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Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Soil Erosion

Soil Conservation: Everything You Need to Know

Soil conservation is a key topic in agriculture. When it comes to farming, the importance of soil conservation cannot be ignored. Various threats from unsustainable farming practices can lead to loss of soil. Fortunately, there are many methods of soil conservation.

What Is Soil Conservation?

What is soil conservation, and what are the measures of soil conservation? Soil conservation aims to prevent erosion as well as prevent loss of fertility of the soil. There are a variety of measures you can take to conserve soil and prevent these detrimental effects.

Soil erosion is a problem because when topsoil is lost, nutrients that are necessary for plants to survive are also lost. Topsoil lost from agricultural areas generally holds pesticides and fertilizers, and when these enter water systems, they can destroy the systems’ delicate ecologies.

Soil conservation encompasses a variety of techniques. These techniques and methods all work to preserve the soil’s fertility and prevent erosion.

What Are the Threats to Soil Conservation?

Though soil protection may not receive as much attention in the media as the conservation of oceans, forests, or energy, it is essential for agriculture. Most of the threats to soil conservation come from unsustainable farming practices. A few common threats to soil conservation include chemical contamination, slash and burn farming, and land overuse.

Chemical Contamination

Chemical fertilizers can harm soil when used in excess. A plant uses only a small amount of fertilizer. If it is using only a fraction of the fertilizer that’s applied, the residual chemicals then alter the healthy balance of the soil, making it unable to sustain life.

Pesticides also create problems in the soil. While they do kill off harmful insects, pesticides also harm beneficial organisms the soil needs to remain healthy.

Additionally, fertilizers and pesticides contaminate runoff. The contaminated runoff can then cause damage to surrounding water ecosystems.

Slash and Burn Farming

Slash and burn is a common agricultural technique to modify wildlands so that they are suitable for farming. When farmers use this technique, they cut down huge swaths of trees. Then, they burn the residual vegetation. This practice creates a layer of ash that makes the area of land fertile for agriculture, but the effect is temporary. After farming depletes the nutrients from the soil, that area is abandoned. Farmers then repeat the process.

The practice of slash and burn farming negatively impacts soil conservation. When people remove trees and vegetation from an area, the act also removes the root structures that hold topsoil in its place. Further, once there are no longer nutrients from ash, the soil cannot sustain life.

Land Overuse

If crops are repeatedly cultivated in an area, the soil eventually becomes infertile. Tilling, one of the cultivation processes, takes out essential micronutrients that are essential for life, including nitrogen, iron, and phosphorous. The land becomes unhealthy and unbalanced after repetitive cultivation depletes the area’s topsoil.

What Are Some Methods and Techniques for Soil Conservation?

Unsustainable farming can lead to soil loss and a decrease in soil fertility. Throughout history, people have developed a variety of soil conservation methods that seek to preserve the level of nutrients in the soil and prevent erosion. Learning how to conserve soil is important for anyone who farms.

Terrace Farming

The terracing method involves carving many flat-leveled areas into a hill. The terraces then form steps, and a mud wall prevents runoff and keeps soil nutrients in the beds. Less-developed places often use this method because it is difficult to use mechanized farming equipment in the terraces.

Perimeter Runoff Control

Soil conservationists can turn to planting to protect their soil. With perimeter runoff control, you plant trees, shrubs, and ground cover around the farmland’s perimeter. This impedes surface flows, and it holds nutrients in the farmed soil. Using grass is a specialized method of handling perimeter runoff that utilizes surface friction to channel and then dissipate runoff.

Windbreaks

Other soil conservation practices rely on trees. Rows of tall trees arranged in dense patterns around farmland are called windbreaks. This technique prevents wind erosion. You may choose evergreen trees for protection throughout the year. Deciduous trees can also work as long as they have foliage when the soil is bare.

Cover Crops and Crop Rotation

Cover crops, like radishes and turnips, prevent soil erosion. Farmers can rotate the cover crops with cash crops to keep their soil blanketed throughout the year. This method suppresses weeds and creates green manure, which replenishes critical nutrients like nitrogen.

