what is soil erosion? what are the causes of soil erosion ? describe the different types of soil erosion
Answers
In this process, the soil particles are loosened or washed away in the valleys, oceans, rivers, streams or far away lands. This has been worsening due to human activities such as agriculture and deforestation.
Soil erosion is a continuous process that occurs either slowly or at an alarming rate. It results in a continuous loss of topsoil, ecological degradation, soil collapse, etc.
Let us have a detailed look at the causes, effects and prevention of soil erosion.
Also Read: What is Soil?
Causes of Soil Erosion
Following are the important causes of soil erosion:
Rainfall and Flooding
Higher intensity of rainstorm is the main cause of soil erosion. Four types of soil erosion are caused by rainfall:
Rill erosion
Gully erosion
Sheet erosion
Splash erosion
The raindrops disperse the soil, which is then washed away into the nearby streams and rivers. Regions with very heavy and frequent rainfall face a large amount of soil loss. The flowing water during floods also erodes a lot of soil by creating potholes, rock-cut basins, etc.
Answer:
In this process, the soil particles are loosened or washed away in the valleys, oceans, rivers, streams or far away lands. This has been worsening due to human activities such as agriculture and deforestation.
Rainfall and Flooding
Agriculture
Grazing
Logging and Mining
In accordance with these agents, erosion is sometimes separated into water erosion, glacial erosion, snow erosion, wind erosion, zoogenic erosion, and anthropogenic erosion. Soil erosion may be a slow procedure that continues relatively unnoticed, or it may happen at an alarming rate causing a serious loss of topsoil.