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One of the greatest threats to maintaining sustainable agro-ecosystems is mitigating the episodic soil loss from farm operations, further exacerbated by meteorological extremes. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) is a model that combines the effects of rain, soil erodibility, topography, land cover, and conservation practices for estimating the annual average soil losses. This study aims to quantify soil water erosion to continental South America (S.A.) through RUSLE using available datasets and characterizing the average sediment delivery rate (SDR) to the major S.A. basins. Soil erodibility was estimated from the Global Gridded Soil Information soil database. LS-factor's topographical parameter was derived from Digital Elevation Models using the "Shuttle Radar Topography Mission" dataset. The R-factor was estimated from a previous study developed for S.A. and the C-factor from the Global Land Cover (Copernicus Global Land Services) database. We used a modeling study for SDR that simulated the annual average sediment transport in 27 basins in S.A. RUSLE set up presented a satisfactory performance compared to other applications on a continental scale with an estimated averaged soil loss for S.A. of 3.8 t ha-1 year-1. Chile (>20.0 t ha-1 year-1) and Colombia (8.1 t ha-1 year-1) showed the highest soil loss. Regarding SDR, Suriname, French Guyana, and Guyana presented the lowest values (<1.0 t ha-1 year-1). The highest soil losses were found in the Andes Cordillera of Colombia and the Center-South Region of Chile. In the former, the combination of "high" K-factor, "very high" C-factor, and "very high" LS-factor were the leading causes. In the latter, agriculture, livestock, deforestation, and aggressive R-factor explained the high soil loss. Basins with the highest SDR were located in the North Argentina - South Atlantic basin (27.73%), Mar Chiquitita (2.66%), Amazon River basin (2.32%), Magdalena (2.14%) (in Andes Cordillera), and Orinoco (1.83%).

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In recent years, the Cerrado biome in Brazil (Brazilian savannah) has faced severe environmental problems due to abrupt changes in land use/cover (LUC), causing increased soil loss, sediment yield and water turbidity. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of soil loss and sediment delivery ratio (SDR) over the last 30 years to simulate future scenarios of soil losses from 2050 to 2100 and to investigate an episode of sediment delivery that occurred in the Rio da Prata Basin (RPB) in 2018. In this study, the following were used: an estimation of soil losses for 1986, 1999, 2007 and 2016 using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), an estimation of SDR, sediment export and sediment deposition using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, an association of RUSLE factor C to LUC data for 2050 and 2100 based on the CA-Markov hybrid model, and an estimation of future soil erosion scenarios for 2050 and 2100. The results show that over the last 30 years (1986-2016), there has been a reduction in the areas of highly intense and severe degrees. Future soil erosion scenarios (2050-2100) showed a 13.84% increase in areas of soil loss >10 Mg ha-1 year-1. The results highlighted the importance of assessing the impacts of LUC changes on soil erosion and the export of sediments to agricultural watersheds in the RPB, one of the best ecotourism destinations in Brazil. In addition, the increase in soil loss in the region intensified sediment yield events and increased water turbidity. Furthermore, riparian vegetation, although preserved, was not able to protect the watercourse, showing that it is essential to adopt the best management practices in the agricultural production areas of the basin, especially where ramps are extensive or the slope is greater than 2%, to reduce the runoff velocity and control the movement of sediments on the surface towards the drainage canals. The results of this study are useful for drawing up a soil and water conservation plan for the sustainable production of agriculture and maintenance of ecosystem services in the region.

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Since the mid-16th century, the Tietê River has been an important route for the territorial occupation and exploitation of natural resources in the interior of São Paulo and Brazil. Currently, the Tietê River is well known for environmental problems related to water pollution and contamination. However, little attention has been focused on water erosion, which is a serious issue that affects the soils and waters of the hydrographic basin. Thus, this work aimed to estimate soil loss caused by water erosion in this basin, which has an area of approximately 72,000 km², using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The RUSLE parameter survey and soil loss calculation were performed using geoprocessing techniques. The RUSLE estimated an average soil loss of 8.9 Mg ha-1 yr-1 and revealed that 18% of the basin's territory presents high erosion rates. These are priority zones for conservation practices to reduce water erosion and ensure long-term soil sustainability. The estimated sediment transport was 1.3 Mg ha-1 yr-1, whereas the observed sedimentation, which was calculated based on data from the fluviometric station, was 0.8 Mg ha-1 yr-1. Thus, the results were equivalent considering the large size of the study area and can be used to assist in managing the basin. Estimating soil losses can help in the planning of sustainable management of the Tietê River Hydrographic Basin and highlights the importance of minimizing water erosion, thus helping to prevent additional pollution and contamination with sediments, agrochemicals, and fertilizers.(AU)

