Abstract
Rainfall erosivity and its spatial variability were studied for 54 pluviometric stations in Southern Minas Gerais State (48º00' - 44º00'W; 23º50' - 20º00'S), aiming to plan the land-use strategies. Therefore, erosivity factor was determined for the pluviometric stations, using long-term rainfall data sets obtained along with the Brazilian National Water Agency- ANA, which varied from 15 to 40 years. The monthly and annual erosivity indexes were generated using Fournier equation for Lavras, MG and the spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity was studied on the basis of geostatistical approaches considering only the distance which separates them, developing the isotropic experimental semivariogram. The semivariogram adjustment was done based on the Weighted Least Squares method and the spatial dependence degree. Once the structure and the semivariogram adjustment were defined, the ordinary kriging maps were created, providing erosivity spatial behavior in Southern Minas Gerais. It was observed that the Southern Minas Gerais presents high erosivity patterns, ranging from 5,145 to 7,776 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 year-1, in Ijaci (north of region) and Itajubá (southern region), respectively. Besides, it was verified that the erosivity indexes are intensely influenced by the topography, associated with climatic conditions. Higher erosivity is connected to areas with a higher altitude, such as along the Mantiqueira Range Mountain, and on high plateaus and mountain ranges in the North-Central part of the region. The geostatistical approach using long-term rainfall data in Southern region of Minas Gerais state, which is a relatively heterogeneous region in terms of altitude, soil depth and slope, showed to be adequate to the proposal of this study.
Highlights
The use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is only possible when its parameters are established for the edaphoclimatic conditions of a given region and, or location to be applied to
The establishment of the erosivity pattern, which represents the potential capacity of rainfall to cause erosion, for the Southern region of Minas Gerais will help determine the planning for adequate land use and management
Rainfall data from 54 counties from Southern Minas Gerais were used and the pluviometric precipitation time series varied from one region to another, building up historical series 15 to 40 years interconnected through the monthly totals, year by year
Summary
The use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is only possible when its parameters are established for the edaphoclimatic conditions of a given region and, or location to be applied to. The establishment of the erosivity pattern, which represents the potential capacity of rainfall to cause erosion, for the Southern region of Minas Gerais will help determine the planning for adequate land use and management. According to Moreti et al (2003), considering these obstacles, several researchers have been using correlation between erosivity, determined in pluviograph records, and basic monthly and annual pluviometric data readily available in almost all counties in the country to quickly obtain erosivity. In several Brazilian counties and regions the correlation between the monthly average erosivity index (EI30) and the monthly and annual rainfall has been highly significant, generally with high determination coefficients, where the rainfall coefficient (Rc) is the independent variable (MARTINS et al, 2010; SILVA et al, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
