Geo-environmental valuation of the GO-070 highway margins: route between Goiás and Itaberaí cities (Goiás State, Brazil)

Abstract

The approach to the Cerrado contained in this work is the result of the experience of a fieldwork of the discipline Morphopedology and Biogeography of the Cerrado (brazilian savanna), of the PostGraduate Program in Geography, of the Goiás State University. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the characteristics of the physical and biotic environment of Cerrado domain, at pre-established points and assess the environmental problems arising from the landuse process. The study was carried out on the banks of the GO-070 highway, between Goiás and Itaberaí cities, route that presents various forms of relief, soil types and geological structure, as well as several types of Cerrado vegetation cover. Fourteen points were chosen for data collection and analysis of the characteristics of the physical environment, of vegetation, of soil moisture, landuse and environmental problems arising. The study made it possible to understand the systemic relationship between the characteristics of the physical environment and the different vegetation types in the Cerrado and to understand the influence of the construction of the highway and of agriculture and pasture activities, in the biotic and abiotic environmental quality of the Cerrado.