SOIL EROSION

Group Members:
Candice Scott 11W
Octavia Lee 11W
Christina Ivey 11N

What is soil erosion?

Soil erosion refers to the removal of topsoil
faster than the soil forming process can
replace it, due to natural, animal and
human activity.
The chief cause of soil erosion is human
mismanagement.

Soil erosion is influenced by:

the texture and structure of the soil

the degree and intensity of the rainfall
the velocity of the wind
the degree of mankinds interference with
the vegetation
the nature of tillage or crop cultivation
the degree of the slope of the land

Types of soil erosion

Sheet Erosion
This is the removal of a thin uniform layer of
soil by water especially on sloping fields. This
is caused by sheet flood or sheet wash.

Types of soil erosion

Gullying
Gullying is produced by the action of water on the soil
which creates a deep gash or rill on the landscape,
eventually forming gullies or channels. It results from
intense runoff. It is concentrated on bare, steep slopes on
clayey soils, especially if these are underlain by softer
materials. Smaller channels are known as rill erosion.

Types of soil erosion

Wind Erosion
Wind erosion predominates when the land is
bare, the particles become loosened are
gradually blown away. the soil is removed by a
process known as deflation. Wind erosion is
more prevalent on flat surfaces and water
erosion on on sloping surfaces.

Case Study: JAMAICA:

Christiana, Manchester
Causes
Soil erosion has been caused by
overcropping and improper soil
management. As a result of this the soil in
the area is impoverished and farmers have
a very hard time cultivating crops

Case Study: JAMAICA:

Christiana, Manchester
Soil erosion was quickened by farmers who cleared the
hillsides of trees which resulted in gully erosion.
Poor farmers planted ground provisions without fertiliser
applications year after year. This led to deterioration of the
soil quality and soil structure making it more susceptible to
erosion. They then moved on to other plots to do the same.
Additionally, in the cultivation of these ground provisions, a
disproportionately large portion of the land is tilled and laid
bare leaving it exposed to the elements.

Case Study: JAMAICA:

Christiana, Manchester
Mitigation efforts
The Christiana Area Land Authority (CALA)
was formed to help farmers cultivate crops
on a more scientific basis and this correct
the underlying causes of soil erosion. It was
meant to raise the social and economic
conditions of the farmers with a view to
providings crops for export through
responsible land farming.

Case Study: JAMAICA:

Christiana, Manchester
Farmers were given larger plots of land and advised on
crop cultivation. This led to increased crop rotation,
strip cropping, and contour ploughing.
There was also an increase in the use of fertilisers and
manure. Yields increased, farms were not abandoned
and soil erosion was kept in check.
An afforestation program for binding the soil and
providing lumber was also set into motion. Large areas
of badly affected land were reafforested.