1 RUSLE 2 Wisconsin Website da.gov/technical/cons plan/rusle Judy Derricks-WI RUSLE2 MANAGER

OBJECTIVES Understand erosion concepts important in RUSLE2 Understand erosion concepts important in RUSLE2 Understanding RUSLE2 updates & installations Understanding RUSLE2 updates & installations Understand the RUSLE2 factors affecting erosion rates and soil quality Understand the RUSLE2 factors affecting erosion rates and soil quality Understand the Application of Erosion Principles to Conservation Planning Understand the Application of Erosion Principles to Conservation Planning Explore Additional Uses and Application for RUSLE2 Explore Additional Uses and Application for RUSLE2

3 Visit RUSLE2 Website

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Beyond…RUSLE 2 Sheet & Rill Only…..No Concentrated Channels

7 Types of Water Erosion Rill / Interill (Sheet & Rill) Ephemeral Classic Gully

8 Why Erosion Is a Concern (What are the impacts of erosion?) Degrades soil resource 1. Reduces soil productivity 2. Reduces soil O. M. 3. Removes plant nutrients Causes downstream sedimentation Produces sediment that carries other pollutants (eg. nutrients, pesticides) (eg. nutrients, pesticides) Produces sediment which is a pollutant

9 Climate (R) Soil (K) Topography (LS) Crops (C ) - Management Supporting Practices (P) Erosion Contributing Factors?

Erosion Factors – Climate Different geographic areas have different climates. Each climate has a unique pattern of rainfall and storm intensity. The influences of storm energy and volume of water combine to detach soil and transport it.

Erosion Factors - Climate, Erosivity - R Las Vegas, NV 8 Phoenix, AZ 22 Denver, CO 40 Syracuse, NY 80 Minneapolis, MN110 Chicago, IL140 Ashland 100 Dodge 130 Manitowoc 110 Richland 140 Rock 150 A measure of erosivity of climate at specific locations

Erosion Factors - Soil, Erodibility - K During mapping, soils are assigned an erodibility factor based on their inherent potential to erode. During mapping, soils are assigned an erodibility factor based on their inherent potential to erode. Soil erodibility factors assigned to soils usually range from values of 0.17 to Organics can be as low as.02. Soil erodibility factors assigned to soils usually range from values of 0.17 to Organics can be as low as.02. The higher the erodibility factor, the greater the inherent potential to erode. The higher the erodibility factor, the greater the inherent potential to erode.

Erosion Factors - Soil, Erodibility - K, Variable over Time Varies during year Varies during year High when rainfall is high High when rainfall is high Low when temperature is high Low when temperature is high Very low below about 25 o F Very low below about 25 o F

14 Erosion Factors - Soil Tolerance to Erosion The “T” Value Different soils have different tolerances to erosion.Different soils have different tolerances to erosion. Soil scientists assign a soil loss tolerance “T” value to soil during mapping based on the soil’s properties and potential for the soil to lose productivity over time from erosion.Soil scientists assign a soil loss tolerance “T” value to soil during mapping based on the soil’s properties and potential for the soil to lose productivity over time from erosion. T values assigned to soils during mapping are 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 tons per acre per year.T values assigned to soils during mapping are 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 tons per acre per year. Soils with lower T values are much more quickly damaged from erosion than soil with higher T values.Soils with lower T values are much more quickly damaged from erosion than soil with higher T values.

Erosion Factors - Topography “The Planning L” Soil loss Remote deposition Sediment yield Complex Slope – Convex/Concave “L” Soil Loss for Planning Overland flow slope length

Cover-Management Effects Raindrops intercepted by canopy cover Raindrops not intercepted by canopy cover Canopy cover Ground cover Ridges Buried residue Dead roots Live roots Soil consolidation Random roughness

Management – “C” Factors The presence or absence of crop canopy or crop residue is one of the most important factors determining whether erosion will actually occur, even during periods of high EI.

