Abstract

ALMOZA HERNANDEZ, Yeleine et al. Rainfall energy characterization in Cuyaguateje basin erosion. cultrop [online]. 2016, vol.37, n.2, pp. 56-71. ISSN 1819-4087.

In Cuba, one of the prioritized regions in terms of water erosion is “Cuyaguateje” river basin, where more than 85 % of its soil shows a high erosion risk subjected to intensive farming practices. High pluviometric values registered together with the non-uniform topography necessitate spatially characterised rain erosivity in this area, as it constitutes an essential factor of soil erosion. The objectives of this paper were: (a) to compare expressions that predict kinetic energy from rainfall intensity in our basin of interest, (b) to develop and validate the relationship between cumulative rainfall and R factor from RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) (EI₃₀), (c) to compare results and trends between R and the Modified Fournier Index MFI, as well as with Lal’s index AI_m (EI7.5), (d) to present rainfall erosivity maps, according to each index calculated. Data from two pluviographic stations were used to calculate R (by Brown and Foster’s also Kinnell’s kinetic energy equations) and AI_m, besides data from 26 pluviometric stations located along the basin of interest. Thus, R values ranged between 8284 and 22044 MJ mm ha^-1 h^-1yr^-1 through both kinetic energy equations, with the highest erosivity values at the top or mountainous part and the lowest values at the basin bottom. Around 96 % of the basin area is affected by rainfall with high erosive potential. Correlations between R factor from RUSLE and the other indexes calculated (MFI and AI_m) were higher than 0,9

Keywords : kinetic energy; intensity; rainfall; soil erosion.

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