Qualidade e percepção ambiental da paisagem de sistemas agroflorestais na Comunidade Nova Geração de Cristo, Município de Iranduba – AM

Abstract

This study analyzed environmental perception and landscape impacts in agroforestry systems (AFS) cultivated by family farmers in the Nova Geração de Cristo community, Iranduba (Amazonas state, Brazil). The first chapter assessed landscape environmental quality of a single property located in the community using geotechnologies, based on CBERS-4A satellite images (2021 and 2024) to calculate the Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), classify land cover into five classes (water bodies, exposed soil, and low, medium, and high vegetation vigor), and extract landscape ecology metrics, including edge density, patch cohesion index, splitting index (SPLIT), landscape division index (DIVISION), and Shannon diversity index (SHDI). Results indicated expansion of areas with medium and high vegetation vigor, reduction of exposed soil and sparse vegetation, decreased edge density, and increased landscape diversity (SHDI), suggesting a less fragmented and structurally more complex landscape within the analyzed property. The second chapter investigated environmental perception among nine farmers (five with AFS, four without AFS) using semi-structured questionnaires, applying the Socio-Environmental Orientation (SEO) scale and the Environmental Perception Index (EPI). Farmers with AFS showed higher and more homogeneous scores in the Behavior, Knowledge, and Values dimensions of the SEO, with significant differences and large effect sizes. In the EPI, significant differences were observed for Soil and Biodiversity, with positive trends for Water and Production. All farmers agreed on well-being and landscape belonging. The correlation between SEO and EPI was positive (ρ = 0.628), suggesting interdependence between the two constructs. We conclude that, in the studied context, AFS are associated with changes in landscape configuration and in farmers' socio-environmental profile.