AVALIAÇÃO AMBIENTAL DE TRECHOS DE RIOS NA REGIÃO DE OURO PRETO-MG ATRAVÉS DE UM PROTOCOLO DE AVALIAÇÃO RÁPIDA

Abstract

Maintenance of the environmental quality of rivers is directly related to knowledge and control of the variables that interfere in their dynamics, either as a result of human action on the environment, or due to natural transformations. Rivers are subject to household and industrial effluents, besides other anthropic actions that surround them. These directly affect both their physical structure and their communities. Besides urban areas, degrading actions can also be observed, in the Units of Conservation of the few preserved areas where one can still find segments of rivers in excellent environmental conditions. This work presents the results of the environmental evaluation of segments of rivers in the Ouro Preto-MG region, accomplished through a Rapid River Assessment Protocol proposed for courses of water inserted in grassland and shrubby grassland of the savanna biome of the Minas Gerais highlands (cerrado biome). The application sites included segments of river in urban areas, segments inside a unit of conservation (Itacolomi, MG State Park) and segments in rural areas. The degree of environmental alteration at each sampling site was determined through the analysis of Rapid River Assessment Protocol. The results demonstrate the possibility of characterizing a body of water through physical and biological character parameters of the habitat, as well as the ease of application of the method used. Evaluation of the environmental integrity of any ecosystem is the first step in planning and implementing protection and restoration environmental programs and, therefore it is a complementary tool for natural resources managers and controller agencies. Keywords: Protocols. Environmental evaluation. Habitat. Rivers.