An Assessment of Water and Soil Losses in Pastures of The Brazilian Savanna Using Simulated Rainfall

Pastures occupy a large part of Brazilian national territory, being heterogeneous characteristics and varying in climate, fertility, management. Water erosion, generated by the action rainfall, is principal source soil depletion. These soils exhibit distinct behaviors spatially temporally. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate water losses pasture Cerrado region during two periods year (winter summer) with aim understanding hydro-geomorphological dynamic pastures question. A rainfall simulator was calibrated at 64.34 mm/h, replicate similar intensities those study region, for 30 minutes (32.17 mm) over four erosion plots. Overall, plots presented low sediment losses, largest runoff volumes summer highest rates winter. results are connected seasonal climate variations expressed which reflected plant growth habits, generating alterations structural quality pastures. It follows that return rainy season (winter-summer transition) represents critical phase triggering erosive process.