Desde meados do século 16, o rio Tietê tem sido uma importante rota de ocupação territorial e exploração dos recursos naturais do interior de São Paulo e do Brasil. Atualmente, o Rio Tietê é bastante conhecido pelos problemas ambientais relacionados à poluição e contaminação das águas. No entanto, pouca atenção tem sido dada à erosão hídrica, que é um problema sério que afeta os solos e as águas da bacia hidrográfica. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar as perdas de solo causadas pela erosão hídrica nesta bacia, que tem uma área de aproximadamente 72.000 km², utilizando a Equação Universal de Perdas de Solo Revisada (RUSLE). O levantamento dos parâmetros RUSLE e o cálculo das perdas de solo foram realizados utilizando técnicas de geoprocessamento. O RUSLE estimou uma perda média de solo de 8,9 Mg ha-1 ano-1 e revelou que 18% do território da bacia apresenta altas taxas de erosão. Estas são zonas prioritárias para práticas de conservação para reduzir a erosão hídrica e garantir a sustentabilidade do solo a longo prazo. O transporte de sedimentos estimado foi de 1,3 Mg ha-1 ano-1, enquanto a sedimentação observada, calculada com base nos dados da estação fluviométrica, foi de 0,8 Mg ha-1 ano-1. Assim, os resultados foram equivalentes considerando a grande extensão da área de estudo e podem ser utilizados para auxiliar na gestão da bacia. A estimativa das perdas de solo pode auxiliar no planejamento do manejo sustentável da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Tietê e destacar a importância de minimizar a erosão hídrica, auxiliando na prevenção de poluição adicional e contaminação por sedimentos, agroquímicos e fertilizantes.(AU)

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ABSTRACT: In the state of Rondônia, deforestation, and inadequate soil use and management have intensified the water erosion process, causing degradation of agricultural land. Modeling is a tool that can assist in the adoption of targeted and effective measures for soil and water conservation in the region. In this context, the objective of the research was to model soil losses due to water erosion in the state of Rondônia using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The parameters related to rain erosivity, relief, erodibility, and soil cover, as well as the conservation practices of the state of Rondônia, were considered. The modeling steps were performed with the aid of the Geographic Information System. Results were validated with data of total sediments transported with water discharge. The estimated total soil loss was about 605 million tons per year, corresponding to an average loss of 22.50 Mg ha-1 year-1. In 19% of the state, the erosion rate was higher than the soil loss tolerance(T), and these areas should be prioritized for adopting measures to mitigate the erosion process. The RUSLE underestimated the generation of sediments at 0.56 Mg ha-1 year-1, which corresponds to an error of 18.60%. Results obtained can assist in the development of different soil use and management scenarios and provide options for policymakers to encourage soil conservation in the state of Rondônia.

RESUMO: No Estado de Rondônia, o desmatamento, o uso e o manejo inadequado dos solos têm intensificado o processo de erosão hídrica, gerando a degradação de terras agrícolas. Nesse cenário, a modelagem é uma ferramenta que pode auxiliar na adoção de medidas direcionadas e eficazes de conservação do solo e da água na região. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi modelar as perdas de solo por erosão hídrica no Estado de Rondônia utilizando a Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Revisada (RUSLE). Foram considerados os parâmetros referentes a erosividade da chuva, relevo, erodibilidade e cobertura do solo e as práticas conservacionistas do Estado de Rondônia. As etapas da modelagem foram realizadas com auxílio de Sistema de Informações Geográficas. Os resultados foram validados com dados de coleta de sedimentos totais transportados com a descarga d'água. A perda de solo total estimada foi cerca de 605 milhões de toneladas ao ano, correspondente a uma perda média de 22,50 Mg ha-1 ano-1. Em 19% do Estado a taxa erosiva foi superior aos limites de tolerância de perda de solo (TPS), sendo que essas áreas devem ser priorizadas para adoção de medidas de mitigação do processo erosivo. A RUSLE subestimou a geração de sedimentos em 0,56 Mg ha-1 ano-1, o que corresponde a um erro de 18,60%. Os resultados obtidos podem contribuir para elaborar distintos cenários de manejo e uso do solo e fornecer alternativas aos formuladores de políticas agrícolas e ambientais, com o intuito de incentivo a conservação do solo no Estado de Rondônia.

