Soil Erosion and Topsoil Loss
• Agriculture
Soil erosion refers to the erosion of the top layer of dirt known as topsoil, the
fertile material vital to life. The rate of soil erosion depends on many factors,
including the soil’s makeup, vegetation, and the intensity of wind and rain. Soil
erosion occurs primarily when dirt is left exposed to strong winds, hard rains,
and flowing water. Another practice that has devastating consequences for soil
health is deforestation, particularly clearcutting, a widespread practice of the
industrial logging industry. When trees are cleared away, the land is left
exposed to wind and rain without the security of roots to prevent the soil from
being swept away.
Topsoil refers to the top layer of soil that is high in organic matter and
nutrients, formed by the slow weathering of rocks and decaying organic matter
over thousands of years. It is widely available to purchase in small and bulk
bags for varied projects. Topsoil typically comes available in three grades:
economy, general-purpose and premium, based on the amount of organic
matter and nutrients within the soil.
• ECONOMY GRADE TOPSOIL - Commonly known as ‘as dug’
topsoil typically used for large projects and industrial/ commercial
uses.
• GENERAL-PURPOSE TOPSOIL - Widely available in different
screen size grades and multiuse for laying beds and providing a base
to sow a lawn.
• PREMIUM GRADE TOPSOIL - The more expensive option that
carries the least risk of harboring weed seeds.
DIFFERENT FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO SOIL EROSION
AND TOPSOIL LOSS (AND ITS ADVERSE EFFECT TO THE
ENVIRONMENT)
Factors that contribute to soil erosion:
• Rainfall and Flooding
The raindrops disperse the soil, which is then washed away into
the nearby streams and rivers. Regions with very heavy and frequent
rainfall face a large amount of soil loss. The flowing water during floods
also erodes a lot of soil by creating potholes, rock-cut basins, etc.
The agricultural activities disturb the ground. The trees are
cleared, and the land is ploughed to sow new seeds. Since most of the
crops are grown during the spring season, the land lies fallow during
winters. Most of the soil is eroded during winters. Soil erosion on
cropping lands can reduced ability of the soil to store water and nutrients
and has higher rates of runoff, shedding water.
• Logging and Mining
Logging, similar to deforestation, causes soil erosion as it
removes the trees protecting the soil from the elements, anchoring it to the
ground. Tree roots act to hold the soil together, and their leaves and
branches form canopies that prevent the impact of the harsh elements.
• Heavy Winds
During dry weather or in the semi-arid regions, the minute soil
particles are carried away by the wind to faraway lands. This degrades the
soil and results in desertification.
Factors that contribute to loss of topsoil:
Topsoil can erode due to strong winds, hard rains and flowing water.
Industrial farming practices such as tilling and use of agrochemicals, as well as
deforestation to produce farmland have dramatically increased the rate of loss
of topsoil.
• Tillage
Tillage has long been one of the primary causes of topsoil loss.
As fractures, the soil structure, tillage facilitate the erosion of the soil.
Since tillage fractures the soil, it disrupts soil structure, accelerating
surface runoff and soil erosion.
• Use of Agrochemicals
Overuse of some chemicals such as pesticides and other
chemicals used on crop plants changes soil composition and disrupts the
balance of microorganisms in the soil. This stimulates the growth of
harmful bacteria at the expense of beneficial kinds.
 • Deforestation
Without plant cover, erosion can occur and sweep the land into
rivers. As land loses its fertile soil, agricultural producers move on, clear
more forest and continue the cycle of soil loss.
DIFFERENT PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CONTROL SOIL
EROSION AND TOPSOIL LOSS
• MULCHING
Bare soil between growing plants is covered with a layer of
organic matter such as straw, grasses, leaves and rice husks. Mulching also
keeps the soil moist, reduces weeding, keeps the soil cool and adds organic
matter. Mulching allows water to reach the soil slowly, and thus reduce the
impact of rainfall or heavy watering. Mulches help to prevent the soil from
turning acidic and suppresses weeds from growing. Over time, mulches
made from organic materials break down and increase soil’s structure and
fertility.
• VEGETATION
The simplest and most natural way of prevention of soil erosion
is through planting vegetation. Erosion of soil from baren land is more,
hence the soil must be kept covered by growing grass and planting trees on
it. The grass reduces the speed of flow of water and minimizes direct
contact of water with soil. While Plants establish root systems, which
stabilizes soil and prevents soil erosion. While their leaves block rain and
reduce the impact of the drop on the soil, thus plants stop rain breaking the
soil apart.
• TURNING HILL SIDE INTO TERRACE OR CONTOUR
FARMING
The erosion of soil on sloping land is more. The steepest slopes
