FOUR DECADES OF HYDROLOGICAL PROCESS SIMULATION OF THE ITACAIÚNAS RIVER WATERSHED, SOUTHEAST AMAZON

Abstract

The impacts of anthropogenic degradation are becoming increasingly more evident in the Amazon and are jeopardizing its environmental systems and water resources, particularly in low monitored watersheds. Thus, the use of hydrological models is necessary to gain an understanding of these impacts on Amazonian river systems. The aim of this study was to analyze the simulation of some hydrological processes in the Itacaiúnas River watershed and its relation with human-induced impacts in the Southeast region of the Pará state using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. SWAT modeling requires several databases, such as relief, land use and land occupation, soil type, and climatic and hydrological variables. These data are input parameters for the SWAT model. The results showed that the hydrological variables in the Amazon tend to follow the seasonal precipitation cycle, with the highest values occurring between January and June and lowest between July and November. It was evident that base and lateral flows are responsible for maintaining perennial river flow during the dry season. Regarding anthropogenic actions in the watershed, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and sediment transportation are clearly affected by environmental degradation, as well as by the replacement of forest by grassland and mining activities. The results may assist in public policy including mitigation and adaptation of environmental systems in the region. In addition, they can improve the management of natural resources in the Itacaiúnas River watershed.