Technology and policy integration: modelling morphometric characterization and land use change using artificial neural networks in the Western Amazon

Abstract

This study aims to analyze in an integrated way the application of morphometric indices elaborated in geographic information systems and aspects of environmental management of water resources for the Micro Watershed of Garças River, located in the state of Rondônia. It used images with Digital Elevation Models (DEM) obtained by TOPODATA and Landsat 8 images obtained by INPE (the Brazilian Institute for Space Research). Subsequently, with the aid of the QGIS 2.18.0 software, the watershed was delimited, the NDVI and the slope were calculated and, based on initial data, morphometric characteristics were calculated. The watershed has an area of 1621.101 km², perimeter of 438.661 km and length of 82.04 km, with altimetry ranging from 77.8 to 177.8 meters, and form factor of 0.24, which characterizes a rectangular shape, indicating that the basin has a low propensity for floods. NDVI ranged from 0.187 to 0.49, and it has a coverage area of native vegetation superior to that of anthropized areas. Thus, the watershed morphometric study, together with data on use and occupation, provide essential elements for the planning of actions to be carried out in the watershed.