Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)

The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), based extensively on the USLE model and its data, offers several major improvements to USLE users. Each factor value has been updated, expanded, and improved.

R factor

• contains expanded and more precise information for locations across the United States
• has the ability to calculate the effect that ponded or puddled water has on raindrop erosion

K factor

• contains more significant erodibility data from around the world such as the soil type, the diameter of soil particles, and the presence of rock fragments
• adjusted to account for the freeze - thaw cycle and soil moisture

LS factor

• possesses the ability to predict soil loss on complex slopes
• can apply different functions based on the relative amounts of rill and interrill erosion.

C factor

• accounts for cropping systems such as conservation tillage and crop rotation and gives consideration to prior land use, canopy cover, surface cover, and surface roughness

P factor

• determines the effect of strip cropping, contour cultivation, and also conservation practices applied to rangeland

Like USLE, RUSLE is applicable to sheet and rill detachment only. It does not estimate erosion in channels or compute deposition.

Any Comments Would Be Appreciated
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