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Soil Erosion

Soil Moisture and Soil Erosion: What You Need to Know

Soil is formed partly from the effects of wind and rain. Throughout soil’s lifetime, it continues to be affected by the same elements. The effects of moisture on soil are determined by the moisture content for a given region and by taking into account the topography of the land. Current climate conditions have a significant impact on soil as land and sea temperatures continue to rise.

Erosion is a natural occurrence, yet when human-related activities (agriculture and development) change the structure of the land and therefore the soil, consequences take place. Determining whether an area is experiencing a drought or will experience one is measured by the soil’s moisture content. If the moisture content is too high, the risk of soil compaction rises. Soil that is dry or in arid climates may experience drought although that may change as climate does.

What Is Soil Moisture?

The level of moisture in the soil is often determined by variables in climate systems. Surface temperatures affect moisture levels through precipitation and evaporation. Drought and floods have severe impacts on soil moisture content in addition to the effects of climate change. As these conditions affect moisture content, they also indicate vulnerability to runoff and erosion.

Jamali Baruti, in a recent study of soil moisture in relation to soil erosion, explains: “Available water capacity (AWC) is the amount of water that the soil can store. It is the amount of water that is available for use by plants and is normally expressed as volume fractions or percentage.’ People have an adverse effect on soil’s AWC. Activities such as compacting soil with heavy equipment will decrease the amount of water soil can hold. Lower AWC makes soil more prone to drought.

Climate Change and Soil Moisture

The moisture content of soil has increased over the last 30 years: a trend that has coincided with rising temperatures due to climate change. As temperatures rise and rainfall increases, there is less chance for evaporation or for the soil to dry enough to lessen its water content.

Changes to the climate drive the global hydrologic cycle and intensify it. This cycle starts with oceanic evaporation that is lifted and cooled, then condensed into water vapor to forms clouds. Moisture is carried until it is deposited back to earth in the form of precipitation. As this cycle is disrupted, it opens the door for increases in ET or evapotranspiration which is the process of moisture up — then down — in the hydrologic cycle.

What Is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion takes place when one or more contributing factors are in place, water not being the least. Soil erosion from water can be devastating as it strips the top layer of soil while diminishing the integrity of underlying soils. Debris and sediment are carried away and can change the soil’s composition resulting in loss of fertility or new plantings.

Soil Moisture and Erosion Combined

A combination of soil moisture and soil erosion can work to create a superlative amount of damage to an area. Erosion accounts for economic, environmental, and human health risks.

”Soil erosion rates vary widely over the landscapes, over a field and even along a slope profile within the field. To understand soil erosion over a particular area it is necessary to assess erosion at different landscapes for which various techniques are available,” says Mr. Baruti. 

Understanding moisture content is imperative to know what the health of the soil is at any given time and if steps can be taken to avoid drought or erosion. Testing soil for its moisture content with various soil moisture testing devices or techniques is recommended to minimize the impacts of erosion and moisture imbalances.

How to Test Soil Moisture

Gravimetric

By far the oldest method to measure soil moisture, the gravimetric process is lengthy and time-consuming. Soil samples are collected and weighed, then dried in an oven and weighed again, and compared for differences to estimated water content. The gravimetric method may prove difficult to apply if samples need to be taken from greater depths. Disruptions in the soil might also account for soil compromise as numerous samples might need to be collected for analysis.

Hand auger

These devices come with shaft extensions and are commonly used for deeper samples. Augers can be applied to depths up to 55 feet. The auger is turned by its handle which pushes its cylinder into the soil. The auger is then raised, and the cylinder’s barrel is emptied by striking it to free the sample. The gravimetric method can then be applied to the deeper sample.

Tensiometer

This device determines how much force a growing plant needs to absorb moisture from the soil. A tensiometer consists of a ceramic cup (porous point) connected to a measuring device. The cup is filled with water, and the water in the cup finds its balance with the soil. As the soil dries, water flows out of the cup to indicate greater tension. As soil becomes wet and its tension reduces, water flows back into the cup. Changes in these tensions are indicated on the instrument’s measuring device. Temperature can affect tensiometers as the gradients between the device’s porous point and the soil might cause variations in its measurements.

Moisture sensors or probes

Soil moisture sensors test for moisture volume through electrical resistance, dielectric constant, or through interactions with soil neutrons. These instruments run the spectrum from a low-end do-it-yourself type up to more sophisticated devices that can also measure soil pH and determine soil temperature. Simply insert the probe into the soil, and the instrument does the rest.