are almost impossible to farm on. Turning the hill into terraces running
across the slope can reduce soil erosion. Here the soil should be arranged
horizontally across the line of the slope so as to reduce soil erosion.
Contour farming act as reservoirs to catch and retain rainwater, thus
permitting increased infiltration and more uniform distribution of the
water.
• BUILDING RETAINING WALLS
Sloping land may collapse downhill until it is stabilized. A
retaining wall at the base of the slope will block the creep of the soil and
slow down the collapse. Retaining wall also prevents water runoff. Runoff
water leads to further erosion Wall can be made up of stones and concrete.
• BREAKWATERS
Breakwaters consist of large piles of rocks laid parallel to the
shore. Breakwaters are generally used to calm waters for harbors and
artificial marinas. They act as a wave barrier, allowing the beach to grow
while preventing harmful erosion. As waves hit the breakwater, they
deposit their load of sediment along with it. However, any part of the coast
not protected by the breakwater continues to experience erosion.
• JETTIES
Jetty is a man-made wall that is placed along the sides of an inlet.
The reason that jetties are installed is. As sand builds up on against the up
current side of the jetties, it can be redistributed along the beach to further
reduce erosion. The erosion still occurs on the down current side of the
jetties.
• BARRIER METHODS
Barrier methods all slow the flow of water down a slope. This
greatly reduces the amount of soil which run-off water can carry away and
conserves water. Any kind of barrier should work. To be effective any
barrier must follow the contour lines.
• MINIMUM CULTIVATION
Each time the soil is dug or ploughed; it is exposed to erosion. In
some soils it may be possible to sow crops without ploughing or digging,
ideally among the crop residue from the previous crop. This is most likely
to be possible in a loose soil with plenty of organic matter.
What is Soil Erodibility? SOIL EROSION AND TOPSOIL LOSS CRITICAL AREAS IN REGION
Soil erodibility is the intrinsic susceptibility of a soil to erosion by runoff and 7
raindrop impact. Soil erodibility is influenced by soil texture and the strength
of bonds between soil particles (known as aggregate stability). The soil texture 4 PROVINCES IN REGION 7
is related to the infiltration rate, which when rainfall occurs influences the • Bohol
runoff rate and hence erosion. In other words, soils with low infiltration rates • Cebu
accelerate erosion because of high runoff rates. In addition to this, a soil with • Negros Oriental
low infiltration and weak bonding between soil particles will be very • Siquijor
susceptible to erosion.
BOHOL
COMPONENTS OF ERODIBILITY
Anda Balilihan
• Texture Butuanan Buenavista
Soils with a high content of silt, very fine sand, or expanding clay
Calape-Clarin Cabangay Sur
materials tend to have high erodibility.
Jagna Loboc
• Structures
Loon Sierra Bollunes Tagbilaran
Soil structure is the aggregation of individual soil particles into
Talubay - Ubay
larger aggregates of identifiable shape. Well-developed soil structure
promotes a network of cracks and large pores that accommodate
infiltrating water, resulting in reduced erosion due to decreased runoff. CEBU
Good aggregation also holds particles together, enabling the soil to resist Argao Ayuquitan Balamban
the detachment forces of water and raindrop impact. Bogo Buanoy Camotes Island
• Soil Organic Matter Carcar Catmon Cebu City
Soil Organic Matter (SOM) is an aggregating agent that binds
Daan Bantayan Dalaguete Dumanjug
mineral particles together to develop structure in the soil against raindrop
impact. Highly decomposed organic material in the soil, called humus, Esperanza Liloan Madridejos
acts as a glue to bind soil particles together into aggregates. Soils that are Manjuyod Maravilla Oslob
higher in SOM are more resistant to erosion. Pardo Pilar
San Carlos Santa Fe
• Permeability Tanjay Tuburan
Is a measure of the rate at which water percolates through a soil.
It is a function of texture, structure, and soil bulk density. Water rapidly
enters highly permeable soils, reducing runoff and, therefore, soil erosion.
 • INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITY AND TENURED
NEGROS ORIENTAL
MIGRANT COMMUNITY
Ayuquitan Bagtic Bais Sugar Central These are communities allowed to stay within designated
Basang Bayawan Calamba protected areas due to them living in there before designating the area
Dumaguete Guihulngna Manjuyod as a protected area.
Nagbalaje Oriental – Occidental 1 Oriental – Occidental 2
Siaton Tanjay Zamboangita • INDIGENOUS CULTURAL COMMUNITY
Group of people who have continuously lived as an
organized community on communally bounded and defined territory,
SIQUIJOR and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial,
Larena Lazi Maria occupied, possessed and utilized such territories. ICCs who are
dwelling in PAs since time immemorial are given titles for ancestral
HOW TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION? domains and have the rights to continue their cultural and spiritual
practices inside the PAs.

