DELIMITATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL FRAGILITY INDEXES OF SÃO LOURENÇO DO SUL/RS: SUBSIDY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The conciliation between the environment and the development of human activities constitutes a challenge for the management and planning of natural resources, since the improper use of
the soil can cause significant damage to society. Environmental fragility studies seek to assist in this planning and management in order to ensure the sustainability of the environment. The
objective of this work was to map the environmental fragility of São Lourenço do Sul/RS, applying techniques of Geographic Information Systems, which enable the evaluation of environmental potentialities an integrated way, aligning its natural characteristics with its restrictions. In preparation of environmental fragility index themed maps was applied model
Environmental Fragility Index that used as criteria: the terrain slope, soil type, lithology, climate, riparian forest, human occupation, vegetation cover and the use of soil. The model was
effective and identified that the Very High, High and Medium fragility indexes represent 30.3%, 67.1% and 2.6%, respectively, of the total area of the municipality. The Very High Fragility index is associated with the fluvial plains areas. On the other hand, the Alto fragility index is mainly related to the vegetation cover, land use and the extensive hydrographic network of the municipality.