Predicting Rainfall Erosion Losses

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) enables planners to predict the average rate of soil erosion for each feasible alternative combination of crop system and management practices in association with a specified soil type, rainfall pattern, and topography. When these predicted losses are compared with given soil loss tolerances, they provide specific guidelines for effecting erosion control within specified limits. The equation groups the numerous interrelated physical and management parameters that influence erosion rate under six major factors whose site-specific values can be expressed numerically. A half century of erosion research in many States has supplied information from which at least approximate values of the USLE factors can be obtained for specified farm fields or other small erosion prone areas throughout the United States. Tables and charts presented in this handbook make this information readily available for field use. Significant limitations in the available data are identified.

Introduction and history; Rainfall-runoff erosivity factor (R); Soil erodibility factor (K); Slope length and steepness factors (LS); Cover-management factor (C); Support practice factor (P); RUSLE user guide; Coversion to SI metric system; Calculation of EI from recording-raingage records; Estimating random roughness in the field; Parameter values for major agricultural crops and tillage operations.

Excerpt from An Universal Equation for Predicting Rainfall-Erosion Losses: An Aid to Conservation Farming in Humid Regions Ars scientists have developed a soil-loss predicting equation that promises to be a significant contribution to safe, productive use of the Nation's soil. The equation's chief merit is versatility-it can be used wherever rain causes significant erosion losses. Its value in predicting longtime, localized soil losses has been established. It can be used to define the conservation practices needed for a given field to limit soil losses to tolerable levels. It provides a mathematical approach to conservation farm planning. Research is continuing to improve the equation, to increase the accuracy of its factors, and to extend its scope and usefulness. This report describes how research into the factors of rainfall erosion has resulted in the development of a practical equation. Also, it explains how the equation works. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.