Remote sensing-based analysis of land use in spring protection zones in Southern Brazil

Springs are important ecosystems that help maintain water quality and quantity and are legally protected in Brazil as Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs). They play a key role in aquatic ecosystems and help maintain biodiversity. The study aimed to characterize land cover in PPAs surrounding springs in the micro-watersheds of Jacarezinho, Paraná, Brazil. We mapped the springs of four micro-basins in the municipality and assessed vegetation cover in their PPAs using MapBiomas remote sensing data and geoprocessing tools. The results showed that agricultural areas predominate, with only 5.9% of springs having forest cover above 80% within their 50-meter buffer. The lack of native vegetation cover can increase sediment movement and erosion, threatening the survival of these water resources. The low forest cover across Jacarezinho's micro-watersheds highlights the vulnerability of these water sources and the need for targeted monitoring and restoration strategies to support water security and biodiversity conservation.