Watershed management of the Atibaia River Basin based on the elaboration of environmental scenarios

Abstract

Water is related to the survival of organisms and to the development of human beings. Due to the complexity of ecosystems, the comprehension of the territory through environmental diagnosis is necessary. This approach is the first step to making environmental planning able to sustain the integrated analysis on the scope of river basins study and management. This paper provides a theoretical analysis of the role of green areas in the basin and urban context. Also, three prospective scenarios of forest best management practices for the Atibaia River Basin, Sao Paulo there were elaborated. Soil stability and water resources aspects were considered in order to combine the management of water resources and environmental conservation. The scenarios elaborated were Tendency Scenario, Management Scenario and Conservation Scenario. The best results were achieved through the Conservation Scenario, where ecological restoration, water resources protection and the improvement of the population’s life quality were highlighted.