Evaluation of land use effects on the natural landscapes of São Carlos - São Paulo, Brazil

Anthropogenic actions influence most landscapes and the resulting mosaic is a mix of natural and anthropogenic landscape elements that vary in size, shape, pattern and structure. Measures of landscape patterns can quantitatively analyze landscape structure. This study aimed to analyze the effects of land use and land cover on the spatial and temporal patterns in the landscapes of São Carlos, Brazil, from 2003 to 2013. A set of Environmental Quality Indices (EQI) was used to analyze the susceptibility of the ecological components to the effects of human activities. The Environmental Quality Index of Water Resources, the Environmental Quality Index of Vegetation, and the Environmental Vulnerability
Index were used to assess the condition of ecological sustainability of the landscape. A reduction in the areas of native vegetation over time was identified with loss of 31% in ten years, representing over 3,067 ha, an expansion of agricultural areas of 40% and consequently a reduction of the environmental quality in the landscapes of São Carlos. These impacts compromise ecosystem structure and ecosystem services, e.g. through impacts on soils that support vegetation cover as the major sources of energy for terrestrial life. The observed intensification of anthropogenic activities and the corresponding reduction of natural areas often lead to the loss of biodiversity and the benefits that its ecosystem services provide to people.