Soil Erosion

The denudation of the soil cover and subsequent washing down of soil

Causes of Soil Erosion

• Natural forces - Wind, glacier water

• Human factors - deforestation, over grazing, construction, mining etc.

• Defective methods of farming, Ploughing in a wrong way

Types of Soil Erosion

• Gully Erosion: The running water cuts through the clayey soils and makes deep channels called gullies

• Sheet erosion: When water flows as a sheet over large areas down a slope. Top soil washed away.

• Bad Lands: When land become unfit for cultivation eg- ravines.

• Wind Erosion: Wind blows loose soil off flat or sloping land.

Soil Conservation

• Contour Ploughing: Ploughing along the contour lines can decelerate the flow of water down the slopes.

• Terrace Cultivation: Steps can be cut on the slopes making terraces, it restricts soil erosion,

• Strip Cropping: Large fields can be divided into strips. Strips of grass are left to grow between the crops. This breaks up the force of the wind.

• Shelter Belts: Planting lines of trees to create shelter. They have helped to stabilize sand dunes.