ABSTRACT: Currently, the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) represents the main agricultural area of the country, comprising a great variety of landscapes and soils, geological formations and vegetation patterns, as well as the major watershed. We studied the hydropedology and morphometry of a representative catchment (Frutal river), on a high tableland (Chapada) in the Triângulo Mineiro region, Brazil, describing the soil-water-landscape relationships to understand land use and water resources. To this end, we applied physical, chemical, micromorphological, and morphometric methods. When dry, compaction was observed in well-structured Ferralsols (Latossolos) with medium texture under intensive agriculture, reducing the water recharge capacity. The soil carbon stock was highest in hydromorphic savannas (veredas), reaching an organic matter content of 316.8 g kg-1 in the studied Umbric Gleysols, representing poorly drained lowlands. Physical and micromorphological properties were relevant parameters to understand the water recharge in soil; in agricultural fields, bulk density tended to increase and hydraulic conductivity to decrease, particularly under long-term sugarcane; morphometric parameters in the Frutal catchment indicated a low flooding risk and high flow capacity. This reinforces the need for soil conservation strategies to enhance water infiltration and groundwater recharge, with a view to maintain the water longer in the catchment. For surface water dynamics, slope morphology is an important property, affecting soil erosion, water retention and crop productivity.

Resumo Áreas de Preservação Permanente e Reserva Legal são dispositivos legais que visam a conservação dos recursos naturais pela manutenção das funções ecossistêmicas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar alterações no uso da terra, entre os anos de 2002 e 2011, verificar a aplicação desses dispositivos na bacia hidrográfica do Córrego Bebedouro (Frutal, Minas Gerais), analisar as implicações decorrentes da alteração do Código Florestal, e propor sugestões para a conservação dos recursos hídricos. Para este trabalho, foram realizados os seguintes procedimentos: mapeamento do uso da terra na bacia hidrográfica; investigação sobre a ocupação da região; levantamento dos registros das propriedades rurais e Reserva Legal. O estudo comparativo da bacia apresentou a substituição de uma área considerável de pastagem por canavial, uma área insuficiente de Reserva Legal, e o aumento na área de vegetação ribeirinha no período estudado. As considerações finais sugerem opções de manejo para o aproveitamento dos recursos hídricos na bacia analisada.

Abstract Environmental Protection Areas are legal provisions aiming at the preservation of natural resources through the maintenance of the ecosystem functions. This study aimed to characterize the changes on the land-use between 2002 and 2011, verify the implementation of these legal provisions on the Bebedouro Stream Watershed (Frutal, Minas Gerais), analyze the implications of changes in environmental laws and indicate management options for water resource conservation. For this work the following procedures were performed: land-use mapping of the watershed; investigation on the occupation of the Frutal region; survey of records about the rural properties and Environmental Protection Areas registered. The comparative study of the Bebedouro Stream watershed showed the replacement of large pasture areas by sugarcane plantation; insufficient area of legal provision for biodiversity conservation and increase in the riparian forest during the period studied. Concluding remarks suggest management options for the water uses of the analyzed watershed.

Resumen Las Áreas Protegidas son dispositivos legales que tienen como objetivo la conservación de las funciones ecosistémicas. El estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar o uso de la tierra entre 2002 y 2011, verificar la aplicación de estos dispositivos en la cuenca del Arroyo Bebedouro (Frutal, Minas Gerais), analizar las consecuencias de los cambios en la legislación ambiental y proponer sugerencias acerca de la conservación. Para esto se realizaron los siguientes procedimientos: mapeo de uso de la tierra; investigación sobre la ocupación regional; levantamiento de los registros de las propiedades rurales. El estudio, comparativo de la cuenca presentó cambio de considerable área de pastajes por caña de azúcar, un aumento en el área de vegetación ribereña durante el período de estudio, sin embargo son insuficientes las áreas para la protección de la biodiversidad. Las consideraciones finales se plantean opciones de manejo para el aprovechamiento de los recursos hídricos de la cuenca analizada.