MESHWR / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / See the attached abstract below

This thesis describes the conception and implementation of the hydrological model ArcEGMO-URBAN and its application to the basin of the Havel river in north-eastern Germany. The model has been developed in order to make up the balance of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs from point sources in urban areas on the scale of river basins. The nutrient input can be calculated with a high spatial resolution and according to its seasonal variation. At the same time, the impact of the rainfall on the nutrient input is being focused on in this project. ArcEGMO-URBAN models rainfall-runoff processes and pollution-transport processes in urban areas taking natural, technological and social parameters into consideration. Input data are meteorological and terrestrial data with a high spatiotemporal resolution as well as statistic data on the scale of municipalities. The digitally available spatial data are being analysed with GIS functions before the actual modelling and later merged to areas with similar attributes. Technological and social parameters are assigned to these areas which were derived from statistic data. The diversity of the input data and their high spatial resolution allow for the description of relevant processes differentiated on the scale of urban patches. The model considers different urban water technologies and their determined matter fluxes as well as different sewer systems. With regard to rainfall-runoff processes the following sub-processes are considered for this model: the runoff-generation and runoff-concentration on sealed surfaces, the runoff-transformation and combination with the dry weather flow in the sewer system, and the split-up of the runoff in retention tanks and waste water treatment plants. Referring to pollution-transport processes the following sub-processes are taken into account: the atmospheric pollution and surface pollution dependent on the type of land use, and the matter transport in the sewer system. The sub-processes of matter accumulation and matter erosion on the land surface can be calculated by using mean values of pollution or, more detailed, by using special functions for processes of accumulation as well as erosion. In order to guarantee an easy application, the model's conception allows the use of input data and parameters of varying accuracy. Both, either measurements or statistical data can be used for the calculation dependent on the available data. The model is programmed in "C" and, therefore, usable on every established computer system. The model's validation succeeds for several sub-processes as well as sub catchments. Results of the model's application in the basin of the Havel river illustrate that the model calculates similar annual matter loads when compared to established other models. Furthermore, the results show the potential of the model to calculate the seasonal variation of matter loads and to calculate scenarios by using GIS based parameters. ArcEGMO-URBAN therefore is a capable tool for the identification of nutrient input from point sources on the scale of river catchments. / Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Konzeption und Realisierung des Modells ArcEGMO-URBAN sowie die Modellanwendung im Flussgebiet der Havel. ArcEGMO-URBAN wurde entwickelt um die punktuell in Gewässer eingetragenen Frachten von Gesamtstickstoff und Gesamtphosphor aus urbanen Räumen auf der Ebene von Flussgebieten zu bilanzieren. Die Nährstoffeinträge werden mit einer hohen räumlichen Auflösung und in ihrer innerjährlichen Dynamik berechnet, wobei der Einfluss des Niederschlagsgeschehens auf die Stoffeinträge besonders thematisiert wird. ArcEGMO-URBAN modelliert die Niederschlags-Abfluss- und die Schmutz-Transport-Prozesse in urbanen Räumen unter Berücksichtigung von naturräumlichen, technologischen und sozialen Parametern. Eingangsgrößen sind meteorologische und terrestrische Daten mit einer hohen zeitlichen und räumlichen Auflösung sowie statistische Angaben auf Gemeindeebene. Die digital vorliegenden Flächendaten werden vor der Modellierung mittels GIS-Funktionen ausgewertet und zu Flächen mit gleichen Eigenschaften zusammengefasst. Diesen Flächen werden technologische und soziale Parameter zugeordnet, welche aus den statistischen Angaben abgeleitet wurden. Durch die hohe inhaltliche und räumliche Auflösung der Eingangsdaten können relevante Prozesse teilflächendifferenziert beschrieben werden. Es können sowohl unterschiedliche Wasserver- und -entsorgungstechnologien und die durch sie induzierten Stoffströme als auch unterschiedliche Kanalisationsverfahren berücksichtigt werden. Bezogen auf den Niederschlags-Abfluss-Prozess werden