MACROSCOPIC ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN SPRINGS OF THE ONDAS RIVER IN WEST BAHIA

Abstract

The water springs are unique environmental systems that play a fundamental role in the conservation and maintenance of water resources, especially in the West region of Bahia, where numerous springs supply rivers of environmental and social importance in the region. Thus, the present paper aims to identify and assess macroscopic environmental impacts on springs of the Ondas river, Barreiras – Ba. From the application of the Environmental Impact Index on Springs, it was possible to identify and classify the degree of preservation of the springs and to discriminate the recurring environmental impacts of anthropic actions. Analysis of the parameters revealed that degraded vegetation, fires and close to homes were the most frequent and relevant impacts in the evaluated areas. The degradation of the Permanent Preservation Areas around the springs is considered to have a direct impact on their preservation. Thus, it is necessary to apply mitigating measures such as the isolation of the APP with fences, the removal of farm animals from the springs and the planting of native Cerrado seedlings, since they act in minimizing environmental impacts and recovering degraded areas.