Spring protection and watercourse and its relationship with environmental quality in family property, in the Caparaó region of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Inappropriate use and management of land has generated processes environmental degradation, in which the increasing removal forest coverage impaired hydrological cycle, water soil quality. The objective this work is to know effects protection spring, initial part its watercourse, on conditions a family property. study was carried out property located Rainha da Paz Community, Alegre-ES, using indicators used for monitoring, at beginning September 2013 after one year (September 2014) Water Planters Project. quality evaluation clearly show that situation spring APP, APP around main watercourse inadequate, several mainly due occupation area with agricultural use, specifically pasture, occurring cattle trampling within radius 50 meters spring's permanent preservation area, causing compaction silting, showing high degree reflecting lack adequacy, thus not complying current legislation. project promoted improvements property, through natural regeneration native species, bringing gains floristic composition, addition conditions.