ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF ERODED SOILS

Abstract

Soil degradation due to water erosion is a serious threat to the quality of resources upon which man depends for his subsistance, such as water or land. The assesment of soils based on environmental variables has become essential for planning, and setting soil management to improve soil quality.  This paper reviews technology to asses the degradation that has occurred because of water erosion at different scales, considering the factors that are determinant at each level. Analyzed scales are: surface soil aggregates, plots and rangelands, and watershed. In each case, the indicated erosion variables are discussed, as well as the methods and more common tools used for evaluation.  A study case is presented.