The goal of the study was to figure out how much erosion is happening in the La Ciénega Microbasin in Mexico and to find ways to control it. The researchers used a special equation to estimate erosion rates and tested different methods like contour plowing and using vetiver grass. They found that almost all of the area in the microbasin is at risk of erosion, but using vetiver grass as a living barrier was the most effective way to reduce erosion. This means that planting vetiver grass could help prevent soil from washing away in this area.