Mapping Environmental Fragility in Anthropized Landscapes using Fuzzy Logic and continuous data spatialization

Abstract

Demographic expansion and intensive human activities have negatively impacted natural landscapes worldwide. The conversion of natural areas into anthropogenic sites often occurs without adequate planning, resulting in severe environmental and social problems. There is a constant search for the development of diagnosis and environmental planning methodologies to analyze the landscape in an integrated way. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the cartographic representation of different landscape attributes (i.e., soil types, rainfall regime, topography, land use/land cover, among others) are essential tools for understanding the environmental dynamics of a region. This study focuses on analyzing environmental fragility in areas near the reservoir of the Jurumirin Hydropower Plant in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, using a fuzzy logic-based approach and spatially continuous data. The results indicate a medium and high environmental fragility predominance, significantly influencing agricultural practices and land use. The fuzzy approach allowed for a more precise representation of transitions between fragility classes, enhancing the understanding complex interactions among landscape attributes. These findings significantly impact reservoir management and environmental decision-making in transformed landscapes.