Soil Loss Tolerance Encyclopedia Article

Soil Loss Tolerance

The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.

(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.

All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.

Soil Loss Tolerance


Soil loss tolerance is the maximum average annual soil removal by erosion that will allow continuous cropping and maintain soil productivity (T). It is occasionally defined as the maximum amount of soil erosion offset by the maximum amount of soil development while maintaining an equilibrium between soil losses and gains. T is usually expressed in terms of tons per acre or tons per hectare. Because T values are difficult to quantify, they are usually inferred by human judgment rather than scientific analysis. In determining T values, the depth of the soil to consolidated material or depth to an unfavorable subsoil is considered. T values are an expression of concern for plant growth but may not adequately reflect environmental concerns.