Soil and water losses by erosion in forest ecosystems in the region of Aracruz, state of Espirito Santo, Brazil

Soil and water losses by erosion were measured in forest ecosystems and were related to the calculated maximum tolerable soil losses. Main soil classes in the Coastal Plains of the region of Aracruz (ES) were studied, with the aim of obtaining indicators of management adequacy for this production system. The experimental plots were set on loamy/clayey Yellow Argisol (PA1), Haplic Plinthosol (FX), and moderately rocky Yellow Argisol (PA8). The slopes ranged from 2-8 %, 1-12 %, and 29-36 %, for each soil class. Three soil covers were studied of each soil class: eucalyptus trees, native forest, and bare soil. Soil and water losses under eucalyptus followed the order. PA8 > PA1 > FX. Water losses ranged from 970 mm, equivalent to 1-6 % of the total annual rainfall. Soil losses in the eucalyptus plots lay well below the calculated maximum tolerable soil losses in all soil classes, which indicates adequacy of management in this production system regarding water erosion. The fact that soil losses in eucalyptus were relatively close to those in native forest indicates the sustainability of the former environment regarding erosion.