Erosion Factors Cover Management Subfactors (Effect of Below Ground Biomass) Roots mechanically hold the soil Roots mechanically hold the soil Add organic matter that improves soil quality, reduces erodibility, increases infiltration Add organic matter that improves soil quality, reduces erodibility, increases infiltration Affect rill erosion more than interrill erosion Affect rill erosion more than interrill erosion Effect of buried residue over upper 3 inches, but depth decreases to 1 inch as soil consolidates (e.g. no-till) Effect of buried residue over upper 3 inches, but depth decreases to 1 inch as soil consolidates (e.g. no-till)

19 Erosion Factors Cover Management Subfactors (Soil Consolidation) Overall, freshly tilled soil is about twice as erodible as a fully consolidated soil. Overall, freshly tilled soil is about twice as erodible as a fully consolidated soil. Erodibility decreases with time Erodibility decreases with time >6 years in Wisconsin

20 Supporting Practices Contour Stripcropping Contouring Terraces Contour Buffer Strips

21 Supporting Practices (Contour Farming) Redirects surface runoff Redirects surface runoff Effectiveness is determined by ridge height (no ridge height = no contour effect). Effectiveness is determined by ridge height (no ridge height = no contour effect). Effect is greatest when rows are aligned on the true contour. Effect is greatest when rows are aligned on the true contour. Fails on long slope lengths. Fails on long slope lengths.

22 Supporting Practices (Contour Stripcropping) Usually equal width strips. Usually equal width strips. Crops in the strips are rotated through a rotation cycle. Crops in the strips are rotated through a rotation cycle. Crops are offset so that strips of close growing crops (small grain, perennial crop) separate strips with more erodible crops row crops (corn, soybeans) Crops are offset so that strips of close growing crops (small grain, perennial crop) separate strips with more erodible crops row crops (corn, soybeans)

23 Erosion Prediction Conservation Planning Data Needed 1.Locate the “Significant Planning Area” for the field. 2.Length and Steepness of Slopes. 3.Crops grown and sequence of crops. 4.Field Specific Crop Yields. 5.Soil types. 6.Supporting Practices (where appropriate).

24 Significant “Planning Area” 200 ft. 20% Area 200 ft. 25% of area 250 ft 40% Area 250 ft 15% of Area

25 KEY CONCEPTS Soil Condition Index (SCI) Soil Tillage Intensity Rating (STIR) Energy Calculator Residue Levels (FLAT RESIDUE)

26 Soil Condition Index Rotation—OM returned to the soil Field Operations—Type, speed & number of passes Erosion Factors THE HIGHER THE NUMBER THE BETTER!! “0” Means OM is being maintained (The numbers range from ) (The numbers range from )

27 ROTATION IS CRITICAL OMOM Canopy CoverCanopy Cover Residue compositionResidue composition

28 HOW CAN I IMPACT SCI?? High residue crops in rotation Cover crops where it matters Mulch & Manure applications Reduce the tillage Reduce the soil disturbance Minimize the erosion from wind & water Increase crop production/residue levels

29 STIR (Soil Tillage Intensity Rating) Operating speed Tillage type—mechanical disturbance Tillage Depth-Residue incorporation Surface area disturbed as related to consolidation STIR VALUE=0-200 STIR VALUE=0-200 LOW NUMBER IS GOOD LOW NUMBER IS GOOD Prefer under 30 Prefer under 30

30 Improve STIR Value…….. Reduce tillage No Tillage Systems Soil Conserving Crops such as Alfalfa/Grass

Next: Computer Application of RUSLE2

32 Most Common Errors Don’t Capture Enough Information Changing Yields & Residue Levels Not Reviewing Soil Condition Index With Landowners Using Profiles and not keeping common runs under worksheet Not Using Manure Correctly WI First 3 Went Away…Keep Current! Not Using those Yellow Folders Enough

33 Set up Template for county and common soil & Save as “Dane” Add several Profiles Change Column Widths

34 Start Here! Once & Label Last Step Add uniqueness Put in notes

35 QUESTIONS??