die Abflussbildung und Abflusskonzentration auf befestigten Flächen, die Abflusstransformation und Überlagerung mit dem Trockenwetterabfluss im Kanalnetz und die Abflussaufteilung an Sonderbauwerken bzw. Kläranlagen berechnet. Für die Berücksichtigung der Stoff-Transport-Prozesse werden die durch die Atmosphäre und spezifische Nutzungen bedingten Stoffeinträge sowie der durch die Kanalisation bestimmte Stofftransport berechnet. Die auf der Oberfläche stattfindenden Teilprozesse von Stoffakkumulation und -abtrag können über mittlere Verschmutzungswerte oder detailliert über Akkumulations- und Abtragsfunktionen berechnet werden. Um ein weites Anwendungsspektrum zu gewährleisten, ist das Modell so konzipiert, dass eine Parametrisierung mit Eingangsdaten unterschiedlicher Qualität möglich ist. Abhängig von der verfügbaren Datenbasis werden entweder konkrete Messwerte oder statistische Größen verwendet. Das Programm ist in "C" programmiert und damit auf jeder Rechnerarchitektur lauffähig. Die Validierung des Modells gelingt für einzelne Teilprozesse aber auch für Teilgebiete gut. Die Ergebnisse im Flussgebiet der Havel belegen, dass das Modell ähnliche jährliche Nährstofffrachten wie bereits eingeführte Modelle berechnet. Darüber hinaus zeigen die Ergebnisse das Potenzial des Modells, die innerjährliche Dynamik punktueller Stoffeinträge abzubilden und durch die GIS-gestützte Parametrisierung aufwandsarm Szenarien zu berechnen. Damit ist ArcEGMO-URBAN ein geeignetes Modell zur Bestimmung von Nährstoffeinträgen aus punktuellen Quellen auf der Ebene von Flussgebieten.

The Green River Formation was deposited between 53.5 and 48.5 Ma. The Angelo, Fossil Butte, and Lower members of the Green River Formation at Fossil Basin, preserve ash fall tuffs deposited in ancient Fossil Lake. 40Ar/39Ar dating of sanidine yielded eruptive ages of 51.29 ± 1.29 Ma and 52.20 ± 3.08 Ma for two of the tuff beds within Fossil Basin. Immobile element and mineral compositions of Fossil Basin tuffs indicate that most tuffs erupted from a subduction zone originally as rhyolites and dacites. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the tuffs' glassy matrices have been altered to illite, calcite, clinoptilolite, analcime, albite, and K-feldspar. The variable alteration of the tuff beds confirms previous studies of Fossil Lake's salinity fluctuation through time. One outcrop (FB-10), which was previously interpreted to represent the K-spar tuff, has biotite of different compositions from that in known K-spar tuff samples (FB-09 and FB-11). Tuff horizons from the Greater Green River Basin have feldspar and biotite compositions similar to those from tuffs in Fossil Basin and are interpreted to have the same eruptive sources. Based on age and proximity, the Absaroka and Challis volcanic fields are the likely sources of tephra deposits in Fossil Basin and the Greater Green River Basin. Calc-alkaline tephras in these lacustrine basins have similar magmatic characteristics to the tuff of Ellis Creek (48.4 ± 1.6 Ma) from the Challis volcanic field. However, major and trace element, and mineral compositions of Absaroka and Challis volcanic rocks are not distinctive enough to definitively determine the source of most Fossil Basin and Greater Green River Basin tephras. Two samples, FB-10 from Fossil Basin and WN-79.15 from the Greater Green River Basin, have compositions similar to calc-alkaline magmas, but have some mineral compositions with A-type chemical affinities; consequently we conclude that they were erupted from volcanoes within the Challis volcanic field. Compositions of Challis volcanic rocks may have important implications for the development of a slab window in western North America during the Eocene. Compositional variation of Challis volcanic rocks through time indicates that calc-alkaline rocks with a slight A-type component erupted early in its history, and as the slab window matured the Challis volcanic field dominantly erupted rocks with a more A-type chemical affinity. A slab window may have developed due to the Farallon slab subducting at a shallow angle beneath the North American plate, and gravity may have caused it to break to the north. Through time the slab could have torn to the south and by 50 Ma the slab window would have been opening beneath the Challis volcanic field. This would have erupted calc-alkaline magmas, but upwelling of the asthenosphere into the mantle wedge (beneath the North American plate) would have introduced A-type magmatism into the magmatic system. By 45 Ma, the slab would have matured and opened sufficiently beneath the Challis volcanic field to replace calc-alkaline magmatism with, first "transitional" magmatism, and then A-type magmatism as evident in the youngest Challis tuffs.

