With the rapid growing of economic activities and populations, available land resources have become unable to meet the demand. Originally considered as a mere frontier between land and sea, the coastal zone has become an essential zone for human development. As any kind of human exploitation of the coastal zone is likely to induce some changes in the local environment. Gradual and permanent alterations in coastal ecosystems have led to losses in abundance in numerous species, such as the black-faced spoonbill. To mitigate the impact, the government declares the North bank of the Tsengwen River Estuary as a protected area. However, land-use changes outside the protected area, such as the development of fish ponds or changes in the spatial patterns of farmlands and bodies of water, are still affecting birds¡¦ survival. This study is based on landscape ecology, using several analytical tools including Geographic Information System (GIS), Spatial Analysis, Landscape metric and Markov Chains. Changes in landscape structure at Chi-Gu between 2003 and 2008, and long-term birds census have been combined in order to discuss the relations between land-based activities and bird¡¦s abundance. Furthermore, a Markov chain was built to predict the most likely land-use pattern in 2013 and its eventual impacts on birds¡¦ conservation. The results of this study show that the reduction of spatial segregation in Chi-Gu has, on average, mitigated the adverse effects on birds. However, further analysis showed that migrant birds are increasing whereas resident birds are decreasing. We therefore suggest that the land-uses, closely related to resident birds¡¦ conservation, such as forests, should be managed with special care in order to assure an effective protection of both migrant and resident birds.

Visual Topology is used here to describe the spatial relations between objects as they appear in the 2D viewing plane. This thesis sets out the concept, explains why it is needed in Geographic Information Science and suggests how it may be computed through development of prototype software. Section 1 considers the functionality that any Spatial Data Infrastructure would need to encompass in order to support the inclusion of visual analysis into landscape planning and monitoring systems. Section 2 introduces various aspects of visual topology. In particular it sets out how visual intersections of occluding edges may be modelled topologically and formally defines a novel higher level topological structure to the viewing space - the 'Euler Zone' based on the Euler complexity of a graph formed by the occluding horizons in a view. Whether such a graph has meaning to an observer is considered in Section 5, which presents the results of a web based forced­ choice experiment with significant implications for the role of topology in modelling landscape preference via quantitative metrics derived from 20 maps. Sections 3 and 4 discuss how existing methods for handling perspective models and visualisations need to be improved in order to model visual topology. Section 3 focuses on the limitations of current techniques and design criterion for a new methodology. Section 4 looks at the lessons learnt from developing a prototype implementation (VM-LITE) based on Quad-Edge Delaunay Triangulation, in the VoronoiMagic software package. Some potential applications are highlighted, both within landscape modelling and beyond, before drawing conclusions as to the potential for the concepts and methods respectively. Although important research questions remain, particularly as regards view point dynamics, Visual Topology has the potential to fundamentally change how visual modelling is undertaken in GIS. It allows the analysis of scenes based upon a richer representation of individual experience. It provides the basis for data structures that can support the extraction of generalisable metrics from this rich scene information, taking into account the qualitatively different nature of scene topology as distinct from metrics of shape and colour. In addition new metrics based on attributes only apparent in perspective, such as landform, can be analysed. Finally, it also provides a rationale for reporting units for landscapes with some measure of homogeneity and scale-independence in their scenic properties.

Os estudos de relação entre a paisagem e a água doce vêm sendo aprofundados pela comunidade científica e pelos propositores de políticas públicas, principalmente, para atender às demandas sobre as maneiras que este sistema ambiental pode ser alterado e na identificação das implicações políticas e ecológicas destas mudanças. Quanto mais se torna intenso e diversificado o uso dos corpos hídricos e da paisagem em bacias hidrográficas maior é a necessidade de se definir formas de planejamento, gerenciamento e gestão ecológica desses ecossistemas. O completo entendimento do funcionamento e dos processos ecológicos que ocorrem em uma bacia hidrográfica exige conhecimento simultâneo de seus sistemas aquáticos e terrestres, da biodiversidade, da fisiografia, da geologia e de sua conservação, temporal e espacial. Este entendimento e conhecimento da área de interesse são vitais para proposições de instrumentos ambientais legais, como Unidades de Conservação (UCs). É muito importante que a fundamentação destas propostas tenha como eixo principal o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e das paisagens, de forma a garantir uma maior conectividade e integração entre água (doce, salobra e salgada) e terra, e seus múltiplos usos. A presente tese foi desenvolvida com base neste contexto, apresentando e aplicando metodologias integradoras, seja na ecologia de paisagem (EP), seja na relação entre os ambientes dulcícola e terrestre. