**9. References**

20 Soil Erosion Studies

Fig. 13. Map of sediment yield in Brazil. Source: Castro & Queiroz Neto (2010). Legend

If we adopt the soil density value 1,200 kg m-3. and average rate of soil formation -0.0002 m y-1 (Sparovek & Schnug, 2001), we infer the maximum tolerable soil loss is 2.4 t.ha-1.y-1. Using equation 6 (Valerio Filho, 1994) it is possible estimating the recommended CP value(s) that is in accordance with sustainable principles of soil conservation, i.e., the annual soil loss

We reported here the NPE for Brazilian territory in a broad scale, especially for pedological cartographic database. As stated by Mendonça-Santos & Santos (2007), at present, approximately 35% of Brazil, 17 out of 26 states and the Federal District, is covered with soil maps at several intermediate scales (1:100,000– 1:600,000) and total coverage of the country is available at exploratory and schematic levels (scales 1:1,000,000

In Brazil, soil surveys are still necessary, mainly at larger scales, to support evaluation of soil resources for planning, and management of agricultural and also for environmental projects. Detailed and semi detailed soil surveys are now available in small areas, to support localspecific agricultural and environmental projects (Mendonça-Santos & Santos, 2007). This confirms a necessity for further studies in intermediate scales or preferably, in detailed

Tolerable CP = tolerable soil loss / NPE value (6)

modified from t.km-2.y-1 to t.ha-1.y-1.

**7. Final considerations** 

scales, both for NPE as for actual soil loss.

and 1:5,000,000).

rate is smaller or equivalent to average rate of soil formation.


Natural Potential for Erosion for Brazilian Territory 23

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**2** 

*México* 

**Soil Erosion Processes in Semiarid Areas:** 

Arid and semiarid zones cover approximately 40% of the land surface, with a continuous increase in the area by desertification processes, induced mainly by anthropogenic activities and/or climatic change (IPCC, 2008). The process of desertification affects the world at

Maestre et al. (2006) considers that desertification produces biophysics and socioeconomics consequences, with the later including household debt increasing, loss of traditional knowledge and local traditions, people migration, reduction of food production, costs of living increases, poor supplies in quality and quantity, increase in poverty, and political instability (Sivakumar, 2007). The UNCCD (2004), considers that over 250 000 million of people are directly affected by desertification, mostly in regions with significant poverty and marginalization in the world. In the case of Mexico, experts estimate that each year, between 700 000 and 900 000 people are forced to leave Mexico´s rural dry land areas in search of

On the other hand, biophysics consequences involve the loss of soil and vegetation cover, reduction in soil fertility and biodiversity, reduction in rainfall infiltration rates, and modification of local climate (Maestre et al., 2006). Soils of arid and semiarid zones are very susceptible of water erosion (Cornelis, 2006) mostly due to the scarce vegetation cover, low organic matter content and the small resistance to the erosion forces. The magnitude of water erosion also depends on their texture, water content, evaporation, percolation and lixiviation. These soil characteristics are not favorable to the resistance of the soil to water erosion (D´Odorico & Porporato, 2006). In terms of soil orders, typical arid and semiarid zone soils around the world include Aridosol, Alfisols, Entisols, Molisols, and Vertisols

In arid and semiarid areas, soils with little or no vegetation cover are exposed to torrential precipitation events, which are characterized by short durations and high intensities, and are prompt to the occurrence of physical and chemical processes that change the surface layer conditions, such as surface sealing and crusting. When the surface is dry, a hard layer is formed (crust). Crusting soils are typical of these dry areas, where soil degradation is

**1. Introduction** 

(Dregne, 1976).

ecological, economic and social levels (Salih, 1998).

better livelihood in urban areas, including foreign countries.

**The Importance of Native Vegetation** 

Rebeca Vásquez-Méndez1, Eusebio Ventura-Ramos1,

Klavdia Oleschko2, Luis Hernández-Sandoval1 and Miguel Angel Domínguez-Cortázar1

*2Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)* 

*1University of Queretaro (UAQ)* 


http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/erosh2o.html