No description available.

[pt] A Agenda Ambiental Global tem como uma das principais diretrizes a redução da pegada ecológica para a produção de alimentos. Parte desse desafio está associada a vastas áreas de pastagem degradadas. No Brasil, 70 porcento da área total de pastagem utilizada pela pecuária é diagnosticada como degradada, representando 118,3 milhões de hectares. Nesse contexto, algumas estratégias podem ser usadas para reverter esse cenário, sendo uma delas a transição para um sistema de produção agroecológico sustentável, como o Sistema Silvipastoril (SSP). Como Estudo de Caso para esta pesquisa, foi escolhida uma paisagem tropical e montanhosa na região Sudeste do Brasil, com baixo potencial de mecanização, fato que diminui sua competitividade no agronegócio, contribuindo para um longo período de declínio social, ambiental e econômico, principalmente a partir da década de 1950. O objetivo da pesquisa consistiu em avaliar o SSP como uma ferramenta estratégica para a recuperação de terras degradadas da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Paraibuna (BHRP), considerando as três dimensões da sustentabilidade: social, ambiental e econômica. Para isso, foram levantados dados de 6 fazendas de gado alimentado, exclusivamente, a pasto: 2 (duas) de pecuária degradada em monocultura (PDM); 2 (duas) de pecuária produtiva em monocultura (PPM); e 2 (duas) de pecuária produtiva em Sistema Silvipastoril (PPSP). Um conjunto de indicadores foi desenvolvido e utilizado para avaliar princípios e metas que orientam a transição de sistemas de produção convencionais para sistemas sustentáveis. Os resultados apresentaram uma escala progressiva de evolução na sustentabilidade entre todos os sistemas de produção pesquisados como: PPSP (0,75) maior PPM (0,61) menor PDM (0,42), nos aspectos social, ambiental e econômico, sendo 0,7 o ponto de equilíbrio para a sustentabilidade e 1,0 o máximo. Dessa forma, esta pesquisa apresenta o alto potencial do SSP como ferramenta estratégica para recuperar as 3 dimensões da sustentabilidade em terras degradadas. Os principais benefícios são: a adoção de boas práticas de produção; a capacidade produtiva do solo; a diversificação da paisagem; a vegetação nativa; a saúde e segurança no trabalho; a rentabilidade e segurança do investimento; e a lucratividade. / [en] One of the main guidelines of the global environmental agenda is lowering the ecological footprint for food production. Part of this challenge is associated with vast areas of degraded pasture. In Brazil, 70 percent of the total pasture area used by livestock is diagnosed as degraded, representing 118.3 million hectares. Some strategies can be used to reverse this scenario. One of these is a transition process for a sustainable agro-ecological productions system, such as Silvopastoral Systems (SPS). As a case study it was chosen a tropical landscape in a mountainous region in the southeast of Brazil. It has low potential for mechanization, which decreases its competitiveness in agribusiness, contributing for a long period of social, environmental and economic decline, especially after the 1950 s. This paper aims to evaluate SPS as a strategic tool for the recovery of degraded lands in the Paraibuna River Basin (BHRP), considering the three dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental and economic. We surveyed data from six grass-fed cattle farms: two of degraded monoculture pasture (DMP); two of productive monoculture pasture (PMP); and two of productive Silvopastoral System (PSPS). A set of indicators was developed and used to evaluate principles and goals that guide the transition from conventional production systems to sustainable systems. The results presented a gradual scale of sustainability evolution among all production system surveyed such as PPSP (0.75) PMP (0.61) DMP (0.42), in social, environmental and economic aspects, with 0.7 being the breakeven score for sustainability and 1.0 the maximum. In this way, this research presents the high potential of SPS as a strategic tool to recover the three dimensions of sustainability in degraded lands, being the main benefits, a better: production practices adoption; soil productive capacity; landscape diversification; native vegetation; health and safety at work; profitability and security of investment; and diversification income.

