SOIL ERODIBILITY IN FOREST AND PASTURE AREAS UNDER DIFFERENT POSITIONS OF THE LANDSCAPE IN AREIA, PARAÍBA

Abstract

Brazilian soils are undergoing serious changes caused by anthropic activities due to the conversion of forest areas into crops and pastures. This practice causes significant changes in the physical and chemical attributes of soils in different environments, resulting in increased susceptibility of the soil to the erosion process. The objective of this research was to evaluate soil erodibility in areas under forest and pasture under different segments of the landscape in the municipality of Areia, Paraíba, Brazil. Two toposequences were selected, one under forest fragment and the other over pasture. In each segment of the slope, identified as the top, mid-slope and foothills, five mini-trenches were dug. Undisturbed samples were collected (0.00-0.20 m). Granulometric analysis, fractionation of the sand and organic carbon fraction were carried out. Descriptive statistical analyses, mean test at the 5% level and Shapiro Wilk normality test were used. Soils with greater erodibility have a higher predominance of sand fraction, K factor, Ki Kr and low clay content.