Research Programs

At the NSERL we have two major research programs.  The main objective of our research program is to understand the processes of soil erosion by water in order to develop more effective and cost efficient methods to control soil erosion and reduce its adverse environmental effects.  We have a major project which utilizes the full potential and capabilities of the NSERL to research cause/effect relationships on a vast number of processes that are involved in water erosion.  We have recently outreached with Western European Counterparts to investigate the combined effects of wind and water erosion.  Our other major project includes the development of better erosion prediction technology.   We are heavily involved with the MOdular Soil Erosion System (MoSES) and the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP). 

History

The National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory  (NSERL) was opened on the Purdue University Campus in 1982.  The NSERL was constructed as a result of funding provided by Congress with the support of  Purdue University and sponsorship of the legislation by former Senator Birch Bayh.  The laboratory was established at Purdue University because of the long history of water erosion research here.  Over the years, many famous names in soil and water conservation have graced this location.  The location was the birthplace of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and the Water Erosion Prediction Project Model (WEPP).  These models have been, are, or are envisioned to be the methods of erosion prediction that are used by the USDA to administer billions of dollars in farm program dollars and also by many people far too numerous to mention in conserving our nation's and the world's natural resources.  The laboratory's budget is small in comparison to many ARS locations in the USA and the world, yet we are extremely productive because of linkages with other interested industries, organizations, government agencies, NGO's, and most of all, American Agriculture.  Our basic research program, which is the foundation of the NSERL, attracts financial support from a wide variety of areas.  These include: private farmers, other government agencies, agricultural industries, the electric power industry, other countries, the United Nations and a multitude of other interested parties.  Our laboratory, although small in size, is one of the most recognized soil and water research laboratories in the world.  We have been recognized as such, by being selected to host the 10^th International Soil Conservation Organization Congress in May of 1999.  This is the first time this meeting will be held in the continental USA.  Our staff works very hard and is very proud of our accomplishments.  We are open to any suggestions to improve our outreach and cooperative research endeavors.  Please understand that we are small in number and do have limited resources and personnel.