Full text
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| Author(s): |
Joseline Filippe
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | São Paulo. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Eletrotécnica e Energia (IEE/BT) |
| Defense date: | 2006-05-16 |
| Examining board members: |
Gerd Sparovek;
Waldir Mantovani;
Isabella Clerici de Maria
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| Advisor: | Gerd Sparovek |
| Abstract | |
The main hypotheses of the present study regarding the evaluation of the efficiency of riparian forest to sediment retention were: 1. Riparian Forest is an efficient system for sediment retention in watersheds; 2. Different Riparian Forests widths present different efficiencies for this function and, 3. Widths of riparian forests to sediment retention vary according to watershed characteristics. Erosion prediction methods were applied in sugarcane crop areas in Iracemápolis, SP, where a natural Riparian Forest and a Reforested area were selected for the study, and in Orindiúva, SP, were a Savana vegetation (Cerrados) was studied. The interface program EDI (Erosion Database Interface) that links WEPP model (Water Erosion Prediction Project), to GIS (Geographical Information System) was used to evaluate erosion and sediment deposition in the watersheds. Morphological analyses of soil profiles was used as a tool to help in the evaluation of WEPP model deposition estimates. Phytossociologycal studies were important to characterize the heterogeneity of the riparian vegetation. All the methodologies showed that Riparian Forests was efficient for sediment retention. Sediment deposition was observed only in the riparian ecosystem while in the cultivated land the erosion process was predominant. 30m of riparian vegetation strip showed a capacity to retain 10% of the total amount of sediments produced in Iracemapolis watershed and 63% of the total amount in the Rio Turvo watershed. The riparian width of 46m, 56 m and 34 m produced acceptable sediment retention averages considering the current management. Riparian forest width for sediment retention evaluation should consider the watershed characteristics, as shape, slope, soil, kind of soil use and vegetation, historical management analysis, and the environmental conditions of the landscape. (AU) | |