The morphometric cartography of relief as a subsidy to the study of the landscape: the upper Capivara River catchment – Botucatu (SP) – Brazil

Abstract

Cartography has the potential to help identify areas that need to be protected, and may help in environmental planning. Therefore, the objective of this work was to identify naturally fragile sectors, with great potential for changing the geomorphological landscape in an area of cuestiform relief, in the upper basin of the Capivara river, in Botucatu (SP). For this, maps of slope, vertical dissection, horizontal dissection and relief energy were prepared, showing sectors naturally susceptible to the occurrence of erosion processes, which are still affected by inadequate land use. It is concluded that morphometric cartography, by providing information for land use to be carried out considering the limitations imposed by the natural characteristics of the relief, can collaborate with the understanding of the dynamics of the landscape and, therefore, be used as an instrument for managing spaces busy.