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What is Erosion?

The wearing away of the surface by agents

Natural, physical process which changes the Earth’s land scape in

a global scale.
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What is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion is the process of soil being removed

by wind, water, or human activities.

Two types of Soil Erosion

.
1. Geological erosion
- a natural process that leads to soil formation and
processes that maintain the soil in a favorable balance
suitable for crop growth.

2 Accelerated erosion
- includes the breakdown and transport of soil
aggregates thru water, wind, human or animals.
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Causes of Soil Erosion

Water and wind

Deforestation
Overgrazing
Poor farming practices
Urbanization
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Effects of Soil Erosion

Desertification
Effects of Soil Erosion Desertification
Loss of Soil Fertility
Long-term erosion can
Long-term erosion can turn
fertile land into desert, turn fertile land into
Erosion removes the reducing agricultural output. desert, reducing
topsoil, reducing nutrients agricultural output.
and making land less
productive for farming.
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Destruction of Infrastructure Loss of Biodiversity

Soil erosion can weaken Erosion disrupts

roads, bridges, and ecosystems, leading to
buildings, leading to costly habitat loss for many
repairs. species.
Destruction of Infrastructure

Soil erosion can weaken

roads, bridges, and
buildings, leading to costly
repairs.
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Impact on Agriculture &

Economy

Economic losses for

Reduced crop yields Increased cost of fertilizers. farmers and communities
species.
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Water Erosion

Exploring the causes, effects, and

prevention of water erosion for
sustainable land management.
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What is Water Erosion?

water erosion is the process by which soil is removed

by rainfall, surface runoff, or flowing water, leading to
land degradation.

Causes of Water Erosion

Heavy and prolonged rainfall
Flooding and surface runoff
Deforestation and land clearing
Poor agricultural practices
Construction and urbanization
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Types of Water Erosion

1. Splash Erosion - splash

erosion, also known as
raindrop erosion, is the
initial stage of soil erosion
caused by the impact of
raindrops on soil, leading
to the detachment and
displacement of soil
particles.
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Sheet Erosion

- Thin layers of soil are

washed away.
is the uniform removal of
a thin layer of soil across
a wide area by shallow
water flow, often caused
by rainfall
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Rill Erosion-

a form of soil erosion that occurs

when runoff water concentrates
into small, shallow channels (rills)
on a slope, typically up to 30 cm
deep, leading to the detachment
and transport of soil particles.
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Gully Erosion

- Gully erosion occurs when

concentrated flow is large
enough to form large channels
that cannot be crossed during
normal tillage operations.
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Streambank Erosion
- Riverbanks collapse due to fast-
moving water.
 Effects of Water Erosion
Loss of Fertile Soil
- Reduces agricultural productivity.

Water Pollution
- Sediment clogs rivers and lakes.

Destruction
z of Infrastructure
- Roads and buildings weaken.
.

Increased Flooding
- Channels fill with sediment, reducing drainage capacity .

Loss of Biodiversity
- Habitats are destroyed, affecting ecosystems .

.
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Impact on Agriculture & Environment

Lower Crop Yields

Essential nutrients are washed away

Soil Compaction
- Hardens soil, reducing water absorption.

Sedimentation in Water Bodies.

- Harms aquatic life.

Climate Impacts
- Affects carbon storage and water cycles.
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Factors that Influence the Rate of
Erosion
Rainfall

The capacity of rainfall to detach and transport soil

particles depends on the rainfall amount and rainfall
intensity.

Their combined impact is referred to as the rainfall

erosivity.

Rainfall erosivity – is defined as “the potential ability of

rain to cause erosion” or the aggressivity of rainfall to
induce erosion.
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Relief

- Almost no water erosion occurs in flat areas.

When the slopes become steeper and longer, the
amount and power of the run-off water increase, and with
this also the risk for erosion.

Soil

The sensitivity of the soil for erosion, soil erodibility, mainly

determined by its texture and structure.

Soil with a sandy loam or loam texture are most erodible.

A good soil structure reduces their vulnerability to erosion

by promoting fast infiltration and subsequent retention of
water.
.
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Vegetation

Plants and crops generally protect the soil surface from

the erosive action of rainfall and overland flow.

Root growth and supply of organic matter increase the

soil’s resistance to erosion.
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Action of various detaching and transporting agents in
caused by water erosion
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 1. What is soil erosion caused by water?

A. The breakdown of rocks by wind

B. The deposit of soil in rivers and lakes

C. The process of soil being washed away by rain or flowing

water.

D. All of the above

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2. How does rainfall intensity and duration influence soil erosion?

A. More intense and prolonged rainfall increase erosion

B. Light rain reduces soil erosion

C. Rainfall does not affect soil erosion

D. Less rainfall leads to more erosion

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3. What are the different between sheet, rill, and gully erosion?

