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Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Soil Conservation

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.

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.

An Introduction to U.S. Soil Conservation Programs

Soil. It’s underfoot, where food is grown, and the foundation on which homes, roads, and important infrastructure are built. Wind and water soil erosion poses serious consequences to land, crops, vegetation, and human health. During erosion and runoff, sediment might be carried into the air or deposited downstream or on roadways. Infrastructure is compromised and pollutants are distributed. 

The effects of the growing agriculture industry on United States land prompted the U.S. government to implement programs and acts that work to conserve and preserve soil from erosion and degradation. Since the 1930s, the United States has expanded its various conservation programs in order to utilize the land to its full potential while reducing the harm caused by human activities such as agriculture. 

Today, several federal soil conservation programs operate under the United States Department of Agriculture and a USDA conservation service, the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). This program oversees the programs designed by the USDA, and with contribution from the U.S. Forest Service, to reduce the impact of soil erosion while making preservation efforts in the Great Plains and on U.S. wetlands.

History of Conservation Programs

The U.S. government has implemented programs to combat soil erosion caused by humans. Many of these acts focus on sustainable farming and agriculture.

1935 Soil Conservation Act: Congress enacted this program in order to “…provide for the protection of land resources against soil erosion, and for other purposes.” This act authorized the Conservation Options Program and the voluntary Soil Conservation Service, the predecessor to NRCS. These offshoots provided technical assistance to those looking to implement soil management programs and reduce the harmful effects of agriculture.

1936 Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act: U.S. federal policy amended the Soil Conservation Act to encourage participation in agricultural conservation programs. This gave rise to the Agricultural Conservation Program, a voluntary program that provides producers the financial assistance they might require to put into use approved conservation practices

1956 Great Plains Conservation Program (GPCP): This voluntary long-term program sought to address the issues of soil erosion from wind and water, specifically on the Great Plains — an area of prime agriculture real estate. Producers were encouraged to adopt conservation practices to reduce erosion and employ best practices for the use of water and soil resources. Functions of this program included “anti-pollution practices, measures to enhance fish, wildlife, and recreation resources, and practices to promote economic land use.”

1956-today: The NRCS has greatly expanded in the years following, and today there are approximately two dozen programs designed to assist producers by providing education, and technical and financial assistance to implement conservation practices.

At the heart of these programs lie common goals:

  • Address natural resource and environmental concerns associated with agriculture.
  • Reduce soil erosion.
  • Enhance water supplies.
  • Improve water quality.
  • Increase wildlife habitat.
  • Reduce damages from floods and natural disasters.

Major Programs Today

Today, soil conservation programs are divided into two major categories: Working Land and Land Retirement. In the case of working-land programs, conservation practices are put into use on productive agricultural land. Under these programs, the land must stay in active production for the entirety of its enrollment period.

Land Retirement programs require that certain land is removed from agricultural production due to its vulnerability or high-erosion risk. Land sent into retirement then adopts conservation practices designated under the program the land is enrolled in.

Up until 2000, 90% of conservation programs focused on land retirement. Since then, the focus of the NRCS has shifted with the realization that working land needs as much, or more, protections.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

This land retirement program serves to remove millions of acres of sensitive land that is susceptible to erosion from agricultural production. With 27 million acres lost to soil erosion, this program aims to reduce the damaging effects caused by agricultural production. Under this soil conservation service resides the Farm Service Agency which administers CRP in 10-year contracts under the NRCS.

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)

A working land program, the ACEP provides financial and technical assistance for agricultural land and wetlands to promote their conservation and the benefits both provide.

Also under this program is the Agricultural Land Easements. This component assists the NRCS in promoting Native American tribes, state and local governments, and non-government organizations to protect working land and prevent non-agricultural use of said land. The Wetlands Reserve Easements is yet another component that works to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Another working-land program, EQIP may provide cost-share payments to producers and landowners to encourage them to put into place management practices to conserve and protect. Under this program reside four other programs with focused intent, which include the Conservation Innovative Grants, Ground and Surface Water Conservation, Klamath River Basin, and Colorado River Basin Salinity Control programs

The Conservation Security Program (CSP)

This working lands program offers financial incentives and technical assistance to agricultural producers. The program rewards producers who promote conservation efforts and work to improve soil, water, air, energy, plant, and animal life. This program is one of the most promising as it could eventually affect US agricultural policy.

Since the 1930s, and not that far into the 20th century, the U.S. recognized that just as the environment affected agriculture, so agriculture affected the environment. The implementation of several soil conservation programs under USDA oversight illustrate the efforts that need to be made to prevent or at least minimize the damage of soil erosion. 

World population has more than tripled since 1935, with now over seven billion humans on the planet that are fed and clothed through agriculture. As changing weather patterns produce storms and create unpredictability, agricultural producers and landowners must be more vigilant than ever.

Today there are many more programs filled with incentives and education to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts, a step in the right direction. Manufacturers are fulfilling the demand for substrates and sod-forming material to combat erosion and runoff. The National Resources Conservation Program has made strides forward to minimize the damage from soil erosion to include working land and land sent into retirement equally in the efforts to combat the effects of human activity and growth.

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.