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de processos para planejamento ambiental em BHs, através do diagnóstico, compreensão e análise do funcionamento e dinâmica da paisagem e de ecossistemas de rios e córregos, apoiados no uso de geotecnologias. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a BHGM ocupa uma área de 1260,36 km e 204,69 km de perímetro. É uma bacia com forma mais alongada que circular (KC = 1,6144e IC =0,4747 km/km) que indica uma menor susceptibilidade a enchentes em condições normais de precipitação exceto em eventos de intensidades anômalas. O mapeamento base (2007) realizado indicou que a bacia possuía 34,86% de uso antrópico e 64,04 % de remanescente florestal. Os dados de fitofisionomia potencial indicaram predominância da classe Florestas Ombrófila Densa Submontana (40%) e de Terras Baixas (39%). Foram estabelecidas para bacia 269 unidades de paisagem (integração da geomorfologia, geologia, fitofisionomia e uso da terra e cobertura vegetal (2007)) que junto com os dados de métrica de paisagem constituíram a proposta integrativa da tese para ecologia de paisagem. Em relação à qualidade ambiental foram adotados o índice de avaliação visual (IAV), o índice multimétrico físico-químico bacteriológico e o índice biótico estendido (IBE). A comparação entre estes índices demonstrou a confirmação entre os seus resultados para a maioria dos pontos amostrados nas áreas de referência e de pelo menos dois índices para os pontos intermediários e impactados. Foram propostos também dois cenários para a bacia: um considerando as condicionantes e medidas compensatórias vinculadas à licença prévia do complexo petroquímico do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ); e outro, sem considerar estas condições. O primeiro indicou a realização da restauração ecológica, seguindo as diretrizes do mapa síntese, integrada para restauração da paisagem. / Studies about relation between landscape and freshwater have been enhanced by the scientific community as by the proponents of public policies, in order to meet the demands generated from the discussion on the ways this environmental system can be modified and the identification of political and ecological implications of these changes. The stronger and more diversified uses of watercourses and landscape in their watersheds, the greater the need to define ways of planning, supervision and ecological management of these ecosystems. The complete understanding of the functioning and ecological processes that occur in a watershed requires simultaneous knowledge of their aquatic and terrestrial systems, biodiversity, physiography, geology as temporal and spatial preservation. Knowledge and understanding on the area of interest is vital for proposals of environmental legal instruments, such as Protected Areas (UCs1). It is preeminent that the rationale of these proposals has as its main axis ecosystems and landscapes functioning in order to ensure greater integration and connectivity between water (freshwater, brackish and saltwater) and land in its multiple uses. This thesis has been developed based on this context, proposing and implementing integrative methodologies, whether in landscape ecology (EP) or the interrelation between the freshwater and terrestrial environments. The study main objective was the development of processes for environmental planning in BHs by diagnosing, understanding and analyzing the landscape and ecosystems of rivers and streams functioning and dynamics, supported by geotechnologies. According to gathered results, BHGM occupies an area of 1260.36 km with 204.69 km of perimeter. It is a more oblong than circular basin (KC = 1.6144 and IC = 0.4747 km / km) indicating a lower susceptibility to flooding during normal rainfall events, except in anomalous intensities. The base mapping conducted indicated that the basin had 34.86% of anthropic use and 64.04% of remaining forest. The data indicated a predominance of the potential vegetation type of dense umbrageous sub-montane rain forest class (40%) and lowlands class (39%). There has been established 269 units for basin landscape which represents the data integration with geomorphology, geology, vegetation type and land use, and vegetation co ver (base year) which joined to the landscape metrics data formed the integrative thesis proposal for ecology landscape. This has been used as a planning tool in the proposition of ecological corridors and areas for potential sampling water quality in the basin. Regarding the environmental quality index were adopted visual rate index (IAV), the physical-chemical bacteriological multimetric index and biotic extended index (IBE). The comparison among indexes have confirmed results for most points showed in the reference areas, and at least for two indexes on intermediate and impacted points. There have also been proposed two scenarios for the basin, one considering conditions and compensatory measures concerned to the prior license for the petrochemical complex of the State of Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ) and other without any consideration of the above mentioned. The first indicated the completion of restoration projects following the guidelines of the synthesis map for integrated landscape restoration.