Soil erosion is a serious consequence of agriculture and development. A warming planet is disrupting its cycles to create balance in soil’s moisture content. As these imbalances increase or fail to stabilize, drought, runoff, or erosion might result.

Testing soil for its moisture volume is one way to find out what’s coming. Take measures to increase soil’s ability to infiltrate or drain to avoid conditions that contribute to adverse consequences. Working to prevent problems now can positively affect two important factors — agriculture and development.

Soil Amendments and the Impacts of Soil Erosion

In theory, you could go into your backyard, dig up a section, and plant a tomato plant seedling. Over time, that tomato plant would grow more prominent, develop yellow blossoms, and those blossoms would become tomatoes that you can harvest. It doesn’t always work out. Your seedling may not do well because its root system cannot expand due to a soil that has a lot of clay in it. You may have blossom end rot because there is a lack of calcium in the ground. There are many different scenarios for why your garden isn’t able to grow vibrant plants.

When your soil doesn’t have everything that a plant needs to grow, you’ll need to make additions to the ground so that it will be ready. This scenario is where soil amendments come into play. Learn more about what soil amendments are and how you can make the most of them. 

What is Soil Amendment?

A soil amendment is something that you add to the dirt to make it more suitable for growing plants. Soil amendments can be used to address issues with aeration, nutrients, pH, and more. Each soil amendment has its own positives and negatives, so it’s often beneficial to determine what problem needs to be fixed before deciding on the proper amendment that you need to use. 

Soil Erosion and Amendments

Soil erosion can take away much-needed minerals, nutrients, and other characteristics that make up fertile soil. The wind and other agents of erosion remove dirt from your garden, and this removal of the topsoil can negatively impact the makeup of the land. If you believe that your garden may have been adversely affected by soil erosion, it is time to look into the use of amendments.

Testing Your Soil

After you’ve noticed that your soil isn’t performing as it should, it’s time to determine what is wrong. It can be very beneficial to test your soil to see what is missing or in overabundance. Some gardeners think that adding a lot of fertilizer amendments are always a good move, but too much can be just as big an issue as not enough in the soil. That’s often why it’s better to start out testing the dirt before making any changes with the amendments. 

There are testing kits that allow you to test your soil yourself to see what needs to be addressed, but you can also have it sent out to a lab to test. Once you’ve learned the cause behind your poor soil, you can choose what amendment you should use to fix it.  

How Much Soil Amendment Do I Need?

The question when it comes to how much soil amendment you need will depend on a few factors. The most important factor is what are you using the amendment to address. For instance, if you are looking to change the pH value of your soil because it’s too acidic, you’ll add lime. Too much lime and your soil’s pH can be just as problematic as soil that’s too acidic. Not enough lime and your soil’s pH won’t change enough. In some cases, it can be a delicate balancing act to get the right amount added. 

The instructions that come with the amendment can be essential in not going overboard with it. These instructions will typically tell you how much of the amendment you should add to a particular sized area. It will also tell you the specific way that you should apply it to get the most benefit from the amendment.   

What is the Best Soil Amendment?

There are a large variety of soil amendments that can work wonders on an underperforming garden. You can find topsoil, garden soil, coconut coir, compost, compost tea, fertilizers, peat moss, manure, mushroom compost, lime, gypsum, and more. 

The best soil amendments are the ones that will fix the issue that you’ve noticed. It can depend on the circumstances. For instance, container gardening does better with lighter soil compositions, so you may find that adding coconut coir to garden soil will give you the benefits from the coconut coir without weighing down the container.    

Organic Soil Amendments

Organic soil amendments are any amendments that you add to the soil that don’t contain any human-made chemicals in them. They are entirely natural, and for many, believed to be a safer option. Farms and gardens that are deemed organic can only use organic amendments. Some examples of organic amendments include manure, leaf mold, mulch, compost, and bat guano.   

Soil Amendments for Clay

Clay soil can be a real issue for gardeners. It often retains too much water, making proper drainage an issue, and can be too heavy for roots to grow into the soil thoroughly. This problem can usually be addressed by adding in an amendment to remove the negative impact that the clay can have on a garden.

Peat moss and coconut coir are two excellent amendments for dealing with soil that features a lot of dense clay. These amendments provide a couple of benefits. One is that they both help to add aeration to the dirt when mixed into the soil. It helps the earth have more air spaces for water to drain and roots to grow. It also can add mass to the land that allows it not to compact down easily. Another is that they help to retain moisture in the soil and slowly release it as needed for the plants growing. 

