Author(s)

Valdir A. Steinke^*, Ercilia Torres Steinke, Mario Diniz Araujo Neto, Maria Ligia Cassol Pinto

University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil.

In this paper, we proposed a method for mapping the suitability of land for intensive anthropogenic use in the Maranhao River Basin, in the state of Goiás, Brazil. We analyzed existing 1:250,000 maps of the local geology, drainage system topography and geomorphological features. We generated new information based on our analysis, including a compilation of basic morphometric data and a map of the slopes in the basin, which we used to construct the geomorphological suitability map of the watershed. Our results indicate that 40% of the study area can support intensive anthropogenic use; the remaining 60% of the basin area is categorized as “fragile” regarding the expansion of intensive land use.

Morphometry, GIS, Environmental Management, Suitability of the Watershed, Land Use Policy

Steinke, V. , Steinke, E. , Neto, M. and Pinto, M. (2016) Proposed Relief Map of the Suitability of the Maranhão River Basin, Brazil, for Anthropogenic Use. Journal of Geographic Information System, 8, 351-360. doi: 10.4236/jgis.2016.83030.