Abstract
Soil erosion is one of the most significant environmental degradation processes. Mapping and assessment of soil erosion vulnerability is an important tool for planning and management of the natural resources. The objective of the present study was to apply the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) using GIS tools to the Verde River Basin (VRB), southern Minas Gerais, in order to assess soil erosion vulnerability. A annual rainfall erosivity map was derived from the geographical model adjusted for Southeastern Brazil, calculating an annual value for each pixel. The maps of soil erodibility (K), topographic factor (LS), and use and management of soils (C) were developed from soils and their uses map and the digital elevation model (DEM) developed for the basin. In a GIS environment, the layers of the factors were combined to create the soil erosion vulnerability map according to RUSLE. The results showed that, in general, the soils of the VRB present a very high vulnerability to water erosion, with 58.68% of soil losses classified as "High" and "Extremely High" classes. In the headwater region of VRB, the predominant classes were "Very High" and "Extremely High" where there is predominance of Cambisols associated with extensive pastures. Furthermore, the integration of RUSLE/GIS showed an efficient tool for spatial characterization of soil erosion vulnerability in this important basin of the Minas Gerais state.
Highlights
Soil erosion is the main environmental impact that affects the state of Minas Gerais, with degradation and impoverishment of soils and reduction of surface water quality in basins
Values greater than 9,000 MJ mm ha-1 yr-1 can be observed in the headwater region of Verde River Basin (VRB), in the Mantiqueira Range region
The results presented in table 4 refer to the variation of soil losses for each soil erosion vulnerability class and to each pedological unit
Summary
Soil erosion is the main environmental impact that affects the state of Minas Gerais, with degradation and impoverishment of soils and reduction of surface water quality in basins. The RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) is considered a simple model for predicting soil erosion, in which the average annual long term soil losses is estimated with acceptable accuracy (Beskow, Mello; Norton, 2009). It is a model that is an evolution of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) model, as it considers upstream areas contributing to downstream surface runoff. It is a model with better predictive ability than the USLE. In this regard, the topographic parameter gains a more grounded
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