How does soil erosion and quality effect your life?

Soil may be lost because of erosion or damaged by the actions of humans. Both soil loss and damage lead to decreased productivity of the soil.

Soil erosion is the loss of soil. Some erosion occurs naturally. Other erosion is the result of human activity. The causes of erosion include:

1. Wind—wind erosion is the loss of soil due to wind. It usually occurs in dry climates where the soil is loose. Wind erosion is reduced in areas where the soil is covered by vegetation.

2. Glaciers—as glaciers move they loosen soil. In the U.S., Alaska is the only state where glacial erosion exists.

3. Land slippage is the loss of soil due to mud and rock slides. It occurs on sloped land that becomes saturated with water. Land slippage is of major concern in California,Oregon, and Washington.

4. Water is the major cause of soil loss in North America. Water erosion is the loss of soil due to water’s movement. There are three kinds of erosion caused by water.

1. Sheet erosion is the loss of thin layers or sheets of soil. It occurs so slowly that it goes unnoticed if not closely monitored.

2. Rill erosion is the loss of soil on sloping land where small channels are created by running water. If the channels are allowed to increase in size, they become gullies.

3. Gully erosion is the loss of soil on slopes where channels are formed by running water. It is severe and can prohibit the productive use of land.

B. Soil degradation is any action or event that lowers the soil’s quality. Humans are a major cause of soil degradation. They cause soil degradation in two ways:

1. Physical alteration of the soil involves any activity that digs into the soil. Construction, landscaping and agriculture are activities that physically alter the soil.

2. Contamination results when chemicals, oil, and other substances get into the soil. Contaminants can soak into the soil and destroy its productivity and may harm the water supply.

The loss of soil can be reduced by the use of management practices that promote soil conservation. Soil conservation is using the soil in such a way that minimizes its loss or damage. It includes both protecting and improving the soil.

Soil conservation begins by using the land properly. Minimum soil loss results when land is put to its best use. Land that is used for purposes other than its best use is likely to experience more soil loss.

A conservation practice is a structure, measure, or activity that protects, enhances or manages soil and other resources. Conservation practices range from simple to complex.

Some soil conservation practices are:

1. Terracing is the use of terraces to reduce soil erosion. A terrace is a long ridge of earth that follows the contour of the land and slows runoff.

2. Contouring is performing all field operations on the contour of the land. In simplest terms, it is plowing across a hillside as opposed to up and down. Contours decrease the flow of runoff down the hillside.

3. Strip cropping is planting different crops in strips across the hillside. This approach alternates plowed land with land that is covered by vegetation.

4. Ponds can be designed and constructed in areas that receive runoff. The ponds provide a point where runoff can be captured.

5. Vegetative covers and grassed waterways are widely used to decrease soil loss. A vegetative cover is a protective crop that is grown to prevent erosion. Grassed waterways are shallow ditches that carry runoff. The ditch is planted with a perennial grass that slows the runoff.

6. Windbreaks and shelterbreaks involve long periods of time to develop. A windbreak is a row of trees or shrubs that slows the wind’s movement. A shelterbreak is a combination of trees and shrubs that slows the wind.

7. Conservation tillage is the use of tilling practices that involves minimal disturbance to the land. There are two types of conservation tillage:

a. No-till is the production of a traditional crop without plowing. No-till is also referred to as zero-till.

b. Minimum tillage is the plowing of land that causes as little damage as possible. It involves the use of specially-shaped plows and planters.

Crop rotation is alternating the use of land in crop production. Rotation helps retain

soil organic matter.

What are some examples of soil conservation practices in non-agricultural settings?

When soil conservation practices are mentioned, most people think of their uses by agricultural producers. However, urban areas have unique soil conservation needs. The general approach is to keep soil covered and control water runoff. Examples include:

Using mulch—Mulch is a layer of straw, burlap, or other material placed on the top of soil to protect it from wind and water. Mulch helps soil to hold water and reduce runoff.

Using silt fences—a silt fence is a structure placed at the bottom of a slope that allows water to flow through but holds the soil particles carried by the water. Silt fences are often constructed of hay bales that are anchored to the ground by wooden stakes.

c. Planting cover crops—vegetation can be planted on bare soil to hold it in place.

d. Building on the contour—constructing streets, homes, and other buildings on the contour slows the flow of water and reduces soil loss.

Stabilizing stream banks—Roadside and curbs have banks that erode quickly. Straw, vegetation, and concrete are used to stabilize the banks.

f. Planting trees and shrubs—trees and shrubs can be planted in areas where erosion is likely to occur. Their roots hold soil. Limbs and leaves slow the impact of rain. Fallen leaves provide groundcover.

Managing storm water—curbs, ditches and culverts may be built to handle excess precipitation.

These structures provide an effective means for reducing runoff.