Soil loss estimates for different vegetation cover scenarios in the piauitinga-se river basin

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to estimate soil loss by extensive erosion in the basin of Piauitinga-SE River due to changes in the use and occupation of the land. For this, we used the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) associated with geoprocessing and remote sensing techniques. Were also used historical series of monthly precipitation (mm), soil information, hydrographic maps, Numerical Model of Terrain (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) and RapidEye images (5 m). Two scenarios were evaluated: Scenario 1 (C1), considering the usage of soil to year of 2013; and Scenario 2 (C2), with land use considering the Permanent Preservation Areas (APPs) preserved under federal law (Law No. 12,651, of May 25, 2012). It was observed greater soil loss associated with higher slope and high values of the LS factor. The APPs (C1) contributed to the reduction of soil loss in the watershed, however, the two scenarios (C1 and C2) had most of the basin area with erosion between classes Very Low (0-5 ton-1.ha-1.year), Low (5-10 ton-1.ha-1.year) and Moderate (10-50 ton-1.ha-1.year).