Factors of soil erosion in the Córrego Rico watershed, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to estimate soil losses in 1984 and 2011, in Córrego Rico Watershed (CRW) using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and propose alternatives that might mitigate the degradation in this area. In erodibility (K) the highest value was in Alfisol Red Yellow and the lowest in Oxisol. For factor S the largest area is in embossed wavy with 33,100.20 ha (57.06%) and slope from 8.1 to 20%. In the factors Vegetation and Soil Management (C) and Conservation Practices (P) it was observed that in these years there were considerable changes such as the reduction of pasture and fruit trees areas and increased areas of cane sugar. A positive balance was increased vegetation cover of 1,993.95 ha in 1984 to 4,895.25 ha in 2011. The highest soil loss in the class occurred in an area of 26.44% in 1984 and 2011 in an area of 30.22%. The integrated use of USLE and GIS proved to be an effective technique in the spatial representation of soil loss in Córrego Rico watershed to identify areas most vulnerable to erosion process and in spatial-temporal variability.