Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)

 Over the last few decades, a cooperative effort between scientists and users to update the USLE has resulted in the development of RUSLE. The modifications incorporated in USLE to result in the RUSLE are mentioned as under (Kenneth et.al. 1991):

  • Computerizing the algorithms assists the calculations.
  • New rainfall-runoff erosivity term (R).
  • Development of a seasonally variable soil erodibility term (K).
  • A new approach for calculating the cover management term (C) with the sub-factors representing considerations of prior land use, crop canopy, surface cover and surface roughness
  • New slope length and steepness (LS) algorithms reflecting rill to inter-rill erosion ratio
  • The capacity to calculate LS products for the slopes of varying shapes

  • New conservation practices value (P) for rangelands, strip crop rotations, contour factor values and subsurface drainage.

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