Mapeamento e caracterização geomorfológica da “Serra de Santana” e do seu entorno, no semiárido potiguar

Abstract

The summit surfaces of the Brazilian semiarid region present unique landscapes and environmental characteristics that contrast greatly with the lower surfaces, such as a milder climate, refuges for fauna and flora, aquifers, among others. However, the growing expansion of economic activities, such as wind farms and tourism ventures, has been leading to increased degradation of these environments. In this context, studies on mapping and characterizing the physical environment of these areas become even more relevant as a subsidy for environmental planning and land use. The objective of this research was to characterize and map the geomorphological “Serra de Santana” and its surroundings, in the semiarid region of Rio Grande do Norte. Field activities and office analyses were carried out, with the production of thematic maps in a GIS environment using the QGIS software. Six relief units were identified: i) plains and river terraces; ii) plateaus; iii) mountains and plateaus; iv) Sertaneja Surface I; v) Sertaneja Surface II; vi) dissected hills. Although popularly known as “Serra de Santana”, geomorphologically it is classified as a “plateau”. The area has a tabuliform relief, with steep edges and is associated with sedimentary coverings of the Serra do Martins Formation. Considering the physical aspects of the landscape and the conceptual geomorphological aspects, it is important that Geosciences works portray the area in focus as “Chapada de Santana”, in order to avoid greater conceptual confusion in the teaching-learning environment. The tabuliform relief of the area, associated with deep and porous soils, such as Latossolos (Oxisols), favors water infiltration and percolation, resulting in important aquifers in the middle of the Brazilian semiarid region. The unbridled use and occupation of this area can cause a series of environmental problems. The existence of ferruginous concretions (laterites) favors the support of the relief of the plateau against denudation processes.