Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Critical Area Planting Code: 342

Units: ac.

C F R P Pr FS D O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 5

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 4

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 5

 Compaction 2

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 1

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 0

 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 0

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 0

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 2

 Nutrients in Groundwater 1

 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 

Establishing permanent vegetation on sites that have, or are expected to have, high erosion rates, and on sites that have physical, 

chemical or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices.

Increased cover and growing vegetation will increase soil organic matter.

Increased vegetation and cover, and stabilization of erosive conditions will improve infiltration and decrease soil detachment by 

water.

An increase in vegetation and cover will protect the soil surface and decrease soil detachment by wind.

An increase in vegetation and cover will improve infiltration, protect the soil surface and decrease soil detachment by concentrated 

flow.

Increased vegetation and cover will decrease erosion and runoff.

Increased vegetation and cover will decrease erosion and runoff.

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Growing plants will take up excess water but planting area is so small there is a neutral effect.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Increased root growth will decrease compaction.

If it affects drainage the practice can have an impact on subsidence.

Increased vegetation will increase salt uptake and increased organic matter may tie up salts and other chemicals.

Growing plants will take up excess water but planting area is so small there is a neutral effect.

Growing plants will take up excess water but planting area is so small there is a neutral effect.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

The action reduces erosion and sediment-attached nutrient delivery to surface water. Permanent vegetation will uptake nutrients.

Permanent vegetation will uptake excess nutrients.

Less runoff reduces transport of soluble salts. Growing vegetation can use excess water which reduces seepage.

Vegetation takes up moisture and salts.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 4

 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 2

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 5

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 5

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 4

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 0

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 5

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 2

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 0

 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

Vegetation reduces erosion and sediment delivery.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Increased quality and quantity of vegetation provides more food for wildlife. 

Permanent cover helps reduce wind erosion and generation of fugitive dust.

Not Applicable

Vegetation removes CO2 from the air and stores it in the form of carbon in the plants and soil.

Not Applicable

Proper plant selection, nutrient modification, and management improves plant growth and vigor.

Plants selected are adapted and suited. 

Establishment of permanent vegetation may provide competition that would slow the spread of noxious plants.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Increased quality and quantity of vegetation provides more cover for wildlife. 

Not Applicable

Increased cover will increase space for wildlife. May be used to connect other cover areas.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable