Geomorphological map of the Serra da Bodoquena karst, west-central Brazil

Abstract

Please click here to download the map associated with this article. The Serra da Bodoquena is a karst area situated on the southern edge of the Pantanal wetland region in the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, central-western Brazil. Morphological analysis, on a scale of 1:60,000, made it possible to identify such various karst features as dolines, caves, sinks and springs, as well as karst cones and corridors, among others, compartmentalized into six morphological units. To the west of the Serra, the labyrinth karst that was identified reflects a situation of extreme flattening and diffuse infiltration via vertical fractures, which is gradually limited by polygonal karst, to the extent that there is drawdown of the water level. To the north of the Serra, these features are obscured by a greater degree of uvial incision, which develops in the form of canyons and alluvial plains. To the east, there is a predominance of karst plains with dolines in a thick soil covering, associated with residual hills. There are tufa deposits along the current uvial drainage system, and extensive older deposits occur in Quaternary terraces. Sandstone plains with innumerable dolines occur to the southeast of the Serra, reecting the presence of subjacent karst. Geomorphological mapping of this area will be able to contribute to the Serra da Bodoquena National Park management plan, or assist in the development of anthropic soil use/occupation plans.