Integrated Landscape Analysis in Serra da Formiga, Western Highlands Sector of the Borborema Plateau, Brazilian Semiarid Region
geodiversity; morphodynamics; pedogenesis; landforms; semi-arid region.
This work presents an integrated analysis of the landscape of the Serra da Formiga, located in the Seridó Potiguar region, seeking to understand how the relief, soils, geology, and environmental processes relate to and structure this mountainous environment in the semi-arid region. The research began with the mapping of the main geological, geomorphological, and pedological characteristics, using geoprocessing tools, Digital Elevation Models, slope and hypsometry analyses, as well as direct field observations. The results show that the Serra da Formiga is marked by a great lithological diversity, dominated by rocks of the Caicó Complex and the Seridó Group, which condition the strong dissection of the relief and the presence of elevated forms, such as ridges, steep slopes, and sharp peaks. Units such as the Sertaneja Surface and small inselbergs, which make up the surroundings of the mountain range, were also identified. Differences in altitude and slope directly influence erosion processes, drainage patterns, and soil formation, which are mostly shallow due to the resistance of crystalline rocks. This combination results in a complex and highly geodiverse landscape, typical of the semi-arid region, where the soil-relief relationship plays a fundamental role in environmental dynamics and land use. The study demonstrates that understanding these interactions is essential to support conservation actions, environmental planning, and sustainable management in the mountainous areas of Seridó.