You’ll want to mix a decent amount of coconut coir or peat moss into the soil before planting your crops for the upcoming growing season. Continue adding the amendment until you get to the point where the clay is no longer an issue. You may also consider adding some additional topsoil in equal parts if you’re working in a large area with a lot of clay.

Your garden can only perform as well as the soil it is growing in. Sometimes, the plants need a helping hand to get them to where they could be with the perfect conditions. Gardeners that want the biggest blooms on their roses or a big crop of vegetables should look into adding soil amendments when needed. These additions to the soil can make a world of difference for how well a garden will grow.

Soil Erosion in the United States

The United States is one of the top producers of food products worldwide. According to ShareAmerica, the U.S. shipped over $139 billion worth of agricultural products just in 2018. Those are astonishing numbers since U.S. farmers struggle to feed the world despite harsh winters, torrential rains, and hot summers which all contribute to soil loss and erosion.

Why Is Soil Conservation so Important?

Over the last decade, the United States has seen radical changes in weather patterns that are resulting in massive flooding in the Midwest and California where most food crops are grown. Excessive water can compact the soil as well as cause the topsoil to wash away. Hot, dry summers sear the soil, and strong winds carry nutrient-rich topsoil away. 

Without topsoil, food crops can’t be grown, which could spell disaster for farmers trying to feed the population. The nation needs to stop the rapid loss of soil and take actionable steps towards soil conservation so farmers can continue growing much-needed food.

What Is Soil?

Soil covers all of the Earth and is comprised of thousands of components that create a dynamic ecosystem. Without soil, we could not grow food, and trees and plants that provide oxygen and clean the air would not exist. Earth would be an inhospitable place to live without soil. 

Soil is made up of decomposed minerals, water, gases, organic matter, and tiny microorganisms. For soil to support life, it must be porous enough for air and water to filter through so the microorganisms that break down organic and non-organic compounds can survive.

What is Topsoil?

Topsoil is the upper layer of soil between 3-9 inches deep and is rich in organic matter. The topsoil is where the microorganisms live and where most of the biological activity takes place. Decomposed organic matter and minerals are nutrient rich and can be found in the upper layer of soil. Microorganisms help with the decomposition and also help to fix nitrogen which is essential for plant growth. In addition, topsoil is home to worms and beetles that help to keep the soil aerated. 

Topsoil that is dark in color and has a deep earthy smell has the greatest concentration of nutrients available to plants so they can grow and thrive. In addition, rich topsoil has better water availability for plants to access. Keeping and managing topsoil from eroding is vital for agriculture and many farmers today understand the importance of managing topsoil to reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers and nutrients.

The Importance of Soil Structure

Soil structure and texture help to determine the water holding capacity that soil has. The finer the particles of the soil and the more organic matter there is in the soil, the better the soil water availability is. If there is too much sand, water drains away, and if the soil is made primarily of dense clay, then too much water gets trapped. Soil structure needs the perfect balance of fine and dense for plants to thrive.

What Is Soil Erosion?

Factors that contribute to soil and topsoil erosion are wind, water, reduced amounts of organic matter, poor drainage of the soil, poor soil structure, and overuse of chemicals. Salinization can also be a contributing factor. Topsoil erosion is of great concern because this is where the plants receive nutrients to grow.

Not only does soil erosion take away the nutrients for the plants, but erosion can also have a negative impact on the surrounding environment. When wind or water carries topsoil away, it may end up clogging adjacent watercourses and wetlands which can restrict the flow of water and kill off food supplies to wildlife.

Soil Erosion in the  United States

According to a study by Cornell University, topsoil is disappearing at a terrifying rate in the United States, nearly 10 times faster than it can be replaced. The study states that almost two billion tons of farmland are lost to soil erosion every year resulting in loss of food crops and income.

The majority of food grown in the United States comes from the Midwest or the central valley of California, and both of these areas are seeing massive changes in weather. The loss of soil in the prime agricultural parts of the U.S. could become catastrophic if actionable steps are not taken soon to stop soil erosion.

What Are the Best United States Soil Conservation Service Organizations Available?

Fortunately, there are several organizations that provide a wealth of information about soils, soil erosion, and soil conservation.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website, Natural Resources Conservation Service, has a lot of great information about soil diversity and soil conservation.

