Analysis of susceptibility to desertification in the municipality of Pentecoste-CE

Abstract

The present work aims to carry out an analysis of the susceptibility to desertification in the municipality of Pentecoste, based on the application of five geobiophysical indicators of desertification: permoporosity of lithotypes; slope; soil thickness; soil erosion and vegetation cover, based on the methodology of Oliveira, Semedo and Oliveira (2014) and Oliveira (2011). The research was divided into three stages: data collection, diagnosis and fieldwork. The results demonstrate that the predominance of reliefs with less rugged topography, as in the case of the plains and sertaneja depression units, allows the development of use and occupation practices, such as urban expansion, agricultural and extractive activities. The association of Luvisols, Planosols and Argisols are classified as moderately shallow, present moderate to strong limitations to agricultural use and are related to the occurrence of erosion processes in the study area. Soil degradation is most noticeable in areas with thin soil that have had their horizons removed by the direct influence of anthropogenic actions and exhibit areas of bare soil with the presence of rockiness and detrital pavement. It is noteworthy that the stony floor commonly found in the Pentecoste Sertaneja Depression shows the removal of fine material by erosion, exposing the loss of horizons and clear marks of strong degradation and desertification. The area also demonstrates environmental impacts, mainly related to deforestation, fires and disfigurement of the landscape, caused by human pressure on the vegetation of Pentecoste.