Quantifying Land Use Change Dynamics In Agrotourism Destinations: A Case Study From Venda Nova Do Imigrante, Brazil

Abstract

Agrotourism is one of the main economic activities in the municipality of Venda Nova do Imigrante, located in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The objective of this research was to analyse the landscape changes generated by this economic activity. The methodology’s development through a stratified random selection, the thematic quality of the maps from the MAPBIOMAS platform was assessed. A confusion matrix was produced, and the kappa coefficient was calculated. Landscape metrics, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) from Instagram and Flickr Social Networks, satellite images and free Brazilian databases were used, along with the use of open source GIS software to analyse changes use and cover of land in the municipality generated over a period of 30 years and its relationship with agrotourism. In the results, it was obtained that the thematic quality of maps from the MAPBIOMAS platform was acceptable, the analysis of VGI in social networks was identified agrotourism farms located mainly in the south-east area of Venda Nova do Imigrante, the analysis of changes in land use and cover showed that the city had an increase in urban area around the Federal Highway BR-262 that cuts through the city and rural areas, as well as in the agrotourism farms evaluated, there was an increase in agricultural areas and planted forests.