Effects of NRCS Conservation Practices - National

Contour Buffer Strips Code: 332

Units: ac.

C 

Soil Erosion Effect Rationale

Soil Erosion - Sheet and Rill Erosion 4

Soil Erosion - Wind Erosion 0

Soil Erosion - Ephemeral Gully Erosion 2

Soil Erosion - Classic Gully Erosion 1

Soil Erosion - Streambank, Shoreline, Water Conveyance C 1

Soil Quality Degradation

 Organic Matter Depletion 2

 Compaction 0

 Subsidence 0

 Concentration of Salts or Other Chemicals 0

Excess Water

 Excess Water - Seeps -2

 Excess Water - Runoff, Flooding, or Ponding 1

 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 1

Water Quality Degradation

 Pesticides in Surface Water 2

 Pesticides in Groundwater 0

 Nutrients in Surface water 2

 Nutrients in Groundwater -1

 Salts in Surface Water 1

 Salts in Groundwater -1

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid 1 

 Excess Pathogens and Chemicals from Manure, Bio-solid -1 

Narrow strips of permanent, herbaceous vegetative cover established around the hill slope, and alternated down the slope with 

wider cropped strips that are farmed on the contour.

Not Applicable

Maintaining vegetation on the contour reduces runoff velocities, thus reducing the detachment and transport capacity of over-land 

flow. 

If the practice layout is coincidentally oriented across the direction of the erosive wind, soil particles borne by wind are trapped and 

soil detachment is reduced. 

Vegetation across the slope reduces runoff velocity and volume and increases infiltration reducing concentrated flow. 

Reduces runoff causing erosion in the gully.

Reduces runoff causing erosion.

AL-Aso Land 

W-Water 

O-Other 

D-Developed 

FS-Farmstead 

Pr-Protected 

P-Pasture 

F-Forest 

R-Range 

C-Crop

Typical Landuse:

Reduces runoff resulting in increased water infiltration which increases subsurface water.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Reduces runoff resulting in increased water infiltration.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Vegetation will increase opportunity for infiltration and evapotranspiration with no net effect.

Reduces runoff and traps drifting snow resulting in increased water infiltration that may move laterally to a seep area, particularly 

during fallow periods.

Reduces runoff resulting in increased water infiltration which will slightly reduce the potential for flooding or ponding.

The action reduces runoff and erosion and the amount of pesticide applied.

The action increases infiltration which is offset by increased soil organic matter and biological activity .

The action decreases soil erosion by water and may increase water infiltration, thereby reducing the transport of nutrients and 

organics to surface water. 

The action reduces the velocity of runoff and traps drifting snow resulting in increased water infiltration which could move nutrients 

and organics to groundwater. 

The action slows runoff, which may increase water infiltration, reducing the potential for transport of salts to surface water. 

The action reduces the velocity of runoff and traps drifting snow resulting in increased water infiltration which could move salts to 

groundwater. 

Contour Buffer Strips decrease sheet and rill erosion and slow runoff velocities, thereby reducing the potential for transport of 

pathogens to surface water 

Increased water infiltration could move pathogens into the soil.
 Excessive Sediment in Surface Water 2

 Elevated Water Temperature 0

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 2

 Petroleum, Heavy Metals and Other Pollutants Transporte 0

Air Quality Impacts

 Emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) and PM Precursors 1

 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 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 4

 Inadequate Habitat - Habitat Continuity (Space) 2

Livestock Production Limitation

 Inadequate Feed and Forage 1

 Inadequate Shelter 0

 Inadequate Water 0

Inefficient Energy Use

 Equipment and Facilities 1

 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

The action may result in increased water infiltration, but this will have a negligible effect on heavy metals in groundwater.

Contour Buffer Strips reduce sheet and rill erosion and slow the velocity of runoff, thereby reducing the transport of sediment to 

surface water 

Not Applicable

Strips of vegetation decrease sheet and rill erosion and slow runoff velocities, thereby reducing the potential for transport of heavy 

metals to surface water. 

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

Vegetation reduces erosive wind velocities and provides a stable area which stops saltating particles.

Not Applicable

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

Not Applicable

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

Plants selected are adapted and suited. 

Vegetation is installed and managed to control undesired species. 

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Equipment operated on the contour vs up and down hill

Equipment operated on the contour vs up and down hill

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.

There may be some use of the planting for feed and forage by livestock.

Not Applicable