Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
What is RUSLE2 ?

Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Version 2


  • Estimates soil loss from rill and interrill erosion caused by rainfall and overland flow
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RUSLE2
  • Major revision of RUSLE1
  • New graphical interface
  • Most RUSLE1 relationships revised


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RUSLE2 Features
  • Daily calculation of time-varying factors
  • (r, k, ls, c, p)


  • Developed & tested by experienced and nationally recognized erosion scientists and conservationists.


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RUSLE2 Features
  • Intended to describe main effects
  • Intended to be used as a guide for conservation planning
  • Intended to represent trends demonstrated in field data


  • Not intended to be a precise estimator
  • of soil loss or residue cover
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Validation of RUSLE2
  • 10,000 plot-years of data from natural runoff plots


  • 2000 plot-years of rainfall simulator data


  • Proven by more than 4 decades of worldwide use by its predecessors, USLE and RUSLE1
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RUSLE2 Uses
  • Conservation Planning
  • Inventories
  • Estimating Sediment Production
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Applicable Land Uses
  • Cropland Grazing Land
  • Disturbed forestland Construction
  • Mined land Reclaimed land
  • Landfills Military land


  • Other areas where surface overland flow occurs because rainfall exceeds infiltration
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RUSLE2
  • Most powerful and easy-to-use
  • erosion prediction tool available
  • for use in conservation planning
  • at the field office level


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Why implement RUSLE2?
  • In 1998, NRCS made decision to have new erosion prediction technology in place in time for 2002 Farm Bill
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RUSLE2 Implementation
  • National Instruction for implementation released in OCT 2002


  • Application of RUSLE2 for USDA Farm Programs similar to RUSLE1
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RUSLE2 Implementation
Defined
  • Full implementation means –


  • Program loaded on field office computers
  • Databases loaded
  • Trained field office staff
  • Using for conservation planning
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Implementation Timeline
  • 1998-1999:  Develop Technology        for testing
  • 2000:  Testing by NRCS
  • 2001:  Develop supporting Databases
  •              Train State erosion specialists
  • 2002-2003:  Implementation in all field     offices where erosion is concern
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Supporting Databases
  • Developed at National Level –
  • Crops Residues,
  • Field Operations, Climate
  • Soils Support Practices


  • Developed at State Office Level –
  • Crop Management Scenarios


  • Developed at Field Office Level -
  • (None)
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Field Office User
  • Selects –
  • Location (climate)
  • Soil map unit component
  • Slope length and steepness
  • Crop Management (Use Rotation Builder to develop rotation)
  • Supporting Practices


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Training Field Office Staff
  • Tools Available -
  • Tutorial
  • PowerPoint Presentations
  • User’s Guides


  • Hands-On Training Time
  • One (1) day
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The end - implementation overview