Environmental Impact Of An Informal Settlement On A Headwater Area At High-Risk Of Erosion In Brazil

Abstract

Extended Abstract One of the most preserved remaining areas of Atlantic Forest in the Belo Horizonte City (Minas Gerais, Brazil) is located at the Izidora basin, a tributary of thw Sao Francisco River, comprising 950 hectares and hosting around 280 headwaters. The preserved Macacos stream (2,6 km²) regarding water quality receives many tributaries small streams, highlighting three main headwaters (19°48'27.43"S, 43°54'26.82"O) with a topographical factor from 0 to 9.83. However, these streams are located in an area that has faced an intense informal urbanization process by 4.500 low-income families (“Victoria settlement”), resulting in vegetation losses and a