Botswana is a water scarce country. Rainfall is highly variable, leading to limited surface and groundwater resources. Due to persistently dry conditions most rivers found in Botswana are ephemeral. The Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the numerous ephemeral river sub-Basins, in Botswana. Key environmental challenges, resulting from human activities, in the sub-Basin are: increased pressure on local resources due to overstocking, overgrazing and over-harvesting; reductions in wildlife numbers; denudation of vegetation and the resultant exposure of the soil to wind erosion. As a major step, to pilot implementation of river basin management in the ephemeral river basins in southern Africa, the Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the key areas identified for study under the Ephemeral River Basins in the Southern African Development Community SADC (ERBSADC) Project. This study was initiated, as part of the ERB-SADC project and its aim is to investigate the socio-economic status of the Boteti River sub-Basin and determine the potential for developing integrated management of water and land resources in the sub- Basin. Its key objectives are to identify and assess types and patterns of water use; to identify and assess key livelihood activities; and to critically assess community participation in water resources management in the sub-Basin. A questionnaire was administered to 293 households, a focus group discussion was held with twelve community representatives of six villages in the sub-Basin, six traditional leaders and five local government officers were interviewed as key informants, and informal discussions were held with three local farmers. Results from the study indicate low livelihood levels based on livestock and arable agriculture, high dependence on natural resources and low participation of communities in water management. The study concludes that a livelihood approach to integrated water resources management can help deal with environmental challenges and enhance community participation. / Environmental Sciences / Thesis (M.A. (Environmental Science))

Water constraints for humans and nature are gaining more and more public attention as a critical environmental dilemma that needs to be addressed. When aquifers and rivers are running dry, the debate refers to an ongoing “world water crisis”. This thesis focuses on the water and agricultural production complexity in a global, regional and local perspective during different phases of development. It addresses the river basin closing process in light of consumptive water use changes, land use alterations, past and future food production in waterscarce developing countries in general, and a south Indian case study basin in particular, the Bhavani basin in Tamil Nadu. The study focuses on early phases of global agricultural development and addresses consumptive use and river depletion in response to land use change and irrigation expansion. It shows that focus must be shifted from a water use to a consumptive water use notion that considers both green and blue water resources. The Bhavani basin development trajectory reveals a dynamic interplay between land and water resources and different socio-political groups during the “green revolution” period. The present system has emerged as a step-by-step adaptation in response to hydro-climatic variability, human demands and infrastructure constraints. The study reveals three kinds of basin closure: allocation closure; hydrological closure; and perception wise closure. Many concerted actions on multiple scales have contributed to an increasing water use complexity even after closure. The study shows the extent to which natural variability hides creeping changes, and that the “average year” is a deceptive basis for water allocation planning. Future consumptive water requirements to feed growing populations in the developing world is analysed with a back-casting country-based approach. The study shows a doubling of water requirements by 2050 and how the challenge can be halved by increased water productivity. Since blue water accessibility for irrigation clearly will be insufficient, additional green water has to be acquired by horizontal agricultural expansion into other terrestrial ecosystems. The task will be substantial and increase the importance of global food trade. / Vattenbrist för människor och ekosystem är en mer och mer uppmärksammad miljöfråga. Sjunkande grundvattennivåer och uttorkade floder gör att många talar om en ”global vattenkris”. Denna avhandling fokuserar på de komplexa sambanden mellan vatten och jordbruksproduktion utifrån ett globalt, regionalt och lokalt perspektiv under olika utvecklingsfaser under fyra sekler. Den redogör för hur avrinningsområden överintecknas och slutligen ”stängs” för ytterligare vattenutvinning. Effekterna av ökad vattenutvinning i relation till historisk och framtida matproduktion analyseras generellt i utvecklingsländer med vattenbrist, och i detalj i en fallstudie i Bhavani avrinningsområde i Tamil Nadu i södra Indien. Studien visar för den tidiga jordbruksutvecklingen på global nivå hur förändrad markanvändning och bevattningsexpansion leder till förändrad balans mellan evapotranspiration och avrinning, med uttorkning av vattendrag som följd. Den visar vidare vikten av ett paradigmskifte där fokus flyttas från vattenanvändning till ”konsumerande” vattenanvändning, och som inkluderar både grönvatten- och blåvattenresurser. Analysen av Bhavaniområdets utvecklingskurva under det senaste seklets jordbruksutveckling visar på ett dynamiskt växelspel mellan land- och vattenresurser och mellan olika samhällsgrupper. Den nuvarande vattenanvändningssituationen har stegvis växt fram som en respons på hydroklimatisk variabilitet, människors behov och infrastrukturbegränsningar. Studien påvisar att ett avrinningsområde kan ses som ”stängt” på tre skilda sätt: när flödet är överintecknat, när utflödet sinar, och när vattenanvändare upplever att behoven överstiger tillgången. Även efter ”stängning” har etablering och intensifiering av vattenutvinning fortsatt och resulterat i ett alltmer komplext och sammanflätat vattenanvändningsmönster. Studien visar vidare hur hög hydroklimatisk variabilitet, dels gör att ”genomsnittlig vattentillgång” är förledande vid planering av vattenfördelning i ett avrinningsområde, och dels döljer smygande kumulativa effekter av ökad vattenutvinning. Slutligen anlyseras ländervis framtida vattenbehov för att möta matbehovet i världens utvecklingsländer, vilket visar på en fördubbling fram till 2050. Tack vare ökad vattenproduktivitet kan behovet emellertid halveras. Endast en bråkdel av det resterande behovet kan mötas genom ökad bevattning, dvs. med mera blåvatten. En stor del av vattenbehovet måste istället täckas med mera grönvatten via uppodling av andra terrestra ekosystem. Uppgiften innebär en betydande utmaning och global handel med jordbruksprodukter kommer att öka avsevärt i betydelse.

