Recovery of gullies and degraded areas in Brazil and worldwide - case study of the Sacavém gully - São Luís – MA

Abstract

This paper addresses gully erosion around the world, outlining several ways of recuperating them. In all of them geoengineering techniques are presented, and the success and low cost, when well applied. Furthermore, the article calls attention for the need to understand how this erosion feature evolves on the slopes, the main causes for gully formation and, consequently, what to do to mitigate this geomorphological process. Finally, one example of success is presented for São Luís, where monitoring, using traditional techniques, and land recuperation, using buriti mats, which is a local palm tree, has proven how it is possible, using the local knowledge, together with the academic expertise, to recuperate gully.