EVOLUTION OF LAND USE AND OCCUPATION IN AN AREA OF ​​HIGH SPRING DENSITY IN THE RIBEIRÃO ACHADO BASIN, SANTANA DO PARAÍSO/MG, AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE CONSERVATION OF WATER SOURCES

Abstract

This article sought to evaluate the evolution of land use and occupation in the Achado stream microbasin, municipality of Santana do Paraíso/MG, and its influence on the conservation of springs. For the study, registered springs in the microbasin were identified, and land use and occupation maps were elaborated for the years 2008, 2014, and 2020. The results indicated that the class of pastures and shrubs, predominant in the region, varied from 42.65% in 2008 to 37.12% in 2020; the area of ​​dense vegetation varied from 36.22% to 36.06%; while degraded areas increased from 10.61% to 11.95% and silviculture from 3.56% to 6.86% during the same period. Of the 185 springs registered, 96 were in dense vegetation in 2008 and 94 in 2020; 76 in pasture and shrubs in 2008 and 71 in 2020; 11 in degraded areas in 2008 and 13 in 2020; and 2 in silviculture areas in 2008 and 7 in 2020. The data therefore indicate the expansion of degraded areas and silvicuture into areas occupied by springs, highlighting the need to implement conservation and restoration actions in permanent preservation areas, seeking to reduce risks to these water sources.