use), and a digital surface model. These maps demonstrated high positional precision and accuracy, in accordance with Brazilian and American technical standards. Compared to traditional methods, the approach resulted in faster processing and a significant reduction in operating costs. The proposal proves viable for replication in rural cooperatives and associations, contributing to the improvement of the CAR and the territorial management of rural properties.
Copyright (c) 2025 Marcos de Paulo Ramos, Marcelo Antônio Nero, Plinio Temba, Murillo Henrique Ferreira, André Henrique Campos Teixeira, Pedro Henrique Figueiredo Araújo, Bráulio Magalhães Fonseca http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
TERRITORIAL DYNAMICS AND CONSERVATION UNITS: LAND USE AND LAND COVER CHANGES AND FOREST FRAGMENTATION IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF BELO HORIZONTE
The Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH) has experienced significant changes in land use and land cover driven by urbanization, industrial expansion, and mining activities. These changes directly affect landscape structure, leading to forest fragmentation and compromising ecological connectivity and biodiversity conservation. This study analyzed the evolution of forest fragmentation in the RMBH from 1992 to 2022 using MapBiomas data and landscape metrics extracted using the Fragstats software. The methodology included reclassifying land use and land cover classes and applying spatial metrics to assess fragmentation patterns, including fragment density, edge density, and connectivity. Results showed a significant increase in urbanization and conversion of forested areas into anthropogenic uses, while Integral Protection Conservation Units demonstrated greater ecological stability. The analysis reinforces the need for territorial management strategies that prioritize connectivity among forest remnants and biodiversity conservation within the RMBH.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rodrigo Silva Lemos, Kele Rocha Firmiano, Danilo Marques de Magalhaes, Paula Brasil Garcia http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR A RICE PRODUCING AND PROCESSING COMPANY IN RIO GRANDE DO SUL
This study aimed to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and propose mitigating measures for a rice-producing and processing company in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Emissions were quantified based on emission factors by type of activity, encompassing direct emissions (Scope 1), indirect emissions from electricity consumption (Scope 2), and indirect emissions associated with the company’s activities (Scope 3). The total GHG emissions of the company amounted to 1,257.05 tCO2e, of which 63.3% were Scope 1, 0.4% were Scope 2, and 36.3% were Scope 3. The primary sources of emissions are related to cultivation and transportation after processing. The emission intensity was 13.5 tCO2e per cultivated hectare or 1.8 tCO2e per ton of rice produced. For processing, the carbon footprint was 3.2 kg CO2e per ton processed. The reduction in emissions will occur primarily with anticipation of soil tillage, flooding in cultivation and a decrease in the use of nitrogen fertilizers. These strategies are essential for the company to contribute to a low-carbon footprint, help reduce GHG emissions, and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Copyright (c) 2025 Caroline Moro, Márcio Viera http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
MODELING THE URBAN-RURAL CLASSIFICATION OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER USING LOGISTIC REGRESSION: THE CASE OF THE FEDERAL DISTRICT IN THE 2022 BRAZILIAN CENSUS
Until the 2010 census, Brazil's urban-rural classification was based on administrative boundaries and local legislation. For the 2022 census, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) used high-resolution satellite imagery for the preliminary classification. Researchers then refined this classification in the field by integrating empirical knowledge with remote sensing. This study aims to model the urban-rural classification using land use and land cover categories derived from remote sensing products. Focusing on the Federal District, we used logistic regression, treating the urban-rural classification as the dependent variable and the proportions of vegetated, agricultural, and non-vegetated areas from the MapBiomas dataset as the independent variables. The model achieved an accuracy of 97.3%, with the proportion of non-vegetated areas showing the strongest association with urban classification. These findings can be used to estimate urban-rural status between censuses and support the planning of sample-based surveys in regions undergoing land use and land cover changes. This approach relies solely on data already available from MapBiomas. Additionally, the paper discusses the feasibility of using environmental characteristics for prediction instead of traditional approaches that primarily rely on social criteria to define urban and rural areas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Glaucia Guimarães Pereira, Dácio José Cambraia Filho, Diego de Almeida Paim, Roberto Mandetta Gandara, Gustavo Macedo de Mello Baptista http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
ANALYSIS OF THE LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF LEGALLY PROTECTED AREAS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ILHÉUS, BAHIA, BRAZIL
The municipality of Ilhéus is home to several Permanent Preservation Areas and Conservation Units. However, the instruments established in Ilhéus's Participatory Master Plan have not yet been fully regulated, reflecting the global trend of urban expansion. This expansion directly and indirectly affects Legally Protected Areas (LPAs), exacerbating conflicts between urban development and environmental conservation. This study uses the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) multicriteria method to analyze the legal and environmental conditions of the municipality and examines land cover and land use data from 2000 and 2020. To this end, we characterized the study area, developed a geographic database, applied the AHP method, and analyzed the legal situation according to the Brazilian Forest Code, supported by cartographic products. The results indicate that LPAs are the main factor in the assessment. Areas with very low disturbance levels maintain preserved forest cover, while areas with high disturbance levels correspond to urbanized regions or areas heavily impacted by human activities. The study concludes that there is legislative inflation of urban-environmental regulations, demonstrating the complexity of territorial management and the urgent need for effective implementation of control instruments.
