Adapting a rapid assessment protocol to environmentally assess palm swamp (Veredas) springs in the Cerrado biome, Brazil

Abstract

The exploitation and degradation of natural environments exert intense pressure on important ecosystems worldwide. Thus, it is necessary developing or adapting assessment methods to monitor environmental changes and to generate results to be applied to environmental management programs. The Brazilian Veredas (phytophysiognomies typical to the Cerrado biome) are threatened by several human activities; thus, the aim of the present study is to adapt a rapid assessment protocol (RAP) to be applied to Veredas springs, by using the upper course of the Vai-e-Vem stream watershed (Ipameri County, Goiás State, Brazil). Therefore, several springs in the study site were visited and 11 of them were considered Veredas springs. After the RAP was adapted, the instrument was validated and used to environmentally assess the springs in order to demonstrate its applicability. The present study has provided an instrument of option to monitor Veredas springs.

Analysis of the Conservation Status of Urbanized Tropical Springs in Southeastern Brazil

“…In this phase, due to the difficulty of accessing the springs, we adapted the protocol in relation to the criterion "qualitative monitoring". Adjustments can be necessary for the application of these instruments since features of water bodies can change according to climate, topography, geology, and vegetation (Guimarães, Rodrigues & Malafaia 2017).…”

“…Indeed, an integrated analysis such as the one provided by the PANÁgua considers a variety of different parameters with distinct weights for the final calculation, supporting the holistic interpretation of the environmental status of springs. It is unquestionable the use of these instruments to support processes of assessment, monitoring, conservation, and management of spring areas (Guimarães, Rodrigues & Malafaia 2017). However, it is necessary to look beyond the value given by the tool for the definition of priorities and strategies for recovery, mitigation and or conservation of springs.…”

The role of topography, climate, soil and the surrounding matrix in the distribution of Veredas wetlands in central Brazil

“…Even though this vegetation type is under legal protection, landowners still use it as a resource of water and grasses for grazing (Oliveira et al 2020). The use of the surrounding matrix changes the patterns of water percolation through the soil and can cause woody plant encroachment (Guimarães et al 2017;Ramos et al 2006), leading to changes in Veredas vegetation structure (Gonçalves et al 2021).…”