Soil Erosion

Soil erosion

Soil erosion is the displacement or reduction of the upper layer of soil. This natural process is caused by the dynamic activity of erosive agents, that is, water, ice, snow, air, plants, animals, and humans. Soil erosion may also be defined as a process whereby the topsoil is gradually removed, transported away by erosional agents such as water, wind. It also means the washing away of the surface of the soil on the road or farmland.

Causes of soil erosion

• Deforestation
• Overgrazing
• Bush burning
• Industrialization
• Mining

Effects of soil erosion

• It may result in the death of an individual
• It leads to the loss of farmland
• It decreases the economy of the country
• It creates environmental imbalance
• It leads to the development of bad farmland

Control of soil erosion

• The simplest and most natural way of preventing soil erosion is through planting vegetation
• Afforestation
• Land should be used according to its capability.
• The soil surface should be protected with some form of cover
• Soil compaction should be avoided