Agrostological Measures

Plant grass in areas that are heavily eroded to increase the soil’s nutrient levels. Ley farming cultivates grass in rotation with regular crops. If soil is heavily eroded, you should allow grass to grow for years so that the soil can naturally repair itself.

Contour Plowing

The contour plowing farming method originated in ancient Phoenicia and is an effective way of farming on slopes. It calls for plowing grooves into the land you want to farm. Then, plant the crop furrows in these grooves, following the contours.

Keyline Design

Keyline design is an enhanced version of contour plowing. Keylines are the topographic feature that is linked to water flow. The method allows for maximum water retention by considering watershed properties when creating contour lines. Water runs off right into an existing water channel, which stops soil erosion that the water would otherwise cause.

No-Till Farming

Instead of changing the topography of soil with contouring or tilling, you can use no-till farming. This farming technique increases the amount of water that penetrates the soil. It can increase the amount of organic matter that’s in the soil, which results in larger yields.

Soil Conservation Farming

Soil conservation farming is a combination of farming methods. It tries to mimic the biology of the land before it is farmed. Farmers can eliminate nitrogen fertilizer and fungicides to increase their yields and to shield crops from flooding or drought. These practices can prevent the erosion of soil, restore soil that has been damaged, and encourage the growth of plants.

Understanding the threats to soil as well as the ways to preserve nutrients in the soil and prevent erosion is key to maintaining an area. There are many methods farmers can employ to conserve soil.

Can Plants Mitigate Soil Erosion?

When it comes to controlling soil erosion, adding plants to the landscape is a natural and beautiful way to protect soil while adding dimension and blooms of color. Many plant varieties work well in hardy areas, are resistant to drought, or require very little maintenance. Choose from ground covers, shrubs, or trees to get the best results. Locate plants and trees where they will best offset soil erosion from both wind and water.

Natives are the best erosion control plants because they are primed to the area where they grow. Grasses are also useful, although you must take land topography into consideration in regard to maintenance. Take the time to think about what purpose the plant will serve, its type of root system, and its rate of growth. If planting ground cover or trees on a hill, know the grade of the slope. Choose low-maintenance, deep-rooting trees and shrubs that dig in and take hold on sloped land.

Effects of Soil Erosion

Soil’s delicate balance of microbes, pH, and moisture all contribute to its health and vitality. Healthy soil is productive, fertile, and able to recycle and regenerate. As land is stripped of vegetation for farming or harvesting practices, the uppermost layer, referred to as topsoil, is subject to degradation. It can get washed away during sheet erosion or carried into the air during saltation.

As wind or water wear away at exposed topsoil, its ability to provide nutrients to seeds and saplings degrades. Soil’s structure begins to weaken, and pests can take over, leading to chemical use to restore balance.

Protecting Soil

Soil usually does an adequate job of keeping its balance of microbes, pH, moisture, and nutrients when left undisturbed for periods of time. Tilling soil or planting a new crop before the soil has had a chance to rebound from the last planting season degrades that soil and robs its nutrients. As exposed, bare land leaves soil vulnerable, wind and water events have no forces to stop their destructive flow and contribute to pollutants in the air and surrounding soils.

When considering how to prevent erosion, replacing vegetation is a relatively simple way to aid nature in her cycles of regeneration and renewal. Soil can bounce back and recover faster when vegetation is added back into the equation.

Best Plants for Erosion Control

Choosing the right plants to offset erosion and help soils recover depends on where they will grow. Temperate climates might welcome varieties that like moisture while drier climates might require hardy ground cover that mitigates wind erosion. Some regions might benefit from taller vegetation, such as shrubs or trees, to create windbreaks and deep roots that hold soil in place. Slopes might fare well with plants that grow weblike roots to reinforce the grade and give soil holding power.

