Análise do risco de degradação do solo no município de Crateús (CE): uso do Geoprocessamento na avaliação da cobertura vegetal, declividade e erodibilidade

Abstract

Environmental degradation in the semiarid Northeast region is an increasing challenge, primarily due to erosion processes that directly affect soil fertility and ecosystem balance. In Crateús, a city located in the northwestern region of Ceará, factors such as low vegetation cover, soils highly susceptible to erosion, and areas with steep slopes exacerbate this situation. In this context, the use of geoprocessing techniques is an essential tool for assessing and mapping areas at risk. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of soil degradation in the municipality of Crateús using the Semiarid Land Deterioration Index (IDTS). This analysis was performed based on a combination of three factors: vegetation cover (NDVI), terrain slope (MDE), and soil erodibility. Data processing was performed in QGIS software, using Landsat 8 satellite imagery and pedological and topographic data. The methodology allowed the municipality to be classified into five risk classes. As a result, it was found that medium and high risk deterioration classes predominated, representing over 60% of the total area, while very low risk areas represented less than 2%. The study reinforces the importance.