Modelagem da geração de sedimentos por meio da MEUPS na Bacia Hidrográfica do Arroio Santa Bárbara, Pelotas, RS.

Abstract

The current focus of the researches related to the environment has been the conservation of natural resources, soil and water, aiming to reduce human impacts, in order to make their use sustainable. In this context, the basin has been used as a geographical region in hydrological studies, being considered as an environmental unit, which enables treating the components and dynamics of the interrelationships necessary for planning and environmental management. In order to conserve and protect the natural environment, the Forest Code established the Permanent Preservation Areas (APP), considering this is a protected area or not covered by native vegetation, with the environmental function of preserving water resources and protecting soil ensuring the welfare of the people. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the sediment delivery in watersheds Barbuda, Granja, Pedreira and Susanna belonging to the Santa Barbara Basin, located in the municipality of Pelotas. For both the modified universal soil loss equation ( MEUPS ) was used, considering two study scenarios, being the first with the actual conditions of use and the second with the simulation of the deployment of Permanent Preservation Areas. When the simulated PPAs (scenario 2), the values of soil loss for the four watersheds decreased, ranging from 1.27 to 10.77% for Pedreira and Barbuda watershed, respectively. The results showed that some determining factors in the values of soil loss were the terrain slope, type and land use, and vegetation cover. Through the study it can be concluded that there was a reduction in the amount of soil loss in the four watersheds located in Pelotas, when the PPAs were simulated, compared to the current use. Regarding the four watersheds analyzed, the percentage of maximum Barbuda extension runoff (63.40%) relative to its drainage area.