Caracterização e delineamento de banhados: estudo de caso no banhado do Taim

Abstract

There are several important issues concerning the theme of wetlands. Due to the specifics of their ecosystems, it is known to provide several important environmental services as well as important functions that need to be preserved. Nevertheless, they are considered the most threatened environments on the planet, with the state situation of Rio Grande do Sul highlighting this aspect, since over 10% of its territory is in wetlands and many are degraded or have already disappeared. To discipline their anthropic use it is necessary of them where possible occupy them, it is necessary to - in terms of preservation or even prohibition - technical studies using specific methodological criteria based on scientific data involving soil, vegetation and hydrological regime for its characterization and delineation. This could avoid misinterpretation of marshes, considered permanent preservation areas in the state, with other types of wetlands, avoiding conflicts, for example, with the traditional culture of irrigated rice. The main objective of this study was to emphasize that the knowledge and the technical distinction of marshes within the state's wetlands (characterization and delineation) is of vital importance for their conservation, considering the fragile situation of this type of wetland and the use of their surroundings. We have as hypothesis that soil indicators are central to what is proposed. The Taim Ecological Station case study revealed that its area has a variety of situations of wetlands that from the pedological point of view could not all be classified as marshes. From the studied areas it became evident that anthropogenic use changed the original water regime, what has to be taken into account to consider the use of the area as a conservation unit.