Definição de áreas prioritárias para aplicação do Zoneamento Ambiental e Produtivo (ZAP) no estado de Minas Gerais na perspectiva do desenvolvimento agropecuário sustentável

Abstract

The Environmental and Productive Zoning (EPZ or ZAP in its Portuguese acronym) is an official methodology of the Minas Gerais State, aiming to provide a set of geospatial data that enable an integrated analysis for territory management in the hydrographic basins. It prioritizes the analysis of water resources, natural soil potentials, and current land use and occupation, aiming at conservationist planning of economic activities. Although EPZ is a strategic tool that provides a diagnosis that can support the adoption of important plans, projects, and programs necessary for sustainable agricultural development in the State of Minas Gerais, its use as public policy is not yet a reality. Thus, this work aimed to identify priority areas for the elaboration of EPZs in the State of Minas Gerais, considering their potential to provide information related to the development of agricultural activities in a sustainable manner, thus allowing public managers and interested companies to invest in the targeted application of the tool that meets their information demands. To do so, the scientific method employed used current geotechnology tools and geospatial variables related to EPZ to define priority areas for its application, in addition to the participation of specialists to weigh these variables. The results of the priority areas were presented at different analysis scales, considering different levels of watershed subdivisions as well as territorial delineations at the municipal, mesoregional, and hydrographic basin levels. Thirty priority hydrographic basins were identified, mainly concentrated in the regions of Triângulo Mineiro/Alto Paranaíba and Northwest of Minas Gerais. Among these basins, those of higher priority have higher water demand, areas of water conflict, and concentration of agricultural uses. The priority areas are consistent with most of the EPZs that have already been approved by the State or are under analysis; however, there is still a large area without EPZ diagnostic studies. It is expected that the definition of priority areas can support the government of Minas Gerais in the effective implementation of the tool as public policy in the state, contributing assertively and directed towards actions that can promote sustainable development of agricultural activities in the State.