Abstract
Water erosion modeling is a fast and accurate way to estimate erosion potential in watersheds. Among the models, we have the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) which has a simple structure, low implementation cost and can be used with readily available information, contributing to the planning of soil conservation practices. In this context, the objective of the work was to apply RUSLE to estimate water erosion in the Córrego da Laje watershed affluent directly from the reservoir of the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant, located in the south of Minas Gerais, a region of southeastern Brazil. In this region, water erosion is a serious problem that has caused the silting up of the hydroelectric reservoir and the depreciation of water quality. Soil losses were calculated in Geographic Information System based on topographic, edaphoclimatic characteristics, soil cover, and management practices. The average soil loss of the watershed was 26.80 Mg ha-1 year-1 with the predominance of highintensity erosive rates (> 15 Mg ha-1 year-1). Considering the basin use classes, sediment generation was higher in pasture areas (35.87 Mg ha-1 year-1), and in areas under maize cultivation (32.05 Mg ha-1 year-1). As areas with severe erosion are distributed throughout the watershed, a comprehensive water erosion mitigation plan should be adopted to reduce the environmental damage of the process.
Highlights
Water erosion is the main process of degradation of tropical soils, generating negative environmental impacts such as the reduction of soil productive potential, loss of soil microbiota, and emission of greenhouse gases (DECHEN et al, 2015)
In addition to causing silting up of the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant (FHP) reservoir, reducing its useful life, water erosion causes a depreciation of water quality and contamination with mineral fertilizers, since the vast majority of eroded sediments that reach the watercourses of the region are provided with areas with crops (IGAM, 2013)
The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation identified the areas with the highest erosion rates in the Córrego da Laje watershed on steep slopes and in places with low vegetation cover, such as maize (32.05 Mg ha-1 year-1) and in degraded pastures (35.87 Mg ha-1 year-1)
Summary
Water erosion is the main process of degradation of tropical soils, generating negative environmental impacts such as the reduction of soil productive potential, loss of soil microbiota, and emission of greenhouse gases (DECHEN et al, 2015). In the region surrounding the Furnas Hydroelectric Plant (FHP), in southern Minas Gerais, erosion mitigation is one of the greatest challenges for the sustainable management of the area (IGAM, 2013). In addition to causing silting up of the FHP reservoir, reducing its useful life, water erosion causes a depreciation of water quality and contamination with mineral fertilizers, since the vast majority of eroded sediments that reach the watercourses of the region are provided with areas with crops (IGAM, 2013). Effective soil conservation measures are needed to control water erosion in the FHP region. Modeling is a quick and accurate way to assess quantitatively and qualitatively the erosive potential. This technique can be used to design and target effective soil and water conservation measures (OLIVEIRA et al, 2014; WANG et al, 2019). The application of modeling improves the interpretation of soil erosion processes and facilitates the understanding of ecosystem dynamics (ALEWELL et al, 2019)
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