SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MONTHLY AND ANNUAL RAINFALL AND RAINFALL EROSIVITY IN ESPIRITO SANTO, BRAZIL

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MONTHLY AND ANNUAL RAINFALL AND RAINFALL EROSIVITY IN ESPIRITO SANTO, BRAZIL The mapping of rainfall erosivity and rainfall is a practical and indispensable tool to plan the soil and water management on a regional scale, such as countries, states or basins. The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatial continuity of erosive potential of rainfall and rainfall, considering monthly and annual mean values, and to map them for the State of Espirito Santo, Brazil, providing basic information for the planning of sustainable soil use and management. To this end, 129 weather stations were used and monthly values of rainfall erosivity were calculated using Fournier's equations. A strong spatial dependency structure was observed, especially for rainfall erosivity, with data fitting to the exponential semivariogram model. For rainfall, the spatial dependence degree values were slightly lower than for rainfall erosivity, however, a moderate to strong spatial dependence degree was obtained. The rainfall erosivity potential of the Rio Doce region was classified as "strong" and "very strong", varying from 7,000 to 11,460 MJ mm ha(-1) h(-1) year(-1). In this region, the natural vulnerability to water erosion of soils with a dissected relief, low natural fertility and a pronounced water deficit hampering vegetation establishment, is higher.