Multitemporal Assessment of Anthropogenic Pressure Through Land Use Change and the Anthropic Transformation Index (ATI) in the Piratininga Lagoon System Watershed, Brazil

Abstract

This study used remote sensing and geographic information systems to perform a multitemporal analysis of land-use changes and assess anthropogenic pressure using the Anthropic Transformation Index (ATI) in the Piratininga lagoon system watershed in the municipality of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We used a multitemporal approach with aerial photographs from 1976 (FAB-DRM) and high-resolution satellite images from 2003, 2013, and 2022 obtained from Google Earth Pro. The data were processed through georeferencing, manual vectorization, and classification into nine (9) land use classes based on the MapBiomas Collection 8 classification legend. The results show a continuous expansion of urban areas throughout the period analyzed, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas near the margins of the lagoon system, leading to the suppression of riparian vegetation and increased pressure on the aquatic system. Although forest cover has increased in recent years, this change is mainly associated with the regeneration of secondary vegetation rather than effective ecological restoration. The ITA value of 5.292 classifies the watershed as degraded, reflecting high anthropogenic alteration. These findings highlight the need to combine spatial indicators with environmental management strategies to support urban planning and ecosystem conservation. The proposed approach provides a robust framework for monitoring anthropogenic impacts on coastal lagoon systems and supports decision-making for sustainable watershed management.