University of São Paulo: Climate Change Highlights Need for Comprehensive Data on River Basins

The Center for Metropolitan Studies (CEM) at the University of São Paulo recently launched two georeferenced databases that address Brazilian river basins, a topic that becomes even more relevant in times of climate change, evidenced by the lack or excess of rainfall in recent months.

José Donizete Cazzolato, a geographer and researcher in the CEM’s Transfer Department, explained that the center’s main focus is to disseminate knowledge to agencies and public policy planning bodies. “We made this adaptation to facilitate the analysis of socioeconomic data for each basin,” he said during the interview.

The new databases offer a comprehensive view of river basins, allowing researchers and institutions to carry out correlations and studies in the different municipalities that comprise them. The methodology used is not limited to following the natural limits of the basins, but considers the contours of the municipalities, which facilitates the analysis of social and geographic issues.

Database structure

The two databases are divided into different basin levels. The first database includes the large level one basins, such as the Amazon, São Francisco and Paraná, while the second allows for a detailed analysis of level two basins, such as the Tietê and Paranapanema rivers. “Our work is more geared towards researchers or institutions that intend to make correlations and conduct studies in the different municipalities that make up each river basin. The boundaries of river basins that we provide in our collection do not actually follow exactly the watershed dividers, but rather the municipal territories,” says Cazzolato.

The researcher highlighted the complexity of Brazil’s river basins, which range from large rivers, such as the Amazon and São Francisco, to small streams that may not appear on conventional maps. The division proposed by CEM takes into account the country’s water wealth and diversity, allowing for a more precise approach in research.

Those interested in accessing these databases can do so through the website of the Center for Metropolitan Studies. Cazzolato emphasizes that this initiative not only expands access to knowledge, but also encourages new research and the formulation of more effective public policies.