Potentialities of Land Use and Coverage in the Middle Course of the Mearim River Basin

Objective: Analyze the potentialities of land use and coverage in the middle course of the Mearim River basin, in the state of Maranhão, aiming to contribute to the development of strategies for the management and conservation of natural resources. Theoretical Framework: The identification of land use and coverage potentialities seeks to correlate the natural characteristics of a river basin with the forms of land use and coverage. By respecting these aptitudes, it is possible to promote sustainable development, balancing environmental conservation with economic growth. Method: Morphometric parameters (linear, zonal, and hypsometric) were used to characterize the middle course of the Mearim River basin. Data were obtained from the TOPODATA Project and MapBiomas and processed to generate maps and tables, enabling the calculation of the Rugosity Coefficient, a parameter for identifying land-use potential. Results and Discussion: Results indicate that the potential for pasture represented 52.5% of the area, while 63.6% showed potential for reforestation, highlighting the need for conservation practices to balance economic development and environmental preservation. Research Implications: The research reinforces the importance of conservation practices and balanced territorial planning, enabling the reconciliation of economic development with environmental preservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in the middle course of the Mearim River basin. Originality/Value: The study integrates geotechnologies and morphometric characterization to analyze the potentialities of land use and coverage in the middle course of the Mearim River basin, an approach rarely explored in Maranhão's regional contexts, contributing to environmental management and territorial planning.