Effects of native vegetation recovery on soil loss

Abstract

Considering the economic and environmental damages caused by soil loss, it is clear the necessity of information about the effect that vegetation has on soil loss rate. The present paper uses the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation with the objective of investigating soil loss under a native vegetation recovery (Atlantic Forest) and present conditions in the Guandu river basin, located in the Southwest portion of Brazil. It was identified that reforesting 8.11% of the basin, it would promote 28.73% reduction in the mean annual soil loss compared to the actual land use. Although the paper uses a particular vegetation recovery situation (areas protected by the Brazilian Forest Code), the intention here was to clarify the role that any native vegetation protection exercises on soil loss.