By Joe Moore, with Luke Owen
If you want to go through a really fun exercise, use this equation to solve for how much sediment can leave a small unvegitated construction site during a 1" rainfall event. Plug in the factors and go! It really puts things into perspective when you can put real numbers to the issue.
Luke Owen, a long-time friend and respected colleague, shared this explanation on LinkedIn. Here's what he said,
"Soil erosion may not be the most glamorous topic, but it’s at the core of sustainable land management. The newly revised Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) is here to help change the game when it comes to predicting and preventing erosion. For anyone working in conservation, agriculture, construction, or land development, this update isn’t just a technical tweak—it’s a tool that can drive better decision-making and more resilient landscapes.
RUSLE2 builds on decades of research, evolving from the original USLE model, and it does more than calculate erosion. It factors in real-world variables—rainfall intensity, soil type, slope, cropping systems, and management practices—giving us practical, science-backed predictions of long-term, average annual soil loss. This isn’t guesswork; it’s a model that adapts to conditions on the ground, whether you’re dealing with croplands, construction sites, disturbed forests, or reclaimed lands.
What I appreciate about this version is its flexibility and ease of use. It’s designed for those of us who need practical solutions to protect soil resources and prevent sediment runoff. In an era of increasing climate stress and land-use pressures, that’s more important than ever.
With RUSLE2, the focus isn’t just on estimating erosion—it’s about using that knowledge to create action plans that minimize impacts, safeguard productivity, and meet regulatory requirements. Whether you’re restoring a landscape or developing a new site, this tool can help you stay ahead of erosion challenges.
If you haven’t already explored the new RUSLE2 interface and updates, it’s worth a look. Conservation isn’t a box to check; it’s an ongoing process—and tools like this can make that process smarter and more effective."
