Soil and erosion study on the northeast slope of the hill the four in the municipality of Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Abstract

Background: The investigation was carried out because it was part of the study of the physical environment of Cerro del Cuatro in Tlaquepaque, Jal. Place where a University Center will be built. Objectives: Describe and analyze the texture, structure, apparent density, depth, infiltration and organic matter of the soil; as well as characterize and analyze erosion, and estimate soil loss by applying the Universal Equation of soil loss. Method: In order to carry out this investigation and due to the heterogeneity of the study area, it was necessary to divide it into high, medium and low slopes. Subsequently, a sample of the "A" horizon was collected from the three sections, one from the upper part, two from the middle and one more from the lower part. Each sample was determined: texture, apparent density, organic matter, color, pH; Finally, the description of the erosion in the entire slope was made by direct observation in the field. Results: The most relevant thing in this aspect was the presence of two incipient soils, one in the part with the steepest slope and the other in the part with the least slope, both with low vegetation cover, this helped to explain some of the causes of its strong erosion. Meanwhile, in the middle part of the slope, the soils are moderately more developed and less eroded. Conclusion: The degradation of the slope is a consequence of intense deforestation, since a strong loss of vegetation cover is observed, however the greatest affectation is more accentuated in the lower part where the vegetation has been completely lost.