Soil erosion is harmful and useful at the same time. Erosion control blankets erosion control blankets are usually woven from a chosen material and are meant to slow down the speed at which water moves across the surface. Soil erosion is the most serious precursor of soil degradation that comes with global implications. Soil erosion is a process of detachment and transportation of soil by natural agencies of water and wind. Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil, it is one form of soil degradation. Causes and types of soil erosion the movement of water over the soil surface causes about threefifths of the estimated erosion on u.
Thus, soil erosion is a continuous process and may occur either at a relatively unnoticed rate or an alarming rate contributing to copious loss of the topsoil. This loss of cropland to the effects of soil erosion often results in the creation of new cropland out of. Man can also cause soil erosion by such practices as tilling a farmers field or the. Add mulch and rocks to prevent the plants and grass underneath to prevent soil erosion.
Soil is the most fundamental and basic natural resource for all life to survive. Nearly 10 million hectares of arable land are lost to erosion and other forms of soil degradation every year 1 countries all over the world are battling with worrisome sight of deepening gullies crisscrossing the landscape and barren fields stripped of the fertile topsoil. Soil erosion is a major environmental problem confronting land and water resources in south africa. The process of erosion usually takes place on the surface of soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the earths crust and with the help of the wind or water flow, it gets to settle down at another location. Compaction of soil is the compression of soil particles into. Soil erosion is a naturally occurring and slow process that refers to loss of fields. Control measures must consider the cause of the increased flow of water across the landscape and be capable. Soil erosion in south africa its nature and distribution. Economic research service report agriculture soil erosion.
Agdex 572751 october 2012 replaces omafra factsheet, soil erosion causes and effects, order no. Water and wind erosion are two main agents that degrade soils. Causes and efforts to control soil erosion in africa. Increased erosion, particularly related to strong rains and runoff, causes turbidity with several consequences for lake and reservoir water quality, including.
Overgrazing and poor farming techniques can also lead to soil erosion, but it is important to remember that not all causes are human. Soil erosion is defined as the process of removal of soil from one surface, due to factors like rain, wind or others, and its disposition in some other areas. To control wind erosion, derm encourages the adoption of sustainable management practices in the grazing and cropping industries. Stormwater runoff can cause soil erosion creating sediment deposits that negatively impact the water quality of district rivers and streams, limiting recreation opportunities, and hurting fish and wildlife. When things erode, they wear away due to some force acting on them. In this paper, the diverse factors that cause soil erosion are assessed. Preventing and managing erosion environment, land and. Plant trees on barren lands to limit erosion of soil.
In this course well examine the causes and effects of wind erosion and common methods to control it. Although erosion happens naturally, human activities can make it much worse. Pdf soil erosion and management strategies researchgate. Identifying erosion problems at the planning stage and noting highly erodible areas, helps in selecting effective erosion control practices and estimating storage volumes for sediment traps and basins. October 2010 agdex 5101 agricultural soil compaction. Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. Major crops that cause soil erosion include coffee, cotton, tea, tobacco, palm oil. While there are many different factors that can cause soil erosion, most can be broken down into two main categories.
Thus, minimizing the impact of water or wind forces is the main objective for erosion control. Mulching soil, greatly help in soil erosion control. This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice glaciers, snow, air wind, plants, animals, and humans. Let us have a detailed look at the causes, effects and prevention of soil erosion. Running water is one of the main cause of soil erosion.
Causes and management s oil compaction can be a serious and unnecessary form of soil degradation that can result in increased soil erosion and decreased crop production. Prevention and remediation of soil erosion and degradation the most effective method to prevent erosion is to increase the vegetation cover on soil, thus preventing wind and water erosion. Soil erosion occurs when natural forces, such as wind and water, act on the soil. Replaces omafra factsheet, soil erosion causes and effects, order no.
Soil erosion contributes to pollution in adjacent water sources and reduces cropland productivity. A major factor for preventing soil erosion is educating. Leaving unploughed land strips between ploughed ones, known as strip cropping, also help reduce erosion. Precipitation is the most forceful factor causing erosion.
When strong winds blow, the topsoil along with the organic matter is carried away by the wind. Soil compaction can be a serious form of soil degradation. Causes of soil erosion water and wind erosion causes. In the district of columbia, a soil erosion and sediment control plan is required as part of the building permit process for construction. Soil erosion is the detachment and movement of soil particles from the point of origination through the action of water or wind. Erosion and sedimentation erosion control is important on any building site regardless of its size. The outcomes of soil erosion are reduced agricultural productivity, ecological collapse, soil degradation, and the possibility of desertification. Environmental pollution, types, causes, impact and. It hurts the land and people where it takes place, so also the land and people where it gets deposited. Soil erosion can be a slow process that continues relatively unnoticed or can occur at an alarming rate, causing serious loss of topsoil. Soil pollution types, effects, sources and control of soil pollution soil pollution soil pollution is defined as, contamination of soil by human and natural activities which may cause harmful effect on living organisms.
