ABSTRACT:
The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) has been the best, most convenient technology for estimating soil loss in a wide variety of investigations. Recent revisions to USLE incorporated new knowledge and improved the versatility of the revised USLE (RUSLE). Following a brief description of the evolution and utilization of USLE, this presentation dresses the applicabilityof RUSLE in geomorphic research.
In general, consideration of both temporal and spatial scales is essential for the appropriate application of RUSLE in geomorphic research. Soil-loss estimates may be atended into the past only so long as the environmental conditions remain virtually the same as those used in the computations. Soil-loss estimates are likely to be of satisfactory accuracy at spatial scales ranging from landscape profiles (hilhlopes) up to small drainage basins in which there is minimal sediment storage.
Footnotes
Terrence J. Toy is a professor in the Department of Geography, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208; and W.R. Osterkamp is with the National Research Program, Water Resources Division, U. S. Geological Survey, Desert Laboratoy, Tucson, AZ 85745.
- Copyright 1995 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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