Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Prescribed Burning Code: 338

Units: ac.

C F R P Pr O AL

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 1

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 1

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence -1

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals -1

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps 0

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 1

 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 

Controlled fire applied to a predetermined area

Improved plant production and vegetative cover decreases depletion. 

Improved plant production and vegetative cover reduces erosion from water. 

Improved plant production and vegetative cover reduces erosion from wind. 

Improved plant production and vegetative cover reduces erosion from water. 

Improved plant production and vegetative cover reduces erosion from water. 

Improved plant production and vegetative cover decreases runoff and duration to streams. 

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Organic soils are susceptible.

Burning mineralizes organic materials.

Not Applicable

Improved plant production and vegetative cover reduces runoff. 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

The action increases plant vigor and uptake of nutrients.

The action increases plant vigor and uptake of nutrients.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable
 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 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 -1

Degraded Plant Condition

 Undesirable Plant Productivity and Health 5

 Inadequate Structure and Composition 4

 Excessive Plant Pest Pressure 4

 Wildfire Hazard, Excessive Biomass Accumulation 5

Fish and Wildlife - Inadequate Habitat

 Inadequate Habitat - Food 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Cover/Shelter 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Water 2

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 4

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 5

 Inadequate Shelter -1

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 0

 Farming/Ranching Practices and Field Operations 1

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

Improved plant production and vegetative cover reduces runoff and sediment. 

The action is designed or mitigated to maintain surface water temperatures.

Initial removal of vegetation is followed by improved plant growth.

Growing conditions are altered to provide a diverse plant community with adequate food for wildlife.

Increased plant vigor reduces the potential for generation of particulates by wind erosion. However, there will be increased 

particulate emissions from the fire itself.

There is a minimal reduction of ozone precursors through reduced incidence of wildfire. There is a short-term increase in ozone 

precursors (NOx and VOC emissions) during the burn. 

CO2 emissions are decreased with the decreased incidence of wildfire. Increased plant vigor also increases the potential for carbon 

sequestration.

Fire increases smoke, particulates, and associated odors.

Growing conditions are altered to enhance health and productivity of the more desirable plants. 

Growing conditions are altered to allow more suitable species to grow. 

Activities are designed and carried out to manage undesirable vegetation.

Activities are carried out to reduce fuel loading.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Reduces energy requirements for firefighting and pest control.

Growing conditions are altered to provide a diverse plant community with adequate cover for wildlife.

Not Applicable

Burning can restore desired habitats/space.

Plant and/or site conditions are restored to improve production and quality of desirable forage species. 

Some shrubs and trees which provide shelter are removed from area.