Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Multi-Story Cropping Code: 379

Units: ac

C F P 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 0

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 5

 Compaction 2

 Subsidence 1

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 1

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 0

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 0

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 0

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 3

 Pesticides in Groundwater 1

 Nutrients in Surface water 1

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater 0

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

Management of mixed multistoried crops reduces need for chemicals to manage pests. Also, pesticide degradation may be improved 

by interception of chemical drift by varied canopy layers.

Management of mixed multistoried crops reduces need for chemicals to manage pests. Also, pesticide degradation may be improved 

by increased soil organic matter and biological activity.

Plants and soil organisms uptake nutrients.

Plants and soil organisms uptake nutrients. Increase in tannins due to organic matter.

Varied canopy layers and surface cover and organic matter management increases infiltration and need for irrigation or chemical 

inputs..

Not Applicable

Management of multi layered canopy cover and organic matter impedes movement of harmful pathogens.

Management of multi layered canopy cover and organic matter results in increased plant vigor and microbial activity reduces harmful 

pathogens.

Plants uptake excess water; increased OM holds water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Crops must be adapted and managed to account for use of available water by trees.

Root penetration, organic matter cycling, and biological activity help to restore soil structure.

Canopy cover and organic matter provide soil buffer during extended tropical droughts to reduce OM oxidation and loss. 

Plants may take up some salts, and increased root penetration improves infiltration that may lead to increased leaching.

Plants uptake excess water; increased OM holds water.

Trees or shrubs increase infiltration but may retard flood water movement from the site.

Existing or planted stands of trees or shrubs that are managed as an overstory with an understory of woody and/or non-woody 

plants that are grown for a variety of products.

Increase in biological activity, roots and vegetative matter cycling from permanent vegetation increases surface and SOM organic 

components.

Vegetation and surface litter reduce raindrop impact and slow runoff water increasing infiltration.

Trees or shrubs create turbulence, reduce erosive wind velocities and provide a stable area which stops saltating particles.

Canopy and soil cover reduce erosive energy of concentrated water flows limiting the detachment of soil particles.

Canopy and soil cover reduce erosive energy of concentrated water flows limiting the detachment of soil particles.

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:
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 1

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 1

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 5

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 5

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 3

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 1

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 3

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 1

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 1

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 1

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 3

 Inadequate Shelter 1

 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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Suitable plant species are selected and managed to enhance cover/shelter for wildlife.

Not Applicable

Multiple cover densities and canopy layers establish diverse habitat structure, spatially and temporally.

Forage species can be favored on a long-term basis to maintain practice function.

Multiple-canopy layers can be desired to improve shelter function when domestic animals are used.

If suitable plant species are chosen and managed to enhance food value for target species.

Permanent vegetation traps air and slows movement of air, reducing wind velocities and wind stress on crops while providing a 

stable area to intercept air particles.

Not Applicable

Vegetation removes CO2 from the air and stores it in the form of carbon in living plants (stem, roots, foliage, etc.) and organic soil 

carbon components.

Not Applicable

Plants are selected and managed to maintain optimal productivity and health.

Plants selected are adapted and suited. 

Planned vegetation is installed and managed to control undesired species. 

Management of multiple layers and surface organic matter reduce ladder fuel load buildup.

Management of diverse species and organic matter may promote increased uptake.

Varied canopy layers and surface cover and organic matter management reduces sediment-laden runoff from reaching surface water 

conveyances.

Not Applicable

Management of diverse species and organic matter may promote increased uptake.