Soil Erosion

Soil – An Important Resource

 Soil Erosion  Occurs when soil is moved
from the place where it
formed.
 Harmful to vegetation.
 Causes and Effects of Soil
Erosion
 Soil erosion  Occurs when water or wind
picks up and transports
sediments.
 More common on steep
slopes and areas with little
vegetation.
 Normally, soil is formed at
the same rate that it is
eroded.
 Causes and Effects of Soil
Erosion
 Increased by: – Steepening of slopes
– Lessening of vegetation
– Human activities
 Agriculturalcultivation
 Forest harvesting

 Overgrazing

 Urban construction

 Strip mining
 Preventing Soil Erosion
 Prevention:  Crop management
– Shelter belts
– Grazing or no till farming
 During no till farming crops are
seeded without plowing under the
stubble.
– Contour plowing
 Planting along the natural contours
of the land.
 Slows water and helps prevent
gullies.
– Terracing
 Steps are built into steep hillsides.
– Construction practices