Land aptitude of Dourados River’s Basin for some species of eucalyptus crops

Abstract

The aim of this work was to generate Land Aptitude Maps for Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn, Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus urophylla St. Blake in Dourados River’s Basin by using Geographic Information System (GIS). The geographical area of study is located in Mato Grosso do Sul State between 21º 56’ S - 22º 38’ S and 53º 57’ W - 55º 57’ W. The medium annual rainfall in this area is about 1.400 mm and Cwa type climate. The soils are “Latossolos”, some “Argissolos”, “Neossolos Quartzarenicos” and “Gleissolos”. The environmental requirements of these species of Eucalyptus were based on their development in their place of origin according to the bibliography. Maps of soils, altimetry, hydrography, declivity, permanent buffer area and land use have been used to define a database system through the Brazilian software SPRING 4.1/INPE. Three maps were generated, due to the restrictions considered: one map of E. urophylla, another map of E. camaldulensis, E. citriodora and E. grandis and a third one considering management levels. As a result, more than 87% (except the legal reserve) of Dourados River’s Basin is promising for the development of the above mentioned species, considering seven management levels.