Soil and Water Conservation Techniques in Rangeland Management

What is the Universal Soil Loss Equation?

A = R × K × L × S × C × P, where A is long-term average annual soil loss.

What does the 'R' in the Universal Soil Loss Equation represent?

Rainfall erosivity factor.

What does the 'K' in the Universal Soil Loss Equation represent?

Soil erodibility factor.

What does the 'L' in the Universal Soil Loss Equation represent?

Length of gradient.

What does the 'S' in the Universal Soil Loss Equation represent?

Slope.

What does the 'C' in the Universal Soil Loss Equation represent?

Cropping factor.

What does the 'P' in the Universal Soil Loss Equation represent?

Conservation practice factor.

What defines a fully functional wildland?

Restored energy capture, minimized nutrient export, and properly functioning hydrologic processes.

What are the main processes to focus on in wildland management?

Energy capture, nutrient cycling, hydrologic processes, and resource flows.

What are resource flows in wildlands?

Transport of soil, water, nutrients, and organic materials through fluvial or eolian processes.

What is the impact of biotic controls on resource flows?

They dominate regulation where organic materials cover soil and roots utilize the soil profile.

How do concave sites affect resource capture?

They have a relative advantage in capturing nutrients and organic matter.

What is the effect of convex sites on resource flows?

They have little ability to capture resource flows.

What percentage of the world's rangelands are affected by wind erosion?

~80%.

What are the three processes of wind erosion?

Saltation, suspension, and surface creep.

What is splash erosion?

The detachment and airborne movement of small soil particles caused by raindrop impact.

What is sheet erosion?

Removal of a uniform layer of soil from the surface by shallow water flow.

What is interrill erosion?

Soil particle detachment and transport by raindrops and shallow overland flows.

What characterizes rill erosion?

Narrow and shallow incisions into soil caused by focused overland flow.

What is gully erosion?

Erosion that occurs along a linear depression, creating a trench or gully.

What is the role of soil organic matter (OM)?

It regulates resource flows and is crucial for soil health.

How does litter contribute to nutrient cycling?

It provides organic matter, carbon for decomposers, and protects soil from erosion.

What is the importance of soil cover?

It protects soil from raindrop impact and enhances infiltration.

What are biological soil crusts?

Composed of cyanobacteria, algae, and mosses, they stabilize soil and aid in nitrogen fixation.

What happens to ecosystems following disturbances?

Biotic recovery mechanisms operate to restore sustainable flows of resources.

How does vegetation affect erosion control?

It reduces water flow rates and helps heal eroded areas.