Analysisof natural vulnerability to soil loss of the medium course of Apodi-Mossoró River Basin (RN, Brazil)

Abstract

Research Purpose: To analyse the natural vulnerability to soil loss of the middle course of the Apodi Mossoró River watershed/RN. Methodology: The arithmetic mean of the variables of the physical environment was performed in a GIS environment. Findings: The result showed that the basin is in the Moderately Stable/Vulnerable class, with a mean value of 2.04, on a scale of 1.0 to 3.0. About 25% of the area presented considerable class between moderately vulnerable to vulnerable. It is suggested that, for these areas, to createcriteria be created that limit the use and occupation, having as support the environmental legislation in force, aiming at the conservation and/or restoration of the natural systems that still exist. Originality/Value: The article presents a method aimed at identifying the natural vulnerability in watersheds of semi-arid regions, supported by the use of geotechnologies. From this method, it is possible to identify which conditioning factors of the physical environment most influence the natural vulnerability, identifying areas more conducive to the preservation/conservation of the environment.