Riparian vegetation affected by bank erosion in the lower São Francisco river, Northeastern Brazil
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Universidade Federal de Viçosa
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Changes in the hydrological regime of the Lower São Francisco River, located in NortheasternBrazil have brought negative environmental impacts, jeopardizing the flora and fauna of a global biodiversityhotspot, due to implementation of hydroelectric power dams and surface water withdrawal for irrigation inpublic and private perimeters. Remnants of the riparian stratum associated to the riverbank destabilizationin six fragments were studied by surveying trees, shrubs, herbs, and aquatic species. The calculation of theFactor of Safety (FS) was performed in order to understand the riverbank s stability related to soil textureand vegetation cover. An overall number of 51 botanic families distributed in 71 genera and 79 species wererecorded, predominantly from the families Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, and Fabaceae. The fragmented riparianvegetation is mostly covered by secondary species under a strong anthropogenic impact such as deforestation,mining and irrigation, with an advanced erosion process in the river margins. Strong species that withstandthe waves present in the river flow are needed to reduce the constant landslides that are mainly responsiblefor the river sedimentation and loss of productive lands. A lack of preservation attitude among the locallandholders was identified, and constitutes a continuing threat to the riparian ecosystem biodiversity.
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Agrociencias