The Application of Soil Erosion Models of an Agroforestry Basin under Mediterranean Conditions from a Geotechnical Point of View

Ana Paula Leite, António Canatário Duarte, Leonardo Marchiori (), Maria Vitoria Morais, André Studart and Victor Cavaleiro ()
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Ana Paula Leite: Lisbon and Tagus Valley Regional Coordination and Development Commission, 1250-009 Lisbon, Portugal
António Canatário Duarte: School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, 6000-084 Castelo Branco, Portugal
Leonardo Marchiori: GeoBioTec, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Maria Vitoria Morais: GeoBioTec, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
André Studart: GeoBioTec, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Victor Cavaleiro: GeoBioTec, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: Soil erosion has been causing an imbalance in nature and the environment. It is mainly caused naturally but is also due to human interventions leading to desertification and possible contamination. Therefore, engineering, geography, and cartography have been allies in applying erosion models to predict, address, and remediate the impacts. Therefore, the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) linked to Geographic Information Systems (GISs) could boost decision making as tools to mitigate issues. This study applies the RUSLE and SWAT models from a geotechnical point of view to analyze a sub-watershed at Idanha-a-Nova (Portugal) over 4 years, showing a predominant erosion risk class with losses lower than 5 t.ha −1 .year −1 (60 to 86%), characterized as very low risk. The modeling permitted the development of soils erosion susceptibility charts, in addition to material availability and the suitability for construction areas, exposing a replicable methodology that could contribute to minimizing environmental impacts while encouraging a more intelligent use of the land towards a greener exploration.

Keywords: RUSLE; SWAT; GIS; soil erosion; susceptibility chart; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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