Hydrological balance and soil erosion in Eucalyptus coppices

The results of a research carried out on the role of eucalyptus cover in the control or superficial runoffs andsoil erosion are shown. The research was carried out from 1978 to 1997 in three smal! experimental basins located inthe province of Crotone (Calabria). Two small experimental basins were covered by eucalyptus coppices of differentages (Eucalyptus occidemalis, End!.) and one was covered by a xerophite range, typical of the land use precedingthe forestation carried out after the strong and prolonged rainfall which ,lffected Calabria in 1951 and 1953. Theanalysis of rainfall, runoffs and turbidity data collected over two decades of monitoring, shows to what extenteucalyptus cover has good anti-erosive effectiveness on clay soils. The analysis showed also their effectivenesscompared lO non-reforested areas, as well as the effect of coppicing. This research contirmed the results gathered byshort-term analysis. Impact of coppicing on surface hydrology and on soil erosion can be limited if clear residues areleft on the ground, and the presence of non-forested spots within reforested areas deeply affects runoff and sedimentyield. According to our experience and to the results observed in long-term measurements, we can assert thateucalyptus cover plays a key role in 1essening the desertification processes in the difficult pedoclimatic environmentin which lhey have been employed.