Land erosion is a naturally occurring process involving natural elements such as water, ice, wind, and gravity that end up removing the fertilized soil on the upper surface of the earth exposing the rocks.
Thankfully, there are a number of ways to not only identify signs of land erosion but also prevent it from happening using methods such as an erosion control blanket. Below is some useful information you might want to know about this natural phenomenon:
What Areas Are Most Likely to Be Affected by Land Erosion?
There are quite a number of places that are most affected by land erosion. It is, therefore, a great idea for you to be knowledgeable about the subject so that you can know the right way to protect your soil from losing its fertility by means of rigorous erosion. The first place most affected by erosion is the valleys or slopes.
This is because of two things – gravity and rainwater. The same also goes for areas along rivers. This happens because of the constant rush of water which will, in the long run, loosen the soil around the banks and will result in massive erosion.
You’ll also realize that areas with aggressive winds, as well as snow, will be most affected by land erosion. This applies to areas known for constant snowing since the ice has the same effects as water. That said, it’s important for you to note these areas and find the best ways to eliminate the issues effectively.
What Are the Courses of Land Erosion?
There are quite a number of causes of land erosion, one of them being poor farming practices. Farmers who are always tilling land near river banks or valleys are strongly advised against tilling near the edges as it encourages land erosion due to running water as well as gravity.
As mentioned before snowing and wild winds can be incredible sources of land erosion. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways one can reduce these elements from damaging the soil as we shall discuss below. Another rather notorious cause of land erosion is deforestation.
Trees play a very important role when it comes to preventing land erosion thanks to their roots that hold the soil firmly together. They also can break the speed of the water as well as the winds. That means cutting down the trees will end up doing more harm than good.
Curbing Land Erosion and Conserving Natural Resources
The first effective way to prevent land erosion is by planting trees, as well as grass, in the areas most affected. Doing so will prevent erosion from happening since the cover and the roots will end up consolidating the soil together thus preventing the water from collecting downstream. Farmers can also stop cultivating land in sloppy areas as well as near riverbanks. This way, they won’t have to worry much about the silt running down with the water and depleting the natural resources in the soil. You can also use an erosion-curbing blanket which will protect the soil from the adverse effects of erosion. These blankets will keep the topsoil intact while the seedlings are taking root and protecting them at all times.
You can also prevent the dire effects of land erosion by adding more rocks or mulch in and around the edges of your farm. Mulch and rocks also happen to be very efficient absorbers of water and will reduce the speed of running water which will, in turn, spare the topsoil from being washed away and the natural resources with it.
Land erosion, if not put in check, can lead to a lot of unfortunate circumstances. For starters, the land will lose all of its fertility and there is also a likelihood of accidents occurring in the form of landslides or mudslides. Thankfully, following any of the above-mentioned methods can end up saving you a lot of problems by simply putting a stop to erosion altogether.
There is no shame in asking for help when it comes to curbing soil or land erosion. Thankfully, there are specialists out there who will be more than willing to be of assistance. That said, feel free to use the Internet to find much-needed assistance before the situation gets worse.
