Professional Documents
Culture Documents
- SOIL EROSION
Architecture
A Report by:
GOBOY, Elmer Joseph
Gomez, Jared Josef dL.
HAMTIG, Julius Amiel
JOSEF, Jezabelle Anne L.
JUALO, May Ann C.
Soil erosion is the dislodgement of soil particles which is caused by heavy rainfall,
wind and snow fall. Soil erosion can be a minor process which becomes unnoticed and
causes alarming and serious affects to top soil once discovered.
Each factor heavily contributes to soil becoming eroded and they can assist to
accelerate the soil erosion process with the contribution of rain, wind and snow.
However soil erosion is a natural process which in some cases is necessary for
landscaping and land vitality.
Soil Erosion Consequences
Soil erosion can be devastating for farm and residential property owners. If soil
erosion is not controlled then the following consequences will occur;
• Plants, trees and flowers will be deprived of nutrients from soil because the soil
will not be able to contain moisture due to erosion.
• The loss of soil material will cause reduced depth for plant and vegetation roots
which will lead to plant and vegetation death.
• Plants will not grow to the full capacity because of no organic cycling caused from
soil erosion.
Soil Erosion Control
Protecting your land investment, residential property or farm or rural property
controlling soil erosion will help you easily manage and rid of soil erosion problems.
By controlling soil erosion on your property you will benefit because:
Planting Vegetation
One of the most common ways to prevent soil erosion on residential landscaped
gardens and vegetation and crop properties is to plant flowers, trees and crops
over the affect soil. Plants act as protective shields to the soil lessening the impact
of rainfall, wind, excessive watering and ice melt. The plants will also help stabilize
the soil and prevent it from becoming prone to soil erosion. Some popular soil
erosion prevention plants are: wild flowers, crop veggies, small trees and herbs.
Plants which crawl up and spread instead of growing upwards are also great soil
erosion prevention plants.
Matting
Soil erosion prevention products are available in many
styles. One of the most common products which are
most commonly used on residential properties,
vegetation crops and vacant land is matting. Matting is
available in wood fibres which make it environmentally
friendly and biodegradable. The matting will be placed
on the soils surface and prevent erosion from
occurring. The matting will allow plants, crops and
trees to grow through it and the soil will be healthy
and stabilized. Matting can be cut to size to suit your
property.
Mulch/Fertilizer
Another soil erosion prevention method which is
beneficial to the soil and plants which live in it, is
applying a layer of mulch and fertilizer over the soil.
The mulch and fertilizer layer will assist the soil to soak
in water slowly and it will also lessen the impact of
rainfall as it penetrates through to the soil. The mulch
and fertilizer layer will also stabilize the affect soil by
regaining its PH levels to be healthy and neutralized.
Any type of mulch or fertilizer can be used to prevent
soil erosion.
Retaining Walls/Edging
Wet patches or mud puddles on your driveway, or any hardscaped area are a sign
of soil erosion runoff. This is generally caused by water erosion. Water erosion is
affecting the soil and making it expand and travel to different areas of the yard
such as the driveway. You can prevent this from occurring by building a small
retaining wall around your garden beds.
The retaining wall will act as a shield for the soil and prevent soil erosion from
occurring. The wall will also keep water retained in the garden bed so that the soil
will slowly soak it in. If used in conjunction with other soil erosion prevention
methods this method can be very rewarding to your property.
Vegetation and Mulch Help Prevent
Soil Erosion
There are many common forms of soil erosion control methods but one which is
highly recommended and natural is using vegetation and mulch. If rainfall, wind and
ice which are the most common destructive elements which cause erosion have no
direct access to soil then t he impact of the rainfall will not be as harsh on the soil
because the soil will be protected by the vegetation and mulch in which you have
covered your soil with.
Vegetation can be large or small plants and trees and mulch is great for the garden
and also provides a protective top coating for the soil. Mulch will soak in the rainfall
and eventually let it pass through to the soil. Vegetation will also soak in the water
whilst some water will also flow off into the soil, but not at full impact.
Mulches
Definition
In gardening and farming terms mulches are used to provide a protective cover over
soil and gardens. They primarily help modify the harsh effects of climate, wind, rainfall
and snow. There are a wide variety of mulches consisting of both natural and synthetic
materials. Mulches help soil retain water as well as providing plants, flowers and trees
with healthy nutrients.
Mulches also are beneficial in the garden because they help prevent erosion. They
provide the soil with a shield which protects it from the harsh impact of rainfall,
ice melt and strong winds. Mulches will also help soil conserve and retain moisture
which it so needs to stay stable and nutritional.
Suitable plants for erosion control
Local plant species growing vigorously in the locality should be used. Other species which are
suitable for planting in specific sites and have the desired characteristics to control erosion could be
used.
In general, practically all plants can be used as vegetative cover. When used for erosion control
purposes, these plants should meet one of the following requirements:
If stolons or cuttings are used, they should be firmed very well into the soil. Bermuda
grass is one of the most effective grasses to plant in gullies to control soil erosion. It
rapidly develops a strong root system.
The recommended grasses to be planted are:
Forsythia
Maguey (Agave cantala)
Vines are used chiefly in gullies within pasture areas and in other places where protection
alone is desired. The same preparation of the ground for tree planting is necessary for
setting vines.
Some of these are the following:
1. Kudzu (Pueraria thumbergiana)
2. Centrosema (Centrosema pubescens)
3. Punkinggan
4. Lespedeza cuneata
5. Stylosanthes spp.
Centrosema or Centrosema
pubescens Kudzu or Pueraria thumbergiana
Lespedeza Cuneata Stylosanthes
References
ERDS-CAR-DENR, 1994. Soil and water conservation
through vegetative measures, Technology Transfer Tips, Vol.1.
Baguio City.
DOST-PCCARD Forum:
http://hrdc.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/message/viewtopic.php?id=804