The objective of this study is to identify degradation levels of the riparian forests using Geographic Information System (GIS) to determine the categories of degradation found in the Unit for Water Resources Management of the Tietê-Jacaré in the city of São Carlos - SP, Brazil. The method consisted in the use of visual interpretation of satellite images Landsat 5 of the study area, field samplings and the development of procedures to classify the degradation levels of the riparian forests. A map of the degradation categories of the riparian forests was generated, which provided evaluating degraded sites, with forest and regeneration stages. The interpretation of satellite images to identify the degradation levels of the riparian forests is presented as a good instrument to subsidize information on the riparian forests of the drainages and headwaters of a watershed. Another possibility corresponds to monitoring the development of degradation or recovery of those forests.
Permanent Preservation Areas; satellite image; watershed; riparian forest