Magnetic susceptibility in the identification of landscape compartments in a hillslope

Abstract

The use of new techniques that assist in identifying areas with different agricultural potentials promotes greater efficiency in soil management. With the increasing concern about environmental issues related to agricultural practices, new researches have been developed to minimize the environmental impacts of traditional agriculture. In this context, the objective of this work was to study the efficiency of the magnetic susceptibility in the identification of different landscape compartments in a hillslope in the city of Gilbués, Piauí, Brazil. In a 140 hectares area, three compartments of the hillslope were identified. A sampling grid of one hectare was assembled in each compartment. Samples were collected in 121 points spaced regularly at 10 meters. The magnetic susceptibility was efficient in identifying landscape. Thus, the magnetic susceptibility can be used to locate areas with higher or lower standard of variability, assisting in the identification of specific management areas more quickly and economically.