FACT SHEET
Soil Erosion
What is Soil Erosion?
Soil is one of the main recourses we rellie on for food and without any soil producing food will
become extremely difficult. There is likely to be 1.7 billion more mouths to feed by 2030. With the
increasing amount of people and decreasing farm lands available there will be a challenge to
provide the resources needed if we don’t try preventing soil erosion.
Soil erosion is wearing away of the soil and rocks this is the topsoil being removed from the land.
This problem occurs in rural and urban areas and is caused by water and wind. Topsoil takes a
long time to develop so it is a valuable resource it contains all the nutrients needed for plants to
grow.
Types of Soil Erosion
Sheet erosion- With high rainfall over the summer erosion is at a high risk and Sheet erosion is
caused by rain running downhill without plants in the ground to prevent the layers of soil being
removed.
Rill erosion- This is a form of water erosion that creates approximately 30cm channels in the
soil. The small channels can be removed by a small procedure.
Gully erosion- A form of erosion caused by water creating Gullies in the soil which causes the
topsoil to wash away effecting farming in this area, damage roads, creeks and discolour the water.
Mass movement- Gravity is causing the soil and rocks to move downwards, the movement may
cause forms of soil creep, slumps, landslides and landslips. Depending on the size of the
movement it can cause destruction for houses and farmland.
Wind erosion- Most common in dry, flat areas with sandy soils caused by caused by wind lifting
the topsoil off the top in dry areas causing the soil to become less bound together and breaks
down and has to be removed.
Erosion can be controlled to suit the conditions of
the area crops need to be rotated around the fields
to prevent the soil from being less disturbed and
protect the soil surface with a cover.
Wind erosion can be prevented by canola stubble
and are useful for grazing land. Plants should be
planted in areas where the water runs off to prevent
the soil from being washed away.
REFERENCEShttp://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00128/en/links/soil_ero_degrad.htm
http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/agriculture/pubs/summary_reports/ag_in_aust/_aa_07.html
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/erosion.HTM
keepqueenslandbeautiful.org.au