Scribd
Upload
27 views21 pages

Usle Presentation

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) measures average annual soil loss due to water erosion. It is an empirical model that relates factors like rainfall, soil type, slope, vegetation, and management practices to predict long-term erosion rates. The USLE equation expresses soil loss as a function of rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover management, and support practices.

Uploaded by

hamzaelgherseli
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views21 pages

Usle Presentation

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) measures average annual soil loss due to water erosion. It is an empirical model that relates factors like rainfall, soil type, slope, vegetation, and management practices to predict long-term erosion rates. The USLE equation expresses soil loss as a function of rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, slope length and steepness, cover management, and support practices.

Uploaded by

hamzaelgherseli
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 21

USLE

Universal Soil Loss Equation


o The USLE measures the average annual potential soil
loss due to water erosion in agricultural plots.
o It's a parametric type model, and the equation relates
all the factors that modify soil erosion.
o It has been the subject of various revisions, such as
MUSLE (Modified USLE), for a specific event.
o Wischmeier, W.H. and D.D. Smith. 1978. Predicting
rainfall erosion losses. USDA. Agriculture Handbook
537, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Empirical model:
Analysis of observations in study plots
Seeks to characterize response from these data.
Based on:
Rainfall pattern, soil type, topography, crop system and
management practices.
Predicts:
Long term potential annual rate of erosion
Subroutine in models such as:
SWRRB (Simulator of Water Resources in Rural Basins) (Williams,
1975), EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) (Williams et al.,
1980), ARCGIS…etc.
The equation:

A = R x K x LS x C x P
• A = average annual soil loss (tons/acre year)
• R = rainfall and runoff erosivity index
• K = soil erodibility factor
• L = slope length factor
• S = slope steepness factor
• C= crop/management factor
• P = conservation or support practice factor
Study plots
Standard USLE plot:

• 22.1m (72.6 ft)


long
• 9% slope
• 4m (13.12 ft)
wide.
R (rainfall and runoff erosivity index)

• Erosion index (EI) for a given storm:


• Product of the kinetic energy of the falling raindrops and its maximum 30
minute intensity.

• R factor =  EI over a year / 100

A =R x K x LS x C x P
(100 J m2 cm h-1)

10
K (soil erodibility)

• Susceptibility of a given soil to erosion by rainfall


and runoff.

• Depend on:
• Texture, structure, organic matter content, and
permeability.

A =R x K x LS x C x P
Example:

• Given:
• Soil with:
• 65% silt and very fine sand
• 5% sand
• 3.5 % organic matter (OM)
• fine granular soil structure
• slow to moderate permeability
• Required:
• Determine the K factor

12
Soil-erodibility nomograph. Answer  K = 0.31
LS (slope length-gradient)

• Ratio of soil loss under given conditions to that at a


site with the "standard" slope and slope length.
A =R x K x LS x C x P
(%)
E
OP
SL

LENGTH (m)

15
C (crop/management)

• Ratio of soil loss from land use under specified conditions


to that from continuously fallow and tilled land.
Crop Factor
Grain Corn 0.40
Silage Corn, Beans & Canola 0.50
Cereals (Spring & Winter) 0.35
Seasonal Horticultural Crops 0.50
Fruit Trees 0.10
Hay and Pasture 0.02
Tillage Factor
Fall Plow 1.00
Spring Plow 0.90
Mulch Tillage 0.60
Ridge Tillage 0.35
Zone Tillage 0.25
A =R x K x LS x C x P No-Till 0.25
P (conservation practices)

• Ratio of soil loss by a support practice to that of


straight-row farming up and down the slope.

Strip cropping is a method of farming which involves cultivating a field partitioned into long, narrow strips which are
alternated in a crop rotation system. It is used when a slope is too steep or when there is no alternative method of
preventing soil erosion. The most common crop choices for strip cropping are closely sown crops such as hay, wheat, or
other forages which are alternated with strips of row crops, such as corn, soybeans, cotton, or sugar beets. The forages
serve primarily as cover crops. In certain systems, strips in particularly eroded areas are used to grow permanent
protective vegetation; in most systems, however, all strips are alternated on an annual basis.
EROSION CONTROL
PRACTICES
Structures: diversions, terraces,
waterways
• Reduce slope length
• Slow runoff velocity
• Divert excess water safely
• Avoid runoff over barnyard, feedlots, etc.
Terracing & Contour Farming

You might also like