Hydrological services along topographic gradient in Cerrado-Atlantic Forest transition regions

Abstract

The loss of native vegetation in the last 30 years causes considerable damage to the provision of ecosystem services. Which concerns to hydrological services the offer is directly related to the conservation of soil and vegetation. Hydrological services can be classified as provisioning, regulating, cultural or support services and may vary with topographical gradient, vegetation composition, change in land use and so on. In order to promote environmental regularization in Brazil, comply with the agreements signed against climate change and recover environmental services, the Environmental Services Payment (PSA) policy has been consolidated. In this context, this project will seek to analyze the hydrological services along the topographic gradient in a riparian transition area between Cerrado and Atlantic Forest with high seasonality. Data will be collected from hydrological processes of water entering and leaving the system, in order to calculate the soil recharge. For analysis, the water services offered will be defined, the calculation to assess their offer and the differences between the services offered in relation to the topographic position in the relief. It is hoped that the results of this work can be used in decision-making for PSA programs involving water resources.