The spatial variability of soil water infiltration rate and A horizon thickness were studied in a Red-Yellow Podzolic soil (Kandudalf) showing erosion signs, located in Vera Cruz, SP. Field measurements were taken in regular 5 meter spacing square grid, resulting in 64 sampling points where the infiltration rate at the A, E and B horizon, and A horizon thickness were determined in coffee, pasture and natural vegetation. Statistical analysis showed high variability in the soil water infiltration rate and in the A horizon thickness. A semivariogram showed the existence of spatial dependence on infiltration rate in the E horizon in all land uses. A cross-semivariogram showed spatial correlation between A horizon soil thickness and soil water infiltration rate in coffee crop and natural vegetation. The natural vegetation cover protected A horizon soil loss by erosion, as shown by its greater thickness and lesser spatial variation.
permeameter; geoestatistics; semivariogram; degraded areas