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In the state of Rondônia, deforestation, and inadequate soil use and management have intensified the water erosion process, causing degradation of agricultural land. Modeling is a tool that can assist in the adoption of targeted and effective measures for soil and water conservation in the region. In this context, the objective of the research was to model soil losses due to water erosion in the state of Rondônia using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). The parameters related to rain erosivity, relief, erodibility, and soil cover, as well as the conservation practices of the state of Rondônia, were considered. The modeling steps were performed with the aid of the Geographic Information System. Results were validated with data of total sediments transported with water discharge. The estimated total soil loss was about 605 million tons per year, corresponding to an average loss of 22.50 Mg ha-1 year-1. In 19% of the state, the erosion rate was higher than the soil loss tolerance(T), and these areas should be prioritized for adopting measures to mitigate the erosion process. The RUSLE underestimated the generation of sediments at 0.56 Mg ha-1 year-1, which corresponds to an error of 18.60%. Results obtained can assist in the development of different soil use and management scenarios and provide options for policymakers to encourage soil conservation in the state of Rondônia.(AU)

No Estado de Rondônia, o desmatamento, o uso e o manejo inadequado dos solos têm intensificado o processo de erosão hídrica, gerando a degradação de terras agrícolas. Nesse cenário, a modelagem é uma ferramenta que pode auxiliar na adoção de medidas direcionadas e eficazes de conservação do solo e da água na região. Assim, o objetivo do trabalho foi modelar as perdas de solo por erosão hídrica no Estado de Rondônia utilizando a Equação Universal de Perda de Solo Revisada (RUSLE). Foram considerados os parâmetros referentes a erosividade da chuva, relevo, erodibilidade e cobertura do solo e as práticas conservacionistas do Estado de Rondônia. As etapas da modelagem foram realizadas com auxílio de Sistema de Informações Geográficas. Os resultados foram validados com dados de coleta de sedimentos totais transportados com a descarga dágua. A perda de solo total estimada foi cerca de 605 milhões de toneladas ao ano, correspondente a uma perda média de 22,50 Mg ha-1 ano-1. Em 19% do Estado a taxa erosiva foi superior aos limites de tolerância de perda de solo (TPS), sendo que essas áreas devem ser priorizadas para adoção de medidas de mitigação do processo erosivo. A RUSLE subestimou a geração de sedimentos em 0,56 Mg ha-1 ano-1, o que corresponde a um erro de 18,60%. Os resultados obtidos podem contribuir para elaborar distintos cenários de manejo e uso do solo e fornecer alternativas aos formuladores de políticas agrícolas e ambientais, com o intuito de incentivo a conservação do solo no Estado de Rondônia.(AU)

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Through an extensive bibliographic review, this contribution underlines the urgency and challenges to quantify soil erosion rates (ERs) in developing countries. It subsequently elaborates on the combined application of GIS-based RUSLE, generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) principles and sediment delivery ratio functions (SDR) to quantify ERs at country scale for these countries, as they commonly have limited measurements to that purpose. The methodology, termed RUSLE-GGS (RUSLE-GIS-GLUE-SDR) herein, comprises the following sequence: (1) construction of ER samples using RUSLE-GIS based on freely available local/global geoenvironmental observations and field relations, (2) construction of area-specific sediment yield samples utilizing SDR transfer functions, and (3) assessment of the most behavioral samples by means of bias analysis and cross validation. Its application to Peru allows obtaining 5-km resolution ER and potential erosion maps for the years 1990, 2000, and 2010. RUSLE-GGS is highly replicable and could potentially be used as an initial standard and systematic method to estimate ERs in developing countries through the active participation of local scientists. Thus, it potentially can contribute to improve the capacity building in such countries and set an initial frame to compare the evolution of soil erosion in their territories towards attaining Goal 15 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

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A major challenge when coupling soil loss models with precipitation forecasts from Global Circulation Models (GCMs) is that their time resolutions do not generally agree. Precipitation forecasts from GCM must be scaled down; however, the distribution of the rainfall intensity, which can affect soil loss as much as precipitation amounts, is usually not considered in this process. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a statistical equation for computing event-based rainfall erosivity under changing precipitation patterns using the least amount of information possible. For this purpose, an empirical equation for predicting event-based rainfall erosivity was developed using the product of the total precipitation P and the maximum 0.5-h rainfall intensity, I0.5. This equation was calibrated using measured precipitation data from 28 sites in Central Chile and then tested with simulated data with different rainfall patterns from the CLIGEN (CLImate GENerator) weather generator. More than 53,000 rainfall events were analyzed, where the equation consistently provided R2 values of 0.99 for every dataset used, revealing its robustness when used in potential climate change scenarios in the study site. However, because computing I0.5 requires estimating precipitation at a high time resolution, the relationship was recalibrated and tested using 1 through 24-h maximum rainfall intensities. Using these intensities, the equation provided erosivity estimates with R2 ranging from 0.78 to 0.99, where better results were obtained as the resolution of the data increased. This study provides the methodology for building and testing the proposed equation and discusses its advantages and limitations.

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