Environmental degradation in the Rio das Antas hydrographic basin, Southeast Paraná

quantitative and qualitative analysis using the IDA´s methodology

Abstract

The environmental degradation processes are intensified with the implementation of unplanned activities, mostly, in the urban space. The hydrographic basins are fundamental in analysis of this nature, as they configure a well-defined spatially system. In this perspective, the objective of this article is to comprise the condition of environmental degradation in the Rio das Antas hydrographic basin, located in the municipalities of Fernandes Pinheiro, Imbituva e Irati, in southeastern Paraná. The methodology adopted in the analysis of the Rio das Antas basin is the Environmental Degradation Index (EDI), proposed by Brandão (2005), where are considered the parameters vegetation, soils, slope and demographic pressure. It was found the 51.38% of the basin area has moderate environmental quality, as these are areas where the imposed activities are causing environmental degradation. The areas corresponding to the municipalities of Fernandes Pinheiro and Imbituva, at the mouth of the basin, present high environmental quality (38.56%) due to the presence of the Floresta Nacional de Irati. The subcritical class, located in the urban area of Irati, corresponds to 10.05% of the area of basin. Therefore, measures to contain environmental degradation must be developed, especially in the upper course of the Rio das Antas basin, so that areas are recovered, protected and conserved.