Erosion is the washing away or wearing of the top soil and sub-soil from land either by water or wind.
Process of Soil Erosion
- Detachment is when the top soil is actually detached from the rest of the soil.
- Movement is when the top soil is transported to another area.
- Deposition is where the top soil ends or deposited.
Causes of Soil Erosion
- Overgrazing of the grasses or plants of a particular area( using animals to eat up the plant)
- Bush burning setting bush into fire.)
- Deforestation (cutting down of trees).
- Building and construction work
- Some wrong method of agricultural practices (farming)
- Some other human activities, such as oil spillage and mining activities.
Ways of Controlling or Preventing Erosion
- Mulching (using plant materials to cover heaps or soil surface)
- Avoid overgrazing.
- Avoid bush burning
- By organizing public education awareness.
- Through afforestation programs (tree planting).
- By planting of cover crops which help to cover the soil to the soil from being exposed to the agent of erosion.
- By making terracing and contour across erosion area.
Effects of Soil Erosion
- It can lead to water pollution.
- It can cause the soil to its fertility
- It can increase soil acidity which will affect the wellbeing of the plant.
See also