Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Silvopasture Establishment Code: 381

Units: ac.

 F P 

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 2

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 2

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 4

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 1

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 2

 Excess Water - Seasonal High Water Table 1

 Excess Water - Drifted Snow 2

Insufficient Water

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Use of Irrigation Water 0

 Insufficient Water - Inefficient Moisture Management 3

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 3

 Pesticides in Groundwater 1

 Nutrients in Surface water 5

 Nutrients in Groundwater 3

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater 1

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-soli 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-soli 1 

 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 3

An application establishing a combination of trees or shrubs and compatible forages on the same acreage.

Roots, vegetative matter and livestock waste and their breakdown increases organic matter.

 Establishing a combination of trees or shrubs and compatible forages will reduce erosion by water.

Tall vegetation creates a wind shadow, reduces erosive wind velocities and, along with understory forage, provides a stable area 

which stops saltating particles.

Establishing a combination of trees or shrubs and compatible forages will reduce erosion by water.

There will be decreased overland flow, enhanced vegetation cover.

There will be enhancement of protective riparian vegetation.

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

There may be an increase in plant uptake of water.

Snow is captured by tree/shrub crowns and deposited within the grazed area.

Grazing animals may cause difficulty in scheduling irrigations.

There will be increased infiltration, increased available water, and extended interflow yield.

Root penetration and organic matter helps restore soil structure and counteracts compactive forces of hooves as livestock traverse 

the grazed area.

Not Applicable

Contaminants taken up by forage plants will be returned to the soil as manure. Most tree species take up limited amounts of salt.

There is potential for a decrease in seep flow because of increased utilization of soil moisture, however there may be slight 

worsening due to increased infiltration, especially during dormant season.

Runoff will be reduced and infiltration increased due to improved vegetative cover.

Trees and shrubs take up pesticide residues and may intercept pesticide drift. Also, the practice reduces runoff and erosion.

Trees and shrubs take up pesticide residues. Also, pesticide degradation may be improved by increased soil organic matter and 

biological activity.

Permanent vegetation will uptake excess nutrients.

Permanent vegetation will uptake excess nutrients.

Dense vegetation will increase infiltration and reduce runoff. Planting of range species in recharge areas may reduce movement of 

salts to seep areas and surface waters.

The action may increase salt uptake by plants.

Ground vegetation captures and delays pathogen movement and thereby increase their mortality.

Vegetation captures and delays pathogen movement and thereby increases their mortality. Where pastures are grazed animals will 

introduce pathogens to site. 

Improved plant vigor and cover reduces erosion.
 Elevated Water Temperature 1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transport 1

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transport 1

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 1

 Emissions of Ozone Precursors 0

 Emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) 4

 Objectionable Odors 1

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 5

 Inadequate Structure and Composition -1

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 0

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 1

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 5

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 3

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 5

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 1

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 5

 Inadequate Shelter 5

 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

The action may result in some increased heavy metal uptake by plants.

Tall vegetation established near surface waters provides shade and reduces direct sunlight heating.

Some plants may take up heavy metals.

Plants are chosen and managed to enhance food for wildlife.

Tall vegetation slows winds to reduce erosive wind velocities, vegetation filters particulates from the air and the planted areas stop 

saltating particles.

Not Applicable

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

Tall vegetation slows surface air movement and intercepts and captures air borne materials.

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

Establishment and management of pasture reduces the native understroy plant community. 

Vegetation is installed and managed to control undesired species. 

Overstory trees are spaced and managed to reduce hazard.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Plants are chosen and managed to enhance value as cover/shelter.

Not Applicable

Tall vegetation creates vertical habitat structure/space. 

Plant species in the understory will be selected that accommodate seasonal livestock production and nutritional needs.

Tall vegetation provides shelter.