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Soil Erosion Problems and Solutions

Soil Erosion

How Does Soil Erosion Affect Soil Fertility

The usual image that comes to mind when thinking about erosion is beach erosion and other areas where the land has very noticeable changes due to erosion. It’s often straightforward to see the impact that erosion has on these areas because there are visible changes to the landscape. Soil erosion can result in changes that aren’t visible that can have just as devastating an impact as a beach disappearing over time. 

As a gardener, you may find yourself in a situation where you have to deal with soil erosion, as it can harm the fertility of the soil in your garden.

What is Soil Fertility?

Soil fertility is the concept of how well the soil can provide a habitat for life. Rich, fertile soil is the home of diverse organisms and is able to grow a variety of plants that result in a plentiful harvest of top-quality fruits and vegetables. A backyard garden that has fertile soil doesn’t need any amendments to it to ensure that your crop does well. A garden that has soil fertility issues will struggle to yield a quality harvest.

What Factors Contribute to Soil Fertility?

Several factors contribute to soil fertility. The soil needs to be deep enough for roots to grow and water to be retained in it. Weak root growth or water that evaporates too quickly will result in plants that don’t thrive. There also needs to be some drainage in the soil. More clay-based soils can result in poor drainage. This drainage issue can result in plants having their roots rot, and often ends in the plant dying. Also, drainage issues often mean that the soil is too hard without aeration for the roots.

The amount of organic matter that is found in the soil is also essential. Organic matter helps with soil structure and moisture, along with putting minerals and nutrients into the soil. A lack of organic matter will often result in plants that are probably not getting the right mix of nutrients to grow. Fertile soil also has the perfect pH. It should range from 5.5 to 7.0 for most plants. There are some plants, such as blueberries, that prefer soil outside of this pH range, but for most plants, this range is the sweet spot.

Another aspect of soil fertility is the other organisms in the soil. Some gardeners think of every organism that invades their garden as a pest or a problem that needs to be eradicated, but that’s not always the case. There are beneficial microorganisms that live in the soil that help plants grow, such as mycorrhizae. Poor soil quality often results in the death or migration of these microorganisms. 

Why is Soil Fertility Important?

Often, when there are issues with the growth of a plant or the harvest, there are two potential causes. One is pests, while the other is soil fertility. Soil fertility is vital for the soil to provide the perfect medium for any plants to grow. Problems with the fertility of the soil will show up during the growing season. Gardeners may find that their seedlings don’t grow as they should or that the leaves of the plants are yellowing when they should be a healthy green. The fertility of the soil must be addressed to help treat any issues and prevent them from occurring again in the future.

How Does Erosion Affect Soil Fertility?

Soil erosion can have an impact on soil fertility. The soil in your garden is in layers that have been deposited over time. Often, the top layer that you plant your garden in is called topsoil. Erosion erases away the top layers of the topsoil over time. As topsoil is often one of the most fertile areas, you’re losing some of the qualities that make your soil fertile. Loss of soil fertility can be a huge problem for gardeners that can’t be ignored.

Testing Your Soil

One of the first things that should be done if you think there’s a problem with the fertility of your soil is to test it. Testing is a valuable tool that can help you address any lack of nutrients or minerals in the soil that’s impacting your crops or flowers. There are two options when it comes to testing. 

You can pick up a DIY kit that allows you to take several samples from around your garden and test the soil yourself. These kits can require that you follow the directions exactly to get the correct results, so it is imperative to read the instructions carefully a few times before you get started. 

The other option is to send your soil samples off to a lab to have them tested for you. For this option, you’ll need to collect the soil using the directions they send. Usually, these directions are that you have to collect at an appropriate depth and in several areas to get an overall feel for your soil’s health.

Once you receive the test results, you can use them to amend the soil as needed. You may find that you need a general application of fertilizer to boost the nutrients in the soil or that you need only one particular nutrient. Problems with pH can also be found at this time. 

Soil Fertility Assistance

After you’ve tested the soil, you should also look into the physical nature of the soil. How deep does your garden bed go down? Does your soil contain clay? When it rains, does your garden become a muddy mess? Any of these issues should be adjusted. For instance, you can add lighter amendments to the soil that’s high in clay.

