Geoprocessing techniques to evaluate the spatial distribution of natural rain erosion potential in the Hydrographic Basin of Cachoeira Dourada Reservoir – Brazil

Abstract

Natural potential erosion were defined from their main natural conditioners in the region of hydrographic basin of Cachoeira Dourada (between Goiás and Minas Gerais states −Brazil), with geoprocessing techniques and the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). Upon the decision for natural erosion potential, a matrix with values of erosivity (R), erodibility (K), declivity, and ramp length (LS) was elaborated, where classes of low, medium, high, very high, and extremely high natural erosion potential (NEP) were established. Spatial distribution for the factors R, K, LS, and PNE was defined. The highest average R index for the rainy series was 8173.50 MJ ha mm-1 h-1 year-1. The period with data from 30 years (1973 – 2002) showed that the reservoir basin displayed areas susceptible to rill and interill erosion (69.16% of the total). There is a predominance of low erosion potential among the classes, which can be explained due to the soil predominant classes as well as to the low declivity. Areas with medium to extremely high erosion potential require the adoption of measures to avoid start and development of more severe erosion processes (ravines and gullies).

Keywords

• Solos
• erodibilidade
• SIG
• Cachoeira Dourada(GO/MG)
• Soils
• erodibility
• GIS
• Cachoeira Dourada(Brazil)