This study reports on the use of GIS (Geographical Information System) tools for identifying and mapping landform units and soilscapes in a case study of a watershed in the region of Viçosa, Minas Gerais state, based on a topographical base map at a 1:50000 scale. Field work was undertaken to estimate the degree of accuracy of landform units / soilscape identification, obtaining an agreement of 72 % between the automatic and field work classification, and to correlate obtained soilscapes with dominant soil classes. After adjustments, a preliminary synthesized pedogeomorphic map was produced, which can assist soil mapping. The method of classifying landforms based on a digital elevation model (DEM) as well as on the calculation of landform attributes (elevation, slope angle, slope form) represents a quick and economic option, compared with manual drawing based on stereoscopical identification of landforms from aerial photographs.
SIG; digital elevation model; landform attributes; soils/landform identification
