• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

SoilErosion.com

Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

  • The Ultimate Guide to Soil Erosion
    • Water Erosion
    • Wind Erosion
    • Tillage Erosion
    • Soil Erosion: By the Numbers
  • Understanding the Different Types of Soil
    • A Guide to How Soil is Formed
  • Recent Posts
  • Contact Us

No Till Farming

Sep 20 2019

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.

Written by soilerosionst · Categorized: Erosion Control, Soil Erosion · Tagged: Land Overuse, No Till Farming, Slash and Burn, Soil Conservation

Sep 16 2019

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.

Written by soilerosionst · Categorized: Soil Education, Soil Erosion · Tagged: No Till Farming, Soil Conservation, Soil Erosion, Soil Structure

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • The Ultimate Guide to Soil Erosion
  • Understanding the Different Types of Soil
  • Recent Posts
  • Contact Us
SoilErosion.com ©2025