PREDICTION OF SOIL LOSS BY LAMINARY EROSION IN THE RIBEIRÃO BOCAINA HYDROGRAPHIC BASIN, PASSOS-MG

Abstract

The objective of this research was to predict soil loss due to laminar erosion in the Ribeirão Bocaina watershed (BHRB), located in the municipality of Passos-MG. The prediction was performed using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The factors of the physical and anthropic environment influencing the water erosion process considered were: erodibility, erosivity, topography and vegetation cover and conservation practices. All factors were integrated and spatialized in the Geographic Information System (GIS), with the aid of geoprocessing techniques. As a result, Current Potential to Erosion (CPE), presented 55.4% of the total area of ​​BHRB with soil losses below 10 t.ha-1.year-1, with a predominance of the “light” class and 44.6% of the area with losses greater than 10 t.ha-1.year-1 with a predominance of the “very high” class. There are areas with high soil losses, mainly in areas of agricultural crops, with soils more susceptible to erosion and steep slopes. The use of EUPS for the qualification of areas vulnerable to erosion showed advantages and showed an effective tool to assess the vulnerability to soil erosion and to assist in environmental and conservation planning of the use of the soils and water resources of the Ribeirão Bocaina River Basin.