SPELEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF THE SUMIDOURO STATE PARK / MG

Abstract

Thematic mapping for the speleological potential of the Sumidouro State Park / mg. The Sumidouro State Park (PESU) constitutes a Conservation Unit located in the Environmental Protection Area (APA) Karst Lagoa Santa, between the municipalities of Lagoa Santa and Pedro Leopoldo, northern portion of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, housing a rich speleological heritage. Currently, there are 49 known cavities registered in the database of the National Center for Research and Conservation of Caves (CECAV). It is estimated that there are more caves inserted in the park not yet registered by the agency. Thus, this work aimed to develop a predictive model in order to indicate areas with a higher potential for the occurrence of caves, in the light of geotechnologies. In order to perform the speleological potential calculation, data were collected on the existing features that are intrinsically linked to the formation of caves: geology, hydrography, exokarstic features present in the study area, hypsometry and slope. After data acquisition, values were assigned to them and, through map algebra, it was possible to identify areas with a higher and very higher degree of potential for the occurrence of caves. Because of the development of this model, it is expected that it will have application in other areas of study. Future fieldwork should be carried out to confirm and register new cavities pointed out in the mapped areas, especially those registered as having high potential.

Keywords: karst; Apa; Lagoa Santa; speleological potential; multicriteria analysis.