Policy support tool
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE)
RUSLE helps assess land degradation through soil related measures. RUSLE estimates long-term annual soil loss due to erosion across different land uses and land management activities.
The RUSLE equation, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, estimates average annual soil erosion as follows: A = R*K*L*S*C*P
A = average annual soil loss
R = rainfall erosivity
K = soil erodibility
L = slope length
S = slope
C = cropping
P = conservation practice
The RUSLE Online Soil Erosion Assessment Tool provides “What if” scenarios, which predict estimated average soil loss based on crop rotation and tillage practices and best management practices selected. It may be used to assess erosion from construction sites. Note that data pre-populated in the system is for Michigan only (however, the equation itself is applicable to the entire U.S.). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has developed RUSLE 2 but this version is not available online.
To predict average annual soil loss caused by sheet and rill erosion. It aims to help agricultural producers, land developers, and contractors to better understand the impact that their crop and construction decisions have on the land. This should encourage them to employ practices that minimise the soil erosion at their sites. RUSLE and similar variants such as the Modified USLE (MUSLE), were developed by modifying the USLE to more accurately estimate R, K, C, P factors and soil erosion.