Land Use and Environmental Vulnerability in the Sub-Basin of the Upper Rio das Pedras (Rio de Janeiro / RJ): Subsidies for Regeneration of Neotropical Rivers

Abstract

This article describes the combined analysis methodology of land use and land slide susceptibility indicating their implications on the socioenvironmental vulnerability in Alto das Pedras River Basin, Jacarepaguá District, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. The methodology involves mapping and analysis of land use and land cover, the characteristics of the occupation, vulnerability points identified in conjunction with the community and the correspondence with the susceptibility mapping elaborated for the Tijuca Massif by Martinez (2014). The results indicate a large percentage of areas in the category Medium-High (17.33%) and High susceptibility (33.32%), suggesting a significant degree of threat to which the resident population in the upper basin is exposed. In addition, current and past factors such as: deterioration of vegetation, sewage and garbage discharge; occupation of flood zones, constriction of beds and banks, buildings constructed immediately downstream of landslide scars together significantly contribute to increase slope instability. Combined analysis, associating biophysical variables and anthropogenic factors related to human occupation, may contribute to support a more sustainable territorial planning in mountainous areas.