Geoenvironmental Mapping Research Articles

O papel da cartografia temática nas pesquisas ambientais

This work presents Cartography as a language that represents facts and geographical phenomena. Thematic Cartography has specifications that interfere in the process of visual translation of geographical information. It emphasizes that the cartographer needs to know the graphic language and the limits of bi-dimensional representation in order to choose the visual variants compatible with the implicit meaning of the information to be translated. It analyzes and effectuates graphic corrections of several classic documents in scientific literature according to Semiology of Graphics. It presents and describes the method to structure the legend of a synthetic poly-thematic map applied to the case study of a diagnostic geo-environmental map of the Hydroelectric Power Igarapava Plant.

Geo-environmental risk in the upper valley of the Oued Sebou (Fès, Central Morocco): a preliminary approach

In the framework of several projects sustained by the Regional Sardinian Government Laws no. 43 (28/09/1990) and no. 19 (11/04/1996), research groups of the University of Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy) and of the University Mohamed V-Agdal of Rabat (Morocco) have started a series of preliminary geo-environmental studies in the basin of the Oued Sebou. An area of almost 1000 square km around the famous city of Fès has been studied, using satellite images and two ground surveying campaigns. These surveys aim to define the geological and structural settings, the vegetation and land use, in order to define the landscape units and to select the areas of major hydrogeological and geo-environmental risk. The satellite data used are the LANDSAT TM5 images taken on the 9th of October 1997. These images have been analysed to obtain the different bases for further thematic mapping, resulting in the geo-environmental map of the area around Fès that constitutes an up-to-date representation of the geological and environmental state of the territory and a useful instrument for further risk assessment and urban and territorial planning.

Book Review: Geoenvironmental mapping: methods, theory and practice

Book Review: Geoenvironmental mapping: methods, theory and practice

A geo-environmental map for the sustainable development of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

An engineering and environmental geological map of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal has been elaborated within a project of German-Nepalese cooperation. In the Kathmandu Valley, the major geo-environmental problems arise from haphazard exploitation of geologic resources, local landslide zones, severe problems of garbage disposal, river flooding and a dramatic river pollution. The map was prepared by the use of GIS techniques. It contains all basic geological and environmental data, as geotechnical risk zones (landslide-prone areas or those of poor foundation conditions), areas for preferable extraction of construction material and those not to be allowed to be exploited, areas of immediate need of reforestation in order to prevent landslide or badland development, groundwater protection zones, and suitable garbage disposal sites.