Soil Erosion

Project Submitted by :Govt Sn.Sec. School Tanda Boys Hoshiarpur Topic Covered : Soil Erosion

SOIL EROSION • Definition of Soil Erosion • Causes of Soil Erosion • Prevention of Soil Erosion

Definition of Soil Erosion It refers to the movement of soil particles from their original place to some other place. It is a natural process & is as old as the earth itself. Now days it has become a great threat for the existence of human life because the rate of soil formation is far less than erosion.

Causes of Soil Erosion The main causes of soil erosion are water; wind; land slides; over hunting; overgrazing; & deforestation. (2) Water Erosion:- In the form of high rainfall & floods is one of the main cause of soil erosion. It removes soil in many ways. (a) Water running freely removes a uniform sheet of top soil, it is called Sheet erosion.

(b) As the flood water run rapidly or if sheet erosion continues unchecked it produces small stream like structures , it is called Rill Erosion. (c ) Along the steep slopes of the hills several rills join to form deep channels or Gullies which damages the roads & buildings of that area. It can be explained as when rill erosion goes unchecked , the rills deepen & enlarge into gullies.

(d)

During floods the river water puts pressure on their banks to produce cuts through them, it is called Riparian Erosion. (e) Wind Erosion:- The strong winds easily lift up and carry away the soil particles. This type of erosion is active in dry areas. The high velocity winds & dust storms transport a huge quantity of soil particles to a great distance. They often get deposited in ponds, lakes, & rivers. This is also reduces their depth, which has an adverse effect on a aquatic life.

(f) Human beings themselves are responsible in the erosion of soil. For example the over hunting of wild animals, especially carnivores like tiger & lion has lead to increase the population of herbivores. The natural balance is upset, as the increased population of herbivores starts overgrazing & damages the vegetation in large quantities.

(g)

Deforestation is another main cause of soil erosion in India. According to one estimate that by the year 2000AD only 2,370 million hectares of forests were left, whereas in 1990 ad it was 7,000 million hectares. Besides soil erosion, deforestation also increases the chances of floods & Droughts that will change the local climate & the ecosystem.

Prevention of Soil Erosion The erosion of soil can be prevented by the combined efforts of the government & the social organization. The various methods of the prevention of soil erosion are:-

1. The wastelands can be utilized to grow more & more trees to check erosions. 2. The already existing forests should be protected. To increase the forest wealth the “Van Mahitsav” projects should be given priority. 3. The farming of soil erosion checking crops like pulses ,groundnut & grasses can also check erosion.

4. To carry out flood water, suitable outlet channels should be made. 5. On hilly slops “Terrace Cropping” should be followed. It reduces the speed of water that checks soil erosion