Sensoriamento remoto num contexto multidisciplinar: atividade garimpeira, agricultura ameríndia e regeneração natural na Terra Indígena Yanomami (Roraima)

http://marte.dpi.inpe.br/col/ltid.inpe.br/sbsr/2005/02.12.16.31/doc/prefacio.htmFollowing a large-scale invasion of their traditional lands by wildcat gold miners, numbers of Yanomami groups are today in a much degraded socio-economic situation, especially because of the impact of gold mining on their forest environment. A multi-disciplinary task force was formed to study one of these regions and come up with proposals to remedy to the situation. In order to quantify the extent of environmental damage, GIS and remote sensing were used to obtain quantitative data on the wildcat miners' activity and indigenous land use in the Homoxi area under study. Through the use of multi-temporal data, we also hoped to gather information on the dynamics of mining and on the process of natural regeneration. This article presents the results of the geographical part of the study, discussing the methodological options available in the analysis of wildcat gold mining and indigenous land use patterns. It also discusses the interactivity between the cartographical instruments used and the indigenous people's own knowledge of their environment, which appears to be a promising area for future research among the Yanomami