Hydro-geomorphological evaluation: application of ihg in a watershed on grande vitória metropolitan region (ES)

Abstract

Hydro-geomorphological changes has been occurring on watersheds with different magnitudes and frequencies. This work, therefore, aims to evaluate the hydro-geomorphological quality of the main riverbed of the Duas Bocas river (date of reference: 2019), on the Grande Vitória Metropolitan Region (ES/Brazil), to help the planning and environmental managing of rivers. The cartographical database used to fulfill this work includes the 2019 ortho-photomosaic and DEM with a 5x5 m spatial resolution; the drainage was modified from the original provided by IEMA, and finally, reconnaissance and field checking. The hydro-geomorphological classification of the riverbed was made applying the Ollero et al. (2009) proposal. Based on the cartographic information, the main riverbed was divided into five segments, 5.66 km long. The results show that the segment number 1 was hydro-geomorphologically classified as very good, due to the geoenvironmental conditions. As for the sector 3, it was classified as a transition segment. Urbanization, road construction, bridges, dams and agropastoral activities influence to a deficient quality on sectors 4 and 5. Sector 2 was classified as very bad, because of the Duas Bocas reservoir. Finally, the method appears to be effective for application in hot and humid tropical regions, incorporating the anthropic role over the hydro-geomorphologic processes.