The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. Soil erosion is the process that erodes, breaks or gradually diminishes things down. Water erosion is the most pertinent erosion problem in iowa. Although soil erosion is a natural process, it is often accelerated by human activities, for example by the clearing of vegetation, soil tillage or overgrazing. Readers should send their comments on this paper to.
Soil degradation, including erosion and loss of fertility, is considered the most significant environmental problem in developing countries fig. Soil erosion occurs when soil is removed through the action of wind and water at a greater rate than it is formed soil the soil covering the surface of the earth has taken millions of years to form and we must learn to respect it. Norld atlas arutnals argnds andrews soil erosion by running water soil erosion by wind. The removal of topsoil by the natural forces is known as soil erosion. Tool for estimating erosion on construction sites soil loss from sheet and rill erosion on. These impacts include compaction, loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation, and soil salinity. Causes, effects, and solutions of soil erosion conserve energy. The lighter textured soils sands and loams in the low rainfall lands of queenslands southwest are the most susceptible to wind erosion. Without soil and plants the land becomes desertlike and unable to support life. Soil erosion reduces cropland productivity and contributes to the pollution of adjacent watercourses, wetlands and lakes. The material chosen is usually something with lots of ridges and obstructions for the water to slow down on. The extent of damage associated with soil erosion is analyzed, with emphasis on the impact these may have on future human food security as well as the natural environment. Soil erosion not only despoils the earth for farming and other uses, but also increases the.
This paper aims to describe the major factors affecting upland soil erosion processes, characteristics of sloping upland culture, the impact of soil erosion on water quality, soil erosion measurement methods, and the soil erosion control techniques in korea. Copies on dvd or vhs tape can be obtained by contacting the author. Read this article to learn about the meaning, factors, effects, types, causes and prevention of soil erosion. There are many factors which influence the process of soil erosion. The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down is described as soil erosion.
Surface cover is the key to erosion control in grazing lands. State and local laws and the clean water act of 1992 can require contractors to develop detailed erosion and sediment control plans before beginning construction projects over approximately 2. Causes, effects, and solutions of soil erosion conserve. It is the fairly uniform removal of soil in thin layers from the land surface, often scarcely perceptible, especially when caused by wind. Following are some of the methods of soil erosion prevention. In addition to erosion, soil quality is affected by other aspects of agriculture. Most often the watercaused erosion is table 1estlnfiated erosion by type and source, contiguous united states, 1992 land annual erosion type areaand source erosion acreyear. More land is cleared and less left fallow, which can deplete the soil and increase water runoff. It results in a continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc.
A wellmanaged pasture with good cover will ensure that runoff spreads rather than concentrates. It prevents erosion by maintaining the soil so it can absorb rainfall. The best choice of plants to prevent soil erosion are herbs, wild flowers and small trees. Although soil erosion is a natural occurrence on all land, there are certain factors that call accelerate erosion making it more noticeable and problematic. Soil erosion is a natural process in which particles of soil are moved by wind and water, and displaced to another location. For those areas where soil erosion is predominantly caused by. This manual focuses primarily on the prevention of sedimentation problems associated with watergenerated soil erosion. Some excellent plants that help to prevent soil erosion are creepers because instead of growing straight up, they spread on the ground by crawling around.
Eroded soil, called sediment, is the number one pollutant of our waterways. Just look at any coastline, and you will notice how the constant pounding force from wind and waves causes. Major crops that cause soil erosion include coffee, cotton, tea, tobacco, palm oil, soybean and wheat that can increase soil erosion beyond the soil s ability to maintain itself. Tillage erosion causes the thinning of soils on upper slope areas and can result in. Soil erosion by water occurs when baresloped soil surface is. Soil erosion is the wearing away of the land surface by physical. The control and prevention of soil erosion necessitate the. Soil pollution types, effects, sources and control of. As soil erodes, it loses nutrients, clogs rivers with dirt, and eventually turns the area into a desert. Processes and principles of erosion and sedimentation. Soil erosion control and veld rehabilitation rehabilitation efforts should not attempt to restore the ecosystem to some particular condition. The ability of rainfall to cause soil detachment and transport. When erosion occurs naturally, soil is relocated at about the same rate. Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, etc.
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