Impact of service roads on erosion processes in banana plantations in Southern Brazil
Abstract
Banana production is the main agricultural activity in the region of Corupá in southern Brazil. Situated in the end of the Itapocú Valley, the region is characterized by undulated relief and the proximity to the Serra do Mar mountain range. A large part of the pure stand banana cultivations is located in steep hillslopes. As a result, the region is facing environmental impacts due to severe soil erosion together with nutriment and sediment yields to the water courses. The local banana plantations are traversed by a dense network of service roads which are altering the hydrological properties of the slopes. In the present project the effect of the service road network on soil erosion processes is examined. Surveys will be carried out in two stages: first a comprehensive field survey will be conducted. Data regarding the runoff of surface water in the banana cultivation will be collected. The surface water flow along the service roads, ravines and elements of the drainage infrastructure as well as the condition of the service roads will be mapped. Second a GIS-based analysis of the hydraulic properties of the slope will be conducted. Based on a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM), the basins and sub basins of the hillslope will be calculated, and the hydraulic network will be analysed. The data obtained in the two stages will be analysed together in order to build a map indicating the main attributes found among the landscape elements related to the erosive processes of the property, including: slope, natural drainage network, road and access system, runoff channels, ravines, among others. The aim is to identify segments of the service road network with a major contribution to the erosion processes. The created maps will be the basis for the effective planning of future restoration works.
erosion service road banana plantation
Publikationen
Project staff
Johann Peter Rauch
Assoc. Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn. Johann Peter Rauch
hp.rauch@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-87404
BOKU Project Leader
01.04.2020 - 31.03.2022
Stephan Hörbinger
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Stephan Hörbinger
stephan.hoerbinger@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-87415
Sub Projectleader
01.04.2020 - 31.03.2022
BOKU partners
External partners
Instituto Federal Catarinense Campus Araquari
Fernando Prates Bisso
partner