This work presents an approach based on the combination of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) tools for the landscape integrated mapping within hierarchical zoning guidelines and Landscape Ecology principles. Physical, ecological and social variables are integrated using the multivariate analysis of these factors to the categorization of landscape units. The methodological approach included the following stages: a) landscape variables organization and processing in a GIS and object-oriented based image analysis (GEOBIA) environment; b) landscape hierarchical zoning in landscape “geons” and Landscape Planning Units (UPP’s) c) multivariate analysis of the UPP’s result with the definition of two landscape hierarchical levels (holons). The landscape units mapping and multivariate analysis allows the understanding of the spatial distribution and patterns of the investigated landscape. The landscape hierarchical zoning developed here brings a contribution of the GEOBIA approach considered potential for analyzing and integrating GIS and Remote Sensing data in this kind of study.
Landscape Ecology; Geographic Object-oriented Based Image Analysis; land use and land cover; landscape dynamics