A. There is no difference among them

B. Rill erosion happens in forests, while sheet and gully erosion

occur in desert

C. Sheet erosion remove thin layers of soil, rill erosion forms small
channels, and gully erosion creates deep trenches.

D. Sheet erosion forms deep trenches, while rill and gully erosion
affect only the surface .
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4.Which type of soil erosion creates small channels in the soil

surface that can still be fixed by tillage?

A. Gully erosion

B. Rill erosion

C. Sheet erosion

D. Splash erosion
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5. Which type of water erosion removes a thin layer of soil

uniformly from the surface?

A. Gully erosion

B. Rill erosion

C. Sheet erosion

D. Splash erosion
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True or False

6. Splash erosion occurs when raindrops hit the soil, displacing particles.

7. Contour farming and terracing help reduce soil erosion by slowing water
run off.

8. Cover crops helps prevent soil erosion by protecting the soil from
raindrop impact.

9. Gully erosion creates small channels in the soil that can be correct thru
tillage.

10. Water erosion has no impact on the water quality in rivers and lakes.
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 DISCUSSION: ≥ 50 words (10 Points each)

1. What are the environmental consequence of soil erosion, particularly in

relation to sedimentation and water quality in rivers and lakes?

2. How do agricultural practices and land management strategies impact soil

erosion rate?

3. What are the impacts of over gazing on soil erosion, and how can
sustainable grazing practices help to prevent it?
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What is Wind Erosion?

Wind erosion is a major process of soil degradation.

It involves the detachment, transport, and deposition of soil

particles due to wind forces.
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Mechanics of Wind Erosion

Forces Involved in Wind Erosion

Drag Force

Wind exerts a horizontal force on soil particles

Lift Force

- Vertical pressure from wind lifts particles

Gravitational Force

- Acts to bring particles back to the surface

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Threshold Wind Velocity

The minimum wind speed required to move soil particles varies based
on:

Particle Size

- Finer particles move at lower speeds

Soil Moisture

- Wet soil resists erosion

Typical threshold

- 12-16 km/h (measured at 1m height)

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Modes of Wind-Induced Transportation

Wind-induced transportation refers to how wind moves soil and sand particles.
The three primary modes are Suspension, Saltation, and Surface Creep, each
playing a crucial role in shaping landscapes.

Suspension

- Fine particles (<0.1mm) lifted into the atmosphere

Transport

Can travel across continents (e.g., Sahara dust reaching the Caribbean)

Impact

Reduces soil fertility by removing essential nutrients

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Saltation

Medium particles (0.1-0.5mm) that bounce along the surface

Process - Wind lifts a particle, which lands and dislodges others

Impact :

- Drives soil erosion in arid regions

- Forms sand dunes in deserts and coastal areas

- Initiates surface creep by pushing larger particles

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Surface Creep

Large particles (>0.5mm) rolling or sliding along the ground

Process - Wind energy is not strong enough to lift them, but saltating
particles nudge them forward

Impact:

 - Shapes dune formations over time

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Factors That Influence Wind Erosion

Wind Speed & Turbulence

 Higher wind speeds increase soil particle movement

 •Turbulence causes swirling air currents that lift particles

Threshold velocity:

 12-16 km/h (for dry, loose soil)

 • Example: Strong winds in the Great Plains contribute to topsoil

loss
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Soil Properties

 Texture

 Sandy soils erode faster than clay-rich soils

 Moisture

 Wet soil is heavier and resists erosion

 Structure

 Well-aggregated soils withstand wind better

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Vegetation Cover

Plants act as natural wind barriers, reducing soil erosion

Roots bind soil particles**, preventing detachment

Deforested or overgrazed land is highly susceptible to wind erosion

Surface Roughness
 Irregular terrain slows wind speeds, reducing erosion risk

 Windbreaks (trees, shrubs, fences)** provide protection

 Tilled or smooth surfaces** are more vulnerable

 Example: Farmers use conservation tillage to maintain surface

roughness
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 Climate & Weather Conditions

 Human Activities
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WIND EROSION CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR
SEVERAL REASONS

LOSS OF FERTILE
ENVIRONMENTAL
SOIL
IMPACT
Erosion can Erosion can
negatively wash away or Creates dust storms
impact affecting visibility and
carry away
health
ecosystems. It the top layer
can disrupt of fertile soil,
habitats, damage which is
plant and animal essential for
populations, and growing
reduce plants.
biodiversity.
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MEASURES TO PREVENT WIND
EROSION
Vegetative Cover Measures
Planting Windbreaks

Rows of trees or shrubs to reduce wind speed

Cover Crops

Plants that protect soil from direct wind impact.

 Mulching (Organic or synthetic materials to cover the bare soil)

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Soil Management Practices
Conservation Tillage

 Reduces soil disturbance, maintains residue cover

Strip crops

Altering crop strips to break wind flow

Crop Rotation

Improves soil structure and fertility

Water Based Measures

Irrigation management

 Keeps soil moist to prevent wind erosion

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Land Use Planning

Avoid Overgrazing

Protects grass land from soil degradation

Sustainable Farming practices

Maintaining soil health for long-term stability

Urban planning Considerations

Reducing exposed soil in construction areas