Copyright (c) 2025 Júlio Gonçalves da Silva Júnior, Vinícius de Amorim Silva, Hercules da Silva Carvalho, Ioná Gonçalves Santos Silva http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
SPATIO-TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF LAND USE IN THE SERRA DO OURO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF IGUAÍ, BAHIA, BRAZIL
Changes in land use and land cover can directly and indirectly affect ecosystem services and biodiversity. This study examined the spatial and temporal changes in land use in the Serra do Ouro Environmental Protection Area (EPA), which is located in the municipality of Iguaí in the state of Bahia, from 2005 to 2022. The remaining vegetation of the EPA was mapped by altimetric level to verify the relationship between land use and hypsometry. Land use data were extracted from the MapBiomas project, which provides annual land use and land cover data for Brazil. The free software QGIS, version 3.28.11, was used to process the data and generate the maps. The results showed that pasture was the predominant land use in the EPA, though it decreased by 14.78% between 2005 and 2022. The area of forest formation decreased by 3.26%. The highest percentage of vegetation in the EPA is found at an altitude between 800 and 1,000 meters (35.27%). The research revealed that the forest area in the EPA continues to shrink and that agriculture remains the predominant land use.
Copyright (c) 2025 Cristiane de Jesus Santos, Ramon Batista dos Santos, Carolina Gusmão Souza, Paulo Sávio Damásio da Silva http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
COMPARATIVE FOREST FIRE ANALYSIS OF THE 2008, 2013 AND 2022 AT THE TAIM ECOLOGICAL STATION BY EVALUATING WATER, CLIMATE AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS
This article aims to present a comparative analysis of the largest forest fires recorded in the ESEC Taim since its designation as a Conservation Unit. The work uses satellite images to identify areas affected by forest fires and applies the NDVI method to evaluate them. It also analyzes climatic conditions through precipitation, identifies precipitation anomalies over the last 22 years, considering the months, and seasons when fires occurred. The results showed that, in 2008, 51.22% of the total burned area was in Taim; in 2013, this figure was 65.47%; and in 2022, it was 98.52%. Regarding precipitation anomalies, all months and seasons in which forest fires occurred recorded negative anomalies. Among these months, December 2022 recorded the highest negative value. Regarding the seasons, summer 2008 recorded the greatest negative precipitation anomaly. It was found that all these phenomena were linked to La Niña and positive SAM, which made droughts possible and consequently encouraged burning in the region.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ananda Muller Postay de Lima, Tainã Costa Peres, Francisco Eliseu Aquino http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
THE COOL AND MOISTURE ISLAND EFFECT IN A MEDIUM-SIZED TROPICAL CITY: THE CASE OF A SMALL URBAN PARK IN UBERABA (MG)
Urban green spaces are widely recognized for their capacity to regulate thermo-hygrometric conditions, extending their influence beyond their physical boundaries into the surrounding urban fabric. However, empirical data on the effectiveness of small parks in medium-sized tropical cities remain limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the air temperature and humidity effects of a small urban park located in central Uberaba (MG), Brazil, on an adjacent urban canyon. The research draws on thermo-hygrometric data collected within the urban canopy layer through foot-based mobile surveys conducted during afternoon and nighttime periods in the 2022–2023 wet season. Metadata on urban and non-urban components within the study area were also analyzed to assess their influence on microclimate formation. Results show that, during the afternoon, the small park acted as a local adaptation asset by offering comfortable microclimatic conditions for urban dwellers. At night, a cool and moisture island effect was observed, with an average intensity of 1.3 °C, extending approximately 30–80 m beyond the park’s perimeter. These findings highlight the park’s role as a key element in local heat mitigation strategies and in enhancing urban thermal resilience.
