Analysis of the Conservation Status of Urban Springs in Brazil: a case of study in São Carlos/SP

Abstract

Springs play an important role in maintaining the hydrological cycle, thus spring management is essential for improving the population’s quality of life. In this sense, this research aimed to analyze the conservation status of three springs in the watersheds of Mineirinho and Paraíso streams located in the city of São Carlos/SP, Brazil, in order to understand the possible causes of their conditions. We applied the Integrated Assessment and Monitoring Protocol for Springs of Water Streams (PANÁgua), whose structure is summarized in three stages: field assessment, bibliographic research, and analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). We identified that the three springs in both studied watersheds are in a poor conservation status. There is evidence that most impacts present in all three springs are related to intense anthropic actions that resulted in a lack of natural vegetation, the presence of strong erosion processes, irregular dumping of sewage, and pluvial water runoff. Furthermore, the disposal of various solid residues in the Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA) of the studied springs was also observed. The results show the need to prioritize environmental management actions in urbanized watersheds, as well as expand research on the status of watersheds in Brazil.