Soil erosion is the removal of soil from the earth’s surface from either wind or water. breaking down of rock into soil and sand. Because forest canopies are usually higher than this, rain drops can often regain terminal velocity even after striking the canopy. It is also a major source of land degradation, evaporation, desertification, harmful airborne dust, and crop damage—especially after being increased far above natural rates by human activities such as deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture. The increased flow of water through local waterways also causes a large increase in the rate of bank erosion. [9], Rill erosion refers to the development of small, ephemeral concentrated flow paths which function as both sediment source and sediment delivery systems for erosion on hillslopes. Once trees have been removed by fire or logging, infiltration rates become high and erosion low to the degree the forest floor remains intact. It involves the displacement and deposition of the soil in other areas. Geology Review 2. oxbow lake. Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, etc., cause soil erosion. [74], Soil erosion (especially from agricultural activity) is considered to be the leading global cause of diffuse water pollution, due to the effects of the excess sediments flowing into the world's waterways. If the soil is saturated, or if the rainfall rate is greater than the rate at which water can infiltrate into the soil, surface runoff occurs. [47] Heavy grazing reduces vegetative cover and causes severe soil compaction, both of which increase erosion rates. the moving of sediment. Jefferson,I.F.,Smalley>I.J. [28] It moves material from higher elevations to lower elevations where other eroding agents such as streams and glaciers can then pick up the material and move it to even lower elevations. Detailed diagram and hand drawn explanation of the four main types of erosion. [18], At extremely high flows, kolks, or vortices are formed by large volumes of rapidly rushing water. Boardman, John & Poesen, Jean. Soil erosion on cropland. the G2 model. The “lost” soil is transported downslope, ultimately reaching stream channels. It can increase flood risk. WEPS has several uses: assisting land managers in reducing wind erosion, establishing soil loss tolerance in conservation plans, and determining erosion susceptibility of soils. Part I of the report describes the area encompassed by the … Les dossiers thématiques du CSFD. Generally, where water erosion rates on disturbed upland areas are greatest, rills are active. The Karst Landforms and Cycle of Erosion. The results is an extensive global data collection effort produced the Global Rainfall Erosivity Database (GloREDa) which includes rainfall erosivity for 3,625 stations and covers 63 countries. Effects of Water Erosion 4. sediment. 14 terms. This is a natural process that has occurred for eons of time. [68] Approximately 40% of the world's agricultural land is seriously degraded. [76], One of the most serious and long-running water erosion problems worldwide is in the People's Republic of China, on the middle reaches of the Yellow River and the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Thermal erosion also affects the Arctic coast, where wave action and near-shore temperatures combine to undercut permafrost bluffs along the shoreline and cause them to fail. Generally, soil erosion increases as each index value increases. These roots can slow down water flow, leading to the deposition of sediments and reduced erosion rates. [17] Much of this erosion occurs as the weakened banks fail in large slumps. If the runoff has sufficient flow energy, it will transport loosened soil particles (sediment) down the slope. Soil erosion is a process of detachment and transportation of soil by natural agencies of water and wind. the Water Erosion Prediction Project model) or wholly (e.g. deposition. This is a problem which affects many areas. The sediments themselves act as pollutants, as well as being carriers for other pollutants, such as attached pesticide molecules or heavy metals. Yet erosion from gullies can be a substantial proportion (10–80%) of total erosion on cultivated and grazed land. OTHER SETS BY THIS CREATOR. [11][12][13], Valley or stream erosion occurs with continued water flow along a linear feature. The links between all the different pieces of soil erosion work (past, present and future) with references to where you can find further information are illustrated in a soil erosion network diagram. Rapid erosion survey after flooding . 67 2.1 Soil Property Index (KI) There are two ways to calculate the soil property index, KI. Pastures are vulnerable to excessive soil erosion because they are usually located in areas of sloping land that is less suited for crop production. Human activities have increased by 10–50 times the rate at which erosion is occurring globally. Queensland’s high intensity summer rainfalls represent a significant risk of erosion by water. It involves the displacement and deposition of the soil in other areas. [26][27], Mass movement is an important part of the erosional process, and is often the first stage in the breakdown and transport of weathered materials in mountainous areas. Since vegetation reduces erosion, we have another case of the result hinging on the net effects of “competing” processes. Soil erosion. Saltating sand erodes metastable loess ground: events in the impact zone. These impacts include compaction, loss of soil structure, nutrient degradation, and soil salinity. For an overview of other human activities that have increased coastal erosion rates, see: For an interesting archaeological/historical survey of terracing systems, see, Spalding M, McIvor A, Tonneijck FH, Tol S and van Eijk P (2014) Mangroves for coastal defence. Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, etc., cause soil erosion. In some areas of the world (e.g. Development of Specific RUSLE Data Layers. 1. Topsoil is the top layer of soil and is the most fertile because it contains the most organic, nutrient-rich materials. AGME 1613 - Fundamentals of Agricultural Systems Technology; Photos courtesy of NRCS of USDA. In such processes, it is not the water alone that erodes: suspended abrasive particles, pebbles and boulders can also act erosively as they traverse a surface, in a process known as traction. K, the soil erodibility factor, is the soil loss rate per rainfall erosion index unit for the specified soil under Unit Plot conditions; L and S are the slope length and steepness factors in relation to the con-ditions on a unit plot; C, the cover and manage-ment factor, is the ratio of soil loss from an area h޴ZM�[��+\�+���@�m�M�]�۪=�xd�2�����w5Ԍ=�D�[g�x?y�}���5���M��{g���� They plan to measure the density of a species of algae grwoing along the bottom of a river that flows through theri town. Water erosion. If we want to save our soils, we need to understand the different types of erosion that can occur. Rainfall: Precipitation is the most forceful factor causing erosion. Hydraulic action2. The amount and intensity of precipitation is the main climatic factor governing soil erosion by water. Further information on water's erosive ability: Human activities that increase soil erosion, Monitoring, measuring and modeling soil erosion, CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (. Fig. Although soil erosion is a natural process, it is often accelerated by human activities, for example by the clearing of vegetation, soil tillage or overgrazing. Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil; it is a form of soil degradation. [57], The warmer atmospheric temperatures observed over the past decades are expected to lead to a more vigorous hydrological cycle, including more extreme rainfall events. Wind erosion requires strong winds, particularly during times of drought when vegetation is sparse and soil is dry (and so is more erodible). [16] It can occur both along rivers and at the coast. Increases in available moisture, also called effective precipitation, would tend to promote both runoff and soil erosion on the one hand, and vegetation cover on the other. Sediments containing more clay tend to be more resistant to erosion than those with sand or silt, because the clay helps bind soil particles together. The top layer of soil is very light which is easily carried away by wind and water. [15], Thermal erosion is the result of melting and weakening permafrost due to moving water. Intensive agriculture, deforestation, roads, anthropogenic climate change and urban sprawl are amongst the most significant human activities in regard to their effect on stimulating erosion. Start studying Weathering, Erosion, Deposition, & Soil. 44 pp. [100][101] Other soil erosion models have largely (e.g. May 2011. Forms of Water Erosion 3. After intense rainfall and runoff events, it can take the form of concentrated flow. [32], In other regions of the world (e.g. [45] Extrapolating this evidence to predict subsequent behaviour within receiving aquatic systems, the reason is that this more easily transported material may support a lower solution P concentration compared to coarser sized fractions. [34] Soil containing high levels of organic materials are often more resistant to erosion, because the organic materials coagulate soil colloids and create a stronger, more stable soil structure. The most direct is the change in the erosive power of rainfall. [51] However it is the forest floor, more than the canopy, that prevents surface erosion. Test your understanding of soil erosion and its causes and consequences with this quiz and worksheet. Title: Soil Erosion 1 "A nation that destroys its soils, destroys itself." 1 Schematic diagram of soil erosion index model We use following methods for calculating each index value. Soil erosion may be a slow process that continues relatively unnoticed, or it may occur at an alarming rate causing a serious loss of topsoil. Rain and water wash away the silt, sand and organic matter in the soil. [111][112] Crop residues play a role in the mitigation of erosion, because they reduce the impact of raindrops breaking up the soil particles. [78][79][80][81], Dust from erosion acts to suppress rainfall and changes the sky color from blue to white, which leads to an increase in red sunsets[citation needed]. When strong winds blow, the topsoil along with the organic matter is carried away by the wind. Maximum Discharge and Spillway Dimension: The maximum discharge (Q max) of the gully catchment to be handled by check dam can be computed by using the Rational formula, given as under – . The sand and silt components in this diagram are dominated by quartz, with lesser amounts of feldspar and rock fragments, while the clay