A TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN THE DUNE ECOSYSTEM OF QUINTÃO DISTRICT, PALMARES DO SUL/RS

A temporal analysis of changes in the dune ecosystem of Quintão disctrict, Palmares do Sul - RS

Abstract

Coastal areas, subject to constant changes due to erosive, depositional, and anthropic actions, face significant physical and ecosystem challenges. The change in land use and coverage exacerbates the loss of crucial habitats, such as dunes, essential for coastal protection ecosystem services. The aim of this study is to conduct a temporal analysis of changes in the dune ecosystem in the Quintão district. To achieve this, Landsat images from different periods were selected, and changes were analyzed through the semi-automatic classification of the images. Following the classification, the data were input into the Land Change Modeler in the TerrSet 2020 software, where transition, change, and persistence maps of the classes were developed over the analysis period. The results indicate a 993% increase in urban area in the district. Conversely, dune areas experienced a decrease in their extent by 34.45%. Given the identified environmental changes resulting from urban growth, the continuous monitoring of the suppression of natural environments in Quintão is proposed. This measure aims not only at preserving dunes as a fundamental part of the coastal ecosystem but also at mitigating the negative impacts associated with disordered urban advancement.