Land-use and land-cover change detection of the aquidauana sub-region of the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands using geotechnologies

Abstract

The Brazilian Pantanal is the largest floodplain in the world, mainly influenced by water regime between periods of floods and droughts and presents a mosaic of different vegetation types, distributed in 11 sub-regions. The sub-region of Aquidauana Pantanal stands out for the development of extensive cattle ranching, which over the years has promoted the introduction of exotic grasses causing rapid changes and transformations in the landscape. This study aimed to analyze the changes in land use and vegetation cover the sub-region of Aquidauana Pantanal. The methodology was based on the interpretation and processing digital images described by Novo (2008), Jensen (2009) Florenzano (2011). The results culminated in six land-use/land-cover maps the years 1966, 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2013 statistically classified as very good to excellent according to statistical parameters (Kappa Index and Overall Accuracy), which allowed the understanding of evolution of Aquidauana Pantanal landscape over 47 years.