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USLE K-Factor Method Selection for a Tropical Catchment

Author

Listed:
  • Valter S. Marques

    (Federal Institute of Goiás, GO 154, Km 3, Ceres, GO 76300-000, Brazil)

  • Marcos B. Ceddia

    (Institute of Technology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil)

  • Mauro A. H. Antunes

    (Institute of Technology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil)

  • Daniel F. Carvalho

    (Institute of Technology, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-000, Brazil)

  • Jamil A. A. Anache

    (São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, CxP. 359, São Carlos, SP 13566-590, Brazil)

  • Dulce B. B. Rodrigues

    (Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism and Geography, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, CxP. 549, Campo Grande, MS 79070-900, Brazil)

  • Paulo Tarso S. Oliveira

    (Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism and Geography, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, CxP. 549, Campo Grande, MS 79070-900, Brazil)

Abstract

The use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and the Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) facilitates sediment yield (SY) estimates in watersheds. However, the soil loss predictions are frequently unrealistic because of the methods used to estimate the USLE’s factors. Here, we evaluated the performance of methods to estimate the soil erodibility (K-factor) and the influence of its estimation in the SY predictions. K-factor values were obtained from three widely used equations and using a portable rainfall simulator. These values were used to compute annual average soil loss and SY in a tropical watershed. We compared SY estimates with a 15-month observed sediment discharge dataset sampled in the catchment outlet. The most reliable method for the K-factor estimating was the USLE nomograph. Furthermore, our results indicate that the use of a portable rainfall simulator to estimate the K-factor tends to underestimate soil loss and sediment delivery.

Suggested Citation

  • Valter S. Marques & Marcos B. Ceddia & Mauro A. H. Antunes & Daniel F. Carvalho & Jamil A. A. Anache & Dulce B. B. Rodrigues & Paulo Tarso S. Oliveira, 2019. "USLE K-Factor Method Selection for a Tropical Catchment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:7:p:1840-:d:217510
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Middleton, H. E., 1930. "Properties of Soils Which Influence Soil Erosion," Technical Bulletins 159441, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Wen-Chieh Chou, 2010. "Modelling Watershed Scale Soil Loss Prediction and Sediment Yield Estimation," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(10), pages 2075-2090, August.
    3. Luciene Gomes & Silvio J. C. Simões & Eloi Lennon Dalla Nora & Eráclito Rodrigues de Sousa-Neto & Maria Cristina Forti & Jean Pierre H. B. Ometto, 2019. "Agricultural Expansion in the Brazilian Cerrado: Increased Soil and Nutrient Losses and Decreased Agricultural Productivity," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-26, January.
    4. Bor-Shiun Lin & Chun-Kai Chen & Kent Thomas & Chen-Kun Hsu & Hsing-Chuan Ho, 2019. "Improvement of the K-Factor of USLE and Soil Erosion Estimation in Shihmen Reservoir Watershed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Paulo de Oliveira & Teodorico Sobrinho & Dulce Rodrigues & Elói Panachuki, 2011. "Erosion Risk Mapping Applied to Environmental Zoning," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 25(3), pages 1021-1036, February.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Muhammad Tousif Bhatti & Muhammad Ashraf & Arif A. Anwar, 2021. "Soil Erosion and Sediment Load Management Strategies for Sustainable Irrigation in Arid Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-22, March.

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