ABSTRACT
Upland erosion from rangelands may seem relatively small compared to the very high rates reported for cropland areas. However, when viewed in terms of erosion rate per unit area and the vastness of rangelands worldwide, the magnitude of the situation can be appreciated. Furthermore, rangeland erosion rates are very critical because of the limited soil resource associated with many of the ecosystems involved. Rangelands cover extensive areas of the world and are an important land resource of the western and southwestern United States (Simanton 1991). Rangelands are usually used for livestock grazing, wildlife habitats, recreation areas and water-producing catchments. Precipitation is generally less than potential evapotranspiration, erratic and, in areas where intense thunderstorms dominate, upland erosion can be significant (Branson et al. 1981). This chapter traces the history of our efforts to develop technology for improved erosion prediction on rangelands of the western United States.
