Soil erosion risk zoning in the Ecuadorian coastal region using geo-technological tools

Abstract

The activation of erosive processes on the slopes of the drainage catchments in the Ecuadorian coastal region represents a serious environmental problem that results in a loss of soil resources with the consequent reduction in agricultural productivity, an increasing lack of areas with vegetation, and decreased water quality. These issues increase, among other things, the probability of flooding. The purpose of this research is to zone soil erosion risk in the Manabí province, which is located on the Ecuadorian coast. The methodology is supported by the employment of Geographic Information Technologies (GIT) in order to access and process information of interest, such as: precipitation data with which to calculate the R Factor of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE); topography, which was employed to create a slope map from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) ASTER; vegetation cover, by applying the Standard Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI); land use, through the interpretation of orthophotos and a field survey; and infiltration capacity, obtained by considering the texture of the soil. The factors were combined by means a weighted relationship (map algebra) and exploiting the potential of software for the design of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The results indicate the presence of soils with little or without vegetal protection, in areas with steep slopes, moderate rainfall and extensive farming activities. These characteristics determine conditions of high soil erodability, and propitiate the triggering of erosive processes. This scenario shows the need for autonomous governments to implement policies, strategies and actions so as to promote the strengthening of institutional and community capacities that will promote environmental sustainability.

Susceptibility to erosion risks in soils dedicated to the pineapple cultivation in the state of Valle del Cauca, Colombia

“…The results found are similar to those reported for some departments of the Andean area (Ramírez et al, 2009) (Castro et al, 2017) who primarily indicate erosivity classified as high and very high. These data are also consistent with the ranges indicated by Pacheco et al (2019) who reported erosivity values between 3162.12 and 12683.72 MJ.mm.ha -1 for an Ecuadorian tropical region and Liu et al (2020), who obtained average erosivity values for South America of 14378.64 MJ.mm.ha -1 between the years 1980-1999 and of 10273.67 MJ.mm.ha -1 , between 2000-2017. Figure 1 shows the distribution of the R factor in the area.…”

Soils erosion in pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr) producing areas

“…On the other hand, studies carried out in areas near this region by Ramírez et al (2009) and Castro et al (2017) indicate values of erosivity that are between the high and very high categories. Likewise, a study developed by Pacheco et al (2019) reports erosivity values framed between 3162.12 and 12683.72MJ.mm.ha -1 for an Ecuadorian tropical region, and more recently, Yue et al (2020) report values for the last two decades for South America up to 10273.67MJ.mm.ha -1 .…”

Estimation of soil losses due to water erosion in the Dagua River Basin, Colombia

“…However, some investigations such as those carried out by (Ramírez et al, 2009) (Castro et al, 2017) in the departments of Caldas and Quindío, where the annual rainfall is between 1700 to 4000 mm, reporting erosivities classified as high and very high. On the other hand, a study carried out by Pacheco et al, (2019) for an Ecuadorian tropical region, indicated that the ranges of erosivity are between 3162.12 and 12683.72 MJ.mm.ha -1 yr -1 .…”