Soil erosion can cause issues with your garden and how well it will grow over the season. Adding minerals and nutrients to it may be necessary if the erosion has taken away too much of what makes your soil fertile. Testing your soil is one of the best methods of ensuring that your soil remains viable for this growing season and beyond. 

The Benefits of Silt Fencing

Whether you’re doing residential remodeling or working on a commercial or industrial project, making sure your site is protected is incredibly important. Many locations have laws requiring you to have erosion protection methods established before you ever break ground, as construction projects can be a cause of serious sediment flow.

Silt fencing is the most common method of protecting local waterways from any sediments disturbed by construction projects. It can be purchased with stakes already attached or with separate stakes and is occasionally buried in the ground as well to prevent water from flowing beneath the fencing. Silt fencing is also generally seen as more effective than wattles, as you can create a higher, more sustainable barrier.

Silt Fencing – the Basics

Silt fencing is usually made of synthetic materials specifically chosen to allow water to flow through while keeping sediment back. Generally, silt fencing is designed to withstand the elements wherever it’s being used; however, it’s important to remember that silt fencing is a passive filtration system and often isn’t designed to withstand a considerable weight of water. If you find water pooling more than a few feet deep in the middle of your silt fencing, you run the risk of the fencing collapsing and the filtration system failing.

Silt fencing is designed as dual-purpose protection. Not only do silt fences help with erosion control, but they’re also integral for sediment control. Silt fencing keeps sediment out of waterways and storm drains, preventing flooding issues and other problems with sediment dispersal.

Synthetic vs. Coir Silt Fencing

Coir silt fencing is a relatively new addition to the lineup of silt fencing options, which are traditionally made from synthetic geotextiles and require dismantling post-construction. Because there are often regulations regarding the type of fencing used, synthetic geotextiles are more common.

However, coir silt fencing has been growing in popularity due to its relatively low cost and sustainable nature. As coir is made from the fibers of coconut husks, it’s an all-natural product that works well on construction sites because of its practical design. Coir silt fencing is generally designed in a honeycomb-inspired sheet, which not only filters sediment from the water but can also catch small sediment pieces that may not be heavy enough to settle in front of the fence.

Coir silt fencing is also biodegradable, meaning that it requires less cleanup when construction is finished. It’s available in several customizable sizes, allowing for better ordering control. Because silt fencing is a necessary part of any construction project, it’s important to consider your options. When you can choose an option that’s eco-friendly, cost-effective, and often works better than the traditional alternative, why wouldn’t you?

Coir silt fencing is a great way to ensure sediment and erosion control at your worksite, no matter how large or small it is. And as suppliers continue to improve quality control and provide better products, coir silt fencing will continue to grow in popularity. Try it for your next construction project!

Top 3 Erosion Control Methods

Water is one of the most powerful forces on Earth. When combined with windy conditions, it can damage even the best-maintained soil and landscapes. Thankfully, there are several erosion control methods you can utilize. By implementing any of these erosion control methods, you can manage erosion and protect the soil and vegetation in your garden or landscaping.

Riprap

Thanks to its durability and ability to withstand adverse weather conditions, riprap is a good erosion control method. Riprap consists of numerous rocks of all shapes and sizes that are tightly locked together. The rocks help hold the soil in place and prevent it from being washed away by water or wind. Riprap can also be used to stabilize the soil around a riverbank or lakeshore, helping keep the bank and shore intact. It is common to see riprap around bridge supports, especially if the bridge is over a body of water.

For landscaping and gardening, rocks can hold the soil in place and mitigate weed growth. If you’re rockscaping, you should use the rocks in conjunction with landscape netting. The combination of rocks and landscape netting will protect the plants and minimize erosion.

Erosion Control Blankets

Erosion control blankets are laid out over areas that have been affected by erosion. These blankets are especially useful when trying to plant on hills or steep slopes. Typically, erosion control blankets are used to protect seeds from scavenging animals and prevent seeds and soil from being swept away by wind or water. In addition, erosion control blankets slow the flow of water, stopping plants and soil from being washed away. Erosion control blankets are versatile and can be adapted to fit any garden or landscape in any climate or environment.

