Geoprocessing and Landscape Ecology for Assessment Fragmentation and Connectivity of the Habitats of the Microregion of Ceres, Goiás (Brazil)

Abstract

This study aimed to map and evaluate the evolution of habitat fragmentation between 2009 and 2018, using the Microregion of Ceres (Goiás) as a sample reference, using principles of Landscape Ecology. The methodology comprised the mapping of the fragments in the two years analyzed, using the OLI/Landsat 8 sensor, using scenes 222/70 and 222/71. The SPRING 5.2 software was used, where the supervised classification was performed, applying the semi-automatic process. The computational algorithm applied to classify the scenes was Maxver, which classifies pixel by pixel and groups the information of each one into homogeneous regions. After extracting the fragments of native vegetation, the methodology proposed by Juvanhol et al. (2011), in which the fragments were grouped into classes: Very Small (MP) ≤5 hectares; Small (P) ≥5.01 and ≤10 hectares; Medium (M) ≥10.01 and ≤100 hectares and Large (G) ≥100.01 hectares. For the analysis based on metrics in Landscape Ecology, the ArcGis 9.2 Patch Analyst extension was used. The results showed the expansion of vegetation cover areas in the study area, concentrated on tops of hills, APP and legal reserves. However, they pointed out intense fragmentation of native vegetation, which hinders the performance of fragments as habitats. It is considered that, from the contemporary problem of degradation of natural environments to the detriment of economic development, studies like this are necessary in order to identify existing environmental problems and propose strategies to minimize and mitigate ecological imbalances.