Land conservation based on land use potential and erosion risk in an Atlantic Forest watershed (Brazil)

Landscape changes, mainly caused by intensive farming activities, result in soil degradation and effluent contamination. This has a negative impact on farmer life-quality and the environment. This study assesses land use suitability and erosion potential in the Espírito Santo portion of the São Mateus River Basin using the conservation use potential (CUP) and revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) methodologies. The results indicated that 38.91% of the analysed area has a high potential for agricultural use; however, a comparison between actual and potential land use indicated that 9.39% of the area is incompatible. Analysis of erosion potential revealed that 3.18% of the total area of the study site had erosion above the tolerance for tropical soils in Brazil. These findings highlight the need for improved land management practices to mitigate soil erosion and maintain soil quality in the basin.