Agriculture preserves open space. Preservation of farmland in the Caribbean Area is vital to our economy, environment and health, particularly due to our isolation and the inherent scarcity of land. Conversion of farmland, pastureland and forests to residential and commercial development has caused many environmental and public health problems, greatly reduced wildlife habitat and local flora and fauna, and dramatically increased our dependence on food importation. However our fertile soils and year-long growing season provide great potential to produce more home-grown food our communities, including tropical fruits and vegetables, meat and eggs, and value-added items such as seasonings, teas, hot sauces and other condiments.
Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, Version 2 (RUSLE2) - The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE2) is the NRCS tool to predict sheet and rill erosion from rainfall or water, utilizing the soil condition index, the soil tillage intensity rating, and energy requirements for the planned crop system.