Ground Cover

Ground cover serves to create a low-lying layer of vegetation to hold soil in place. Ground cover helps soil retain moisture and provides protection against both wind and water erosion. Most varieties do well in full sun and don’t require much water. 

Creeping varieties might spread fast to cover an area without blocking the view of the overall land. Ground cover discourages foot traffic and is visually appealing. As ground cover dies off and recycles, it provides nutrients and microbial activity to decompose matter and return it to the soil.

Commonly used erosion control ground cover plants include:

  • Creeping phlox
  • Autumn sage
  • Common yarrow
  • Rye and clover
  • Creeping juniper 
  • Creeping myrtle

Shrubs

Shrubs grow taller than ground cover and might be used in windbreaks or to create visual dimension. Evergreen shrub varieties such as juniper are cold-hardy and offer soil protection year-round. Other varieties, such as buckwheat, prefer drier climates and only grow to about 18 inches tall.

Commonly used shrubs include:

  • Juniper
  • Forsythia
  • Japanese spurge
  • Spotted nettle
  • Buckwheat
  • Apache plume

Grasses

Native grasses work best for their resilience and adaptation to climate. Grasses aren’t recommended for erosion control on steep slopes because of the maintenance and possible dangers of mowing on a hill. Most grasses have moderate to fast growth and usually do well in both sun and shade.

Commonly used grasses include:

  • Black mondo grass
  • Blue fescue
  • Yellow foxtail

Trees

Trees boast deep or extensive root systems. Their height creates a windbreak to offset erosion while their roots hold soil in place during both water and wind events. Trees provide shade — an added measure in soil moisture loss prevention and retention.

Ideal tree varieties for wind and water erosion control include:

  • Oak
  • Holly
  • Dogwoods
  • Alder
  • Willows

What to Plant on a Hillside to Control Erosion

Growing on a hillside or slope can pose challenges. The grade of the slope must be considered when deciding how to stop erosion on a hill. Choose deep-rooting plants that stabilize soil or fibrous root systems to create a web and reinforce slopes.

If a slope has a 10% or greater grade, consider terracing to aid plants in erosion control. Avoid planting grasses or high-maintenance plants on grades of 20% or more.

Depending on slope conditions, consider planting trees such as cotoneaster, whose thick roots hold soil in place. Willows thrive in full sun, grow best in moist soil, and do well in regions with harsh winters. Firs and pines like sunlight but do well in dry soil and are hardy enough to withstand subzero temperatures.

Ground covers such as the evergreen creeping juniper and flowering bougainvillea are low-maintenance plants with fibrous root systems. For color on a hillside, try violets or honeysuckle.

Planting vegetation that enriches and nurtures soil to combat erosion is one way to save nature with nature. Other all-natural methods might include coir products made from coconut coir fibers. Trees, shrubs, and ground cover offer protections from erosion while supplying the soil with essential nutrients, regulating its pH, and providing a home to beneficial and crucial soil bacteria. These plants also give the landscape visual appeal and dimension and serve as a reminder of their importance in maintaining soil health and vitality.

Products to Help Prevent Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is usually caused by one of two environmental events — wind or water.

Wind erosion occurs in flat, bare areas where land may have recently been cultivated or in dry, sandy areas where soil might be loose or unstable. Wind erosion lifts soil particles into the air and deposits sediment over great distances. Preventing soil erosion due to wind involves stabilizing the soil, increasing its moisture content, and encouraging it to form clumps and clods, making it more difficult to move.

Soil erosion caused by water produces drastic changes across a landscape. As surface soil is washed away, vital nutrients go with it, compromising seed and plant growth. Cultivated land is susceptible to sheet erosion when the soil becomes overwhelmed by the rush of water and can’t absorb moisture or filter the water. Combatting erosion from water involves shoring up ditches and culverts, as well as creating dams to divert water’s progress or slow it down.

Causes of Soil Erosion

Rainfall and runoff contribute to soil erosion by carrying soil away and leaving behind sediment, pesticides, and fertilizers in its path. Wind does much the same, except dust clouds from suspension erosion can travel vast distances to blanket regions or smother crops with sediment.

