Abstract
ABSTRACT Population progress is one of the main factors affecting the environment, modifying the natural dynamics of ecosystems. The Camboriú River Basin is located on the southern coast of Brazil and is strongly affected by population growth. This paper aimed to verify the space-time variation in the land use of the Camboriú River Basin by identifying changes in occupation and land use between 1986 and 2017. The rapid environmental assessment protocol was applied using the following parameters: bottom substrate, habitat complexity, backwaters quality, stability of banks, vegetative protection, vegetative cover, vegetative quality, and riparian vegetation presence. The changes in occupation and land use show rapid urbanization with a rise of 9% in 1986 to 24% in 2017. In riparian forest, higher altitude regions of the watershed show better results when compared to lower course regions, which are, thus, reflected in the environmental integrity of the stretches of stream studied. As for the behavior of urban occupation in space, it was verified that it did not occur continuously in comparison with the population, data during the studied period.
Highlights
Rivers and tributaries are the aquatic ecosystems most affected by human activity
A key part in the maintenance of quality water resources is made by the riparian forest, which, as an ecotone between the terrestrial and aquatic environments, provides protection to the watercourses
The present study aims to diagnose and dimension the current conditions and land use evolution in light of the pressure exerted by population growth in the Camboriú River Watershed, verifying whether the spatiotemporal distribution of these uses presents a linear model or shows pulses over time
Summary
Rivers and tributaries are the aquatic ecosystems most affected by human activity. Those located in coastal regions when associated with disordered industrial and urban growth suffer adverse consequences in their environmental quality (TUNDISI; TUNDISI, 2008). A key part in the maintenance of quality water resources is made by the riparian forest, which, as an ecotone between the terrestrial and aquatic environments, provides protection to the watercourses. Land use represented by urban and rural occupation and some types of crops alters the riparian forest which directly and indirectly affects the integrity of the adjacent water resources
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