Erosion control blankets are typically made from natural, biodegradable fibers such as coir, but they can also be made from synthetic materials. Coir erosion control blankets are especially good for slopes; the coir fibers absorb and retain water, slowing water as it flows down the slope. The adaptability of coir mats makes them a solid choice for erosion control; they can be used to support and restore banks, shores, and wetlands. Coir is an eco-friendly, organic product, and there is no waste to clean up when you use a coir mat.

Vegetation

Grass, plants, and other types of vegetation are exceptional at controlling erosion. As they grow, the roots from the grass or plants become anchored in the soil, keeping the soil in place. As a plant grows larger, its root system grows larger, and it becomes more able to secure the surrounding soil. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to use supplemental erosion control methods, but the plants themselves function as a natural way to ensure that the soil stays in place.

These erosion control methods can combat erosion in any garden or landscape. If your growing space has been affected by erosion, you should think about utilizing any of these methods to protect your plants and soil.

Tips for Using Silt Bags for Erosion Control

Erosion is a common problem on construction sites and extensive agricultural projects, and there are numerous ways to control erosion on a large scale. Silt bags have been proven to be an effective way to control erosion on construction sites. This guide will explain how silt bags are used for erosion control and give you a few tips for using silt bags yourself.

What Are Silt Bags?

Silt bags are dewatering products manufactured from geotextile fabrics. Dewatering is the process of removing water from a construction area with water pumps. If an area was flooded in the past, it may be necessary to pump water away from the site before beginning construction or excavation. By controlling the movement of sediment, silt bags help construction sites comply with stringent stormwater regulations. 

Silt bags filter sediment and other materials from water. When you utilize silt bags, water flows through the bags and sediment is trapped inside.

Applications

Silt bags are used to filter water and can be used at construction sites, wastewater treatment plants, and any job site where sediment needs to be controlled. It’s necessary to mitigate erosion around construction sites in order to minimize the amount of sediment that is carried into lakes, rivers, and streams. 

Sediment can carry pollutants that are detrimental to wildlife, so it’s important to manage the movement of sediment when possible. Using silt bags at construction sites will help protect nearby wildlife, bodies of water, and natural resources.

You can use coir mats, logs, or netting in conjunction with silt bags at construction sites. Coconut coir fibers have an unmatched ability to retain and absorb water. After the silt bag filters the sediment from the water, coir mats or logs will absorb the water for the surrounding vegetation. In this way, sediment-free water is able to be absorbed into the soil or go down a storm drain. 

In addition, the coir mats, logs, and nettings secure the soil in place, preventing the filtered water from washing away the existing soil. Coir products are eco-friendly and biodegradable and provide essential nutrients to the soil as they decompose. They are wholly organic and leave behind no waste products.

Tips for Using Silt Bags

When you want to use silt bags for erosion control, you should first assess the area and see how you can protect the soil and surrounding vegetation. To prevent further erosion, you should support and stabilize the area.

Instead of throwing away the contents of the silt bag, you can put the silt and sediment back on the area for stabilization and support as long as they don’t contain pollutants or hazardous materials. Check the silt bags frequently for clogs or other impairments and replace the bag if needed.

If it’s necessary to pump water away from your construction site, it’s a good idea to use silt bags to control erosion and sediment movement. Using silt bags for erosion control is good for the environment and allows construction to take place without harming the existing vegetation or soil.

Human Contributions to Soil Erosion

Soil erosion is a serious consequence that affects the entire planet. Studies continue to support the fact that humans are the root cause of soil erosion, whether erosion occurs from wind or water. As the effects of erosion contribute to soil’s ability to produce and regenerate, soil quality continues to rapidly deplete. PH levels and nutrients are altered from erosion events and modern farming practices do little to offset these effects and often make it worse.

Population growth and agriculture are driving forces in the damage caused by erosion. As awareness grows, land management practices continue to evolve and search for solutions to mitigate erosion’s effects or work to prevent it from taking place.

What is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion is the wearing away of soil layers from the effects of wind and water. Most soil erosion is caused by human activity, and agriculture and development are the primary drivers of wind and water erosion.

Wind erosion strips off topsoil and transports nutrients downwind while weakening soil’s stabilizing forces. The wind carries sediment over miles of land, leading to the exacerbation of allergies and upper respiratory conditions.

