• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2019

The USLE P factor is a factor that varies depending on how croplands are managed and cultivated. Previous studies tend to overestimate the amount of soil loss because the factor was estimated from the slope of the watershed rather than the estimate of each cultivated land. In addition, the accuracy of estimating the soil loss is decreasing due to the fact that the factor is calculated without considering various conditions of cultivated land defined by Wishmeier and Smith. In order to overcome these problems, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) has proposed to establish the topsoil notification and calculate the P factor according to the cultivation methods (e.g., tillage system, support practice). However, it is required to apply the conditions proposed in the United States to domestic circumstances as it is causing uncertainties. Thus, this study selected the watersheds where soil loss was serious (Haean, Jaun, Banbyeoncheon), measured the actual slopes and slope lengths, and examined the crop, tillage systems, and support practice for each cultivated land. The P factors were recalculated considering the actual conditions of cultivated land and compared to the factors proposed by the previous studies (MOE). As the result of the study, the P factors calculated based on the previous studies were 0.8 ~ 1.0 in three watersheds. On the other hand, it is confirmed that there is a significant difference between the factors notified by MOE and estimated by reflecting the topography and cultivation methods in this study. Therefore, it is considered that the research for developing the cultivation conditions to calculate the P factor suitable for the domestic environment should be continuously carried out.