Estimativa da perda anual de solos na bacia hidrográfica do Córrego Marinheiro, Sete Lagoas - MG, por meio da RUSLE

Abstract

The soil erosion has been known for a long time as a serious environmental problem, especiallyin the areas with anthropic action and agricultural management without adequate criteria.This work applies the RUSLE empirical model to the estimation of the annual soil loss in the Marinheiro Creek watershed, SeteLagoas -MG (Brazil). The results of the annual soil loss in the Marinheiro Creek watershed are 7.15 ton. ha-1.year-1in average. It was also possible to classify and to characterize the results in six classes, 0 to 1 (very low); 1 to 3 (low); 3 to 5 ( moderate); 5 to 10 (severe); 10 to 20 (high); and above 20 ton. ha-1. year-1(very high). The dominant classes are the low and very low classes (61.7%). Nevertheless, 21% of the area present environmental risks associated to the severe to very high classes, which are subjected to enhancederosion processes.It was noted that, accordingly to the model, the annual soil losses were higher in the areas under use. The methods presented here allowed the understanding of the relation of the erosion and its causes, being useful for the planning and the implementation of the management practices for soil and water conservation.