Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Herbaceous Weed Control Code: 315

Units: ac

 F R P Pr FS D O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 4

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 0

 Compaction 0

 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 0

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 0

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 2

 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 

Pesticides may be used to control vegetation.

Not applicable.

There may be a slight improvement due to plant community ground cover reducing overland flow.

Not Applicable

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not Applicable

Not applicable.

Not applicable. 

Not Applicable

Based on management objective

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not Applicable

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

Not applicable. 

The removal or control of herbaceous weeds including invasive, noxious and prohibited plants.

Not applicable.

Increase health and vigor of desirable plant species increases ground cover decreasing sheet and rill erosion. 

Increase health and vigor of desirable plant species increases ground cover decreasing wind erosion.

Increase health and vigor of desirable plant species increases ground cover decreasing erosion potential.

Increase health and vigor of desirable plant species increases ground cover decreasing erosion potential.

Increase health and vigor of desirable plant species increases ground cover decreasing erosion potential.

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 0

 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 0

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 1

 Objectionable Odors 0

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 2

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 4

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 4

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 1

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 4

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 1

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 4

 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

The degree will depend on the species removed and the enhancement of stand composition and structure. There may be a slight to 

significant initial short-term loss of cover.

Not Applicable

Dependent on management goals for habitat characteristic.

The reduction of undesirable species increases production of forage that meets nutritional and productive needs for livestock. 

Not Applicable

There may be an improvement in composition, structure, amount, and availability of plants for food.

Removal of vegetation by mechanical means or burning can increase short-term PM emissions. However, there should be no longterm effect from herbaceous weed control.

Removal of vegetation by chemical means or burning can increase short-term VOC and/or NOx emissions. However, there should be 

no long-term effect from herbaceous weed control.

Removal of vegetation by burning can increase short-term CO2 emissions. However, there should be a positive long-term carbon 

sequestration effect from herbaceous weed control.

Not Applicable

The removal of competition increases desirable plant community health, vigor, and biodiversity.

Undesirable species will be removed by physical, chemical, or biological means to make it suitable for the desired plant community.

There will be a removal of competition to increase desirable plant community health, vigor, and biodiversity.

Management may reduces fuel loadings.

Not applicable.

There may be a slight improvement due to plant community ground cover reducing overland flow.

Functional group change may create effect.

Not applicable.