Publisher's Synopsis
The study aims to analyse the modifying processes of urban space and characterise the actions of the main modelling agents, in order to record the main changes in natural elements and environmental transformations, through image processing by Spring and Quantum Gis software, in relation to human action. The emergence of cities is directly linked and imbricated with human agglomeration, migratory movements, among other processes modifying the urban space such as industrialisation that occurred from the 19th century. The removal of vegetation is known as one of the most traditional actions of man on nature, even if it will regenerate. Such action causes changes in the biodiversity of fauna and flora, so the vegetation cover is a reference of environmental quality. Due to the speed of transformations, there is a need to use tools that enable rapid environmental assessment and that are relatively low cost. Thus, the use of techniques and instruments provided by Remote Sensing, with the aid of Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems.
