Universal Soil Loss Equation
The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is an empirical model that estimates annual soil loss due to sheet and rill erosion on hillslopes caused by rainfall and runoff. Developed by Wischmeier and Smith in 1978 from decades of erosion plot experiments, USLE has become a standard tool for erosion risk assessment, conservation planning, and best management practice design. The Revised USLE (RUSLE) updated the original model with improved factor algorithms.
Source record
Citations copied verbatim from the method’s source record. No claim-level verification is inferred from them.
- Wischmeier, W. H., & Smith, D. D. (1978). Predicting rainfall erosion losses: A guide to conservation planning. USDA Agricultural Handbook 537. · URL
- Renard, K. G., Foster, G. R., Weesies, G. A., McCool, D. K., & Yoder, D. C. (1997). Predicting soil erosion by water: a guide to conservation planning with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). USDA Agricultural Handbook 703. · URL
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