Para além das belezas cênicas das quedas d’água do Distrito de Itaguaçu, São Simão (GO) : uma análise ecossistêmica da geodiversidade

Abstract

This research entitled 'Beyond the scenic beauties of Itaguaçu District waterfalls (São Simão/GO)' arose from the interest in knowing and spreading the Geodiversity knowledge of the geomorphological fluvial structure located in the Itaguaçu District in São Simão, Goiás, Brazil. It is understood that people build their relationships with nature and, through it, produce meanings and relationships. There may be physical structures or elements of Geodiversity that are configured as valuable in the nature, especially because they provide goods and services that can be related to various natural features. Therefore, the general objective of this work was to understand how the Geodiversity of Itaguaçu waterfalls is related to its surroundings in an ecosystemic way. Furthermore, the specific objectives were: (1) To investigate the historical-cultural relationship of the Itaguaçu District development with the waterfalls ecosystem services; (2) To describe and spatialize the physical-natural characteristics of the waterfalls and their surroundings; (3) To elaborate and analyze an illustrative and descriptive panel and/or Geodiversity ecosystem services map of Itaguaçu waterfalls. To reach the proposed objectives, the methodologies used were bibliographic and documental research, participation in public meetings and notes, field work, and production of thematic maps. This material allowed us to learn about and analyze the ecosystem services that were basis for the discussions. Several Geodiversity ecosystem services from Itaguaçu waterfalls were found, namely: cultural (leisure, recreation, potential for geotourism), supporting (habitat for biodiversity), regulating (regulation of water flow), provisioning (food supply and hydroelectric power) and knowledge (formal and non-formal activities). Finally, the various values that waterfalls Geodiversity possesses as well as the risks they are subject to, were recognized. Therefore, the allocation of qualitative values that were known found in this research can serve as an instrument for governmental actions to promote conservation, or, specifically in the case of Itaguaçu waterfalls, geoconservation.