Bare soil cover types and percent reduction of soil loss
Bare soil cover types and percent reduction of soil loss. The C factor, used to determine the relative effectiveness of soil and crop management systems in terms of preventing soil loss, is a ratio comparing the soil loss from land under a specific crop and management system to the corresponding loss from continuously fallow and tilled land. Source: Northwest California Resource Conservation and Development District 2016.
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| Vegetative Cover | C factor | Percent reduction of soil loss |
|---|---|---|
| None (fallow ground) | 1.0 | 0 |
| Native vegetation (undisturbed) | 0.01 | 99 |
| Temporary tyegrass, 99% (perennial) | 0.05 | 95 |
| Temporary ryegrass, 90% (annuals) | 0.1 | 90 |
| Permanent seedings (90%) | 0.01 | 99 |
| Sod (laid immediately) | 0.01 | 99 |
| Mulching (for slopes 2:1 or less) | ||
| Hay (0.5 tons/acre) | 0.25 | 75 |
| Hay (1.0 tons/acre) | 0.13 | 87 |
| Hay (1.5 tons/acre) | 0.07 | 93 |
| Hay (2.0 tons/acre) | 0.02 | 98 |
| Wood chips (6 tons/acre) | 0.06 | 94 |
| Wood cellulose (1.75 tons per acre)X | 0.10 | 90 |
| Other | ||
| Competent gravel layer | 0.05 | 95 |
| Rolled erosion control fabrics | (for slope greater than 2:1) | Variable C value by type |