Os estudos de relação entre a paisagem e a água doce vêm sendo aprofundados pela comunidade científica e pelos propositores de políticas públicas, principalmente, para atender às demandas sobre as maneiras que este sistema ambiental pode ser alterado e na identificação das implicações políticas e ecológicas destas mudanças. Quanto mais se torna intenso e diversificado o uso dos corpos hídricos e da paisagem em bacias hidrográficas maior é a necessidade de se definir formas de planejamento, gerenciamento e gestão ecológica desses ecossistemas. O completo entendimento do funcionamento e dos processos ecológicos que ocorrem em uma bacia hidrográfica exige conhecimento simultâneo de seus sistemas aquáticos e terrestres, da biodiversidade, da fisiografia, da geologia e de sua conservação, temporal e espacial. Este entendimento e conhecimento da área de interesse são vitais para proposições de instrumentos ambientais legais, como Unidades de Conservação (UCs). É muito importante que a fundamentação destas propostas tenha como eixo principal o funcionamento dos ecossistemas e das paisagens, de forma a garantir uma maior conectividade e integração entre água (doce, salobra e salgada) e terra, e seus múltiplos usos. A presente tese foi desenvolvida com base neste contexto, apresentando e aplicando metodologias integradoras, seja na ecologia de paisagem (EP), seja na relação entre os ambientes dulcícola e terrestre. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de processos para planejamento ambiental em BHs, através do diagnóstico, compreensão e análise do funcionamento e dinâmica da paisagem e de ecossistemas de rios e córregos, apoiados no uso de geotecnologias. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a BHGM ocupa uma área de 1260,36 km e 204,69 km de perímetro. É uma bacia com forma mais alongada que circular (KC = 1,6144e IC =0,4747 km/km) que indica uma menor susceptibilidade a enchentes em condições normais de precipitação exceto em eventos de intensidades anômalas. O mapeamento base (2007) realizado indicou que a bacia possuía 34,86% de uso antrópico e 64,04 % de remanescente florestal. Os dados de fitofisionomia potencial indicaram predominância da classe Florestas Ombrófila Densa Submontana (40%) e de Terras Baixas (39%). Foram estabelecidas para bacia 269 unidades de paisagem (integração da geomorfologia, geologia, fitofisionomia e uso da terra e cobertura vegetal (2007)) que junto com os dados de métrica de paisagem constituíram a proposta integrativa da tese para ecologia de paisagem. Em relação à qualidade ambiental foram adotados o índice de avaliação visual (IAV), o índice multimétrico físico-químico bacteriológico e o índice biótico estendido (IBE). A comparação entre estes índices demonstrou a confirmação entre os seus resultados para a maioria dos pontos amostrados nas áreas de referência e de pelo menos dois índices para os pontos intermediários e impactados. Foram propostos também dois cenários para a bacia: um considerando as condicionantes e medidas compensatórias vinculadas à licença prévia do complexo petroquímico do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ); e outro, sem considerar estas condições. O primeiro indicou a realização da restauração ecológica, seguindo as diretrizes do mapa síntese, integrada para restauração da paisagem. / Studies about relation between landscape and freshwater have been enhanced by the scientific community as by the proponents of public policies, in order to meet the demands generated from the discussion on the ways this environmental system can be modified and the identification of political and ecological implications of these changes. The stronger and more diversified uses of watercourses and landscape in their watersheds, the greater the need to define ways of planning, supervision and ecological management of these ecosystems. The complete understanding of the functioning and ecological processes that occur in a watershed requires simultaneous knowledge of their aquatic and terrestrial systems, biodiversity, physiography, geology as temporal and spatial preservation. Knowledge and understanding on the area of interest is vital for proposals of environmental legal instruments, such as Protected Areas (UCs1). It is preeminent that the rationale of these proposals has as its main axis ecosystems and landscapes functioning in order to ensure greater integration and connectivity between water (freshwater, brackish and saltwater) and land in its multiple uses. This thesis has been developed based on this context, proposing and implementing integrative methodologies, whether in landscape ecology (EP) or the interrelation between the freshwater and terrestrial environments. The study main objective was the development of processes for environmental planning in BHs by diagnosing, understanding and analyzing the landscape and ecosystems of rivers and streams functioning and dynamics, supported by geotechnologies. According to gathered results, BHGM occupies an area of 1260.36 km with 204.69 km of perimeter. It is a more oblong than circular basin (KC = 1.6144 and IC = 0.4747 km / km) indicating a lower susceptibility to flooding during normal rainfall events, except in anomalous intensities. The base mapping conducted indicated that the basin had 34.86% of anthropic use and 64.04% of remaining forest. The data indicated a predominance of the potential vegetation type of dense umbrageous sub-montane rain forest class (40%) and lowlands class (39%). There has been established 269 units for basin landscape which represents the data integration with geomorphology, geology, vegetation type and land use, and vegetation co ver (base year) which joined to the landscape metrics data formed the integrative thesis proposal for ecology landscape. This has been used as a planning tool in the proposition of ecological corridors and areas for potential sampling water quality in the basin. Regarding the environmental quality index were adopted visual rate index (IAV), the physical-chemical bacteriological multimetric index and biotic extended index (IBE). The comparison among indexes have confirmed results for most points showed in the reference areas, and at least for two indexes on intermediate and impacted points. There have also been proposed two scenarios for the basin, one considering conditions and compensatory measures concerned to the prior license for the petrochemical complex of the State of Rio de Janeiro (COMPERJ) and other without any consideration of the above mentioned. The first indicated the completion of restoration projects following the guidelines of the synthesis map for integrated landscape restoration.