Soil’s vulnerability to erosion might dictate how extensive damage might be but may also provide clues to preventing erosion or minimizing its impacts.

Slope length, land topography, and elevation contribute to soil erosion. Mudslides are a common sight when erosion from water sends sheets of topsoil to slide over itself and dislodge. Accumulating structures like sand dunes created from deposits left from wind erosion are likely to be lifted and carried into the air over and over during a wind event.

Vegetation, or the lack of it, plays a vital role in keeping soil stable and stationary. Roots from growing plants help bind soil together to make it harder to move. Trees can provide soil protection from the wind by making it more difficult for wind to reach the soil.

Effects of Soil Erosion

Economic impacts include crop loss, loss of soil fertility, and repairs or restorations to regions affected by soil erosion. Infrastructure might be weakened and roadways compromised due to accumulating sediment or runoff.

The environmental impacts of soil erosion can be seen in several influences. Wind erosion might strip the land of its topsoil surface and compromise substructures or rooting plants. Water erosion can stress rivers and streams and cause their protective banks to collapse under water’s driving force. 

In regard to the impacts on human health, wind erosion can cause dust and dirt particles to be lifted into the air and possibly blown through windows, exacerbating allergies or upper-respiratory issues. Water erosion compromises agriculture and might result in low-quality produce. Both types of erosion wash away fertilizers and pesticides, carrying them over the land to deposit in rivers or streams or via wind, tainting air and water quality. 

Preventative Measures

Today’s market offers many soil erosion control products in varying applications that can help minimize the impact. Whether their use is for road construction or to provide stabilization and filtration, there are products that can meet and exceed expectations. 

Geotextiles help control erosion and come in several different shapes, types, and textures depending on the purpose it will serve. Geotextiles come in three main forms: woven, non-woven, and coir. These textiles are useful in the preventative practices of strip farming and terracing.

Woven Geotextiles

Woven geotextiles and fabrics are made from several different fiber types. Their tight construction stabilizes soil and are effective for erosion control. These geotextiles are often used in road construction and shoreline erosion control. Woven geotextiles are put to work in regions of heavy erosion, in riprap, and on embankments and slopes to minimize runoff and wall collapse.

Non-woven Geotextiles

Non-woven geotextiles are used for their smooth, felt-like surface that allows water to flow through the fabric while still filtering particles. Non-woven geotextiles are used in areas that require subsurface filtration and stabilization and provide adequate drainage. Non-woven geotextiles are often found in asphalt overlays and in the understructure of ponds. 

Coir textiles

Coir textiles are made from the husk of the coconut and provide a natural solution to erosion control. Coir textiles allow for deep rooting and provide nutrients to support the growth and development of vegetation. Coir supplies adequate aeration and drainage to allow for permanent vegetation to grow through. Coir works to hold seeds and saplings in place and is safe for wildlife. Coir needs no chemical treatment. 

Coir is used to create check dams — small dam constructions across ditches or swales to slow the flow of water or divert its movement. It also adds to existing contours in order to build up the land or fill rills or gullies. Because coir’s life span is two to five years, it is used for short-term, temporary, and semi-permanent solutions. Coir comes in various forms in order to utilize it to its full potential. 

  • Coir wattles create a natural barrier to filter water. Coir wattles are used for their strength and filtration qualities and make wattles ideal for new construction sites to minimize impact. They’re also found in restoration projects to help prevent future damage.
  • Coir erosion control blankets are used to increase soil stability. They are effective in decreasing the effects of wind and water erosion and are often used on slopes or areas sensitive to erosion. In climates where there is a lot of shade or cold temperatures increase seed germination time, coir erosion blankets are used to protect and nurture seeds.
  • Coir logs work in the same way as wattles and blankets, but their shape makes them ideal for use in areas of erosion and runoff such as hills, banks, and shorelines.

