Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE)

Synonyms

Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE); RUSLE2; USLE

Definition

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is a mathematical model developed to predict the soil erosion by rainfall and surface runoff on a field. The empirical result of the USLE corresponds to a long-term average annual rate of soil losses under a variety of climatic conditions, soil types, topographic characteristics, crop systems, and conservation practices. However, USLE only predicts the amount of soil loss resulting from sheet or rill erosion on a single slope and does not account for additional soil losses that might occur.

Discussion

The USLE is based on soil erosion data collected from experiments in erosion plots and rainfall simulators since the 1930s by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Soil Conservation Service (now the “USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service”). The main purpose of this model was to preserve cropland from erosion and the diminution of the agricultural...