Vegetation cover of Bacuranao and Guanabo Basins. A glance to its management

Abstract

Studies related to the progressive changes of vegetation cover and use of soil have gain great importance in the environmental research, since they allow to assess the space-time tendencies of processes such as deforestation and environmental degradation, caused by human activities. In this study, the main types of plant formations and their spatial distribution are described and identified in 5 classes of vegetation cover that prevail in Bacuranao and Guanabo Basins. The research was carried out through the combined use of field observations and source documents (literary, statistical, cartographic.), remote sensing technics and the GIS (Geographical Information System). The increase of the impact on vegetation cover was determined on this study, impact caused by the process of assimilation of these territories, which brought along deforestation, fragmentation, and the presence of invasive species. In order to map the vegetation cover, Rapid Eyes (2014) images were used, with a resolution of 5 meters, to which a supervised classification was applied by using a Maximum Likelihood classifier. The best preserved areas are located south of the study area, and the Guanabo River Basin presents a slightly better situation with respect to Bacuranao River. Information on the use of vegetation cover is essential for designing and implementing land-use planning with the purpose of satisfying the increasing demand of men’s basic needs and their well-being.