Soil Erosion & Conservation

Erosion

Human Causes

Natural Causes

2. Overgrazing

2. Wind

1. Water

1. Deforestation

3. Construction & Mining

4. Wrong Farming Methods - Ploughing up & down a slope creates channels causing quick flow of water

Gullies - Running water cuts through clayey soil forming deep channels called gullies

Bad Land - Lands with gullies that cannot be cultivated

Ravines - Badland in Chambal - Ravines are deep valleys with steep sides

Wind blows loose top sand from slopes & flat land

Definition

Denudation of soil cover (D1) with subsequent washing away of top soil (D2) by water, wind, glacier etc (D3)

3. Glacier

Sheet Erosion - Sometimes water flows as a sheet over large area down a slope

Prevention

1. Contour Ploughing

2. Terrace Farming

3. Strip Cropping

4. Shelter Belts

5. Afforestation

6. Prevention of Overgrazing

Ploughing along contour lines to decelerate flow of water along the slopes

Steps are cut out on slopes to make terraces that prevent erosion .

Strips of grass grow between crops and breaks the force of the wind

Planting rows of trees to break the force of wind

It is used to stabilize sand dunes in deserts