• TENURED MIGRANT COMMUNITY

Group of people living within the PA grounds before it was
designated as a PA. They are solely dependent on the PA for their
economic activities.

BUFFER ZONES
RA 7586 or The NIPAS Act Section 4 of RA 7586 defined buffer zones as “outside the boundaries
This refers to “classification and administration of all designated of and immediately adjacent to designated protected areas”. These areas
protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support managed by PAMB(Protected Areas Management Bureau) serve as a social
systems, to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources fence and source of income for local communities near protected areas(PA) in
found therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greatest extent order to minimize or prevent harm to PAs.
possible”.
CATEGORIES
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS)
RA 7586 or The NIPAS Act primarily aims “to secure for the Filipino a. Strict nature reserve;
people of present and future generations the perpetual existence of all native b. Natural park;
plants and animals through the establishment of a comprehensive system of c. Natural monument;
integrated protective areas within the classification of national park as provided d. Wildlife sanctuary;
for in the Constitution. e. Protected landscapes and seascapes;
The NIPAS act covers all protected areas whether terrestrial, coastal f. Resource reserve;
or marine. Since 1992, a total of 234 protected areas covering 5.23 million g. Natural biotic areas; and
hectares and 22 million hectares buffer zone were governed under the NIPAS h. Other categories established by law, conventions or international agreements
Act (DENR, 2009). which the Philippine Government is a signatory.
Example list of areas protected under NIPAS
B. Environmentally Critical Areas
1. All areas declared by law as national parks, watershed reserves,
wildlife preserves and sanctuaries;
2. Areas set aside as aesthetic potential tourist spots;
3. Areas which constitute the habitat for any endangered or threatened
species of indigenous Philippine Wildlife (flora and fauna);
4. Areas of unique historic, archaeological, or scientific interests;
5. Areas which are traditionally occupied by cultural communities or
tribes;
6. Areas frequently visited and/or hard-hit by natural calamities
(geologic hazards, floods, typhoons, volcanic activity, etc.);
7. Areas with critical slopes;
8. Areas classified as prime agricultural lands;
9. Recharged areas of aquifers;
10. Water bodies characterized by one or any combination of the
following conditions;
a. tapped for domestic purposes
b. within the controlled and/or protected areas declared by
appropriate authorities
c. which support wildlife and fishery activities
11. Mangrove areas characterized by one or any combination of the
following conditions:
a. with primary pristine and dense young growth;
b. adjoining mouth of major river systems;
c. near or adjacent to traditional productive fry or fishing
grounds;
d. which act as natural buffers against shore erosion, strong
winds and storm floods;
e. on which people are dependent for their livelihood.
12. Coral reefs characterized by one or any combinations of the
following conditions:
a. With 50% and above live coralline cover;
b. Spawning and nursery grounds for fish;
c. which act as natural breakwater of coastlines.
 114 LEGISLATED PROTECTED AREAS

REGION NAME OF PROTECTED AREA AREA (ha) LEGISLATION

7 Central Cebu Protected Landscape 28,488.57 RA 9486

7 Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary 1,382.30 RA 11038
7 Alburquerque-Loay-Loboc Protected 1,165.51 RA 11038
Landscape and Seascape
7 Chocolate Hills Natural Monument 13,994.95 RA 11038
7 Rajah Sikatuna Protected Landscape 10,964.64 RA 11038
7 Panglao Island Protected Seascape 2,445.08 RA 11038
7 Talibon Group of Islands Protected Landscape 6,446.31 RA 11038
and Seascape
7 Camotes Island Protected Landscape and 1,436.98 RA 11038
Seascape
7 Tañon Strait Protected Seascape 534,589.05 RA 11038
7 Apo Island Protected Landscape & Seascape 691.40 RA 11038
7 Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park 8,016.05 RA 11038