Bank erosion is nothing but washing up away from banks of a stream or a river. The problem may become so severe that the land can no longer be cultivated and must. Most soil erosion is caused by natural processes such as water flowing downhill and by the wind. Soil degradation a major threat to humanity summary soil degradation needs to be recognised, alongside climate change, as one of the most pressing problems facing humanity. As a result, the basic causes, effects and remedies of wind erosion have been the focus of research by the usda s agricultural research service. Rill and gully erosion happen when impromptu streams form for water to carry away topsoil. Lutter contre lerosion chambre dagriculture hautsdefrance. Trees act as barriers against many causes of soil erosion including raindrops and moving wind. Dregne soil erosion is the main reason why desertification is irreversible.
If the soil has eroded, the crops that make food will not grow very well soil erosion was a big problem in the midwestern united states in the 1930s dust bowl erosion also leaves large sinkholes in the ground, which can weaken buildings and even cause them. The 10 papers and discussion from a national research council symposium cover such topics as soil erosion classification, evaluating how soil erosion damages productivity, calculating soil erosion, understanding ephemeral gully erosion, wind erosion, and the impact. Mar, 2014 2010 examine the causes of soil erosion and outline methods used to prevent it. This destroys the soil soil erosion is a major problem. Water and wind erosion are two main agents that degrade soils. Causes of soil erosion soil erosion occurs when natural forces, such as wind and water, act on the soil.
An onsite loss of agricultural potential an offsite effect of downstream movement of sediment, causing flooding and the silting up of reservoirs. Vegeta tion can regenerate from a degraded state as long as the seed stock remains viable and there is soil for seeds to germinate and grow in. Sep 11, 2017 erosion causes filling of dams, reservoirs, waterways. Effects of rainfall patterns on runoff and soil erosion in. Rill erosion is often described as the intermediate stage between sheet erosion and gully erosion. Winds are more effective in arid and semiarid regions. Causes, effects and types of erosion water, wind, glacier. Erosion causes infertile soils that are subject to erosion. Extensive erosion also minimizes the depth of soil available for water storage and rooting. The causes of soil erosion are directly related to improper landuse, and are, therefore, entirely manmade.
Rill erosion can be reduced by reducing the volume and speed of surface water with grassed waterways and filter strips, ripped mulch lines, and contour drains. This type of erosion is also termed as stream bank erosion. Due to uprooting of trees the shortage of timber and fuel wood results. Soil erosion is incredibly problematic, but it is also preventable and reducible when you take the right steps. This state is accompanied by exposure of tree roots and exposure of the subsoil horizon. Soil erosion soil erosion is the detachment and movement of soil material. It is the fairly uniform removal of soil in thin layers from the land surface, often scarcely perceptible, especially when caused by wind. Causes of soil erosion water and wind erosion causes. Deforestation or destruction of forests accompanied by reduced frequency of rainfall leads to soil erosion.
In this study, the diverse factors that cause soil erosion are evaluated. This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice glaciers, snow, air wind, plants, animals, and humans. Accelerated soil erosion is a significant threat to soil quality and impacts agriculture, infrastructure, and the environment. Water and wind erosion are two main agents that degrade soils find. 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. Man can also cause soil erosion by such practices as tilling a farmers field or the. Nutrients removed by erosion are no longer available to support plant growth onsite, but can accumulate in water. Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when the impact of water or wind detaches and removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate. The 2002 connecticut guidelines for soil erosion and sediment control dep bulletin 34 are intended to provide information to government agencies and the public on soil erosion and sediment control. If left fallow, soil gets loosened, causing soil erosion especially on.
Test your understanding of soil erosion and its causes. Rain splash only occurs if the rain falls with high intensity. The first step in the rehabilitation process is to eliminate the cause. There are several serious effects of soil erosion which are as follows. The process involves the loosening of the soil particles, blowing or washing away of the soil particles, and either ends up in the valley and faraway lands or washed away to the oceans by rivers and streams. The outcomes of soil erosion are reduced agricultural productivity, ecological collapse, soil degradation, and the possibility of desertification. Sheet erosion soil erosion is characterised by the downslope removal of soil particles within a thin sheet of water. Bullock, in encyclopedia of soils in the environment, 2005. Examine how human activities can accelerate soil erosion and methods used to prevent this.
There are many factors which influence the process of soil erosion. Soil erosion is the most serious precursor of soil degradation that comes with global implications. The fine soil is more susceptible to the agents of soil erosion hence can easily be moved. Erosion also leaves large holes in the earth, which can weaken buildings and even cause them to collapse.
A case study in the denku microwatershed oromia region by kassu kebede beyene submitted in accordance with the requirement for the degree of masters in human ecology at the university of south africa supervisor. It has been recognized as a major problem since the 1930s and, although there has been some 70 years of research into the causes and processes, it is still increasing and of. Soil erosion soil erosion is the washing or blowing away by wind or water of the top layer of soil dirt. It is the fairly uniform removal of soil in thin layers from the land surface, often. Soil is a nonrenewable resource that once it is eroded it is not renewed. Written by the foremost authorities in the field, this volume brings together the technical papers from which volume 1 is drawn. Agdex 572751 october 2012 replaces omafra factsheet, soil erosion causes and effects, order no. To prevent runoff from adjacent areas, galvanized steel plates were buried 1015 cm deep in the ground around the perimeter of each plot.
The causes of soil erosion include a variety of different factors including water, wind, rain, and other storm events. The causes of soil erosion can be natural or manmade. Readers should send their comments on this paper to. Soil erosion is also referred to as the creeping death. T value tolerable erosion equilibrium between soil gains and losses. 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. This happens more often when the land is not covered with grass or plants.
In accordance with these agents, erosion is sometimes divided into water erosion, glacial. Soil moves a few inches and usually is redistributed back over the surface soil. North carolina dehnr, 1993 chapter 2 causes and effects of erosion and sedimentation, hydrologic changes and pollution transport the major problem associated with erosion on a construction site is the movement of soil off. Soil compaction, low organic matter, loss of soil structure, poor internal drainage, salinisation and soil acidity problems are other serious soil degradation conditions that can accelerate the soil erosion. Losing an estimated 240 million cubic metres of soil annually asian development bank finnish international development agency, 1988. Lets have a look at the most common causes of soil erosion. Causes and efforts to control soil erosion in africa.
But, before we go into how to prevent soil erosion, you first need to understand what causes it. Sample paper see above the causes of soil erosion are more important than the solutions going by past exam papers. Degraded soil diminishes food production and leads to soil erosion, which in turn contributes to desertification. Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil, it is one form of soil degradation. While there are many different factors that can cause soil erosion, most can be broken down into two main categories.
Water is one of the strongest erosive agents that has a great potential to disturb the soil surface. What are the causes, consequences, and solutions of soil. Soil erosion by water can have negati ve consequences for a soil s capacity for sto rage, filtering, buffering and transformation. Removal of vegetation cover has caused widespread erosion in western ghats, uttar pradesh and in himachal pradesh. Soil erosion is the movement and transport of soil by various agents, particularly water, wind, and mass movement. It is different from the erosion of the bed of a watercourse, that is referred to as scouring. Depending on the duration and intensity of a rainfall, soils can exhibit signs of one of the four forms of the damage, including.
Soil erosion is the washing or blowing away by water or wind of the top layer of soil dirt this is a serious problem for farmers. This is particularly worrisome since, according to the uns food and agriculture organization, some 83% of subsaharan african people depend on the land for their livelihood, and food production in africa will have to increase almost 100. Environment agency thinksoils factors that influence erosion and runoff soil surface roughness factors that influence erosion and runoff soil surface roughness 3 ploughed land provides surface storage of rainwater soil surface roughness soil surface roughness rough surfaces e. Soil erosion is harmful and useful at the same time. Soil erosion is a natural process that contributes to the formation of fertile soils e. Water and wind are the two main mechanisms by which soil is eroded and transported. Water erosion is the most prevalent kind of erosion. 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. How human activities can accelerate soil erosion leaving. If the texture is loose that is the soil contains more of small grains and of open structure erodes faster. Moderate, value 3 this is the most advanced form of soil loss, through removal of material and part of the soil profile with a tendency to develop into gullying.
Soil is the earths fragile skin that anchors all life on earth. Either way, soil erosion has a negative impact on agriculture and on the environment. Rain splash erosion happens when raindrops move the soil. For example, in a forest with heavy deforestation, the trees are removed and the soil is compacted by machinery.
Soil deterioration and low water quality due to erosion and surface runoff have become severe problems worldwide. Water, the wind, and gravity move in an out of the soil particles. From these wind and water applications, there are several different erosion events that happen as a result of moving soil. In a particular heavy rain, soil erosion is common. The principal types of soil erosion by water are splash erosion, sheet erosion, interrill erosion, rill erosion, gully erosion, landslides, and stream erosion. This occurs when soil is removed uniformly in a thin layer from the entire surface area. When these smaller pieces, called pebbles, sand, or soil, begin to move. Soil erosion is the major cause of soil degradation. When vegetation cover is destroyed, the land gets exposed to the agents of soil erosion. Tolerable erosion rates policy process to decide but soil loss 1 thayr accelerated over natural rate. Increased demand for agriculture commodities generates incentives to convert forests and grasslands to farm fields and pastures. Soil present in a steeper slope more than the soil present at a plane level of the. Water erosion water erosion causes two sets of problems.
Movement of soil by splash erosion is the primary cause of sheet erosion. Combatting soil erosion is based on a land ethic that drives the practitioner to repair what has been damaged. Wind erosion damages the soil by physically removing the most fertile part, lowering waterholding capacity, degrading soil structure, and increasing soil variability across a field, resulting in reduced crop production. Soil erosion can be a slow process that continues relatively unnoticed or can occur at an alarming rate, causing serious loss of topsoil. Some of the principal causes of soil erosion include. The soil is a complex mixture, covering most of the land surface ranging from few centimeters to several meters deep. It is comprised of countless species that create a dynamic and complex ecosystem and is among the most precious resources to humans. Erosion removes the best, most fertile part of the soil, the topsoil where most of the plant nutrients and soil carbon are found. Geologists estimate that 70 percent of soil erosion is caused by human activities like excessive construction, agriculture, surface mining and forestry. In the soil erosion, uppermost fertile layer of soil which contains essential nutrients is lost. Solutions need to be developed and introduced which address both issues simultaneously.
Causes, effects, and solutions of soil erosion conserve. Soil erosion is the global soil degradation problem that causes significant environmental and socioeconomic problems eswaran et al. These other forms of soil degradation, serious in themselves, usually contribute to accelerated soil erosion. Soil erosion is a process that involves the wearing away of the topsoil. Whyte 1957 while commenting on the problem of soil erosion of kashmir himalayas, mentioned, control of fluctuating grazing was made the responsibility of forest department in 1939 but this appears to have little effect and the problem is as acute as ever. It is something of an art and the truly committed person drives in. Soil erosion is the permanent change of the main characteristics of soil that could see it lose its fertility, ph, colour, humus content or structure.
For this reason, some navigable waters become useless. Wind, water, ice, animals, and the use of tools by man are usually the main causes of soil erosion. There are several types of water erosion that can cause difficulties for topsoil. 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. To understand wind erosion and its control, we need to understand the processes involved. It tends to remove silts and clays making the soils sandier. It also causes plant damage from abrasion, blowouts, and deposition. Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, etc. Introduction soil erosion is one form of soil degradation along with soil compaction, low organic matter, loss of soil structure, poor internal drainage, salinization, and soil acidity problems. Raindrops hit exposed soil with great energy and easily dislodge the soil particles from the surface. Soil quality information sheet soil quality resource concerns. Workshop on common criteria for risk area identification in. This causes a loss in nutrients and often creates a less favorable environment for plant growth. There are places and situations where erosion rates are much higher than this limit, even as high as 100 t ha.
Soil erosion is a process of detachment and transportation of soil by natural agencies of water and wind. Causes of erosion erosion occurs when soil is left exposed to rain or wind energy. The soil is always changing as water comes and goes. In the case of storage and bufferi ng, t hese consequences. Runoff washes away the soil particles from sloping and bare lands while wind blows away loose and detached soil particles from flat and unprotected lands. Repeated erosion reduces water infiltration into the soil, which may result to withering of crops. The impact of raindrops will break up the soil and water buildup will create runoff, taking sediment with it. The transition to agriculture from natural vegetation often. Causes, processes and effects soil erosion is a growing problem and constitutes a threat to soil quality and to the ability of soils to provide environmental services.
Erosion is a process that causes the soil surface to wear out. Soil degradation is a global environmental problem which started since the innovation of agriculture by human kind. This type of erosion takes place when the runoff water, laden with soil flowing along the slopes, forms fingerlike channels. When trees and vegetation are removed from soil, soil loses its fertility. Erosion preceded by the destruction of the crumb structure due to the impact of falling raindrop on the surface of soil is termed as splash erosion. When it rains, the soil cannot cling onto the roots and such to stay in place and the compacted soil c. Sheet erosion affects a whole area, when water or the wind act like a broom to clear out the topsoil. 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. Erosion removes surface soil, which often has the highest biological activity and greatest amount of soil organic matter. Although soil erosion is a natural occurrence on all land, there are certain factors that call accelerate erosion making it more noticeable and problematic. Gully erosion gullies are channels deeper than 30cm that cannot.
In each nw, s, w and east facing slope three erosion plots were installed except for a north facing slope with 6 plots. Thus soil becomes deficient in essential minerals and this results in productivity loss. The top soil is loaded with nutrients and organic matter critical for crop growth. Soil deterioration and low quality of water due to erosion and run off has often become a sev. Precipitation is the most forceful factor causing erosion.
Running water is one of the main cause of soil erosion. Depending on the local landscape and weather conditions, erosion may be very slow or very rapid. The most common causes of soil erosion come from the water and wind conditions of the area. What are the causes and consequences of soil erosion answers.