Uso da modelagem de solos para identificar áreas sujeitas a erosão em cultivo de oliveiras

Abstract

Soil erosion is a natural process, but in some situations this process can be intensified, as in olive plantations. Severe soil erosion can become an aggravating problem, causing serious damage such as loss of soil fertility. In this way, that problem should be avoided through good practices and, if it occurs, it should be remedied as soon as possible. The computational simulation of soil erosion improves the process of identifying areas subject to erosion, establishing more effective solutions. In this scenario, the present work generated computational simulations of soil erosion in two different olive tree plantations, both of which were inserted in the highest growing regions of this plantation, the south-central region of Rio Grande do Sul and the south of Minas Gerais. The study areas are located at the city of Caçapava do Sul - RS and Baependi-MG. Through the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model, with the climatic simulator CLIMABR, were generated computational simulations of soil erosion up to 10 years for both olive crops. In this way, the sites of greater erosion were identified in the olive plantations. From the comparison between these two plantations, which are under different climatic and topographic regimes, it was possible to recognize the parameters of greater influence in the erosion of both situations. It was determined that the soil and topography of Baependi are more erosive than those of Caçapava, and that the climate of Caçapava is more erosive than that of Baependi. Moreover, the plantation in Baependi has the maximum erosion calculated was 19 tons of soil per hectare in one year, while in Caçapava do Sul it was up to 7.1 tons of soil per hectare in one year. Baependi was classified as environmentally incorrect in relation to erosion, being outside the tolerable limits for 64 years. Thus, soil erosion was simulated for the Baependi plantation, using a set of erosion reduction techniques. Through the combination of terraced and planting practices in vetiver lineage, the most effective and economical solution suggested to combat the exacerbated erosion in Baependi was the implantation of terraces in 140 m and 190 m, with vetiver. While for Caçapava do Sul, it was classified as environmentally correct, being totally within the limit of soil erosion tolerance in 04 years.