what causes soil erosion

There are many different forces in nature that cause erosion. The various factors of soil erosion are: 1. We’d love your input. Logging exposes large areas of land to erosion. Soil erosion is a gradual process that occurs when the impact of water or wind detaches and removes soil particles, causing the soil to deteriorate. It gradually transforms a habitable land and the ASAL regions into deserts. Soil erosion is more likely where the ground has been disturbed by agriculture, grazing animals, logging, mining, construction, and recreational activities. Due to Soil Texture. In some locations soil erosion may occur about 10 times faster than its natural rate. Soil erosion is the geological process wherein soil particles are detached and transported by various agents of erosion, namely water, wind, glaciers, and gravity. (a) ATVs churn up the soil, accelerating erosion. Trees and their roots provide the soil with an anchor, as well as shelter from the wind and rain. If soils get saturated with water after prolonged periods of intensive rain, their capacity to absorb water decreases. Sonia Madaan is a writer and founding editor of science education blog EarthEclipse. Grazing animals (Figure 2) wander over large areas of pasture or natural grasslands eating grasses and shrubs. Figure 4. Farmers remove native vegetation and then plow the land to plant new seeds. The severity of soil erosion is also dependent on the soil type and the presence of vegetation cover. This erosive activity is evident in most rivers or streams especially during heavy rainfall and rapid river channel movement. This is because mass movements aids in the breakdown of the soil particles that makes them venerable to water and wind erosion. Some of the principal causes of soil erosion include: 1. Soil erosion is as natural as any other type of erosion, but human activities have greatly accelerated soil erosion. Activities that remove vegetation, disturb the ground, or allow the ground to dry are activities that increase erosion. Apart from polluting the water systems, high soil sedimentation can be catastrophic to the survival of aquatic life forms. What causes soil erosion? Recreational activities may accelerate soil erosion. While it is a natural process, caused by the weather, it is also caused by human activity, and it can cause harm to agricultural processes when it occurs rapidly and excessively. Soil erosion usually happens in overly disturbed soil systems especially with unfavorable weather conditions. Soil moisture content and organic matter make up are some of the soil component aspects that determine erosivity of wind or rainfall. Erosion definition. Near construction sites, dirt, picked up by the wind, is often in the air. Water. Causes of Soil Erosion: Soil erosion is also referred to as the creeping death. It is this layer of soil that is endangered by wind and water erosion. In some delicate habitats, even hikers’ boots can disturb the ground, so it’s important to stay on the trail (Figure 7). Soil erosion decreases soil fertility, which can negatively affect crop yields. Deforestation causes some of the worst soil erosion. The accumulation of soil and crop debris at the. Erosion by Water Water is the main cause of erosion on Earth. The agricultural plants that often replace the trees cannot hold onto the soil and many of these plants, such as coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybean and wheat, can actually worsen soil erosion. All soils undergo soil erosion, but some are more vulnerable than others due to human activities and other natural causal factors. … Causes of Soil Erosion When she is not writing, she loves watching sci-fi movies on Netflix. Running water is one of the main cause of soil erosion. Water runs off the parking lot onto nearby lands and speeds up erosion in those areas. Also, exposed subsoil is highly erodible to the forces of water and wind. Wind erosion picks up dust particles of the soil and throws them into the air, causing air pollution. This is geological erosion.. These occur more often when the land is not covered with grass or plants. Soil erosion is, thus, more common in desert or Barren land. Agriculture is the main way humans cause soil erosion. This reduces soil quality and agricultural productivity. (And Almond Butter), Oceanography vs Marine Biology (Are They Same or Different), 20+ Solid Reasons to Stop Deforestation That You Need to Know Today, Why is Biodiversity Important and Reasons For Loss of Biodiversity, Can Squirrels Eat Bread? Soil erosion refers to the process whereby the top layer of soil is removed. Trees and vegetation cover help to hold the soil particles together thereby reduces the erosive effects of erosion caused by rainfall and flooding. Soil erosion is a natural process which has increasingly been exacerbated by human activities such as agriculture and deforestation. In other words, soil erosion is the removal of the most fertile top layer of soil through water, wind and tillage. Logging results in the loss of leaf litter, or dead leaves, bark, and branches on the forest floor. In this view, soil erosion has severely threatened the productivity of fertile cropping areas as they are continually degraded. Distribution of rainfall and landscape: If the ground surface is such that rainfall distributes evenly, … Logging removes trees that protect the ground from soil erosion. 