Environmental and edaphic analysis in a peri-urbanization area

Abstract

The environmental and edaphic characteristics and soil conditions are crucial in the process of pedogenesis and the soil use capacity. In the hydrographical basin of the Covões, close to the Coimbra town, were assessed seven environmental variables and soil chemical and physical characteristics that determine the soil use capacity. The article presents the mapping of land use capacity, appearing represented the classes B, Bh, C, Cs, D, Ds and E. The characterization highlights the predominance of soils with low productive capacity and ability essentially for forest or agricultural use rather intensive. The area has been presenting a high peri-urbanization process. The analysis focused on the land use in the years 1958 and 2002, demonstrating the importance of forest occupation, the high loss of agricultural use, together with the increase in urban areas and with equipment and infrastructure. The analysis reveals the increase of urban occupation in soil class C and D; the decrease in   agricultural land occupation in classes E, D and C; the increase of forest areas in classes E, D and C and the increase of bare areas with little or no vegetation in E class and of soil capacity.