Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment Code: 548

Units: ac.

 F R P 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 1

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 2

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 0

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 0

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 2

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 0

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 1

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 0

 Salts in Groundwater 0

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Modifying physical soil and or plant conditions with mechanical tools by treatment such as; pitting, contour furrowing, and ripping 

or sub-soiling.

Improved plant vigor and productivity increases organic matter.

Increased surface roughness and improved vegetation cover will increase infiltration, reduce runoff, reduce soil movement.

An increase in vegetative cover decreases erosion by wind.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Not applicable.

Not Applicable

Not applicable.

Increased water infiltration and improved plant, soil, moisture, and air relationships.

Not applicable.

Not Applicable

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Increased infiltration and decreased runoff.

Not applicable.

Not applicable. 

Modifications to soil conditions will increase infiltration and reduce runoff. Improved plant growth will better utilize nutrients, 

decreasing the potential for losses in runoff.

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Slight improvement because of increased infiltration and decreased runoff.

Not applicable. 
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 5

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors -1

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) -2

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 4

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 2

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure -1

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 0

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 1

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 0

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 1

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 0

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 0

CPPE Practice Effects: 0 No Effect

5 Substantial Improvement -1 Slight Worsening

4 Moderate to Substantial Improvement -2 Slight to Moderate Worsening

3 Moderate Improvement -3 Moderate Worsening

2 Slight to Moderate Improvement -4 Moderate to Substantial Worsening

1 Slight Improvement -5 Substantial Worsening

Not applicable.

Inproved hydrologic indicators increase infiltration and decreases runoff.

Not Applicable

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Intensive disturbance of soil can release particulate matter.

Not Applicable

Intensive disturbance of soil can release stored soil carbon as carbon dioxide.

Not Applicable

Site is modified to enhance the health and vigor of desired species.

Site is modified to enhancing suited and desired species.

Undesired plants can colonize newly treated areas.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not Applicable

Treatment improves plant production and species diversity.

Not Applicable