Copyright (c) 2025 Leandro de Godoi Pinton, Tainá Medeiros Suizu, Wendell André Cornélio http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
EVALUATING REMOTE SENSING TECHNIQUES FOR MONITORING GRASSLAND DEGRADATION
Ecosystem degradation is one of the most significant environmental challenges worldwide. In particular, grassland degradation poses serious threat to agricultural productivity, species diversity, and soil stability. This study aimed to compare the applicability of two remote sensing techniques – the Linear Spectral Mixture Model (LSM) and the Grassland Degradation Index (GDI) – in assessing and characterizing the degree of grassland degradation. The results revealed that the GDI exhibited higher overall accuracy than the LSM, with an accuracy rate of 73.4% compared to 63.1% for LSM. The GDI also yielded a higher Kappa coefficient (0.61), relative to the LSM (0.50). Furthermore, the GDI recorded higher F1 scores across all evaluated classes, indicating an enhanced capacity to identify true positives and minimize false positives and negatives. Both techniques demonstrated satisfactory performance and may serve as valuable tools to support grassland restoration and sustainable management studies.
Copyright (c) 2025 Pamela Boelter Herrmann, Tatiana Mora Kuplich, Victor Fernandez Nascimento, Cássio Adílio Hoffmann Oliveira http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY IN THE RIBEIRÃO DO PICO WATERSHED, SAO PAULO STATE
The present study aimed to characterize the spatial and temporal variability in water quality and quantity in the Ribeirão do Pico watershed in the municipality of Vargem in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Maps of relief, hydrography, and land use were generated using geoprocessing techniques. Water quality parameters were obtained using a HORIBA U-50 multiparameter probe. The study area was divided into six compartments based on altitude, each of which had flow monitoring at the main watercourse. From September 2016 to August 2019, 38 water samples were collected. The results indicated that native forests cover only 55% of the Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs), which contributed to increased levels of total dissolved solids, turbidity, and water temperature. The oscillation of pH, dissolved oxygen, and redox potential values suggests the presence of excess organic matter in the watercourse, likely associated with irregular land occupation in the APPs. Although the Ribeirão do Pico is classified as Class 1 water quality according to CONAMA Resolution No. 357/2005, this study identified critical areas requiring preservation and sustainable management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Luiz Henrique Freguglia Aiello, Jener Fernando Leite de Moraes, Afonso Peche Filho http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0
URBAN ARBORIZATION AND ACADEMIC HEALTH: AN ECO-SUSTAINABLE PROPOSAL BASED ON REGIONAL BIODIVERSITY
This study proposes an eco-sustainable approach to urban afforestation at the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC)'s campus, taking into account regional biodiversity and the effect of vegetation on health and wellbeing. Quantifying the current vegetation cover revealed that the green area per capita (3.15 m²) is significantly below the 9 m² recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Using geoprocessing tools and field surveys, the study proposes gradually replacing exotic species with native ones selected for their ornamental and ecological value. This will enhance environmental quality and provide ecosystem services. This includes the strategic use of underutilised spaces, such as car parks, to increase the area of vegetation, thereby contributing to thermal comfort, increased biodiversity, improved soil permeability and the mitigation of urban heat islands. The planned afforestation project at the university is presented as a replicable model of sustainable urban management, reinforcing the role of educational institutions as exemplary spaces for socio-environmental transformation.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ariadne Watywarawan, José Gustavo Santos da Silva, Gabriel da Silva Souza, Vanilde Citadini-Zanette, Patrícia de Aguiar Amaral http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0