This thesis brings together two responses to the question ‘how can the law extend the timeframe for environmentally relevant decision-making?’ The first response is drawn from the context of institutional investment, and addresses the timeframe and breadth of environmental considerations in pension fund investment decision-making. The second response is related to the context of public environmental decision-making by legislators, the judiciary, and administrators. Three themes underlie and bind the thesis: the challenges to decision-making posed by the particular temporal and spatial characteristics of environmental problems, the existence and effects of short-termism in a variety of contexts, and the legal notion of the trust as a means for analysing and addressing problems of a long-term or intergenerational nature. These themes are borne out in each of the four substantive chapters. Chapter III sets out to demonstrate the theoretical potential of pension funds to drive the reduction of firms’ environmental impact, and, focusing particularly on the notion of fiduciary duty, explores the barriers that stand in their way. Chapter IV provides a practical application of the theoretical recommendations outlined in its predecessor. It provides a framework outlining how pension funds might implement a longer term, more sustainable approach to investing. The second half of the thesis, operating in the context of public environmental decision-making, is centred upon a particularly poignant legal notion with respect to the environment and time: the concept of intergenerational equity. Just as the first half of the thesis deals with the timeframes relevant to investment decision-making by pension funds within the bounds of fiduciary duty, largely a private law affair with public implications, the second half of the thesis is concerned with the principle of intergenerational equity as a means for extending the decision-making timeframe of legislative, judicial and administrative decision-makers. As previous analyses of the concept of intergenerational equity provide little insight into its practical implications when applied to particular factual situation, Chapter V sets out the structure of the principle of intergenerational equity as revealed by case law. Chapter VI brings together the issues from the first three papers by conceptualising intergenerational equity in resource management as an issue of long-term investment. Long-term environmental decision-making faces many obstacles. Individual behavioural biases, short-term financial incentive structures, the myopic pressures of the electoral cycle and the tendency of the common law to reinforce the (often shorttermist) status quo all present significant barriers to the capacity of both private and public decision-makers to act in ways that favour the longer term interests of the environment. Nonetheless, this thesis argues that there is reason for hope: drawing upon the three themes that underlie all of the substantive Chapters, it articulates potential legislative changes and recommends the adoption of particular governance structures to overcome barriers to long-term environmental decision-making.

