Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Fuel Break Code: 383

Units: ac

 F R Pr FS D O 

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 -4

 Compaction -2

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 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 -1

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 0

 Nutrients in Groundwater 0

 Salts in Surface Water 0

 Salts in Groundwater 0

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 0 

Herbicides, if used, could reach surface water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Removal of vegetation may reduce uptake of subsurface water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Equipment used to treat vegetation can compact soils.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

A strip or block of land on which the vegetation, debris and detritus have been reduced and/or modified to control or diminish the 

risk of the spread of fire crossing the strip or block of land.

Nutrient cycling is diminished on areas with reduced vegetation.

An area of land with a reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

An area of land with a reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

An area of land with a reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

An area of land with a reduction in vegetative cover and surface litter has potential for increases in erosive water energy. 

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 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 1

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 3

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 0

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure -1

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 5

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 1

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter -1

 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

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Vegetation is treated and reduced in quantity.

Not Applicable

Breaks in vegetative cover may interrupt continuity of habitat for certain wildlife species and create diversity for other species\.

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

Vegetation is reduced in quantity.

The treated area can provide additional food sources.

There is a minimal reduction of particulate matter through reduced incidence of wildfire.

There is a minimal reduction of ozone precursors through reduced incidence of wildfire.

There is a decrease in CO2 emissions from reduced incidence of wildfire.

Not Applicable

Fewer residual plants are using site resources.

Residual plants are adapted and suited. 

Undesired species can colonize areas where vegetation has been treated.

Fuel loadings are isolated.

Not Applicable

Areas with reduced vegetation are subject to increased sediment delivery.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable