Notes on 3.
3 Soil Erosion
Soil Erosion is a naturally occurring process that affects all types of land and plays an important role in shaping the
landscape.
Causes of soil erosion
The topsoil is the most fertile layer of soil; it holds water and supports air spaces. It
contains organic matter and nutrients.
Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
Soil starts to lose structure through ploughing or digging. This soil is easy to
topsoil cultivate but it is more vulnerable to erosion.
Deforestation
subsoil When the roots of plants are removed, the soil structure is not strong enough. Tree
roots are useful for slowing down the speed of flowing torrents providing places for
Parent trapped and depositted soil. When vegetation is removed, there is nothing to
material prevent run-off and soil erosion. Growers, then need to relocate
Farming on steep slopes
bedrock Rock cycle affects the location and depth of topsoil. Farming practices remove
plants in slopes leaving the soil more vulnerable to the movement.
Bare soil
Constant hard grazing weakens the plants because they do not have sufficient
foliage to photosynthesise. Lack of vegetation means there are no longer plant roots
to hold the soil together. Animals trample down the plants: hooves compact the
ground reducing air spaces in soil reducing root growth.
wind and water erosion
Winds cause the water content of soil to be lost through evaporation. Particles no
longer stick together.
Water is a significant factor: heavy rain dislodges soil particles. Excess water will
reduce water infiltration due to the surface being capped. Gullies and streams erode
the soil.
The impacts of soil erosion
Silting of rivers
Flowing water enters rivers and lakes and the soil that is carried settles as the flow slows down silting up the
watercourses reducing the volume of water, increasing the probability of flooding.
Silt deposits can form small lagoons providing breeding oportunities to insects.
It affects the quality and availability of water for drinking, affecting health of aquatic organisms because the
oxygen content of this water is affected.
Desertification and reduction in crop yields
Subsoil does not have enough nutrients, air spaces or water flow to support the same level of growth reducing
crop yield. If there is not enough organic matter re-entering the soil to improve its fertility, there are fewer plants
for livestock forcing people to move away.
Mass movement
When there is too much rainfall on a slope, it dislodges soil. When the speed decreases, soil particles are
deposited. Crops are washed aways and areas are covered in thick silty mud. Mudslides may occur causing loss
of life and property. Silt can also cause transport issues as well as damage in the ecosystem.
Mudslides, rockslides, and landslides may occur damaging soil and the vegetation down the slope.
Loss of habitats and biodiversity
Topsoil is an important habitat and a key part to the ecosystem. When soil is eroded, the whole ecosystem is
affected due to an increase in pest organisms, impacting biodiversity.
malnutrition, famine and displacement
Without a productive land, people will not be able to produce enough to eat. Large numbers of people move to
another place can create problems, like a mayor delay in any planned crop yield. There is a negative impact on the
natural vegetation. The need for food and water makes foreign agencies try to supply those needs.
Strategies to reduce soil erosion
Prevents mudslides, landslides and rockslides.
changes the shape of a hillside to reduce the risk of soil and rock
Terracing movement. Water sits in each of the terraced areas being soaked
into the soil.
Ridges and throughs run along the contours of the land.
Each plogh furrow holds water back and prevents large torrents of
Contour ploughing water running down, preventing the formation of gullies and the
run-off of topsoil.
artificial banks at the edges of growing spaces designed to hold
back water.
bunds eroded soil will be deposited increasing the quantity of soil
available to the crop and increasing its fertility.
useful tool for reducing wind erosion
permeable barrier made of living vegetation or artificial material
windbreaks used to reduce the impact of the wind.
if natural, provides additional habitats for insects, annd roots help
hold back soil.
Cultivation removes many of the natural safeguards from soil
erosion: soil is broken up into smaller, more uniform pieces.
When soil is lightweight, it would be too difficult to cultivate.
maintaining vegetation cover planting an additional 'cover crop' maintains the health of the soil.
"no dig" method- no plant is removed until a new one is ready to
be sown
soil is more at risk if it is left uncovered and has a low water
cotent.
adding more organic matter provides additional organic matter
provides additional air gaps, adds nutrients to the soil and
adding organic matter improves soil structure.
organic matter holds extra water, forms a base for other particles to
bind, and increases the genreal fertility of the soil allowing plants
to develop stronger.