REVISED UNIVERSAL SOIL LOSS EQUATION

Effect of Below Ground Biomass

ØRoots mechanically hold the soil

ØAdd organic matter that improves soil quality, reduces erodibility, increases infiltration

ØAffect rill erosion more than interrill erosion

ØEffect of roots considered over upper 10 inches

ØEffect of buried residue over upper 3 inches, but depth decreases to 1 inch as soil consolidates (e.g. no-till)


	Below ground biomass has several effects, many of them interactive with other effects such as soil consolidation.
	The average amount of live and dead roots in 10 inches is the key variable for the effect of roots.
	The amount of buried residue in the upper three inches is the key variable for the effect of buried residue.
	The three inch depth is reduced as the soil consolidates to give greater credit to the build up of organic matter over time at the soil surface for no-till.