Botswana is a water scarce country. Rainfall is highly variable, leading to limited surface and groundwater resources. Due to persistently dry conditions most rivers found in Botswana are ephemeral. The Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the numerous ephemeral river sub-Basins, in Botswana. Key environmental challenges, resulting from human activities, in the sub-Basin are: increased pressure on local resources due to overstocking, overgrazing and over-harvesting; reductions in wildlife numbers; denudation of vegetation and the resultant exposure of the soil to wind erosion. As a major step, to pilot implementation of river basin management in the ephemeral river basins in southern Africa, the Boteti River sub-Basin is one of the key areas identified for study under the Ephemeral River Basins in the Southern African Development Community SADC (ERBSADC) Project. This study was initiated, as part of the ERB-SADC project and its aim is to investigate the socio-economic status of the Boteti River sub-Basin and determine the potential for developing integrated management of water and land resources in the sub- Basin. Its key objectives are to identify and assess types and patterns of water use; to identify and assess key livelihood activities; and to critically assess community participation in water resources management in the sub-Basin. A questionnaire was administered to 293 households, a focus group discussion was held with twelve community representatives of six villages in the sub-Basin, six traditional leaders and five local government officers were interviewed as key informants, and informal discussions were held with three local farmers. Results from the study indicate low livelihood levels based on livestock and arable agriculture, high dependence on natural resources and low participation of communities in water management. The study concludes that a livelihood approach to integrated water resources management can help deal with environmental challenges and enhance community participation. / Environmental Sciences / Thesis (M.A. (Environmental Science))

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T12:05:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maria Goncalves da Silva.pdf: 7545290 bytes, checksum: d2d0b32033e574f5829cacf879cb1d63 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-19 / The pattern of land use and occupation of the Cerrado associated with the expansion of the agricultural frontier, in the last 40 years, has been interpreted as causing environmental impacts observed him during this period, especially those related to intensive deforestation and indiscriminate use of areas with soils with low or null agricultural capability, although capable of extensive pastures. The Erosion processes have been described as the most significant, positioned after the remarkable loss of biodiversity, the most important and extensive in area. The present thesis analyzes the relationship between the land use valued at historical series started in the decade of 1975, agricultural suitability of land use pattern and the erosion and silting sites of the two combined basins for purposes of this study, called basins of the rivers Claro and Bois, tributaries of the upper Araguaia river in the state of Goiás. This area was considered in previous studies as the most affected by deforestation among the five sub-basins that make up the upper Araguaia river basin. The research was based an integrated analysis of the physical environment and biota components of the focus area, with base on remote sensing and GIS and pedotransfer criteria. The results are presented as scientific papers and reveal that the most intensive phase of deforestation occurred in the 1980s, when the Forest Formations were most penalized originally, followed by the Savanna Formations, that the conversion occurred in favor of extensive pastures, for which the area has good suitability soil and relief associates; that the numerous of linear erosion impacts, 395 linear erosion features placed in degraded pastures are concentrated in these areas, which predominate low discrepancies between suitability and actual use. As evidenced in the spatial analysis, it is confirmed the presence of 395 linear erosion features associated with degraded pastures. It is concluded that the area supports the pattern of initial occupation of the Cerrado by its conversion to pasture and that environmental impacts arising from the management of them more than this type of use. / O padrão de uso e ocupação das terras do Cerrado associado à expansão de fronteira agrícola, nos últimos 40 anos, tem sido interpretado como o causador dos impactos ambientais nele constatados nesse período, sobretudo os relativos ao desmatamento intensivo e indiscriminado de áreas com solos com baixa ou nula aptidão agrícola, ainda que aptos a pastagem extensiva. Os processos erosivos têm sido apontados como os mais significativos, posicionados após a perda notável da biodiversidade, o mais importante e extenso em área. A presente tese analisa a relação entre o uso do solo avaliado em série histórica iniciada na década de 1975, a aptidão agrícola das terras e os focos erosivos e de assoreamento das duas bacias conjugadas para fins deste trabalho, denominadas bacias dos rios Claro e dos Bois, afluentes do alto rio Araguaia, no Estado de Goiás. Essa área foi considerada em trabalhos anteriores como a mais afetada pelos desmatamentos dentre as cinco principais sub-bacias que compõem a alta bacia do rio Araguaia. A pesquisa baseou-se na análise integrada dos componentes do meio físico e biótico da área focada, com base em sensoriamento remoto e geoprocessamento e em pedotransferência. Os resultados são apresentados na forma de artigos científicos e revelam que a fase mais intensiva do desmatamento deu-se na década de 1980, que as Formações Florestais foram inicialmente as mais penalizadas, seguindo-se as Formações Savânicas; que a conversão deu-se em favor das pastagens extensivas, para o que a área apresenta boa aptidão dos solos e relevo associados; que os numerosos impactos erosivos lineares concentram-se nessas áreas, ainda que seja onde predominam discrepâncias baixas entre aptidão e o uso atual. Como evidenciado na análise espacial, constatou-se a presença de 395 focos erosivos lineares associados às áreas de pastagens degradadas. Conclui-se que a área corrobora o padrão de ocupação inicial do Cerrado por sua conversão em pastagem e que os impactos ambientais derivam mais do manejo das mesmas do que desse tipo de uso.