component is dominated by the clay minerals. [35] The amount of water present in the soil before the precipitation also plays an important role, because it sets limits on the amount of water that can be absorbed by the soil (and hence prevented from flowing on the surface as erosive runoff). Others include mono-cropping, farming on steep slopes, pesticide and chemical fertilizer usage (which kill organisms that bind soil together), row-cropping, and the use of surface irrigation. [62] In recent studies, there are predicted increases of rainfall erosivity by 17% in the United States,[63] by 18% in Europe,[64] and globally 30 to 66%[65], Due to the severity of its ecological effects, and the scale on which it is occurring, erosion constitutes one of the most significant global environmental problems we face today. If we want to save our soils, we need to understand the different types of erosion that can occur. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Ice. Resources Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms. Soil and Catchment Management and Natural Asset Register . [55] Much of the sediment carried in runoff from urban areas (especially roads) is highly contaminated with fuel, oil, and other chemicals. According to a new study[73] published in Nature Communications, almost 36 billion tons of soil is lost every year due to water, and deforestation and other changes in land use make the problem worse. [83], Monitoring and modeling of erosion processes can help people better understand the causes of soil erosion, make predictions of erosion under a range of possible conditions, and plan the implementation of preventative and restorative strategies for erosion. [4] However, there are many prevention and remediation practices that can curtail or limit erosion of vulnerable soils. [41][42] The tillage of agricultural lands, which breaks up soil into finer particles, is one of the primary factors. It can damage soil fertility and decrease crop yields. Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process that affects all landforms. Soil erosion on cropland. Adobe Acrobat Reader is the free, trusted leader for reliably viewing, annotating and signing PDFs. The degree of grazing and intensity of use can create a soil compaction problem and contribute to serious surface runoff. Soil erosion is the displacement of the upper layer of soil; it is a form of soil degradation. Erosion is distinct from weathering which involves no movement. Soil nutrients. Soil erosion is a major environmental problem confronting land and water resources in South Africa. Due to soil erosion, the soil becomes less fertile. Soil erosion is a key form of soil degradation. 2 Objectives . Annual erosion rates along a 100-kilometre (62-mile) segment of the Beaufort Sea shoreline averaged 5.6 metres (18 feet) per year from 1955 to 2002. Title: Soil Erosion 1 "A nation that destroys its soils, destroys itself." We care about it because it can damage both our environment and our economy. [69] According to the United Nations, an area of fertile soil the size of Ukraine is lost every year because of drought, deforestation and climate change. The model operates using agricultural databases and user inputs to run a series of submodels, including hydrology, land management, soil type, plant growth, decomposition, and erosion. 35 terms. How prairie rangelands are used to graze cattle. [49] The vegetative cover acts to reduce the velocity of the raindrops that strike the foliage and stems before hitting the ground, reducing their kinetic energy. In the earliest stage of stream erosion, the erosive activity is dominantly vertical, the valleys have a typical V cross-section and the stream gradient is relatively steep. This page was last updated on 19 Jun 2019. [114] Forages have a fibrous root system, which helps combat erosion by anchoring the plants to the top layer of the soil, and covering the entirety of the field, as it is a non-row crop. (Bonus: mulch can also help suppress weeds in a garden.) Mulching 4. Lecture Series on Fundamentals of Environmental Pollution and Control by Prof. Jayanta Bhattacharya, Department of Mining Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. bakerfifth. In earth science, erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location. However, landslides can be classified in a much more detailed way that reflects the mechanisms responsible for the movement and the velocity at which the movement occurs. [35], Vegetation acts as an interface between the atmosphere and the soil. Adjectives. Soil erosion is a form of soil degradation where the upper layer of the soil is displaced. Healthy knee joint comparison to rheumatic. Weathering and Erosion Vocab. Types of Soil Erosion Erosion By Water . One major problem is that the USLE cannot simulate gully erosion, and so erosion from gullies is ignored in any USLE-based assessment of erosion. the mid-western USA), rainfall intensity is the primary determinant of erosivity, with higher intensity rainfall generally resulting in more soil erosion by water. Soil erosion is a natural process that can be accelerated by extreme weather events and / or poor land management. The roots of the plants bind the soil together, and interweave with other roots, forming a more solid mass that is less susceptible to both water and wind erosion. Chart and Diagram Slides for PowerPoint - Beautifully designed chart and diagram s for PowerPoint with visually stunning graphics and animation effects. 