Importance of physiographic studies in the municipal planning: example of the Botanical Garden of Poços de Caldas, MG

Abstract

The physiographic and landform dynamics of the area destined for establishing the Botanic Garden of Poços de Caldas were defined using geologic, geomorphologic and pedologic data, aiming to improve the knowledge of the physical aspects in order to promote and guide the sustainable land use. The Botanic Garden is inserted in an alluvial landform to that minor lacustrine landforms are associated. A regolithic cover is present, with variable thickness, constituted of materials with composition and characteristics of gravitational transport. The occurrence of outcropping or buried organic soils is restricted to the present and recent lacustrine landform. The physiographic units located at higher levels are the result of neotectonic displacements responsible by blocks uplift and base level changes. These units are associated with neossoils and cambisoils, which are mainly regolithic and concretionary. Five classes of land use and occupation were delineated in the area of the Botanic Garden.