Human actions can damage the ecosystems and affect the services depending on them, with ample detrimental consequences. In earlier studies, the Conservation Use Potential (PCU) framework proved useful in assessing the capacity for aquifer recharge, suitable land uses and resistance to erosion at the river basin scale. On the other hand, the joint analysis of PCU and land uses allowed identifying the adequacy of current uses in relation to suitability (natural uses) in various basins. This was especially useful from the management perspective in basins with environmental conflicts, where current uses differed from suitability, because the PCU indicated how and where the conflicts should be mitigated. Besides the use as management tool, the PCU has potential to shed light over environmental issues such as ecosystem services, but that was not tempted so far. The aim of this work was therefore to bridge that knowledge gap and frame the PCU ' s application from the standpoint of Ecosystem Services (ES) assessment. We demonstrated how the PCU could be used to improve provision (recharge), support (sustainable agriculture) and regulation (resistance to erosion) services in a specific basin with land use conflicts (the Upper Rio das Velhas basin, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil), through the planning of suitable uses. It was noted that the studied basin is mostly composed of Very Low, Low and Medium potentials. These classes occur because steep slopes, fragile soils and lithologies with high denudation potential and low nutrient supply dominate in the basin. On the other hand, urban sprawl has a negative impact on all ES, while maintaining agricultural areas with appropriate management can effectively regulate erosion. As per the current results, the premise of using the PCU as joint management -environmental tool was fully accomplished, and is recommended a basis for public policy design and implementation in Brazil and elsewhere.

The city of San Martin de los Andes located in the Lacar department of Neuquen province, has experienced significant population growth over the last two decades. This growth has led to the scattered expansion of urban areas, resulting in the establishment of neighborhoods and settlements in areas prone to natural hazards. The objective of this study is to analyze the dynamics of the natural system by examining various variables (geology, geomorphology, vegetation, hydrography, soils, slopes, land use) to define landscape units. Subsequently, a survey of natural events from the past few decades that caused damage to people or infrastructure was conducted using web media. This made it possible to identify the most critical areas for population, which were later corroborated through fieldwork. The most hazardous landscape units were found to be those dominated by rocky outcrops and steep slopes composed of colluvial materials from weathering processes. The most frequent events detected were landslides, such as rock falls, debris flows and snow avalanches. The areas with the greatest impact are located on the slopes of the Curruhuinca, Comandante Diaz and Cordon Chapelco hills, due to the high exposure of infrastructure and population. Avalanches are primarily associated with winter activities. Additionally, it is important to note issues derived from flooding and waterlogging that mainly affect neighborhoods located in the Vega Maipu area, as well as part of the historic urban center, where Pocahullo stream overflows. The analysis demonstrated that defining landscape units and recognizing natural hazards provides a crucial foundation for mitigating and preventing risk situations.