The Upper Rio das Velhas region is part of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero geologic province, Central Minas Gerais State (Brazil), and is characterized by the conflicting use of the land, with intense mining development, increasing urban occupation and strong real estate expansion. The varied erosive processes, the silting of streams and general degradation are some of the problems that impact the environment. This study is the result of the analysis of morphometric characteristics of the drainage net and the relief of the Córrego Carioca, Córrego do Bação and Ribeirão Carioca basins; these streams are affluents of the Itabirito River, tributary of the rio das Velhas. The analysis aimed at the collection of information useful for the identification of the natural land which is vulnerable to human interventions, the understanding of erosive processes and the definition of the territorial zoning. This paper complements the analyses done in others studies which aims at the understanding of the superficial dynamics in the studied area. The Córrego do Bação and Ribeirão Carioca basins yielded morphometric indices that characterize them as the most vulnerable to human interventions and erosive processes. When it comes to real estate, the Ribeirão Carioca basin is the least restrictive to occupation. As it is characterized by a smooth relief, the development of small farms is recommended. We conclude that morphometric analyses contribute to understand the vulnerability of terrains to erosion, thus enabling a better territorial ordering of hydrographic basins.
Rio Itabirito; rio das Velhas; erosive processes; morphometric analysis; territorial zoning
