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ARS Home » Midwest Area » West Lafayette, Indiana » National Soil Erosion Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #101912
Title: HOW WEPP MODEL RESPOND TO DIFFERENT CROPPING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Author
item ZHANG, X - PURDUE UNIVERSITY
item Nearing, Mark
item Norton, Lloyd

Submitted to: International Soil Conservation Organization (ISCO)
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/23/1999
Publication Date: 1/1/2001
Citation: Zhang, X.C., Nearing, M.A., Norton, L.D. 2001. How wepp model respond to different cropping and management systems. In: 13th International Soil Conservation Organization Conference Proceedings, May 24-29, 1999, West Lafayette, Indiana. 2001 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: One primary goal of developing soil erosion prediction models is to help farmers and land managers laying out the best management practices that conserve the land and water resources. Thus, a successful model must be able to accurately predict soil losses under different cropping and management systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate responses of the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model to different cropping and management systems. In order to compare the WEPP model responses to the well known C factors established in the USLE and RUSLE models, the WEPP C-factor was calculated as the soil loss ratio of cropped conditions to reference fallow. This approach was considered appropriate in light of the fact that the RUSLE and USLE models represent general trends of cropping and management C factors for common cropping systems. The unit plot measurements (9% slope and 22-meter length) were used in the WEPP slope input files. Several common crops and tillage systems were used to prepare the management input files. Two soils were used. The climate input files were generated by the WEPP climate generator for three locations, representing three distinct climatic regions. The USLE C factors were directly obtained from Agricultural Handbook 537, and the RUSLE C factors were derived from version 1.04 of the RUSLE model. Results showed that the WEPP tended to slightly over- predict annual C-factors compared with RUSLE, while under-predict C factors relative to USLE. Overall, the WEPP model simulated the general trends of cropping and management factor reasonably well for the cropping systems used in this study.