EVALUATION OF MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS USING REMOTE SENSING PRODUCTS: CASE STUDY OF THE BENEVENTE RIVER BASIN, STATE OF ESPÍRITO SANTO, BRAZIL, AS A SUBSIDY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND TERRITORIAL PLANNING

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the morphometric parameters of the Benevente River watershed, located in the southern portion of the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil, through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS). To carry out this research it was necessary to carry out a bibliographic survey about the main topics addressed, such as the morphometric analysis of a watershed, watersheds, the use of geotechnologies in environmental analysis, among others. Besides this, the cartographic basesnecessary for the making of the maps, were accessed in sites of public institutions, such as the Jones dos Santos Neves Institute (IJSN), the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), and the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). The results of this research allowed for a set of conclusions about the study area in relation to morphometric parameters and their relationship with flooding and inundation processes, given that the study area is constantly affected by these events, and in many cases, enhanced by inappropriate land use and occupation. In this way, the study provides managers and society with a theoretical and methodological contribution about the watershed under study, helping them in the management and decision-making process regarding the environmental and territorial planning of the Benevente River basin.