For information and education about soil use and conservation of the nations natural resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS) works with private landowners to help create healthy ecosystems.

The National Association of Conservation Districts’ mission is to promote responsible use of all lands, and this includes soil conservation. The organization works with soil dynamics within a specific district of the United States.

Ways to Help Reduce Soil Erosion

There are several ways that farmers large and small can help with soil conservation and the prevention of soil erosion. 

One way is by not plowing, which is often called no-till farming. When a field is tilled after harvest, the topsoil gets turned over. Tilling removes plant matter and destroys beneficial microorganisms. Tilling also kills worms and insects that help to aerate the soil. No-till farming also allows the soil structure to remain intact, helping with its water holding capabilities.

Adding soil amendments, such as coir, can help improve soil’s ability to retain water, especially in soil that is heavily compacted. Coir and other soil amendments can help to loosen dense soils and help improve drainage. Adding amendments also helps to improve nutrient uptake for plants and reduce or eliminate dependency on chemical fertilizers.

Soil conservation, as well as education, are vitally important in reducing and stopping soil erosion in the United States. By helping to conserve the nation’s topsoil, the United States can continue to provide essential food crops to the world.

Control Water Runoff with a Compost Filter Sock

Soil erosion is caused by a number of factors, including urban building, natural forces, and heavy traffic. Rain, wind, physical disturbance, and overuse promote soil erosion and water runoff. While it’s not possible to prevent all elements of erosion, there are some things you can do to limit damage and promote root growth. One way to control water runoff in your garden is by using compost filter socks. 

Compost Filter Sock

Also known as silt socks, compost filter socks are commonly used in landscaping and home gardening. They are mesh tubes filled with composted wood chips, bark, and other materials. The socks’ organic build is designed to allow maximum filtration. It also means the socks are very effective at filtering water runoff and controlling sediment loss. Heavy-duty compost filter socks will perform well even under extreme conditions. 

In areas with high sediment flow, filter socks can prevent sediment runoff. While they aren’t the most attractive addition to a garden or landscape, they are certainly some of the most effective.

Filter socks are installed downslope of areas where erosion and sediment control are needed. They can also be used in place of silt fences, on paved areas, near sensitive trees, or on frozen ground. A compost filter sock is a great alternative if you don’t want to dig trenches or disturb the ground in an area where you have established vegetation.

Filter Sock Applications

The most common uses for filter socks include water diversion, perimeter control, slope interruption, ditch check, and as an alternative to silt fences. 

If you are trying to manage rain or stormwater movement, compost filter socks can be used to slow, interrupt, or divert water. This will redirect water away from areas where it could cause damage or erode soil. These socks can also reduce the speed at which water runs down a sloped bank, which helps with erosion control. 

For existing water bodies, such as rivers and ponds, compost filter socks can prevent steeped banks from running into the water. This also helps with land stabilization. Placing filter socks along a channel bed makes for an excellent retaining wall to promote the growth of new and existing vegetation.

Because moving water also tends to carry sediment, filter socks help control both water runoff and sediment erosion. If you’re building up a new area of your garden or landscaping, you can use compost filter socks to create a boundary. This will trap and retain sediment and water, preventing destruction.

Compost filter socks are economically viable options for erosion control and water runoff. There is little cost to install, clean up, or dispose of them. When you no longer need the socks for erosion control, you can cut them open and use the filling as compost directly where they lie. You can simply dispose of the mesh, which requires minimal effort in comparison to dismantling fencing and other alternatives. The organic content in compost filter socks is also good for the environment and will promote new seed growth. 

What is Land Degradation?

What is land degradation? Land degradation is a negative change in the quality of land, usually induced by a mixture of natural and man-made causes.

It affects the land’s topsoil, the vegetation that grows on it, and the nearby water sources. It is a global issue with millions of people being affected, even forcing them to relocate in some cases.

What Causes Land Degradation

In most cases, the main causes of land degradation are linked to one or more human activities. Deforestation is one of the most common activities that cause the degradation of land.

Forests play a big part in keeping the soil fertile by constantly feeding it with nutrients from fallen leaves and fruit, as well as from animal droppings. They also keep the soil’s structure in place with the help of the trees’ roots.

Therefore, cutting down a part of a forest is a clear path to land degradation.

Another major man-made cause of land degradation and development of unfertile soils is the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers. Although they have become indispensable to raising rich crops, excessive use is known to gravely deteriorate the affected land.