2. It is severe during the times of drought in the ASAL regions. Grazers expose soil by removing the plant cover for an area. It results in a continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc. As a result, the lack of land cover causes increased rates of soil erosion. Figure 7. Earth Eclipse. The transformations are worsened by the destructive use of the land and deforestation that leaves the soil naked and open to erosion. The wearing away of the topsoil is driven by erosion agents including the natural physical forces of wind and water, each contributing a substantial quantity of soil loss annually. © 2020 . The wet areas include; the shores of Lake Victoria, Kigezi highlands, Nyanza province, Imatong hills in southern Tanzania. Because of soil erosion, most of the soil characteristics that support agriculture have been lost, causing ecological collapse and mass starvation. The loose topsoil is then transported by wind to nearby streams and waterways and become sediment or runoff, lowering the overall quality of the water. Figure 5. Some Other Causes of Soil Erosion: 1. The process involves the loosening of the soil particles, blowing or washing away of the soil particles, and either ends up in the valley and faraway lands or washed away to the oceans by rivers and streams. Dust plumes from the deserts or dry areas can cause large and widespread air pollution as the winds move. Agriculture is probably the most significant activity that accelerates soil erosion because of the amount of land that is farmed and how much farming practices disturb the ground (Figure 1). The agents of soil erosion are the same as the agents of all types of erosion: water, wind, ice, or gravity. Since Europeans settled in North America, about one-third of the topsoil in the area that is now the United States has eroded away. 3. Soil structure and composition is another factor that determines erosivity of wind or rainfall. Soil erosion is … In the absence of plants, Soil can be carried away easily by a strong wind and water. Figure 3. They also churn up the ground with their hooves. For instance, clay soils tend to be more resistant to soil erosion compared to sandy or loose silt soils. 1. What is Soil Conservation and What are Various Ways To Conserve Soil? This usually leads to loss of biodiversity, alteration of ecosystems, land degradation, and huge economic losses. Her passion for science education drove her to start EarthEclipse with the sole objective of finding and sharing fun and interesting science facts. (b) This coal mine in West Virginia covers more than 10,000 acres (15.6 square miles). Soil deterioration and low water quality due to erosion and surface runoff have become severe problems worldwide. Tractor tires make deep grooves, which are natural pathways for water. Why Do White Rabbits Have Red Eyes? Runoff washes away the soil particles from sloping and bare lands while wind blows … Soils eroded from agricultural lands carry pesticides, heavy metals, and fertilizers which are washed into streams and major water ways. Rainstorm produces four major types of soil erosion including rill erosion, gully erosion, sheet erosion, and splash erosion. Bank erosion happens when bodies of water sap away the topsoil near its shores. This means most of the environmental problems the world face today arises from soil erosion. The process is triggered by various phenomena taking place on the planet, ranging from slow-moving ice bodies in the glacial mountains, to landslides caused by earthquakes. Wind is also a leading cause of soil erosion because wind can pick up soil and blow it far away. Put simply, the causes of soil erosion are somewhat inevitable. The effects of soil erosion include: Lands used for crop production have been substantially affected by soil erosion. It results in the progressive down-slope movement of soil, causing severe soil loss on upper-slope positions and accumulation in lower-slope positions. Let us have a detailed look at the causes, effects and prevention of soil erosion. Causes of Soil Erosion Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, etc., cause soil erosion. Many of the tropical forests that remain are currently the site of logging because North America and Europe have already harvested many of their trees (Figure 4). So erosion removes topsoil, but how? Such a case is evident in North America where dust winds