Geo-environmental Analysis of Watersheds on the Eastern Coast of the State of Maranhão, Brazil and Interface with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

A comprehensive geo-environmental analysis of the Eastern Coast Watersheds of Maranhão (ECWSM) reveals critical insights into the region's natural potential and vulnerability to anthropogenic changes. The study, utilizing geotechnologies and secondary data, maps key components such as altimetry, declivity, soils, vegetation, water resources, geology, and geomorphology, providing a detailed characterization of the ECWSM within the Western Atlantic Hydrographic Region. This mapping contributes significantly to environmental zoning and land management planning in the region, which interfaces with the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The analysis highlights the ecological potential and biological productivity of conservation units within these watersheds, supporting traditional economic activities while revealing proxies of Holocene landscape evolution. The research underscores the importance of integrating geological, hydrological, and climatic data to understand the complex interactions shaping the region's environment.

Machado, A. M. B., Silva, E. V. d., Soares, L. S., Bandeira, A. M., Castro, A. C. L. d., Borges, J. d. O., Serra, L. A., Soares, L. A., & Santiago, D. R. (2023). Geo-environmental Analysis of Watersheds on the Eastern Coast of the State of Maranhão, Brazil and Interface with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física, 16(1), 227–250. https://doi.org/10.26848/rbgf.v16.1.p227-250