More is understood today about how soil erosion impacts the environment, economy, and health. With this knowledge in mind, products on the market are designed to perform various functions in order to stem the tide and offset the wind.

Economic Effects of Soil Erosion

In today’s changing climate, the effects of soil erosion are prevalent. While forest land, or land that is surrounded by or covered with vegetation, usually sees little effects of soil erosion, cultivated land certainly does. The practice of clearing land for agriculture serves to increase its vulnerability as unprotected land is susceptible to frequent and sustained soil erosion.

Erosion occurs when the land’s soil is not adequately covered in order to protect it from wind, water, and sand. This erosion causes the soil’s health to decline as well as affects surrounding resources such as air and water quality. Heavy flooding or storms can exacerbate the problem or be the cause of erosion in the first place. Overall, erosion can reduce the land’s ability to produce harvests and lead to economic hardship.

Economic Effects of Soil Erosion

In the United States alone, soil erosion accounts for $12 billion in losses. In comparison, Asia and Europe tally $3.5 and $4.5 billion respectively. Several industries are affected by the loss of soil quality or the degradation of crops and their yields. 

  • Meat and Dairy: Chicken, cattle, and swine are all affected by soil erosion. As the quality of their feed depletes, the quality of meat declines. Animals may be drinking water contaminated by runoff or their feed might not contain enough nutrients.
  • Fruits and Vegetables: When crops don’t produce their expected yield, prices go up. Supply and demand still rule the day and if production is reduced or quality degraded, prices may spike for produce that is usable.
  • Grains: Since grains are converted into feed for livestock and processed into bread and flour, the degradation of their quality has a trickle-down effect and finds its way into the bread on the dinner table.

Effects of Soil Erosion on the Environment

Rattan Lal, from the School of Natural Resources at The Ohio State University, describes the condition as such: “Soil erosion exacerbates soil degradation and vice versa. In some cases decline in soil quality, especially the weakening of structural units, precedes erosion. In others, erosion may lead to a decline in soil quality and set in motion the degradative trend. In fact, soil erosion can be a manifestation of soil degradation because it involves physical removal of soil in a vertical and/or horizontal direction and degrades soil quality. It is a natural process that has shaped the landscape and led to formations of fertile alluvial and loess soils. However, the acceleration of the process through anthropogenic perturbations can have severe impacts on soil and environmental quality.”

Those impacts include damage to lakes and streams from runoff. As disturbed soil is washed away and deposited elsewhere, natural water resources are inevitably impacted. This erosion wreaks havoc on the land by removing the topsoil and over time, reducing its depth. This depth reduction causes roots to struggle to take hold. Topsoil degradation means soil loses its ability to trap and filter water, diminishing its benefits.

The soil’s fertility is called into question as well as nutrients are washed away. Young plants might not stand a chance from the onslaught of wind and rain and may be lost altogether.

Sediment is a serious impact of soil erosion as the runoff has to go somewhere and turn into something. Nearby roads and neighboring properties might find sediment deposits. Long-term excessive erosion can lead to weakened bridges and other infrastructure. Sediment deposits might also accumulate downstream and cause flood hazards while disrupting fish spawning grounds. Sediment might carry pesticides and fertilizers in its make-up, leaving poisons in its devastating wake.

The economic impacts on environmental shifts caused by erosion are vast in possibility and depend on the affected area’s economic and industrial output.

Effects of Soil Erosion on Agriculture

Although it is difficult to assess agricultural losses because of the unpredictability of climate change and accompanying weather patterns, estimates of economic loss are heavy and impactful. Since tilled soil is more vulnerable than untilled soil, it usually suffers the worst effects of erosion and influences agriculture by lessening the land’s ability to produce crops.

Erosion carries away not just soil but also the nutrients it contains. Studies show that each ton of soil that erodes might contain the equivalent of 2.32 pounds of nitrogen and one pound of phosphorous. When these elements are carried away, they are deposited in places adversely affected by excess nitrogen and phosphorous, not to mention pesticides. Per-acre dollar estimates work out to fertilizer losses at a cost of $2.10 per ton of soil loss.

