Detection of change in the use and coverage of land over 10 years (2007 and 2017) of the Chapada das Mesas National Park, Maranhão

Abstract

Conservation units are impacted over the years by the process of anthropization in their areas, such as the Chapadas das Mesas National Park (PNCM), located in the southern state of Maranhão, between the municipalities of Carolina, Estreito and Riachão, which already has significant changes in its natural characteristics. It is inserted in the Cerrado biome, with great ecological biodiversity and the existence of numerous springs that supply mainly the Tocantins river basin. In this context, the general objective is to comparatively analyze the effects of land use and land cover of the Chapadas das Mesas National Park in 2007 and 2017, worked on the 100,000 scale. The methodology used in this research consisted of bibliographic review and the use of the Geographic Information System (GIS), with the SPRING and QGIS software to structure the geographic data. Among the results achieved, the most aggravating factor is the increase in agriculture with cyclic crops and burning, because of the increase in human occupation within this conservation unit. Research using remote sensing is considered of paramount importance in supporting procedures and strategies for improving National Parks planning and territorial management policies.