Erosion Models

Before a farmer even begins to develop a soil conservation plan, the severity of the erosion problem should be estimated. Because erosion is not easy to measure, models are used to estimate erosion based on a number of factors that can be measured. The Universal Soil Loss Equation has been used for many years to predict erosion on any field. It has recently been replaced by the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) which uses similar factors. The USLE for estimating average annual soil loss is

A = RKLSCP

Where,

A = average annual soil loss in t/a (tons per acre)

R = rainfall and runoff erosivity index by geographic location

K = soil erodibility factor; average soil loss per unit of erosion index for a soil cultivated in continuous fallow with a slope of 72.6 feet and an incline of 9%

LS = topographic factor; L is for slope length and S is for slope percent

C = cropping-management factor; the ratio of soil loss for given conditions to that from cultivated

P = conservation practice factor; the ratio of soil loss for a given practice to that for up and down the slope farming

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