This richly illustrated publication presents the mapping and the analysis of the characteristics and of the processes of land use in the state of Rio Grande do Sul...

This richly illustrated publication presents the mapping and the analysis of the characteristics and of the processes of land use in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The study reveals that 46% of the "Gaúcha"(referring to the state of Rio Grande do Sul) lands are occupied by livestock activities, and 29%, by farming activities. Moreover, the forest litters, mainly associated with diversified farming activities conducted by small producers, account for about 14% of the land occupation. Furthermore, the use of the areas covered by water, such as lagoons, account for approximately 7% of the total land use.

The release of the Map and of the Report on Land Use in Rio Grande do Sul happens today, August 12, at 9 a.m., in the headquarters of the Rio Grande do Sul IBGE’s State Unit, 1205, Augusto de Carvalho Avenue, Praia de Belas -Porto Alegre, RS.

The results of the studies on the land use in the Brazilian territory, conducted by IBGE, become indispensable parameters in the analyses of the environmental quality and of the socioenvironmental sustainability for the public and private planning, to the academic community and society in general.

The report can be accessed in the site of IBGE, on the link:

ftp://geoftp.ibge.gov.br/documentos/recursosnaturais/usodaterra/usoterra_RS.pd. and the map, on the

1: 1, 000, 000 scale, on the link: ftp://geoftp.ibge.gov.br/mapas/tematicos/tematico_estadual/RS_uso.pdf.

The results of the studies are organized in six chapters, three of them cover the report structure and two, the thematic analyses. The structure, in addition to the methodological procedures, brings a retrospection of the different moments of the occupation: from the Indian occupation, to the Spanish and Portuguese occupations, which preceded the colonization period by Germans and Italians, among other Europeans. It also discusses the role each historical moment plays in the present configuration of the state and of its social, economical and cultural characteristics.

The thematic analyses describe the classes of land use mapping, according to the analytical categories defined by the adopted Land Use Classification System. The structure was organized in five categories: Anthropic Areas, or occupied by men; Non-Agricultural areas; Agricultural Anthropic Areas; Natural Vegetation Areas; Water areas and Other Areas. The publication includes tables, pictures and photos.