MODELING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES RELATED TO SOIL CONSERVATION IN THE CÓRREGO DANTAS WATERSHED, MUNICIPALITY OF NOVA FRIBURGO - RJ

This study applied the Sediment Delivery Ratio module of the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs model to assess ecosystem services related to soil conservation in the Córrego Dantas watershed, located in Nova Friburgo – RJ, a region prone to disasters caused by extreme precipitation events. Three land use and land cover scenarios were analyzed, focusing on afforestation and the reduction of sediment exports and soil loss. The scenario based on priority areas defined in a reference publication by the State Environmental Institute (Instituto Estadual do Ambiente) demonstrated the highest efficiency in reducing soil loss. While forest cover plays a role in erosion control, our results suggest that its presence alone is a limited factor, emphasizing the importance of incorporating slope, soil type, and hydrological connectivity into mitigation strategies. In this regard, the location of intervention areas for afforestation plays a crucial role in the efficiency of projects to achieve the functional objectives of the landscape, a factor considered determinant in the potential of forest cover to reduce erosion risk and provide ecosystem services. This work highlights the relevance of ecological modeling, and freely available tools, to support decision-making in sustainable territorial management and environmental conservation.