Ecological and Geomorphological Interactions in the Ubá Hydrographic Basin (MG)

Abstract

Considering the importance of interdisciplinary approaches within the scope of environmental sciences, this work seeks to establish an integrated analysis of ecological and geomorphological components for the Ribeirão Ubá’s River Basin. This basin brings together a highly illustrative framework for river management, featuring a rich diversity of geomorphological environments and anthropogenic activities that have led to changes in the river system. In this way, the integrated analysis made possible to identify the interrelationships between ecological and geomorphological aspects, especially for the segments close to the headwaters and impacted by the release of untreated effluents. The results expose the weight of anthropic changes in the bed and, thus, the relationship with the recurrent floods that affect the urban site, as well as the environmental degradation of ecological niches throughout the course, resulting in a silting, eutrophication and contamination by untreated urban-industrial effluents. In this sense, the investigation made possible to identify important challenges for hydrographic management in the area, as well as the importance of understanding river and ecological processes together, as well as the potential of these processes analysis as solid environmental indicators.