EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF ESTIMATION OF THE TOPOGRAPHIC FACTOR AND ITS INFLUENCE ON SOIL LOSS DISTRIBUTION IN THE JAÚ STREAM WATERSHED, IN APARECIDA D’OESTE – SP

Resumo

Concern about the environment and the need for solutions to environmental problems are growing every day. Among the various types of research carried out in this field, the study of soil erosion is highlighted, especially the accelerated erosion. Several methods are used to evaluate the occurrence of erosion processes, and the parameters considered in each one of them can also be diverse, being both natural and anthropic. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is one of the most widespread methodologies used in this research field. Among the six parameters considered in the USLE, there is the topographic factor (LS), which refers to the influence of relief on the occurrence and development of erosion processes, being this a relevant factor and which importance is already demonstrated. There are many ways to estimate topographic factor, and this work will analyze the distribution of soil loss in the Jaú Stream watershed, in Aparecida D'Oeste-SP, obtained through USLE, in view of these different estimation methods.