SOIL EROSION

Soil erosion is a naturally occurring process

that affects all landforms. In agriculture, soil
erosion refers to the wearing away of a
field's topsoil by the natural physical forces of
water (Figure 1) and wind (Figure 2) or
through forces associated with farming
activities such as tillage.
SOIL EROSION
The process by which wind and water transport
soil particles and sediments from one place to
another.
CAUSES OF SOIL EROSION
Water erosion

Wind erosion

Deforestation

Bad Farming or Agricultural Practices

Overgrazing of animals
Water erosion
rainfall carries small soil
particles to another place.
When snow melts, it carry
the top soil to flow with
melting snow.
Wind erosion
strong wind blows on land
without plants or
vegetation. The dry soil
breaks apart, making the
lighter particles to be
blown to other places.
Deforestation

too much cutting of trees

cause soil to erode because
of lack of roots that hold the
soil.
Bad Farming or Agricultural
Practices

burning trees or kaingin

system clear the land, thus
exposing soil to rain & wind.
Overgrazing of animals

grass consuming animals

make soil expose which can
easily be carried by wind
and water
Water erosion deforestation

Wind eros
Wind erosion
EFFECTS OF SOIL
EROSION
Shortage of food supply
Change of Landforms
Flooding and siltation
Shortage of food supply
loss of topsoil results in
lesser harvest of
farmers, poor quality of
crops, and lesser income
for farmers. For non-
farmers food will be
expensive.
Change of Landforms
water seeps through hills and
mountain, soil loosen and
landslide may occur. Some soil
particles may be carried to
streams, lakes, and rivers. Tis
will lead to flooding of the
lower areas that could destroy
lives and properties.
Flooding and siltation
farmers do not plow
fields or disturb
topsoil. A minimum till
practice is done using
special machine to
plant seeds, add
fertilizers, & kill weeds
in the field.
Siltation
HOW TO REDUCE SOIL EROSION

Contour plowing/farming
Terracing
Strip cropping
Crop rotation
No till or minimum till
practice
Contour plowing/farming

farmers plow and plant

crops in rows across
according to the shape
or contour of the land
Terracing
terraces look like
steps that are built by
using piles of stones
with short vertical
drops from one to
another along the
contour of the land
Strip cropping
planting two different
crops of alternate rows
and strips. A series of
corn is planted in wide
strips, and then the
next strip is planted
with peanuts
Crop rotation
there is alteration in the
types of plant. Rice may
be planted in one year,
then beans or potatoes
may be planted next
year
No till or minimum till practice

farmers do not plow

fields or disturb topsoil.
A minimum till practice
is done using special
machine to plant seeds,
add fertilizers, & kill
weeds in the field
 Contour Plowing

Terracing
 Strip cropping

Crop rotation
Practice No Till Farming