Section 4: Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Soil and Water Erosion
Subtopic: Soil loss estimation
Question Statement:
Using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), $A = R \cdot K \cdot LS \cdot C \cdot P$, compute the predicted annual soil loss in $\text{t/(ha}\cdot\text{yr)}$ for a watershed with $R = 300\text{ MJ}\cdot\text{mm/(ha}\cdot\text{h}\cdot\text{yr)}$, $K = 0.04\text{ t}\cdot\text{ha}\cdot\text{h/(ha}\cdot\text{MJ}\cdot\text{mm)}$, $LS = 2.5$, crop cover factor $C = 0.20$, and conservation practice factor $P = 0.50$. Answer in integer ________.
Answer Key:
3
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
From the USLE formula:
$A = R \times K \times LS \times C \times P$
Substituting given parameters:
$A = 300 \times 0.04 \times 2.5 \times 0.20 \times 0.50$
1. $300 \times 0.04 = 12$
2. $12 \times 2.5 = 30$
3. $30 \times 0.20 = 6$
4. $6 \times 0.50 = 3\text{ t/(ha}\cdot\text{yr)}$
Hence, the predicted soil loss is 3.