Certain natural nutrients within the soil become imbalanced as a result of overuse of fertilizers, with a negative long-term effect on the land. Good farming practices will always seek to balance the short-term gain of eliminating pests and growing bigger crops with the long-term downside of land degradation.

Overgrazing is another significant cause of land degradation. It usually occurs when livestock is fed on a limited patch of land and the grass and other vegetation in the area are not able to regenerate at a sufficient rate.

The resulting lack of vegetation deprives the land of much-needed nutrients, the result being the degradation of the soil. It is a major issue, especially in Africa, where the long-term grazing of livestock on small patches of land leads to rapid land degradation.

Salination is also a significant cause of land degradation. It’s defined by the increase of salt concentration in the soil; it can be either man-induced or a natural phenomenon.

A high salt concentration in water used for irrigation, excessive use of alkaline fertilizers, inadequate soil drainage, or simply the wind blowing the salt in areas near the sea are causes of land salination that leads to land degradation.

 “Land Degradation: Creation and Destruction,” by Douglas L. Johnson and Laurence A. Lewis, states that the main naturally induced causes of land degradation are wind and water erosion.

Wind erosion occurs in areas with little or no vegetation and sandy soil, so strong winds carrying soil particles deteriorate the land. Water erosion is the displacement of land either by water in motion or by heavy rains. It’s often caused by human actions like deforestation, but it can also occur naturally in situations such as heavy rain, causing soil displacement on a steep slope of land. 

Land Degradation Effects

The main effects of land degradation can be soil erosion, salinization, acidification, and alkalization of the land, and finally desertification. Land desertification is the most severe stage of land degradation. It means that a piece of land has lost all its vegetation, wildlife, and all its water supplies — it basically has been turned into a desert.

The first steps in recognizing the effects that land degradation has on the planet are understanding its causes and effects. Sadly, the effects can be felt all over the world. The countries that are most affected are usually the poorest, and the lack of crops and farmable land can lead to massive food shortages.

Also, as crops become less efficient, water sources also dry up, often leading to the mass migration of people to more hospitable lands.

The downward spiral caused by land degradation can lead to major socio-economic issues. As food and water become scarce, competition for the remaining resources increases.

In poor countries and isolated regions, this competition can often lead to a monopoly on vital resources, resulting in violent attempts to overturn such a monopoly.

Experts on land management Ephraim Nkonya, Alisher Mirzabaev, and Joachim von Braun, argue in their book, “Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development,” that degradation is also a significant health hazard to the populations in the affected areas.

Due to the relatively low standard of living in most such areas, the lack of food and water will often lead to malnutrition, as well as diseases caused by the lack of clean water and the resulting poor hygiene. If the population migrates, the risk spreads out, as certain infectious diseases can be carried by the migrating population to new lands.

How to Prevent Land Degradation

In order to prevent or reverse the effects of land degradation, a series of policies and management practices must be implemented. In areas where the degradation process is at its initial stages, it’s crucial that prevention practices are quickly put in place.

Prevention is significantly less expensive than trying to reverse the effects of land degradation. That’s why the first step in preventing land degradation is to properly inform the people in an endangered area about both the causes and effects of the phenomenon and also about the great danger of desertification.

As in most situations, properly preventing land desertification is a matter of avoiding the causes. Natural causes such as heavy rain or strong winds obviously cannot be avoided, but according to a report by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on land degradation assessment and prevention, the man-made causes need to be better managed or eliminated in order to avoid land degradation. 

Deforestation must be kept to a minimum and always be followed by reforestation, in order to keep the land well bound and rich with the nutrients it needs.

Sustainable farming also needs to be practiced, with good management of the levels of pesticides and fertilizers used, as well as avoiding soil depletion because of overgrazing by livestock. 

Land degradation is an issue that should concern every country and every community. Although we have significantly evolved from a technological point of view, our survival still heavily relies on the quality of our lands, and that is especially true in poorer regions.

The decrease in soil quality not only affects agriculture but also creates a ripple effect of major socio-economic implications that affect the entire planet.

List of sources:

“Land Degradation: Creation and Destruction,”  Douglas L. Johnson, Laurence A. Lewis

“Economics of Land Degradation and Improvement – A Global Assessment for Sustainable Development,”  Ephraim Nkonya, Alisher Mirzabaev, Joachim von Braun

Land degradation assessment and prevention, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia