Soil Loss Equation

www.iwr.msu.edu/rusle

The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), was developed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and is internationally employed. It considers rainfall runoff, soil erodibility, field slope length and steepness, land cover practices, and conservation support practices to estimate average soil loss in tons/acre/year. The RUSLE Tool, an interactive web-based tool that integrates the RUSLE equation into a geographical information system (GIS), allows the user to apply “what if” scenarios to these activities to predict an estimated average soil loss in tons per acre per year based upon crop rotation and tillage practices and best management practices selected. As a result, agricultural producers, land developers and contractors will better understand the impact their decisions have on the land, and can employ practices that can minimize soil erosion from their sites.

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