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ABSTRACT
Objetive: Estimate the rate of water erosion in the Cienega micro-basin, in the municipality of Malinaltepec, Guerrero, and evaluate alternatives for its control.
Design / methodology / approach: Using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (EUPS), the potential erosion rate, the current erosion rate, and erosion control with three conservation practices: contour furrowing, successive formation terraces and living terrace with vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) were estimated.
Results: 99.18% of the surface of the micro-watershed presents very strong potential erosion. Due to the presence of vegetation, only 41% of the surface has strong or very strong current erosion, 53.6% light erosion and 4.6% moderate erosion. The vetiver live barrier is the only evaluated conservation practice that effectively decreased erosion on agricultural land.
Limitations / implications: The lack of accurate rainfall erosivity data was a limitation in the study.
Findings / Conclusions: The Cienega micro-watershed has a high risk of erosion and current erosion is a problem on agricultural land. The most effective alternative is live barriers with vetiver.
