Human Visual Acuity in Analysis of Intervention in the Landscape of Coxilha Rica/Brazil

Abstract

The Drovers’ Paths are remnants of important land access roads from Rio Grande do Sul to São Paulo at the time of Colonial Brazil. They were built and used between the 18th and 20th centuries, particularly in the region of Coxilha Rica. The main objective of this research is to develop a method for decision-making applied to the territorial landscape management in the Coxilha Rica. The method consisted of generating criteria to map the visibility spot reached from the main selected points; define the human visual acuity, realize bibliographic research, use cartographic and historical documents, inter-views, as well as field surveys that enabled the identification, characterization and mapping of historical farms and drovers’ paths. After data processing, the information was entered into the cartographic database; the data were cross-checked and analysis was made of the visibility of the surrounding farms and stone-walled corridors. Quality assessments showed that, with the visibility polygons, and through the use of cartographic tools, we could cross-check between different levels of information and analyze landscape intervention alternatives in order to minimize environmental impacts. When applying the method in the Coxilha Rica it was possible mapping the visibility polygon, taking human visual acuity into consideration, based on historical farms and stone-walled corridors; and making spatial analyses to explore alternatives to intervention (installation of power transmission systems) in order to preserve the scenic environment of the region. In the end, the decision was by does not construct the system.