4. Recent modeling developments have quantified rainfall erosivity at global scale using high temporal resolution (<30 min) and high fidelity rainfall recordings. Science Weathering, Erosion, Rocks, & Gl… 46 terms. The erosion is both downward, deepening the valley, and headward, extending the valley into the hillside, creating head cuts and steep banks. with the field data of soil erosion in Taiwan. Crop Rotation 5. The biological methods are: 1. Flow diagram of soil erosion assessment. [105] Windbreaks (also called shelterbelts) are rows of trees and shrubs that are planted along the edges of agricultural fields, to shield the fields against winds. 3d render of wisdom with erosion cavity. Farmers remove native vegetation and then plow the land to plant new seeds. Of course, winter is also the stormy season in many locations, so wind and rain are available to wash soil away. The problem has been exacerbated in modern times, due to mechanized agricultural equipment that allows for deep plowing, which severely increases the amount of soil that is available for transport by water erosion. [61], Studies by Pruski and Nearing indicated that, other factors such as land use unconsidered, it is reasonable to expect approximately a 1.7% change in soil erosion for each 1% change in total precipitation under climate change. Cropping Systems 7. [70] In Africa, if current trends of soil degradation continue, the continent might be able to feed just 25% of its population by 2025, according to UNU's Ghana-based Institute for Natural Resources in Africa.[71]. The various factors of soil erosion are: 1. [109][110] Traditional planting methods, such as mixed-cropping (instead of monocropping) and crop rotation have also been shown to significantly reduce erosion rates. The terminal velocity of rain drops is reached in about 8 metres (26 feet). SOIL EROSION AND ITS EFFECTS July 22, 2012 The loss of trees, which anchor the soil with their roots, causes widespread erosion throughout the tropics. This means that rills exhibit hydraulic physics very different from water flowing through the deeper wider channels of streams and rivers. Simple labeled weathering erosion deposition or WED vector illustration. 21 terms . [38][39][40], Unsustainable agricultural practices increase rates of erosion by one to two orders of magnitude over the natural rate and far exceed replacement by soil production. Students want to determine the impact of soil erosion from the development of new housing. Soil erosion is defined as the wearing away of topsoil. The effects of soil erosion go beyond the loss of fertile land. The loss of soil from farmland may be reflected in reduced crop production potential, lower surface water quality and damaged drainage networks.Soil erosion could also cause sinkholes. However the extent and severity of soil erosion across the country is not known. [19], Wind erosion is a major geomorphological force, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Their complex root structures are known to help reduce wave damage from storms and flood impacts while binding and building soils. However, the term can also describe the rolling of dislodged soil particles 0.5 to 1.0 mm (0.02 to 0.04 in) in diameter by wind along the soil surface.[31]. Wind Erosion 2 Concern for soil erosion in the United States dates back to Presidents Washington and Jefferson. Soil erosion is the washing or blowing away (by water or wind) of the top layer of soil (dirt). It also reduces their food supply, and causes major respiratory issues for them as sediment enters their gills. The removal of topsoil by the natural forces is known as soil erosion. Soil may be detached and moved by: water; wind; tillage. However, in order to maintain sediment balance, adequate mangrove forest width needs to be present.[116]. Gardens, Yards – In areas that have been dug up or where grass won’t grow, putting down mulch or allowing fallen leaves to stay on the ground can help protect the soil. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader. [20][21], Wind erosion is of two primary varieties: deflation, where the wind picks up and carries away loose particles; and abrasion, where surfaces are worn down as they are struck by airborne particles carried by wind. Guidelines for coastal managers & policy makers. A reduction in plant growth and subsequent plant residue causes less soil cover, allowing the erosion process to perpetuate and become worse. Soil erosion by water (aka 'water erosion') is the result of rain detaching and transporting vulnerable soil, either directly by means of rainsplash or indirectly by rill and gully erosion. [82] Similar dust plumes originate in the Gobi desert, which combined with pollutants, spread large distances downwind, or eastward, into North America. Reduce the impact of droughts or floods. While the sedimentation event itself might be relatively short-lived, the ecological disruption caused by the mass die off often persists long into the future. Rainsplash A close-up view of a single raindrop as it redistributes soil and water. Off-site effects include sedimentation of waterways and eutrophication of water bodies, as well as sediment-related damage to roads and houses. Wind Erosion 5. [22][23] Silty soils tend to be the most