Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

Exercise No. 7
SOIL EROSION AND RAINFALL CHARACTERISTICS

INTRODUCTION

Soil erosion is a process by which natural forces removes the top soil from the surface
of the land faster than the rate of soil formation. Soil erosion is an undesirable process in
agriculture and forestry since it removes tremendous amount of surface soil rich in plant
nutrient.
Accelerated erosion in the Philippines is attributed to the steep slopes and frequent
rainfall. Erosion is caused by raindrop and run off soil. When rainfall intensity (RI) is greater
than infiltration (I) that is when soil erosion begins.

OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the exercise, the student must have:

1. Identified the method of data collection for rainfall intensity.

2. Assess effect of rainfall on soil erosion.
3. Understood the relationship of rainfall erosivity to soil erodibility.

A. DETERMINATION OF RAINFALL CHARACTERISTICS

 DO NOT PERFORM, as an instructional reference only.
Procedure
1. Prepare 2 tin cans with bottom cover for the determination of the amount of rainfall
and rainfall intensity.
2. Place it in a location where there is no interception and rain can fall freely to the can.
3. Record the time duration (minutes) of rainfall starting from when the can is placed
until the can is about half-full.
4. Remove the can with the collected rain water and measure the volume collected using
a graduated cylinder. Determine the following:
a. Amount of rainfall (ml);
b. Rainfall duration (min); &
c. Rainfall intensity (ml/hr)

B. ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECT OF RAINFALL ON SOIL

This activity is to be performed/discussed ONLY through the video of Dave Lowe as posted
on Youtube (Title: Dave Lowe Soil Erosion Demo, 17:23 mins)

Procedure
1. Remove the top and bottom covers of two small-sized tin cans and search for (a) bare and (b) vegetated field types of soil to collect your
soil core samples
2. Insert the tin can on the field carefully without disturbing the column of soil inside the tin can.
3. Fill the tin cans with soil (with corresponding vegetation cover and no vegetation cover) as naturally as possible, making sure that the
height of the soil column levels with the top portion of can. The placement of tin can in the field will be demonstrated by the laboratory
teacher.
4. Remove the tin can slowly from the field using bolo. Level the soil and the tin can at the bottom part.
5. Prepare a cylindrical cardboard of the same height and circumference with the tin can previously collected with soil. Place the cardboard
on the top portion of the can.
6. On the bottom portion of the soil-filled tin can, place a fitted clear plastic container that will enable the tin can and the cardboard to stand.
7. During a rainfall event, place the tin cans in a location where it is elevated from the soil surface and there is no interception where rain
can fall freely to the can for about 10 minutes.
8. When rain subsides, remove the tin from its location and compare the number of splashed particles between the two tin cans found on
the cardboard and the color intensity or turbidity of the water obtained in the plastic container.
 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

Exercise No. 7
SOIL EROSION AND RAINFALL CHARACTERISTICS

Name: ________________________ Date Performed: ____________

Laboratory Schedule: ____________ Score: ____________________
Instructor’s signature: ________

Table 1. Rainfall Characteristics

Rainfall Duration Amount of rainfall Rainfall Intensity

Rainfall Incidence Date
(min) (ml) (ml hr-1)
Light Rain 1
Light Rain 2
Heavy Rain 1
Heavy Rain 2

Table 2. Effects of Rainfall on Soil

Field Type Observation

Bare soil

Vegetated soil

Mulched Soil
 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

Study Questions:
1. Differentiate rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility.

2. What is the consequence of rainfall intensity on soil erosion? *Relate this from the
rainfall simulation on the video.

3. What is the impact of soil erosion in agricultural lands?

 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

Exercise No. 9
SOIL CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

INTRODUCTION

Soil conservation is a collective effort to improve the quality of soil and minimize soil
erosion and other soil degradation processes. For example, a soil that is eroding can be made
healthier by planting plants and grasses to keep it away from washing away.
Soil conservation is important because soil is crucial for many aspect of human life as
it provides food, filters water and air and helps decompose biological waste into nutrients for
crops. Soil can be drained away or contaminated, destroying it for use.
In implementing soil conservation to minimize soil erosion, there are five (5) basic
strategies: a) dissipation of raindrop impact; b) reduce runoff velocity; c) improve infiltration;
d) reduce soil erodibility; and e) trap of soil sediments.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this exercise, the students must have:

1. Identified features of soil/landscape undergoing soil erosion.

2. Familiarized with the different soil conservation management techniques.
3. Presented a farm plan indicating the appropriate soil conservation techniques.

PROCEDURES

1. Identify advantages and disadvantages of the following soil conservation techniques:

a. Vegetative Barriers: Contour Hedgerows, Natural Vegetative Strips, Contour
Fences
b. Physical/Mechanical Barriers: Contour Furrows, Contour Rockwalls, Bench
Terracing
c. Conservation Cropping Systems: Mulching, Intercropping, Multiple Cropping,
Multi-storey Cropping

2. Visit and choose an area undergoing soil erosion. Take a photo of the selected field and
indicate the following observations:
a. Indicates the signs of soil erosion (effects to growing crops and environment)
b. Classify the damages/effects whether it is “On-site effects” (immediately
affected areas) or “Off-site effects” (distance away from the immediately
affected areas).
c. Choose a conservation technique/s appropriate for your affected area to
minimize the effects of soil erosion.
d. Submit this report as a conservation plan layout with a short report indicating
the problem of the area, conservation strategy you want to employ.
Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A
 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

Exercise No. 9
SOIL CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

Name: ________________________ Date Performed: ____________

Laboratory Schedule: ____________ Score: ____________________
Instructor’s signature: ________

A. Conservation Management Techniques

Conservation Techniques Advantages Disadvantages
A. Vegetative Barriers

1. Contour Hedgerows

2. Natural Vegetative
Strips

3. Contour Fences

B. Mechanical/Physical Barriers

1. Contour Furrows

2. Contour Rockwalls

3. Bench Terracing

C. Conservation Cropping Systems

1. Mulching

2. Intercropping

3. Multiple Cropping

4. Multi-storey Cropping
 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

B. Soil Erosion Affected Area

C. Signs and Classification of Soil Erosion Effects

Signs of Soil Erosion (as observed) Classification of Effects/Damages

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.
 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

Study Questions:
1. What is soil conservation and how is it different from preservation?

2. How can soil conservation practices minimize soil erosion?

 Soil Fertility, Conservation and Management, Laboratory SS23A

REMINDERS
1. Final Exam Coverage: Exercises 6-9
2. For exercise 7, watch the Youtube video of Dave
Lowe: Dave Lowe Soil Erosion Demo (17:23)
3. For exercise 9, the answer sheets already has a
space for your Procedure 2 (a-b). Therefore,
attach only a short bond paper (drawing, photo)
for your conservation strategy that you want to
employ (c) and do not forget to include your
report (d).

For clarifications, see me.

CCUGayonan