Gabriela Lins Veiga,Rosangela Sampaio Reis, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, , rosangelareis_al@hotmail.com
ABSTRACT
The main factors responsible for the process of desertification are climate changes and human activities. Studies about this process are considered important factors when it comes to planning policy and rationalization of natural resources. The northeastern semi-arid is a region that suffers frequently with the socioeconomic impact left by constant drought processes. In that sense, this paper aims to map and analyze the process of desertification in the semi-arid area of Alagoas-Brazil, region inserted in the Drought Polygon, through satellite data and Geographic Information Systems. Satellite images acquired at different dates were applied to obtain the NDVI, index employed to detect the change of vegetation. Moreover, the images allowed the use of segmentation and classification techniques in order to determine different classes of utilization and land cover in the region.
PALAVRAS-CHAVE Desertificação; Sertão do São Francisco; NDVI