ESTIMATION OF SURFACE SOIL EROSION IN GRASSLANDS OF THE POIANA RUSCĂ MOUNTAINS. A CASE STUDY

Soil erosion, a natural phenomenon intensified by human activities, represents a significant threat to the environment, agriculture and economic sustainability, affecting the fertility and stability of land, including grasslands, in different regions of the globe and in Romania. To analyze this phenomenon, the study applies the USLE model integrated into GIS environments, using geospatial and remote sensing data to estimate the average erosion rate in the Poiana Rusca Mountains area, with a focus on grassland areas. Factors analysed include rainfall erosion, soil erodibility, topography, land use and the impact of erosion control measures. The results show that most grassland areas have a low average erosion rate (0-3 t/ha/year), due to the protection offered by the vegetation cover, but areas with steep slopes and sparse vegetation record moderate or severe losses (over 21 t/ha/year). The conclusions of the research emphasize the importance of implementing conservation measures, such as the restoration of the vegetation carpet in degraded grasslands and the sustainable management of grasslands, along with the use of geomatic technologies to monitor erosion phenomena, to reduce risks, contributing to the protection of these valuable ecosystems from an economic and biodiversity point of view.