Soil erosion caused by water bombards soil with moisture it cannot absorb or resist. Topsoil and its nutrient layer might be carried away by a rain event, or soil’s pH and microbial colonies might be compromised.

Along with removing vital layers of fertile soil, wind and water erosion also carry away fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Erosion carries and distributes these materials within sediment to incite environmental harm. 

Why is Soil So Important?

Soil might seem like a passive material but it is a living and evolving substance that is the heart of where we grow our food, construct our shelters, and practice our business. Earth’s soils are in a delicate balance and formed over millennia by forces of wind and rain and natural erosion events. The shaping of new soil depends on the area where it forms, which forces contribute, local microbes that make soil home, and soil’s ability to grow and produce. 

As the human population continues to inflate, agriculture land is increasingly at risk. Degradation of soil can render some areas unfit for production, leaving land vulnerable to excess erosion. Currently, soil’s ability to regenerate and replace what was lost is locked in an ongoing battle with population growth. In time, nature may not be able to keep up and land that is still able to produce may become less and less viable.

Human Soil Erosion Facts

When we take a closer look at the human impact on soil health and the part human activity plays in erosion, there come certain eventualities. In a 2006 Cornell University study on the effects of human activity and soil erosion, The Journal of the Environment, Development and Sustainability, stated the following facts.

  • Humans have been responsible for excess soil erosion since the first millennium.
  • Natural soil erosion occurs at a rate of 60 million feet per one million years.
  • Human activity accounts for ten times more soil erosion than all natural erosion processes combined.
  • China and India lose soil to erosion thirty times faster than natural occurrences, while the U.S. loses soil ten times faster.
  • In some agricultural areas, soil erosion rate is 1500 feet per one million years.
  • Worldwide, 37,000 square miles of cropland are lost each year to erosion.
  • Erosion has rendered 30% of the world’s croplands unproductive.
  • In the U.S., an estimated $37 billion is lost in agricultural production due to erosion and its effects.
  • Damage can exceed $400 billion per year worldwide.
  • Wind erosion transports airborne dust which can carry human infectious disease and pathogens, including tuberculosis and anthrax.
  • Some dessert soils have lost their entire A horizon or topsoil.

 What Human Activities Lead to Soil Erosion?

Agriculture and development are primary human practices that lead to or worsen soil erosion. As the consequences to infertile soil and climate change become more apparent, taking action to offset the effects of soil erosion is vital to maintaining land for agriculture. Fortunately, changes are taking place in the following areas.

Overgrazing: Farmers may have an overabundance of livestock. Sheep, cattle, and goats consume protective vegetation or compact the soil when they trod over it.

Overcropping. Crops constantly in rotation deny the land time to lay fallow and restore soil’s nutrients and balance pH. Soils dry out due to overcropping which leads to infertility. Farmers might compensate with excess fertilizers or artificial nutrients.

Deforestation: Clearing large land areas to harvest wood for construction or as a source of fuel leave those stripped lands bare and vulnerable. Removal of vegetation exposes land to water and wind erosion. Lack of reforestation can result in a loss of biodiversity, compromising soil structure and health.

Steps to Minimize Soil Erosion

Minimizing conditions that lead to soil erosion, as well as lessening impacts, may slake the damage. Planting crops with ample time between rotations can give the soil a chance to regenerate and repopulate with microbes and nutrients. Reduced soil tillage also has beneficial effects by lessening soil aggregate loss while reinforcing soil’s staying power.

Strip or terrace planting can help support soil in erosion events while providing nutrients and balancing pH. Using natural geotextiles help soil keep its moisture level in balance and provides nutrients to the soil. Replacing lost vegetation helps soil repopulate beneficial bacteria and regain their fertility and resilience.

Although extensive damage has already been done, steps can be taken to reduce the impact of wind and water erosion. Since human activity accounts for nearly all excessive erosion consequences, recognizing the role humans play and taking action to protect the planet and her growing layer of soils might mean the difference between a fed planet and a starving one.

Actions like altering farming practices to lessen land disturbance, planting natural vegetation and managing land so that the soil is protected and cared for. This results in lands that are able to produce because the soil is fertile and in balance so that it can work to human advantage, which is what we intended to begin with.