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Development and Application of an Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) for Identifying Priority Restoration Areas in the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil

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  • Clívia Dias Coelho

    (Department of Technology in Civil Engineering, Computing, Automation, Telematics and Humanities, Campus Alto Paraopeba, Federal University of São João Del-Rei, Ouro Branco 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Demetrius David da Silva

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Ricardo Santos Silva Amorim

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Bruno Nery Fernandes Vasconcelos

    (Department of Soils, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Ernani Lopes Possato

    (Department of Forestry Engineering, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Elpídio Inácio Fernandes Filho

    (Department of Soils, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Pedro Christo Brandão

    (Department of Soils, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • José Ambrósio Ferreira Neto

    (Department of Rural Economy, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

  • Lucas Vieira Silva

    (Department of Soils, Campus Universitário, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa 36301-160, MG, Brazil)

Abstract

The environmental vulnerability diagnosis of a river basin depends on a holistic analysis of its environmental aspects and degradation factors. Based on this diagnosis, the definition of priority areas where interventions for environmental recovery should be carried out is fundamental, since financial and natural resources are limited. In this study, we developed a methodology to assess these fragilities using an environmental vulnerability index (EVI) that combines physical and environmental indicators related to the natural sensitivity of ecosystems and their exposure to anthropogenic factors. The developed EVI was applied to the headwater region of the São Francisco River Basin (SFRB), Brazil. The proposed index was based on the AHP multicriteria analysis and was adapted to include four variables representative of the study area: Land Use Adequacy, Burned Area, Erosion Susceptibility, and quantitative water balance. The EVI analysis highlighted that the presence of easily erodible soils, associated with sloping areas and land use above their capacity, generate the most vulnerable areas in the headwaters of the SFRB. The highest EVI values are primarily linked to regions with shallow, easily erodible soils like Leptosols and Cambisols, found in steep areas predominantly used for pasture. In the SFBR, the greatest vulnerability was observed within a 5 km buffer around conservation units, covering approximately 32.4% of the total area. The results of this study indicate where resources should be applied for environmental preservation in the basin under study, directing the allocation of efforts to areas with lower resilience to maintain ecosystem services.

Suggested Citation

  • Clívia Dias Coelho & Demetrius David da Silva & Ricardo Santos Silva Amorim & Bruno Nery Fernandes Vasconcelos & Ernani Lopes Possato & Elpídio Inácio Fernandes Filho & Pedro Christo Brandão & José Am, 2024. "Development and Application of an Environmental Vulnerability Index (EVI) for Identifying Priority Restoration Areas in the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:9:p:1475-:d:1476393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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