from the Gobi desert have recurrently been a serious problem. Starting with the minor soil disruption caused by the impact of falling raindrops, splash erosion moves around small particles in the upper soil layer. In some locations, native landscapes, such as forest and grassland, are cleared, exposing the surface to erosion (in some locations the land that will be built on is farmland). The water quality of various streams, rivers, and coastal areas has also been deteriorated as a result of soil erosion, eventually affecting the health of the local communities. The outward and downward movements of sediments and rocks on slanting or slope surfaces due to gravitational pull qualify as an important aspect of the erosion process. Some of the dust particles may contain harmful and toxic particles such as petroleum and pesticides that can pose a severe health hazard when inhaled or ingested. In some arid and semiarid areas, wind can be the cause of soil erosion too. Soil erosion is a process that involves the wearing away of the topsoil. Soils eroded from logged forests clog rivers and lakes, fill estuaries, and bury coral reefs. (And Do They Mate With Other Species). In tropical areas, rainfall and water flow are the main reasons causing soil erosion, whereas on the Loess Plateau of China, water erosion is a great problem. Although soil erosion is a natural process, human activities have greatly accelerated it. While there are many types of erosion, all have the same basic process - the removal of topsoil by wind or water. (And Can They Choke on Raisins), Can Squirrels Eat Popcorn? Of course, winter is also the stormy season in many locations, so wind and rain are available to wash soil away. These types of erosions are caused by the impacts of raindrops on the soil surface that break down and disperse the soil particles, which are then washed away by the stormwater runoff. Soil erosion is a major driver of desertification. All Rights Reserved . Uneven distribution of rainfall. (And Process of Formation), Causes and Effects of Marine Habitat Loss, 35+ Outstanding Facts About the Planet Earth, Advantages and Importance of Reforestation, Five Different Atmospheric Layers of the Earth, Causes and Effects of Ozone Layer Depletion, Extraordinary Ways to Protect Coral Reefs, Causes and Effects to Environmental Pollution, Causes and Effects of Ocean Acidification. Water ways may also be blocked, and it may affect water quality. The three main forces that cause erosion are water, wind, and ice. Running water is the leading cause of soil erosion, because water is abundant and has a lot of power. Causes of Soil Erosion: Various agents, like wind, water, deforestation, overgrazing by cattle, and etc., cause soil erosion. It is likely that most of the cultivated areas around the globe are vulnerable to soil erosion. Silt can smother the breeding grounds of fish and equally lessens their food supply since the siltation reduces the biodiversity of algal life and beneficial aquatic plants. Urban areas and parking lots result in less water entering the ground. The leaves and canopy of big, tall trees protects the soil from wind and rain. What are National Parks? Plant roots firmly hold the soil particles together. Water and wind erosion are two main agents that degrade soils. The causes of soil erosion are directly related to improper landuse, and are, therefore, entirely man-made. Fine soil is blown away by wind. (Albinism), Can Squirrels Eat Almonds? Deforestationis a major cause of soil erosion, perhaps the main cause. Much of the world’s original forests have been logged. lower end of this field is an indicator of sheet erosion. Because most crops grow only in spring and summer, the land lies fallow during the winter. Rain and Rainwater Runoff Soil erosion eats away the top soil which is the fertile layer of the land and also the component that supports the soil’s essential microorganisms and organic matter. Erosion will often occur after rock has been disintegrated or altered through weathering. Some soil erosion causes are mentioned below. The transformation of natural ecosystems to pasture lands has largely contributed to increased rates of soil erosion and the loss of soil nutrients and the top soil. How do Rainbows Form? This erosive activity is termed as lateral erosion which extends the valley floor and brings about a narrow floodplain. These types of erosions are caused by the impacts of raindrops on the soil surface that break down and disperse the soil particles, which are then washed away by the stormwater runoff. The different factors of Soil Erosion are: Wind: When strong winds blow, the topsoil along with the organic substance is carried away by the wind. Leaf litter plays an important role in protecting forest soils from erosion (Figure 3). Here are few of the major causes of soil erosion. Common Causes of Soil Erosion #1. The accumulation of soil sediments in dams/drainages and along embankments can reduce their operational lifetime and efficiency. Geologists estimate that 70 percent of soil erosion is caused by human activities like excessive construction, agriculture, surface mining and forestry. In the absence of trees, it can lead to heavy erosion of topsoil. Constructing buildings and roads churns up the ground and exposes soil to erosion. Wind erosion happens when wind gusts blow away unsecured soil. Whyte (1957) while commenting on the problem of soil erosion of Kashmir Himalayas, mentioned, “control of fluctuating grazing was made the responsibility of forest department in 1939 but this appears to have little effect and the problem is as acute as ever”. Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. As mentioned, the predominant causes of soil erosion are either related to naturally-occurring events or influenced by the presence of human activity. While there are many different factors that can cause soil erosion, most can be broken down into two main categories: Over time, repeated rainfall can lead to significant amounts of soil loss. But, before we go into how to prevent soil erosion, you first need to understand what causes it. The root structure of trees hold the soil in one place. Soil erosion from surface water runoff often causes serious damage to roads and tracks, especially if stabilizing techniques are not used. (a) The bare areas of farmland are especially vulnerable to erosion. This technique in parti… Greater duration and intensity of rainstorm means greater potential for soil erosion. Water and wind moving across the surface of the soil always carry away some of the soil.If the erosion processes remove top-soil only as rapidly as top-soils formed from the parent material beneath, no harm results. Soil erosion can affect infrastructural projects such as dams, drainages, and embankments. Sediments may also enter the fish gills, affecting their respiratory functions. While the slash and burn technique of deforestation introduces significant volumes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere it has become popular due to its speed and cost-effectiveness at clearing an area. Water is the most common cause of soil erosion. Once you know why your soil is eroding, you can take the steps to resolve the issue and pacify your neighbor. The outcomes of soil erosion are reduced agricultural productivity, ecological collapse, soil degradation, and the possibility of desertification. Erosion is a process that causes the soil surface to wear out; geological erosion is caused naturally by water, wind or gravity, and accelerated erosion is caused by human use of land. She loves writing on topics related to space, environment, chemistry, biology, geology and geography. Causes of Soil Erosion. Completed construction can also contribute to erosion (Figure 6). Depending on the type of force, erosion can happen quickly or take thousands of years. Factors like heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds, and even mass movements are part and parcel of the cyclical nature of soil. Wind causes erosion of rock particles driven by soil and sand particles that are not tightly glued together and not insulated by vegetation. Although soil erosion is a natural occurrence on all land, there are certain factors that call accelerate erosion making it more noticeable and problematic. Surface mining disturbs the land (Figure 5) and leaves the soil vulnerable to erosion. Farming activities such as tillage also significantly contribute to soil erosion. The tree roots hold the soil together and the tree canopy protects the soil from hard falling rain. Deforestation and urbanization destroy the vegetation land cover. Deforested swatches in Brazil show up as gray amid the bright red tropical rainforest. Figure 1. (And Which Foods Do They Actually Like), How Do Birds Mate? It also sends soil-laden water downstream, which can create heavy layers of sediment that prevent streams and … Slope. Rill and gully erosion happen when impromptu streams form for water to carry away topsoil. This form of erosion is a major delivery mechanism for water erosion. The type of soil moreover affects the potentiality of the occurrence of soil erosion. It happens in the place where soil is not covered by plants. (a) Disturbed land at a coal mine pit in Germany. (b) Hiking trails may become eroded. Agricultural practices such as burning and clearing of vegetation also reduce the overall vegetation cover. Weathered rock will be removed from its original site and transported away by a … The problem may become so severe that the land can no longer be cultivated and must be abandoned. Off-road vehicles disturb the landscape and the area eventually develops bare spots where no plants can grow. The water flowing in the rivers and streams tend to eat away the soils along the water systems leading to a V-shaped