Error assessment of the revised universal soil loss equation using natural runoff plot data

The error associated with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was determined by utilizing data from 21 U.S. sites representing 1704 years of measurements from 206 plots. RUSLE estimates were compared to the measured values for each year and the average value for each plot duration. The model efficiency coefficient on an annual basis was (.58) and on an average annual basis was (.73). The RUSLE was consistent with a previous study of the USLE which tended to over predict on plots with low erosion rates and under predict on plots with high erosion rates. Also the Topographic Factor (LS) value and the Cover and Management Factor (C) value had the most influence on model efficiency. The basis for this study was to compare the RUSLE with the USLE and to compare RUSLE simulations with observed data that was not a part of its critical development.