Zoneamento ambiental como instrumento da gestão territorial da Unidade de Planejamento e Gerenciamento (UPG) Iguatemi, Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

This thesis has as its main objective the proposal of an environmental zoning framework as an instrument of territorial management for the Iguatemi Planning and Management Unit (UPG), with an emphasis on a systemic and integrated approach aimed at analyzing and interpreting the socio-environmental aspects of the territory. The study seeks to identify, classify, and map the physical and socioeconomic components that make up the landscape, with the objective of supporting proposals for the sustainable use of natural resources and the territorial planning of the study area. The choice of the Iguatemi UPG is justified by the growing expansion of productive activities, such as eucalyptus and soybean monocultures, as well as extensive livestock farming, which have exerted significant pressure on local ecosystems. These intensive land uses have contributed to the intensification of erosion processes, the fragmentation and discontinuity of native vegetation, the degradation of water resources, and the progressive loss of biodiversity. The methodology is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of authors such as Mateo Rodríguez (1994), who proposes a systemic structure for environmental zoning, and Brugnolli (2020), who emphasizes the importance of integrating physical and human aspects in territorial planning. For cartographic production and spatial analysis, tools such as ArcGIS 10.8.2 (ESRI®) are employed to generate thematic maps and cartographic syntheses, alongside drone technology for acquiring high-resolution imagery, thereby enhancing the accuracy of the environmental diagnosis. The presence of Indigenous territories and rural settlements within the Iguatemi UPG adds further complexity to the zoning process, requiring the inclusion of socioeconomic, cultural, and land tenure considerations. Critical elements analyzed include the concentration of wildfires, land-use and occupation conflicts, and the socioenvironmental vulnerability of traditional and settled populations. The study highlights that unplanned and environmentally disconnected land use is a major contributor to land degradation. In this context, the development of a detailed and technically robust environmental diagnosis proved essential as a preliminary step for any land recovery and management strategy. Therefore, this research seeks to integrate technical and scientific knowledge with the regional socio-environmental reality, establishing zoning as a strategic tool for analysis and intervention. It aims to contribute to the mitigation of environmental impacts, support the formulation of public policies focused on environmental conservation, and propose territorial management guidelines that promote the well-being and quality of life of local communities.