INFLUENCE OF VEGETATION COVER ON WIND GUST ATTENUATION IN RIO BONITO DO IGUAÇU – PR

Abstract

The intensification of anthropogenic activities, especially agricultural expansion and the suppression of vegetation cover, has caused relevant changes in environmental systems, affecting the microclimate, atmospheric dynamics and the frequency of extreme events. In this scenario, geotechnologies play a fundamental role in enabling spatial analysis and monitoring of changes in land use and land cover, contributing to the understanding of associated environmental processes. This study aimed to analyze the influence of vegetation cover on the environmental dynamics of the municipality of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu – PR, with emphasis on the transformations of land use and occupation, using geoprocessing techniques as a subsidy to territorial management. The methodology was based on a bibliographic survey and the analysis of geospatial data from the MapBiomas platform, processed in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment through the QGIS software, with the support of Google Earth Pro for visual validation. Comparative analyses were carried out and thematic maps were elaborated. The results indicated a reduction in vegetation cover and expansion of agricultural and urbanized areas, associated with changes in the energy balance of the surface, intensification of heat islands and loss of ecosystem services. On the other hand, areas with greater vegetation cover showed greater capacity for climate and environmental regulation. It is concluded that the vegetation cover is essential for regional environmental stability and that the integrated use of geotechnologies is indispensable for environmental planning, impact mitigation and the promotion of sustainability.