poster - International Conference of Agricultural Engineering

This methodology consists of a sequence of logical and systemathic steps that are
independent of the knowledge of the study area and the use of photo interpretation keys. The
fieldwork aimed to validate the results obtained from visual analysis and digital image
processing of TM/Landsat-5 images, and collect information to compose the georeferenced
database, based on the description of the visited places. The field work was recorded using
digital camera, and places were georeferenced using a GPS. Regarding the legend for the
mapping of land degradation levels were considered five levels of land degradation: very low,
low, moderate, severe and very severe, based on Barbosa et al. (2005).
3. Results
Data on land degradation from visual analysis of TM/Landsat-5 images for the years 1987,
2003 and 2008 (Fig. 2) indicate risks to desertification for the municipality of Araripina, State
of Pernambuco. The results show that within two decades (1987-2008) the increase of areas
under very serious level of degradation was significant and require urgent action to create
public policies for the region, aiming the sustainability of the families living in areas where the
process of desertification is occurring.
FIGURE 2: Digital maps of the land degradation levels for the municipality
of Araripina, State of Pernambuco.
In the municipality of Araripina, the highest occurrence of the level very serious of land
degradation has been identified especially where large mining companies are located. For
example, in the area of extraction of gypsum the reject of mine is deposed without any
environmental control, influencing the degradation of land and of the savanna vegetation
already very impacted (Fig. 3 - A and B).