Análise da fragilidade ambiental e sustentabilidade em Quixeramobim, Ceará: uma abordagem integrada utilizando o google Earth Engine

Abstract

This study investigates the environmental fragility and sustainability conditions of the municipality of Quixeramobim, Ceará, through an integrated approach that adapts Ross’s (1994) methodology by incorporating additional variables such as geology and pedology, and by utilizing advanced geoprocessing tools, particularly the Google Earth Engine (GEE). Data from the Copernicus DEM/GLO30 were employed to calculate slope via the Index of Ruggedness Concentration (ICR); the CHIRPS pentad collection was used to derive precipitation intensity; products from MapBiomas provided information on land use and land cover; and official vector features were utilized for geology and pedology. Through processing and reclassification of these datasets in GEE, thematic maps delineating environmental fragility in two dimensions—Potential Fragility (FP) and Emerging Fragility (FE)—were generated. The results highlight the spatial heterogeneity of Quixeramobim and demonstrate how the interplay between natural factors and human activities contributes to environmental degradation. In summary, the study provides valuable insights for environmental planning and the formulation of public policies aimed at sustainable resource management, emphasizing the efficacy of platforms such as GEE for large-scale geospatial analysis.