The impact on agriculture in terms of time is also weighty. Farmers spend crucial growing time preventing erosion or repairing its damage. Eroded areas must be leveled with additional cultivation as well as filling gullies created by runoff. Gradually, topsoil suffers and depth is lost. Seeds and seedlings might also be washed away, adding to crop and economic losses.

Conservation Practices and Erosion Control

There are methods to minimize the damage of soil erosion and possibly prevent it from occurring in the first place. The time to put these into practice is before the next rainy season or the next predicted storm.

  • Crop rotation: Alternating crops on the same land can maintain soil productivity.
  • Contour farming: Sloped land can be tilled to make elevations more consistent and furrows can be created to serve as reservoirs. Terraced planting has a similar effect as crops are planted in graduated platforms to deter erosion.
  • Strip cropping: Alternating crops to be cultivated with strips of sod-forming or matting textiles like coir blankets and logs can also work to minimize erosion.
  • Subsoiling: This method works by circulating the soil to increase root aeration and give water a place to go, providing better access to crops that need it for survival. 

Lal goes on to say that, “Estimates of the global extent of soil erosion are tentative and subjective, and need to be improved by using remote sensing, GIS and other modern techniques. Developing a credible database is crucial to identifying management strategies. Erosional hot spots of the world … are in need of coordinated efforts at the global scale to restore degraded ecosystems.’

Soil erosion and shifting climates both affect the viability of soil used in necessary, everday industries. With conservation methods and soil stabilization products, erosion can be reduced and prevented, salvaging one of the most important resources.

Best Methods for Water Runoff Control

Damage caused by water runoff can quickly turn a beautiful garden into a muddy marsh. Water carries soil, wood chips, grass clippings, and other debris that can cause erosion and pollute public water. If you’re looking to preserve the structural integrity of your landscape and avoid erosion, try one of these ideas for better water runoff control. 

Berm

A berm is a small hill covered with rocks, grass, and other plants that divert water around an area you’d like to protect. Water flows toward the berm from one direction, and on the opposite side is the area you’re protecting. A berm is a good option for a relatively quick fix to water runoff control. Make sure to follow a detailed guide when building a berm. 

Swale

A swale is a shallow depression that follows the natural contour of a slope, diverting water from one place to another. Rocks in the swale help slow the speed of water, allowing it to sink into the soil. Swales are also used to direct water toward a dry well or around the base of a house (to avoid basement flooding). You can enhance a swale by using a landscaping blanket, compost filter sock, or other product to increase effectiveness. 

Sediment Control Products

A number of products on the market assist with water runoff control. The list can be somewhat overwhelming, including types of liners, cloth, filter systems, blankets, mesh baskets, barriers, turf, mulch, mats, and much more. But not all products are created equal, and it’s important to do your research to find the best fit for your garden or landscape issue. 

If your problem is minimal water runoff and significant sediment buildup, you could try a compost filter sock. This is a great option if you have some water runoff but want to control erosion without disturbing the ground in an area with established vegetation. 

Permeable Hardscape

Hardscape encompasses the man-made features of landscape architecture, such as paths or driveways. If one of your problems has been water moving over or around hardscape, you might consider installing paving materials that have small gaps to allow water to seep through them. This will keep the surface dry while eliminating runoff. Small-scale jobs, such as permeable walkways, can be DIY projects, but you might need to hire professionals to tackle a driveway or other large project. 

Grade Broad Surfaces

Landscape grading is the basis of landscape design and can help significantly with water runoff control. This is a more expensive option, which will require an excavator or rental equipment. However, if you need extreme water runoff control — perhaps your basement is continually flooded — then it’s an essential step. 

With so many products on the market to address water runoff control, the options are practically endless. Luckily, this means you’ll be able to stop excess water runoff and get the most out of your  landscape. Explore the options to find out which products would work best to address the water runoff issues you’re facing.