SOIL EROSION

SOIL EROSION

WHAT IS SOIL EROSION?

• It is the loosening and displacement of topsoil due to wind and water.
• It is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate.
• It occurs due to both natural and human activity.

WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES INVOLVED?

• Loosening and detachment of soil particles.

• Removal and transport of the detached soil particles.

WHAT ARE ITS TYPES ?

• Water erosion

• Water is the major agent of erosion.
• Rainfall, Rivers, Floods, Lakes, Ocean carry away and wash soil and sand.
• Types - splash erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion, and gully erosion

• Wind erosion is quite common in arid and semi-arid regions.
• The loose soil particles are blown and transported from wind by ways – Siltation, Suspension, Surface creep.
• The depression formation like Oasis in deserts is its first step.

• Ice erosion

• Ice usually in the form of glaciers can erode the earth.
• They transport everything down in their path, from tiny grains sand to huge boulders.
• Eroded sediment example is moraine.

WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES?

• There are two major causes: Natural and Anthropogenic.
• Natural factors:

• Rainfall
• Floods
• Wind
• Ice
• Rivers and Streams

• Anthropogenic factors:

• Agriculture
• Over- Grazing
• Logging and cutting trees
• Mining
• Construction
• Economic and Development activities

WHAT ARE ITS CONSEQUENCES?

• Soil quality is reduced in nutrient-rich layer.
• Impacts on crop yields hence more use of fertilizer.
• Weak ability of the soil to hold water can cause droughts.
• Contaminates drinking water and water bodies.
• Clogging of waterways can cause flooding.
• The dust particles in the air causes Air Pollution.
• Soil erosion is a major factor for desertification.

WHAT ARE ITS PREVENTIVE MEASURES?

• Plant trees on barren lands.
• Mulch matting on slopes.
• By putting a series of fibre logs.
• A wall at the base of the slope.
• A proper drainage system in every house.
• Contour and Terrace farming.