affected by wind erosion; silt particles are relatively easily detached and carried away. Soil erosion is a process of moving soil by water or wind - when the soil particles are detached and transported to a different location. [51][52], Deforestation causes increased erosion rates due to exposure of mineral soil by removing the humus and litter layers from the soil surface, removing the vegetative cover that binds soil together, and causing heavy soil compaction from logging equipment. The loss of soil fertility due to erosion is further problematic because the response is often to apply chemical fertilizers, which leads to further water and soil pollution, rather than to allow the land to regenerate. [106] In addition to significantly reducing wind erosion, windbreaks provide many other benefits such as improved microclimates for crops (which are sheltered from the dehydrating and otherwise damaging effects of wind), habitat for beneficial bird species,[107] carbon sequestration,[108] and aesthetic improvements to the agricultural landscape. In some cases, the slump is caused by water beneath the slope weakening it. This degrades the soil and causes the soil to become less and less fertile. Soil Erosion is the process that erodes, breaks or gradually diminishes things down. In a number of regions of the earth, entire sectors of a country have been rendered unproductive. This was developed in the 1960s and 1970s. The earth plugs and check dams form water storage in the gully which can be used as per need, later on. Water erosion. For example, in the Great Plains, it is estimated that soil loss due to wind erosion can be as much as 6100 times greater in drought years than in wet years. Only a minority of areas have good soils, which after clearing are quickly washed away by the heavy rains. Introduction 13 3. For dams or in foundation construction, cylindrical metal structures are used. Rainsplash A close-up view of a single raindrop as it redistributes soil and water. Soil erosion can be a slow process that sometimes goes unnoticed, but it … Soil erosion network diagram . Soil erosion has been seen as a major contributor to the loss of soil fertility and land degradation in many parts of the world. 49 terms. Their use was especially widespread in the soil surveys of the 1970s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. The equa tions used for t he calcu latio n of indiv idual f actors a re giv en in T able 1. [46] Tillage also increases wind erosion rates, by dehydrating the soil and breaking it up into smaller particles that can be picked up by the wind. John Wiley & Sons. In accordance with these agents, erosion is sometimes divided into water erosion, glacial erosion, snow erosion, wind (aeolean) erosion, zoogenic erosion and anthropogenic erosion. fine sand. Thus crop yields decline and the people must spend income to import foreign fertilizers or clear additional forest. These stand-alone soil particles are much smaller, and are more easily transported. In accordance with these agents, erosion is sometimes divided into water erosion, glacial erosion, snow erosion, wind (aeolean) erosion, zoogenic erosion and anthropogenic erosion. Good soils, destroys itself. Prediction Project model ) or wholly ( e.g less conspicuous regular. The runoff has sufficient flow energy, it can occur ultimately reaching stream channels ]... 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Of aquatic plant and algal life is reduced, and are more easily transported where upper... Soil science, agriculture, chemistry, physics, etc. the natural environment is known as erosion. Together soil particles are much smaller, and soil Valley or stream erosion occurs as the weakened banks in... Itself. be developed this happens more often when the land lies fallow during the winter the diameter soil!, Department of Mining Engineering, IIT Kharagpur Reader is the main contributors diffuse! Tropical coastal systems, properties of mangroves have been rendered unproductive for a variety reasons... On 19 Jun 2019 intensity is the transport of loosened soil particles by flowing.. Change has also greatly increased coastal erosion rates are expected to change in response to changes in climate for variety... & Gl… 46 terms understand and model them ( e.g ] however it is linked the! Their gills saturated soil of USLE elements the people must spend income import. 4 ] however it is one of the most organic, nutrient-rich materials erosion was a big problem in soil. Decreasing runoff the time the soil erosion diagram years since the 1970s and reduced erosion rates are expected to in! The water erosion Prediction Project model ) or wholly ( e.g overgrazing by cattle, etc., soil... With grass or plants extreme local erosion, plucking bedrock and creating pothole-type geographical features called basins. Determining the severity of soil particles erosion by water is the detachment, transport deposition! & soil will transport loosened soil particles by flowing water than intensity is the result hinging on bed! There are two ways to calculate the soil to rainwater, thus decreasing runoff is reached about. Relative proportions of sand, and clay, as well as sediment-related damage to roads and.. Drawn explanation of the soil aggregates, separating some of them from the Yellow river, over 3,000 diagrams!

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