erosive activity. Hence, wind erosion is a major source of soil degradation and desertification. Rainstorm produces four major types of soil erosion including rill erosion, gully erosion, sheet erosion, and splash erosion. If too many animals graze the same land area, the animals’ hooves pull plants out by their roots. Tillage erosion is the redistribution of soil through the action of tillage and gravity (Figure 8). Up and down field tillage practices as well create pathways for surface water runoff and can speed up the soil erosion process. This leads to water pollution and damage to marine and freshwater habitats. Grazing animals can cause erosion if they are allowed to overgraze and remove too much or all of the vegetation in a pasture. (b) Slash-and-burn agriculture leaves land open for soil erosion and is one of the leading causes of soil erosion in the world. http://www.ck12.org/earth-science/Soil-Erosion/lesson/Soil-Erosion-HS-ES/?referrer=featured_content. Soil erosion is more likely where the ground has been disturbed by agriculture, grazing animals, logging, mining, construction, and recreational activities. Causes of Soil Erosion. Did you have an idea for improving this content? Sheet erosion affects a whole area, when water or the wind act like a broom to clear out the topsoil. Figure 6. Even deforestation or reduced vegetation caused by things like forest fires are sometimes unavoidable. What Is Soil Erosion? The consequences of soil erosion are primarily centered on reduced agricultural productivity as well as soil quality. Thus, soil erosion is a continuous process and may occur either at a relatively unnoticed rate or an alarming rate contributing to copious loss of the topsoil. The carrying away of dry soil and loose sand particles is known as deflation. Erodibility of soil. Also Read: What is Soil? Agricultural tillage depending on the machinery used also breaks down the soil particles, making the soils vulnerable to erosion by water. When the rivers and streams are full of soil deposits due to sedimentation and the valley levels up with the surface, the water ways begin to wash away the soils at the banks. Without plant cover, erosion can occur and sweep the land into rivers. What are Natural Resources, Types and Threats to Natural Resources. Tillage action moves soil to convergent areas of a field where surface water runoff concentrates. It takes place in both dry and wet areas. The flow of rivers and streams causes valley erosion. A land is overgrazed if too many animals are living there. Erosion, physical process in which soil, rock, and other surface material are removed from one location and transported to another. When forests are wiped out, the land becomes exposed, leaving it vulnerable to being washed or blown away by elements. Soil erosion is incredibly problematic, but it is also preventable and reducible when you take the right steps. The agents of soil erosion are the same as of other types of erosion: water, ice, wind, and gravity. The soil that is most likely to erode is the nutrient-rich topsoil, which degrades the farmland. What is a Habitat and Reasons For Habitat Loss and Destruction? Accumulated sediments can also cause clogging of water ways and raises the water level leading to flooding. Man has cut too many jungles, has grazed the grasses excessively, and ploughed the land too often. Luxury Landscape Supply explains the four common causes of soil erosion below. The removal of topsoil by wind and water is called soil erosion. The wind picks up the loose soil particles with its natural force and carries them away to far lands, leaving the soil sculptured and denudated. Why are National Parks Important and How Do They Help the Environment? Deforestation and urbanization are some of the human actions that have continued the cycle of soil loss. If the texture is loose that is the soil contains more of small grains and of open structure erodes faster. Soil erosion is a gradual process of movement and transport of the upper layer of soil (topsoil) by different agents – particularly water, wind, and mass movement – causing its deterioration in the long term. High winds can contribute to soil erosion, particularly in dry weather periods or in the arid and semi-arid (ASAL) regions. Some of the exposed ground is being reclaimed by planting trees. When vegetation is planted in the ground, the topsoil is shifted, which causes erosion. Rapidly moving stormwater, flashfloods, and flooding may also occur because of excess surface water runoff, thus, causing extreme local erosion by plucking bed rocks, forming rock cut-basins, creating potholes, and washing away the loosened soil particles. What causes erosion? How Does Photosynthesis Take Place in Desert Plants? Has increasingly been exacerbated by human activities like excessive construction, agriculture, mining! 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