Water and Ecosystem Services in the Landscape Planning of Wetland Areas in the Rio das Ostras basin

Abstract

This study is dedicated to landscape planning based on water management in watersheds, guided by the enhancement of ecosystem services present in wetlands. It encourages discussion on flood areas as spaces of ecological value with potential to mitigate the negative effects of climate change, providing, alongside public open space systems, opportunities for experiencing nature and exercising the right to landscape.

The watershed of the Rio das Ostras, located in the Coastal Lowlands of the state of Rio de Janeiro, is adopted as the study area, where cartographic analyses made it possible to systematize the main conflicts and demands of the watershed. The proposed intervention is the creation of a water management plan that employs Green and Blue Infrastructure to enhance its biophysical and socio-cultural dynamics through an ecosystem-based, decentralized, and inclusive planning approach.

This research aims to contribute to the qualified management of wetlands, promoting increased connectivity and ecological interaction among open space systems, as well as enriching the sensitive experience of the landscape. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of landscape architecture professionals in the development of plans and projects focused on the watershed scale.