Write a 225 word report on why each of the factors (R, K, L, S, C, and P) are important factors needed to determine the amount of erosion that occurs on a piece of agricultural land. Explain what would make each factor's value be very high or low, and how each factor contributes to erosion.

Question

Biology

Patsy

5 April, 04:49

Write a 225 word report on why each of the factors (R, K, L, S, C, and P) are important factors needed to determine the amount of erosion that occurs on a piece of agricultural land. Explain what would make each factor's value be very high or low, and how each factor contributes to erosion.

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Answers (1)

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Reese Shaffer · Answer 1

The R, K, L, S, C, and P factors are -

R - the rainfall erosivity factor,

K - soil erodibility factor

L - the topographic factor derived from slope length

S - the topographic factor derived from slope gradient

C - the cover and management factor

P - the erosion control practice factor

Explanation:

The R, K, L, S, C, and P factors are -

R - the rainfall erosivity factor, which depends on geographic location. The greater is the intensity and duration of the rainfall, the higher will bethe erosion potential.

K - soil erodibility factor, K signifies the soil loss in tonnes/hectare (tons/acre) for any agricultural land that is cultivated and has a slope length (assumed) of 22.13 meters and slope steepness of 9%. K represents the susceptibility of a soil particle to be easily detached from the surface and carried away by rainfall and runoff. The greater is the value of K, the greater is the erodibility of the soil particles.

L - the topographic factor derived from slope length, It signifies the extent of soil being carried away when slope lengths is greater than an assumed slope length of 22.13 meters. The longer the slope, the higher is the rate of erosion.

S - the topographic factor derived from slope gradient, It signifies the extent of soil being carried away when slope steepness is greater than an assumed slope steepness of 9%. The steeper the slope, the higher is the rate of erosion.

C - the cover and management factor, It states how effective soil and crop management systems is in terms of preventing soil loss. It is a ratio of soil loss from land under a specific crop and management system to corresponding loss from continuously fallow and tilled land. The higher the C value, the lower is the management process quality to prevent soil erosion

P - the erosion control practice factor, It represents the after effects of practices pertaining to reduce erosion by reducing the amount and rate of the water runoff. The lower the P value, the better is the effects of practices pertaining to reduce erosion