Estimating soil erosion for conservation planning

"Soil type, crop rotation, r11infall, tillage practices, topography and conservation practices used are a few of the factors which determine the potential for soil erosion at specific sites within fields. Over the years, several equations have been used to estimate erosion for various agricultural conservation planning programs. The most effective tool was developed by W. H. Wischmeier . and D. D. Smith of the Agricultural Research Service/ USDA and is called the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). The USLE was based on more than 10,000 plotyears of soil erosion research conducted at 49 locations in the U.S. The equation has proven to be effective for evaluating the impact of such factors as crop rotation, tillage systems, vegetative cover, contouring and terraces on the potential for erosion control."--First page.John R. McCarthy (Soil Conservation Service), Donald L. Pfost (Agricultural Engineering Department), Nyle Wollenhaupt (Agronomy Department