Morphometric Transformations of the Perdizes and Fojo Watersheds in Campos do Jordão, SP, Brazil: Land Use/Land Cover Changes after 12 Years, with Focus on Urbanized Areas

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare urbanized areas, supplemented by additional information such as tree vegetation, areas without vegetation, and the presence of agriculture in the Fojo and Perdizes watershed located in Campos do Jordão, SP, Brazil, 12 years after their characterization, using supervised classification methods.   Theoretical Framework: The use of geotechnologies for the assessment of the LULC change allows the holistic visualization of the area, compared to former studies.   Method: The base image for the study was generated through the Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin, with Sentinel-2 satellite spectral data as the base. Land use and cover classifications were conducted through Quantum GIS, with the Orfeo Toolbox plugin  as the supervised classification tool.   Results and Discussion: The results obtained reveal significant land use changes in Campos do Jordão, specifically on Fojo watershed, where there was a 48% decrease of urban land use.   Research Implications: The theoretical implications of the research contributes to the future study of other environmental interest areas, allowing the classification of other regions, encouraging future researches of land use and cover changes, influencing other areas such as geoprocessing, urban planning and ecology.   Originality/Value: Usage of modern technologies for the assessment of land use change in an area previously studied can evidentiate recent changes, in this case, the great reduction of urbanized area in Campos do Jordão. The results obtained through the study may influence further scientific research especially for geoprocessing, as new technologies aid a better understanding.